Chapter 25
-:- VICTORIA -:-
Last night was incredibly tiring, but Chaos for some reason lived up to his name and made our bedroom a chaotic mess.
He was insatiable, and for the first time said, ‘I love you’.
It was a shock to hear, but I have to admit I returned the words with as much warmth and love as he’d said them.
But that set him on another I’m gonna worship your body until you can’t stay awake. True to his word that’s what he did.
Chaos dropped Corey at school, and I’m at the clubhouse because Mia sent me a text saying to get over here as she wanted to do something with me.
What? I’m not sure. I’m not sure about using an Uber each time I have to go anywhere.
A nice SUV would work then I’d be able to take Corey with me wherever we needed to go, and with enough room to carry things or haul groceries home.
Stepping inside the kitchen, I watch for a moment before fully entering.
Sybil is talking with Meat and they are discussing a huge chunk of beef.
They are working out how much to smoke, how much to freeze and what Sybil wants to make with her portion.
It would be fascinating to listen if Mia didn’t shout me over to her.
“Morning, Mia. Where’s Summer?”
Mia grins. “Summer is with Amelia and Kya. They have taken her to the flower shop where they are going to do some children's craft things with her. She’s young if you ask me, Vicky, but hey, it gives me a moment’s peace.
I shouldn’t say this, but Carter and Hunter have been well-behaved lately.
I’m not sure if the new teacher they have has done that or they are finally gaining some common sense. ”
I laugh along with her because we both know the boys are full of mischief and love getting into trouble.
Chaos told me about the cursing obsession they had at one point.
That Mia was disgusted with them both, and Axel did his best to stop them, even ordering the brothers not to curse when they were around the boys, was amusing in itself.
I can imagine the looks on their faces when they heard that, and the effort they’d have to put in to not curse.
“Okay, so what did you want with me?” I ask, because I want to speak to Specs about starting work on Monday.
Grabbing my arm, Mia hauls me out the back door of the kitchen and to a trike. Walking around it, I smile at the tank which has the club logo proudly sited. Black, and it is in great condition. Not a speck of dirt or oil on it.
Turning to look at Mia, I have a huge smile on my face. “Three wheels, that is cool. I love it. The seat at the back has to be comfortable, and you would never feel like it would tip over. The box at the back is great for carrying smaller stuff. I just love it, Mia.”
“Come on, jump on. We can have a ride around the compound. Once you feel comfortable, you can have a drive and see how you feel with it.” Mia points for me to get on, which I tell you I do and quickly.
I’m more than a little excited. We ride around past Star who is sweeping her front porch.
Then back around until we are in front of the clubhouse.
“That was great. It feels really safe, and I reckon Corey is going to love this.”
I don’t get chance to say more before Mia jumps off and tells me to get on and take a ride. Now, you don’t have to tell me twice. I know how to ride a bike, and I’m up for this.
Riding past the houses on the compound until I reach where the track ends, I turn and head back down.
The sun is shining, and the wind is low, but the breeze from riding feels fantastic without wearing a helmet.
If we were going out of the compound, I would wear one, and I would always wear one if Corey is with me.
But for a moment of freedom, this is awesome.
I stop the trike for a second or two, and a sad smile crosses my face.
Looking into the sky, I whisper, “You’d love this, Bethy.
” I wipe the tear that runs down my cheek and continue toward the clubhouse.
Passing a treehouse, I pull over because Meat is standing on the walkaround in an astronaut outfit.
No idea how long he’s been out of the kitchen, but he gives me a blank look before he continues surveying the compound.
I don’t know what the heck he’s doing, but I’m not going to get involved.
I reckon the man is batshit crazy, but from what I’ve seen so is Star.
Her father who I met last time I was here is the sweetest man you could meet. You would never know he produced crazy.
Once the trike is parked, I walk over to the kitchen where Mia is waiting for me. She has a BLT and an iced tea for me on the table, and I take my seat, give her the trike keys and state loudly, “I want one.”
