Chapter 3

Ace

It has been two weeks since Ailee walked into my life and walked back out. She hasn’t tried to contact me since. To be fair I haven’t reached out to her either. I’m waiting for answers from Brick. I tried to drown myself in booze and bunnies but it didn’t work. Everytime a bunny came near me all I could think about was that they were around the same age as my daughter and I couldn’t touch them. I’m just getting out of the shower when there is a knock at my door.I wrap a towel around me and answer it. I see Brick standing there with a folder in his hand. “ We need to talk,” he says. I step back and let him in. He takes a seat in the chair while I throw on a pair of boxers and jeans. When I’m done I have a seat on the bed. “ Tell me what you got.” I said to him.

Brick hands me the folder “ Let’s start with the easy part. Every document she gave you is legit. The only thing I didn’t go through was that letter. I didn’t feel like it was my place.” he said. Not that I truthfully doubted her but I had to check. “ The contract from the lawyer to put it simply, your daughter gives up all her rights to anything you have. Including money, life insurance policies, property and business.  All she wants is your bone marrow provided you are a match. They are willing to pay you handsomely for it.” Brick sighs “ Ace it also says that you can go through a third party to make sure you two never have contact.Basically she is giving up all rights to being your daughter. In exchange for you helping her.” It doesn’t surprise me since Ailee treated our whole interaction like a business deal.

“ What did you find out about her?” I asked him. “ That’s where the hard part comes in. It was difficult to find anything on her. I had to use some old sources and even had to call up Mac for help.” Damn who the hell is my daughter? “ What I did find out, Ace, you need to be careful.” “ What are you talking about?” “ Ace, Ailee’s last name is O’Sullivan. As in the O’Sullivan crime family. She is their princess and next in line to run it. Her grandfather is Cormac O’Sullivan.” Brick says. Holy Fucking Shit. Mara never said anything about her background. We agreed that since it was just a fling we wouldn’t get too involved in each other's lives. Now I know I should have asked questions. Hell, I’m lucky to be alive since Cormac knows I knocked his daughter up. “ Were you able to find out anything else? “ I ask. I’m nervous about her other family but I need to know something about my daughter.

“ Not much. The family keeps her pretty hidden. She did go to college and has a masters in business and finance. And a minor in child physiology. Graduated with honors at the top of her class. I was able to find one picture of her on the net. I source that knows more about the O’Sullivan’s said that Ailee has been being groomed to take over since she turned eighteen. Ace man, they call her the Ice Queen. She is ruthless when it comes to punishment and extracting information. And if you deal with child trafficking and she gets a hold of you she has some interesting methods of dealing with you. You pray for death.” Brick says. I don’t even know what to say about that.But the thought of my daughter being the head of a crime family doesn’t sit right with me. Brick didn’t say it but I know in my gut she has killed before.  “ Ace, my advice from one father to another. Provided Ailee is your daughter, if you want to know about her other than rumors and hearsay. Talk to her yourself. Invite her to lunch or something. Find out who she is as a person. Not who she may be to the mob. Hell, invite her here and let her get to know you. Not just the stories her mom told her. You aren’t the same man as you were back then. Let her see this world. Take the first step. She has gone her whole life thinking you didn’t want her. If you do, show her.”

“ That’s not bad advice. I’ll think about it. But first I need to get with Ryan’s. It is time for some blood work results. Not that I need them. She has my eyes. And I know in my gut she is mine. ” I said. Brick stands and drags me into a hug “ Congrats on the daughter, brother. I wish you luck.” I pat him on the back and thank him. As for luck. I feel like I’m going to need all I can get. Brick leaves so I can finish getting ready to go see Ryans. 

I get to Ryans and the receptionist leads me right back to Ryans office instead of an exam room. I've been waiting about five of the longest minutes of my life before Ryans comes in. I’m nervous about the results of the blood test. Not that I’m Ailee’s father. Like I told Brick I know she is mine. I’m worried I may not be a match for her. If I’m not she has to be on the waiting list longer if they ever find her a match. She may not survive long enough to find a donor. And I will lose my only child. A child I haven’t gotten a chance to get to know. My best friend and brother died before he ever got to meet his daughter, Merigold. And cancer may take mine from me. It would be a dishonor to my brothers memory if I don’t take the chance I have been given. To take the chance he never got. He never got to hug his baby girl. Or to tell her how much he loved her Or meet his grandchildren. The only thing he had was a picture from the private investigator. And I know that was his one regret. I don’t want to have the same regrets.

