I look at Shane and he smiles and nods at me, giving me the go.
“We’re having a girl! And we’re getting married!”
Cheers go up in the room. Ma comes up to us and gives Shane a hug, then hugs me and tells me we need to do a girls’ day soon so we can start planning the wedding and the nursery. I can hear Shane getting a bunch of those one-armed man hugs from a bunch of the brothers. Then, I’m enveloped in a hug from Pa.
“My girl is gonna give me a granddaughter just like her and let me walk her down the aisle. It does this old man’s heart good to see my girl so happy. Love you, darlin’”. I squeeze him back.
“Love you too, Pa.”
I get a few more hugs from my brothers and club brothers. I realize we’re just getting more behind because of this.
“Alright, everybody, it’s still a fucking workday. We can celebrate more later, but we all got work to do, and I got lunch to eat.” With that, everyone goes back to the shop. Ma, Pa, Ry, and Max head out with everyone else. The only ones left in the shop with me are Shane and Mads. Shane grabs his sandwich and drink, gives me a quick kiss, and heads out to the shop. Mads looks at me with teary eyes.
“A baby, and a boyfriend… no, fiancé. That’s a lot to unpack, Sis. Well, at least for me since I didn’t know one fucking bit about it.”
“Mads, I wanted to tell you a million times, but before I knew it was Shane, I didn’t know how to admit to you what I did. I mean, I went and had a one-night stand with a guy whose name I didn’t even know! I didn’t want you to remind me of just how dangerous that could’ve been. I knew it was reckless, but not for one second did he ever make me feel dirty or unsafe.”
Mads wipes the tears away.
“I just feel like you hid things ’cause you’re outgrowing me. That everyone is moving on with their lives, finding good jobs, and relationships with great people and here I am, the one who’s stuck. People think I haven’t gotten over what happened, but I have. I hate that people treat me like I’m fragile and can’t handle knowing shit.”
“I don’t think you’re fragile at all, Mads. In fact, you’re one of the strongest people I know. I think some people might think you still aren’t over it ’cause you don’t go out, you still dress in the baggie clothes, and you haven’t made a move on Mick. I know you’re over it. I also know that no matter how many times you tell me you’re not, youareheads over heels for that guy. But not strong? No, I know you’re strong. I wouldn’t be making you my child’s godmother if I thought you weren’t strong.” Damn it. Between her tears and my hormones, my eyes are leaking something fierce.
Through her tears, Mads smiles at me.
“You want me to be her godmother? Me?” Who the fuck else does she think I’d pick?
“There was never any question. You’re not just my sister. You’re my best friend, Mads. You know that. Someday we’ll both be married with kids and you’re still gonna be my best friend. Ain’t ever gonna lose that.” She crashes into me and hugs me fiercely. We must make a racket ’cause we’re interrupted by Jon stomping into the front office and looking at both of us crying. He frowns and has his hands on his hips.
“What the fuck is going on? Did someone hurt you two?”
Mads wipes her tears while rolling her eyes at our grumpiest brother.
“No one did anything. We were just having a conversation, and this one is full of pregnancy hormones. You should get used to it, ’cause there’s gonna be more tears from her and from your woman while they’re both preggo.”
Um, what?
“Preggo?”
She shrugs her shoulders.
“I thought it sounded better than batter bakers which is what Ry was callin’ you two earlier. Anyway, I gotta run. I’ve got laundry to finish up at the clubhouse. Are we still on for dinner tonight?”
“Yep, come over any time after five. We can order Mexican food and talk.” Mads heads out and Jon heads back to his office, grumbling about crying women and his nerves. I swear he can grump about almost anything.
The rest of the day goes by quickly. Shane drives us to my place then grabs his bike to go out to dinner with his cousins and some of the other brothers. I go inside and start to get plates and silverware out. Within a few minutes, I hear a knock on the door then it opens.
“Bitch, I’m here and I brought the good shit!”
Mads sets the bags on the table and starts opening things. She got chips, salsa,queso fundido, street tacos, beans, and rice. The last container holds the best thing ever—homemade churros. The cinnamon-sugary deliciousness can’t be beat.
We eat in silence for the first few minutes then Mads speaks up. “How can I get people to see I’m not stuck in the past? How do I get Mick to notice me as more than a friend?” She really doesn’t get that he already does.
“Mads, first of all, what you wear, I know you wear it ’cause it’s comfy and works for when you’re cleaning and all, but you wear it all the time. You wear it to family dinners and the club barbecues. You used to wear more fun stuff. Jeans, cute tops, that sort of thing. Now, you only wear the shirts that are three sizes too big. You wear sweats or super baggy pants and your hair in a ponytail every day. Sis, you’ve got a killer body and are gorgeous.” She eats a couple of chips and pushes her glasses up, a telltale sign she’s thinking hard about something.
“Also, I know you don’t see it, but Mick is all about you. I think he’s so afraid of trying and sending you back to a mentally bad place that he’s waiting for a sign from you. Have you told him you want something more than friendship?”
“Well, in my head I have, but fuck no, not out loud. Ma wants to do a girls’ night Saturday when the guys have church. Will you go shopping with me before that and maybe with Ma, Jane, Anna, and your help, I can figure out a look I like and am comfy in?” I think sometimes she feels like a burden, but I don’t know why.
