CHAPTER 12

Tilly

We never spoke about that night. And I, for one, was happy to let it go by without ever knowing the ins and outs of what had happened. It had been all over the news that a cult had been disbanded after an anonymous tip; there was a huge outcry that this could have happened in our country. Several women and children were rescued. All I could hope was that they got the help they needed.

As for our little family, we lived, and we lived well. We knew all too well how short life was and the atrocities that could happen. I was happy to say the girls thrived in their new lives and became more and more confident in themselves as the months passed.

Adam and I got married in a quiet ceremony, just our immediate family, and then met Adam’s crew and the Crow MC at The Lounge. Johnny had closed it just for us to have our reception in. It was perfect, exactly what I wanted. I didn’t need a big wedding; I just wanted all our loved ones there when we exchanged vows.

Not only did the girls and I have more family than we’d ever dreamed of, but I’d also made wonderful friends in the Old Ladies of the MC. Plus, I had the best sister-in-law in Maya that anyone could wish for.

Once everything had settled down, I’d sold my house and taken a third of the money and split it between the girls into trusts so that when the time came for them to buy their own houses, they’d have the deposit already. The rest of the money I kept and would do the same for any children Adam and I had.

Which, if the scan that I was holding had the correct dates, would be in the next six months or so. It had taken me ages to realise I was pregnant; it was only when I’d gone to stock up on sanitary goods for Ally that I realised that I hadn’t actually bought any for myself for months. I’d bought a pregnancy test, and once it was confirmed, I spoke to Rea as I had no clue how far along I was. With everything that had happened, my dates were completely out of whack.

She’d arranged for a private scan for me and had been with me when I’d nearly passed out when not one but two heartbeats had shown. Rea had laughed her arse off, saying she was glad she only ever had one at a time, unlike Avy and now me.

Once I’d gotten over my shock, I knew that I had to have Adam with me, so I booked another one for a week’s time. Tonight, the girls and I planned to tell him before we told the rest of the family.

Both Ally and Jeanie had been thrilled to find out they were going to be big sisters again. They loved spending time with Jackson and Emy. They’d been excited to get into the whole surprise for Adam and then the family with the news.

I’d had T-shirts made; the girls had the obligatory ‘Big Sister One’ and ‘Big Sister Two’, but on mine, I’d had the words ‘Carrying the next O’Shea Crew’ with the O’Shea Security business logo.

Picking up my phone, I call Adam. “ Mo chroí, what do you need?” his voice rumbles in my ear, making me clench my thighs. I’d thought my need for him would have started waning, but it just seems to grow stronger the longer we’re together. “ Mo chroí? Are you okay?”

Clearing my throat, “I’m fine,” I assure him huskily. “Can you come home earlier today? The girls and I have something to show you.”

“I can come home now,” he tells me, and I can hear him pushing his office chair back. Laughing softly, I tell him, “No need to rush, my love, we just need you here before supper with the rest of the family.”

“I’ll leave now,” Adam says, and I can hear him shutting the office door and the alarm being set.

“Okay, my love, drive safe and we’ll see you soon. Love you.”

Ending the call, I turn to the girls who are waiting. Grinning at them, I shoo them to their rooms, “Go get your shirts on, girls, he’s on his way.”

Squealing with excited laughter, they hurry to their bedrooms. Taking my blouse off, I pull my T-shirt over my head, shaking my head in disbelief at how I somehow missed being pregnant. Now that I know, I can see all the signs were there: my breasts were larger, and there was a roundness to my belly. It would also explain my tiredness. I’d put everything down to the stress of Troy. Not that I cared. I was thrilled to be pregnant, and I had a feeling that Adam would be too.

I’m sure he must have broken all the speed limits to get home because it didn’t seem five minutes before he was walking through the door. His gaze found mine as soon as he walked in and didn’t leave it as he dropped his keys in the basket on the small sideboard and walked towards me with purpose. ‘Oh, my lord, the man was so sexy when he walked towards me with the intent to ravish me clear in his eyes.’

“Mmh, hello, mo ghrá, I missed you this afternoon,” Adam rumbled against my lips, his arms surrounding me as he backed me up against the kitchen island, his lips warm on mine as he pressed soft kisses to my mouth until I opened for him, wrapping my arms around his neck as his fingers threaded through my hair.

“You’re home!” Jeanie shouted and barrelled into us, followed by Ally. This wasn’t an unusual homecoming for him, so it wouldn’t surprise him that they greeted him this way. It’s how they greeted him every night when he got home.

“There’s my girls,” Adam smiled, kissing both of their heads before looking at me.

“So, why am I home so early?”

“The girls and I have something to tell you.”

He frowned, looking concerned. Letting his arms drop from around us, he stepped back, “Okay, what’s wrong and who do I have to kill?”

Snorting out laughter, I shake my head at him, “You don’t have to kill anyone. This is good news. At least we think it is.”

Ally and Jeanie nod in agreement. “It’s good news,” Ally assures him.

“Girls, go stand over there so that your dad can read your shirts.”

Obediently, the girls stand back. Adam reads their shirts, shock on his face. Turning me towards him, Adam’s eyes roam over my face. Seeing my wide smile, his whole body relaxes, and he smiles wide at me, dropping to his knees in front of me causing tears to well in my eyes. “Really?” he asks, big hands cupping my slight belly. “Really,” I assure him, wiping at the tear that runs down my cheek.

Wrapping his arms around me, he presses a kiss to my stomach, tilting his head up to look at me, “Thank you, not only have I got my girls, but you’re giving me more.”

Standing, he holds his hands out to Allie and Jeanie, who immediately move towards us, snaking their arms around our waists as Adam pulls us all into him, pressing kisses to our heads. “I love my girls,” he whispers to us. “Maybe I’ll be lucky and get another one.”

Throwing my head back, I laugh a trifle hysterically, “Yeah, um, about that, it’s twins.”

“What!” Adam exclaims in surprise. It’s the first the girls have heard about it being twins, and they squeal happily shouting, “Twins!”

“ Stór mo chroí, you have made me so happy. I didn’t know what I was missing until you and the girls came into my life.”

“Oh, Adam,” I mutter tearfully, burying my face in his chest. I know we have to go to the main house, but for now, it’s nice just being the four of us in our home.