Chapter 17 The Wedding
SEVENTEEN
THE WEDDING
Rose
Excitement permeates the clubhouse as we get ready for the wedding.
The women were changed and ready early. Now we’re just double-checking that all the food is prepared for afterward and all the decorations are up.
I helped Ava with the last decorations of the cake.
It’s a beautiful two-tiered, round cake with fondant and dried flowers that match the bouquet. She’s helping Milly get ready.
The inside of the clubhouse is decorated with flowers, streamers, and balloons. The kids have been having fun with the decorations all morning. I think Sammy has already accidentally popped a few of the balloons.
My wedding was expensive and over the top.
I wasted so much money because I wanted the perfect day, not realizing it was who I was marrying that was most important.
My ex wasn’t good for me, and I see that now.
At Milly and Twitch’s wedding, even though it’s small, there’s a lot of love, and it’s great that everyone is getting involved and making the day extra special for the two people they care about.
As I walk outside, I hear heavy footsteps behind me. It’s Twitch. He’s dressed in his usual jeans, shirt, and motorcycle vest, though I shouldn’t be surprised. I can’t imagine him in a tux. His eyes are wide.
“I nearly forgot . . .” he says, out of breath. “Do you have the ring?”
We already had this discussion. “I came into the computer room yesterday and gave it to you. Do you remember?”
Tension melts away from his face and his shoulders drop. “Oh yeah.” He blinks a few times. “Of course. Sorry.”
I cringe. God, I hope he hasn’t lost it already. “Do you need help finding it?”
He shakes his head. “No, I remember where I put it.”
I put a hand on his shoulder. “Relax. Today’s going to be a special day for you two. Enjoy it. I can see how much you love each other, and you should be excited. Milly looks absolutely beautiful in her dress.”
He lets out a heavy breath and says, “Thank you.” He turns and goes back inside.
I hope I gave him some reassurance.
As I walk out further, I smile. The wedding is outdoors, and the setting is a breathtaking fusion of rugged landscape and elegant white and sage green decorations against the backdrop of towering trees in the adjoining national park.
The arch is made of wood and decorated with drapes and flower arrangements.
There are a few rows of wooden chairs on either side, and dried flower petals have been sprinkled down the aisle.
Simple, elegant, beautiful. The photographer is walking around taking photos of the arrangements.
I hear people talking and glance over my shoulder to see the men start filing out of the clubhouse, so I go over to the bride’s side and take a seat. The men are all smiles. Viper is patting Twitch on the back, probably giving him a pep talk.
Rage is the last to come out. He’s frowning, so I stand and go over to him and put my hands on his arms. “Is everything okay?” I ask. He had a club meeting this morning.
He forces a smile. “Yep, all good.”
I don’t push it further, so he holds my hand and walks me to a chair, then goes and sits on the groom’s side.
The women come out, and Zara takes a seat next to me.
She’s wearing a flowing dress that shows her baby bump—not that she could hide it.
I rub her tummy. “It’s so exciting. I bet you can’t wait until you meet the baby.
” I heard she’s been ill and tired during the pregnancy.
“Pregnancy has been kicking my butt. I’m trying to remain positive and grateful that I’m pregnant, but when I’m spewing every day and struggling to get my work done, it’s difficult.” She puts her hand on her stomach. “But I know it’ll all be worth it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but you look amazing. You’re doing the best you can, so try not to be too hard on yourself. Have you seen Milly?”
She smiles. “No, I haven’t. Only Ava has been with her. I can’t wait. My wedding was so different to hers.”
I chuckle. “So was mine.” Not that I saw the middle or end of it.
The wedding officiant walks up and stands in front of the arch. He gives us all a friendly smile.
An older woman is sitting on the groom’s side. I assume she’s Twitch’s mom. Axle sits beside her, and within moments she’s laughing. He’s good at putting people at ease. I love the relaxed atmosphere here.
Ava walks over with tissues in her hand and sits in the front row.
Laughter fills the air. I look at Twitch, who walks quickly down the aisle with his head down and waits at the arch for Milly. He looks pale, nervous even. The men were probably just giving him crap. It wouldn’t be a War Brothers MC get-together without the banter.
The music starts, and everyone turns in their seats as we wait for Milly.
Reaper and Milly come out of the back door and walk slowly toward us.
Milly looks as beautiful as ever in her wedding dress, which flows gracefully, and subtle makeup that highlights her natural beauty.
They make their way down the aisle, each step deliberate.
I glance over at Twitch, and my heart swells at the sight of him. His eyes are teary, but his grin is so wide I just know his cheeks will be aching by the end of the night.
When they reach the altar, Reaper gently passes Milly’s hand to Twitch. Even Reaper looks emotional, his tough exterior softening for just a moment. He takes a seat beside Ava, who I can hear quietly sniffling, her emotions spilling over.
The wedding officiant begins with a few pleasantries, but soon it’s time for the vows. There’s a brief silence. The bridal couple’s faces are soft as they smile at each other. The look of adoration and love on their faces is truly beautiful.
“I’ve spent my life healing others,” Milly begins, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
“But I never knew my own heart had a piece missing and needed you to make it whole. You’ve shown me a love so fierce, so consuming that you proved you were the one for me.
You’re the reason I believe in love, and with you, I found the life I always dreamed of.
I will love you with everything I have, always. ”
Her hands tremble slightly as she slides the ring onto Twitch’s finger. Ava cries softly in the front row.
Twitch clears his throat, clearly choked up with emotions.
“Before you, I had the club and my family. I thought I had everything I needed until you walked into the clubhouse that day. I knew right then that you were it for me. You have been worth every risk.” He gives Reaper a quick glance.
“I vow to love you and protect you forever. You’re my heart, and I will spend the rest of my life proving that to you. ”
Tears fall down Milly’s face as he puts the ring that I made on her finger.
Cheers and claps sound around us. I feel a sudden rush of warmth that spreads through me, proud that I was part of making today special for them. I glance at Rage, who looks distracted, deep in thought, and I wonder what’s on his mind.
After Milly and Twitch kiss, we erupt into applause and music is put on while Milly and Twitch do the rounds, hugging and thanking everyone for being here on their special day, soaking in the love from their closest friends and family.
Milly cries when she reaches me, so happy with how her ring turned out.
Even though I haven’t known them for long, I’m so happy for them. They seem like good people. Twitch is now calm. I think seeing Milly walk down the aisle was all he needed. It reminds me of Rage. He stopped fighting for me. I already knew I loved him, but him putting me first cemented that.
We spend the afternoon mingling. There’s finger food, and for dinner there’s a buffet. Rage still isn’t himself.
The horizon glows with a fiery orange that fades into shades of pink. Rage has his arm around me as we sit at the outside table. I lean into him. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve seemed preoccupied all day.”
His face softens, and he presses his finger to my nose. “Don’t you worry your sweet cougar face about it.”
I laugh and whack him on the leg. I am never going to live that down.
Everyone’s drinking, and the vibes are good. The music has been turned up, and most of the women are dancing. Even Demon is dancing with Sammy, twirling her around in circles, and it’s the sweetest thing ever. For someone who looks so rough, he melts around Ivy and Sammy.
The wedding was the best I’ve ever been to. I’m grateful I was invited and got to be a part of Milly and Twitch’s special day. It was less of a formal event and more like a gathering of love, joy, and connection. They are different people yet belong together. It proves there’s hope for me and Rage.