Seconds later, there were running footsteps and I was mauled by three more kids. Hugs, kisses and so much love. They asked me about the show and I told them all about it with as much animation as I could muster.
A kiss on the top of my head along with a soft touch on my skin and beard had me looking up at the love of my life.
Kate gave me a tired smile. She looked a little pale, her hair was a mess, but she was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.
She sat down on my lap at my direction and the kids told me how Ian had said they must be very gentle with her tummy because there were babies inside. They lifted her shirt.
“They are your babies and we are going to love them and play with them and bash them up when they’re naughty and we are going tell them about Charlie Daddy all the time,” Ryan told me.
“Because they are our sissy and brother,” Tim added.
“Can we watch Lion King? With all our Daddies and our Mommies and our babies?” Evie asked batting her eye lashes at me.
I smiled. I was so tired. I just wanted to go to bed and hold Kate. But I nodded. Ian put it on. So we put the pillows on the floor and lay down. Kate between Ian and I with the kids all over us. My hand on her belly.
It was how I fell asleep. Feeling very loved. Praying that my children would know how much I loved them, that they would grow, be healthy and grow up into good people.
Ian
Charlie had gotten up and had breakfast with the kids. Kate had vomited before that and he’d fussed over her again. Then he decided that he wanted to go to Mom and Dad’s to help set up for Sunday lunch. The kids were running around happy.
I liked watching them like this. Happy, carefree and full of life.
But Kate looked ill. She gave me a little smile.
I went and gave her a hug. “We don’t have to go if you aren’t up to it.”
She shook her head. “I’m ok. That medication does jackshit.”
“Talk to Mom about another one,” I suggested stroking her hair as the kids ran past laughing. “They are all nuts today. Did Charlie give them candy?”
She laughed softly. “They’re just happy.”
I kissed the top of her head. “How about we get them showered and go to Mom and Dad’s?”
She nodded and we got in the process of getting ready. I chuckled as we all got in my newest car. I had an excuse to buy another car now. Having six kids would be crazy. Rita and Joe decided to come with us. Sometimes, they liked the afternoon off. Either way, they were welcome.
We walked into Mom and Dad’s and the kids ran to Charlie. Again, showering him in kisses and love.
He lapped it up. Never really liked kids. But now, he seemed like he couldn’t get enough. He looked at me and smiled as he pulled Kate into his arms and kissed her so deeply and so passionately, her knees gave out as she melted.
Charlie took his time before he broke the kiss. Then he dropped to his knees and planted kisses all over her belly.
Kate just stroked his hair and gazed up at me.
I gave her a wink.
Charlie
Sunday lunch out in the garden at Mom and Dad’s. It used to be such a fucking tedious time of the week. I was generally hungover and tired from the night at the club. Now, I wish I’d appreciated it more.
I was a lucky man to have been adopted by them. To have siblings that accepted me as one of their own. Even though I was a lot older. As I had watched them interact, I didn’t feel out of place, because I was part of the family. This was my family. Which was often not something I felt. Today though, the feeling was strong.
I’d managed to talk to everyone separately. And even play with the kids. Oh, and lots of kisses for my babies. And one awesome kiss to Kate. Her knees had buckled and everything. It’d been the perfect day. Now I just wanted to watch them all while the sun set.
I’d always loved sunsets. And this one was turning into the most beautiful one I’d ever seen. I sighed as I admired it.
“It was a good day, Son,” Dad said coming out on the porch and handing me a scotch as he sat beside me. I had my arm around Mom who’d been fussing over me all day. Dad handed her a glass of white wine. Dad sat with his shoulder to mine. This was us, being affectionate.
“It has been a great day,” I agreed then laughed at my brothers picking on Tammy as they played tag with the kids. “She totally loves being the center of their attention.”
Mom giggled. “She admitted to me that she might be falling for Ben.”
