Ethan's Sky (King's Of Fury MC Book 1)

Epilogue

Ethan

The stage is set, and I’m nervous as all hell.

Not because I think Skyler will be upset, because it’s a big moment, and I want everything to be perfect for her.

I have to hand it to Liz and the other ladies. They did a hell of a job getting everything ready.

The inside of the clubhouse is decorated with purple, teal, black, and white balloons and streamers. There’s a banner with the words “Happy 14th Birthday, Lilah” draped above the stage. The bar is covered with all Lilah’s favorite snack foods. Chicken wings, pizza snacks, jalapeno poppers, and every brand of chip known to man. The dessert table is like none I’ve ever seen before. The birthday cake is surrounded by every kind of candy imaginable. It’s the perfect distraction.

“Are they trying to throw us all into a sugar coma?” Jameson complains, while shoveling a handful of M M’s into his mouth.

“I think those are for the women.” Hawk replies. “I’ve heard when they become feral, if you throw chocolate at them, it’ll calm their asses down. OW!”

Caleb smiles, passing Hawk. Not the least bit sorry for slapping him in the head.

“Lilah loves all things chocolate, and my wife loves Lilah. Call her a feral bitch in front of Liz.” Caleb smirks, his eyes glinting with humor. “I dare you.”

Hawk grabs his balls, shaking his head. “Nope.”

We all erupt in laughter.

“The girls on their way?” Jake asks, tossing his arm over my shoulder giving me a shake.

“Yeah. Lilah text and said they left the house ten minutes ago.” I reply. “Hey, thank you again for all you help on getting Lilah’s room ready. It means a lot to Skyler and me, everyone’s accepted her into the family so easily.”

“They’re yours, brother. That makes them family. No thanks needed.”

It’s been crazy these past few months since all the shit went down with Spider. We moved Lilah into Skyler’s house with us and made her our own.

Jake’s a tattoo artist by trade, the owner of Kustom Armor Tattoos, but the son of a bitch can do so much more than sling ink. He’s a talented painter as well. While Jake painted a floral mandala in beautiful purple, teal, and gold colors, we set up the rest of the bedroom furniture.

The giant canvas painting serves as the headboard to a queen size bed, draped by a comforter in the same colors. Skyler added fluffy pillows and sparkly accents throughout the room. We repainted her old dresser and attached a new mirror with soft white lights along the edges. Sky made it look fancy with more perfume bottles, make up brushes, and jewelry the girl could possibly need.

Hawk helped me paint the walls, build a desk, install a stereo system, set up her laptop, and install a ceiling fan. Lilah’s getting the hook up when it comes to electronics thanks to Hawk.

I thought I was going to be in trouble when we brought her home; outnumbered, two to one. Turns out, having both women under one roof has its advantages.

They team up on me about things like what we have for dinner and the movies we watch. Little things. But having two women who both want nothing more than to make the other happy, works out well for me. Makes my job easier.

I put them both on a mission to gather intel for me about each other.

Is it sneaky? Hell yes. Is it brilliant? Abso-fucking-lutely.

When we moved into Skyler’s place, Jameson put a construction crew on the job to make some improvements on the home. There was nothing wrong with it so far as I could tell other than a few cosmetic things here and there, but Skyler wanted to make it our home, which meant modernizing things a bit and a complete makeover for what would be Lilah’s room and the master bedroom.

“I want her to feel like this is her home. Her real home. Somewhere she can relax and feel safe. She deserves to be happy. After everything she’s been through, I want to give her a better life. One with two loving parents.”

“We will baby,” I assure her.

While the guys were working on the house, Hawk was doing his computer voodoo shit, making sure Lilah’s mom hadn’t filed any missing person reports, or claimed her as a runaway to the police. Once he knew for sure she hadn’t, he dug up all Lilah’s school transcripts, medical records, and her birth certificate. Everything we needed to get her enrolled in school and handle whatever other needs she may have.

Then he produced notarized paperwork giving parental rights and decisions over to Skyler. I don’t ask how he does his voodoo shit, but I know there was a lot involved in making this little girl ours. A few weeks later, a police report popped up stating her mother had died in a horrific accident. No one knows exactly what happened, but the very next morning Skyler received a package from Vincenzo congratulating her on Lilah’s adoption.

