Page 32 of Omen's Bombshell

“I’ll be okay,” she tries telling me as my dad looks up at her.

“Oaklynn, I can see how exhausted you are. Takin’ care of a newborn is hard as fuck and you’re doin’ a lot of it on your own. We’re all tryin’ to help when we can, but it’s not easy. This is the time for you to rely on us and let us take care of her while you rest like you need to,” my dad tells her, his voice softer than if he were talking to one of us guys.

My dad has always had a soft spot for the women here in the clubhouse. Oaklynn has a special place in his heart because she gave him Amanda, his first grandchild. Yes, he’s helped with all the kids in the clubhouse, but it’s different when you know it’s your own flesh and blood. If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t be going to her house when he can. No, I know my dad cares about Oaklynn because he wouldn’t be riding my ass so hard about making shit right with her as he has been.

“Okay. I am pretty tired,” she finally admits, setting the diaper bag down in a chair before taking the keys I’m now holding out for her and heading up to my room. I take a seat and look at my daughter as she sleeps in my dad’s arms.

“She doin’ okay?” Homicide asks me when Oaklynn disappears up the stairs.

“Not really. Every time I go over there and try to get her to take a nap, I find her cleanin’ or doin’ somethin’ else because she feels as if the cottage is dirty and she’s failin’ to get everythin’ done just because she’s always feedin’ Amanda. Wanted to bring her here today because she hasn’t left the place other than when we had to take Amanda to the doctor for her check-up. Now, I know she needs to sleep because she looks horrible. I mean, I’ll always find her sexy as fuck, but she’s so damn exhausted and this is the only way I might be able to get her to take a nap,” I answer my best friend as my mom and Melissa walk out of the kitchen and head for our table.

Melissa looks around the common room for Oaklynn but quickly turns her attention to me when she doesn’t find her.

“Where is she?” Melissa questions me as my mom looks at Amanda in my dad’s arms.

“Just got her to go up to my room to take a nap. She’s fuckin’ exhausted,” I answer her as she nods her head in understanding. “It’s too loud in here for her to lay on one of the couches. Actually, Dad is the one who finally got her to agree to go up and lay down.”

“Good. She’s trying so hard to do everything on her own and she doesn’t understand she just needs to call one of us and we’ll be there to help her,” my mom adds in before pulling over a chair and sitting close to my dad and Amanda.

“She’s independent and doesn’t like to take help from others,” Melissa says even though none of us at the table need her to because we know it’s the truth.

“Did you two have that talk yet?” my dad asks me, finally looking up from Amanda and directing his attention toward me.

“Yeah, we did. She’s givin’ me a chance but we’re takin’ things slow. Sex isn’t even on the table right now because she has to be cleared from the doctor still. Got a few more weeks before her appointment. We’re spendin’ time together and she finally let me sleep in bed with her a few nights ago. I’m tryin’ not to push her, but I want my girls moved into my house. It’s here on the compound so I would worry less about them when I’m not home. Plus, you and Mom would be closer to them if I have to go on a run,” I answer, my voice low so our conversation stays at our table without everyone else in here overhearing us.

“It will happen in time, Kellan. For now just show her you’re gonna be there for them and that you weren’t just talkin’ shit because of Amanda and the fact that you wanna be in her life. As long as you’re honest with Oaklynn, things will move forward when they’re supposed to,” my dad says, looking at Amanda again. “How’s the bike build goin’?”

“It’s done. We just broke it down this mornin’ and it’s waitin’ to be picked up for the guy who’s gonna chrome it. Grudge will handle the paint job tomorrow and then we can put it all back together and make sure it works right before the unveilin’ to the fire department at their charity event,” I answer him as Josh brings over drinks to the table.

I bypass the beer and take a bottle of water. With Amanda here with me, I’m not about to drink while Oaklynn sleeps. My dad also grabs water while Homicide and Carbon each take a beer. We talk about everything while keeping club business out of our conversation. I’m supposed to be going on the next run and I don’t want to. However, I’m not about to push my duties aside because of Amanda and Oaklynn. I wouldn’t be setting a good example if I were to do that. If I remember right, this one isn’t more than a day’s trip there and back again. I won’t miss that much time with my girls and since my dad will be home, he can watch over them.

***

When it’s time fordinner, I make my way up to my room and find Oaklynn passed out in the middle of my bed. I got a brand-new one just before Amanda was born and she’s the first woman who’s been in it. Stepping up next to the bed, I look down and see Oaklynn’s head poking out of the blankets. I can’t see her face because she has it buried and I really hate to wake her up. However, since she’s breastfeeding, Oaklynn really needs to eat multiple times a day while drinking plenty of fluids to replenish everything she loses from feeding our baby girl.

“Oaklynn. Baby Girl,” I call out, gently shaking her shoulder as she finally starts to stir. “Dinner’s ready, Baby Girl. Need you to get up so you can eat.”

“Don’t wanna,” she grumbles in response as I laugh at her response.

“I know, Baby Girl. Can’t have you skippin’ meals though. I know you already tend to do that if you’re takin’ care of Amanda. There’s no reason for you to do that shit today though. If you want, you can go back to sleep after dinner,” I promise her, carefully pulling the blankets from her body.

“Fine,” she grumbles again before opening her eyes and glaring at me.

Oaklynn gets up and uses my bathroom before we head back downstairs. There’s already a plate of food sitting at the table for Oaklynn as she makes her way over there. My dad is feeding Amanda while murmuring to her about some nonsense. Homicide and Melissa have moved to the table next to us and are eating with the twins while Carbon has moved to a different table with Brick and Kimber.

After getting Oaklynn settled at the table, I head to grab my own plate from the kitchen, piling it high with food the girls cooked today. Making my way back into the room, I take in everyone here tonight. Oaklynn is laughing at something my dad is telling her and it hits me that this is how my life is supposed to be. I’m supposed to be here with Amanda and Oaklynn in my life and I can handle work, the club, and my girls without pulling the same shit my dad did when I was younger. For the first time in my life, I realize how different the club is now from years ago when I was little and didn’t know much about anything. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this our reality even if it means bringing Oaklynn here every day so she can see how good our life will be together.

---