After a few minutes of chatting about what Ian and Jimmy have been up to overseas, they bid goodbye.
“Let me run inside and get the dessert,” Ronnie said, practically bouncing out of her seat. There was a rare giddiness to her. “I made strawberry shortcake.”
As she ran inside, Jagger and JP started ragging on each other about who knew what.
Keith grabbed her hand and gave a squeeze. She turned to face him.
“You’ll tell me more about this tonight?” He asked as he tucked her hair behind her ear. She leaned into the touch as she admired his handsome face. The first face she saw each morning and the last one she saw each night.
“Of course.”
“Naked?”
Resisting a snort, the let out an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose if that’s what you require.”
“Oh, it’s what I require,” he said, wagging his eyebrows as he leaned in for a kiss.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his mouth.
He tilted his head. “For what?”
The list was endless, but she smiled and said, “For my life. I love it. And I love you.”
“Baby, I’m the one who should be thanking you. I had no life until you blew out that tire.”
The kissed until JP groaned. “Seriously, you guys are like watching a lifetime movie. It’s disgusting. I think we would all prefer it if you moved onto porn.”
“Um, excuse me?”
All heads whipped in the direction of the unfamiliar voice. Standing near the gate from the front yard was a woman probably in her mid to upper twenties. She had a mop of curly jet-black hair that fell down her back. Chewing on her lower lip, she wrung her hands at her waist.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I’m looking for someone named John Paul.”
JP sprung from his chair with a shit-eating grin. “Well, gorgeous, that would be me. What can I do for you? Do you need directions? Maybe to my bedroom?”
Jagger groaned. “Maybe try not to be arrested for harassment before you know what she really wants.”
JP laughed. “I’m just fucking with you.” He walked around the table and started toward the woman who now looked seconds from bolting.
She took a few steps to the side and grabbed a stroller which none of them had seemed to notice when she first spoke.
“Um, this is—”
Mickie gasped and Keith squeezed her hand so hard, the bones crunched.
“Whoa,” JP said with humor in his voice. “Maybe someone else should help you out, here. I’m allergic to anything baby. Jag?”
Jagger rose to his feet with a solemn look on his face. “JP, I think she’s trying to tell you something important.”
“Oh, okay. Sorry, what’s up?” He turned back to the woman who now chewed her bottom lip.
She cleared her throat. “This is your daughter. Her name is Kayla.”
“Oh, my God,” Mickie whispered. She turned to look at Keith, who wore a stunned expression.
JP laughed. “Okay, guys, very funny.” He turned toward where they all sat at the table. “You got me. Who is this, Mickie, a friend of yours?”
Words wouldn’t come so Mickie just shook her head.
“I’m serious,” the woman said so low she could barely be heard. “She’s your daughter. Her mother, Mary Anne met you at a concert about a year and a half ago. She was my best friend.”
“Was?” JP croaked. His voice didn’t sound like him at all.
“Sh-she’s no longer living,” the woman said as she swiped at a tear. “There’s a letter for you in the diaper bag.”
“I’m sorry,” JP said, shaking his head as he started to back away. “This can’t be right. I can’t…I’ve never even held…” He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture that broke Mickie’s heart.
She stood. “We’ll help you, JP. We’re all here to help you with your daughter.”
“Holy shit!” A loud clatter followed the expletive. Everyone turned to see Ronnie standing at halfway between the French doors and the outdoor table. She’d dropped the plate with the strawberry shortcake, shattering it. “JP has a kid?”
Mickie met Keith’s gaze again. He’d be going into full big brother mode for sure, wanting to protect everyone.
“Hey,” she whispered. “We’ll get him through it.”
He nodded and mouthed, “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
And they would get JP through it. She was part of the family now and as long as they stuck together, they’d get through anything.