Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Rebel
“Holly’s going to be so excited,” Paul says as I roll into the kitchen the next morning. He carries a mug of coffee to the table and asks, “Whatcha want for breakfast? I’m no Esther, but I can scramble up a couple of eggs and fry some bacon.”
“That sounds perfect,” I reply, taking a long sip of my coffee. I didn’t sleep as well without Holly beside me, and I hope she didn’t suffer the same. I look out the window and gasp. “Holy shit,” I murmur. The backyard looks like a winter wonderland with several inches of freshly fallen snow.
“Yeah, it’ll be a bit chilly outside but me and the boys’ll make sure we get the heaters going good and early.”
“Holly got the girls warm tights and something she called a shrug,” I tell him. “I don’t know if she’s got anything though.”
“You can bet my Esther thought of that already. This time of year is always sketchy with the weather, which is why we built the gazebo the way we did,” Paul says. “Got some of Esther’s biscuits too. She ran them over this morning so I’m gonna pop them in the oven to warm them up.”
“I’m gonna need to go on a diet when I’m more ambulatory,” I admit.
“I think you’re expending plenty of calories with all the exercises your therapist has you doing,” Paul retorts.
“Thank y’all for everything you’ve done for all four of us,” I say.
“You’re family, Rebel. You and them brothers of yours are mine and Esther’s now, too.”
I’m a fucking badass. Been through hell and back, especially with this fucking accident. But his words nearly bring me to my knees. Not only have they raised Holly to be a strong, independent woman, but they have so much love to give, they are taking on me and my crazy-ass brothers. I hope like hell they know what they’re getting into.
“You nervous?” Prophet asks as we stand inside the gazebo. We’re not too far inside, and the rest of the brothers and Esther, as well as Samuel, are close enough they can hear what’s being said. Before Prophet became a patched member of the Steel Raiders, he was a pastor at a small church. He became disillusioned when he found out that his deacons were corrupt and doing a bunch of sketchy shit that hurt a lot of people. When he found out Holly and I were getting married, he made sure his license was still good and offered to marry us, which we gladly accepted.
“For the first time in my life, yes,” I admit. “I mean, I know I’m the president of the club, and those responsibilities are tough at times, but we’ve got a tight group of brothers, solid businesses, and have our shit straight. What if I fuck something up as a parent? These are the most impressionable years if I remember correctly.”
Prophet’s face gets serious, and I know he’s probably going to pull out something from his background. “Rebel, Proverbs says children are a blessing from the Lord. All I can tell you is if you and Holly stand together in all things, whether it’s admonishing them when they’ve done something wrong, praising them when they’ve done well, and loving them no matter what, you won’t mess anything up.”
Even though he barely managed not to say ‘fuck’ which I am totally impressed by, what he says sinks deep into my soul. Those two little girls, as well as any kids we might have in the future, are blessings. While I may not share Prophet’s beliefs, I do know there’s a higher power of sorts, so once I finally process his words, I can do nothing except nod in agreement.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I admit.
Music starts to play, and I turn slightly, grateful for the weird seat that the brothers crafted for me. I’m able to stand without putting pressure on my left leg. My chair is nearby, but with the snow, they’ll probably use the side-by-side to get me back to Esther and Paul’s house. My breath catches as I see Ruby walking down the aisle, tossing out birdseed from the tiny basket she’s carrying. Behind her is Mina, doing the same thing between waving at every person she passes. Low laughter permeates the air as both girls end up standing in the middle.
“Hi, Daddy!” Mina and Ruby exclaim in unison.
“Hey, babies,” I reply, leaning down to kiss both of them.
They have on identical dresses that fall almost to their calves. I can see the tights Holly insisted on, along with the ‘fairy princess’ shoes as Mina called them, covered in a light sheen of snow. Their hair has been curled and is falling around their shoulders, and they both have tiaras on their little heads, with matching wrist corsages on their wrists, just below the shrugs that I’m glad Holly bought, since it’s cold outside.
“Mama,” Mina whispers, having turned to face where Holly will be walking.
My eyes move in the same direction, and I feel my heart start to pound as she gracefully strides toward me, her arm in Paul’s. She looks like a fairy princess, and I can’t believe she’s marrying me. Her hair is down but has been curled and I can’t wait to tangle my fingers in it as I show her how much she means to me. While the top of her dress is fitted, from the waist down, it’s huge. My gaze never leaves hers as she and Paul finally reach me.
“Who gives this woman?” Prophet asks.
“Her grandmother and I,” Paul responds, placing her hand in mine. I tighten my grip and get an answering squeeze.
“Us too!” Mina exclaims, causing me to chuckle.
“Before we get started, Rebel has something to say,” Prophet announces.
