by Blair Grey
“You mean that?” He pulled some fast food napkins out of a cubbyhole in the door then blew his nose with a loud honking sound.
I laughed as I patted him on the back. “I mean that. You’ve got a home here with us - Momma, Edward, Tommy, and me.”
“That sounds kind of like Heaven to me.” Clearing his throat, he took my hands in his. “I shouldn’t have taken time to break down like that. I was on my way to find you and get you all to a safe place while my MC brothers talk to your council to find out if it’s safe for you to be out and about. As far as the people who were left that were out to kill you and your family, we’ve dealt with them all. Even the two women who went to get your family. None of them will ever be a threat to you or your family again.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “I guess they’re my family too, huh?”
“We are your family too, Clyde. And you are ours.”
As I kissed his salty tasting lips, my heart pounded. He’s home!
Chapter Twenty-three
Clyde
Sitting on the front steps of Tequila’s home, I listened on my cell phone as Garrett told me what they’d found out about the uprising in The Keepers. “It was a party of fifteen people. As you know, seven of them are no longer a problem. The remaining ones have been removed from their MC and their security agency. And there are absolutely no hard feelings about how we took care of the situation. As a matter of fact, they’re grateful for our help.”
“That is awesome news. I’ll relay it to her. I’ll catch up with you later, squid. Thanks.” Ending the call with a swipe of my finger, I found the sound of the door opening behind me.
Edward came out, taking a seat next to me. “So.”
I wasn’t sure what he was up to. “Yep.”
“Is everything okay where Tequila’s job is concerned?”
“It is. Everyone is safe now. No reason at all to worry about a thing.” I had the feeling he had more he wanted to talk about. “How do you feel about all this, Edward?”
“As the man of this family, I think it’s a good thing that you have shown up to be the father to Tommy. I’m not quite the fatherly type. Not that I’ve tried that hard in the first place.” With a shrug of his narrow shoulders, he seemed as if he was ready to make some changes. “I think it’s time I’ve tried to do something with my life. I can’t blame hanging around here for Tommy on why I don’t leave home to get a job now that you’re here.”
“Sorry?” I wasn’t sure what I should say to that.
“No. Don’t be sorry.” He smiled at me then punched me in the arm so softly that I barely noticed it at all. “I need to do this. And Tommy has been needing you for a long time.” He ran his hand through his shoulder-length dark hair. “Maybe I’ll get into the hairstyling industry. What do you think? Do I have what it takes? I do my own hair you know. I could do yours if you want.”
Running my hand over my shortly cropped hair, I didn’t know what he could do with the little I had. “I’ll grow it out and see what you can do for me, Edward. I happen to like your hair. It’s exceptionally shiny.”
“I make my own shampoo and conditioner is why that is. I use aloe vera leaves and other botanicals to make it. You could use some. I’ll throw in some things to make your hair grow fast too.” He jumped up, clapping his hands. “I’m so excited!”
Just as he ran back inside, his mother came out. “Did you get things squared away, mijo?” She took a seat next to me on the top step.
“I did. Everything is fine now. No reason to worry about a thing.” I thought she should know that I would be helping out now. “I want you to know how appreciative I am that you’ve put your life on hold to take care of Tommy. So, as a thank you gift, I got your bank information from Tequila and you’ll find a nice cushion has been added to the balance. I’ll keep putting money in there on a weekly basis too. Consider it back pay for all the years you’ve taken care of my son. Tequila has also told me that you have a sister in California who’s been after you to visit her for years. But keeping Tommy has made that impossible. So, I’m sending you to see her for a whole month.”
“Oh, I can’t do that,” she said as she teared up. “I still have to take care of him. He’s my grandson. I can’t leave him. But thank you so much for thinking of me. And I will accept the money. I’m not a fool.”
Laughing, I thought she was the cutest grandmother in the world. “You can go for the visit. I’ll be here. And Tequila will be here too. Even Edward will be around to make sure Tommy gets to school and gets everything he needs. You deserve to have a break.” I put my arm around her, hugging her to my side. “Let me help out now. Tommy will always need you. But now there’s a little more wiggle room for you, that’s all.”
“I would like to see my sister’s home. She’s been gloating about it for years. Sending me pictures of it, making me feel jealous.” She nodded. “You’re right. I do deserve to have a break. And you all will be here for my grandson. I’ll do it. I’ll go.”
The house they’d been living in was okay, but not nearly as nice as I could afford. “And while I have your ear, Momma Puente, I would like to ask you what you think about me buying a new house where we can all live together more comfortably? And is living in Baltimore an option for you?” I could get twice the house for half the money it would cost to buy one in D.C. It just made good financial sense to purchase a home there. Plus, the schools were better.
“Back in Baltimore?” The smile she wore told me that it was a great idea. “Is Tequila okay with that?”
“It’s only a little over a half-hour away from her work. I think she’ll be okay with it.” When she saw the house I already had in mind, she would be excited about the move.
“As long as everyone wants that, then I do too.” She got up, clapping her hands with excitement. “I can’t wait to tell my sister that I’m coming to see her and that we’re getting a new home too!”