Ryans sits down at his desk, opens a file and looks at me “ Ace I know you are anxious to get these results so I’ll get to the point. First congratulations, you're a father.” he says. Then he continues “ Secondly, you are a bone marrow match. That means you can donate.” I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. I can save my daughter. This is the best news I have gotten since I found out I had a kid. “ Before you donate there are some things you will need to do.” Ryans adds. “ Like what?” I ask. “ You won’t be able to have any alcohol for at least a week before the procedure. You will have to fast for twenty four hours. You won’t be able to ride for at least a week after. You will need someone to drive you home after you donate.” Ryans said. He told me everything I need to know about what to expect if I donate. No, when I donate.

When he is done explaining it doesn’t sound so bad on my end. I’ll be asleep the whole time. They are basically going to drill a few holes in my hips from the back. Takes about two hours. I wake up, get some pain relievers and go home. “ Do you have any questions?” Ryans asked. “ Yea, my daughter's part. Will it be easy like mine?” I asked. Ryans shakes his head. “ Ace, this may be hard for you to hear as a parent. The transplant itself is the easy part. It is done like a blood transfusion.” That doesn’t sound so bad. But I know he hasn’t gotten to the hard part. Ryans leans back in his chair. “ Ace before they can give her your marrow they have to give her high doses of radiation to kill off her existing morrow. That could take several times. They will keep her in a clean room so there is no risk of her getting exposed to anything. Anyone that goes into that room has to be sanitized and dressed so they have no germs on them. The radiation itself could kill her.” 

“ So you're telling me that everything that is designed to get rid of the cancer can kill her as well. Just like with Raider.” I said. “ I’m sorry Ace. I wish I had better news to tell you. There is a difference between your daughter and Raider. One is age. Your daughter is much younger and has a fighting chance and she is in better health before she got sick. I read over the reports her doctors sent over. She has a fighting chance. Hell, she beat it once already and has been in remission for years. She is strong and healthy. I have never met this woman and I believe the odds are in her favor.”  Ryans said. I watched Raider fight cancer and it was hard. Watching my daughter go through it is going to kill me. I barely know her but I love her already. She is my baby girl. My blood. Wait what did Ryans say? “ What do you mean Ailee had cancer before?” I asked. 

“ You don’t know? Did you read any of the papers she gave you? Ace, she had cancer when she was a teen. She battled it for a year before it went into remission. She has been cancer free until this time. She was in good health before this happened.” Ryans said. Ailee has had cancer before. And I didn’t know because Mara didn’t contact me because I said I didn't want kids. I could have lost her before I ever knew her. I would have never known. I want to be angry at Mara. But I can't because she is dead. I want to be mad at myself for being so stupid to say the things I said. But there is no point. I have one chance and I’m not going to pass it up. I don’t have any other kids and no hope of having more. Not that having more could replace Ailee. I’m going to give her my marrow and anything else she needs to beat this fucking cancer. I’m not missing any more of her life. And I’m starting with inviting her to the clubhouse. It is time for her to see my world and let her meet her other family. Maybe I can get her to open up to me.

  I decided our weekly church is where I would fill everyone in on what was going on. Get everything out in the open in one shot.At least some of it. That is where I'm sitting now waiting for club business to wrap up. I have been in gun fights, brawls and I have  even killed. But this. This makes me nervous. What if they don’t accept Ailee? What if she doesn’t accept us? Or even more important, what if she doesn accept me?

" Any new business?" our prez and a man I consider my nephew Viper asks. " Yea prez. It is personal. I don't want it to leave this room until I'm ready." I say. All eyes turn to me. I wait for them to nod in agreement. I know they are confused. I never spoke of anything personal except with Viper and that was mainly about his father Raider who had been my best friend and co-founder of the club. 

When I get their nod I clear my throat and continue. " Two weeks ago I got a visit from a young lady." I nod to Brick and he pulls a picture of Ailee on the big screen. I don't know where he got it but it shows her with her bodyguard and driver smiling making her gray eyes sparkle. Ailee is dressed in an emerald green ball gown and the guys are dressed in tuxes but you can still see their gun holsters. The caption on the photo says “ Rare photo of O’Sullivan Heiress.” I hear one of the boys whistle and I have to hold back a growl. " Who is she?" Viper asks. " Her name is Ailee. And the guy on her left is her bodyguard Callen. The one on the right is her driver Finn. Ailee never goes anywhere without them." I tell my brothers " Ace, I'm not understanding,why are you telling us this?" Tank asks. 