The paperwork he sent, however, stated both Ethan and Skyler Anderson as the adopting parents, along with a marriage license dated two weeks prior. I could’ve kissed the son of a bitch.

We agreed not to tell Lilah right away. Skyler wanted her to have time to get used to us and make sure being with us was in fact what she wanted. I think deep down, Skyler feared Lilah might run away if she felt pressured.

In every way possible, including on paper, Skyler and Lilah are mine. My only regret was not giving Sky her dream wedding with all our friends and family there to witness our union. So, I recruited the kid, my brothers, and the women to put this little plan in motion.

“You nervous?” Gabe chuckles. “What if she says no?”

“She won’t.”

“She might.” Cash laughs inserting his ass into the conversation. “Skyler’s as stubborn as they come. Plus, she hates surprises.”

“Or being put on the spot,” Ghost adds.

“She might tell you no for making her feel cornered.” Walker throws out his two cents.

I glance around the room at all my brothers, making eye contact with each one. They all smirk. the longer I stay silent, the more enjoyment they get.

“Fuck off. All of you. Skyler’s already mine. I’m just making it official in front of the family is all. Skyler deserves this and so much more.” I mean every word, but because I’m an asshole, I say, “Besides, she won’t want to disappoint Lilah when she sees how hard she worked to help me pull this off.”

Eli shoves my shoulder hard. “You bastard! Using a little girl’s happiness to lock your woman down! You’re?—”

“A fucking genius!” Xander shouts. “No way would Skyler say no if she knew it meant fucking things up for Lilah. You are one conniving asshole, but I find I admire that about you.”

“Remember…”

“I know, Ghost. If I hurt, her you’ll make me disappear. We’ve had this conversation repeatedly since she first came home. I got it.”

“They’re coming! They just pulled into the lot.” Blake shouts across the room. The lights are dimmed, and everyone takes their places on either side of the stage.

* * *

Skyler

Pulling my truck up to the front of the clubhouse, I can barely contain my excitement. Ethan and the guys, along with Liz and some of the other women of the club, have been here all morning preparing the clubhouse for Lilah’s surprise birthday party.

I’ve spent the last few weeks with her, asking her all sort of questions trying to plan the perfect birthday party. She was hesitant to tell me anything she liked or wanted after how overboard everyone went with decorating her bedroom and all the presents the guys bought her for Christmas.

I admit, it was a lot, but we wanted her to feel like she was part of the family. I wanted her to have a room she could be comfortable and safe in. Her own place to call home. With her coming from living on the streets, and her own family treating her so poorly, I think it made everyone here determined to give her a wonderful Christmas.

With her all moved in, and both, Hawk and Vincenzo having pulled all the necessary strings, Lilah is ours, and today at her birthday party we’re going to tell her.

Lilah is bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement. It makes my heart happy to see her so happy.

“Go on, open the door.”

Lilah pulls the clubhouse door open. The lights flick on and everyone jumps out shouting, “Surprise!”

Lilah’s eyes are wide, her hand covering her smile as she takes in all the people and the decorations.

“You guys did all of this…for me? But I thought…”

Ethan comes up, pulls her to his chest, and whispers something in her ear. She hugs him around the waist, nodding at whatever he’s said. She pulls back, looks up at him, then turns to face me with glassy eyes.

“Thank you.” Her words are choked, but the smile on her face speaks volumes.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Ethan releases Lilah, and she runs into my waiting arms.

Everyone takes turns coming up to hug our beautiful girl, wishing her a happy birthday. Hawk ruffles her hair, frustrating her, but Liz is quick to come to her rescue, nodding to Caleb, who claps Hawk on the back of the head.

Cash embraces Lilah, kissing the top of her head. “Hey, beautiful. You know if you decide you don’t like it here, or these assholes are too much, you call Uncle Cash and I’ll move you up to Mountain Heights with me.” She giggles when he winks at her.

“Fuck off, pretty boy! Our girl isn’t going anywhere with you clowns. She’s staying here with us. Aren’t you, Lilah?”

She smiles wide. “I mean I’ll stay as long as you want me, I guess.”

I look up at Ethan. He gives Ghost a chin lift. Lilah’s eyes are bouncing between the three of us.

“W-what’s going on?” she asks, concern evident in her voice.

Ghost hands Ethan a manilla envelope, which Ethan then hands to Lilah. I’m struggling to keep the tears at bay, while holding my breath in anticipation for her reaction.

