Shamus (Welcome to Spartan Book 3)

by Ashley Lyn

  “Yeah, I think that’ll be fun, but maybe wait a few days for them to get settled in and things. It’ll be a new house and stuff, so they might be a bit nervous.”

  “Also, I went shopping and bought some stuff for the kids. Man, they are a hoot!”

  I cringe when I think about what he might have gotten them. “Thanks, Bruce. Hey, man, they’re calling for us to board so I have to let you go.”

  “Righty-O. See you soon. I’m off to the gym, then after, I’m going to wait on the porch for the express delivery man. I lost my snazzy swimming outfit, so I ordered a new one.”

  I think to myself with a smile, you didn’t lose it. The town ransacked your house until they found it and burned it in a ceremonial fire.

  “All right, Bruce. Bye.”

  Hanging up, I just shake my head. My kids are going to grow up Spartan, and I can’t think of anything better.

  We’re finally up in the air, and at cruise altitude, the seatbelt sign has been turned off, and Mom finally has Chloe calmed down.

  She did not in any way, shape, or form, enjoy takeoff. On the other hand, you have Aiden who giggled the entire time. I just got Aiden situated with an iPad when the most ungodly fart in history comes out of him.

  He peeks up at me and laughs, but then, dear God, the smell. “By the second star, Aiden, please, tell me you didn’t just go poop your pants,” Mom says.

  “Nope, just farted.”

  Mom is laughing like crazy with her shirt over her nose, and Chloe is giggling and pinching her nose. The lady in the aisle next to us turns on the overhead air and is looking at us with nothing but contempt.

  “Aiden, why don’t we go to the bathroom and just check. Maybe you can sit on the potty and see if you have to go.”

  “Okay, Dad.” I get him out of his seat, and he immediately makes a face and lets loose another one. This one is even worse than the last one. The gentleman in the seat in front of us starts gagging. Aiden laughs, then makes a weird face. It’s then that I start to hustle him down the aisle.

  The flight attendants are coming down the aisle with drinks, so we go the other way. He’s crop dusting the entire plane.

  I’m sure this is what you would call a “parent moment.” We finally make it to the bathroom, and I look at his face. He looks nervous.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “That potty looks kind of scary, and I need to poop.”

  “Okay, let’s get you on the potty.”

  I haven’t been around a lot of kids, but dear God above, I have never in my life smelled a child when they fart like this. I’m struggling for clean air. Getting him situated on the potty, I pull my shirt over my nose, which makes him erupt into a fit of giggles.

  “No more McD’s for you, little man.” He smiles, and when I open the door, I feel horrible for the first couple rows.

  When we finally make it back to our seat, Aiden whisper yells. “Gran, Dad said that I just dropped the smelliest poop ever, and that I can’t have McD’s anymore.”

  Most of the people around us chuckle a bit at that. Sadly, for the people around us, and especially the gentleman in front of us, I feel terrible, because Aiden was nowhere near done.

  I have never been happier to be off an airplane in my life. It seems both Aiden and Chloe’s systems do not agree with McDonald's.

  Aiden was passing the worst gas almost the entire plane ride, and Chloe was right along with him. I see Ali and Luke waving like crazy. Chloe’s in Mom’s arms, and I have Aiden. Luke and Ali hug us both, and damn, it feels good to be home.

  “Hello, you cute little munchkins. I’m your Aunty Ali, and this is your Uncle Luke.”

  Aiden makes a move like he wants down, so I put him down, and Chloe shoves her face in Mom’s neck. Aiden walks up to Luke and holds out his hand. Luke shakes it, then Aiden puts his hands on his hips.

  “I made the man sitting in front of us on the plane puke everywhere!”

  Luke laughs. “Really? How did you do that?”

  “I had the worst farts in history.” Luke high-fives him and they’re off. I’m dead on my feet exhausted. Between boredom on the plane and the gas issue, it was a long plane ride.

  Not five minutes in the car, both kids are out cold, along with Mom. Ali turns around in her seat.

  “They’re the cutest kids I have ever seen,” she whispers. I look at them, and I think the same thing.

  I smile at her. “How did the house turn out?”

