Epilogue
S ix Months Later
"Noonie!" Sire called out to me from somewhere in our bedroom. "Are you ready yet?"
"Yes, be out in a second." I'd said that three times already.
Huffing, I looked at myself in the mirror and continued to tease my hair. I'd decided to go back to short hair and was rocking a fresh pixie cut. The red lipstick I sported paired well with the leather pants and jacket I planned to wear, sporting the CCB logo.
Sire appeared in the doorway. Easing up behind me, he wrapped his arms around my waist. "You look good," he complimented me.
I couldn't hide my smile. "Thank you, my love. You're looking very handsome today."
He released me to pop his collar and fold his arms over his chest, posing like a goofball. I loved his playful side. He was comfortable enough to ease a little more of his full personality into our lives every day. I enjoyed watching the layers of his armor fall away, leaving the beautiful and radiant black man standing before me behind.
"I can't help it. I was born to look good. Besides, it's the day I introduce my people to my wife. Ain't no half-stepping." He spun me around and pushed me into the sink. "Look at how fucking pretty you are. Life with you is the best thing that could've happened to me."
I pouted, trying my best not to cry. We'd come a long way over the last few months. After shopping for my ring, we decided to elope. Sire took his role seriously as my husband and refused to formally introduce me to anyone until he felt it was safe. Today was the annual CCB Chairman block party, and he decided he couldn't go without having me by his side.
I was excited. I hated when he went to biker events alone, but after losing Clea, I understood why he didn't take risks. He had to make sure there were no lingering ill feelings with his father and Mir because of my involvement in the robbery. It felt good to know I had someone who loved me deeply enough to clear any obstacles from interfering with my happiness.
So, a lot of my time was focused on building my business. She Sparkles became an instant success once Sire decided to refer me to anyone he could. The money he put behind my business made launching a breeze. I reached a point where I was confident in finding my own clients on my own. Dedicating my time to She Sparkles gave me a new sense of purpose.
Almost in the same way being Sire's wife had. We'd moved out of his penthouse and into our own home in the countryside of Hazelwood. He'd given me the pleasure of handling all the interior design, and it was coming together nicely. It was the home I always wanted but thought I would never receive.
We owned fifty acres with a two-story, five-bedroom farmhouse that we planned to fill with children one day. For now, we were focused on each other. Marriage wasn't always a walk in the park, but it was so rewarding when it was with the right person.
"You've made all my dreams come true," I whispered, trying to keep my emotions out of my voice.
Sire smirked. "Not all of them yet, but soon." I wanted to ask him what that meant, but he didn't allow me a chance to. "Okay, it's time to go." He lifted my jacket off the counter and helped me put it on. His smile was genuine when I looked up at him in the mirror. "Perfect."
Sire took my hand and led me out of the bathroom and bedroom to the front door. When he opened the door, my mouth fell open upon seeing a custom matte black and pink Night Rod waiting beside his car with a red bow. He came to stand beside me with his chest puffed out in pride.
"Babe... are you serious?"
He nodded and came to stand in front of me. Taking my hands again, he walked me down the porch and over to the bike. "Yes, I'm serious. You've taken to learning how to ride seriously over the last few months, so I figured it was time to get you your own bike."
I jumped up and down excitedly. "It's so cutesy. Thank you, baby."
He rubbed his hands together. "You ready for a ride?"
Stepping closer to him, I kissed his lips gently. "Always if you're by my side."
We arrived at the cookout on the west side of the city half an hour later. There were bikes everywhere as the members of CCB, old and new, showed up to socialize. Smoke billowed into the air from multiple grills filled with hotdogs, burgers, steaks, pork chops, chicken, and sausage. There were even two food trucks on site.
This was an adults-only event, so there weren't any children in sight. I figured the jugs of yellow liquid I spotted on the tables were spiked. I eased into a space beside Sire before shutting off my bike.
Kalias and Loyal were the first people to walk up to us once we were off our bikes. They all did the CCB handshake before Sire came to take my hand. "Hey, sis," Kalias spoke. "You look good on a night rod."
Sire frowned. "Not too much."
