Chapter 5 #2
We’ve not discussed much about the news she brought me or what’s going to happen going forward, but she grips my hand as we leave my home, and I realise I’m not sure that it matters. She’s mine, and I’m hers. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way.
“It’s going to be okay,” Jeanie assures me, squeezing my hand. “We tell your family today, then I’ve booked and paid for an early private scan for us this afternoon where we’ll get to see our baby, and then we’ll tell my parents after that if that’s okay with you?”
Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her towards me and press my lips to her head. “Sounds like a plan to me. And if I haven’t made it clear, I want you to know that you amaze me, Jeanie. I’m not sure if I have the words to thank you for finding me.”
Stopping, I turn towards her and slide my hands up her cheeks, cupping them.
I love that she’s not much shorter than me, meaning I can look into her eyes without having to get a crick in my neck.
And for this, I need to see her eyes so that she knows how thankful I am.
“I’m not sure if I’ve told you, but I’m fucking thrilled about our baby, and I can’t wait to meet him or her.
That you’ll be their mother thrills me even more.
I’ve never believed my parents when they said they met and fell in love in one night.
I regretted not finding out more about you that night because I knew you were the one.
And then you were gone when I woke up and it was too late, or I thought it was. ”
Tears well in her eyes. She smiles shakily at me before answering.
“That makes me happy. We’re big believers in fate in my family and the luck of the Irish.
I think our baby was meant to happen. We did everything right to prevent pregnancy, but I still fell pregnant.
I thought of you every day and missed you even though I hardly knew you.
We’ll make this work. I’m an O’Shea; we don’t know how to do anything in halves.
I’m afraid you’re stuck with me forever. ”
A smile breaks over my face at her declaration. Seems the O’Sheas and Tins have similar beliefs. “That’s not to say my dad’s not going to kick your arse,” she continues and smirks at me. “I’m his baby girl, after all.”
“Fuck me,” I groan, rolling my forehead against hers. I’m not worried, though. I’ll take whatever he wants to dish out if it means that I keep her as mine.
Jeanie’s full-on laughing at me now. Her head’s thrown back and all that hair is flying loose. It’s a beautiful sight that’s interrupted by my pres bellowing my name. It’s one I can’t ignore. He’s been patient long enough, it seems.
Sighing, I take Jeanie’s hand again. “Ready?” I ask.
“Ready, Freddy,” she sniggers as I shake my head at her amusement. “Lead on.”
I lead the way but freeze in the clubhouse doorway—because waiting inside isn’t just the entire MC, but my parents and Opal too.
“Fuck me sideways,” I groan under my breath. I forgot they would all be here because we are supposed to be decorating the clubhouse for Christmas today. The floor is covered in boxes and totes that have Christmas written on the side of them.
Not that seeing the crowd waiting for us fazed Jeanie. Letting go of my hand, she walks right in and up to my mom and dad, holding out her hand.
“Hi. We haven’t officially met. I’m Jeanie O’Shea.”
My dad’s amused gaze meets mine over her head, but I see the respect in it as he shakes her hand before she turns towards my mother, who assesses her with a shrewd gaze.
I’m not sure what passes between them, but something does.
They both smile, and Mom reaches for Jeanie, enfolding her in her arms, whispering something to my girl who nods against her shoulder with a smile before letting Mom go and pressing back into me.
Wrapping my arm around her waist, I tug her closer as we turn towards the table and face Coal.
Clearing my throat, I decide to go with a rip the band aid off declaration. “Jeanie and I are expecting a baby.”
There’s stunned silence and loud, surprised voices start asking questions one after the other. They’re all talking over each other.
Until they quiet down, I won’t answer a fucking thing. I know this is sudden, but I had hoped they’d be happy for us. I’m about to tell them that when Mom asks Jeanie if she’s happy about it.
The clubhouse goes silent as they wait to hear her answer.
Jeanie nods. “Too bloody right I am. I’d go so far as to say I’m fecking thrilled. I know it’s a shock, but I hope that you’ll be happy for Bolt and me.”
Mom’s gaze meets mine for a minute. I see the concern in her gaze and hear it in her voice when she asks, “And you, son? Are you good?”
I take my time answering. It hasn’t been long since Jeanie told me, but for the first time in six years, I feel like I can breathe, and the weight that I’ve carried around is lifted from my shoulders.
“I am, Mom.” I reassure her.
“Well then…” She smiles, reaching for me. “Congratulations.”
As my mother enfolds me in her arms, the last of the tension I didn’t even realise I was carrying leaves me.
“I like her. There’s no airs and graces about her,” Mom whispers, and I chuckle.
“There aren’t,” I agree. Letting Mom go, I join the rest of the table. Jeanie makes herself right at home. Coal catches my eye from the head of the table as we watch Jeanie and Thea chat comfortably, like they’ve known each other for years.
It’s clear as day that the Tin men have a type.
Strong, beautiful, take no shit women are our kryptonite.
Breakfast is a loud affair filled with laughter, and once the shock of our news wears off, there’s the teasing I expected. I fucking loved my family, and Jeanie fit in seamlessly like she’d always been there.
***
Later that afternoon, as I watch the heartbeat of our baby fluttering on the screen, I give thanks to whoever is listening for bringing Jeanie into my life.
She blazed into my life like a guiding star and banished away all my sadness and darkness. She is everything that I didn’t know I needed. My Christmases have all come at once this year.