“Hi,” the little ones say in unison as they look at me from either side of their dad.
“Hey guys.This is Cedric and Caydence,” I return, my kids hiding behind Matt’s legs while Caydence tugs on the leg of his pants.
Kimber and Jayson’s kids say hi to mine, but they don’t move any closer.I’m not sure if they can sense how shy my children are, or if they’re just as shy.I highly doubt that’s the case with Kimber and Jayson as their parents.They’re two of the most outgoing people I know and love being in the spotlight.
“Peyton!”Mrs.Whitfield calls out, entering the clubhouse and giving me all of her attention.
“Mrs.Whitfield,” I respond, turning and taking a few steps toward her.
“No, Sweetheart.You stay where you are and let me come to you.You’re pregnant and should be off your feet while there’s so many here to help you with the kids.Your children are so precious,” she says as Matt leans down to pick Caydence up in his arms while stepping closer to me and resting a hand on my shoulder as Cedric wraps his little hands around my leg from behind me.
“Thank you.Cedric and Caydence, this is Matt’s mom Mrs.Whitfield,” I tell them as she finally gets close enough to pull me in for one of her patented hugs that make you feel loved.
“It’s Renee, Sweetheart.You always call me Renee from now on,” she insists, her voice as sweet as ever.“Matt, where are your manners?I know Peyton knows Kimber and Jayson.Have you introduced her to the rest of the people here?”
“Not yet, Ma.Just got here a few minutes ago and Kimber raced right up to her and didn’t let her get close enough to do anythin’ else but listen to them,” Matt says, a large smile on his face as he looks at his mom with nothing but adoration and love in his eyes for the woman who raised him.“Peyton, this is Marie, Rooster, Knuckles, Janessa, and Tease.You already know Jayson, but here he’s called Brick.These are the men and women I’m the closest to.Marie is really close to Mom since Dad was Rooster’s Vice President before he died.I think you’ve seen them together in the past.Omen would be here today with his ol’ lady and kids, but they had somethin’ else to do.You’ll meet them soon.Omen is Kellan.I’m not sure if you remember him or not from school.”
“I remember him.Haven’t seen him since he graduated, but I do remember him,” I respond as Matt finally helps me sit down while I wave to everyone around us.
“And all the kids here you’ll learn their names at some point.There’s a lot of them running around here now.And we only seem to be adding more on a regular basis.You’re adding three kids to our family right now with Cedric, Caydence, and the baby you carry.Soon, Tease will add to the family and then we’ll have more than enough kids to carry on our legacies.,” Rooster says as everyone turns to face the man in question while he grumbles about never having kids.
Marie and Renee lead the conversation and we all join in while the kids play.Marie feeds us lunch and that’s the only time the kids sit still for more than a minute or two.The second they’re done eating, the kids are up running around once again.Cedric actually plays with the kids while Caydence sticks close to Matt and me.It’s only when Matt takes her over to the other children that she plays with them.The second he moves away from her, she leaves them behind and comes back to us.Though, she does get a little brave and moves close to Renee and Marie a time or two.Kimber even manages to give her a drink she accepts.
Janessa and Kimber pull me into a conversation to get to know me better.I listen as Kimber shares stories from school with Janessa that don’t make me look like I’m a fool or was bullied as a kid.The three of us laugh and genuinely have a good time.Kimber even asks about Barb and my sister.She wants us to all go out as a group for girls night.I can meet Melissa and Oaklynn when we have our girls night too.Matt talks with Brick and the rest of the guys as they try to ignore the rest of us.Though, I do hear mention of a fight night and wonder what the hell that’s about and if Matt participates in it.That’s something I’ll have to ask about when we’re alone at home tonight.The day turns out really good and I’m glad Matt talked me into coming here to meet some of the men and women he considers his family.That Renee considers to be family.
Chapter Five
Carbon
GOING TO PEYTON’S doctorappointment with her is something I rearranged everything for.So far in her pregnancy, she’s gone to every single appointment alone or with her sister or Barb.I haven’t been there and have missed out on everything for the first five months.That’s going to stop right now.I’ll be there for everything as long as I can be without hesitation and everyone will have to deal with it.I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks because if I’m in Frostford, I’ll be at those appointments, running to get her cravings in the middle of the night, and everything else she needs.Rooster knows this is how I feel and he understands where I’m coming from.My mom wants to be there too, but it will be too much for my girl.Peyton doesn’t like a ton of fanfare and I know my mom will make a big deal out of everything.So, she can hear what’s going on after each appointment and help Peyton when I’m not in town.
Sitting in the room where Peyton will have her ultrasound done, I look at all the posters on the wall.Each one depicts something different about pregnancy and I try to read them all because I have no clue what a pregnant woman truly needs.All I know is Peyton’s body is changing on a daily basis and it can’t be easy to go through all the changes she is right now.I’ve gotten a book and started reading it about pregnancy.The stuff in there is insane and makes me appreciate everything my girl’s going through even more.
“You ready for this, Matt?”Peyton asks me from where she’s lying on the table.
“More than ready.Are you ready?”I return, my voice low because I don’t know how thick the walls are in here.“I’m sorry I’ll have to leave when we’re done here.I was supposed to be on the road already but I wasn’t about to miss this.”
