B - stard (Royal Bastards MC) - Sapphire Knight Page 0,72

Alice makes her way in to join us. She approaches my mother with a warm smile, her shoulders back with her confident stride. This isn’t my sweet, na?ve woman that I brough back to the club with me. This is the senator’s daughter. She’s in her zone, and being good with people, I don’t know why I expected anything less from her. Was I thinking she’d shuffle in and hide behind me? That’s not the type of woman I’d ever claim. My ol’ lady is a strong bitch.

My woman meets my gaze. “Jenkins sent a text. Baker’s coming home today.” As much as it pisses me off that her father had his guy send the text to her, I rub the feeling off. It’s a day to celebrate if our brother is getting out of lockup. It means Alice’s father came through on his end of the bargain.

The brothers around us cheer, knowing what the news means as well, and I flash a grin. I don’t respond past that, as it’s club business. We’ll figure out the details after my mom leaves, and we have a chance to tell the others. We’ll need to decide if the entire club will ride out to meet him, or if it should only be a few of us.

My coffee’s momentarily forgotten as I step around the bar to Alice. “Ma,” I begin, holding my hand out to my woman. She places her palm in mine, and I gesture to her. “This is my ol’ lady, Gem.” I look to my woman, leaning in for a chaste kiss. After I place my peck on her lips, openly stating our relationship to my mother, I say, “Babe, this is my mom. Everybody calls her Ma.”

Gem holds her right hand out, expecting to shake my mom’s. We’re all surprised when Ma jumps off her stool and practically tackles my ol’ lady in a hug. I know Ma is a good woman. She’s always been welcoming to my brothers. However, I never knew what to expect when it came to me finally taking on an ol’ lady.

Gem wraps her free hand around Ma, flashing me a shocked smile as my mom holds her tightly. They draw back from each other, my woman’s eyes wide as Ma comes away with tears cresting. She places a wrinkled palm to Alice’s cheek, as we all watch with rapt fascination.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Ripper told me how you stop by often, and I’m so happy you came today.”

Ma’s watery hazel gaze meets mine for a beat before landing back on Alice. “His ol’ lady,” she whispers in awe.

“I-I know this must have taken you off guard,” Gem stammers, not knowing how to react to the attention.

Ma offers her a tender smile. “Shh, baby. I’m just so happy for my boy. I’ve been praying for the day he’d meet the right woman.” She drops her hand away, pulling my girl in for another hug and says, “Welcome to the family, Gem.” Then she’s reaching for me next, whispering how proud she is of me and how happy she is for us finding each other. Never in a million years did I think I could ever feel this much love inside my clubhouse. Sure, the brothers have a rough sort of love for each other, but coming from my ol’ lady and my mom, together, in one room…it’s overwhelming.

Ma releases us, quickly swiping away her tears. She snatches up Gem’s hand. “You boys have more donuts, I want to visit with my daughter-in-law.” She tugs her over to the table, calling out for us to bring them some coffee. Gem offers me a shocked smile, happiness radiating from her. She’s so beautiful in my club, surrounded by my people.

The brothers and I silently gape at each other. We’re not used to not being the center of Ma’s attention. And she’s already calling her a daughter-in-law. I can’t help but shake my head. Obviously, Ma’s made up her mind that not only will Alice wear my patch, but also my ring. Not that I mind in the slightest, but we’ll get to that when we’re both ready.

“Looks like she’s got a new favorite,” Whiskey mutters, and I can’t be upset about it in the slightest.

My mother’s the best woman I know, aside from my woman. If there’s anyone who can show Gem the ropes of being an ol’ lady and offer her the shoulder she may need in this life, it’s Ma. My ol’ lady couldn’t be in better hands, and that’s a damn good feeling. Alice may have lost the constant contact and unhealthy control from her father, but she’s gained the support of my family. Unlike her father, my mom will love and protect her like her own. I was skeptical before, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind anymore.

Gem is mine, and I’m hers. I’m a selfish bastard, so I’ll never give her up. The Royal Bastards have their first ol’ lady, and she’s a fucking queen.

The End!