Page 13 of Coal (QUEENS WRAITHS MC #2)

COAL

She’s nervous, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

I know she’s worried about how my mom and dad would take the fact that I was turning up with a new wife and baby to boot, but she didn’t need to worry.

When I’d spoken to my mother, she was thrilled and had immediately gone into grandmother mode, telling me not to worry, she’d sort out my spare room for Shea.

And I had full faith that when I got home, she’d have roped my dad and anyone else into getting the room decorated and filled with furniture fit for a princess.

After having all boys until Opal, my mom was thrilled that she got to spoil a little girl.

And if there was ever a little girl that needed spoiling, it was Shea.

Her mother needed it too, and I’d make sure that she was.

Growing up, I’d watched how my dad treated my mom.

I knew that was how any wife of mine would be treated.

That Thea didn’t expect it was all the more reason that she deserved it.

I’d also be working on her self-esteem. Yes, she wasn’t what most would consider beautiful, but the more time I spent with her, the more beautiful she seemed to get.

You could see by how she treated people that she was a good person, deep down to her soul good, and it showed.

That she was loyal was never in doubt. I’d seen it with her brother and sisters.

It was how her father had been able to control her for so many years.

That and threatening her daughter. Even though she’d have been able to leave before having Shea, she’d have never left her siblings behind.

It amazed me that she had this time, although I had a feeling her brother was a big part of why she’d agreed to be my wife and the protection being my Old Lady brought with that role.

I knew that if I was loyal to her, she’d always be mine, no matter what.

As the President of a motorcycle club, that’s all that I could ask for.

Too often over the years, I’d watched brothers fall for a pretty face and a banging body, only to find that under all that, they were rotten to the core.

It’s why I’d stayed single for so long, because if I couldn’t have what my parents have, what I’ve seen with Cash and Lizzie, and for a long time with Red and his Old Lady, and more recently Maestro and Stacey, then I wasn’t interested.

I wanted something that lasted, and I hoped this was it.

I wasn’t one to give up without a fight, and I’d fight for this if it came to that, especially as both my girls were stealing into my heart.

You’d have to be made of stone not to love Shea.

She was the easiest, sunniest baby I’d ever been around and seemed perfectly content to be passed around and loved on.

As familiar sights greet us, I relax into the ride, knowing we’re almost home, and I’d never been so relieved to see the sign for our exit.

Indicating, I check my mirrors and see that Thea’s moving along with us.

Soon, the sign for the Roadhouse and Cidery appears; the clubhouse turnoff is just past it.

I signal to Thea as soon as it comes into view to let her know we’re turning.

As we drive down the avenue of trees, the feeling of homecoming rolls over me for the first time since I’ve taken over as President of this chapter.

I can’t help but wonder if that’s because of the woman and baby in the vehicle behind me.

I’d left a single man and was returning as a husband and father. It was a good feeling.

‘Fuck me,’ I thought to myself with some amusement as the wide parking area in front of the club came into view. ‘ I’m finally an adult.’

I’d have loved nothing more than to bypass the clubhouse and take my girls to my home, but my parents and Opal were waiting just to the side of the covered structure where we parked our sleds.

Slowing my sled down, I do a circle so that I can back my sled into my designated parking space, the rest of my brothers following suit.

Thea had stopped the vehicle she was in.

Turning my attention to her, I point at a parking space that already has her name on it.

I’d had Tinman sort that yesterday for me.

It was the first step in letting her know she’s wanted and that her position is important to the club.

Getting off my sled, I hug my mom and sister when they throw themselves at me like I’d been away for months instead of a few short days.

“So glad you’re home,” Opal says with a grin and a quick hug before she tackles Copper.

“Welcome home, love,” Mom says, hugging me. “I got everything sorted for your lady and a nursery for the baby.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I say, pressing a kiss to her temple. Whispering in her ear, I tell her, “Thea’s nervous. I think you’ll like her, though.”

“I’ll make sure she’s looked after,” my mom assures me before releasing me to greet my dad.

It may not have seemed like it, but my attention had been focused on my Old Lady the entire time I’d been greeting my parents and sister.

From the corner of my eye, I saw her open her door and nervously push her loose red curls over her shoulder before she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as if preparing for battle before she opened the back passenger door to get Shea.

