24. Tank
TANK
ONE YEAR LATER
I wake to the sound of Warren's feet padding down the hallway. Not running, not scared, just moving through the home like he owns it.
Because he does. This is his home; safe, stable and filled with love.
Enya's still asleep beside me, her face peaceful, her hair spread across the pillow, one hand resting on my chest.
It's been a year since Declan died, since everything changed, since we became a family. It’s been a year of healing, of growing, and of learning what normal feels like.
Warren's nightmares have faded. Not gone completely, but less frequent and less intense. He sleeps through most nights now. When he wakes up, he’s smiling instead of scared.
Enya's different too. She’s still careful, still checks the locks sometimes, but the constant fear in her eyes is gone, replaced by the look of peace.
And me... I’m whole. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
We moved into our new home last week. I needed something bigger than that flat Enya had. I wanted a home for Warren, Enya, and I, someplace we could call home without any bad memories, and that’s exactly what we have. A home we can make our own and grow into as the years pass.
The bedroom door creaks open and warren pokes his head in. “Dad, are you awake?"
Dad. It still gets me, every single time.
"Yeah, mate. I'm awake."
He pads over to the bed and climbs onto it. He’s careful not to wake Enya as he settles beside me. "Can we have pancakes?"
“Of course we can."
His eyes light up with glee. “With chocolate chips?"
I nod. “If we have them."
"We do. I checked yesterday."
I smile. "Course you did."
Enya stirs, opens her eyes, and sees Warren curled against me. Her beautiful face breaks out into a wide smile. "Morning, my loves."
"Morning, Mam."
She reaches over and ruffles his hair. "You two plotting breakfast without me?"
"Pancakes," Warren announces. "With chocolate chips."
"Sounds perfect."
We get up and move to the kitchen. Warren sits at the table chattering about the play date he has tomorrow with James.
No doubt he’s excited to tell James about the new information he has on dinosaurs.
We can thank Rush for that one. How he managed to find a book that Warren didn’t have is beyond me, but he managed it.
Now Warren has one-hundred-and-two pages of new information to share with everyone.
I make pancakes while Enya makes coffee. It’s so natural and easy, just like everything with her. I’m fucking blessed to have a woman who loves as whole heartedly as Enya does.
Warren eats his pancakes like he’s inhaling them. He’s got chocolate around his mouth as he speaks about his plans.
Enya catches my eye and mouths, “I love you.” That’s something I’ll never tire of hearing.
I mouth back, “I love you too."
After breakfast, Enya reminds us we've got the baby shower at the clubhouse. Pyro and Chloe’s baby is due in a month.
Warren's excited. He loves going to the clubhouse. He loves being around the brothers and loves feeling like he's part of something bigger. He and Saoirse have grown close, and while Saoirse has no interest in dinosaurs, the two of them have managed to find other things to play and talk about.
We get ready. Warren insists on wearing his favorite dinosaur shirt. Enya changes three times before settling on jeans and a soft blue jumper that makes her eyes bright. I just pull on clean jeans and my cut, same as always.
"You look good," she says, pressing a hand against my jaw.
"You look better."
"Liar."
"Never."
Warren makes a face. "Are you two gonna be gross all day?"
"Probably," Enya says, grinning.
He groans dramatically. But he's smiling. He loves seeing his mam happy. He no longer has to worry about her being sad.
We head out of the house, Warren between us, holding both our hands, swinging his arms. He’s just as happy as his mam and I are.
My family.
Mine.
And I'm never letting go.
* * *
The clubhouse is chaos. Good chaos, but chaos nonetheless.
The Old Ladies have gone all out. There are pink and blue decorations everywhere; balloons, streamers, a massive cake shaped like a baby bottle.
The brothers are standing around looking lost. Rush is holding a tiny onesie while he watches as Cowboy attempts to assemble a crib with instructions that are clearly in another language. Bozo's just staring at the two of them with a lost expression on his face.
"Christ," I mutter.
Enya laughs. "They're hopeless."
"Completely."
Warren runs off to find Saoirse. Enya heads toward the women. Chloe’s in the center, glowing, one hand on her bump. She’s surrounded by Ailbhe, Mallory, Gráinne, Caoimhe, and her mam Callie, along with a woman who’s got deep purple hair.
Everly.
She's been in Dublin for months now. She’s doing her postgraduate in Immunology at Trinity.
She’s beautiful, witty, and confident. She fits right in with the old ladies like she's always been here.
Every single one of the old ladies love her and will be sad when she returns to South Carolina.
Her dad, Diesel, is the Vice President of the Fury Vipers; South Carolina chapter.
Making Everly family.
I make my way to the brothers. When Pyro sees me, he lifts his chin in greeting. "Tank."
"Pyro. Congratulations."
“Thanks. Still can't believe we’re almost there."
"Wait till the kid arrives, then you'll really be fucked."
He laughs. "Probably. But worth it."
Rush comes over, still holding the onesie. "How do you tell which way this goes?"
I take it, turn it right way up, and hand it back. "Like that."
"Right. Obvious."
"You're gonna be shite at this when your turn comes."
"Fuck off."
I grin. Move to grab a beer. When I come back, I notice where Rush went.