“I saw it coming,” Dad stated with a wise nod. “He’s a good man. I approve, for once.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I hope he mans up and marries her. Even I managed to man up and marry the woman I wanted.”
Mom looked over at me. “Are they yours?”
“Yeah, Ian wore a condom and I didn’t.” I gazed at her and gave her a one-armed squeeze. “She’s the only one I ever went raw with. No, lie.”
I glanced at Kate standing off to the side smiling as she watched the games. A protective hand over her belly and my babies. “She was the only woman I ever fell in love with. Well, other than my Mommy.” I grinned at Mom.
She looked up at me with a bright smile. “You never called me that, not even as a boy. It was always just Mom.”
“You were never just a Mom.” I kissed her forehead as she beamed with pride. Then I nudged Dad. “You were never just a Dad either. I would have been fucked without both of you keeping me on the right path.”
Dad nudged me back then chuckled. “You weren’t just a son to us either.” I looked at him and he looked at me. “You are our son.”
I smiled at him. “I know.” Yes now, I really did know.
We looked back at the family playing chatting and drinking our drinks. I watched Kate who seemed distracted looking off into the distance. I followed her line of sight and there was a man and a woman walking towards me. As they got closer, I recognized Aria and smiled as she smiled back. I looked at the man and recognized him from the photos on Kate’s walls. It was Chris.
It was my time. It had come…I looked back at the sunset.
Beautiful.
“I love you all so much. Don’t be sad when I go.”
“Can’t make any promises,” Mom said cuddling me.
I stared at Kate who was looking at me with so much love as her heart broke. I gave Kate my best smile. “Tell Kate she is the fucking jackpot.” She was running towards me screaming as my scotch glass slipped from my hand and shattered on the tiles. I heard my heart stop. Breath left my body with a sigh.
I watched as my family realized I was gone. For each one, it was different but it was Kate. The love of my life, who just broke. I was glad I didn’t hear her scream. It was a relief when Ian got a hold of her and pulled her into his arms as he broke too.
“She’ll be ok,” Chris said from beside me. “He will look after her.”
I shook his hand as I left my body. Then I kissed Aria’s cheek “Hi Princess.”
“Hey Charlie. You’re going up. I don’t know why you would have ever thought you were going down.” She patted my arm.
I smiled and looked back at my family.
Chris crouched down and stroked Kate’s cheek.
Aria ran her fingers through Ian’s hair like she used to.
I kissed the top of Kate’s head and stood up. “What happens next?” I asked as we walked towards a light in the distance.
“Peace.” Aria smiled.
“Will we get to watch?”
“Yeah. We have a great seat.” Chris nodded.
For my life to end on such a good note. To have it come and not be terrified, just as that horse Jet had told me. I concluded, it was the end of a perfect life. I’d achieved business success and given jobs to people. I had a wonderful family, had fallen in love with a brilliant woman and had left my children behind as my true legacy.
All because of a Vegas random, I could see how truly rich I had been.
Epilogue
/>
Ian
I think if Kate hadn’t been pregnant, she would’ve just broken into a million pieces. I still woke to her scream in the mornings as she realized he was gone. I think it would haunt me till the day I died. I was sure I actually heard her heart break.
He had passed on in a way anyone could only describe as the perfect note. No pain killers, no fights. Just surrounded by his family with a scotch in his hand, just like he’d wanted.
His funeral had been huge, the members of the club turned up in clothes which was different considering I’d mostly only seen them in various stages of undress. And the Priest gave the perfect ceremony. He had us laughing and crying. The eulogy was as if Charlie was here reading it himself.
And half way through, I felt at peace. Like the weight was off my chest. At the graveside, we committed his body to the ground as it started to rain.
My little wife was shaky. The crowd dispersed and she didn’t make any move to leave. Despite getting saturated.
“We’re going to take the kids to your parents,” Brian said softly at my side. “Will you be ok?” I nodded and he left.
I knew over the years they would become brothers to me. They’d been fantastic in the last week.