  “It looks great. Everything is hung up and put away. We stocked the house with groceries, too, so you guys would have food when you got home.”

  “Thank you. I’ll pay you back when we get there.” She tries to wave me off, and I give her a hard look. I’m not much on taking handouts, which is why I have a loan with Amy. She originally wanted to just give me the money.

  “Fine.”

  My lips twitch. “I talked to Bruce today. He said he’s waiting for the express delivery van to show up since they’re dropping off a new swimsuit.”

  Ali turns around slowly in her seat, her eyes as big as dinner plates.

  “Shamus, please tell me you’re kidding?”

  I shake my head. Laughing at her whimper, I lay my head back. I’ll just rest my eyes for a moment.

  Famous last words. I’m out before my next breath.

  I feel a little finger up my nose, and crack one eye open to find Aiden in my face, smiling at me.

  “You got big finger holes in your nose, Dad.” I smile at him and sit up. We’re driving through Spartan, and the streets are lined with people. Businesses have signs saying, “Welcome home Aiden and Chloe.”

  “What does it say, Daddy?” Chloe asks me. I’m a little choked up because the whole town is out to welcome us home.

  “The signs say, “Welcome home Aiden and Chloe.” I look over at Aiden, and he’s waving at everyone.

  The drive through town is short and sweet. Pulling up into the driveway, both Aiden and Chloe are looking at the house with big eyes.

  “Dad, is this home?”

  “Yes, baby girl, this is home.” She smiles at me as I start unfastening her car seat. Opening the door, she takes off like a shot. Mom unbuckles Aiden and he’s right behind Chloe, close on her heels.

  Listening to them giggling and laughing as they open the front door and storm the castle, I can’t help it but tear up. The emotions are overwhelming.

  My babies are home, at my home, with me. Nothing will ever compare to this moment. Years of sacrifice, tears, anger, and rage wisp away like a light breeze, and brings with it the sounds of my children to my ears. Mom comes up and hugs me. “You did good, Shamus. The house looks great, and look! The house right next door is for sale.”

  She winks at me as she heads after the kids.

  Aiden pokes his head out the door. “Dad, are you coming in?”

  I blow out a long, slow breath. “Yup. Just have to grab the bags.”

  Coming around the car, I get the bags and head in, smiling the whole way.

  The fierce swagger of a chardonnay soaked woman is always a sight to behold. I hear the snickers and giggles as I strut my red, onesie-covered ass down a brightly lit aisle of Wal-Mart.

  I have no destination, but when you’re drunk and single, Wal-Mart shopping is the best. I’m perusing the health and beauty section. I glance in my cart. I have a new pack of markers, and an As Seen on TV slushy maker, that I have margarita plans for. Pink bunny slippers, some peanut butter, and a bold blue eye shadow.

  I glance in one of the small mirrors in the makeup aisle and flip myself off. I look like a porn star at the end of a gang bang.

  I need a change.

  Looking in the mirror again was probably a no good, very bad, terrible idea. I shouldn’t have watched Marley and Me. My runny mascara lines are halfway down my cheeks. My dirty blonde hair looks like a long-haired car got stuck in a sewer grate.

  “Light bulb.”

  I give a fist pump. Flipping a bitch with my cart filled w
ith goodies, I head to the hair color aisle.

  I browse the boxes and settle on a bold pink color, and whistle the whole way to the checkout lane. I may have started today out a tad down, but tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I will step out as bold, brash, and brazen.

  Something is tickling my nose. I try and peel my eyes open, and my brain erupts in protest.

  I roll over and shove my head under the pillow. “Get up, Savannah.” I groan when I realize that Tristan is in my house.

  “Go away. It’s my day off.”

  “We have to talk about the ramifications of last night.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “For one, the drunk call to me about how much you love Shamus. Two, the fact that your previously blonde hair is now bright fucking pink, along with your white sheets, and the side of your face.” He says that last part with an amused tone. When what he said penetrates, I fly out of bed and run for the bathroom.

  I stare in the mirror, horrified. My previously blonde locks are now pink—a splotchy pink. I did a shitty job on the color. I look at the mess of my bathroom and sink.

