Chapter 17 Hope
HOPE
“Ladies and gentlemen,” House announces, his voice booming through the room, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Deacon 'Frost' Stone!”
The place absolutely goes wild. Frost takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine, and we walk back down the aisle together as husband and wife.
Brothers rise to their feet as they clap and cheer.
Mom sobs into a tissue with Dad’s arm around her, grinning like he just won the lottery.
Amy whistles loudly, and Paige wipes her eyes.
This morning, I thought everything was falling apart. Now? Now I'm married to the love of my life, surrounded by family, in a clubhouse that's been transformed into something magical.
We reach the end of the aisle, and Frost pulls me close, kissing my temple. “How do you feel, Mrs. Stone?”
Mrs. Stone… I'm Mrs. Stone now. “Perfect.”
The reception starts immediately, and I'm overwhelmed all over again.
Tables are set up with white linens and centerpieces made of roses, lilies, and candles.
String lights crisscross the ceiling, casting a warm glow over everything.
The bar is fully stocked, and a long table pushed against the wall is covered with food.
There's a buffet with carved roast beef, chicken, pasta, salads, and rolls.
Music plays, classic rock mixed with some country, and the dance floor is already filling up with people.
I glance around. “This is absolutely insane. I can’t believe they pulled this off.”
Frost wraps his arms around me. “This is what family does. We show up when any of us are in need and get shit done.”
I nod my agreement because every single person here showed up for us. They all worked their asses off to make this happen. They were able to turn a disaster into something beautiful. I'm so grateful I could cry all over again.
We make our way over to the food and begin to fill our plates with everyone else.
“Alright, alright!” Chaos's voice cuts through the noise as he grabs a microphone. “Time for speeches, people. Sit your asses down.”
Everyone laughs and hurries to find seats at the tables.
Frost and I sit at the head table with my parents, Amy, Hawk, and a spot for Chaos. I reach for my husband’s hand under the table. He laces his fingers through mine, and his thumb brushes over my knuckles.
“First up,” Chaos says, grinning. “We got Paige, Frost's baby sister.” He hands over the microphone. “Try not to make him cry.”
Paige rolls her eyes as she takes the mic.
“Thanks, Chaos,” she says dryly. Then she turns to us, her expression softening.
“My brother's married.” A few people chuckle.
“I'm not gonna lie,” Paige continues. “I didn't think this day would ever come. Frost has always been... well, Frost. Closed off…Guarded and a huge pain in my ass.”
Frost snorts beside me.
“Until he met Hope.” Paige's voice cracks a little, and she clears her throat. “And everything changed. He smiled more, laughed more. Frost let someone in when none of us could reach him, and that someone is the best thing that's ever happened to him.”
I blink back tears.
“Hope, you're not just my sister-in-law now. You're the sister I always wanted.” She pauses. “Deacon, if you screw this up, I will personally kick your ass. Do. Not. Test me.”
Everyone laughs, and Frost shakes his head, grinning.
“I love you both,” Paige finishes, her voice thick with emotion. “Congratulations.”
She hands the mic to Hawk, who clears his throat, shifting his weight.
“You're a good man, son. Everything a father wants in a son. Hope, you're perfect for him and everything this old man hoped for in a daughter-in-law. You’re loyal, loving, and see past all our roughness. Welcome to the family.”
He hands the mic over to Eagle, who stands with the kind of calm authority that makes everyone shut up and listen.
“Love,” Eagle says, his deep voice steady.
“Is a choice. Every single day, you choose each other. You choose to communicate. To forgive, to fight for what you have.” He looks at us, his expression warm.
“You two have already proven you can do that, and that's what's gonna make this marriage last. Congratulations, Frost. Hope.
You've got something special. Something we all strive for someday.”
I'm full-on crying now, and Frost hands me a napkin.
Chaos takes the mic back, grinning like the devil. “My turn. Best man speech, baby.”
“Oh, God,” Frost groans.
