Cheyenne came with her own issues concerning her O'Connor man. She was hoping to get some insight while here this week. When trying to show Caoimhe and Katie how to crochet, Cheyenne made herself a wine spritzer. Katie put more ginger ale than wine in hers but Cheyenne put just a splash of club soda and Caoimhe had ginger ale only. At the third glass of wine that was conspicuous for the lack of club soda, Katie asked if she should have anymore. Katie laughing said that it would put her to sleep to drink that much wine. Caoimhe added that not even when she wasn't pregnant, would Andrew let her have that much unless they were just going to bed afterward. Cheyenne shrugged.
"I guess Quinn is different."
Katie didn't think so but kept her own council.
Dinner was fun for everyone until Cheyenne grabbed her second beer and Katie exchanged a look with Caoimhe and then slid her eyes over to Quinlan, who already had his attention focused on Cheyenne. Katie glanced over at Ciarán, who reached up and squeezed her hand when she opened her mouth to say something, but she wasn't sure what. Ciarán's eyes told her to stay out of it, but Katie was pretty sure Quinn was already hot on the trail of Miss Cheyenne's too much enjoyment.
When dinner was over, Quinn grabbed Cheyenne's hand and led her outside. Jocelyn, always wanting to check on everyone, was stopped by Liam when she went looking for them, whispering in her ear for a moment and then leading her back inside. Jocelyn, for once, didn't put up a fight. The next morning, Cheyenne was more subdued and she took her breakfast out to the flower garden to eat and walk. Katie surmised it was easier to stand than sit this morning. Looking over at Ciarán, he gave her the raised eyebrows and a crooked grin that indicated he had noticed too and she thought his conclusion was the same. Quinn was in a chipper mood, smiling big at the family as he grabbed breakfast. Figures, these O'Connor men are a sadistic law unto themselves thought Katie. Every one of these men would feel just fine after taking their lovely wife to task.
It was a good thing that each house was built with five bedrooms. When this family gathering was done, each family home would seem empty by comparison. Nevertheless, since the clan was growing, they would all be happy to have another place built. It would add visiting space. Liam was waiting on whether that would happen or not, for he expected the family to grow faster than the houses were erected. He was already talking about adding onto his home because of his sudden influx of children.
The placement of the houses had already been tentatively decided. The south gate, which was at the back half of the property and the north gate, the first gate from Elk Ridge, was where Ciarán and Katie lived. The south gate was going to house Quinn and Cheyenne's place. The back gate would house Kelli and Parker if they wanted it, but the access would need to be enhanced above the north gate at the fence line. The vet clinic (and Cián and Molly's house, if the women were to be believed) would be across the main road from the south gate. There was already a narrow road allowing them access to the land that was presently used for grazing pastures.
Katie was happy with the family and glad when her father came in to help on the hunt and the meat smoking parts of the day. He enjoyed the older men and said he felt more alive than he had in ten years as far as being part of the group and being productive in that group. Cián, the youngest O'Connor sibling, came and talked about his lady friend, Molly, who he said was indeed just a friend. He took the good-natured teasing that went along with that statement.
The week flew by, with Irish and Sioux words shared amongst the women, nurturing each other. Every night except one, Ciarán added a new element to their lovemaking. Once again, Ciarán had pushed one of her boundaries. The first night he blindfolded her. The second night he tied her hands together but in front of her to give her the illusion of power—limited power. Then he made the sweetest love to her but she had to remain bound. That same night he allowed her to help him out by taking him in her mouth, but again, without her hands. That was challenging, but she soon forgot she didn't have the use of her hands. Ciarán seemed pleased and Katie herself admitted she was proud of her progress.
The third night he added ankle ties and the fourth he did all three, hands, feet and blindfold. That was difficult because not only could she not see, she couldn't move her hands or use her feet to defend herself well. Not that she would need to but she began to panic. After Ciarán had calmed her down, he started to lecture her.
"You were scared."
