MC: Pres: Book Four (17 page)

Christmas Eve

Ben

I love Christmas Eve.  The seniors get the bags set for us.  We each have a bag and an address.  We have so many fuckin bikes and Brothers we only need one trip to finish the deliveries.  The old ladies have the Center set up and are waiting for us.  Danny is helping Patches, Tess and Petey with the Little Brothers.

I have HS delivering to the Little Brother's houses that have single moms or are just struggling.  They drop, hit the bell or knock then disappear into the shadows.  Jessie, Darren and Little Ben helped keep me informed about who has what so we can keep all the kids even.  It works well. 

On my way to the Center I think about church.  We met earlier and finally had a quorum to pass the amendments.  I'm so fuckin relieved, I can order Kate's new vest now.  I have it to show her but I didn't order it before because some of the Brothers are still avoiding me.  I didn't know if they would actually vote to approve it.  Thank fuck they did.  We can take on new Officers and assistant Officers too.  Everyone liked the concept and approved it unanimous.  I got everything I wanted passed.  Maybe the Brothers aren't so pissed at me anymore.  I'm smiling when I pull into the lot. 

Fuckin Tiny and an old timer that's been showing up lately, Box are arguing by the side door.  Walking up to them I hear them and fuckin laugh.  "I'm Santa; you'll scare the fuckin kids away."  Box tells Tiny. 

"You're too fuckin skinny for the suit."  Tiny growls at him. 

"Brothers.  This was decided.  Bull is Santa."  I tell them.  They look at me as if I'm crazy. 

"Pres, no disrespect but the fuckin Brother's too young and don't have a beard."  Box says. 

I laugh.  "He's in a fuckin costume; it has a beard that covers his face.  It has the padding too."  They walk in muttering about young fucks not knowing shit.  I laugh following them in.

The Center is full.  The seniors are having fun with the kids playing games and caring for the babies.  It's a fuckin sight.  I find Steve and Danny.

"Stop fuckin smilin like that.  Kelly's got a fuckin camera."  Steve barks out. 

Danny fuckin laughs.  "Not a fuckin person here will ever take your fuckin picture Steve.  After trying to blow Ben up and hanging Geek from the fuckin third floor window; everyone's afraid you'll kill them." 

"Shouldn't have tried to run, stupid fuck.  Office is on the first floor.  Was only there couple hours.  Brother’s a drama queen."  He says pissed.  We just laugh at him.  He mutters something about pains in his ass and walks away. 

"He needs to lighten up about fuckin pictures."  Danny says watching him. 

"Kelly is going to take some group shots.  I have her blurring out his face."  I tell him.

"Oh fuck!  You had to fuckin tell me?  I'll fuckin kill you myself if his fuckin picture is on any-fuckin-thing!"

"Relax Brother.  It's just for the club wall."  I tell him.  "He can't get pissed if you can't see him fuckin smiling.  Like that's a fuckin crime against nature or something."  I don't get why it fuckin pisses him off.

"I'm not talking about Steve and pictures one more fuckin minute Ben, find a new fuckin topic."  Danny's getting pissed now.  Fuck no ones in the Christmas spirit.

"Got all the amendments passed.  We can plan for the new Officers.  I got Keith looking at schedules after the first so we can meet and get that moving."  I tell him hoping he'll lighten up.  He nods.  I follow his eye.  He's watching Kate.  "What did you get her?" 

He looks at me.  "Guess I can tell you now, pink diamond jewelry and some clothes."

"Clothes?  You don't shop." 

"Didn't shop, stopped by Nancy's last month.  She orders shit for Jess and Kate all the time.  Told her to order shit.  She did.  Me and Steve picked up the orders last week when you took her out.  We got it all wrapped at the mall and Steve came and got Jess' shit earlier today."  He says still watching her.

"Fuckin Brothers you could have told me."  I spent hours fuckin shopping.

"Your first fuckin Christmas and you want to get the same shit I do?  Thought you were the fuckin sensitive one?"  He says looking at me again with a smile. 

I walk away, fuckin Danny.

Danny

I smile as I watch him walk away.  I got Kate a new cut with the changes following the amendment wording.  I knew it would go through but he was nervous.  I figure it's for him as much as her.  I'm giving it to her tonight so she knows he's all in.  This was her deadline; even though it doesn't matter anymore I want her to know it’s a sure thing.  She's changed her name on paper, now everyone else will know.  It's been a hell of a fuckin year but it's ending the way I hoped it would.  Thank fuck!

