CHAPTER 10
Madison
In the last three months things have really taken off.
Romona had her surgery and spent a few days in the hospital.
Anna took her to their home afterward to recover with help and Jason has become a fixture in her life.
He makes sure she’s eating the healthy foods she’s supposed to.
He dotes on her completely.
We’re even supposed to meet his kids soon.
I think I went to school with one of them, but it should be an interesting dinner at some point.
The guys have been working almost every weekend on my sandwich shop and we’re actually going to be able to open next week.
It’s amazing the amount of guys who’ve showed up to help every weekend.
Ry finally gave up helping after Christy hit him with a board by accident for the third weekend in a row.
I swear he’s a magnet for her accident-prone calamities.
I’ve hired Christy, Mary and a woman named Jackie, who’s just left her husband who sounds like a complete loser.
She’s got three little ones and hasn’t worked since before they were born.
She came to the clubhouse for help.
I guess she’d gotten their card from Ry with a promise of help when she needed it.
My luck is that she’s had experience in waitressing and helping manage a restaurant before, so she’s been a godsend.
Kierstie had her little boy about two weeks ago and last weekend Jane had a little girl.
Bitches leaving me to be the last one pregnant.
Kierstie pushed all of like five times and he was out.
Jane was in labor for all of like four hours.
I’m scared they got all the good luck in that department.
I just hit twenty-two weeks and luckily, I haven’t had many issues with this pregnancy.
My morning sickness was pretty minimal, though Mick has had to wait to drink his coffee till he gets to work ’cause the smell of it…just ick.
Speaking of Mick, we’re getting married tomorrow.
We’re getting married in Ma and Pa’s backyard.
I didn’t really want a huge wedding, but even just inviting the family, it’s decent sized.
I’m having Kierstie and Hanna stand up with me and Mick is having Micah and Jameson stand up with him.
Mom, Romona, and Anna have done all the cooking and it’s just going to be a family party, not any of the reception traditions really, though I think someone might be conspiring to have a first dance.
Jane is making cupcakes for our cake and I love that.
Jon’s agreed to officiate for us.
Ma and Romona insisted that we spend today and tonight apart, both saying that’s a tradition that’s required.
Anna deemed it so too.
When Mick tried to argue it, Asher told him if he was forced to do it then he had to too.
So he’s down at his shop working on drawings since he’s been banished from our home till I go over to Ma and Pa’s.
That’s right, he officially moved in here a couple of months ago, which is good since I apparently can no longer sleep without him.
The girls are all coming over here and we’re doing a spa day and I’m sure there’s going to be some chocolate involved since alcohol is a no go for me right now.
It will also give me a chance to get in some baby snuggles since the newest arrivals will be with us.
Is it bad that I’m ready to get through this day ’cause I can’t wait to marry Mick tomorrow? I just finished my vows and I think I finally found the words to say what I mean.
Hopefully he really gets it tomorrow.
There’s a knock on the door and it opens with my never-quiet-a-day-in-her-life sister calling out.
“You better be dressed bitch ‘cause we’re here and we bring all the pampering shit and a crap ton of Jojos!”
Jane comes in behind her with Hanna, Kinsley, Shandy, Brandy, Christy and Mary following up, all with shit in their hands.
Last one to come in is Nicky.
“Honey we brought Jojos, brownies, marionberry shakes and all the stuff to make your skin glow for tomorrow.”
Oh yes.
My pregnant ass is about to devour my weight in yumminess.
I love my tribe, and I love how they get me.
My pregnant self really loves that they brought me a large marionberry shake.
Let’s get this shit started.
I gotta try to not look like a whale tomorrow.
Mick
I don’t remember a time I wanted to argue with Mom and Ma more than I did yesterday when I was told I can’t spend tonight with Madison.
They went on and on about it’s the one thing they’re putting their foot down about.
They said nothing good came with spending the night before the wedding together.
Mom isn’t one for tradition and following rules, but even she said this was one to follow.
Asher, the fucker had to chime in and say if he could do it, so could I.
Shane made a similar comment, even adding that Pa and Grant made sure he didn’t sneak over during the night.
So yes, I might be sulking at the shop since I’m banned from my own home till later today.
I’ve tried working on designs for my appointments next week, but it’s not really working.
