Darcy’s Epilogue
darcy’s epilogue
Presh adjusts the white roses in my hair, set perfectly in my updo. I chose not to wear a veil. It feels like it’s too much, especially when half the guests are in denim and leather.
My eyes go to the big window in the front again, waiting to see one last person arrive.
“Mudbug won’t come back without her,” Lucy assures me.
“She’s got to stop sneaking,” I say, worried.
“She needs time,” Lucy assures in an understanding tone. “It took you a while to leave.”
“She’s already using that little voice they train the women to use so they sound meek,” I point out.
Lucy’s shoulders drop. “From what you’ve said about Delia, she’s always been a little….”
She doesn’t finish the sentence, but I know what she’s going to say. Sweet. Kind. Susie Sunshine. I try not to mess up my lipstick by biting my lip as I stare at the crowd slowly assembling in the neat rows of white chairs. From here, I can make out the leather cuts on most of the men’s backs and the bold property patches over sundresses on the women.
Of course, Dane got his way. I tried to wait it out, hoping to delay until the new baby came. As we started to plan, I got excited, not about the ceremony, but about my vows to Dane. Our promise to belong to one another for a lifetime.
To me, the property patch was an even bigger commitment. You can divorce a spouse, but Dane can’t easily undo that stamp on his neck, and once you’re claimed by a biker, that’s for life. Why be so nervous about a legal marriage?
So now, less than six months after meeting Dane, I’m in a white dress that shows a hint of my new bump. Our second son. Yep, I’m going to be a boy mom, God help me. I can only imagine what it’ll be like with them growing up around all this testosterone.
There are only twenty minutes to spare when Delia jogs in, wearing an oversized pair of men’s athletic shorts with a hoodie. “I’m so sorry,” she apologizes as she rushes in. “Dad called and I had to stay to talk, then calm down Mom. He’s taking the plea deal.”
I arch an eyebrow, and say, “Wow, that’s kinda great, isn’t it?”
“Twenty years,” she throws out as she starts to strip down.
It’s not news to me. I overheard Dane on the phone last week. He made my father take the deal so I don’t have to testify. Asshole that he is, Dad subpoenaed me, like a dare to not lie for him.
Another thing to love about this man. Dad might not have served much of any time for what he did to me, but he’ll spend two decades for an impressive list of charges the District Attorney found while digging through Dad’s financial records.
“Where did you get these?” I ask laughing, when Delia tosses the men’s shorts into an overfull book bag she’s brought with her.
“I forgot to change into jeans before Abram picked me up. Mom had friends over, and it caused some issues leaving.”
“Do you think you can sneak back okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” she assures me.
Delia shares the mirror with Lucy and my friend Yolanda from Houston, all of whom are doing a little last-minute primping. I asked Sutton, Meadow, Lucy, and Yolanda to be my bridesmaids. Yep, five. Dane has Folgers, Mudbug, Couyon, and Farmboy standing with him. Oh, and Owen. Dane sent me a picture a few minutes ago of Owen in a pair of jeans and boots with a tee that looks like a tuxedo front.
Things move at lightning speed after Delia arrives. Not three seconds after I pull my property patch over my shoulders, the front doors open, and my bridesmaids start to line up.
For a long few seconds after the last bridesmaid starts to walk down the gardenia-lined path, I’m alone in the quiet of the house where generations of Bordelons were raised.
Although Linc and Solomon both offered to give me away, I take my steps past the members of the Bayou Dogs solo, but with the confidence that I’m far from alone. Each one of them will do anything for me, and I’ll do the same for them. They all smile as I pass them. Yogi gives me a winks.
Then I get my first look at Dane. My Viking.
I didn’t even bother trying to get him into a suit, so he’s in new black jeans and a black dress shirt with the top few buttons undone, covered by his cut.
Each step toward Dane is certain. So when he reaches for my hand to start saying our vows, there are no jitters, just the confidence of a woman who’s loved the right way.
The End