Christmas

Kate

I'm so glad the guys didn't go overboard.  With this many kids we need to make each gift mean something to them.  I'm glad Rich, Tess and Patches came over to open presents too.  I'm saving the vest for our first ride so they don't know about it.  I crack up when Ben opens the jersey they got him.  It matches the cut Danny got me.  My sexy badass pirate is so freakin thoughtful.  We agreed to open one present from each other with the kids.  The rest we'll do tonight.  I'm not really a present person but it's Christmas. 

After Ben puts his jersey down, me and Danny give him his present.  He opens it and is stunned.  He hugs us thanking both of us.  I can hear the emotion in his voice.  Danny calls to the kids and let's Ben tell them.  Jessie reads the paper then jumps on me.  Danny gives him a package.

He moves up to open it.  It’s a picture of me.  He tells him it’s for his bed.  Of course I cry.  "You're really my mom now?"  He's says crying.

I hug him.  "I have been since you moved in."  He holds onto me.  "I love you Jessie."

"I love you too mom."  He makes me cry more.  Freakin kids.  Rich makes us laugh.  "Fuckin Kate."   He hugs Ben.  "Welcome to the family, officially Ben!  I'm so fuckin glad we got the shirt now."  He laughs.  The kids start hugging everyone they can reach.  "Mrs. Kathryn Marie LaPonte-James, I'm so fuckin happy for you."  The kids put their hands out.  Everyone laughs.

Ben hands an envelope to Tess saying it's the last present.  She opens it with the boys looking over her shoulder.  They look up at him surprised.  "You gave us a fuckin house Ben."  Rich says.

He smiles.  "With it, Tess gets a home that's hers.  Patches has his bigger house.  You're close to your siblings and Danny and Kate know I'm all in.  It was a multi-purpose gift."  He smiles proud of himself.  I freaking love him.  I hug him.  Danny hugs both of us. 

"I fuckin love you guys."  Rich says hugging all of us.  Tess and Patches pile on laughing.

Rich, Patches and Tess get breakfast on the table and call us in. 

Ben

I look at Danny; he's thinking the same thing.  Something is up.  The doorbell rings before we can move Tess puts her hand out for Jessie.  He goes with her to open the door.  "You’re fuckin kidding me?"  I say softly.  Fuckin Tracy looks like shit.  She's using again.  I stand up to throw her fuckin ass out. "Dad you have to let it happen so it can be done.  Patches can you sign for Darren?"  Kate puts her hand on my arm and I sit watching my son talk to this wasted woman that use to be his mother.  He handles her like he's a fuckin grown up.  I'm just watching until he says she always told him he wasn't hers.  My fuckin blood is boiling.  I pay attention.

"I never told anyone, but I remember it.  This is my family.  They love me even though we don't share blood.  I got a mom for Christmas; she loves me like a mom should.  Anything that you want to say you have to say in front of them.  You forgot that we take care of our own.  They'll help me if I need it.  I just have to hold my hand out for them to reach me.  You have to talk where I can reach help if I need it.  What did you want to talk about?"  My fuckin son is so smart and knows what a family is.

Tracy is crying.  "I wanted to say Merry Christmas and I miss you."

"Merry Christmas.  You don't miss me.  If you did I would have known.  You would have called to say so.  You miss having people that love you around when you want them.  I'm sorry you're broke and our strong wasn't enough.  But I'm just a little boy.  You need to fix yourself and find your own family now.  We can't be it anymore.  Sometimes you have to let people go in order to be happy.  You have to let us go and we have to let you go.  It's time."  He ended it just like that.  I'm so fuckin proud of him.  I can't look away from him.

Tracey looks at everyone.  "I guess you turned him against me."  What the fuck?  She fuckin leaves and doesn’t fuckin call him and we're the fuckin bad guys?  I stand up again.  Jessie stops me from moving with his hand up.

"They don't talk about you at all.  That's how they are.  They didn't have to say anything to me.  Your actions are what I have to go by.  You didn't earn anything because you didn't give anything.  I think you should leave now."  He puts his hand out to the side.  As I make it around the table she walks out the door.  I go to my boy with tears in my eyes.  He's trying so hard to be strong.  I hold onto him while everyone has a hand on him.

