She returns fully dressed, but in a tight Joker onesie and I try not to laugh at Joy and Sasha’s confused expression.
“She doesn’t like being touched by strangers,” Lovely whispers to them. Understanding dawns on their faces and they smile softly at Chewy.
“Let’s get this party started!” Mira yells with a fist pump and I down another mini hotdog. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?
Chapter 8
Judge
Ican’t believe how much our lives have all changed since Chewy came barreling into the compound. My brothers and I would once have spent the night balls deep in club girls and drinking straight from the bottle, and now we’re sitting in the common room watching the babies or working on our Valentine’s surprises for our women.
“Are we whipped?” Tank grunts as he, too, surveys the room.
“I think we might be, brother.”
We watch as Tav, Gus and Jules argue over whose family should monopolise the family photographer first, and I have to agree with Tav. With the one million kids he has, it’d be easier to wrangle them first, but Gus is trying to enforce oldest to youngest rules.
“Who do you think will throw the first punch?” Savage asks, from his seat at the table where he’s rearranging old photos of him and Nat for the album he’s putting together. He’s only restarted the project seven times this evening.
“None of them. Jules’ face says he’s going to slip in while the other two fight,” Wire snorts.
He seems somewhat relaxed, probably because he used fucking AI or some geek algorithm with his gift to Remy.
“Oh no, I was wrong.” Wire concedes as Jules shoves Tav into Gus, who then puts him in a headlock and they scuffle with each other until Gus is on the floor, Tav on top of him.
“What the fuck are you two doing?” Pops asks from the doorway, Rider and Mad Dog at his back.
“Where the fuck have you three been?” Marx growls, clearly pissed because I’m sure he’s panicking about his gift for Lovely.
“Oh you know, liaising with the Big Littles, planning a special surprise for you all to give to your women, you know. The important stuff.” Rider answers all smugly. Think’s he’s a big man now that he’s teamed up with the Love Pres and VP.
“Besides, you lot needed time to figure some shit out for yourselves. You can’t just rely on what Rider or the kids can do for you.” Mad Dog says, taking a seat in his favorite recliner. “So, what have you boys all come up with?”
We all dart eyes at each other, daring someone to be first.
“Fucks sake, I’ll go.” Savage says, even though he looks the least bit aggrieved. He’s the reason we’re all fucking here panicking anyway. “I am giving Nat curated albums of our life together, including concert ticket stubs and shit. I’ve also written a memory next to each moment.”
Oh that fucker is smooth. Impressed noises fill the room and the smug bastard grins at us.
“Nice,” Pops says, pointing a finger in his direction.
“Oh, and I’ve hired the Big Littles to fill our house with candles and rose petals and they’re also sourcing a ragdoll kitten for me. Nat has always wanted one.
“Fucking hell, that’s good,” Marx says, running a hand down his beard. I know he’s right this moment asking himself if Lovely needs a cat.
“OK, who else?” Mad Dog asks.
“I’ve compiled all mine and Remy’s messages to each other over the years and turned them into a book. I’m waiting for the delivery, it’s leather bound with gold stitching.” Wire says, proud of himself, and he should be. He showed me what it’s going to look like and it’s fucking beautiful. “I’ve also gotten her tickets to Comic Con and a voucher to say that I will dress up in whatever couples dress ups she desires.”
“Fuck yeah!” We clap and each take turns going around the room.
The Tombs’ all seem to be on the same wavelength with their family photo shoots but Tav has added a week away with no kids at a couples resort for him and Blanche. Gus has decided on an RV trip to show Ana “American things” and Jules is keeping awfully tight lipped other than “it’ll blow you out of the water.”
Tank has booked Mira a hot air balloon ride and VIP tickets to a book signing. He’s also preordered the next three book releases from her favourite authors. Fox and Nitro have a surprise that somehow involves Jazz’s kids and I’m not the only one who side eyes them but hey, if they think they can pull it off, then more power to them.
“Wait, the special kids?” Marx asks, brow furrowed. “Jazz’s special kids?”
“Yup,” Fox answers, looking proud.
