Epilogue
EPILOGUE
FORD
Three Months Later
“I can’t believe you’re getting married and in a tie no less,” Lyla laughs, as she tightens the knot in my tie. “A tie! Like, who have you turned into?”
“A man in love,” I tell her honestly. “Besides, Grace deserves a dream wedding. I wanted to give it to her.”
“She would have been just as happy going to the courthouse, Dad. You know that.”
“I do, but I want this to be a day she’ll never forget.”
Lyla stands back and looks at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy,” she says.
“Well, you can’t remember the day you were born. It was a different type of happiness, but I remember feeling so much joy that I couldn’t hardly handle it. I know I’ve made mistakes, but I hope you know that I’ve always loved you and wanted to give you everything, Butterfly.”
“I know, Daddy. You are the best father a girl could ever ask for and an even better grandfather, and we both know my little brother thinks the sun rises and sets on you.”
“Now I know why you couldn’t turn away from T.”
“Hm … true love is hard to explain until you experience it. Although, I think now that I have my baby girl, I understand why you wanted to kill Thomas.”
“I’m glad I didn’t. He’s a good man, despite his dad.”
Lyla laughs, knowing that I’m joking. “You can hush it. I know you like Dragon. You’re not fooling me,” she chastises, calling me on my shit.
“He’s alright,” I laugh.
“He likes you, too. That’s why not only him and his club, but his sister chapter from Tennessee is out there.”
“I’m here, too,” My head jerks around to see King come in.
“Bout time, asshole,” I laugh, hugging the bastard. “Are you about ready to come home yet?”
He shakes his head, and I can see the regret on his face. “I’m not exactly happy, but there are just too many memories here. I saw your men tore the diner down.”
“Yeah, they put it up for sale a few months back and the club bought it back. We voted, and the club decided to turn it into a park area. The guys miss you. They’re a little bitter. I heard after a few unexplained slashed tires to his cruiser and some unexplained vandalism incidents at his house, a certain trooper decided to request duty at another post four counties away. They moved out of the area last week.”
King cracks half of a smile, but just shrugs. “I want her to be happy. I just don’t ever want to see her again,” he says, scrubbing the side of his face.
“She’s a fool,” Lyla says, hugging King. She loves him like a brother. His leaving the club left a big hole.
“T-Boy still treating you right?”
“He is. You’ll find happiness again someday, too, King.”
“I don’t think I’m the type of man that works out for,” he responds, shrugging like it’s no big deal. I know better because I used to be in his shoes.
“Yes, you are. If Dad can manage to rope a good woman like Grace after all these years, you can, too. She’s out there somewhere. You’ll find her.” King shakes his head, then kisses her forehead. My girl sighs because she knows that he’s ignoring her advice.
“You better get back to Grace. Make sure she doesn’t back out on me,” I tell her. She’s Grace’s matron of honor—or whatever you call it. This fancy shit is over my head. I just know my daughter is wearing a beautiful coral dress and she takes my breath away. I can’t wait to see my beautiful Grace in her wedding gown. I haven’t seen it yet, but Lyla said she looked just like a princess, which is exactly what I wanted.
“Like that would happen,” she laughs.
“Dad! I’m ready!” Asher says, coming in. T trailing behind him. I watch as he kisses Lyla gently, smiling at her. Yeah, my girl did good. T adores her and even if I didn’t truly like the man, that would be enough to make me glad he’s part of our lives.
“Thank goodness. I couldn’t do this without my best man,” I tell him, scooping him up into my arms. T and King are standing with me, but I asked Asher to be my best “man”. I wanted him standing beside me as I married his mom. I needed him to realize he is a part of all of this. I love him and want him just as much as I want his mother.
“I’m here. I have the rings in my pocket too. We will all be a real family after this. Lyla says I’m already her little brother, but this will make it official!” he says with so much joy that I can’t contain the chuckle that escapes.
“Then, let’s get this show on the road,” I tell him.
We walk out into the backyard behind my house. I smile in satisfaction at the tons of flowers and white chairs with coral bows. There’s a white satin runner between the aisle and a huge archway where the boys and I go to stand and wait for my woman. It looks exactly how I envisioned. I know Grace will be happy and that’s all that matters.
Soon, the music starts. I’m pretty sure my heart stops beating when Grace comes walking down the aisle in a white dress that is simple, elegant, and unbelievably gorgeous. With every step she takes toward me, tension I didn’t know I had begins to fade away. Subconsciously, I was worried that something would happen. Other than Lyla, I’ve not had much really good in my life. Grace is the answer to every dream I’ve ever had.
As she makes it to me, I all but grab her and take her mouth with all the hunger I have overflowing inside of me. I hear the whoops and yells of the crowd, even some of the laughter, but I ignore it and lose myself in my Grace.
“I think you’re supposed to wait until I finish my spiel,” Sawbones says when I finally allow Grace to pull back and get some air.
I look up at my fellow club member. He took some internet course so he could marry us. I didn’t really know who I’d call to do it, and Grace liked the idea of keeping it in the family—which were her words. She’s accepted my club completely and I have to admit, I worried she wouldn’t. She’s becoming tight with the other old ladies, too, and I know that only good can come from that.
“I’ll do what I want,” I mutter, placing another small kiss on her lips. “I love you, beautiful.”
She grins big at me, tears of happiness shining in her eyes. “I love you, too,” she whispers.
We turn to face Sawbones and I don’t remember a lot of the actual ceremony, but I know all the way down to my soul that I will remember the way she said “I do” for the rest of my life. Just like I will always look back on today and remember dancing with my wife while my club joined in, and the way Asher danced with Daisy while Grunt told me I needed to control my kid—and we all laughed at him. This is my family, the source of my strength, happiness, and comfort. I’ve never felt more connected to them than I do today, and I know in my bones that Grace is the one that brought that out of me. I’ve waited my whole life for her.
It was more than worth it.