Author's Note: Apologies for the longer than usual delay - I've actually been having some health issues over the past few months and, without wanting to make it sound more serious than it is, it's kinda been a lot to deal with. I usually turn to writing as a distraction from the real world, but it's just not worked out that way lately. Hopefully, I'm starting to get back on track. Thanks to all those reading, reviewing or DMing!
Fifty-Six
"So …" Chibs said finally, slapping a hand on the back of his patient young prospect. "Anything happens to that girl o' mine, you best just keep on going 'til you hit Mexico, son. This ain't a holiday. Not for you."
"It is," Eden mouthed silently to Charlie, rolling her eyes at her old man's fussing, even though she couldn't help smiling at his concern.
She was pretty sure every chapter of the Sons, not just in California, but on the west coast had been briefed about their travel plans at this point. And now Charlie was well furnished with contact details and instructions of who to call first in an emergency, depending on where they were at the time. There had probably been military incursions undertaken with less robust back-up plans in place.
"And you," the president warned, rounding on his old lady and taking her in his arms. "Don't you be leading the lad astray and letting him neglect his duty. He's got a top rocker to earn."
"Sir, yes, sir," Eden teased, getting a mock glare in return, which she countered by planting a little kiss on her old man's lips. "You worry too much."
"About my pregnant wee fiancée disappearing off without me to take care o' her? Aye, I do," he shrugged, not even trying to deny it. "I need you back here in one piece, love. Then I'll stop worrying."
"I'll be back before you have time to miss me," his old lady smiled gently.
"Not possible," Chibs disagreed, kissing her again as her arms slipped around his neck, reluctant to tear himself away even though they'd already said their goodbyes in private. "You take care o' yersel' and this wee one, you hear me? Call me when you get there. And any time you like after that, day or night."
Eden nodded, letting her forehead rest against his as she looked up into those warm brown eyes she loved so much. "And you be safe too. At least try to stay out of trouble."
"I'll try," he managed, unconvincingly and with a small grin and one last kiss that was all too brief for either of their liking. "Love you, my darlin'. Now, go on, get out o' here before I change my mind about this whole thing."
"Love you," she said, reluctantly slipping out of his arms to go and climb into the passenger seat of her car.
"Oi, prospect," the president called, just as Charlie shifted from where he'd been discretely waiting leaning on the driver's door with his eyes averted. "One last thing …"
"More instructions?" the young man sighed. "Shit, boss, I'm not totally stupid-"
But Chibs simply strode towards him, slapping him on the chest and slipping a wad of notes into the top pocket of his shirt as he did. "Make sure she enjoys hersel'."
"Your mom does know I'm coming, right? I feel bad for, like, intruding on family shit …"
Sat across from Charlie in a booth of a little diner she'd liked the look of as somewhere to stop for a bathroom break and to grab lunch, slurping vanilla milkshake through a straw while he toyed with a few left over fries, Eden frowned at the sudden uncertainty on her travel buddy's face.
"She knows, but you shouldn't feel like that, Charlie – you're not intruding."
"It is kinda weird though, having to say you're bringing some guy who, like, works for your boyfriend."
"Hey, I know Chibs has his reasons for wanting someone with me," Eden said. "But you're not just some guy – you're my friend and you're keeping me company on a trip, looking out for me. What's weird about that? Besides, I thought we'd agreed you're like my little brother? I meant it, you know. And I wouldn't have agreed to this if you were just anyone. You're gonna meet my mom, she's gonna love you, we're gonna hang out, relax, have fun. So I don't want to hear any more of this intruding bullshit, okay? Okay?"
"Okay," Charlie agreed, a grin spreading across his face. "So, sis, you want another milkshake before we hit the road again?"
"Mmm, tempted as I am … Better not," came the sigh. "I'll only have to pee again. I think this kid's sitting on my bladder or something. Sorry, but that's the kind of TMI you'd better get used to."
"We can stop as often as you like," the prospect said gamely. "Whatever you need."
"You're so gonna regret saying that," Eden teased. "We've still got a long-ass way to go."
"Speaking of which, you haven't even told me exactly where we're going yet. Just to head for Bakersfield."
"Yeah, we'll still have a couple of hours to go after that," came the slightly hesitant response, drawing a quizzical look from Charlie.
"So, like, LA?" he pushed.
"Santa Barbara …"
Charlie's eyes bugged from across the table. "Santa Barbara? Is your mom, like, totally minted?"
Eden laughed a little sheepishly, starting to fish her phone out of her bag. "She's … She's done okay for herself. So, uh, this is my mom …"
"Your mom's on Instagram? Holy shit, she's got nearly two million followers! Is she famous or something? Oh wow, that's not your mom, is it?"
"That's her, that's Celeste Moore," Eden sighed, as Charlie took her phone from her to swipe through a few pictures, wide-eyed. "She's … I dunno, reclaiming the whole influencer thing from the young 'uns or something – she runs yoga classes aimed at older women, but she's got, like, this cult status since she discovered social media. She was doing well anyway and then Matthew McConaughey shared one of her videos or something and boom, it just really took off. She's been on TV a few times. Mostly to talk yoga, fitness, mental health, that sort of thing. But she has bagged a few acting roles too, just as an extra. CSI, that sort of stuff."