  Tristan comes in and crouches down in front of me. “It’ll be fine. Carter’s sister is a hairdresser, and I texted her. She said that she can fix your hair. As far as the Shamus thing goes, just tell him how you feel. We men are shit at reading the feelings of women.”

  I peer up at him. “I want to move to Spartan so bad. I don’t know if I can uproot my life and move there, then have it all fall to pieces. Then I would be stuck in a town with the love of my life, and have to watch him move on without me. I don’t think I can do that. I know he wants me, but I just need more, I guess.”

  “Why do you always play the ‘what if’ game? You constantly doubt yourself, and I never understand it.” I blush. He told me about the communication thing, and I’m failing on that. I’m so used to being all up in my head and drowning in my emotions, alone.

  “I’ll call him later.”

  He shakes his head at me and helps me off the floor. “Get cleaned up. I told Becca that you would be there in about an hour. After that, I need your eyes for something.”

  I’m looking in the mirror in amazement. The splotchy pink is gone, and the top and middle of my hair is back to blonde, except for the tips. I wanted to keep a little bit of pink, and it looks fabulous.

  I smile at Becca. “It looks so good! Thank you so much!”

  She flushes her own pretty shade of pink. She looks so much like Carter in coloring—pale skin, pitch black hair, and the bluest eyes I have ever seen. The major difference is Becca is curvy, short, and a total bombshell, and completely shy.

  Tristan walks up and his eyes are on her ass the entire time. Then, when he gets up to the chair, he totally ignores her, making me narrow my eyes at him. “It looks good, Becca. You did a great job,” he tells her, without looking at her at all.

  Me thinks Tristan has a crush.

  Becca blushes so bad, her face, ears, and neck are bright fucking red.

  “T—Thank you.”

  “I already paid. Let’s go, Savannah.”

  I hug a shaking Becca and wink at her before getting into Tristan’s car.

  “Any reason why you wouldn’t even look at her while you were speaking to her?”

  He completely ignores me. “When we get to the office, I have some files for you to look over. I’ve been going through some DPD cold cases, that may or may not be connected to the Skin Slingers. I need your fresh eyes to see if we can find any other cases that might be connected.”

  I open my mouth to ask again about Becca, but he stops me. “I’m not talking about Becca. There’s nothing there. She’s had a puppy dog crush on me forever. I’m too old for her, and she’s the sister of my best friend, so drop it, and never speak about it again, Savannah.”

  Crossing my arms, I huff in annoyance. Stupid man. He thinks I’m nuts because I need the words, and yet he’s like an ostrich with his head stuck in the sand.

  I look out the window and ignore him the whole way to the office.

  “I’m hungry.”

  I smile when I hear my son’s voice. Cracking open my eyes, I’m momentarily startled by the T-Rex about an inch from my face.

  Aiden must have gotten dressed and picked the shirt that Ali bought. When you pull up the bottom of the shirt over your face, there’s a picture of a T-rex.

  I smile at Aiden. “That’s quite the shirt, bud.”

  He laughs and holds his hands up like claws, growling at me. Laughing at his antics, I reach out and tickle his sides until he laughs and runs out of the room.

  I roll over and put my arm over my eyes. I was dreaming about Savannah, warm and snuggled up to me, and I’m thoroughly irritated when I look over and she isn’t there. Damn, that stubborn woman.

  “Dad, I’m starving,” Aiden yells from his bedroom.

  Getting up, I shuffle myself into my bathroom and almost bust my ass when I slip on something wet. Aiden pokes his T-Rex face around the corner.

  “I want cereal.”

  “Aiden, why is the floor is wet?”

  He puts his hands on his hips. “Chloe was in the other bathroom, so I came in here to potty. I did it just like you and stood up.” He smiles at me so proud, and it’s then that I realize I’m standing in pee. He practically skips out of the bathroom, and all I can hear is Mom laughing her ass off from the doorway.

  Snagging a towel off the bar and cleaning up the mess, I turn on the shower and jump in to wash my feet.

  Getting dressed, I head downstairs and come to an abrupt halt when I see Chloe sitting in the middle of the living room. She has on a fluffy skirt and a T-shirt, but what stops me in my tracks is the picture of Jenny on the floor with her.

