Page 9 of Chelsea’s Knight

Right now, though, we’re in church, going over the usual club business. I’m lost in thoughts of Chelsea and our future when Poseidon asks, “What do you think, Canyon?”

“Sorry, Pres, was wool-gathering,” I admit, my face turning red letting them know where my mind was. My brothers burst out laughing at me to my face because they’re supportive as fuck that way.

Poseidon shakes his head in admonishment with an added click of his tongue to drive his point home, but despite the ominous glare he’s shooting me, he’s also got a smirk stretched across his face, so I realize rather quickly he’s fucking with me.

“I was saying we should give Nick a call and see if he’s got a dog that would work for Chelsea. Also, Loki thinks she should get a medical tattoo done to reflect her health stats in case she ever has an issue while out and about so someone can call for help if none of us happen to be around.”

“I’ve already worked up a sketch for a tattoo for her,” I reply. “As far as getting the dog for her, I like the idea because it’ll give her the freedom to do what she wants, and she won’t feel as much like a burden.”

“Then I’ll give him a call. I suspect you plan to go with her when he lets us know he’s got one?”

“Absolutely.” My tone is resolute; she’s going to be my old lady and it’s time everyone knows that.

“She’s gonna make you a good old lady,” Trident remarks. “The question is, does she know she’s gonna be yours?” He snickers which has me flipping him off, because I’ve been going kind of slow, and letting us both adapt to the thought. I have my own shit I’ve been working through so even though I know she’s the one for me, I still have to reconcile my past with my future and deal with my lingering demons.

“Still working on that aspect,” I counter, shrugging. “She has some things she’s working through herself which are hers to share or not which have her thinking she wouldn’t be a good fit for me.”

“Now, I’m thinking we need to patch in Nate and Asa,” Poseidon states, getting us back on the club’s topics and off of our personal lives. “They’ve both shown time and time again that they’ve got what it takes to be voted in as one of our brothers, stepping up over and over again, sometimes without any prompting coming from one of us.”

“I second that,” Brooks calls out. “As far as road names go, I have a suggestion on that front. I wanna put forward that I believe Glacier would be the best road name for Nate. The brother’s fucking stone cold when he’s focused. Doesn’t move an inch, stays on task.”

“Glacier’s a good one, brother,” Atlas concurs. “What about for Asa?”

“BS,” Loki states. When we all gasp and like we’d planned it out beforehand, we turn and narrow our eyes, trying to figure out where he’s going with this one, because that was a bold ass statement. He continues with a huff, “For Baby Shark, ya assholes The fucker’s always humming that motherfucking kid’s song when he’s taking care of shit. Drives me batshit crazy.”

“Sounds to me he’s already earned his moniker,” I chuckle, thinking about all of the times I’ve come up behind him to hear him whistling that cartoon’s theme tune. The room humorously laughs because I’m not the only one who’s caught him off-guard as he’s shuffling his feet and singing along to the song.

“Glacier and Shark it is, mark it down in the books, Atlas. That means we’ll have no prospects once we patch them in so everyone’s gonna need to pitch in until we get one in. Does anyone happen to have someone in mind that we can bring in?” Poseidon inquires, swiveling his eyes from one member to the next.

We usually have a trial period by bringing in recommendations and letting them hang around and interact with us. It’ll let us know if they’d be a good fit with the rest of us.

“No, but we’ll be able to find someone quick enough with our reputation and the fact that we’ve already had a few outsiders inquiring about if we have any prospect openings. I mean, the clubhouse kind of takes care of itself in a lot of ways, especially with Momma M and Mary popping in to cook all the time,” Brooks states.

“Do we know when the trial is gonna start?” Atlas asks me, referencing what me, Chelsea, and Noah are going to be facing as soon as shit gets to that point.

“No, I think they were waiting until Chelsea was done with her rehab, although I suspect those fuckers will likely strike a deal with the district attorney rather than take a chance with a jury. Regardless, as long as they’re locked up, and far away from Kaya and Noah, I’m good,” Specks advises.

“I agree. I figure the kidnapping charge alone will get them a hefty sentence,” I add. “Toss in two aggravated assaults, especially with the injuries Chelsea suffered, and they should be sentenced to do enough time behind bars that they’ll end up dying in a ten-by-ten metal cage.”

“I’ll reach out to the club’s attorney and see what she knows,” Poseidon replies. “So, let’s get the flash patch ordered for Asa and Nate, then we’ll plan a party.”

“Let’s make sure we’ve got a tower of cake on standby,” Loki retorts through a facetious snort. “CeeCee wants cake constantly. If her eyes are open, she’s craving a damn piece. I’ll be glad when the baby arrives because she’s become a bit demanding and demonic if her cravings aren’t met. Hayley brings home goodies every time she works a shift at the bakery. Does my old lady share any of the slices with me? No, no she does not. She hogs everything and actually had the nerve togrowlat me when I reached for a cupcake. It didn't matter to her that it was one she’d set to the side because it wasn’t‘appealing’at that time. How was I supposed to know that meant she was saving it for later?”

“She’s a cake demon,” Trident manages to choke out between guffaws of laughter.

“Lilli’s started nesting and doing some rearranging, so hopefully, the time is nearing for her to have the baby,” Poseidon confesses.

I grin because right now, we’ve got three infants with two more on the way, plus toddlers, and Noah. We’re growing like untreated weeds and none of us would have it any other way.

“We going to consider building a daycare around here, Pres?” I ask.

“It would mostly be our kids at this point, but it isn’t a bad idea,” Trident muses. “I know Chelsea enjoyed homeschooling Noah, is that something she’d be willing to help us build and oversee, Canyon? We’ll need someone to be in charge, and she’s got my vote if she’s open to running it for us.”

I shrug. “Not sure, but we could ask.”

The answer is always no if you don’t pose the question.

Poseidon interrupts us and says, “Since we’ve got everything we need right now, let’s move forward with planning the patch in party, finding a location to build a daycare within our club’s perimeter or directly outside if we don’t think it’s feasible since I’m still not sure if I want strangers on club grounds, and I’ll reach out to Nick with the Black Tuxedos to see if he can find a therapy dog for Chelsea. Meeting adjourned.”

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