Mason

He stood in the open garage door and watched as the car swung into his driveway. Squinting through the glare of sunshine, he made out the form of his sister in the front passenger seat, Fury driving, his red beard the most visible thing inside the car. The door leading into the house opened behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see Chase walking towards him. For a moment Mason was struck by how mature his boy looked these days, not the first time he’d had that thought. Not quite as tall as his daddy, still Chase had the thick, dark hair from the Mason side of his family, and a build that showed he spent time working out.

Good lookin’ kid, he thought, shaking his head. Late teens were a hard age, but Chase had pulled himself together over the past year and a half. Mason had talked about it with Jase, because the man seemed to have a sixth-sense when it came to kids. They’d decided it boiled down to Sosa being killed. Taking her out of the equation allowed Chase to explore being happy with Mason and Willa, without feeling guilty about that happiness.

The multiple slamming of car doors announced their visitors were on the move and he shifted to look outside again. Bethy walked his way, arm around a boy who towered over her by several inches, putting him nearly eye-to-eye with Mason. Fury had her hand in his, walking slightly to the side, but keeping that connection.

Nearly fucked up with that one. Mason had never been one to hold others accountable for his mistakes, and this was no different. Pike had been full of bullshit, and if Mason hadn’t been so thrown by the idea of little Bethy being with one of his members, he would have seen it. All the time he’d spent grooming Fury to take over from him, nearly thrown away in the space of a few hours.

Bethy laughed, neck twisting so she could look up at Fury who tipped his head to steal a kiss as they walked the last few feet to where Mason stood. She loves him. Mason knew what love looked like. He was blessed to see it in the face of his wife every day. He knew there was something else in their past, but if Bethy had buried it, as far as Mason was concerned, it could stay buried. Good enough.

Chase stopped next to him as Mason stuck out his hand towards the boy who had to be Michael, and wasn’t that a kick in the teeth. Bethy still felt guilty about never telling him or Watcher about the boy she’d birthed, even if her reasons were sound in her mind. Watcher would have been thrilled at his namesake, would have bent the world into a pretzel to get Bethy whatever she needed.

Michael gripped his hand, and Mason clamped down, jerking the boy towards him, Bethy making a tiny surprised sound as her arm slipped away. Then Mason had Michael in his arms, holding him close, talking fast into the boy’s ear, wanting to make an impression before he lost the upper hand. “Know you’re nervous, boy. Don’t be. We’re family here, every one of us, and we’ll bleed ourselves dry to get you whatever you need.” Mason gave a squeeze, and Michael made a sound that echoed Bethy, making Mason grin. “Proud as fuck to meet you, Mikey, I’m already thinkin’ you’re a little bit of all right.”

A wheeze, then near his ear, he heard Bethy’s son whisper, “You’re my Uncle Mason, right? Pleased to meet you, sir.”

He laughed, the loud sound echoing off the inside of the garage as he stepped back. “Pleased as fuck to meet you, Mikey.” Looping an arm around Chase’s shoulders, he pulled him forwards. “This is my boy, Chase. One of my boys. The other one ain’t much of a conversationalist yet, but Chase’ll talk your ear off.” Chase reached out and Michael shook his hand. “Bethy, come here, baby doll. Need a hug from you, too.” He released Chase and brought Bethy close, kissing the side of her head. “Fury.” He nodded at the man who had stayed back a few steps. “Good trip?”

“Good as it can be in a cage.” Fury grinned and Mason returned the expression. “You got beer?”

“Yeah, let’s move this inside.” He dipped his knees and before Bethy could react, had her up and over his shoulder, arm wrapped around her thighs to hold her in place. “Brother, wanna bring the boys in with ya?”

“Will do.” Fury laughed, the sound barely audible over Bethy’s howls of anger, partly fake, mostly real.

“Mom?” Michael called and Bethy went rigid, still and quiet. “Can I go with Chase? He’s going to run to the store quick for Aunt Willa.”

They were inside the house before Bethy answered, her voice breathy and quiet. “Sure, honey.” The door closed behind them and Mason heard the roar of Chase’s truck exhaust as the engine started.

Mason set her back on her feet, looking down into her face, seeing tears welling in her eyes. “What’s wrong, Bethy? Did I hurt you?” She shook her head. “Then what’s wrong?”

“He called her mom.” Fury’s words broke the stillness that had been holding Bethy in place and she turned, launching herself at Mason, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I’m betting it’s the first time.”

Mason closed his eyes, holding Bethy close, feeling her body shake. “I can’t imagine how you’re dealing with all this, Bethy. I lost twelve years of Chase’s life, but once I was in it there was no questioning what my role was. You’ve had him all this time, but still not. So fuckin’ strong, baby sister. Love you.”

“It was the right thing to do,” she reminded him, telling him the same thing she’d explained when she called to confess. “I know it was.”

“Right don’t mean it was easy.” He gave her a squeeze, then cocked his head. The sounds coming from the baby monitor told him Gar was awake, which meant Willa would be, too. She’d been struggling with the pregnancy, and he’d been encouraging her to sleep more. Mostly by exhausting her a different way. Doctor’s orders. He smirked. “Serious as fuck, Bethy. You doin’ what you had to like that. I fuckin’ hate I wasn’t there.” He sighed and stroked the back of her head, smoothing down the sweep of her hair. “You done bawlin’? I still gotta get your old man a beer.”

“Got it.” The sound of the refrigerator door opening and closing mocked him and Mason shook his head.

“I love you, baby sister.”

She tensed, arms going tight around his neck and then she told him, “Love you, too.”