“I’m so happy for you and Aideen.”
Everyone echoed Bronagh congratulations, my brothers hugged me, Aideen’s brothers did the same and clapped their hands against my back. Aideen’s father gave me the longest hug and thanked me for making his daughter so happy, but I assured him that she made me happy.
“Do you all want to meet my son?”
Big smiles and loud squeals were my response. I chuckled as I led everyone down the hallway and into the bedroom. Branna was leaning over my son lying on the bed, dressing him as Aideen watched her every careful move, storing the information away.
“Omigod,” Keela whispered from my right.
We all watched silently as Branna gently put a vest on him followed by a blue onesie, mittens, and a white cardigan. She adjusted his hat, and she smiled when he yawned and made a squealing noise. I looked from Branna to Ryder and found his eyes solely on his woman. He watched her every move with so much intent I was surprised Branna’s skin didn’t catch fire.
He was harbouring great demons over his involvement with the feds and Brandy, but what he struggled with most was lying to Branna. He knew he couldn’t tell her anything because any involvement from her should things go badly would have bad implications. He knew that, and I knew that, but Branna could never know. He confided in me that their relationship was in trouble. Ever since he was approached by the feds, he found it difficult to look at her, to kiss her, hold her, or make love to her because he felt like dirt knowing what he was keeping from her. He was scared she was going to leave him ... and to be honest, so was I.
I turned back to Branna as she lifted my son, kissed his cheek, then placed him gently in Aideen’s waiting arms. She lifted her gaze to our family, and though she was exhausted and sore, she smiled widely. She took my breath away, and I had to force myself to remain still just so I wouldn’t cross the room, take her face in my hands, and kiss her senseless.
“Aideen,” Keela blubbered as she scurried forward to her best friend’s side. “Well done, honey.”
I glanced at Alec who was transfixed with his girl as she stared at my son with so much love it radiated from her. I saw love in my brother’s gaze and want. Want for a child that he and Keela could call their own.
“He is perfect,” Keela said, tears falling on to her cheeks. “So perfect.”
Aideen’s smile told everyone that she agreed.
“Darlin’.”
Aideen looked up when her father spoke, and she beamed at him, “Hey, Granda.”
Keela quickly moved over to her place in front of Alec, and my brother wrapped his arms around her, then leaned down and nuzzled his face against her. I looked at Aideen father’s whose resolve shattered as tears fell from his eyes. He sat on the side of the bed, next to his daughter, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
“He looks just like ye’ when ye’ were a baby,” my father murmured. “So beautiful. I’m so proud of ye’, baby. Ma would be too.”
Tears filled Aideen’s eyes as she said, “D’ye want to hold ‘im?”
Her father nodded and stood. He reached down and gently picked up his grandson, holding him protectively against his chest. Aideen rubbed her eyes with her fingers as she watched grandfather and grandson get acquainted. For a single moment, I thought of my own father and how he missed out on a moment such as this, but then I remember that he was a cruel man who would hold no love for my son or any child fathered by his sons. I was glad that Mr Collins would be the only grandparent my children would know.
“Hey, buddy,” he whispered, his eyes welling up. “I’m your Granda.”
That was all that needed to be said for all the ladies to crumple to tears, making us men chuckle.
“Well done, baby sister.”
Aideen look at her eldest brother, JJ, and gestured for him to go to her. When he moved to her side, he leaned down and hugged her so tight I worried he might break her. Aideen’s other brothers followed suit. Gavin held onto her the longest and whispered something in her ear that made her laugh.
“What’s his name?” This came from Bronagh.
Aideen looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders. We had discussed lots of names for boys and girls, but we never agreed on any, so we decided to wait until the baby was born to pick one.
“No idea yet.”
Everyone chuckled at us.
Aideen hugged my brothers then, and she thanked and apologised to Dominic, Alec, and Damien for any harm or discomfort she brought to them during my labour. They smiled at her and waved it off like it was no big deal. I could tell they were just happy they got to be a part of such a special moment.