We laugh together while we eat lunch, and I thank Mia as I head out of the kitchen and through to speak to Specs. During the day there are hardly any brothers here. All working for one of the club’s businesses.
Knocking on Specs' door, I peeked my head inside as the door was ajar. “Morning, Specs. Can I have a word with you?”
“I was going to contact you later. But, what’s up?” Specs turns in his seat and points for me to take a seat in front of another desk that has been added to the room.
“I wondered if we could get Bethy and Art’s ashes, and see if the brothers would mind if I either buried the ashes at the top of the compound, or scattered them?”
Specs nods. “I’ve had this conversation with Axel, actually. He thinks we should start a memorial garden at the top. That way if any brothers or ol’ ladies pass we can have them nearby. Not in some cold cemetery where nobody would give a fuck.”
“That is a great idea. The club’s own cemetery, basically. It would be nice, and on any occasion that mattered it would be nice to take flowers,” I look at Specs with some joy on my face.
“Hammer is the construction boss, and he’s organizing what it will look like, and PT is making sure all the paperwork is completed so it’s legit and can’t ever be questioned.
To scatter ashes we would be okay, because you know, who the fuck would know but us.
But I think burying the ashes and giving them a marker would be more memorable for you. ”
“I would love that, and I could take flowers on her birthday, and tell her when things happen like getting married.” I look at Specs with a tear in my eye, but I don’t let it fall. “I’m going to look at the bridal shop next, but apart from the dress has anything been planned?”
Specs laughs. “Girl, we have the area on the compound chosen. The flowers ordered and gifted by Tilly. Axel has his best black shirt laundered, and he’s polished his biker boots so he’s all ready. All we need now is for you to be ready for the day.”
“But when is it?” I feel stupid having to ask. I was supposed to help organize this, but it seems it is all done without me.
“A week on Saturday. So, you have a little bit of time to get organized.” Specs snickers at the look on my face. “Once you are married, I’ll put in the adoption paperwork. Oh, and we’ll organize a fundraiser.”
“Geez, things don’t take long to get done here do they?” I grin, “I start on Monday here too. Is this my desk?” I ask as I turn my seat and check out the keyboard, mouse, and four monitors that have been attached to the wall.
“Sure is. I’ll have a list ready of what I want you to cover, and I’ve a venture in mind now I have a helper.” Specs looks around at the door when someone taps to get our attention.
“Axel needs you in the office, Specs. Hi, Victoria,” Drag gives me a smile as he acknowledges me.
“Hi, Drag. I’m just leaving so Specs is all yours. I’ll speak to you soon, Specs.” I pass Drag and am walking down the hallway when Specs speaks to me.
“Victoria, I have Bethy and Art’s urns. I Did the thing we spoke about for Art. Do you want me to keep them for you? Or do you want them?”
Specs has surprised me, and I stop walking, place my hand on my chest where my heart has lurched. I take a deep breath and smile, “No, you keep them safe, Specs.”
“Okay, will do. I’ll guard them and keep them safe,” Specs gives me a look of such care that I feel the tears forming. With a quick nod, I avert my gaze from him and Drag.
After I’d waited for the Uber to arrive, I walk into the bridal shop and it’s great.
There are some beautiful gowns in here. Stunning is not how you would describe them.
But I don’t want to float down the aisle like a princess.
I just want a lovely outfit that I can wear while walking toward my man.
“Good day, can I help you?”
Turning I give the lady a smile, “I’m looking for an outfit, dress or something for my wedding.”
“Okay, my name is Nancy and I’ll help in any way I can.” Walking closer to me she smiles, “You sound like you are not sure what you are looking for, is that right?”
“Yeah. I don’t want a wedding dress, per se. I am getting married at the clubhouse of the Raging Barons MC. In the compound, which I’m told is going to be decorated out with flowers and the like.”
“Oh, that sounds great. But I can see why you’d not want a long flowy dress.
