“Oh, I love shifter romances, especially reverse harem ones!”
Shane chuckles at that. I may or may not glare at him for a second.
“Well then that makes things easier about explaining my older brothers’ relationship.” I go on and explain to them about Jane’s relationship with Jon, Juan, and Rory. I think they’re both surprised that this is happening in real life.
Brandy asks the questions that any of usrealreaders would ask.
“Wait, she’s really with three guys? Do the swords cross? Are there more relationships like that?”
Shane spits out the water he was drinking when she asks about the swords crossing. He chokes and laughs at the same time.
“Oh gods, I’ve got to tell them about that at church. That’s fucking awesome.”
I glare at Shane and then look at the back seat.
“No, they’re brothers. Adopted but they consider themselves actual brothers. They don’t swing that way. My younger brother, Ry, does and his boyfriend Nicky is pretty fucking awesome.”
We make small talk the rest of the ride, with me telling them about the businesses and possible jobs they could have, what the family is like, and similar things. Before I realize just how far we’ve driven, Shane is taking the exit for our town.
Shane speaks up for the first time in a while, probably figuring he couldn’t add to the book conversation, even though I’ve caught him reading bothJupiterandBossbefore. I’ll keep that secret in my arsenal for now.
“We’re about ten minutes from Ma and Pa’s place. We live about ten minutes from them and the clubhouse is about fifteen minutes outside of town on some property the club owns.”
Shandy pipes in, asking Shane, “Does everyone really call them Ma and Pa, not just their kids?”
He nods and adds, “Yep. The only times you really hear anyone say their names are when it’s someone of their generation, like my uncle Grant or Ma’s brother Erik. Otherwise, all the club brothers all call them that. They want us to. It’s kinda part of the MC. It was started to do good in the community, but also to give people whose biological family either wasn’t around or on the toxic side. Most of us have issues with at least part, if not all, of our family. Ma and Pa become family to just about anyone who needs or wants love.”
I can hear Shandy whisper under her breath, “That’s so cool.”
Maybe they’ve found their place.
CHAPTER 11
Shane
Last night was nuts. Between finding the twins and realizing who they are and introducing them to Ma and Pa, we didn’t get home till late. Kierstie held off everyone else from descending on the twins. She made them all agree to wait and meet at the diner for brunch today. Both Shandy and Brandy seemed alright when we left and were getting settled into their rooms before I finally dragged my exhausted wife home. She fell asleep on the ride home, so I got her into the house and into bed.
Her finding biological family she didn’t know existed reminds me I need to talk to Grant at some point about who my biological dad may be. From Mom’s journal, I can’t tell if he knew she was pregnant with me. Just another puzzle piece to try and figure out.
I walk from the bedroom to the kitchen and put the tea kettle on. Kierstie’s been drinking this mint tea every morning. She swears it has helped her keep some of her morning sickness at bay. I know this shit does nothing to help her wake up, but if she wants it, she gets it. I’m dying for a cup of coffee but have to resist until breakfast. I told her I wouldn’t drink any at home while she can’t. My body has been cussing me out every morning since then. Luckily, we’re getting close to the end of the second trimester. I can’t wait to meet our little girl.
I grab my cell out of my pocket to check for any messages and see I have a few. The first one is from Pres reminding everyone about tonight’s church and that apparently Ma and Jane declared that we’re having a family barbecue tonight after church. I have a feeling this is to introduce the girls to the whole club after breakfast with the family. I’ve got a text each from Samson and Sax in a group message asking about why there’s a last-minute dinner happening. Nosey nellies the two of them. The last text is from Grant.
Grant: I know you’re doin’ breakfast this mornin’ with the new family and we’ve got church tonight, but on your way home after breakfast, can ya come over? I found some more of your mom’s stuff we packed away in the attic from before you went to boot camp. I think some of your baby stuff is in there and your woman would probably love that.
Me: Shit, yeah. She’ll love that. Expect tears if there is that stuff. They seem to flow all the time the last few days.
Grant: Just wait. You’ve got more emotional waves to ride there. You better buckle up, this being your first rodeo, and who you picked as your wife lol.Fucker sends me GIFs of laughter. I send him a few emojis of giving him the bird before I set my phone down. I grab the tea that’s ready and head back to the bedroom. As I walk in, I can hear Kierstie talking quietly. I stop at the door and lean against the wall as I want to watch. Kierstie is sitting up in bed but holding her bump and talking to our daughter.
“You see, your Amma and Pawpaw have so much love to give that the gods saw to it that their home would always be a welcome place for forgotten children. Society may not call them that, but most kids in foster care would call themselves that. Ma and Pa gave them all a place to be found. They found me right before I was lost. Your mama ain’t quite as saintly as them, but your dad and I plan to help some lost kids at some point. You, my girl, have never been lost, but you’re the one who found our family. You uncovered your daddy for me. He’s the one my soul had been waiting for. You just had to go about a different way ’cause let’s be honest, your mama is stubborn and would’ve ignored the signs otherwise. You and he are the best gifts the gods could have ever given me. Now, if he would stop standing at the door and bring me my tea, that would make him even better.” She looks up at me and gives me a bit of an accusatory look. I move toward her to give her the cup of tea, stealing a morning kiss before I do.
“Mornin’, gorgeous. I wasn’t tryin’ to intrude. I just love listening to you talk to her. Nothin’ you said was a surprise, though. I know we’ll be having more than just our girl here. How that’s gonna happen, only the gods know.”
She sips her tea for a moment.
“You’re right. I gotta get up and get ready for breakfast. Can you grab a couple of my hoodies from the closet? I told Shandy and Brandy they could use them. Oh! Can you also grab from the top drawer the two tablets I have in there? They can use my old ones to read till they can get new ones.”
“Yep, you get ready, love, and I’ll get that stuff. Oh, Grant says he wants us to stop by after breakfast. He found some boxes to go through.”
