by Jayne Blue
“She insisted on coming out here. She called me on my cell.”
“Do you know when I text, I remember things way better?” Mom had been frustrated by texts before; this was such a great sign.
“Well, what do you think? This is the school I’m building.”
“It’s so huge! Brogan, help me off.” Brogan got down and then ran around to Mom to help her.
The three of us toured the school. I showed them both what I had planned. Brogan was mostly quiet, and Mom was mostly in awe.
I couldn’t gauge where Brogan really was until the tour was over. Kase showed up, and there we were, the strangest little family.
“Oh, Kase! I’m so happy you’re with my girl. I always knew, when you were a kid, you were the one for Emlyn.” What? I had no idea what she was talking about. “Oh, for certain, he’s got that sense of humor that can brighten up a day.”
Brogan made some sort of snort sound.
“Thank you, ma’am. I will do everything I can to keep her safe and happy and laughing, if possible.”
“Your jokes aren’t that funny.”
We all turned to look at Brogan.
“He speaks!” Mom said and then she put on hand out to Kase and the other to Brogan.
“It’s so perfect, you’ll be real brothers now.” Brogan looked at Kase, and then to me.
“I guess so,” Brogan said to Mom.
I felt the tension leaving my body. Brogan was warming up, slowly, and it was because Mom told him to!
“And I’ll have two sons! This is a very good day,” Mom said, and I hugged her tightly.
It was a very good day.
Twenty-Three
Kase
I watched her hug each little one. I watched her spend time reassuring each parent. The open house for Forest Family was packed, but Emlyn wasn’t rushed or dismissive. She gave calm attention to anyone in her orbit.
I was fucking proud of her.
And I was proud of the club too. We’d invest time, money, labor, and energy into this place. Not only did a lot of our guys help on the job, doing the work, they also got the word out in the neighborhood.
A lot of people had to find other arrangements in the time the Head Start locations had closed and the new Forest Family opened, but they were here now, coming back, and then some.
Brogan and I were given strict assignments from Ridge to watch, to be sure that no mother fuckers messed with anyone near this place.
“The most important resources of this neighborhood are in our care; we will be guaranteeing that they’re safe. Period.”
Brogan and I handpicked the crew to watch the four corners of the building and then three more to patrol around several blocks. We were going to show our strength. The place was also tricked out with the most sophisticated security money could buy.
But inside, it was all fun. It was calm colors, and buckets of crayons. It was big bouncing balls and nurturing teachers.
Emlyn had done this. She had a vision and never wavered. She reminded me of Ridge that way; she was a natural leader of her staff. She was younger than almost every single one, but they looked to her for direction.
After the families filed out, Brogan and I helped make sure the place was locked up for the night.
“I don’t think it could have gone any better!” Emlyn said and jumped up and down a little. How did she have so much energy all the time?
“If I had a rug rat, I’d send ‘em here, no doubt. Now let’s get over to Ski’s. Frankie has a major celebration ready to go!”
“I could use a beer, those three-year-olds take it out of you,” I said to Brogan as we walked out the front door.
I looked and Em had paused. She was just standing in the main classroom area, quietly crying.
I rushed over to her.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong, babe?”
“Nothing, I’m so...just proud, happy, grateful. Everything.”
I hugged her tight. And she leaned up and kissed me.
It was everything.
“You’re making me sick. Let’s GO!” Brogan called in after us.
“Yes, sir!” And then Emlyn got on her tiptoes again and kissed me harder.
Twenty-Four
Emlyn
I needed a beer, maybe more than Kase and Brogan. And Frankie provided it.
Ski’s was packed with Great Wolves, and members of the Stickney Forest Business Association, which Forest Family was also now a part of. I chose the name because that was my goal, to be the family for the kids that needed it, and to support the families of the kids that came through our doors.
Frankie kept the food and drinks flowing, and I can’t remember a more fun night after such an amazing day.
I cornered her in the kitchen as she and Lamont plated more trays of food.
“You went above and beyond, Frankie, thank you so much.”
“Pshaw. I am so happy for you, so happy for the neighborhood.”
“The food is excellent, Lamont!”
“Of course it is, gotta be on your good side for this one’s future bambino.”
“What?” I looked at Frankie and she put her hands over her middle, which come to think of it, wasn’t quite as flat as it used to be.
“Shh. Yes, three months.”
