Epilogue 1 ABBEY
“These little things slip out of my mouth… ”
I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I step down off the porch, taking the same path I did twenty months ago, watching Ringo’s face as he recognises the same song I played when I was being a brat.
One Direction’s Little Things.
But hey, I didn’t like being forced into marriage back then, even if I did secretly like the idea of being his wife.
My eyes drop down to my little angel, her blonde curls bouncing as she skips ahead of me in her lemon coloured princess dress, tossing flower petals up in the air with a “weeeee,” each time.
The crowd laughs at Bobbi’s playful nature, and I look up to see Tahli hurrying to take her hand, wearing her own lemon princess dress, as my other flower girl.
“I like your style, cuz.” Rhys snickers next to me as she links her arm with mine, and I grin at the cousin I never knew I had until the ugly truth came out. “I’m totally going to walk down the aisle to Paramore when I get married.”
“And who exactly will you be marrying?” I ask as we start walking towards the deck by the pond, and Rhys shrugs.
“Hopefully, all of them at once. I just have to figure out a way to make that happen.” She wags her brows at me. “Can you imagine that honeymoon? Talk about a good spit roasting.”
I choke out a raspy laugh, and she beams, her lips not painted black or purple today, even though I told her she could wear whatever colour she likes.
She blows a kiss in the direction of her five boyfriends as we pass them, and I turn my focus to the end of the path by the pond where my husband awaits on the same deck we were married on the first time.
That day was a business transaction even though Ringo and I cared for each other, but today, we are doing it again, with all the people I hold dear in attendance too, under circumstances we both agreed on.
I told Ringo we didn’t have to do this, but he was insistent that I have the wedding I’ve always dreamed of.
The funny thing is, the only thing I wanted to change from the first time was who I wanted here to witness it.
We are renewing our vows in the same place, with Ace officiating again. I’m wearing the same dress because when I went gown shopping for a new one, all I could think about was the ivory satin I wore the first time.
And of course, much to Ringo’s disgust, I am walking down the aisle to One Direction.
The weather is different this time. It’s spring. The Jacaranda tree is in bloom, its beautiful purple flowers rise up so high that you can see them from the house.
Some things haven’t changed over the last twelve or so months, but a lot has.
I’ve learned how to be a mum and fill Bobbi’s days with fun activities and learning.
I’ve learned how to prepare meals with love, with Doreen teaching me how to cook so many different dishes so I can keep my husband’s stomach full, something I’ve realised means a lot to me.
I’ve learned that raising a teenager is a nightmare.
Tahli has been giving me a run for my money with wanting to ride on the back of motorcycles all the damn time.
And I’ve learned that the Southern Sadists compound is actually a really nice place to be around now that the toxic leadership is gone.
Both Tahli and Bobbi love it there when we go to stay.
When Ringo’s gaze meets mine from the deck, I can tell his eyes are tearing up a little, and it instantly makes my own glassy.
Flicking my gaze to the left, I see Lexi sobbing, holding her flowers as my Maid of Honour, standing next to Dee, Jols and Nessy.
Over on the other side, Ringo’s Best Man, JD, holds out a tissue, and Ringo bats it away, his lips moving to say, ‘fuck off.’
I giggle.
Oh, my beautiful monster. Always such a tough guy.
Murf, Vender and Mex also stand on Ringo’s side, their eyes light with happiness as they watch me approach.
The moment I get near, Ringo holds his hand out, and I stop, turning to face my cousin.
“Thank you for being here, Rhys. And for giving me away.”
“No thanks needed, Abs. We’re family, and just so you know, I considered you that even before I knew the same blood ran through our veins.”
I slap her arm playfully, dabbing at the corner of my eyes. “Stop. You’re going to make me cry.”
“Don’t you dare ruin your makeup,” she scolds me. “That’s Ringo’s job to do later.”
My cheeks heat, and I bite my lip as my eyes flash to Ringo, who is nodding.
“That’s right, Angel. Get your sexy arse up here so we can move this along and get to the fun part.”
The crowd laughs, and his ma scolds him, much like she did on our original wedding day.
“Cameron Eugene, behave yourself.”
Ringo’s lips twitch into a smirk, and I can’t help but have a sense of déjà vu.
I take his hand, and he leans forward, his hot breath fanning my ear. “Let’s hurry this along so I can eat your sweet pussy under our tree.”