He's near the kitchen talking to Everly. Today’s not the first time that I’ve noticed how different he is around her, how he’s lighter when she’s near. He’s smiling in a way I haven't seen in months.
She's laughing at something he said, touching his arm. They’re easy and natural around one another. Their chemistry is clear as day to anyone watching. But he’s got to be careful. She’s family and off-limits. He’d better not fuck up.
Then Ciara appears, rushes to Rush's side, clinging to his arm, interrupting whatever Everly was saying.
Rush's expression shifts. He’s uncomfortable but trapped.
Everly handles it gracefully. She smiles, steps back, and gives them space.
But I see the flash of something in her eyes. Hurt and frustration.
Ciara's glaring at her, a possessive and jealous gleam in her eyes.
This is going to be a mess. I can feel it. And Rush is going to catch hell if this goes sideways.
Rush catches my eye. He looks tired, like he's dealing with shite he doesn't want to deal with.
I nod, letting him know I see it, that I've got his back when it blows up.
Because it will. Eventually.
But that's a problem for another day.
The shower continues. Games, food, and laughter. Warren's having the time of his life, playing with the other kids, eating cake and being part of the club family.
Enya's with the women, laughing, relaxed, and happy.
I watch them. My family and my brothers. This life I've built.
And I know that tonight’s the night.
I’ve been carrying the ring for two months, just waiting for the right moment, the right feeling.
Tonight feels right.
* * *
We get home late. Warren’s exhausted and has fallen asleep in the car on the way back.
I carry him inside and tuck him into bed. He barely stirs, just mumbles a quick, "Love you, Dad."
"Love you too, mate."
I close his door and move to the sitting room. Enya's already on the couch, shoes off, legs tucked under her. She looks so content.
I sit beside her and pull her close.
"Today was good," she says.
"Yeah. It was."
“Chloe’s so excited to have a boy."
“Pyro is too.” I haven’t seen him grin as much as I did today.
She's quiet for a moment. Then she asks quietly, “Do you ever think about us having more kids?”
My heart kicks up. "Yeah. I do."
"Me too. Warren's still healing, still adjusting, but I know he’s already talking about a sibling."
I laugh. “I’ve heard him. So whenever you’re ready, I’m in."
She looks at me, her eyes shining. "You always say the right thing."
"Just the truth."
"Declan never cared about anyone else’s feelings but his own. He decided what we did and when we did it. I had to go along with it."
"I'm not Declan."
“I know you’re not. You have shown me over and over again how you’re everything he could never be. You are without a doubt the best man I know. I love you so much, Devin.”
I kiss her, soft and gentle. "I love you too. So fucking much.” I take a breath. “I need to tell you something."
She pulls back slightly. "What?"
I reach into my pocket and pull out the small box I've been carrying for weeks.
Her eyes go wide. Her hand flies to her mouth.
"Enya." My voice is rough with emotion. “I knew from the moment I met you that you were different. I just had no idea how much my life would change since knowing you.”
Tears start falling down her cheeks.
"You and Warren have become family. I fell hard for you, Enya, so fucking hard. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.
” I open the box. It’s a simple ring. Nothing flashy, but it’s perfect for Enya.
“Warren’s my son in every way that matters, and you.
.. You’re my everything. So will you marry me? "
She's sobbing now, full on sobbing. "Yes. God, yes. Of course yes."
I slide the ring onto her finger, pull her onto my lap, and hold her while she cries.
"I love you," she gasps between sobs. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
Then I hear small footsteps. Warren appears in the doorway, rubbing his eyes. "Why's Mam crying?"
Enya laughs through her tears. "Happy crying, love. Come here."
He pads over and climbs onto the couch between us.
"What's happening?" he asks, glancing between us.
I look at Enya and she nods.
"I asked your mam to marry me," I say. "And she said yes."
Warren's eyes go huge. "Really?"
"Really."
"So you're gonna be my real dad?"
"I'm already your real dad, mate. This just makes it official."
He throws his arms around me. "I'm so happy!"
I hold on to him, one arm around Warren and the other around Enya.
My family.
"Can I be in the wedding?" Warren asks.
"Course you can," Enya says. "You're the most important part."
"Can I carry the rings?"
"If you want to."
"I do! I really do!"
This is it. This is everything I never knew I wanted.
A year ago I was alone, lost and broken without knowing it.
Now I’m whole.
I've got a woman I love more than breathing, a son who calls me Dad, and a future that's bright instead of dark.
And in a few months, I’ll marry her, and make it permanent.
Though it's already permanent, has been since the moment she trusted me, since Warren called me Daddy.
"I love you both," I say, my voice thick. "So fucking much."
"We love you too," Enya says.
"So much," Warren adds and then yawns. "Can I go back to bed now?"
"Yeah, mate. Come on."
I carry him back to his room and tuck him in again, He’s asleep before I close the door.
When I get back to the sitting room, Enya's staring at the ring, her tears still falling.
"You okay?" I ask.
"More than okay. I never thought I'd have this."
"You deserve it. All of it."
"So do you."
I pull her close. "We're getting married."
"We are."
"I'm going to be your husband."
"You are."
"And Warren's officially going to be mine."
"He already is. But yes, officially.”
We sit there, just holding each other as we plan our future.
This is forever.
This is family.
This is everything.
And I'm never letting go.