" I'm telling you this because I want to invite her to the barbeque we have coming up." " I'm getting that there is more to this because you have never needed permission to invite someone." Viper says. " There's more. Her full name is Ailee Ripley- O'Sullivan.And I don't want any trouble with her being here." Rowdy sucks in a breath " O'Sullivan. As in the Irish crime family! Why would you want to bring that into the club!" he shouts.

" Calm you shit boy!" I yell. " Yes, Ailee is the princess and heir. But the reason she is here has nothing to do with the mob. She is here for me. Nothing more." " Brother why you?" Axel asks. " It is personal and I don’t want to get into it right now." I say. I look at my brothers and I can see I need to say more. I run my hand over my face. “ Ailee is my daughter.” You could have heard a pin drop with the silence. " Ace ? I don't know where to start with the questions." Viper says. I knew this was going to happen and had prepared to get it. I am going to give them as much as I know. I have nothing to hide. 

" When Ailee came to see me she told me she is my daughter. I confirmed it last week with a Dna  test, not that I needed it. One look in her eyes told me." " After all these years, why now?What does she want? Money?" Axel asks. I glare at him “ She is next in line of the largest crime family in the world. She doesn’t need my money. And she signed away every right to anything I have.  When I met Ailee's mother Mara I wasn't ready to settle down and I sure as fuck didn't want kids. And Mara knew that. She didn't have any expectations from me. It was a fling. Raider and I just got the club going. I was young, wanting to get as much pussy as I could." I run my hand through my hair. 

" Ace man, we aren't judging you. We have all been there man." Thor says. " But you want to know what Ailee is after. I get it. What I am about to say has been verified and is all legit. Ailee is dying. She is fighting cancer for the second time. She tracked me down to be a bone marrow donor to save her life. Anything beyond that she left up to me." 

" I don't understand. Anything beyond donating." Lug Nut asks. " When Ailee came to me she had everything drawn up like a business deal. She told me if I wished not to know her she would respect my wishes. She forfeited any right to money or anything I own. She has arranged for the donation to be done with no interaction with her. Even offered to pay me fifty thousand for the time it takes for me to recover from donating. As well as money for the donation itself." 

Viper leans forward and looks at me " Wow. What are you going to do? How are you doing with all this?" " Truth. When I first found out that I had a dying daughter that I didn't know about. I drank myself stupid for a few days. Then I sobered up and had Ryans help me do a Dna test and check to see if I'm a match to donate. When the results came back yes to both I decided then in there I was saving my girl and getting to know her. Raider didn't get this chance with Merigold. I'm not wasting my chance." 

" What do you need from us?" Brick asked. " I want her to come to the party. I want her to meet my family. I want her to meet Merigold, Lilly, Gretchen and Kelley. I want her to feel welcome here. Because whether she accepts it or not Ailee is a club princess as well. I want to show her this world. My world. I need you to get everyone ready for her. But the big thing is Ailee has to have her muscle with her." I answer. " You think she would be in danger from us?" Axel asks. 

" No. Ailee needs to have them with her for two reasons. Her comfort. I'm asking her to come into an MC she knows nothing about. She has no reason to trust us. We have to earn that trust . I have to earn it. And the guard and driver have been with her since she was thirteen when she battled cancer the first time. They have extensive medical training able to handle anything that could come up. I do want Ryans here just in case." I say. I want to have an ambulance in the yard on standby but don't say it.” And I want all of this kept quiet for now.” I said. I don’t want any of this getting out yet. I want to ease Ailee into this before I announce who she is. I look around the table as my brothers nod.

 Viper says " Church over. Let's get ready to meet the newest member of our family.” Everyone leaves and I walk over to Viper. I pull him into a hug “ Thank you,son.” Viper pulls back “ You don’t thank me for taking care of our family. Just don’t waste this time Ace. You got something dad didn’t. Use it wisely.” 

Ailee 

Mr. Ripley called me a few days ago to invite me to a barbeque at the club house. He said he wanted to talk to me about the transplant. But he also wanted me to see his world. I'm not sure why I agreed but I did. Maybe this will get me closer to getting him to agree to help me.