"I am so fuckin proud of you Jessie.  I'm so sorry she said that to you."  I say in his ear.  He tells me he loves me.  He’s crying so quietly.  It hurts me to know I can’t fix this for him.  When he lifts his head off my shoulder he looks around.  He sees Kate and leans toward her.  She grabs him and doesn't let go.  I step back and watch.  I guess it’s already fixed.  She's his mom.  That's his normal.  I get why Danny stopped me from correcting Devan.  They love each other like mother and son.  Danny hugs them both.  I watch as Jessie holds onto Danny.  Danny lifts him so Jessie's head is on his shoulder.  I hold Kate. 

Jessie looks at us.  "I'm sorry I didn't want Tess to tell you.  I thought if you knew you wouldn't let her in.  She needed to see that we're all done."

He's so fuckin smart.  He's right though.  "I agree with you on this one.  You should have told me what she said to you Jessie."

"You were hurt enough dad."  He says as if to explain.  He's fuckin eleven. 

"It's not your job to cover me Jessie.  I have family and a whole fuckin club of Brothers to cover me.  You need to be a kid and let me be a dad.  Promise me you won't hide things from me."

"Jeesh dad I'm a kid.  Tess knew about today and saw no one was going to get hurt or she would have told you."  He fuckin makes me laugh.  I look at Danny.  What the fuck do I say to that?

"Fuckin eleven year old boys.  They're good kids and too fuckin smart.  What are you going to do?"  He shrugs.

That's it.  I guess we're done.  Jessie slides down Danny and brings the kids back to their toys.  Fuckin kids. 

Steve and Jess walk in.  Fuck, they must have passed her.  I tell him Tracy just left.  He knew.  Fuckin Brothers.  Danny tells Steve Jessie handled it and she's moving on. 

Little Ben says he's checking on his Brother and walks out.  "Fuckin kids."  We all say.

I go to Tess.  "You told him so he wasn't hurt?"

"Yes.  I told him she was coming.  I didn't give him details.  Nothing bad was going to happen, it was just so sad.  I saw what happened after I told him.  It changed but didn't change the sad.  You stayed calm with Kate and Danny's strong and Jessie got strong from all of us.  I'm sorry I didn't tell you but no one was in danger and I promised him."  She has no fear or embarrassment.  She's getting so fuckin strong. 

"If I would have known, he wouldn't have handled it.  He needed to do that."  She nods.  "This is going to happen a lot with you.  Promise you will never shield us alone.  If there is any danger, you have to promise to tell someone so they can help you decide what's right.  I would suggest Peg or, if Sally is staying, Sally.  Can you make that promise to me?"

"Oh yes.  Sally is staying and she's going to help me."  She’s so fuckin happy I can't help smiling; I kiss her head and turn around.

"Fuckin Tess."  Everyone laughs.

New Year’s Eve

Kate

I've been drinking apple juice and sprite all night.  Danny kisses me and asks if there's something I want to tell him.  Fuck!  I wanted to do this later.  We have a house full of people. 

I pull him toward the garage on the way he grabs Ben.  He freakin knows.  Freakin men!  Once we're in the garage Ben looks back and forth between us.  "Kate has something to tell us."  Danny says.  Ben looks at me. 

"I'm pregnant."  I tell them.  Danny laughs and picks me up kissing me.

When he puts me down we look at Ben.  He's in shock or something.  He doesn't move.  "Brother your woman just told you she's pregnant.  You need to say something here."  Danny tells him smiling.

"We don't know whose baby it is."  He says with a confused look. 

I laugh.  "It's ours." 

"Does it matter?  They're all ours."  Danny says to him.

He smiles.  "Fuck no.  A baby."  He picks me up spinning me around.  Freakin men!  Rich did the same thing when I told him.  I hold my mouth as if that will hold it in.  Danny stops him.  He looks down with a smile.  “I’m going to be a father a-fuckin-gain!  This time I get to see it from the beginning.  A baby.”  He slaps Danny on the back.  “We’re having a baby.”  He turns around and walks back into the house.  We stand there looking at the door.

Danny cracks up.  “This is going to get interesting.”  He bends and kisses me again.  Just when I think I’m going to suffocate he lifts his head.  “Thank you my Beautiful K.  I hope we have a girl that looks just like her momma.”

“I love you Danny.  I thought you’d want a boy.  How did you know?”  I ask him.  Really I want him to kiss me again but I ask anyway.

“Love you too baby.  We have too many boys, need some girls so we can dilute the testosterone before they all hit teen years.”  He says smiling.  I crack up.  “You’re not drinking.  Since you’re trying to cover that fact, I figured there was a reason.  A baby would be a reason.  When are you due?”

“You’re too freakin observant.  Six months.”  I tell him hugging his middle.