Please let us keep you.

Lilah looks at the unmarked envelope, confused.

“Open it, sweetheart,” Ethan encourages her.

The whole room is quiet as she opens the envelope, pulls out the papers, and reads them silently to herself. Tears spill from her eyes and for a moment I fear she’s going to run. But to my surprise, she charges both of us, wrapping her arms around me and Ethan, whispering, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

We hold her tight between us, my heart near bursting.

“We love you, kid. You’re officially ours. You’re an Anderson.”

“And a permanent part of the Kings of Fury MC family!”

“Welcome home kid!”

“We love you sweetheart!”

Voices shout around the room.

Lilah’s smile widens. She leans back, swiping at her tears. “Can we give Skyler her surprise now?”

I’m not sure what she’s talking about and turn to Ethan for answers. He nods at Lilah, then takes my hand, walking me toward the sliding doors leading into the backyard of the clubhouse.

When he opens the door, I gasp at the sight before me.

“Ethan?”

His hands come around my waist, pulling my back to his chest as he kisses my neck.

“What is all this?”

“Well, I would’ve thought it was obvious. The prospects built the gazebo and hung the twinkle lights all over the yard. Liz and the girls handled all the flowers and bought the dresses you picked out.”

Turning to face him, “I didn’t pick out any dresses.”

“Yes, you did. Only you didn’t know what you were picking them out for,” Lilah says from behind him, her cheeks flushed. “I asked you, when we were waiting at the salon, looking through a wedding magazine, what dresses you would choose for yourself and your bridesmaids if you and Ethan had a wedding.”

“And my little spy screen shot the picture and sent them to me,” Ethan says, winking at Lilah. “She had a huge hand in all of this.”

“What are you saying, Ethan? What is all of this?”

Turning me to face him, Ethan drops to the ground on one knee, taking my hand in his. “I know this isn’t how we planned for things to go between us. Originally, the wedding was supposed to come before the kid.” He looks at Lilah, then back to me. I smile down at him. “We weren’t supposed to sign the papers before we said our vows. You’ve always wanted a small, outdoor wedding, with lavender and white flowers, and fairy lights twinkling all around, while our family and friends watched as we made our vows. I know your dad’s not here to walk you down the aisle, but the rest of our family is, and they’ve all worked their asses off to help me give you the wedding you’ve been dreaming about. So, Sunshine, will you marry me? Right here, right now, with everyone we love to witness it?”

I nod frantically, swiping tears from my face. “Yes!”

Ethan stands and kisses me softly with everyone cheering around us.

“Come on, darlin’.” Liz grabs my hand, pulling me out of Ethan’s hold. “Let’s get you cleaned up and into your wedding dress. Ladies!” She shouts, “You’ve got thirty minutes to get your shit together, look your best. Gentlemen, get those chairs lined up and the grill started! We’re celebrating tonight!”

Hoots and hollers go up around the yard, but I barely hear what they’re saying as I’m being dragged down the hall to get ready.

* * *

Ethan

Thirty minutes later, I’m standing in front of the gazebo with Jake, Hawk, and Declan at my side. Eli is standing center stage. He’s officiating.

Across from us, Violet, Sadie, and Jayde all stand in their places looking beautiful in their short, silky, lavender dresses. When Lilah asked Sky what the men would wear for her wedding, I was shocked to find she didn’t want us in tuxedos or suits. She told Lilah, “If it’s my dream wedding and I’m marrying a biker, it’s only right he should get married in his cut.” I would’ve worn the tux if it’s what she wanted, but the guys were sure happy she didn’t.

The back door opens, the music starts, and Lilah steps out first, looking beautiful as she makes her way down the aisle holding her bouquet of flowers. She steps to the side taking her place as the maid of honor. Smiling she tips her head, indicating for me to look back at the aisle, and what I see takes my breath away.

My woman in gorgeous in her white lace dress. Her shoulders are bare, her hair pinned up on one side, her long wavy locks draped over the other. She’s stunning. Ghost holds her arm, walking her slowly to me. Our hands touch, her eyes sparkle, and I know I’m the luckiest motherfucker to walk the Earth.

Skyler is my Sunshine. My wife. My everything.

Keep reading to see what happens next in the Kings of Fury MC