So here we are pulling up to the compound again. I still feel like I've stepped into another world. There are considerably more people than the last time I was here. Callen helps me out of the car and I hear rock music playing through speakers I can't see. A wonderful smell of grilled meat floating through the air makes my mouth water. We have a small detail with us today. Just two additional guards. They go up the ramp first but stand on either side to make room.  Finn and Callen escort me to the front door. There is a large man with a familiar prospect jacket sitting on a stool next to the door with a woman in a bikini draped across his lap. At least I hope it is a bikini. Around here I wouldn't be surprised if she was in her underwear. We all look at her in disgust. This is the people they have out here to greet guests. How deplorable.

" This is a private party. We don't let your types in here. You need to get back where you belong." he grunts looking us up and down and snears. Does he actually think he is intimidating? What a joke. This is the kind of disrespectful men my da surrounds himself with. What a pity.The woman giggles like he said the funniest thing. " You heard the man. Git." And makes a shooting motion with her hands. Callen and Finn stifle a laugh under their breath. 

" Aye you fecking ogre. Watch what you say." I say. The woman slides off his lap so he can stand. " I told you to leave. Now I'm going to make you leave." he says. As soon as he takes a step toward me, Finn and Callen have their hands on their guns as well as my gaurds ready to pull when I give the word. Just as one of my guards pulls his assault rifle Ace walks out the door followed by a few others. Ace looks at my tense stance then asks the man " Got a problem prospect?" " No boss. Just telling the bitch and her goons to get lost. We don't want her kind here." How crude. And the guy looks so pleased with himself. Ace looks at me as I remark " If this ogre and blow up doll are how you greet invited guests I'm surprised you have so many people here. And how he is alive for that matter." The doll edges toward my arm to close for my comfort and puffs out what I believe is fake tits and whines " You can't talk to us like that." 

I don't even think I draw my elbow back and catch her with a clean shot just below her ribs. Enough to knock the wind out of her and shut her up. " Hush cum Barbie the grown ups are talking." Some snickers from behind Ace and a woman's say " I like her already." I give Ace my full attention " My apologies Mr. Ripley. I don't tolerate being disrespected. She is lucky she can still talk. I have removed tongues for less." Ace shakes his head " No need to apologize. And this is not how we treat guests. Is it prospect?" " Boss I didn't know." He sputters " Bitch didn't." He doesn't get to say another word before Ace plows his fist into the guy's jaw. " Then allow me to introduce her. This is Ailee, a guest I personally invited." The look on the prospect and the girls faces tells me they know they fucked up. 

` 

Ace turns to me, his face shows his embarrassment " Can we start over? This is not the impression I wanted to make." He truly looks sorry. Meeting his club seems to be important to him. I look at Callen and Finn for their vote and the nod. " Yes, Mr. Ripley. That would be excpetable." " Good.Everyone back inside. Prospect your on door duty the rest of the night then clean up. When you're done, report to me. Trixie reports to Merigold." I'm not sure who this Merigold person is but judging from the fear I see in the girl's eyes I want to meet her. 

Ace escorts us inside the club house. It isn't what I was expecting for one thing; it is clean for one thing. There is a bar to one side, pool tables and card tables on the other. The double back doors open to a large grass cover courtyard where everyone has gathered.My security scatter themselves around the yard. I see two little boys come running full speed from through the back doors. " Uncle Ace, Uncle Ace." they yell before stopping in front of us. Ace bends down and picks one up and each arm " What are you two speed demons up to?" 

While Ace is holding them I can see they are an adorable set of identical twins about six maybe seven years old. The one on the right says " Uncle Viper says we should come and meet the new princess. Says we need to make good pression." The one on the left looks at me " You even look like Merida." I can't help but giggle that they are too cute. " Jace" Ace sets the one on the right down first. Then the next “Jax. This is Ailee. And her friends Callen and Finn." I squat down to their level and ofter my hand says " It is nice to meet you lads." 

Their eyes look like they are about to pop out of their heads. For a second I think I have done something wrong until Jax says " Woah, you even talk like her. That's so cool." I hear Callen and Finn chuckle. I believe the character they are talking about is actually Scottish but I dont have the heart to correct them. “ I see Viper sent in the big guns.” A man laughs from behind the boys. I stand up to see this new person and am greeted by two men actually and a woman roughly my age with a warm smile. One man and the woman are each carrying a little girl. Jax turns to the men `` Daddies come meet the princess.” Did I hear right, daddies? As in more than one. Ace chuckles at the boy's amusement.

