Pulling into the lot at the Clubhouse, I notice that there are a lot of vehicles around for it being so early in the night. I never knew that the brothers were big on celebrating Valentine’s, but what the fuck do I know. Vincent rushes around to my side of the truck and helps me down before reaching in to help our son. Feeling completely out of place, I smooth down the white dress over my ever growing baby bump and look towards the man that has meant everything to me for years. Not knowing what he has planned for this evening I move cautiously into the Clubhouse. What I see before me stops me dead in my tracks and the tears start flowing.
The Clubhouse is decked out with decorations and an archway in the middle of it. All the tables, dartboards, and pool tables have been moved. Rows of white chairs have been situated looking towards the arch, under which Preach stands beaming at us. Looking towards Vincent I see the love in his eyes and know in an instant what we are doing tonight. Leaning up I capture his lips with mine and kiss him with all the passion and love I can muster.
“Ugh! Mom! Dad! God!” Is all I hear before feeling our son run off in the direction of the other kids in the room.
Pulling away from him, I look around the room and see all of our friends, family, and brothers. Spying my mother on the other side of the room I step towards her and am stopped in my tracks. “Not until after. I am not waiting another minute to make you mine.” Looking from me around the room and then back to me, he licks his lips and smiles a wicked smile. “Are you ready to do this shit Ofiara or what?” Vincent says with the playfulness of a child.
“Didn’t think you would ever ask.” It’s the only answer I can give him as I am ushered to the back.
Getting into one of the back offices I see that Pearl, Sara, and Heather are all here wearing bridesmaid dresses. Embracing each one of them I look to Pearl, questioning what is going on.
“They didn’t tell me Ember. They knew that keeping secrets, especially from you, is not one of my strong points, so they only just told me what was happening as I was getting ready tonight.”
Looking towards the other two the humongous grins on their faces give them away.
Sara is the first to answer my unasked question. “Doc, Prez, and Tank all asked for us to help set this up. I got wrangled into doing this part, where Heather got to do the next phase-which I would have liked much better. Especially considering Gun has been staying at the Clubhouse, so every time I have come to talk to anyone about the wedding, the guests, or the fucking decorations he has been here. Fucking watching my every move. Why won’t he just go away.”
“This is his home, Sara. Where else would he be?” Pearl gets out sharply, only knowing some of the story that has been unfolding between these two over the past few years.
“His home? No, this is not his home. He has a home outside of Chicago, it is fucking gorgeous and I don’t know why he chooses to stay in that fucking hole of a room here instead of there. He could do so much more than be the tattoo guy of a motorcycle gang.”
Without warning Pearl lands, a slap to Sara’s face. “Shut your fucking mouth Sara. This is not a gang and you for one should not be disrespecting the way that Gun chooses to live. He has a job that he fucking loves, owns the shop that he works at, and is part of a brotherhood that any of these men would give their lives for. He has watched over me, and even you, from what I hear, without question to keep us safe and for that alone I will not listen to you talk shit about him.”
“Fuck, Pearl, I was just trying to--”
“No more Sara. I will not listen to this and we have other things to be doing right now.” Looking away from me and towards Sara with no more than a glance Pearl has silenced the conversation, at least for the time being. “Let’s get Ember to her old man and get today’s show on the road.”
Knowing that this is not the end has me on edge, but I do have other things on my mind, so I let it go. The women touch up my hair, makeup, and lipstick before giving the signal to the men that we are ready to start. As I look from Sara to Heather and finally to Pearl I am sad knowing that my father is not here to walk me down the aisle. “If you two are done, I think I have a wedding to get to.” I will just walk myself down the aisle; it will be fine considering I will end up with Vincent.