"Yes," she agreed.
"You were scared to the panic stage."
"Yes."
"I'm not happy about that."
"I can't help that I was scared." She was beginning to be offended.
"You didn't use your safe word."
"I know. I didn't want to. I mean that is screaming 'stop'. I didn't need to do that."
"Didn't mean to stop or scream it?"
"I don't know. Both I guess." She stared at her now unbound hands.
"Katherine, have you calmed now?"
"Yes."
"Good, because now I'm going to spank your bottom cherry red."
"What? Why?" She jumped up from the bed and he grabbed her hand. "We have family here."
"You didn't use your safe word. It isn't safe unless you use it."
"I know. I will use it, I promise."
"Yes, well we are going to make sure you do."
Without any further conversation, he had commenced slapping her bared bottom. There was no lecturing—just pure discipline. A no nonsense spanking. Katherine kicked her legs up to give her leverage to get off her husband's lap, but his response was comforting in its reliability. Her yelling and begging met the newly resettled slaps on her upper thighs.
"You know you do not kick and that if you use your legs to try to get out of your punishment that it's your legs that are going to bear the brunt of it, don't you?"
"Yes! Please, please stop. I'm so sorry to have not used my safe word. I didn't want to disappoint you, but I understand now. Please, Ciarán. Stop."
"Who chooses when a punishment is over?"
"You."
"Right and you don't have a glossy red bottom yet."
His rhythmic smacks three in the same spot, switch cheek, repeat, move down to her thigh, spank thrice, switch leg and repeat. Begin again. Her wails barreled into the pillow she had but the slaps of skin on skin were not muffled.
"Will you use your safe word when you need to use it?"
"Yes. I promise."
Her tears were real, her promise sincere, and her understanding genuine. She prayed it was time to finish her spanking. It dawned on her that he might be making her go to her safe word. If she used it, it meant she was weak. But if she didn't, it said he would continue or repeat this again. She didn't want that. She tensed and just as she was going to open her mouth, Ciarán stopped.
"We are done, mo chroí."
"Thank God."
"Did you need to use your safe word?" She heard the concern in his voice.
"No. Well, I would have if you spanked me one more time. I mean, it was at the limit but you stopped."
"Good. I thought you were there. Let me love you a little and we'll try another day."
After they had snuggled a while and Ciarán had given her soothing, gentle love, Katie asked her husband a question.
"I bet you talked to Quinn, huh? Are we doing this every night?"
"Hush and go to sleep, daná beag amháin."
Yes, she had been his naughty little one. Thankfully, she felt her recalcitrant part punished and her little one, cherished. She no longer was upset with that endearment. It was a good feeling to be loved unconditionally.
Ciarán watched Katie as she watched grandmothers and mothers dote on their little ones, the family enjoying each other. They had conversations about whether either of them was ready for all parenthood had to offer and demand. A part each of them wanted to wait longer to have a baby so they could enjoy each other and their life together a bit longer. The other part of them was beginning to ache and crave to
share their lives in the creation of a tangible symbol of their love.
The men were trying to one up the next guy, testosterone flying. Eight deer, three moose, and fifty-five fish were preserved by smoking, canning and freezing that week and adding the bison already preserved, the fruit compotes and jams, plus the canned veggies, it took almost three hours to divide the food for taking home. Everyone's portion was labeled, and separated the final morning, so all could load and return to their lives, ready for winter. It was a good thing that most drove pickups so the goods could be carried back easily.
Life returned to normal. Katie would need to go to Missoula for training on the domestic violence piece of working with clients at Bhaile Haven. Katie convinced Ciarán, with some difficulty, that Jocelyn would be enough protection from Stuart in Missoula if she ran into him at all.
They would go with a group. She began reminding him that she had been to Missoula many times over the last few years. Yes, she was a bit worried, but other than that public place, there had never been an incident before or since. She promised that she wouldn't go anywhere in public without Jocelyn.