“Frost and I have been brothers since we were born, not by blood but brothers just the same,” Chaos starts.
“And let me tell you, this man has done some dumb shit.” Everyone laughs.
“But the dumbest thing… He almost let Hope go.” Chaos's grin fades, and he looks at Frost seriously.
“You fucked up, brother, big time, but you fixed it.
You fought for her, and that's what matters.”
Choas’ gaze lands on me. “Hope, you're a saint for putting up with him. I'm glad you do because he's a better man with you.” He raises his beer. “To Frost and Hope. May your love be as strong as Frost's coffee and as sweet as Hope's smile.”
Everyone cheers, and I laugh through my tears.
Amy stands next and grabs the mic with a fierce look on her face.
“Listen up. Hope is my best friend… My sister, and if anyone, and I mean anyone, hurts her, I will end you. I always have Lil’ John and Big Lil’ ready.
You talk about your MC family, and I love what it represents, but no one can rival a sister’s love.
” She looks directly at Frost, who raises his hands in surrender.
“However,” Amy continues, her voice softening.
“I've never seen her happier than she is with you, Frost. So... thank you for loving her the way she deserves.” She turns to me, her eyes shiny with unshed tears.
“I'm so happy for you, babe. You deserve all of this.”
I mouth “I love you,” and she grins.
Finally, Dad stands. His eyes are red, and Mom dabs at her face with a tissue as she stands next to him.
“Hope,” Dad begins. “You've been the light of our lives since the day you were born. Watching you grow into the woman you are today has been the greatest privilege of our lives.” Dad wraps his arm around Mom’s shoulders.
“Frost,” Dad continues, looking at him. “I couldn't have asked for a better man for my daughter.
You love her fiercely, protect her, and make her happy. That's all we can ask for.”
Mom takes the microphone. “We love you both so much,” she says, crying.
“And we're so proud of you and the obstacles you’ve overcome the last couple of weeks. Marriage isn’t easy.
You have to work together, be there for one another in good and bad times.
You have a love so strong that you can survive anything as long as you lean on each other and trust each other wholeheartedly to get through even the roughest storm. To Hope and Frost!”
The room erupts in applause, and I bury my face in Frost's shoulder, completely overwhelmed.
Someone clinks their glass, and Frost slides his hand around my neck, drawing me close.
He presses his lips to mine. My tongue darts out to seek entrance to his.
He gladly obliges, and soon the room fades away.
“Enough, lovebirds,” Vegas calls out. “Time for your first dance.”
Frost stands, offering his hand and pulls me to my feet. “Ready, Mrs. Stone?”
“Always,” I say as the opening notes of ‘From This Moment On’ by Shania Twain fill the clubhouse.
Frost leads me to the center of the dance floor. He pulls me close, one hand on my waist, and the other holds mine. I rest my head against his chest and feel the steady beat of his heart.
Shania’s voice filters through the speakers. “From this moment, life has begun. From this moment, you are the one.”
“I love this song,” I whisper.
“I know,” Frost murmurs. “Amy told me. That's why I picked it.”
I pull back to look at him, surprised. “You picked it?”
He smiles. “Well, Amy helped. I wanted it to be perfect.”
We sway together, lost in each other, while the rest of the world fades away.
“I was so scared this morning,” I admit. “I thought everything was falling apart.”
“I know,” Frost says, his voice low. “But we made it. We're here, and nothing's gonna tear us apart again.”
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too, darlin’.” He leans down, kissing me softly. “Forever.”
The song ends, and the clubhouse erupts in cheers again. Frost dips me dramatically, and I laugh, holding onto him.
“Show-off,” I tease.
“Only for you.”
A couple of hours later, the liquor is still flowing, and the reception rages on.
“Cake time!” Amy announces, dragging us toward a table where a beautiful three-tier cake sits.
It's white with delicate gold accents and fresh flowers cascading down the side. It looks better than I imagined. It's stunning.
“Holy shit,” I breathe. “Where did this come from?”
