These guys, so tough and casual when it comes to their own well-being, but they treat their women like precious cargo. Kaga’s reaction at yesterday’s briefing by law enforcement was evidence of that.
As a further case in point, when we got back from my appointment with the doctor this morning, Tse’s overprotective side came out in full force. Dr. Cairns told me to be prepared to need more rest and take some extra naps where I can. Apparently carrying twins takes a lot out of you.
Tse interpreted that to mean I have to take naps and therefore can’t go back to work full time. That resulted in a doozy of an argument when we got back to the compound. I’m sure anyone anywhere in the clubhouse would’ve heard us, because despite being behind closed doors in Ouray’s bedroom, we weren’t exactly quiet.
Tse stormed off and I felt it prudent to hide out in the bedroom a little longer. Especially since I didn’t want to walk into the clubhouse with those damned tears I seem to be shedding at the drop of a hat still damp on my face. When I felt it safe to come out, Tse and Honon had already left, as Wapi informed me.
I’m thinking when Tse goes back to work on the house tomorrow and I start at the Backyard, we’ll soon be able to find some normalcy back. At least I hope so.
“Can you handle rolling meatballs?” Lisa asks, pointing at a large metal bowl with a massive amount of ground beef. “I’ve already spiced it.”
“Yeah, of course I can.”
I wash my hands at the sink and dive in.
“Hmmm.”
I glance at Lisa.
“What?”
“No nausea? No weird aversions?”
Shaking my head I tell her, “No. Why?”
“Some pregnant women don’t have the stomach for it.”
I drop the ball I was shaping onto the tray and turn to face her.
“You heard.”
She snorts and rolls her eyes.
“Honey, don’t think there was anything living between here and the city that could’a missed that. But I already knew. Not from you mind you.” She wags a dough-covered finger at me. “Had to find out from Brick.”
Right away my eyes well up. Dammit.
“He didn’t get it from me,” I assure her. “Look, Lisa, I would’ve told you before anyone else, but we agreed to keep it to ourselves a little longer. At least I thought we did. It was a surprise—”
“Oh, I bet it was,” she scoffs, but she does it with a twinkle in her eye.
Thank God.
“I’m only eight weeks. I…I mean we weren’t even sure and so much happened. We’ve barely had a moment to let it sink in. I just wanted a moment to get used to it myself before making any announcements.”
Lisa bursts out laughing.
“Well, honey, I have news for you. By now the entire club knows you’re having twins. These boys are like old wives the way they talk. Trust me, the word’s already spread far and wide.” She gestures at the big bowl of meat I have my hands in. “Why do you figure I’m making twice my usual? That clubhouse is gonna be full tonight. Everyone’s gonna be flocking in for dinner and congratulations.”
Of course that breaks the dam and I end up sobbing on Lisa’s shoulder. She assures me the tears are better than morning sickness—which I seem to have been spared, at least so far—and that I’ll get back to my normal self soon enough.
God, I hope so.
I finished rolling eighty-seven large meatballs, and am tossing the second of two salads when I feel Tse’s lips on my neck.
“You’re on your feet,” he rumbles against my skin.
Despite the sweet kiss and the endearing concern, his words annoy me.
“Let’s make a deal,” I snap, turning around. “How about you let me decide when I’m tired and need to get off my feet. I understand it’ll become tough soon enough, but I’m not about to lie in bed for the next seven months, give or take. If you think I have a temper now, I’ll be downright violent then.”
I hear Lisa chuckle and notice Tse is grinning as he pulls me to him.
“Glad to see that bite hasn’t suffered,” he shares before laying a wet one on me.
He makes me forget my surroundings as I wind my arms around his neck.
“Excuse me, I’m trying to cook dinner here,” Lisa grumbles, bumping my hip with hers.
Tse grins against my lips.
“Love you, Fee.”
I smile into his soft eyes.
“Love you back.”
“Well, good Lord Almighty, my teeth hurt with all that syrup. Ya hafta do that here?”
Tse chuckles as he releases me and turns to Lisa instead, planting a big smooch on her cheek.
“You’re a shit liar, Lisa,” he teases her. “You love it.”
She pushes him off and swats him with a dish towel.
“And you’re a menace,” she taunts back with a sparkle in her eyes. “Go on—out—both of you!”
_______________
She wasn’t lying.
The entire club turned out—brothers, wives, children—there’s no room left to sit.
We end up having to order a couple of pizzas for the younger kids, because not even the eighty-seven meatballs I rolled are enough to feed everyone.
I didn’t have a chance to ask Tse what kept him so long this afternoon before they started filing in, but it’ll wait, he’s over there laughing as his brothers rib him. Every so often his eyes drift my way and he winks, or smiles, making me feel important.
I’ve never received so many hugs, kisses, and congratulations in a day, and already I’m overwhelmed with the offers for secondhand clothing, and cribs, and toys. At this rate we won’t have to buy a thing.
I snuggle Finn on my lap, sniffing his hair—the same color as Kelsey’s—which smells like baby shampoo. A wave of sorrow hits me as I remember when she found out she was pregnant. Our circumstances