For a brief moment, I sat alone on the steps. Then I heard the sound of the door again. “It seems like you’ve made everyone happy.” Tequila came out and took a seat next to me, putting her head on my shoulder as I ran my arm around her. “I can’t recall ever seeing so many smiles in our home at one time.”
“Get used to it, baby.” I kissed the side of her head. “Lots of changes are in the air. I hope you’re up for them.”
“I am.” She sighed. “Since you’re so laid back, I guess things are cool with my MC and the agency.”
“Things are very cool with both.” I didn’t want to move too fast with things and thought she should know that. “So, I’m going to stay in the hotel while we finish out the training. In the meantime, I’m going to call about this house in Baltimore that I want to buy. It’s a huge two-story with five bedrooms. And that’s just in the house. There’s an in-ground, heated swimming pool in the backyard with a pool house. But there’s more. A two-bedroom guest house is just beyond the pool area. It’s got its own yard too with an attached two-car garage.”
“That’s a lot of space for a single father with one kid.” Her fingers trailed along my upper thigh. “Are you expecting to have lots of guests or something?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of having a nice, roomy home for my family to live in. Momma Puente can have the guesthouse. And Edward could have the pool house. It’s a one-bedroom and he could run a little hairstyling business out of it if he wanted to.” It felt pretty good to be a family man. “And there’s this amazing maser suite too. Not one - but two walk-in closets and the attached bathroom has a shower big enough to fit five people.”
“Sounds like you plan on having a harem.” She laughed a little. “Fun times ahead, huh?”
“Nah,” I kissed the side of her head. “Not a harem. Just one woman at a time for me, I’m afraid.”
“And who would that woman be, Clyde?” Cocking her head to look at me, she looked serious. “And before you give me an answer, I want you to take some time to think about that. That means I don’t want you saying a
nything today, tomorrow, or even the next day about you and me. I’m no psychologist, but I know enough to know that I did you dirty. Plus, you’ve got some issues to deal with about feeling the guilt over Crystal and Tommy that you do. There is absolutely no reason to rush a relationship with me when you have one to build with your son.”
“So, this means you and I are taking a break then?” I wasn’t sure I wanted it to go that far.
When she nodded, I knew that it wasn’t really up to me. Not all of it anyway. “I’ll be around. You know that. But the sex stuff – the kissing stuff – and some of the hugging stuff should be put on hold for now. You’ve got a lot to absorb right now. I’m afraid if we try to shove our relationship into the glue you need to make a bond with Tommy it won’t stick well. You get what I’m saying, right?”
I had higher priorities than my own for once. “It’s time for me to become the man who deserves the boy, huh?”
“You do.” Tracing my lips, she looked at them. “Man, I am going to miss those sweet kisses.” She blushed. “And the not so sweet ones too. But this is more important than us. I’m not worried at all anyway. I know you’re a good man and I know that you will make an excellent father. Once you get to what that is for you and Tommy. But that house sounds sweet. You should totally buy it. Maybe, by that time, you’ll have bonded with your son and there will be something left over for me.”
I was positive that there would be something left over for her. “It’s not going to be easy, keeping my hands off of you.”
“Ditto.” Pulling herself out of my arms, she got up. “I accidentally brought some of your clothes home with me. I’m going to wash them before you leave. Tommy’s in the backyard, tossing the ball you got him around all by himself. You might want to go join him and do some of that bonding you two need to be doing.”
Getting up, I followed her inside. “I think you’re right, Tia Tequila.” It wasn’t lost on me that she was my son’s aunt. That might be perceived as weird by my son if I ended up marrying his aunt and she became his stepmother slash aunt. Then our kids – if she and I ever had any - would be both his half-siblings and full cousins.
That sounds too weird even to me.
Tommy was sure to think it too weird.
Tequila led me through the house that had been decorated in heavy Catholic décor. A thing she pointed out as we went by three small tables with all sorts of things on them and each one had a tall candle in a glass jar burning. “Never blow those out, Clyde. One is for my father, one is for my step-father, and one is for Crystal.” She pointed out the one with lots of purple and yellow things on it. Picking up a silver-framed picture, I saw the face of the girl I had known for such a short time. “This is her santuario, or shrine. My mother believes in keeping candles with different prayers on them lit at all times. And since you and Crystal have a special connection, you should feel free to place something you would like her to have on this table. But only if you want to. That’s all up to you.”
“That’s sort of heavy.” I wasn’t sure I was ready for any of this. But I had to get myself prepared. “When I find that place inside of me, then I’ll see what comes of it.”
“That’s a great way to think, Clyde.” She opened the door that led into the back yard. “And there your son is. Awaiting his father to come and play with him.” She waved her hand in front of her face. Ignore me. I’m getting all melodramatic. Oh, those damn novellas mother always has on the television!”