“The bakery didn’t cancel,” Paige says, grinning. “Your mom called and changed the location.”
Frost hands me the knife, and we cut into the bottom tier together. The cake is perfect, vanilla with raspberry filling. I scoop up a piece on a fork and hold it up to Frost's mouth. He takes a bite, and his eyes roll into the back of his head.
“Damn, that’s delicious,” he praises.
Then he grabs his own piece, and I see the mischief in his eyes.
“Don't you da—”
He smears a small dab of frosting on my nose.
“Frost!” I laugh, grabbing another small piece, and smash it against his mouth.
Everyone cheers, and Frost pulls me in and licks the frosting off my nose.
“You're ridiculous,” I say, still laughing.
“You love me.”
“I do.”
Champagne glasses are passed around, and Hawk raises his. “To Frost and Hope!”
“To Frost and Hope!” everyone echoes.
We clink glasses and drink while the party kicks back into full gear. The music gets louder, and the dance floor fills up. The energy is infectious. I stand near the bar with Amy and Paige, watching Frost talk to Chaos and Eagle.
“I still can't believe this is real,” I say, looking down at my ring.
“Believe it,” Paige says, nudging me. “You're stuck with us now. I'm glad I didn't have to kick my brother's ass because you're the sister I always wanted, Hope.”
“What about me?” Amy demands, mock-offended.
Paige giggles. “You belong to Hope. So, you belong to me, too.”
Amy grins. “Damn right, and you belong to me.”
I look at both of them, my heart so full it might burst. “I love you guys.”
“We love you, too,” Paige says.
“Even if you're a sappy mess,” Amy adds, smirking.
Suddenly, the music cuts off, and Dad's voice comes through the speakers. “Can I get Hope and Frost up here for a second?”
I exchange a confused look with Frost, who shrugs. We make our way to the front, where Dad stands with Mom.
“Hope,” Dad begins, looking at us. “Your mother and I wanted to give you a wedding gift.”
“Dad, you alrea—”
“Hush,” Mom chastises. “We wanted to do this.”
Dad pulls an envelope from his pocket and hands it to Frost. “Open it.”
Frost opens the envelope and pulls out two plane tickets. His eyes go wide. “Hawaii?” he says, looking at them in shock.
“A week in Maui,” Mom says, beaming. “All expenses paid. You leave tonight.”
“Tonight?” I shriek.
“Your flight's in three hours,” Dad explains. “So, you'd better get moving.”
I throw my arms around both of them. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You deserve it, sweetheart,” Mom whispers as she hugs me tight.
Frost shakes Dad's hand, then pulls him into a hug. “Thank you, sir. This means everything.”
“Take care of my girl,” Dad says.
“Always.”
“Wait, we don't have bags pac—” I panic.
“It’s been taken care of,” Amy says, appearing with two suitcases. “Chaos and I handled it this morning.”
“You what?”
Chaos grins, slinging an arm around Amy. “We're efficient.”
I chuckle. “You're both insane.”
“You're welcome.”
Everyone files forward to say goodbye. Hugs are exchanged, and Frost receives several pats on his back.
“Have fun, you two,” Eagle says, smirking.
“Don't do anything I wouldn't do,” Chaos adds.
“That leaves literally everything,” Frost teases.
Hawk grabs the keys to his truck. “I'll drive you to the airport.”
“You don't hav—”
“Shut up, and get in the truck.”
We pile into Hawk's truck, Frost and me in the back, and our suitcases in the bed. Everyone stands outside the clubhouse, waving and cheering as we pull away. I lean against Frost, his arm around me, and look back at everyone one last time.
This morning, I thought my wedding was ruined, but it wasn't. It was perfect. It wasn't about the venue, the dress, or the flowers. It was about this… family, love, and Frost.
I peek up at him.
“Ready for our honeymoon, Mrs. Stone?”
I lace my fingers through his. “I’m ready for forever, Mr. Stone.”