Page 18 of Tuesday

Mad Dog lets out a sigh, “If you need a session Son, just let me know.” I nod at him, “Good, now introduce me, shit, how long does an old man have to wait to meet his granddaughter?”

I roll my eyes and huff out a laugh. “Come on then.”

We walk past Cove and Jovie who are still acting like they’re in a mosh pit and dad raises his brows.

“The dark haired girl and boy belong to Chewy’s brother Tav. The other one is Wire’s.”

“Shit, you lot have kids coming out the wazoo,” Dad chuckles.

“Ain’t that the truth,” I answer before turning to Chewy. “Babe,” I call, pulling her out of her reading.

Her head snaps in our direction, her eyes growing huge when her gaze lands on Mad Dog.

“Mad Dog! You’re home!” She jumps up and instead of throwing herself into his arms immediately, she bounces on the balls of her feet, flapping a little, unsure what to do.

Mad Dog opens his arms and she bustles into them, gently tapping her hands on his back before pulling back.

“You’re back just in time! Laney and I have just finished up our chapter for this morning.”

She drops to her knees in front of Laney, looking into the toddler’s face, “Laney, this is your grandfather-” her brows pinch and she looks back at us, “What do we call you? Laney already has a Pops. What do you want to be called, Mad Dog?” she asks my dad.

Mad Dog thinks, his mouth in a straight line, brows furrowed. “Well -”

“Doggy,” A tiny voice says quietly.

My head snaps toward Laney, cuddling her gator, her finger pointing in Mad Dog’s direction. I crouch down next to Chewy, in front of our daughter.

“That’s right baby. That’s Mad Dog,” I grin at her.

“Doggy!” she says, stronger now as her feet kick.

“Well, there you go,” Dad booms. “Looks like I’m gonna be known as ‘Doggy’ to my grandkids,” he throws his head back and laughs, then grips my shoulder and shoves me out of the way, making Laney giggle.

He holds his hands out to her and she practically throws herself into his hold. His grin is fucking infectious and I watch him murmuring to Laney, rocking her this way and that.

“Shit, what the fuck!” Mad Dog stumbles back, eyes wide, gripping Laney to his chest. “What in the fuck!? That’s a fucking gator!” He’s gaping down at Chomper who decides at this very moment to lazily open his mouth and try and have a go at Dad’s boot.

“Oh, this is your very first grandchild! Meet Chomper!” Chewy says, scooping up our gator baby and holding him up to my father who stumbles back.

He’s fucking speechless and I’d take my phone out to record this if I knew I would stay alive long enough to show it to all the brothers.

“Chewy, why, how the fuck- shit you know what? I don’t want to know.” He loosens his grip on Laney, rubbing one hand down his face. “I’m sure he’s a lovely little gator but let’s just agree that he stays far away from Doggy, OK?”

I snort, he’s not gonna live this down. He became a grandfather and now he’s referring to himself in the third person.

“It’s OK, baby. Doggy loves you, just not up close,” Chewy murmurs, running her hands down Chomper’s back.

“Aunt Chewy! Can Chomper dance with us?” Jovie asks, looking all damp from the amount of bouncing her and Cove have been doing.

Elio who was sitting listening to Chewy read has obviously had enough of what’s going on because he’s now taken the chapter book and moved into a quiet corner, reading to himself.

“He’s not good at dancing, but I’m sure he’ll try,” Chewy says, putting Chomper on the floor in the middle of the two girls who dance around him like women dance around their handbags in clubs.

“Hey babyg-,” Pops’ words cut off as he freezes in the doorway, taking in Laney in Mad Dog’s arms. “What the fuck?” he murmurs, eyes narrowing at the scene.

“Sid! Good to see you again,” Dad offers his hand then pulls it back when all Pops does is stare at it. “So, how about this little miracle huh? We’re now grandpa’s in-law,” Dad grins at Laney then back at Pops, his eyes still narrowed.

“Yes, isn’t that something,” Pops answers. He holds his hands out to Laney, a big smile on his face, “Wanna come give Pops a little cuddle?”

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