AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, son, I really want to know. Tell me everything.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Ingrid
Six Days Later
South and I have been back in New Orleans for a couple of days, but we thought the best way to tell my family about everything that’s going on would be to bring them all together and tell them at the same time. So prior to me putting my house up for rent, we’re having one last family dinner at my place before we need to start packing to head for LA.
I’m looking forward to the move. At least I know when I go over to the LA Defiance clubhouse, I won’t have to get to know absolutely everyone because my friend Ellie is still there. She’s still hanging out behind the bar, so it will be nice to know at least one other person besides South when we get to the clubhouse.
South steps behind me as I stand at the stove, stirring the pasta sauce. His arms wrap around my stomach, and he leans his head on my shoulder. “Do you know how much I love… your pasta sauce?” He chuckles as I slap him on the arm.
“While I am glad you enjoy me feeding you, remember that I am your Old Lady and carrying your unborn child. Thank you, sir.”
He raises his brow in appreciation. “Now that I like. You can call me,sir, anytime you like.”
I snort out a laugh as the doorbell rings. “Shut up and go answer the door,sir.”
He wiggles his brows, slaps my ass, and nods. “Anything you say, angel.”
South walks to the door, and I hear the commotion of everybody walking in. We have the whole family coming tonight. Hurricane and Kaia with Immy. Novah and Bayou with Elijah. Nash and Brianna, and Lani and Grit. And from the way the noise level just rose in the house, I am pretty sure they’re all here. So I wipe my hands on my apron, pull it off over my head, then walk into the living room where they are all making themselves at home.
It warms my heart.
Seeing my family together like this.
South steps beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, and softly kisses my temple. “You okay?”
“Yeah, this is the last time we’ll do this for a while, just taking it all in.”
He weakly smiles. “You sure you want to do this? We can still change our minds.”
I shake my head, placing one hand on my stomach and the other on his cheek. “I’m sure.”
“I love you.”
“I love you… here we go.” I clear my throat, graining everyone’s attention. “Excuse me! Can you all focus on me for a moment?”
They all turn to look at me, and suddenly, I feel very exposed. South tightens his grip on me, letting me know he is with me every step of the way. So, I continue, “On our trip to LA to visit South’s sister, we got some unexpected news. Unfortunately, Bella is very sick…”
“Oh no!” Lani whispers her concern.
“What kind of sick?” Kaia asks.
“She has motor neurone disease. It’s terminal, and they have given her two to five years,” South says, his voice barely holding together.
“Shit, brother. I’m so fuckin’ sorry…” Hurricane shakes his head. “If you need leave to go be in LA for a while, consider it done.”
We both tense, and seeing us tense makes the rest of the room react. “You’re not going for a while, are you, South?” Bayou asks.
South shakes his head. “I met with Alpha while there, and he’s good to take me back on so I can stay with Bella and take care of her while she goes through this. Our parents are being of minimal assistance, so she needs me.”
Hurricane rubs the back of his neck. “So you and Ingrid are gonna do long distance? For how long?”
“We’re not doing long distance, Hurricane,” I tell him.
“You’re breaking up?” Novah whimpers like the thought is terrifying to her.