I don’t have any appointments today and I don’t think Grant does either.
I’m staring at my desk when I hear the front door chime.
Looking over I’m surprised when I see Jon standing there.
“Pres? What can I do ya for?”
He walks over and sits on one of the stools next to my table.
“I happen to know there’s a crowd of women and Nicky at your house right now and that you’ve been banished for the next few hours, so I thought it might be a good time to get my tattoo for the baby like I got when Carter and Bryant were born.”
I can’t help but be shocked.
“You only get tattooed by Grant.
I mean like every single one of your tattoos is from him.”
He stares me down, in that way that makes you wonder if he’s about to say something meaningful or just strike you dead.
I am marrying his little sister tomorrow so it could really go either way.
“I know, but he’s doing it less and less, plus I thought I’d like to get this one by the man who’s going to be not just my club brother, but my actual brother by this time tomorrow.”
I know to some this might not be a big deal, but knowing how particular he is about his tattoos, I know it is.
“Well what do you want and where?”
We start figuring out what he wants and its placement.
It’s not a complicated one so it only takes me a few minutes to draw it up.
I get everything together and start to get to work.
“You ready to marry my little sis tomorrow?”
I barely look up at him before I answer.
“I was ready the day she agreed to be mine.
Yeah, I’m beyond fucking ready.”
Jon nods at me.
“Good, ‘cause she deserves a guy who thinks she’s as amazing as she is and I know you do.
I also know you saw how strong she was when all of us took her for granted and didn’t see the real her.”
I just listen while I work ‘cause I don’t know how to respond to that.
“Jane reminds me often that I was too stubborn with that whole thing and that Mads-er Madison is just as passionate about the family as Kierstie is, she just shows it differently and that I shouldn’t compare them.
She reminds me of that fucking fact every time Bryant does something different from Carter.
It’s not like they’re identical twins or something, of course I know they’re different.”
I can’t help the grin.
“Was this something she went on and on about before Molly was born?”
He glares at me.
“Yes.
Fuck whenever she’s pregnant Jane scares me.
I don’t know what our kids growing inside of her does, but it’s terrifying at times.”
I dip the needle in the ink and continue working.
“Does that mean the three of you are gonna lay off of her for a while or get fixed?”
He doesn’t answer right away.
My curiosity gets the better of me and I look up at him.
He’s glaring at me.
“Fuck that shit.
My woman is amazing and I wait till the doctor gives a go ahead, but last time that was the longest eight weeks of my life, and no I ain’t getting fixed…yet.”
I smile at his answer.
“What about you? You two talk about how many kids you’re wanting?”
I continue on the line I’m working on.
“Yeah we have.
She really wants two or four kids.
She doesn’t want an odd number.
I’ll give her as many as she wants or her body’s up for carrying.
If she changes her mind and just wants this one, I’ll be fine too.”
Jon doesn’t say anything for a few minutes.
I am almost done when he lets out a sigh that makes me think for a second I have Ry in my chair.
I wipe off the section I’m working on and I look up at Pres.
“You make it really hard to do my job as her big brother and threaten to end you if you hurt her.”
I look at him with all the seriousness I can muster.
“If I ever really hurt her.
I expect you to send me straight to Hel but just so you know, I’d rather cut off all my limbs and bleed to death than hurt her.”
Jon nods, making me think that I gave the right answer.
Glad to see we’re all on the same fucking page since he’s agreed to marry us tomorrow.
**********
It’s early, like before the sunrise, but I’ve been up for a while.
Today’s the day I get to marry my girl.
I get to tie her to me and the world will know she’s taken.
I didn’t sleep much last night.
It just felt wrong sleeping in bed alone.
I pour my first cup of coffee for the morning, grab my phone and head for the couch.
This is the first morning in months that I’ve been able to make a cup of coffee at home.
We learned pretty early on that the smell of it brewing makes Madison sick, so my coffee maker at work has been used on a daily basis.
I grab my phone and see I’ve got texts from three people already this morning.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: I know you’re probably sleeping, but I can’t.
I can’t believe I get to be the lucky one to marry you today.
Your child has been particularly active, it’s like she knows her daddy isn’t home.
I know everyone insisted on this, but I’m missing you.
That’s all.
This time tomorrow I’ll be Mrs.
