Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
Marnie
Watching Ash read to Becca has tears forming in my eyes.
He’s been so gentle with her, and for a brief moment, my heart breaks when I remember that I’ll never be able to give him a child of his own.
He has so much love to give a kid, that’s for sure.
Pulling my phone out, I snap a few pictures of the two of them, Becca giggling as Ash changes the voices of the characters while he reads, acting out the scenes.
I quickly send a text to Pauline, who responds with a heart emoji.
Yeah, this is going to work out just fine, I think.
Once we have her tucked in for the night, Ash heads downstairs for a few beers while I curl up on the couch and put on a Christmas movie.
They’re my kryptonite, to be honest. Yes, the stories are somewhat predictable, but with all the ugliness that exists in the world, we need fluffy movies.
Plus, it helps get me in the holiday spirit seeing the lights and decorations and people’s faces light up with joy.
It’s something I’m feeling a lot these days.
I realize that even though we’ll probably decorate the common room, we need to do the same with our suite since from what I understand, Becca didn’t have that with her aunt.
“God, she’s a piece of shit,” I grumble underneath my breath.
“I can’t believe she treated her niece like that.
She better hope I never meet her because a prison sentence will be letting her off too easily in my opinion.
She needs a good, old fashioned ass kicking, which I’d be more than happy to dole out. ”
Because I’ll seriously cut a bitch, not even going to lie.
Thinking about how Becca, who was a little over two years old when her parents died, was subjected to the treatment she got from her aunt for nearly three years, makes me want to puke the way I did when I first found out what happened to her.
The file Mrs. Jackson gave us was thorough, including pictures from when Becca first came into care, as well as detailed medical reports from her attending doctors.
Seeing that sweet little girl whose ribs were showing, as well as the vertebrae on her back, covered in old bruises, welts, and the dejected look in her eyes was heartbreaking.
I honestly thought Ash was going to head to the jail where his sister is being held while she awaits her trial and kick her ass.
Thankfully, he came to his senses because I need him here with me. We’ve got a little girl to raise, and a huge family who’ll help figure out how to take care of his sister if need be. He doesn’t need to be the Lone Ranger anymore.
As I watch the movie, which is kind of cute if you like football, I start writing a list of things we’re going to need in order to make our space festive.
First up, a working fireplace since they have those electric ones so we can hang stockings.
Then, we’re going to need a tree and lots of ornaments.
I have a small box filled with the ones I had growing up, of course, but we’re going to need more, lots more.
I wake up and realize I’m no longer on the couch, especially when I feel Ash’s strong arm flung over my waist. Guess I fell asleep, and something inside settles knowing that he carried me to our bed.
When his hand moves up to cup one of my breasts, I roll so I’m facing him and gaze into the eyes of the man I love with everything in me.
“Hey,” he whispers as he leans down and lightly kisses me.
“Hey,” I reply. “I didn’t mean to crash out on the couch. You could’ve woken me up so I could come to bed.”
“Naw, I don’t mind carrying you, Marnie,” he teases. Clearing his throat, he says, “I saw the list you started writing. I think it’s a good idea for us to create a little Christmas magic in our suite as well.”
“Good. Maybe after y’all get done delivering the Thanksgiving boxes, you can go get a tree and the ornaments,” I tell him.
“I also placed an online order for some, along with the fireplace, so don’t worry if you don’t initially get enough, okay?
Oh, and we have personalized stockings that should be here by Wednesday according to the website I ordered them from, so maybe we can plan to decorate our tree on Friday?
I’d say Thursday, but I suspect by the time we’re done eating and our bellies are full, the last thing we’re going to want to do is decorate. ”
He snickers as he pulls me closer, and I realize I’m only wearing one of his T-shirts when his hand slides up my spine. “I see you’ve put a lot of thought into all of this,” he murmurs, as he slowly rubs my back.
I nod, scooching closer to his body, and let out a slight moan when I feel his hard length pressed against my belly.