Ciarán was still worried about the possible contact with Stuart and tried hard not to put too much pressure on Katie, but he sure wished she had let him come. He still could go but decided she would stay safe. Ciarán called to check on her several times a day, demanding to hear Jocelyn's voice and whenever Liam called Jocelyn, he asked to speak to Katie. Unless they were in different rooms with Katie in a class or training and Jocelyn in completing papers or set up work, the girls began to answer their phone on speaker so they could just yell into the phone.
The girls knew their men were not going to let anything happen to their women no matter how many sighs and rolling eyes it produced. Jocelyn had run home to see her baby on Wednesday because she was done with her part of the final paperwork but returned the next day to stay the last night and day with Katie. Ciarán didn't realize it until the evening when he pulled up to the house and saw her car across the way. He stormed over to speak to Jocelyn after checking inside for Katie.
Jocelyn assured him that she had left Katie in the best of hands. This was the night that law enforcement was doing their training and it was in their hotel. Katie would be in a room with police. She was taking a cab in the morning to tour another shelter with others and Jocelyn, with Padraig in tow, would be back by lunch.
Finally, the long week ended but Katie was extremely worn out by the time she made it home to her obviously relieved husband and his loving arms. She fell into those arms and apologized for being so tired. Ciarán said he didn't mind at all. All he cared about was that she was safely back with him without any incidents. She snuggled into his embrace and went right to sleep. He was soon asleep as well.
October flew by and Katie began to relax with Ciarán in the bedroom. She was calmer than she had ever been and relaxed quickly. She still had some trouble with surprises, though.
Ciarán came home one night, kissed her and said, "Hello, beautiful, strip."
He had been teaching Katie that sometimes she was going to have to just do what he told her, to be rewarded. It was that knowledge that encouraged Katie to strip down. Ciarán watched her as he reached behind him and locked the front door. He grabbed her hand and kissed it before taking a long, lascivious look. He growled and walked into the kitchen.
"I'm starving so I'm going to eat food first. You are going to serve me and then eat while sitting on my lap. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
Katie secretly or not so secretly loved him like this. He pushed her a bit further when she sat in his lap.
"Straddle me."
When she hesitated to respond to his demands, he slapped her pussy, leaving his hand over her mons.
"Ow."
"No thinking, just do it."
"But what if I don't like it?"
"What if you don't like it, beag amháin?" He repeated.
"I safe word."
"Yes, and what happens if you do?"
"Nothing. You stop."
"Yes, and what happens if you don't use it when you should?"
"I get spanked."
"You get punished which will include spanking. Now straddle me."
She still hesitated, looking beseechingly into his eyes.
"Do I need to punish you?"
He watched her quickly straddle him. "Good girl."
As he ate his dinner, he fed her. She melted into his gentleness and did everything he asked. Reliance and trust were the lessons tonight. The rest of the night continued the lesson ending with sweet lovemaking. He knew how to gain confidence and had the patience to get there.
The thirtieth of October came and so did the newest O'Connor grandchild. Aleigha Megan arrived into the world healthy and happy with her beautiful sister Eirén to greet her. Caoimhe and Andrew were ecstatic with their dark haired, maybe hazel-eyed daughter. Caoimhe convinced her husband and doctor to let her go to the wedding almost forty-eight hours later and the little family was oohed and aahed over almost as much as the bride during the reception.
Cheyenne was beautiful in her wedding dress with an all lace veil carrying a bouquet of blue and white flowers with silver accents. The tuxedo that Quinlan wore was black with a stunning electric blue shirt and silver tie and silver corsage. While Quinn often said he would have married in jeans, the women in the family wouldn't have let him. Then when the traditional white shirt was vetoed by Cheyenne, he just gave up and did what he was told. The women all laughed, as it was so uncharacteristic of Quinlan to give in. While the ceremony was simple, it was elegant and peaceful.
