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“You certainly did. Are you beginning to see that we can have great sex without something bad happening?”
My confidence has improved. “You were right.”
“Corporate has approved a new policy. Assume I’m fine unless otherwise stated. Got it?”
“Understood.”
I’m buttoning up when she slaps me on my arse. I jerk because I wasn’t expecting it. “You said that was a taste of what was to come later. I’m anticipating impressive things.”
“Expect to be dazzled.”
* * *
My swearing-in ceremony is being held at a banquet room inside a hotel owned by one of the brothers. Every Fellowship member not working on assignment tonight is in attendance, making for a large crowd.
Our people are unaware that tonight is doubling as a twofold ceremony. Bleu and I plan to formally announce the upcoming arrival of not one but two future Fellowship leaders.
I know she wishes Ellison could have come but her sister can’t participate in ceremonial Fellowship functions until she is one of us.
We’re sitting front and center at the leadership table with my parents, Abram, and his wife Torrie. I’m surprised they showed since Abram hasn’t taken the loss of his leadership role well. I’m not sure what my uncle expected. We agreed on the terms of his interim role and he fulfilled them. There was no reason for him to think I’d never take my place at my father’s side.
Bleu is earning her badge of misery. She’s irritated she’s being forced to endure Abram’s company. Can’t say I blame her. At least she has my mum at our table and Westlyn at the neighboring one.
“I’m sorry. He isn’t in a leadership role anymore, but he’s still family. The Breckenridges always sit together at formal functions.”
She won’t even look in his direction. It’s probably best. “It is what it is. I’ll survive. And maybe he will too, unless he decides to harass me.”
“I told him I wouldn’t tolerate him badgering you. He’s had fair warning.”
Bleu looks in the direction of her friends. “I may disappear for a while after the official stuff. I plan on talking to Lorna about that job at the gentlemen’s club.”
Lorna needs to be told by someone other than Leith or me that dancing topless is not the best decision. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”
“I’ll probably recruit Westlyn to help me.”
Dinner is served and Bleu is immediately inspecting the plates around her. She has a big appetite now that the first trimester nausea has passed.
Bleu studies my plate for a moment and uses her fork to point at it. “That looks good. What is it?”
“Venison.” I’m going to enjoy telling her the next part. “With haggis.”
“Liar.” She pokes it with her fork. “It doesn’t look like the haggis I’ve seen before.”
“This one is wrapped in a puff pastry.”
She studies the nontraditional form of haggis, showing a lot of interest in it. “Are you thinking of trying it?”
“It looks really good.”
“You’re welcome to some if you’d like.”
“My appetite and tastes are evolving. I think I will.”
My mum leans over. “Yer wife is carrying a pair of Scottish weans who are determined to have their haggis. Boys. Both of them. Mark my word.”
“We’ll see in about five months.”
“I thought you were finding out their genders at Bleu’s next appointment.” I hear the disappointment in Mum’s voice.
“We talked about it and decided we want it to be a surprise when they’re born.”
“We can’t prepare if we don’t know what they are.”
Decision’s been made. There’s no persuading us. “They’re babies. We’ll get the necessities. The pink or blue stuff can wait.”
“I may explode from the anticipation of not knowing.”
“Please don’t. Bleu is going to need your help with them.”
I notice Bleu isn’t contributing anything to the conversation. “Bonny. You’ve eaten half of my plate.”
She wipes her mouth, no doubt hiding a grin behind her napkin. “Sorry. I was going to get a taste and next thing I knew, half was gone. It’s really good.”
I swap out my plate of venison for her chicken. “You’re welcome to it. Unless you’re planning to eat mine and yours.”
She punches my bicep. Hard. “Shut up.”
We finish dinner and Bleu leans back in her chair, her hands cupping her small bulge. “Woo. I thought this dress was a snug fit before.”
“I love it on you. It’s sexy.”
I spot someone very special across the room. “Come with me. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
I take Bleu’s hand and lead her through the crowd. “This is Brooke Drummond, Callum’s widow.”
Although Bleu has yet to meet Brooke, she’s aware of my pledge to personally see to the care and safety of her and her unborn child.
Bleu’s eyes flash with acknowledgement. I’m pleased she remembers.
She embraces Brooke. “Sin has told me wonderful things about you and Callum. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“I’m glad to meet you too. And happy to see you’re off bed rest.”
“That was brutal.”
“My doctor placed me on it for a while when Callum died. Afraid the stress would cause me to lose the baby.” She places her hand on her tummy. It’s twice as big as mine. “But I didn’t.”
My father cues me it’s time. “We’re up.”
Bleu places a hand on Brooke’s shoulder. “Our presence is requested but we’ll definitely talk later.”
Bleu and I join my father on the rostrum behind a podium. Tonight’s event has felt like nothing more than a large dinner party until now. This is where the commitment gets real. There’s no going back after this. And I’m ready.
My father makes the opening statements, recites The Fellowship creed, and then instructs me to repeat after him. The formalities are still familiar in my mind from when I attended Abram’s swearing-in as my interim replacement almost six years ago.
“I, Liam Sinclair Breckenridge, freely and willingly accept my role as leader of this organization known as The Fellowship.” That’s how it begins. The lengthy pledge that follows mostly pertains to declaring absolute and unwavering loyalty to the people of my brotherhood.
My father included Bleu in the rites, which I wasn’t expecting. He had her repeat similar declarations, vowing her complete and unfaltering loyalty in support of me as her husband and leader of The Fellowship. She vowed to be steadfast at my side, supporting me in all of my decisions.
Once the swearing-in is complete, our people wait for a word from me. I understand it’s part of my duty but I hate giving speeches. “I’ve been trained for this job since the day I was born so this has been a long time coming. I want you all to know I’m both ready and prepared to be your leader.”
I gesture toward Bleu so all attention is focused on her. “Many of you aren’t yet acquainted with my wife. As you come to know her, I’m positive you’ll see her for the amazing person she is. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known and I’m certain I’ll be a fiercer leader for you because she’s by my side.”
I take her hand in mine. “One of our duties as your leaders is to provide an heir. As you already know, we are expecting our first child in September. What we haven’t told you is that Bleu is carrying twins.”
The crowd applauds and yelps so loudly I’m forced to let the noise die down before I’m able to continue. “We anxiously await the arrival of these children and look forward to raising them in the way of The Fellowship.”
I debate telling them our plans for the way any sons of ours will be reared but decide to tackle that at a later time.