As she ran off to cry, I looked outside at my son. The shrine to his mother wasn’t far away and I looked at the candle that burned there for her. “So, this is it, huh? Parenthood. I hear you had a hard time dealing with it. That’s okay. You were young. At least I’m not young anymore. I’m a grown man now. I should be capable of handling being a parent. And he’s a good kid. Right?” A knot formed in two places – my stomach and my throat. “This is hard, Crystal. But I don’t want you to worry even a little bit. I’m going to take good care of our boy. I’m here now and I’m not ever leaving him again. You can count on me. I wish you could’ve always counted on me. But the past is the past and I’ve got to live in the present. With our son. Thank you, Crystal Puente, for giving me this gift. You can rest now, honey. I’ve got it from here.”
Tommy’s head jerked when he saw me coming out. “I brought your glove out here. I was hoping you’d show me how to pitch.” He tossed the glove to me.
Catching it, I tried not to break into more tears. But it wasn’t easy. This is the first time I’m going to play catch with my kid. A deep breath steadied my emotions. “So, you’re thirteen, right?”
“I am. Born February fourteenth. A Valentine’s baby is what Mom called me. I don’t remember a whole lot about her. But I do remember that she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Me too.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Crystal was an exceptionally beautiful girl back then. But now Tequila had taken over the coveted role of the world’s most beautiful woman. “Your aunt Tequila is muy bonito too. That is how you say very pretty in Spanish, right?”
“It is.” He tossed the ball to me. “So, are you going to stick around, Clyde? Or are you gonna be one of those part-time fathers? I’m not judging, I just would like to know what to expect is all.”
“If you’re up for a full-time father, I’m up for a full-time son.” I tossed the ball back to him. “So, are you?”
The smile that took over his entire expression made my heart melt. “Sure, I’m available.” Tossing the ball back to me, he asked, “You think you might come to my next game?”
“Nothing can stop me from that.” I sent the ball back to him. “And how about coming to practices? Is that a thing you would let me do?”
“You can come to everything you want to come to.” He held onto the ball, smacking it into his glove. “I overheard Momo saying that you’re going to buy a house in Baltimore. She also said that we’re all going to go live there with you. Changing schools might be kind of weird for me.”
“My older brother is the baseball coach at the high school.” I waved my hand for him to throw me the ball. “He used to play in the pros for the Orioles. I think you would do well in Baltimore, don’t you?”
“And this house?” he asked as he threw the ball to me. “Is it big enough to expand the family in?”
“It’s got five bedrooms,” I let him know. “And that’s just inside the house. Your grandmother and uncle will have their own homes on the property. I think there’s room for expansion.”
“It would be nice to have sisters and brothers.” He caught the ball I sent his way. “Even if they are my cousins too. You get what I’m saying, right,” he looked at me as one tear fell down his cheek. “Dad?”
That’s it! He’s gonna win the son of the century award for sure.
Epilogue
Tequila
One year later…
“The flowers go over there.” I pointed out the reception table to the men who’d come from the florist company. “Red, white, and blue – in that order, please.”
The patriotic theme seemed fitting for the occasion. Edward fanned himself as he came into the church. “Well, what’s the holdup? I’ve had his hair done for an hour. He’s ready and waiting. Must you women always keep your men waiting? It’s silly, you must know that.”
“He’s fine. Trust me. Tommy is with him. You did do Tommy’s hair too, right. He is the best man. He’s got to look sharp.” The men with the American flags came in, looking around at where they were to put them up. “The altar, gentlemen. Right up there on either side of where the priest is going to be.” This had turned out to be more work than I’d ever expected. “Why did I listen to you, Edward? You made it sound so easy. Being in a wedding and being the planner as well is just too much work.”
“You’re doing great,” came a deep voice from behind me. Strong arms wrapped around my now thick waist as he patted my round tummy. “How’re Daddy’s girls?”
Turning around
, I ran my arms around my husband’s neck as just his touch had put a smile on my face. “You really think so? Does it look like a wedding at all to you with all this red, white, and blue stuff? I just don’t know.”
“It’s what she wanted,” Clyde reminded me. “What Mama Puente wants, Mama Puente gets.”
Cocking my head, I reminded him of a very important thing, “After this wedding, you can’t call her that anymore. It’ll be Mama Boysenberry in just over an hour from now.”
“I know. I’ll try to get used to saying that. It is a mouthful though.” Clyde let me go to smooth out my red dress before running his hands over his blue suit. Tommy had been decked out in a white suit so that we’d make up the color theme in all the wedding photos. “Colonel Walter Boysenberry is a rather long moniker too. Your mother sure has a thing for military men. Finding herself an Air Force Colonel while visiting her sister in California was some feat.”
“It’s going to be weird with her living away from us.” I straightened his tie. “Our daughter will be here next month. We’re going to be on our own with her.”
“You guys have me to help with our baby you know.” Tommy came up behind us. “The Colonel told me to come scope out the place to make sure there was plenty of what Momo wants. And all I see is red, white, and blue, so I think it’s good to go.” He pulled a walkie talkie out of his pocket. “We’re good to go, Colonel. Out.”
“Copy that,” came the voice of the man my mother was about to marry. “Get my bride onboard, soldier. This Colonel is ready to launch.”
“Good grief.” I went to make sure my mother was ready. “Wagging my finger as I left, I let Tommy know that I wasn’t letting him get out of his promises to help us with this baby. “I hope you know that you get the first night after we get home from the hospital with your baby sister.”