It became deserted quickly and Kate just stood there.
Wet footsteps got my attention, I turned to see Nathan returning with something in his hand. He touched Kate’s face and showed me Charlie’s favorite whip. I smiled.
“I couldn’t let him go without it.” Nathan grinned and put it on top of Charlie’s coffin. He touched the coffin gently.
A strangled sob escaped Kate’s mouth and she covered it as though to hold it in.
“Don’t keep the pain in Little Random,” Nathan urged. “He’s gone. Let it out.”
“I can’t. I need to keep my blood pressure under control. I—I don’t want to hurt the babies.” She sobbed into her hands.
Nathan looked at her then at me. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. “He got her pregnant?”
I nodded.
“He got her pregnant!” He jumped up like he was going to break into a happy dance. Then he halted. “Why is she standing in the rain! She’ll get sick!”
“I have morning sickness, I’m already sick!” she sobbed.
“He is right Kate, we should get out of the rain,” I said gently.
She shook her head like the stubborn wench she was. There really was no depth of stubborn on this woman. You would think she reached her limit and nope…She was just playin’.
Nathan scooped her up. “Come, Little Random, there are only a few people in the world that know who you were to him. He protected you to the last. You’re pregnant with his child and this is where your self-care comes into it.”
“Children. He is getting twins.” I smiled.
Nathan stopped walking and gaped at me. “Twins?”
I nodded.
“Right, well we’re going to get this beautiful woman out of the rain then. Healthy Mom equals healthy babies.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I nodded.
“I want to stay with him!” she sobbed into Nathan’s chest.
“He’s in your heart and womb, Kate. He is with you.” Nathan kissed her head and put her in the back of the car. He stood up. “See you at the wake. Would you like me to get her some dry clothes?”
Nathan never offered to do anything. I nodded. He patted me on the shoulder and walked away while I got in the car to look after my broken-hearted wife.
Kate
Five Months Later…
Well, carrying twins was a challenge. I really didn’t like not seeing my toes. Or being able to bend over. Or not be able to have sex. Yes, I know, funny coming from the woman that was nun status seven months ago.
Ian was wonderful. We both had moments in the early days where not having Charlie in the world was just more than we could bear but we shared the load and took the strain when the other broke, so we could grieve. Five months had passed since I watched him just smile at me and die.
Yesterday, I had nearly met the grim reaper myself. I was hanging at home; the babies had been quiet and I was feeling like shit. The whole family were there just chilling out, laying on the grass. Richard and Ian had found a new appreciation for it.
“Guys, I feel weird,” I said.
“How do you mean?” Gerrard asked.
“Umm, I don’t know like I want to squat.”
Gerrard and Emma sat up and stared at me.
“Like you want to squat?” Gerrard had asked. “Are you having contractions?”
“No. I just want to squat. I’m not comfortable. My back aches.” I grumbled. “My back never ached before having these two.”
“Rachael!” Emma called. “Get some gloves!”
“Why are you fussing?” I had asked feeling confused. “I’m fine. I just feel like shit.”
“I have gloves who hurt themselves?” Rachael came out.
“Do an internal on Kate. I think she’s about to have the babies,” Emma stated.
“She’s booked in for a caesarean in two days. She better not be.” Rachael came down stairs. “Get her panties off.”
I looked over at Ian. “Tell them to stop fussing.”
He ripped my knickers off me.
“Hey, they were my comfy ones!”
“Shh, you. I will get you another set.”
“She does have a pretty pussy,” Richard said.
I lifted my head to see him looking. “RICHARD!” I shouted at him.
Ben punched him in the arm.
“Thanks Benny.” Fingers were inserted and then I felt very wet.
“Did my waters just break?”
“Yes, all over me. JOHN! GET AN AMBULANCE!”
“Oh, you have to be fucking shitting me!” John exclaimed coming out. “Seriously Kate? Couldn’t wait two more days?”
