“You're a cuter couple than I expected,” she mused, barely looking at us as she bounced Caleb on her lap in the huge recliner across from us. “I always figured my son would end up with someone –“
“Trashier?” He finished for her. “Fuck no. You know those sluts at the club were nothing to me, ma. I'd gouge my damned eyes out before I ever had a kid with them.”
Except it could've easily happened, I thought sadly. The only reason I'm sitting her with this bad boy now is because of one wild night and a faulty pill. It could've been anyone besides me.
“Oh, Trav.” She looked up, brushing her fingers through the baby's soft hair. “The playboy days are over, yes? You're going to be a married man. You've got to let some bad habits die.”
Jesus. For the second time that day, the M-word came up. I kinda knew it was only one heartbeat away after he'd stamped his name above my ass, but I'd at least expected a proposal, some sort of say.
“We're together now, yes,” I said softly. “I hope he's in the mood to settle down.”
I looked at Roman. His masculine face tightened so subtly you could've missed it in a blink. The fingers on my thigh were more obvious.
When I said settle down, he squeezed, hard and wanting. Oh, hell.
“He'd better!” Julie snapped, shooting Roman a sharp look. “And I'm not just talking about the lovin'. Everybody in this house remembers what happened to Dagger.”
“Dagger?” I echoed.
Suddenly, Roman's grip on my leg wasn't so tight. Julie stared down sadly at the baby in her arms. Caleb smiled, pawing at her fingertips.
“He would've been an amazing grandpa.” She looked up. “I can still feel my old man next to me some times, his huge, protective hand on my shoulder. But it's been too long to feel him the way I used to. Roman, you were so young...you can't end up the same way he did and leave this beautiful boy alone.”
“Ma! Why don't you get the kid those clothes you told me about on the phone. We'll see how they fit and take him out to the park. It's too damned nice a day to waste it in here all day blabbing about the past.”
Julie's face lit up, and she disappeared into the small bedroom with Caleb. “Come on back when you're ready! These are all hand-me-downs I got from Suzie's grandbaby, but they should fit him fine.”
I waited until she was busy rummaging through the closet, cheerfully pipping baby talk back at Caleb every time he laughed. Then I leaned over to Roman and reached for his hand, squeezing it without thinking.
“Was Dagger your father?”
He gave me a stern look. “Babe, you'll know soon enough. Let's just enjoy the sun and watch her play grandma. We'll be back busting our asses unpacking tonight.”
I frowned, mostly at the heavy mystery hanging over everything. Caleb giggled in the other room, and I watched her moving a little pair of overalls like a puppet, much to his amusement.
Maybe Roman was right. The darkness in his world left plenty to cry about, and happier times like these just might be the only reprieve from the endless storm sweeping through the Grizzlies MC and everyone in it.
Julie sprinted ahead of us in the park, carrying Caleb all over the place as he laughed, helping him keep his unsteady footsteps way longer than he could've done naturally.
She made a good grandma for sure – not a huge surprise, I guess, given the way her son had taken to his boy. By the end of it, we were all dead tired, resting on a blanket she'd brought along with some snacks.
Afterward, we all drove back to her place, and she tried to help load the boxes of extra clothes and baby supplies. Roman wouldn't let her, insisting on doing it all himself.
Between what she'd given us and the club's donations, plus the stuff I'd left behind with Norm, we'd have a whole room filled to the brim with nursery and toddler goodies. It was enough for three kids.
“You'd better bring him back soon. Don't make me track you down, son,” Julie said before we left, wagging her finger at Roman. “You know I'll send Blackjack after you if I don't get a call. We go way back.”
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me like you always do,” he growled, not stopping to climb into the truck. “I'm busy as shit, ma, but you'll get more baby time. Don't worry. It's one big happy family now, and that's how I'm gonna keep it.”
“Make sure you do,” she said, a more serious gleam in her eyes. “Take care of Caleb. Sally too.”
I smiled and waved, climbing into the passenger seat and buckling my seat belt. Roman never said anything, he just backed the truck down the long cracked driveway and lifted his hand. Julie watched us the entire time, until we'd driven out of sight.
“I hope I have half as much energy when I'm her age,” I said, hoping to smooth things over. “I'm tired just thinking about all the work at home.”