“ Ailee I would like you to meet my niece Merigold.” Merigold hands the little girl to Ace before pulling me in for a hug. Unfortunately I wince when Merigold accidently pushes on my medicine port causing her to jump back and Callen to step forward. I whisper to Callen, `` I'm fine.” and he backs up. Merigold looks embarrassed. “ I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just so excited to meet you. Uncle Ace never has guests so I figure you are important to him.” This is when I detect a southern accent.'' I’m fine.” “ If you're sure.” she asks. “ No harm done.” I assure her. She smiles brightly “ Good. I'd like you to meet my husbands. The one with the little girl is Axel and the one standing by the boys is Rowdy. The little one Ace has is our Kassidy. And Axel is holding her sister Kadance. And I see you have met our boys.” 

Axel and Rowdy shake hands with me then Callen and Finn. I like that they are being included in the introductions. “ Momma Kadance wants to hug the princess too.” Jase says. I look over at Axel and sure enough the wee one is reaching for me. I’m not sure what to do. When she starts to whimper I can’t resist. “ It’s fine if it is alright with you.” Axel looks worried “ She can get grabby.” “ I’m sure,” I say. Merigold grabs Kadance from Axel “ For crying out loud let Kadance meet her.” I have to laugh as Merigold hands the toddler to me. She is just precious. She wraps her chubby little arms around my neck “ Oh what a sweet wee one you are.” Jace taps my side.” See, she likes you.” 

I smile down at him “ And I like her too lad.” Jax steps forward and looks somewhat offended “ What about us? We are likable.”  I squat down to get eye level with the boys. “ Aye, lads you are very likable. And I'm honored to meet you. Both of you. And I like you as well.” The boys smiled and turned to their ma “ See momma. The  princess says we are likable. I told you she would like us.” Jax says. Merigold laughs “ Yes boys you did. Now let Uncle Ace visit with his guest. You can visit with her again later.” The boys turn back to me “ Bye princess. We will see you later.” The run off to the back yard. I smile at their excitement. 

 I notice Kadance is getting sleepy so I hand her back to Axel and thank him for letting me hold her. Axel tells me not to worry about it. “ Ailee let’s have a seat at the bar and talk for a minute before you meet everyone else.” Ace says. “ Aye '' I say and we follow him to the bar. I sit in a stool with Callen and Finn on my left and Ace on my right. He introduces me to the bartender, another prospect and tells him to give us whatever we want. Finn and I settle for a bottle of water and Callen gets a beer. After a few minutes of silence I ask '' What did ye want to talk about Mr. Ripley.`` 

“ A couple of things actually. First, can we drop the Mr. Ripley shit. I know I haven’t earned the right to be called dad, father or anything along those lines, but how about we go with Ace.” I nod, “ I can do that.” He smiles “ Good. I’d like that. Second, I got the test results. I am a match for you and I’m going to give you the bone marrow.” I feel my eyes start to water and have to fight to keep the tears from falling. Fighting the lump in my throat I say “ Thank you Ace. You have no idea what this means to me and my family. I will forever be in your debt. I will make sure you are well compensated” “ Ailee I don’t want you to be in my debt. But I do ask that you let me get to know you. Get to know my side of your family. This.” Ace says waving his hand around the clubhouse “ is part of you too. When I met your mom I was young and full of myself. I wasn’t ready to settle down and have kids. I’m not upset that your mom kept you from me. She did the right thing at the time. But I have missed out on your life growing up but I don’t want to miss out on the rest of it. It is your choice. We will go at your pace. But I would like you to give me a chance.” 

He wants to know me. He wants me in his life. This is way more than I could have hoped for. I would have been happy with Ace just donating to me. But to have a chance to get the man that my mother spoke so highly about and had fond memories of. I never wanted for anything in my life but to have a chance at having a da. This is a chance I won’t pass up. “ I” I have to clear my throat to keep from choking up. “ I would very much like that Ace.” “ Good. Now how about we go outside and meet the rest of the crew.” 

We get outside the doors. I'm shocked by the amount of people. There has to be at least a hundred people. I see Jace and Jax running around. I see groups of women that are barely dressed. Large men with more leather than I have ever seen in my life. Then there is a group of women dressed in a conservative fashion like myself. There are picnic tables set up around the outer edges of the yard. Each is filled with chips, vegetable trays, fruit and an assortment of salads.As well as various other sorts of items that I can’t see from here. There are three grills going on the side of the doors close to the building loaded with burgers, hot dogs and ribs. This place is a lot bigger than I had originally thought. Just as we step off the steps a handsome man steps forward with a grim look on his face. “ This the little lady that Trixie is complaining about?”