I laughed and then moaned as the need to bare down took hold. “I need to sit up. I need to sit up.”
There was movement from Gerrard, John, Emma and Rachael. Brian and Ian helped me get to my knees. Now, I was panicking. I was ok until I was on my knees and now I was in pain. I looked at Brian. “It hurts.”
“Yes, having a baby generally does.” Brian tried not to laugh. Arsehole. “This is Charlie’s fault.” I groaned.
“Yes, it is.” Brian smiled.
“It’s always our fault.” Ian chuckled.
I punched him too and shouted, “Shut up!”
Ian fell back and Brian took my hand to stop me from hitting him again. I groaned as I pushed. I could hear laughter.
“Breathe Kate, you are doing great.” I heard Rachael say.
“Why are they laughing?” I took a couple of breaths and glanced at Brian.
“You knocked Ian the fuck out!” He laughed.
“I what? Oh, God—” I pushed. “WAKE HIM UP!”
“Kate, you have the head out. Just breathe for a moment and don’t push,” Rachael instructed me calmly.
I moaned. “Ian? Ian, I’m sorry. I need you.”
“I’m here. I’m here,” he said and then he was beside me, touching me, holding my hand firmly.
I peered up at him. “I have to push.”
“Another moment,” Rachael said firmly.
I had stared at Ian who was looking ok. Rachael told me to push and I looked Ian in the eye as I did.
A couple pushes later and I had felt relief. For a moment. For just a couple blissful moments…I looked at the child, a boy and smiled. “Hello CJ,” I whispered. Then there was a bone crushing pain. For a moment, I swear I went blind.
I pushed. I breathed and I pushed.
I opened my eyes when the pain stopped to see Charlie and Chris were kneeling there close by. I gave them a weak smile. Both looked so proud. I collapsed. I was lain back on the grass. I felt numb and exhausted. I gazed up at the sky as I heard Rachael tell me it was a girl.
I shut my eyes as someone shouted at me not to….
Kate
Ian smiled as he walked into my hospital room. He was pushing a bassinette. “CJ is strong enough to be out of special care for a visit with his Mommy.” He passed CJ to me.
I gazed at him and my heart swelled. I smiled up at Ian. “He looks just like Charlie.”
“Spitting image.” Ian sat on the bed and touched my face. “How are you feeling today?” He watched me closely. “You scared the shit out of me yesterday.”
I swallowed, wet my lips and nodded. “Charlie and Chris were there. I think I died for a minute or two.”
“You did die for a minute or two. Gerrard and Emma were busy resuscitating you while Mom and Dad looked after the twins.
Brian sorted me out and well, everyone else tried to calm the kids.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
Ian moved closer. “The medics sedated me. I was a mess. But our babies, they were strong and wonderful.” He touched CJ’s cheek. “You say you saw Charlie and Chris?”
“They were there.” I nodded. “They looked happy.”
He nodded and smiled as he shook his head.
I spent two weeks in hospital before we could go home. The twins were strong and healthy despite being small. I felt stronger and tired but I couldn’t wait to be able to sleep in my own bed.
On the way home, I wanted to visit Charlie’s grave. I took the babies to the grave and sat down. I felt I needed to bring them to their father since I’d seen him when they were born. Spoke to him as I tidied up his grave. But stopped when I saw small writing on the bottom of the tomb stone.
“My Vegas Random, the love of my life. You are the fucking jackpot. C.”
I stared at it and covered my mouth. One message, just for me. I took a moment to wipe my teary eyes. He’d meant every word. Every kiss.
“Yes, you will be forever in my heart Charlie. Thank you for your gifts.” I smiled then kissed his headstone.
I picked up the babies and went back to the car, the breeze gentle on my cheeks. It felt like soft kisses from Chris and Charlie. My heart felt strong. I felt strong. I’d been dearly loved by two great men and somehow, still managed to have one by my side.
The Vegas Random Page 28