The reception was perfect and packed to overflowing. The honeymoon was to be at an undisclosed location and Quinn wouldn't speak of it until he got his bride there and surprised her. When she called the family a week later, she said they were in the Bahamas. She couldn't wait to come home and show off her tan.
As Thanksgiving approached, early this year, the question of whether Ciarán and Katherine would go to visit one of the parents' homes or stay home was raised. Katie was beside herself with guilt for not wanting to go anywhere and the strong desire just to stay safe in her own home. Liam, Jocelyn, and family decided to go to Sheridan because the weather was cooperating. Katie and Ciarán decided to stay home and celebrate with her dad, Brian Franklin. Katie said she just wanted the quiet of a few people. Ciarán knew she just wanted to stay home. So they celebrated a cozy and quiet Thanksgiving with all the traditional turkey and trimmings.
The winter brought calm to the ranch. Katie was feeling tired a lot of the time and she just wondered if she needed to slow down a bit. In the last two months, there had been a big family gathering, a baby, a wedding, and Thanksgiving. She still had the end of November to get decorations out and all of December to get through. She went to bed early and it just didn't seem to help much. Ciarán tried some of her favorite bedroom play and she safe worded him in five minutes. He knew something was wrong.
The week after Thanksgiving brought three new families to admit to Bhaile Haven and that meant physicals for everyone. By the time she was done with her home visit patients and her Haven patients, she fell into bed at night. Ciarán expressed his concern but agreed with her that she was just busy. He cuddled her most nights, but she knew he was watching her. It made her feel secure knowing he was keeping watch.
Liam and Jocelyn cornered him the next evening and asked if Katie was doing okay and after much discussion, the suggestion that she might be pregnant stuck with him. Going home that night, he thought he had better ask because not only would it explain things, it would mean they needed to look at her schedule and factor in the baby.
"Katie, have you thought you might be pregnant?"
"No, we are careful and we use protection, usually," Katie added with a wistful memory of a recent evening where her husband was so intense that neither had even thought of protection until it was too late. They didn't do that often, for Ciarán was a planner, but sometimes, even hi
s logical and analytical mind was overpowered by nature.
"Well, I'm only speaking from my own experience and I'm not a nurse, but I would go get a test done."
"Nah, I'm just tired. I'll get the schedule down and will be just fine."
"Okay, but just think about it. You have been doing this schedule for over a month now, and you aren't less tired, you are more tired."
Think about it, she did, for days. When Ciarán tried to love her breasts, she almost cried because they were so tender. Alarmed, he quickly released her and demanded to know what could be wrong. Katie just said she was due her period and that seemed to satisfy Ciarán. He loved her very gently and put her to sleep.
The next day, Katie went out to get a test. When she came home from work, she found another one on the bathroom counter, easily seen. Her husband was noticeably thinking what she was and didn't want to do more than suggest it. How unlike Ciarán to not demand she find out.
She used the test she had bought and it changed almost immediately, but she waited the allotted time and it was still positive. The fact that it was positive that quickly and it was at the end of the day, told her what she suspected. Without a doubt, she was pregnant.
When Ciarán came home, she had dinner all ready, and his box, unopened, sitting on the kitchen table.
"What are you trying to say to me, dear?" Katie asked innocently.
"That you are tender, more tender than a period would do, you are tired all the time, and we have had unprotected sex a few times. I would say I would like you to take a test."
"Really, Ciarán I don't think that I need to do that."
"Please, honey, so I don't worry."
"Well, if it's positive, you will worry anyway."
Ciarán laughed, "You have a good point there. I cannot deny that you are right. Will you just please humor me?"
"Well, if you think this test I just did isn't accurate, then I guess I could do another."
"You did one? And?"
"And, so, probably I will be crabby a lot because of my overprotective husband who will think he has to hover for nine months or at least until mid-summer. We’ll be having our baby when the rest of the stock is birthing. How about sometime in June? I'd say probably middle to end of the month if I were to take a guess right now."
Katie Consents (Ciaran O'Connor Book 3) Page 2