Kalias chuckled. He loved getting under Sire's skin. These were the only two people he allowed around me after they saved my life the night Ria and Rico lost their lives. Loyal walked over to examine my bike.
His closed fist covered his mouth as he whistled. "Yeah, that bitch clean. You did your big one, bro."
He leaned over and kissed my cherry tattoo. "I always do." I got ready to ask my man what was wrong when I felt his muscles tense beneath my hand but one look to the side answered the question for me.
"Motorcycles aren't for little girls who want to look cool." It didn't take rocket science to know this was Sire's father. They resembled each other in a lot of ways. His father just sported a salt-and-pepper beard.
I offered him a fake smile. "Good thing I'm a grown woman that wants to look cool."
The woman on his arm chuckled at my response before releasing him to walk over to us. Sire's father remained in place with a scowl on his face. I didn't care for his energy and understood why Sire kept his distance. I knew all about toxic parents, so I would not be encouraging him to share space with this man.
"Hi, son. How are you?" his mother asked, opening her arms for a hug.
"I'm good, Mama. How are you?"
She smiled when she stepped back. "Better now that I get to finally meet the infamous Knovah." Her attention turned to me. She opened her arms. I hesitated, but only for a second. I accepted her hug, wrapping my arms around her slim frame.
"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dupree." I knew her name was Amber but decided the other would be a better choice.
She waved me off. "Why so formal? You're my daughter now."
I saw her husband flinch at her choice of words, and he marched off a second later. I glanced up at Sire, who merely shook his head. He tucked me into his side to ease the tension his father created.
We talked back and forth with his mother for a while, and I could say that I liked her. She was a sweetheart. It was obvious she was her grumpy husband's balance. She even apologized for his actions. He was still walking around with a heavy heart from losing Clea. I could understand it, but I didn't think it gave him the right to treat Sire like he wasn't a blessing.
Their relationship was strained, but it got worse when Sire decided not to move forward with becoming CCB chairman. He wanted to part with that lifestyle and made it happen. No matter who it pissed off. He was still very involved in CCB, though, which was why we were at the cookout.
My heart started to beat faster when I saw Mir approaching from behind his mother. He tickled her sides as he walked up on her. She jumped, holding a hand over her chest before her giggling took over. "Hey, Mama."
"Hi, baby. It took you long enough to get here."
He smirked. "I'm here. That's all that matters."
"Amen to that," she replied, patting him on the arm.
I knew this might get a little awkward, considering Mir had kissed all over my body the night of the robbery. His eyes skated over to us, and my breathing became choppy. I didn't even realize I'd squeezed closer to Sire. He tossed an arm over my shoulder, reminding me I was safe.
"Hey, bro. Hey, sis," he spoke to us next. Walking up on his brother, they dapped up.
Mir opened his arms for a hug from me, too. "You sure?" I cautiously asked.
He nodded with a grin. "Yeah, we're good, mama. That shit is in the past. From what I heard, you tried to help me. Your efforts might've even saved my life."
I gulped down the lump of emotion in my throat. Stepping away from Sire, I walked into his brother's open arms. When he let me go, I went back to Sire's side. He smiled down at me with the cutest expression. He was happy to see us all getting along. I knew how much his family meant to him, and since I was also that, he needed this to work out.
Mir began rubbing his stomach. "Man, I'm hungry. Where's the food at?"
Mrs. Dupree shook her head. "Come on. Mama will make you a plate." She hooked her arm around Mir's, but before they walked away, she turned to us. "Please bring my daughter by the house. I would love the chance to get to know her."
Sire nodded. "I will, Ma." Satisfied by his answer, she waved at us and left with her spoiled baby boy.
Everything after that was way more relaxed. Sire introduced me to a lot of people. They all seemed to revere him, and I knew why. Sire was the kind of man you wanted on your side because if you called, you knew he was coming with the Glock off safety if need be.
I smiled as some younger boys hopped on their bikes and started doing tricks. Some of them were really sick, and I was a little nervous that someone would hurt themselves. But, thankfully, everything went off without a hitch.