It would be a bit much wouldn’t it?” Placing her hand on my elbow, she guides me over to a comfortable chair in front of a desk.
Flicking on the monitor in front of me, she quickly comes to a folder that shows dresses, suits, wedding dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses even, which has me smiling because I’m thinking I don’t even have a mother-in-law!
Or at least I don’t think so, as Chaos has never mentioned family.
“I don’t want to wear pants, so I think we can bypass pant suits. What about a nice dress with a suit jacket?” I ask and look at the monitor once more.
“Do you want white, cream, or a color?” Nancy asks as she flicks to the category stating dresses that accommodate jackets.
“I think cream would be nice. Not white, it would make me look washed out. Not frilly either.”
Nancy clicks more, and the files flash on the monitor before stopping at a collection of dresses. Frills, bows, puffs, princess, tea-length, midi-length, and maxi. So many choices that I need to really think about what I want to look like.
“Okay, how about something like the typical black dress you would wear on a night out. Plain cream, just above the knee, and let’s have the jacket be the eye-catcher and not the dress itself?”
Nancy nods, then flicks some more. Picks a cream dress with a square neckline, two-inch straps, and elegant ties in the back that pull the dress into shape around your body.
Instead of being straight there is a small flair to the skirt portion of the dress, and it would flow as you walk.
The dress is a midi length and not just above the knee, which is what I’d said, but the dress is lovely and I know it would look nice on me.
“I like this, Nancy. Would I be able to try it before I purchase it? Also, what about a short jacket?”
“Yes, you can try it before purchase as we keep some of these in stock just for the client to see the material, and if in the right size what it looks like. However, when ordered each garment is made to measure by one of our seamstresses. I think you’d probably have Colleen as Spell has a gothic wedding on her planner.
As for a jacket, I think I may have one you’d like.
” Nancy passes folders on the monitor and stops at one showing a waist-length jacket that has lace sleeves with sequins around the lace pattern.
It is beautiful and delicate-looking. It would be a wear-once jacket, but the dress could be re-worn at any time.
“Yes, I love that, and with the dress it would be perfect,” I give Nancy a huge smile.
“Okay, let me go find our sample dress and jacket. I will only be a few minutes.”
Waiting for Nancy I lean back in my seat and rest my eyes a moment.
This is such a huge thing for me to do without Bethy by my side.
I’m going to miss her through every big event my life throws at me.
It leaves a hollow feeling where she should be.
I’m startled out of my thoughts when Nancy returns.
The dress isn’t my size, but I love the look of it and the material. The jacket is stunning, and it fits me perfectly. After placing my order, we do the whole measuring my size to make sure it will be perfect. Then Nancy asks about shoes, which throws me, as shoes hadn’t entered my mind.
“We can get you the shoes and cover them with the same lace as the jacket,” Nancy again pulls up shoes on the monitor, and I select a pair with two-inch heels. Cream pumps will be easy for me to walk in.
Nancy nods, “They are flex leather pumps and they will be very comfortable. If you want, we can do these for you to match the sleeves of your jacket?”
“No, leave them as they are. I don’t think I need the lace on them. They are lovely shoes and I would rather we didn’t mess with them.”
“Okay, let me get all the details verified with you before I place the order.” Nancy quickly creates an invoice, and I pay the fifty percent deposit. “When is the wedding?”
“Shit, sorry…” I blush with embarrassment at cursing. “It’s a week on Saturday. Is it still possible to do it in time?”
“Yes, it’s a simple style and I’m sure Colleen can get it done. Both myself and Beulah are assisting at this point so we can help Colleen if necessary.”
I paid the deposit and felt happy that I'd gotten this done. I need to come back for a fitting early next week, but I will be sent a message so I don’t have to worry about remembering that.
I’ll need to speak to Chaos about what Corey is going to wear because I want him to feel like he fits in.
Nothing worse than feeling left out, especially a child who was not wanted by his parents.
That will never happen to him again. I’ll make sure of it.