  She’s surrounded by little plastic tea cups, plastic food, and dolls. She looks up at me and smiles.

  “Good morning, Daddy.” Clearing my throat, I try and remember how my therapist said to approach this.

  “Good morning, pumpkin. What are you doing?”

  “I’m having a tea party with my dolls, and this picture I found in my room.”

  I sit down with her and pull her into my lap before picking up the picture of Jenny. “This is your Momma, and right there, in her belly, is you and Aiden.”

  She touches the picture. “Where is she?”

  I look over in the kitchen and Aiden is standing with his arms crossed over his chest. I motion him to come over, and he sits next to me. “Your momma died. Jenny, that was her name. She was so excited for you two, and she was a beautiful, funny person. She died four years ago, and I miss her a lot. I wish that she was here to see your beautiful little faces, and sometimes, it makes me cry when I remember that she can’t come back, and that’s okay.”

  Aiden sniffs a bit and wipes his nose on my shirt. “Eva told us that someday, our dad would come, and that we didn’t belong there with her,” Aiden whispers.

  I pull Aiden into my lap. “A not very nice man took you from me after your momma died. I’ve spent every day since then looking for you. I love you both so very much. I’m so happy that you’re here with me now—home, and happy with me.”

  “Will that man come back?” Aiden asks.

  “No, they caught him, and he won’t be getting out. You’re safe here with me.” I kiss them both and just relax in the living room, when I hear a scooter pulling into the driveway. I knew Bruce wasn’t going to be able to help himself.

  “There’s a man that just pulled up, and his name is Bruce. He’s a fun guy, and super nice. I’m going to go let him in, then get breakfast going. Chloe, Aiden wanted cereal. How about you?”

  “Cereal, too, please.”

  I walk over to the front door and open it. All I see is yellow. So much of it, it almost blinds me.

  “Good morning, Shamus. I come bearing gifts!”

  Bruce has on bright yellow dress pants and a yellow button-up shirt, with a yellow fedora hat.

  “What’s up with the yellow outfit, Br
uce? Christ, it’s burning my retinas.”

  “Yellow is the color of the week. I have an entire week of yellow outfits planned.”

  I feel little hands on my leg and look down to see Chloe peeking around. “I like your outfit, Mister Bruce.”

  “Thank you, Princess Chloe.” He bows as low as he can, with a noticeably smaller beer gut. I cock my head to the side and look at him.

  “Bruce, have you lost weight, or is it the yellow?”

  “Nope, I lost twenty pounds so far. The boys and me have been hitting the gym and eating better. Also, I cut back on the drinks. I haven’t been on the “No Fly” list for over a month.”

  “Congrats, Bruce.”

  “Maybe this time, my snazzy swimsuit will fit better. Winter is coming, so I got to get my summer body ready.” I cringe thinking about what this year’s suit will look like.

  “All right, kiddo, Grandpa Bruce has some welcome to Spartan starter packs.”

  “What’s a start pack?” Aiden asks, coming out of the kitchen, hand in the cereal box, stuffing his mouth full of fruity pebbles.

  Bruce takes off his hat and plops it on Aiden’s head before sitting on the floor with the kids. He unzips his bag and pulls out two bedazzled boxes, decorated with bows and ribbons galore. He hands the blue one to Aiden, and the pink one to Chloe.

  “What do they do?” Aiden asks. Bruce looks momentarily confused, as do I.

  “I could put my dolls on it, like a table,” Chloe says excitedly.

  It’s then that my heart breaks. I realize that they’ve never gotten a present before. Mom comes down the stairs, and Bruce does a double take. She has on an outfit that would make Margo and Cleo want to raid her closet. The white shorts come up high on her stomach. A tucked in, red tank top, and with so many silver necklaces and bracelets, it’s surprising she can even move around. She sits down and takes the reins and starts explaining that there are special surprises in the boxes, and that they need to rip the paper off.

  Bruce’s mouth is plopped open in shock. “Who might you be, beauty.”

  She laughs as she shows the kids how to open their presents. “Bruce, this is my mother, Starla. She’s moving to Spartan. Mom, this is Bruce.”