We spent the night dancing, eating, and socializing. It felt good to get to see this side of Sire's life. Honestly, I felt right at home and fit right in. No one made me feel like an outsider. As a girl who'd convinced herself she'd always be alone, it reset my brain chemistry to see it wasn't true anymore.
"Are you ready to head out, Mrs. Dupree?" Sire asked after walking up behind me with his arms around my waist.
I was watching some young girls dropping double Dutch while absentmindedly twisting my bracelet from Lay around my wrist.
I nodded, loving the way his arms felt wrapped around me. "I am, Mr. Dupree."
Sire smiled widely and kissed my cheek. "Good... This outfit on you got me fiending for your sexy ass."
I giggled even though fire raced through my veins at the thought of what would happen once we made it home. Sire said his goodbyes then led us over to our bikes. "Race you home?" he teased with an eyebrow wiggle.
I laughed. "What's the prize?"
He tapped his chin. "Winner takes the rest of the month off from dinner."
I smiled, happy to agree with that. I did most of the cooking, so I'd benefit most from winning. "Deal." I winked and started up my bike, getting a head start. I could hear Sire laughing before I peeled off.
Racing through the city with my man on my tail was exhilarating. I still couldn't believe I'd adapted so well to the biker lifestyle or that Sire bought me a bike of my own. He surged past me once but got stopped at a red light. I rolled my eyes when some woman called out to him. He began revving his engine, hyping them up.
Because he was distracted, I got a head start when the light changed. I smiled behind the shield of my helmet. When I made it on our dirt road, I slowed down, waiting for him. A minute later, his bike eased into the driveway beside me.
I lifted my helmet. "I won."
Sire laughed and lifted his helmet, too. "I know. Enjoy your month off, baby." Joy flooded my veins. He nodded toward our house. "Come on. I need to feel you."
I tingled from his decree. Sliding my visor down, I pulled off behind him. Something beautiful rose up in me as our house came in the distance. Warm lights flooded through the windows from the lights we'd left on inside. I felt confident following him into our new life.
Seeing what we'd created together brought tears to my eyes. We'd left a busy life behind to build something intimate and genuine. One day, this yard would house our family and the family they created or found. All the misfortune I'd lived through no longer mattered. It was all a stepping stone leading me to my present.
Sire noticed my tears when I removed my helmet. "You okay, Novi?"
I nodded, sniffling silently. "I am more than okay. I was just thinking about everything we've been through, separately and together." He walked over to where I still sat on my bike. "On the night of the robbery, I remember thinking it was my new beginning. I'm just realizing that it was just not in the way I imagined. If the robbery was successful, I might've never got to meet you and create all this beauty."
He teased my hair, allowing me to spill my feelings without interruption. "Meeting you has changed my life. I walked away with more than money. I found a man who loves to care for and provide for me. I found genuine love and a family. I still got to open my business and watch it begin to grow into something bigger than I thought possible."
Sire kissed my forehead. I sighed, allowing my head to fall against his chest. Out of nowhere, I punched him in the arm. "And what was with that show you put on at the red light?"
He laughed, seeing my frown. "You know you're the only woman I see. I'm not thinking about no other woman. You are more than enough for me, Knovah. I didn't settle down when I met you. I consciously decided to plant roots with a woman deserving of everything I had to give. Meeting you wasn't just a new beginning for you but for me, too. After the pain, it feels good to be able to breathe without feeling like my lungs are going to collapse or my heart will stop beating at any moment."
I nodded, completely understanding where he was coming from. "I finally got my happily ever after." My voice was swallowed in emotion.
Sire lifted me off my bike. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me up the steps onto the porch. "I did, too, and it's about to get even happier. It's going to take divine intervention to get me off you tonight. I want a baby."
And I knew he was serious. Fear tried to rise inside of me, but I stomped it back down. Those feelings didn't live here anymore... only power, love, and a sound mind. My life turned out too beautiful to be muddled by darkness again. If my man wanted a baby, I was going to give him that. After unlocking the door to our house, he used his foot to slam the door shut, silencing the world and securing us in our cocoon of good things... God things.
Until We Meet Again...