"No. Fucking. Way," Charlie exhaled, sitting back in the booth and looking fairly thrown by the whole development. "That is so cool. And sorry, but your mom's a total fox. Does Chibs know he's closer to her age than yours?"
"Oh, bring that up with him, I dare you – he loves being reminded," Eden said wryly. "And anyway, they're not that close in age. Chibs is only fifty. My mom's sixty-three."
"Still less of a gap than with you," Charlie teased, shying out of her reach as she tried to take her phone back, making her swat at him with a copy of the diner's menu.
"Are all little brothers this annoying?"
"Well, you picked me, so you've only got yourself to blame," Charlie grinned. "So what's your mom's place like? Does she live alone or …? Fuck, is this it?"
"Yeah, you're gonna love it – it's gorgeous," Eden smiled. "And it's got a pool out the back, although we can totally hang at the beach too. And there's a gym, nothing too fancy, but you can keep up your training and impress Chibs. Mom's got herself a partner, Gray – they've been together, like, ten years or something, so he'll be there and his kids might drop round if we have a big get-together. They're all great. Gray's never tried to play dad to me, but he's been there and he's good for mom. He's this, like, high-flying business type, so he kinda balances her out. A bit like my dad did, just … in a different way, I guess."
"Are you close to his kids?"
Eden made a see-sawing gesture with her hand. "Not close-close, but we all get on. We were all grown-ups with our own lives when our parents got together, so it's not like we grew up together. But I guess that also means there wasn't the same resentment there might have been if we were younger. None of us wanted our parents alone for the rest of their lives."
She broke off after that, seeing the quiet reflection on the face of the young man opposite. "Shit, Charlie, I'm going on about my mom and you … I didn't think. I'm sorry."
But he immediately shook his head. "Don't be. I like hearing about your family. Feels like … I dunno. Getting to share it, even just a bit."
Eden grabbed his hand and squeezed gently. "You are. I want you to always feel welcome, Charlie. And not just like a guest. You're part of it now – back in Charming, at my mom's, wherever. You're family. Always."
"Dad, chill out. I can spend a couple of hours on my own, I'm not five …"
"That ain't even the point, Kerri – this was meant to be our chance to spend some proper time together," Chibs sighed, glaring at the burner phone in his hand and the curt message that had just shit all over his plans.
But, whether she was still feeling like she had to be on her best behaviour after everything that had happened or she genuinely understood his predicament, Kerrianne didn't seem at all phased by the prospect of her father taking off to attend to club business. And that left the biker unsure whether to be relieved or offended.
"Maybe I could just tell Tig to take care o' whatever it is tha-"
"Dad, seriously," she half laughed, half groaned, rolling her eyes at him. "Bad enough having you all distracted worrying about how Eden's getting on, just go already. I've got my phone, my Kindle, I'll be fine! And we can do something when you get back."
"Bike ride to that Japanese garden in Lodi you wanted to see?" he suggested.
"Sure," his daughter nodded, accepting the little hug he gave her without any sign of the sulk he had to admit he had feared.
"Well, okay then," Chibs said, straightening up. "Guess I'd better go see what's what. Just one thing, darlin' – stick to the clubhouse til' I get back. I know you're not a wee girl anymore," he added quickly, before she could protest. "But you're still my wee girl and it ain't like you know the area. Please just humour yer aul' da on this. Anything you need, you just ask – Wheels is about here somewhere, Lyla's probably in the office …"
"I'll be fine," Kerrianne repeated wryly. "I live in Belfast, remember? I'm not daft."
"I know," he sighed, planting a kiss on her forehead before shrugging his cut back on. "I'll try not to be long."
But his daughter had already dropped onto the battered couch in the corner and draped her legs comfortably over the arm as she jammed her ear buds in and tuned everything else out, making it Chibs' turn to roll his eyes as he headed for the garage office to give Lyla a heads up to keep an eye on the teenager.
The sudden muffled commotion as he approached the firmly closed door only half registered with his brain, until he marched into the cramped room and found a rather flushed looking Lyla gathering paperwork off the floor while Knox lounged casually against the opposite wall.
"Chibs! Did you, uh, need something?" Lyla managed, pushing her hair back from her face, but not quite meeting his gaze.
"Just wanted to tell ya Kerri's hanging about the clubhouse – I gotta nip out for a bit, so …"
"Oh, I'll check in with her," the little blonde offered swiftly. "In fact, I'll go right now and let her know to just shout if she needs anything."
"Thanks, love," Chibs said, a bemused little smile threatening to tug at his mouth. "Not interrupting anything, am I? Wouldn't wanna … hold ya back …"
"No! I mean, no, it's fine. I'll just … I'll just go."
And with that she'd scuttled off without a backwards glance, leaving Chibs to eye the Rogue River sergeant knowingly. "You good to ride out wi' me to the cabin, see what's got Tigger in a flap?"
"Sure thing, whatever you need. You're the boss," Knox shrugged easily, pushing away from the wall to also head for the door.
"For me sins," Chibs nodded. "Speaking o' which … Yer t-shirt's inside out, mate."
