Page 99 of Always Yours

“Because they suck it from their parents. That’s why parents are so fucking tired all the time. The little shits steal our energy,” Krista says with a laugh.

“Remind me never to drink when we have our kids because getting up at five in the morning isn’t fun on three hours sleep,” Trigger says as he hides his face in a bucket looking a little green.

Hale walks over to DJ and grabs the item that DJ is holding up high in the air.

“What are they fighting over?” I ask with a laugh before walking over to Hale.

He hands me the item which turns out to be Star’s favourite stuffed animal. I look at DJ and sigh. “Why did you take this from your cousin?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“She took my stuffy that Aunt Stacey gave me out the window and now it’s covered in mud, so it’s only fair I do it to hers!” DJ shouts in frustration.

I look over at Star who has her head down looking at her feet. “Why did you throw that out the window?” I ask.

“He was laughing at me because I don’t know how to kick a soccer ball, so I ran inside and threw it,” she mumbles.

I look over to their parents and they all walk over to their kids. “You know better than to make fun of someone for something they can’t do,” Damien says crouching down in front of DJ. DJ nods his heads and I see his little lip quivering.

“And Star, you know not to touch those stuffies Aunt Stacey gave you guys. They are precious to both of you.”

Star looks up at her dad. “Yes daddy,” she replies.

“But my stuffy is all dirty now. It’s ruined,” DJ says and lets out a little sob.

“It’s not ruined, honey. Mama will get it cleaned right up for you. It will be good as new,” Ella says before hugging her son.

“But it won’t smell the same. It won’t smell like her anymore,” he says with a little cry.

Torch walks over with sad eyes. “Uncle has some of that special smell Aunt Stacey loved to wear. We can spray it once it’s cleaned.”

DJ looks up at his uncle with hopeful eyes. “Really?”

Torch nods his head. “Yes. We can do that today.”

“Why don’t I have an Aunt Stacey stuffy?” Millie asks with a pout.

“You don’t even know who that is,” DJ says, rolling his eyes.

“Sure I do. Her picture is up in the main room, and she loved Mr. Torch President and she was Mrs. Ella’s bestest friend in the whole wide world. I want an Aunt Stacey stuffy,” Millie says stomping her foot.

After her words, the rest of the kids that can talk all shout that they want Aunt Stacey stuffies. When I look over at everyone else, I can tell there is not a dry eye in the house.

“Well, you are in luck. Aunt Stacey had a bunch of stuffies hidden at my house that I can give out to each of you,” Sasha says loudly.

I look over at her in question because I never knew that. “Is that true?” I whisper.

She nods her head. “I totally forgot about it with the constant drama, but she had like fifty of the same biker stuffies made. She wanted to make sure all the kids had one, but was afraid they were going to discontinue, so she bought out every store and stock she found,” Sasha admits.

Everyone’s mouths drop open at her words.

“Stacey just keeps on surprising me after all these years,” Torch says as his voice cracks.

I nod my head in agreement.

I look around at everyone and think of everything the club had been through.

In the seven years since Ella found her way to us, our lives had changed dramatically.

Brothers had found their Old Ladies and fallen in love. They had families and added more little kids to this once quiet clubhouse.

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