Family BBQ Part 2
1354 Words
Hades pov
What did Mia mean: 'I have the same as Aspen?' When I looked at Lilly she stood shocked, and I raised an eyebrow at her. I don't think I have ever seen Lilly shocked, but the question is, is she shocked that Mia willingly sat on my lap? Or because she touched my face? Or is it because she said what she did about Aspen? Thinking about it, I think it's all three.
"I'll be back with drinks and food for Mia," Lilly says before turning and walking away, mumbling to herself. Looking back at Mia, I realize she is still looking at me and running her fingers over my scar. I thought it would be weird having someone touch it and no one but me ever has, but the gentle way Mia does it is soothing and not uncomfortable at all. Noticing everything had gone quiet, I glanced around and realized everyone was looking over at Mia and me. Catching Blades' eye, he gives me a slight nod and I know he understands that he needs to get everyone doing what they were doing before Mia realizes and gets uncomfortable. Within a minute, talking, laughing, drinking and kids playing fill the back of the clubhouse and Mia has cuddled into my chest and my arm is loosely wrapped around her.
"I'll take her back now so she can eat, and you can drink," Lilly says as she and Rage come over and sit down.
"Mia, is fine where she is, she can eat sitting on my lap. Where is Aspen?" I say.
"Are you sure?" Lilly asks, looking between Mia and me.
"Yeah, if and when Mia wants to go to you or get down, she only has to say," I replied to Lilly, but making it clear to Mia she can move anytime she wants.
"Are you OK sitting with Uncle Hades, Mia" Lilly asks and Mia gives a slight nod of her head and takes her food from Lilly.
"So where is Aspen?" I ask as I have jet to see her.
"Getting a shower and changed, the twins decided to fight over her mac and cheese and Aspen ended up covered in it," Rage said.
"So your woman?" Lilly says as Mia snuggles more into my chest. She finished eating, but I noticed she didn't eat much. I was hoping she would have forgotten what Rage had said.
"No idea what you're talking about" I say and Rage snorts.
"Aspen, this little angel's mum" Lilly says, stroking Mia's hand and I hear her deep breathing, she has fallen asleep.
"Lilly" I say, but she cuts me off.
"No, don't talk, just listen" she says.
"I'll let the two of you talk" Rage says as he stands up.
"Sit down Rage, I may need your help" Lilly says, and he sits right back down.
"You and all your brothers have raised me all my life. You are my dad, Hades. I may not have said it before, but you are. Mia and I started our lives the same way without our biological dads, and you stepped in for me," she says, taking a breath.
"This little girl deserves the world and so does Aspen. They have been through so much and thrust me they do not trust easily. I see the way you watch Aspen, how you always look out for her and, in the beginning, I'll be honest, I didn't like it," she adds.
"Lilly nothing is going on between us and nothing ever will," I say.
"Never say never," Rage says.
"Rage shut up" I grumble.
"You are my daughter, Lilly, and you have been since the day you came here," I say.
"I know. Now stop talking and let me finish what I have to say before Aspen comes outside. Over time, I have watched you both fighting whatever is between you. You might not see it but we all do. Aspen went through a lot when Mia was born, but that is her story to tell and when you decide to claim her, I have a feeling she will not make it easy but do not give up on her. You have my blessing, but please dad do not hurt her," Lilly says, calling me dad for the first time in 19 years.
"Lilly" I say, but the rest of my words get stuck in my throat.
"It's ok we will get back to me calling you dad another time" She replies.
"I don't know what you think is between Aspen and me, but you are wrong. There is nothing and never will be anything between us," I say.
"Well, that is a shame," she says.
"Bullshit more like. You want that woman and, from what I've seen, she has a thing for you, so stop being stubborn and let things happen," Rage says.
"You think she won't want you because of your scar? Well, Aspen doesn't give a s**t about things like that. In fact, she finds scars and tattoos on a man 'sexy as f**k' her words not mine. If it's the age gap, just look at Knives and his old lady. There are 15 years between them, and they are both the happiest I have ever seen. If it's this lifestyle and the things you do, trust me Aspen will be the first person standing by your side when s**t goes bad," Lilly says. It's not because of the things Lilly has said that I'm not going after her. It's something totally different.
"Hades, it's time. You have been brooding and holding yourself back from her since she came to town. A woman like her is once in a lifetime. She fits in with the MC perfectly, everyone loves her like a sister. The kids call her Aunty and love when she comes round. The only person stopping you from having what you really want is you" Rage says as Mia snuggles more into my chest.
"Look, I hear what you are saying, but I'm sorry it can't ever happen. The man I am is not the man for her or Mia" I say, slowly standing with Mia in my arms. I need to get away from this conversation before I say something Lilly doesn't want to hear.
"I'm going to put Mia down in my room to sleep. I'll keep an eye on her until she wakes up, then I'll bring her back down and let Aspen know so she doesn't worry," I say.
"If it's because you're a Dom you don't have to worry about that either. Trust me dad, please Aspen is perfect for you in EVERY way, just as you are for her and Mia. Claim them both and be happy you have lived your life for me and the club, and now it's time to live it for yourself. You can have your woman and Mia, plus kids of your own, and still have me and the club," Lilly says.
"You can have it all Prez with your woman by your side. All you have to do is take it," Rage says.
"Yeah? Let's say I 'take it' and it's too much for her and she wants to walk away. What do I do then? Because once I've f****d her, she is mine, and I will never let her go ever," I grit out, trying not to wake Mia.
"Then f**k her, claim her and Mia and make her your old lady. I know Aspen better than anyone and, yeah, she will be stubborn and try and fight it, but in the end you will both get what you want, each other and a family. Be Mia's dad and be Aspen's man, husband, old man and her f*****g Dom, because trust me she is going to need you and this club," Lilly says, walking off.
"Do what needs to be done Prez" Rage says following Lilly. What the f**k did she mean when she said Aspen would need me and the club?
"Let’s get you comfortable, princess" I whispered to Mia as I walked into the clubhouse.
- Writer