Desire starts thrumming through me as a fire burns low in my belly and suddenly, I’m more interested in putting the inferno out than talking about Christmas.
With a low shriek, I pounce and end up taking him to his back, giggling the whole time.
“We’re going to have to be quiet,” I say before leaning down to kiss him. “Because we don’t know how deeply Becca sleeps.”
“She’ll be fine, sweetheart. Now that you have me where you want me, what are you going to do about it?”
“Let me show you,” I tease.
Thoroughly sated, we quietly clean up, talking about our future now that Becca is here with us.
“I’m going to talk to Holly to see if there are any kid friendly places and activities we can take her to and do with her,” I say as I brush my teeth.
He raises his brow at me, and I realize it came out garbled.
Giggling, I rinse then spit before I repeat what I initially said.
“I’m pretty sure she didn’t experience the holidays like we do them around here,” he replies once I’m done.
“If she did, it was when her parents were alive, so it’s doubtful that she has any memories,” I murmur. “The whole thing breaks my heart, Ash, so you’re going to need to keep me in check, because I want to spoil the hell out of her!”
He chuckles as we head back to bed and once we’re snuggled under the covers once again, he asks, “Who says I don’t want to do the same thing?”
“We’re fucked,” I mumble. “There’s no way we’ll be able to handle this responsibly.”
“I think we’ll check with Rebel and Holly, maybe even Esther, to see if they can offer some insight. There’s no way I want to overwhelm her, Marnie. She’s had a lot of changes in such a short amount of time, y’know?”
I snuggle closer and sigh. “You’re right. Plus, she’s still so tiny, and from what the letter that Pauline sent us says, she’s really shy.”
“I suspect having Mina around will change that,” he replies.
“It will once she realizes that she doesn’t have to worry about saying something that ticks us off and ends up with her being punished,” I retort. “I swear to God, if I ever see your sister outside of the courtroom, I’m going to beat the hell out of her. What was she thinking?”
He shakes his head as he says, “I honestly don’t know. She was always a bit selfish growing up because she was the baby of our family, but never in my wildest dreams would I have expected her to abuse a child, let alone one who’s her niece.”
“Same, honey, same.” I yawn so loud that my jaw cracks. “Ouch, that hurt.”
“Get some sleep, woman, we’ve got a busy week ahead of us,” he states, leaning in to kiss me.
“Good night, Ash. I love you.”
“Good night, Marnie. I love you more.”
“Okay, Becca, are you ready to head over to Grammy’s house so we can bake for Thanksgiving?” I ask once breakfast has been eaten and the kitchen cleaned.
While I’m the only ol’ lady living here full time, the brothers are helpful when it comes to keeping things organized and straightened out.
Plus, while we’re gone, the club girls will come in and clean as well, because the brothers plan to come back with a huge Christmas tree for the common room.
I grin when I think about how much fun this year will be to celebrate the holiday; it’s been years since I’ve done so.
Mostly because my mom was so sick before she died, then I was running for my life.
I mean, we decorated the bar for the customers, of course, but as far as shopping and all the things surrounding it, I didn’t bother until I met Holly.
Then I shopped like a madwoman for her two little girls.
Grinning, I think about the fact that this year, I have Becca as well as the sweetest baby boy ever to buy for, plus Ash.
My cup is definitely running over these days and I’m here for all of it, that’s for sure.
“Yes, ma’am,” she says.
“Then let’s hit the road, sweet girl, because we’ve got a lot to do!” I exclaim, holding out my hand.
I barely breathe as I wait to see what she’s going to do, and when she courageously slips her tiny hand in mine, I mentally fist bump.
Ash and the brothers have already left to start delivering the Thanksgiving boxes, so the clubhouse is virtually quiet save for the two prospects who are puttering around, getting the common room ready for the Christmas tree.
Within minutes, I have her buckled into her booster seat, and we’re headed out, Christmas music softly playing on the radio as I chatter incessantly about the upcoming holidays she has to look forward to now that she’s living with us.