Chapter 8
JEANIE
It could have gone worse, I suppose. They beat on each other, and now everything is fine. Mum and I clean them up, berating them, but from the way they are grinning at us, I guess that they aren’t in the least bit worried about our anger.
I’ll never understand men. I know Sam went through a similar thing when he and Ally got together. Although, I don’t recall him getting a beating.
And now they are drinking together! As if the both of them turning black and blue is nothing.
Granda cracked open a new bottle of whisky the moment Dad and Bolt came back inside.
And now the men are huddled at one end of the table, slapping each other on the back and congratulating themselves for mine and Ally’s pregnancies, like they’ll actually be doing the hard part.
The women stick to tea, and we sit at the other end, quietly enjoying the show.
Taking comfort from my mum, I rest my head on her shoulder as we watch Dad, Bolt, and Sam bond with shot after shot of whisky, ignoring the bruises that are developing as they look at baby scans.
“Men really are a different breed,” I mutter quietly, but I’m happy they seem to be getting on now that they’ve beat the tar out of each other.
“I’ll drink to that,” Aunt Sera says, tipping her head at me. “Congratulations girls. A new era is starting. You picked good men, though. Tough men, but good men.”
“Yeah,” I agree softly and smile when Bolt turns to look at me and winks with the eye that isn’t swelling.
“Who’d have thought that we’d be welcoming the next generation so soon. I can’t wait to be a great-aunt,” Maya says, a little tearfully.
“Holy shit,” Mum exclaims, sitting up and knocking me off her shoulder. “I’m going to be a grandmother.”
There’s a stunned silence at her words, then we all start to laugh.
“I guess you’ve just realised what you meant when you said your babies would be having babies.” Sera cackles. Mum snorts out a laugh, nodding her agreement.
The men are now looking at us like we’ve grown two heads, probably wondering what’s set us off.
“At least our men will make fantastic looking grandpas,” Maya says a little dreamily.
“Yeah,” Mum agrees, eyeing up Dad in a way that I know from experience means that they’ll be leaving soon.
“Ew, can you two stop it?” Ally grumbles. “You’re making me feel nauseous. Stop looking at them that way, or I’m going home.”
“Best you get on home then, baby girl,” Mum tells Ally as she stands. Ally and I share a look, and I gag a little as we watch our mother walk up to our dad and whisper something in his ear. He stands, throws back his whisky, grabs her hand, and they disappear out the door with a hurried goodnight.
Sera and Maya roar with laughter at us. Ally and I exchange grimaces as they leave. “Watch and learn, girls,” Sera tells us as she and Maya stand and walk towards Uncle Liam and Uncle Johnny.
“Thank feck, Uncle Andy and Uncle Tommy left earlier,” Ally sputters with laughter. “I’m not sure I could watch that two more times.”
“Same,” I agree, but I’m happy for them. I’m hoping I’ll still be as hot for Bolt when we get to their age.
After the men in my family leave the room, Sam and Bolt stand and walk over to us. Well, Sam does. Bolt, not so much. His walk is more of a stagger.
“You’ll have to drive, sweetness,” Bolt says as he hands me the keys, his voice slurring slightly. “I’m not sure how much whisky I’ve had, but I can’t feel my face.”
“Probably just as well.” Sam smirks. “It looks fucking painful, man.”
“Eh,” Bolt answers, lifting a shoulder in a shrug. “Jeanie’s worth it,” he continues as he stumbles against the table, putting his hand out to catch himself.
“Shit...” He squints at me with his one good eye. “Sorry, sweetness, I think I’m tanked. How’d that happen?”
I’m amused; my dad and uncles must have been filling his glass up when he wasn’t looking or gave him their home brew. If I had to bet, I’d say it was definitely their home brew.
Sam laughs, grabbing Bolt’s arm, putting it over his shoulder, and helps him to the vehicle, where he promptly passes out. The three of us share amused looks. Yep, he’s been fully initiated into the O’Shea clan.
Getting into the driver’s seat, I follow Sam and Ally as far as Feannag, and then it’s just me and Bolt.
It’s a peaceful drive to the Queens Wraiths, and before long I’m pulling up behind my vehicle in Bolt’s carport.
I hoot a couple of times, knowing someone will be up as a few of the homes have lights on. Blue and Brass come jogging up.
“Are you okay, Jeanie?” Brass wants to know.
“I’m good,” I reassure them. “Bolt not so much.” I motion towards the car where Bolt is passed out.
“Oh fuck,” Blue says, eyes wide, taking in the bruises and the smell of whisky coming off Bolt.
“He’s okay,” I assure them with a smirk. “He’s been initiated into the O’Sheas. He’ll be good now.”
They both chuckle, and Brass takes out his phone and snaps a few pictures. Somehow, I know they’ll make it to the rest of the brothers. I hope they won’t be too pissed at my family for the bruises.
“Come on; let’s get him inside,” Brass sniggers as he and Blue between them get Bolt into his home and into bed.
“I’ll sort him from here,” I tell them as I take his boots off. “Thanks, lads.”
“No problem, Jeanie.”
They’re both still laughing as they leave, and I can’t help but be a little amused myself.
I’ve got to hand it to the men in my family.
When they bring you into the fold, they don’t do it delicately.
Family Christmas photos this year will not be pretty, that’s for sure. They’ll be memorable, though.