I step forward. “ Aye that would be me. And I will not apologize for defending myself from her horrendous inflatable devices and despicable additude.” He doubled over laughing “ I like her, Ace. She is going to fit in well around here.” “ Ailee, Callen, Finn. Meet my nephew, Merigold’s brother and President of the club Viper.” Viper pulls me in for a hug. There are an affectionate group so far I’ll give them that. “ It’s good to have you.” “ Thank you for the warm welcome Viper.” “ I won’t take too much of your time. There are a bunch of people waiting for you. I just wanted to tell you that you and your boys here are always welcome here. You’re family. Think of this place as your second home.” Viper says. Addressing Finn and Callen “ Ailee is safe here. None of the brothers will let any harm come to her. Feel free to enjoy the party.” They guys shake hands and nod at each other in some unspoken agreement that I don’t understand. Must be some alpha guy thing. 

Next Ace introduced me to Thor and his old lady which Ace explained to me was similar to a wife but deeper meaning. You can be an old lady and not be married, vise versa or both. Then I met Brick and his old lady Kelly who everyone called Speed because she is a race car driver. I also met Speed’s very pregnant wife Gretchen and their daughter Alana. I’m not sure how that works but it is not for me to question. I do notice that this group is very accepting of various types of relationships. I met Tank who would have been a scary and intimidating man if not for the little boy asleep and drooling on his shoulder. Then his old lady Lilly whose nickname was Song bird. Merigold and her husbands came over to join us. That’s when I found out her nickname was Snow. Jax told me it was because she looked like the princess Snow White. I took a good look at her and could see the resemblance from the jet black hair to her almost milk white skin tone. From an outsider’s perspective these couples couldn’t be more opposite if they tried. But they seem to work. You can see the love in their eyes. It is very sweet to see.

The men are big, burrely six foot plus bad ass bikers.But when you pay attention to them. They are actually perfect for each other. The women are on the shorter side by at least a foot and curvy. Much like myself. But for each couple it worked. You could see just by watching that the men are completely devoted to their women. I found I was curious as to how each couple got together. 

Just as it was time for everyone to eat Callen and I had to excuse ourselves. We went inside to the bar so we were out of sight. I didn’t want anyone to see what I had to do. The prospect from before was there and was kind enough to get me a large glass of orange juice. Callen set the bag he carries with any medical supplies I might need at any given time in it on the bar. “ Which do you want to do first?” Callen asked while I sat down. I hold out my finger so he knows to check my blood sugar. We have a routine down from the last time I had cancer. Callen chuckles, “ Some things never change.” I look around then look out the doors “ And somethings change in unexpected ways.” I say. I hear the machine beep telling us the results are ready. “ A little low but the juice will help. Just make sure you eat when we go back out.” 

Callen gets the items he needs to check my port. I have only had it for three days and we have to watch for infection. Just as I pull my top back for Callen to check Ace walks in. So much for no one seeing. “ Ailee, are you ok?” I nod, “ Aye just somethings we have to take care of.” Callen looks at me then Ace. “ Ailee has certain things she must stick to a schedule for.” “ Callen!” I shout. He knows I don’t like many people knowing about these things. “ Ailee, if he is trying to be part of your life he needs to know it all. The good, bad and unpleasant.” I know he is right but I don’t like it. Callen tells Ace “ Your daughter is quite stubborn. She doesn’t like anyone knowing about this stuff. Even her grandfather. Even when she was little. She finds it embarrassing and a sign of weakness. If she could completely ignore the cancer she would. I thought she would have grown out of it but no.” 

“Ailee I know you don’t want to hear this from me. A man who is practically a stranger to you. But this looks like things I need to know. It is part of you, it's important.” Ace says. The poor man is trying so I relent. “ Fine,” I grumbled. Callen explains how the times never change but what has to be done sometimes does. Something may be added or stopped. He explains about my blood sugar. Then how to check my port. He even explains how to discreetly check my hands to see if I’m clammy or dehydrated. Then we move on to the medication portion of the evening. I'm being sarcastic just a little. 

