Saturday was a shorter day at the garage, but Clay called the MC into church soon after opening for a few business items. He concluded the conclave with, "We've got a protection run tonight. Grab some sleep between dinner and dark because we're going to be up all night, and then make sure you sleep when we get back. Gemma will have your heads if any of you miss family dinner tomorrow evening." He rapped the gavel on the table. As everyone else was leaving, Clay growled. "Chibs, you finish up that repo list today, but take Tig with you. We got word that a few of the guys on the list today think they're tough." Chibs gave a curt nod of agreement. Inside, he groaned. He wanted to stop by and see Aoife today, so he could tell her in person that he would be gone tonight and get a taste of her sweet lips to tide him over until tomorrow. If Tig was in one of his black moods, Chibs wouldn't inflict him on Aoife. He still remembered the look Aoife had given Tig the first day they met.
"On it, Clay," Tig agreed.
Chibs spent the morning keeping an eye on Tig and his state of mind, and he felt kind of relieved. Tig was telling Chibs a bevy of new jokes he had picked up recently. Most of them were utterly offensive and inappropriate for mixed company, but it meant Tig was in one of his good moods. The sergeant-at-arms seemed calm today, almost relaxed. Probably a pretty good day for Aoife to interact with him in a small dose, Chibs thought. When his stomach started to growl in the early afternoon Chibs turned the truck towards downtown Charming. "Where are we going?" Tig whined. "I'm fucking starving."
"I like to hit the coffee shop for lunch when I can," Chibs said casually, watching Tig's reaction.
"Are the lunches as good as the muffins?" Tig asked with a glint in his eye.
"Better," Chibs bragged, thinking about Aoife's shepherd's pies. And Aoife, of course. Both made his mouth water.
"I'm in." Chibs wondered if he should say anything else or threaten Tig with bodily harm if he was disrespectful to Aoife. Tig must have read his mind. "Chibs, we're good. I get it. You deserve a good woman. I hope you've found one." Chibs knew what Tig was leaving unsaid. Tig never understood why Chibs' estranged wife acquiesced to Jimmy O's control without more of a fight. Such a thing wasn't in the sergeant-at-arms' nature, and he was angry on Chibs' behalf at Fiona. Chibs had given up discussing the matter with his brother years ago. Sometimes he got angry with Fi, too, and it felt good to know someone else cared enough to get upset for him.
Tig was true to his word about behaving. When Chibs and Tig leaned against the counter, Aoife greeted Chibs with a quick kiss and then turned to Tig. "Nice to see you again, Tig," Aoife said cautiously.
He gave her a wide lazy smile. "Heya, doll! Chibsy here was telling me that you have the best shepherd's pies this side of the pond." Aoife's eyes widened a little in surprise at Tig's friendly demeanor.
"I like to think so. So, two shepherd's pies?"
The two Sons had almost finished their lunch when Aoife got a breather long enough to talk to them more. Chibs wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her onto his knee. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and murmured. "Looking gorgeous as always, lass."
Aoife smiled. "Flirt," she retorted, dragging her nails down the side of his neck and making Chibs shiver in anticipation of their next time alone.
Chibs shrugged as he returned her grin. "Aye. No reason to deny it. I got myself the prettiest girl in Charming and I want her to know I think so. But I came by to let you know I'll be out late tonight. Not supposed to be back until tomorrow morning." He saw Aoife try to hide her disappointment. "I know, lass. But I'll come over tomorrow afternoon and we'll go for a ride before family dinner, if you like?"
"I'd like that a lot," she said with a smile. She kissed him and slid off his lap to wait on new customers. "Let me know when you're back safe." They shared one more kiss before she walked away.
Chibs felt Tig watch the entire interaction, even while he pretended to look elsewhere. Once Aoife was back at the counter, Tig spoke. "Your face lights up when she's around," the sergeant-at-arms said simply. Chibs just nodded at his brother. It was a step in the right direction for Tig.
Chibs arrived at the coffee shop the next afternoon just as Aoife was locking up. She let him in, closed the blinds, and then he found himself pushed up against the wall, light switches poking into his back, while his pretty girl kissed him passionately. He responded, and then his hands were sliding under her blouse and clutching at the skin of her back. Breaking their liplock to take a breath, he pressed his forehead against Aoife's and whispered, "And good afternoon to you, too, a chuisle."
"How long have you been back?" Aoife asked.
"Not sure what time we got in this morning, but I feel asleep with my boots on."
Aoife closed her eyes and bit her lip. Chibs could tell she was struggling to keep her voice level. "I was really worried about you," she said softly.
"You don't need to worry about me, lass. I've made it to this age without too many dings and dents," Chibs laughed. She gave him a doubtful look, and he could see the hurt in her eyes. "I'm sorry, love. I'll do better next time. I'm not used to have someone worrying about whether I come home or not." He pulled her in for another kiss.
Chibs helped Aoife fasten the chinstrap on the new helmet he had bought for her and then they both climbed on the motorcycle. As Aoife put her arms around him, he remembered the first day he had met her. It felt like years instead of barely two months since she had stolen his heart.