Turning to look down at Mina and Ruby, I say, “Today, I’m marrying your mother and that’ll make her my wife. What I want to know, and this is very important, so you need to pay attention, okay?” At their nods, I continue, “Can I adopt you two and give y’all my last name?”
“Yes,” Ruby says, without hesitation. “Will we be… will we be legal then?”
At that, laughter rings out, which makes her look at her mother. “Did I say something wrong, Mama?”
Holly leans down and whispers, “No, sweetie, you didn’t. Mina? What about you?”
“Will you be my daddy forever then?” Mina asks me.
“Absolutely, Mina.”
“Then I say yes, too. Can we go sit with Grammy now and watch, Mama?” Mina questions.
“Yes, girls.”
With that, Paul takes both the girls’ hands and they go to sit by Esther and Samuel, who is also sitting on the front row while we turn to face Prophet, still holding hands.
“You both chose to write your own vows, so Holly, ladies first,” Prophet says.
She turns to me and grasps my other hand. “Rebel, the day we met, I wasn’t expecting it at all. Never in my wildest dreams, especially in the situation I was in then, did I anticipate that talking to you in the grocery store would lead to us being here right now. I’m not sure exactly when I fell in love with you, but for the first time in my life, outside of my grandparents, I felt safe and secure. You knew from the start that I had two little girls and was a package deal, yet you didn’t run. In fact, you jumped in with both feet, despite my crazy work schedule and made it to where I didn’t really remember a time you weren’t there for me or the girls. I love you with every fiber of my being and will be proud to be your wife and ol’ lady as long as I have breath in my body.”
I can feel the wet in my eyes, an emotion that isn’t exactly foreign, but it’s been so long, I’m not sure what to do with it if I’m being completely honest with myself. I can feel myself shaking a little bit, but it has nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the commitment I’m currently making.
“Rebel?” Prophet asks.
Clearing my throat, I lean in and kiss her forehead, hearing Ash say, “Hey, we’re not at that part yet!”
“Holly, the day I heard a little girl’s giggles in the produce section of the grocery store, I was hooked. Seeing you there as the three of you tried to figure out what you were buying, I had no choice but to come closer so I could be a part of what you had. You’ve taken me as I am, a biker, a businessman, a little rough around the edges. Yet, you accept me as I am, flaws and all. Not only that, but you’ve embraced a world you knew nothing about, except for what you’ve read in those romance books you like.” She grins at me as a blush stains her face. “There are so many qualities about you that I love, from your work ethic, to how you love your girls, to the way you treat everyone with kindness and grace. You’re my end game, Holly. You, Mina, Ruby, and whatever children we’re blessed with down the road. You’re my forever and I’ll love you for the rest of eternity and beyond.”
I’m lost in her eyes as Prophet goes through us exchanging rings and I know Holly is as well, since we’re both answering without tearing our gazes from each other. Finally, finally I hear him say, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
As our lips touch, our first kiss as man and wife, I can hear my brothers cheering and stomping their feet. When we finally pull back from one another, I wipe the tear that escaped when I was reciting my vows to her.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jonah Sherman, also known as Rebel and Holly,” Prophet announces.
Mina and Ruby come running toward us and I pull them into our family hug. A content feeling overwhelms me when I stare at my family.
My family.
Mine.
I’ll protect them with everything I have.
Every fucking thing.
“Let’s get a few pictures out here then get inside,” Ash suggests. “It’s cold and I know the bride and groom don’t want to get to the sickness part of the marriage vows.”
Snickers erupt from my brothers but Jacki, one of our club girls who does photos from time to time for club events, quickly gets us in position and before I know it, Holly and I are in the side-by-side, the girls on our laps as Paul drives us to their house where we’ll have our reception.
The party is a lot different than my brothers are used to, but with plentiful food and flowing alcohol, everyone is relaxed and having a good time.
I’m on the couch with Holly plastered to my side when Mina and Ruby come running over to us. “Daddy, I love you so much!” Mina exclaims, wrapping her arms around me. It’s not easy with the two casts, but she somehow manages to do it anyhow. “When can we be adopted?”
“I love you too, Daddy,” Ruby adds, climbing onto Holly’s lap to hug my neck.
“What am I, chopped liver?” Holly teases.
“Mama, you know we love you, but Daddy doesn’t know it yet,” Mina states.
“I love you girls too,” I tell them. “We’ll check with the attorney to see when we can get that done, okay?”
“Yippee!” Ruby screeches.
“I think it’s time we head home,” Holly whispers. “They’re getting sugared up.”
I can’t stop chuckling. “So, you’re just gonna leave them with your grandparents, huh?” I ask.
“Absolutely. Take me home, husband, and make me yours,” she demands.
“Your wish is my command, wife,” I reply.