“I’ll be back,” I say to Tinman as I stride away. Having learned my lesson last night about sneaking up on her, I call out, “Thea.”

She turns her head to look at me over her shoulder, and the smile she gives me makes my heart do strange things.

“Hey,” she responds, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m just getting Shea. I’ll need to change her soon.”

I don’t like the uncertainty in her voice, and the need to comfort her has me snaking my arm around her waist and pulling her back towards me, curling my body around hers.

Wrapping both my arms around her, I rest my chin on her head.

She takes a deep breath and relaxes against me.

Shea is watching us with wide, curious eyes .

“It’s going to be okay, love.”

“What happens if they don’t like me, though?” Thea says. “They may think I’m not good enough for you.”

Needing to see her face, I turn her towards me, and my heart cracks open when I see tears welling in her brown eyes.

Bending my head, I kiss her cheek. “They’re going to love you, baby.

How can they not? You’re fierce, protective, a fucking fantastic mother, and best of all, you’re not afraid of this lifestyle. It’s like you were born just for me.”

A tear falls and rolls down her cheek. It guts me as I wipe it away while she states, “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. I promise I won’t let you down.”

“You could never let me down,” I reassure her as Shea lets out a squawk, obviously done with being in her car seat. “How about we get our girl out and introduce her to her new grandparents?”

“Okay,” Thea nods, wiping at her cheeks and clearing her throat, then looking up at me. “How do I look?” she wants to know.

Even with her nose red at the tip from crying, she’s beautiful .

“You look beautiful, baby.”

She snorts a laugh. “You’re a liar, but thank you.”

I’m not letting her get away with that, so I tip her head up with my thumb, “I’m not lying, Thea; to me, you’re beautiful.”

A blush lights her cheeks and a smile blooms on her face at my words. Rising to her toes, she presses her lips to mine before sinking back on her heels. “Thank you.” Shea lets out another angry cry, making Thea chuckle, “Let me get her out before we have World War Three on our hands.”

Letting Thea go, I wait while she unsnaps Shea’s harness and removes her from her seat.

My heart does another strange flutter when she extends her arms to me.

I’m beginning to wonder if I need to have it checked.

Taking Shea from Thea, I bring her close to my chest, and fuck me, but when she wraps her little arm around my neck and kisses my cheek, I realise what that flutter is. My heart is gone for these two.

Blowing a raspberry on her neck, making her laugh as I step away from the vehicle door so that Thea can shut it, I say to Shea, “Are you ready to be spoilt, baby girl?” She babbles something at me, obviously in agreement.

When Thea steps to my side, I curl my arm around her shoulders, tugging her close to me as I walk her towards my parents.

The brothers and Opal have disappeared into the clubhouse, leaving just the five of us in the covered parking.

Mom has her hands clasped under her chin as if she’s restraining herself from reaching out for Shea. And knowing her, she probably is.

When her eyes flit from me and Shea to the woman beside me, something flashes over them. And I’m wondering if we’re going to have a problem, but then my mom’s face softens, and she holds out her arms. Thea leaves my side and sinks into my mom’s embrace.

Dad and I exchange a look, but he’s smiling.

“Nothing to worry about, son. I think your mom is just what your Old Lady needs. Now, introduce me to your daughter.” He turns towards Shea with a smile. She immediately holds out her arms for him to take her.

“No introduction necessary,” I chuckle when she kisses his cheek like she’d just done to me. “Dad, meet your granddaughter, Shea.”

“Fuck me, son. I didn’t see this coming in a million years,” Dad sniffs slightly, as if he’s a little choked up. “Beautiful girls,” he smirks at me.

We’re interrupted by Mom and Thea, who are both wiping tears from their cheeks, making me and Dad growl.

Holding out my arm to her, Thea comes to me and curls into my side. “They’re not sad tears,” she reassures me.

“Give me my grandbaby, David,” Mom demands, holding her hands out for Shea, who happily goes to her.

Mom holds her up above her head, a wide smile on her face. “Welcome home, Shea Tin.”

Right then, as Mom said my daughter’s name, I knew I’d move heaven and earth to make sure that nothing bad ever touched them again. Not if I could help it. They’d had years of eating shit and doing without. That stopped. Today!