Page 69 of Mica
“Our paths did cross, though I don’t think he ever knew me as anything other than Rock’s son,” Mica says. “He once told me I had good posture for a biker and asked me if I played chess.”
Mac laughs, slapping his leg. “That sounds like Vulture. He always said you could tell a lot about a man by the way he carried himself.”
Cray’s expression becomes more serious. “I want you to know that my club is behind Raging Vultures one hundred percent. If there is anything you need, my crew will show up for you.”
“Same goes for the Sons,” a voice says from behind us. We turn to find Rock standing there with a bottle of beer in his hand. “Whatever you need to get off the ground, you’ve got the full support of Sons of Rage.”
Mica thanks them both and so do I. The group breaks up as people drift back to the bar and the cake table. But I notice Mac looking wistfully into the distance before he walks away. I guess this must be as bittersweet for him as it is for me. The continuation of my grandfather’s legacy without the great man himself.
It’s the first time Mica and I find ourselves alone since the quickie before the ceremony. Mica wraps his arms around me from behind and splays both hands over my stomach. I lean my head back against his chest and relax into his arms.
“This is the wedding we should have had the first time.”
“I don’t know about that. This is warm, intimate, and special because we’re in love. It might have been painfully awkward to be so close when we were virtual strangers.”
“Maybe,” he admits.
“How do you feel, now that we’ve renewed our vows?” he asks quietly.
“Married,” I say. “For real this time.”
He presses his lips to the top of my head. “I feel like you finally chose me. That you’re well and truly mine.”
“I’m wearing your ring, wearing your property cut, and carrying your child. We even run our businesses out of the same office. I can’t think of any ways I could be more yours than I am.”
“That suits me just fine. I love the fuck outta you and I want you and our child close to me, where I can admire and protect you.”
“After everything we’ve been through, I’ll say hell yeah, to that every single time.”
He drops a kiss onto the top of my head and everything about this situation tugs at my emotions.
“I almost cried happy tears during the vows,” I admit.
He lowers his voice. “I know. I saw you doing that chin thing.”
“What chin thing?” I ask, mortified that I might be drooling down my chin or something equally revolting.
“When you’re scared or emotional, your chin gets this little quiver. I doubt you notice but everybody notices.”
“You’re right, I never realized I was doing that. Shit! That’s embarrassing.”
“It’s not embarrassing. It’s proof that you’re still human in a world that makes you cold and cynical if you let it.”
I turn around in his arms. He presses both of his hands against my back. “I don’t want either of us to lose our humanity. No matter what happens, promise me that if I start to get indifferent or detached that you’ll find a way to reach me and pull me out of it.”
He kisses my forehead and murmurs, “Don’t worry, darlin’. Keeping you strong mentally is part of protecting you. I won’t let you down.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss. Right before our lips touch, I remind him, “I love you, babe. And I’m so damn grateful that you came into my life.”
“I love you too, sweetness.” His hand comes up to rest against my belly and he adds, “Both of you.”
We can hear the happy sounds from the reception in the background but we’re both reluctant to leave this one perfect moment, where we’re safe and happy and whole. I suddenly realize this is everything my gramps wanted for me. It wasn’t just financial security, the home he provided for me, or even the businesses so I could earn my money and not rely upon a man to support me. That was all just a means to an end. And that end was a man who loved me, a safe place to lay my head at night, and a family of my own. My gramps and Cray both knew what I needed and each in their own way did their best to see that I got it.
The End.