Now my cheeks flame to life on a whole new level, and my eyes dart around as I check to see if anyone heard him.
He simply chuckles, and Ace opens the ceremony, as Bobbi dances around, weaving between all of us, before calling out to the ducks as they swim past on the surface of the water.
This time, when we say our vows, we don’t need to read the words off the paper. We already know them, looking into each other’s eyes, and meaning every single word, we say the first part together.
“Today, we take our vows of marriage before our family and friends.
We will honour one another when we are together or apart, and always respect each other’s differences.
We will cherish the good times, and endure the storms. Hand in hand. Side by side. Riding this life together and always leaning into the curve.”
A tear pools in the corner of my eye, and Ringo reaches out, catching it with his thumb as he cups my face, and I speak the next words to him.
“Cameron, when I say I love you, what I’m really saying is that I’ll hold on tight until our ride on Earth ends,” and then I add a little extra, “and then forever in the afterlife.”
His brows hitch, and it’s his eyes that turn glassy this time, obviously not expecting me to add on my own little touch.
His smile is broad, and he clears his throat, ready to say his part.
“Abbey, my Angel.” He winks. “I promise to treat you as good as my leather, and ride you as much as my Harley.” And then he leans in closer, adding on a little extra too. “And I will love and cherish you always, and forever in the afterlife.”
Another tear falls from my eye, and again he catches it, always taking care of me.
Just like last time, the crowd hoots and hollers, and my smile is wide, my heart so full as Tahli starts chasing Bobbi around, trying to get the rings from the hidden pocket in her little dress.
When we finally resolve that, we exchange new rings, and just like with everything else, I wanted the same black carbide rings as last time, which we exchange, each saying the words, “with this ring, I thee wed,” as we slip them on each other.
What I wasn’t expecting was for every club brother to take a knee again, their eyes on me like they are swearing fealty, thumping their fists to their chests in unison as they chant.
“May the road rise up to meet us.
May the wind be always at our backs.
May the sunshine be warm upon our faces.
May the rain clouds never be black.
We are the Southern Sadists MC.
Ride ‘em high.
Ride or die.”
I hear sniffing from behind me and turn to see Lexi crying again, waving me off like looking at her will make it worse, and I giggle, reaching out and pulling her in for a hug.
This.
This is what was missing from my wedding last time. My best friends and my sister. And to finally share this with them, with the added bonus of Bobbi prancing around, really makes this just so perfect.
“Love you, Abs,” Lex whispers against my ear, pulling back to smile at me with so much love.
I got my friend back. I got my life back. And I finally have a family that is built on unconditional love, trust, and compassion.
“Love you too, Lex.” I smile, trying to blink away more tears, and she giggles, turning me back around to face my husband.
I almost expect him to be glaring at Lexi for taking my attention, but he’s smiling, happy that I get to share this with her, and I’m reminded once again that Cameron Musgrove was put on this Earth to cherish me.
Taking my hands in his, Ringo tugs me back into place, nodding to Ace, who closes out the ceremony, confirming again that these men really are big softies.
“May your love grow ever stronger as you ride this life together, reflecting the promises you made here today,” Ace declares before he speaks words that fill me with happiness. “By the power vested in me by the Victorian Marriage Registry, I now re-pronounce you as husband and wife.”
Ringo doesn’t need any more guidance, tugging me in, his arms sweeping around my back before dipping me and crashing his lips into mine.
Cheers and clapping surround us, and even Bobbi’s little joyful squeal meets my ears, and honestly, this day couldn’t be more perfect.
I kiss my husband with a level of confidence I never used to have, and I sweep my tongue against his in a way I know drives him crazy for me.
“Stop it, wife,” he grunts, his lips kicking up as he peers down at me, still arched back in the dip. “You want me to walk around with a hard cock all day?”
I shrug, biting my lip playfully. “Sounds good to me.”
He growls, claiming my lips again, and more cheers fill the air.
This time, we don’t sneak off to our tree, since Bobbi follows us each time we try, so instead, we enjoy the celebrations, which are a lot tamer than they were last time, given there are more civilians in attendance.
Some of the Marx family are here. Riggs too. As well as the Angel sisters.
I even invited Shandi, Ariel, Martini and Daffney from Leather and Lace, who seem to be getting on like a house on fire with the Doxies, Alana and Rhys. Millie, on the other hand, is quite content sticking by her mother’s side.