I managed a laugh. “Well, you’re in one now, and I’ve never known you to take the easy way out of anything.”
Georgie looked up at me, and for a moment, she looked exactly like Bronagh.
“I thought ye’ said that I couldn’t have a boyfriend anymore.”
I stared at her, and I knew if I made her break up with this boy, it would push her away from me. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, and while she was still a minor, she had to have some independence and experience life.
“Listen to me, and listen carefully. You can continue to date him, but the relationship is not, in any shape or form, to become intimate until you’re an adult. That means eighteen years old at the very least. There is more to a relationship than sex. Not everything that is special has to become physical.”
Georgie’s green eyes widened as she jumped up and flung herself at me.
“Oh, thank you, Da!”
I caught her and hugged her tightly. When we separated and she was stood in front of me, my damn heart broke in two. She was gorgeous. The purest beauty I had ever seen. She was the spitting image of Bronagh just with my smile and dimples. She was a young woman, and I hated it.
“This is hard for me,” I said, my voice rough. “You know that, right?”
“I know, Da, but I promise ye’ that I haven’t even kissed Indie yet, and I won’t be doin’ anythin’ like what you’re scared of until I’m a lot older. I swear.”
She said that now, but wait until she was in a situation with this little Collins fucker that made her want to try the things she swore not to do. I knew I would be the last damn thing on her mind when this little punk had her attention.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll think very hard about decisions when it comes to kissing and everything that follows. Consider every single aspect of it, okay? And number one, do not be afraid to say no. Respect yourself, and do not give any boy the time of day if he doesn’t give you the same level of respect. Do you understand me, Georgie Slater?”
“Yes, Da, I do.”
I nodded. “I want to meet him.”
Georgie smile vanished, and her already fair skin paled. “Ye’ already met ‘im loads of times.”
“I never knew he was your boyfriend then, though.”
She swallowed. “Ye’ won’t scare ‘im, right? Because he is already wary of Jax, and he hasn’t even tried to scare him off yet ... except for when Jax punched ‘im yesterday. Indie text me earlier that when he was over at Jax’s house with Locke, Jax just stared at ‘im without blinkin’. It was enough to freak Indie out, and they’re cousins. And I know Beau, Enzo, and Alby are goin’ to lay it on thick with ‘im now, too.”
I fucking loved my sons and nephews.
“I won’t scare him, but I won’t be his friend either.” I said firmly. “I want him to know that you’re my life, and if he ever hurt you in any way, I’d end his. That’s all.”
“Da!”
I shrugged. “I’m just telling you the truth.”
Georgie sat back down and sighed. “Okay, I guess that’s fair.”
“Tell him to come by tomorrow afternoon. I want to be sad tonight that you’re growing up. I’ll get over it by then and enter a new stage of parenting that requires me to scare your boyfriends into submission.”
“Daaa,” she said with a shake of her head but with a smile on her face. “I love ye’ so much.”
“I love you too, but remember what I said earlier. You’re grounded for your outburst this morning and for what you said to Jax. No electronics for a week, and you’re to pick up extra chores around the house.”
Georgie nodded, accepting her punishment. “Okay, Da.”
She hugged and kissed me once more before she said, “I’m goin’ to go up to me room and text Indie about tomorrow, then I’ll put all of me stuff on your and Ma’s bed so ye’ can lock it away in your safe. I’ll walk over to Jax’s then.”
I watched her leave the room, and I felt damn proud of her for accepting the situation in front of her with her head held high. I picked up my glass, drained its contents, then closed my eyes.
“What are you thinkin’ of, big man?”
I opened my eyes, watching as Bronagh silently entered the room and walked towards me. Her hips seemed to sway in slow motion, and my mouth all but watered. When she sat her ass down on my crotch and snuggled against me, my arms automatically encased her and held her body to mine. I loved the feel of her, the smell of her hair. I loved her.
“I was just thinking about when I was a kid, then about how I met you and our life together so far.”
She smiled. “We’ve had a great twenty years, right?”
“And the best years are yet to come.”
She ran her fingers through my hair. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I love you, that’s what on my mind.”
She sat up straight and looked at me with admiration and love in those big green eyes of hers.
“I love ye’ too, fuckface.”
I snorted. “You better, fat ass.”
Bronagh grinned. “How are ye’ holdin’ up after everythin’ with Georgie?”
“I’ve considered whether or not you and the kids could survive without me if I went to jail.”
“And what conclusion did ye’ come to?”
“That’d you guys would miss me too much.”
“We would.” Bronagh nodded. “I’d prefer if ye’ stayed home with us. If ye’ don’t mind benchin’ prison, that is.”
Smartass.
I sighed. “If I have to.”
She smiled, and my heart thudded against my chest.
“You’re so beautiful, Bronagh.”
Her cheeks flamed, and it drew a chuckle from me.
“After all this time, you still blush when I sweet-talk you.”
“Hush up.”
I smiled, tugged her head to mine, and kissed her until her body melted against me.
“Hmmmm.” She hummed against my lips. “I’ll never get tired of your kisses.”
“Good,” I said, relaxing. “‘Cause I plan on giving you kisses for a very long time.”
My wife smiled. “I know our girl hurt ye’ today. She hurt me too.”
I rested my forehead against hers.
“I’m terrified of her growing up, Bronagh. I’m not ready for it to happen yet.”
“I know, love. It’s snuck up on us. Yesterday, she was a baby, and today, she is a young woman.”
I squeezed her body. “This is fucking shit.”
Bronagh laughed. “Think of it, though, we get to watch her grow into a woman. We get to see her start a career for herself, fall in love, get married, and have babies of her own. We raised good kids, Dominic. She’s gonna do us proud. I know she is.”
I nodded and closed my eyes. “She’s my only daughter, and I just ... I just want ... I want her to be the best she can be. I want her to make mistakes, but I want to her take responsibility for them, like she did tonight. She’s perfect to me, Bronagh. She’s an extension of you. All my babies are an extension of you.”
Bronagh brushed her fingers over my lips. “They’re all extensions of you, too. Our boys look just like you and your brothers. Georgie has your smile and your strength.”
My chest warmed.
“D’ye feel better after speakin’ to ‘er?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “But I’m still scared because she says she won’t do anything grown-up until she is older, but we both know that can be bullshit. What was I doing to you when I was eighteen and you were seventeen?” I asked with a frustrated shake of my head. “I didn’t just kiss you in that hospital room when you sprained your hand. My fingers got very intimate with you, if I remember it correctly.”