They arrived at Gemma and Clay's at 5 pm. Aoife glanced at her watch. "I thought Gemma said dinner was at six."
"Better early than late. Never, ever show up late for anything Gemma invites you to." Chibs pulled her against him. "Lass, Gemma likes the women to help in the kitchen before dinner. It's up to you, but it will go a long way towards finding your place in the Club."
"Of course. I want to fit in with your family," Aoife said. They shared another kiss, only parting when the sound of more motorcycle engines approached.
Gemma greeted them at the door, an apron over her stylish clothing. Chibs gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Evening, Chibs," Gemma said. "Nice to see you again, baby girl."
Aoife turned on the manners her socialite mother had insisted on as a child. "Thank you for inviting me to your home. I brought some bread to contribute. Would you like some help in the kitchen?" Gemma shot Chibs a look over Aoife's head, and Chibs just smiled back.
"Sure would, darlin'. Come along with me." Chibs took Aoife's jacket and gave her a kiss and a wink. Clay and Tig were already in the den, drinking beers and yelling at some game on TV. Chibs grabbed a beer and he took the recliner closest to the kitchen. He could hear introductions being made, but then Juice and Bobby joined them and he could barely hear himself think over their shouting about a bad call. Chibs didn't know or care – he had never bothered much with American sports. He pretended to be interested in the game, but his palms were sweaty. He wondered if he had given Aoife enough warning about tonight. The women of Samcro could be brutal if they took a dislike to a woman.
Ten minutes later, Chibs couldn't help himself any longer. On the premise of getting a tumbler of whiskey from the bar, he peeked around the corner into the kitchen at the five women. Bobby's Donna (as she was called to distinguish her from Opie's wife Donna) was stacking dishes to set the table while Lenny's old lady Barb unloaded the dishwasher. Aoife and Luann were chopping up vegetables for a salad, and everyone was laughing at something Aoife had just said. Aoife spotted him and gave him a wink. Satisfied that his girl was doing fine in the kitchen, Chibs rejoined his MC brothers in the den.
A bit later, Aoife appeared in the doorway of the den. "Ding, ding, ding," she called out, miming ringing a dinner bell. "Come and get it!" She stepped quickly to the side as the Sons made a beeline for the dinner table, leaving her alone with Chibs. He engulfed her in his arms and kissed her tenderly.
"You look like you're having a good time, a chuisle."
"I am," Aoife said with a big smile. "Luann and Barb are a lot of fun. Luann went out of her way to make me feel welcome."
"I'll have to hug her extra hard," Chibs said as his heart swelled. "I love seeing you here with my family," he murmured against her lips as he kissed her again. Chibs felt something snap against his backside.
"That's enough of that, you two," Luann scolded, her eyes twinkling. She tossed the kitchen towel she had just snapped back over her shoulder. "You're keeping everyone else waiting. I wouldn't stand between these guys and food to long if I were you. "
Aoife was seated in the center of the table, between Chibs and Juice and across from Barb and Luann. Chibs squeezed Aoife's hand under the table, and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He wasn't really listening to the conversation, just enjoying looking around the table and seeing happy faces. Aoife was holding her fork with one hand so that she could keep her other hand on his thigh. Barb, Luann and Gemma were whispering with their heads together. Clay and Bobby were deep in a conversation about an old motorcycle Bobby wanted to buy, and from the way that Jax was snickering, Chibs suspected that Tig was telling his new jokes. Aoife was listening intently as Juice regaled her with tales of his adventures as a street rat in Queens.
The night wasn't perfect. There was an awkward silence when Clay made a joke about Chibs' penchant for Irishwomen before Luann jumped in and distracted everyone by asking who needed refills on their drinks. Aoife also had a teary moment when she was in the middle of telling a story to one-up Juice's tales of juvenile delinquency. She got to the part about her brother Thomas and began to cry. "Sorry," she explained in a small voice. "My brother passed away a few months ago, and sometimes the wound is still raw."
Tig pulled a clean handkerchief from his breast pocket and passed it to her behind Juice. "We all know what it's like to lose people we love," he assured her as he patted her hand. A murmur of assent rose up around the table.
After dinner, Jax and Chibs helped the ladies clear the table before joining the rest of the guys in the den. The television was blaring again but the sport was now pro wrestling. Clay had reclaimed his recliner and Gemma stood behind him, massaging his neck and shoulders. Juice and Bobby were cheering from the couch, while Tig yelled out snarky commentary on the fight choreography from his spot on the floor. Chibs and Jax claimed the other couch. Chibs was only too happy to pull Aoife onto his lap when Luann shooed her out of the kitchen. Aoife put her back against the arm of the sofa and Chibs wrapped his arm around her. "What the hell are we watching?" she asked, her breath ticking his ear.
"Don't really care, lass," Chib whispered into her ear, taking advantage of the closeness to flick his tongue across it. She shivered, and he slid his free hand just under her shirt to rest flat against her belly. "I'm just glad you're here with me."