“If I wasn’t, you wouldn’t be so fuckin happy right now.”  He smiles down at me.

“Don’t gloat.”  I pull him back to the party.  He’s freakin laughing.  We walk in the door and everyone around us claps yelling congratulations.  Freakin Ben.

“I’m gonna fuckin kill him.”  Danny growls out.  “That was for you to decide.  I’m sorry baby.”  He looks at me.  I’m sure my stunned face isn’t helping ease his first reaction.

I clear my throat.  “It would have gotten out at some point tonight I guess.”  He leaves my side to find Ben.  Shit.  I let it go.  Freakin Ben.  Danny won’t really kill him.

Jess comes up to me.  “I didn’t realize you were telling everyone.”  She’s smiling.

“I didn’t plan on anyone knowing for at least another month.  I wanted them to have a chance to get used to the name change thing.”  I tell her.

“Oh he’s telling them that one too.”  She cracks up.  

“Fuckin Ben.  I need a freakin drink.”  I look up and people are making their way to me but waiting for me to be finished talking to Jess.  “It’s going to be a long freakin night.”  I turn and smile at a group of people and Jess freakin laughs.

Danny

I see him on the patio.  “We need a minute.”  He follows me to Patches room.  I open the door and close it.  Fuckin Brothers fuckin anywhere there’s a door.  At least they’re behind a door.  I open the laundry room door.  “Thank Fuck.”  He laughs.

“What’s going on?”  He asks.  He has no fuckin clue.

“The baby was Kate’s to decide when we tell people.  She wanted people to know about the name change before the baby.”

“I told them that too.”  He’s fuckin proud.

“Fuck Ben it wasn’t yours to tell.  She was white as a ghost when we walked back in to people clapping.  That news is a woman’s to share.  She tells us when it’s ok.”  

His shoulders drop.  “I didn’t know.  I never had a baby.”

Fuck, I let out my breath.  “Tell her you’re sorry and you didn’t know.  Then keep your fuckin mouth shut about the baby.  Let her tell when she’s ready.”

He’s fuckin smiling.  “I’ll tell her I’m sorry but everyone will know by tomorrow.  She won’t have to tell anyone.”

Fuckin Ben.  “She wanted people to get the name change first so it doesn’t look like it happened because of the baby.  She has a fuckin job that those things matter Brother.”

“Fuck.  I didn’t think about that.”  He runs his hands through his hair.

“It wouldn’t fuckin matter to me but she has to run on donations and people don’t always understand the Brotherhood.  They overlook some things but others won’t be so easy.  That’s why she doesn’t get inked or dress like the other old ladies.  It matters to her.”  I don’t know how else to get him to understand why she protects her reputation so rigidly.

“Fuck.  I never thought about that.  I forget about her having to raise money.  We should just give her what she needs.”  He isn’t getting it.

“You can’t just give it to her.  She’s not the type of woman that would accept your money like that.  She worked her fuckin ass off getting to where she is.  She did it with networking and contacts all over the fuckin county and beyond.  You need to let her run raising money and covering what she can.  She makes the decision what programs run.  It means something to her to raise that money.  It means something to her to have a good reputation.  We have to let her make her own decisions, raise her own money and protect her reputation.  It’s one of the reasons we love her Brother.  She’s motivated and makes a difference in our part of the world without us stepping in and doing it for her.  You got to let her do it her way.”

“You’re right.  I’ll go talk to her and keep my mouth shut.”  He turns to go.  “Thanks Brother.”

Ben

I find Kate.  She gives me a look.  She’s pissed.  Fuck.  Danny was fuckin right.  I go right up to her.  I don’t care that people are around.  I need to fix this.  “I know you wanted your name change to be known and we haven’t really told many people about it besides your work.  I should have thought about that.  Your work is important to you.  It should have been important enough for me to think about it.  But I never had a baby.  I didn’t know I was supposed to wait to tell everyone.  I’m excited and proud.  You told me tonight so I wanted everyone else to know too.  I’m sorry baby.”  I watch her.  Women around us actually say 'awww.'  They must be drunk.

She smiles and hugs me.  “We’ll figure it out.  Thank you for telling me though.”  She pulls me down to kiss her.  The women say 'awww' again.  Definitely fuckin drunk.  She smiles and pats my chest.  “Go do your guy things.  I’ll find you when I’m done with the girl talk.”  That’s it.  We’re all done.  I love this fuckin family.  I smile and go back to the patio with the Brothers.