But Callen and Ace pay me no mind. Honestly the way Ace is looking I’m waiting for him to pull out a piece of paper and start taking notes. Callen explains each pill and what it is for. Even shows Ace the pain pills that I rarely ever take. “ She never has liked pain pills. They make her groggy and make her legs feel weak. If she takes one you have to monitor her for a while.” I grab my juice and get ready for what comes next. Callen puts the pills I need in his hand and holds it out as he explains to Ace “ I figured a long time ago to just let her pick the ones she wants. She always saves the large ones for last. And always has to have large orange juice to take them.” 

Once I finished with my pills, Callen backs everything back in the bag and shows Ace what is in what Callen calls Ailee’s little black bag. “ Just before we go eat I think I should show you this.” Ace says leading down a hallway. He explains that most of the rooms are offices and the room is used for church or meetings. He tells us that upstairs are bedrooms for the brothers to stay in if they need to. When we get to the room at the end of the hall, Ace opens the door. “ This is our med room. I’m sure you know we can’t always go to the hospital. Or in Lilly’s case when she went into labor there wasn’t time to make it to the hospital. We have a doctor that has been with the club for years and has proven very trustworthy. His name is Ryans.” 

Ace turns to me and Callen “ Ailee I would like you to think about meeting our doctor. If something were to happen he can get here faster than your doctor could. And Callen I would like you to think about passing along the information you have. That way we can stock what you might need here and that way if anything happens while you are here Ryans is just a phone call away. And he will know how to help you if you need it.” It might not be a bad idea but I wasn’t going to let some random person have a look at my medical records. “ I’d like to meet this Ryans fellow before I give it any thought.” I tell Ace. “ I can respect that. He will be dropping by later to meet you. See what you think of him. If you're comfortable then you two can make the arrangements. Now let’s see if the brothers left us anything to eat.” I chuckle at that. 

After making ourselves a plate we find a table with Merigold and her family to sit and eat. Rowdy looks over my plate and frowns “ You sure that’s enough for you Ailee? You can have all you want.” I know it doesn’t look like much. I got what I could so I didn’t offend anyone. I try to keep my face neutral but this just shows just another way me being sick limits me. All the food looked wonderful and I would have loved to have some of it but I can’t. “ I’m fine but thank you for the offer. I may go back. I just wanted to try a few things first.” I normally don’t have to explain these things but when I do it I usually just say I’m not very hungry.

Rowdy clears his throat and stands, “ I’m going to get the boys some dessert while I remove my foot from my mouth.” Jace looks at Rowdy “ But daddy I didn’t see you put your foot in your mouth. Do it again so I can see.” And just like that Jace’s innocence breaks the tension and has us laughing. I hadn’t realized Merigold had moved next to until she tapped me on my shoulder. She places her hands in hers and looks me in the eyes “ I get it. I know you have got to be overwhelmed by all this. It’s not everyday you meet a whole new family that is completely different from what you are used to.” How did she? Merigold continues “ I can see the wheels turning in your head. You are wondering if you should bolt.” 

I’m so caught off guard by what she just said I don’t know what to say. Merigold smiles, “ I know the feeling. Believe it or not I was in similar shoes not too long ago. But I stuck it out and gave it a chance. And you know what. I’m glad I did. I have a great life here that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Let me tell you my story.” And she did. She told me that after years of looking, Viper finally found her honoring their father’s dying wish. Unfortunately it was too late for Merigold to meet her father. But she packed her bags and her boys, leaving the only life she had ever known to come meet her brother. She learned about the club with the help of Axel, Rowdy, Anne and Trina. 

She explained that she had to adjust to being considered club royalty and being treated like a princess. Just like I will be treated since I’m the daughter of one of the co-founders. She even told me about her rocky start to her relationship with Rowdy and Axel. “ Just give us a chance. I’ll help guide you through. Us princesses have to stick together.” We spent the rest of dinner with me getting a crash course in what amounts to MC politics. I learned all the positions and how everyone has a place and duty, even the club bunnies. I even learned about the various businesses the club owns. In a lot of ways it wasn’t much different than my world. With the exception of the club bunnies. That is not something we have nore do I want in my family. 

I learned that Merigold had taken it upon herself to keep the bunnies in line and make sure they knew their place by asserting herself as what I would consider an alpha female. Some of the stories she told me had me laughing more than I had in a long time. And I quickly learned Merigold is quite the badass. And I have grown fond of her already. I can see myself being friends with her. She makes me feel like she really wants me to be part of the family. And the fact that she isn’t afraid of me is a big plus. She is talking to me as a person not as part of the O’ Sullivan family.