“Oh my gosh! Congratulations!” I hugged her. The thought of Ridge being a daddy made me giggle.
“Who knows?”
“Ridge, of course. Lamont, because I threw up a lot last month. We’ll announce it later, this is your day.”
“No, come on, they’ll freak!”
“Are you sure?” Frankie was smiling ear to ear. I wanted to share this news with everyone! She was so sweet, not wanting to take the spotlight, but I’d had enough spotlight.
“I insist! Let’s go get Ridge.”
“OOH! Imma make sure everyone has a glass to raise!”
Frankie whispered to Ridge, and he nodded at me.
“I’m so excited,” I said.
“I have no idea how to handle a baby.”
“Oh, you’ll learn.”
I cleared my throat. I had talked all day, but I was raring to do a little more speechifying!
“Everyone! If I can have your attention!”
Kase came over and I used his hand to climb up onto a chair.
“First of all, I want to thank you all for helping make Forest Family a reality. I am so honored to be a part of your lives and so grateful for your support. And I’m so ready to dedicate my life to the little ones of our community.” There was a flurry of hoots and applause.
“And while I’m talking about little ones, Ridge has another announcement to make.”
Ridge stepped forward and Kase helped me down.
“Yes, well, do you all have a glass?”
Everyone did indeed have one kind of drink or another.
“I’d like to propose a toast, two, really. To Emlyn and Forest Family. The neighborhood is thriving and now we have a place for our kids to thrive too. And to my girl Frankie, who has just signed up our little one. He or she will be attending Forest Family in about six months!”
The place erupted. Glasses were clinked and corks were popped! Frankie and Ridge were overwhelmed with hugs and well wishes.
Somehow, in the tumult, Kase slid me out of the main fray.
“That’s something else, a little Ridge kicking ass and taking names.”
“Or a little Frankie.”
Kase kissed me.
“Alright, alright.” Brogan loomed over us, and we broke it up.
“Well, big brother, it seems like you’re next.”
“No, thanks.”
Titus wandered into our circle now and refilled any even remotely low glasses.
“I don’t know man; this club is getting very domesticated,” Titus said, and Brogan nodded.
“Yeah, maybe you both need to settle down, find Old Ladies, I’d highly recommend it.”
“No, but I see a lovely over that way, she lo
oks lonely.” Titus headed for Sylvie.
“Oh boy, Brogan, make sure Titus doesn’t scare her. She’s not used to bikers, she just transferred over from Napierville.”
“And my presence is going to make her less scared, how?”
“Good point,” I said, and Brogan laughed, he straight up laughed.
We were a family like my Mom had said. Brogan, Kase, me. But it wasn’t just us three, it was all the Great Wolves.
They were all my brothers too.
Except one.
Kase was my soul mate, my life partner, and I didn’t know exactly how it happened, but our worlds had merged to become one.
Mine with the little kids, his with the tough bikers, all of it a huge noisy, lovely circus here in our little corner of the forest.
The End
Up Next
Don’t Miss Titus! Up Next in the Great Wolves MC Romance Saga!
Also by Jayne Blue
Great Wolves M.C. Series
Michigan Chapter
Sawyer
Stone
Ryder
Hammer
Steel
Chicago Chapter
Ridge
Thorn
Kase
Titus
Brogan
California Chapter
Dex
Sly
Gunn
Angel
Switch
Ohio Chapter
Colt
Kellan
Brax
Joker
Torch
Florida Chapter
Nash
King
Lucky
Shakes
Puck
Dark Saints M.C. Series
Dark Vow
Dark Temptation
Dark Honor
Dark Fury
Dark Desire
Dark Instinct
Dark Seduction
Dark Destiny
Dark Oath
Dark Redemption
Tortured Heroes Series
(Men in Uniform Romance)
Vice
Heat
Marked
Strike
Ripper
Edge
Blaze
3 Book Box Set
Uncaged Series
(MMA Romance)
Ride
Clinch
Stripped
Hooked
Hold Series
(MMA Romance)
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Hold Series Box Set
Torrid Series
(Billionaire Romance)
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Complete Series Box Set
The Owned Series
(Billionaire Erotic Romance)
Owned by the Playboy
Owned by the Candidate
Owned by the Spy
Owned by the Prince
Owned by the G-Man
Complete Series Box Set
Lincoln - Owned World Stand Alone Romance
The WLUV Series
(A Newsroom where the top story is lust!)
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