Page 37 of Grumpy

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From Scotty’s inability to keep a straight face, or a secret, Grumpy knew long before he packed himself, Kelly, Ruth, Scotty, and their luggage into the trunk of the SUV that something was up. Something beyond a farewell party. The teen couldn’t stop giggling, and it only got louder the closer Kelly drove them to the clubhouse.

Grumpy could begrudgingly admit that Ghost had a point about the SUV being a lot more comfortable than Kelly’s Yugo. Like a lot more comfortable. And with the pillow army he carried with him, he was also slightly grateful Ghost had insisted on a prospect accompanying them. Grumpy didn’t give a damn which prospect or how they traveled, so long as it wasn’t in the SUV with him and Kelly.

Ruth absolutely adored Scotty. Then again, she’d have to be a complete and total monster not to. The two were in the back seat with their heads together like B-rated movie villains plotting to take over the world.

While Grumpy was anxious to get on the road and get to Mads, he was mostly looking forward to this time with Kelly. Learning about her and hearing about her life, her wants and her dreams, and figuring out how to make that happen for her. The bomb might have delayed things, but his intentions had not strayed since that day in the diner when he’d first kissed her.

One thing he did not like was the fact that Kelly was on his left side. Once he was able to drive again, she’d be on his proper side in the passenger seat. But until then, she was in his blind spot, which was pissing him off. He had a small solution by cramming a pillow behind his right shoulder to help him tilt more towards the driver’s side, though there was little point in doing it for such a short drive.

The giggling in the back of the cage increased the closer they got to the club’s property. Grumpy glanced in the rear view mirror. The angle wasn’t perfect, but he could see Scotty whispering into Ruth’s ear.

“I think you’re right, sheyne punim,” Ruth answered, sitting upright. Her walker was folded in the trunk with Kelly’s and Grumpy’s luggage.

Kelly turned off Main Street. While large and spacious was a godsend in some ways, there was one very specific downside. Grumpy had to stretch his left hand over the center console to reach Kelly’s thigh. He did not like that at all. Seeming to realize this, Kelly had shifted her right elbow to the cushion between them and linked their fingers. Grumpy scowled, not wanting her to drive one handed, but he had to admit that he liked holding her hand.

“What does ‘sheyne punim’ mean?” Grumpy asked Kelly as she pulled in front of the black gate. It automatically opened due to the sensor in the club’s SUV.

“Like ‘beautiful one’,” Kelly responded, waiting for the gate. “It’s mostly said to grandchildren or cherished family members.”

She pulled forward down the lane. Grumpy’s scowl deepened when his eye landed on the giant banner hanging from the frame of the clubhouse.

Safe Travels to Kelly & her Passenger Princess

Scotty’s laughter from the backseat increased dramatically. If Ruth hadn’t put her hand out to stop him, he likely would have jumped from the still-moving vehicle in an effort to get to the crowd waiting for them outside the clubhouse. Grumpy didn’t bother counting heads to know that everyone was present.

Sissy and Aaron were the only club kids missing, though “kid” was no longer accurate for either. Sissy was now a married woman and Knightmare to Scissors, the Non Cras MC’s VP. After graduating high school, Aaron had joined the Army. But like Bree, who was now a college freshman, and Steel and Jenna’s adult children, Ollie, Jordan, and Carter, Aaron would always be a “club kid”.

Maddie would be one, too, even though she was twenty-two. Whether she forgave him or not, whether she wanted to see him or not, she would be a club kid and have the protection and support that came with that title. Hell, in many ways, Kelly and Maddie now had a higher status in the club than Grumpy did. It might be old fashioned, and many today would argue its merit, but there wasn’t a club member who would ever put the women and children second.

Lionheart had proven that as a prospect when he’d died protecting Harper and her unborn baby. The club had buried him in full colors and hung a placard in his honor behind the bar of the clubhouse.

Twenty members, nineteen club kids, fourteen ol’ ladies, and four prospects waited as Kelly parked the SUV. Scotty bounded from the cage, running up to his brother, sister, and club cousins to inform them of their new aunt.

Grumpy faced Kelly. “We dropped the kid off. We can escape now.”

Ruth poked her head between them from the back seat, blocking Grumpy’s view of Kelly’s smile at his remark. “I am not going to Texas, my shtarker. I finally have grandchildren to spoil.”

Grumpy had picked up on the lack of Yiddish in her speech since she’d kicked his mom out of Ruth and Kelly’s house. He appreciated that, since he was not fluent in the language, and had a sneaking suspicion that Ruth had laid it on heavy the other night for his mother’s, uh, benefit. Diabolical woman. Grumpy liked Ruth, and not just because she’d given him Kelly in a roundabout sense. Ruth was hardheaded, stubborn, and very set in her ways. But she was also sweet, caring, and food was clearly her love language.

Grumpy’s eye twitched at the use of the word “grandchildren”. He cleared his throat and asked, “You’re aware that I didn’t father any of those, right?”

Ruth laughed. “Quite, but that doesn’t make a single one of them any less mine now that Kelly is one of you.” She poked him in the shoulder, very much like Scotty had done to him that morning. “Your Maddie is the same. You tell that girl her Bubbe Ruth loves her and can’t wait to meet her.”

Grumpy gripped her hand on his shoulder. “First, I have to remind her that she has a father who loves her.”

Ruth was in his blind spot, but he could see her face clearly in the mirror. She gave him a sympathetic smile before scooting back and opening the car door. One of the prospects, Jackson, was already at the trunk getting Ruth’s walker. He hurried to catch the door before Ruth could open it fully.

Eventually Grumpy would break the Doyle women of their habit of opening doors on their own. Thankfully, Scooby was already at Kelly’s door for her.

By the time Grumpy got out of his side, Scotty was already by his parents, bouncing up and down on his feet in barely contained anticipation with his hands behind his back. Grumpy knew he was in for it when he noticed something pink that hung from Scotty’s loose grip.

Kelly came around the cage to take his hand. The look on her face said that she knew exactly what Scotty was hiding.

“Was this your doing?” he grumbled.

She smiled brightly up at him. “Of course! You think I wasn’t added to the ol’ ladies’ group chat the second you put a cut on me?” She tsked her tongue. “Amateur move, Bell.”