Mick Johansen and I can’t wait. Love you.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: Oh yeah.
Your child has decided that brownies, Jojos and marionberry shakes mean heartburn like crazy.
Not a fan.
Me: I didn’t sleep much.
The bed isn’t the same without you in it.
I’m sorry she’s giving you heartburn and I’m not there to help you.
Our parents can still be forces to be reckoned with.
You still having heartburn? Can I order you anything or bring you anything? It’s technically the day of the wedding so we can’t get yelled at for seeing each other.
While I wait to see if she responds I look at the other two messages I got.
Mom: I know you’re a grown adult, but I wouldn’t be your mom if I didn’t remind you on this big of a day to wash behind your ears and make sure your fucking socks match.
See you later. Love you.
Me: Yes ma’am.
Love you too.
Micah texted me to let me know he’ll be here at like ten with some food and some of the guys to get ready together and hang out till we gotta go to Ma and Pa’s.
I get up to refill my coffee cup.
This is definitely a two cup day.
My phone dings with a text.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: It’s doing better now.
I think my stomach is just nerves at this point.
Me: Are you nervous to marry me?
My soon-to-be Mrs.: No, not at all.
I can’t wait to marry you.
I’m happy we wrote our own vows, I’m just terrified that in front of all those people, I won’t be able to get through them and you deserve me being able to say the freaking words.
Reading her text I come up with an idea.
I shoot a text off to Pres and wait for his response.
Pres: We still gonna do the whole thing later today, right? ‘Cause I ain’t about to tell Ma, Anna, Romona or my woman that all their hard work was for nothing.
Me: All that will stay the same, in fact only you and the two of us need to know about this one.
Pres: You’re lucky I was already awake with the twins and watching cartoons.
Be here in twenty minutes and I’ll wake up Rory to watch the boys.
I send off a text to my girl to have her sneak out and meet me at the guys' house in twenty minutes.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: I don’t have any clothes but my pjs I have on right now!
Me: That’s fine, it’s just us baby.
You trust me?
My soon-to-be Mrs.: Of course.
Like you need to ask.
Me: Then just put your flip-flops on, grab your keys and head over.
You’ll be back in time for most of the house to just be waking up.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: Okay I gotta pee first ‘cause your child is using my bladder as a drum, but I’m going.
I go run and throw some sweats on and grab my truck keys.
I get to the house within fifteen minutes and get out of my truck.
I see Madison pulling up, so I wait for her.
She parks and I go around to help her out of the car.
She doesn’t know it, but I’ve been car shopping and got her an SUV that’s gonna be safer and easier with our little one on her way.
As soon as my girl gets out of the car, I can’t help but lean down and kiss her.
I break the kiss and take her hand in mine.
I can tell she hasn’t a clue as to what’s going on.
“Not that I don’t love seeing you since we are getting married today and all, but what are we doing here at my brothers at the ass crack of dawn?”
I stop walking to look at her.
“We’re getting married.”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my shit.
“We are getting married today, but what are we doing here?”
I take her other hand in mine.
“I really read what you texted and I had a thought.
We’re gonna go in there and in front of Jon we’re going to say the vows we wrote to each other and marry each other.
We’ll do the traditional vows today at the wedding and that can be our official wedding.
This one is for just you and me, for us to say the things that we want to but that no one else really needs to hear.”
Shit now I’m nervous and worried I did the wrong thing.
Just when I’ve reconsidered this idea, my girl flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around me and kisses me over and over again.
Madison
How in the hell did I get so lucky? I mean, he loves me enough to marry me twice in one day.
“So this idea is alright with you?”
I can hear the smile in his question since I’m still hugging the crap out of him.
“I love it and I would’ve never thought of it.
You really are a genius.”
He shakes his head at me.
“Nah, I just want to do whatever I can to make you happy, love.”
Gonna make me cry already today.
We get to the top of the steps and the door opens with Jon standing there in his pajamas.
“It’s a good fucking thing the boys get up this early all the time, otherwise I would be considering slow methods of dismemberment for your man there sis.”
I look at him and know instantly what it is.
“It wasn’t your night to sleep with Jane and you’ve only had one cup of coffee.”
He glares at me but doesn’t argue which means I’m right.
Not one of my brothers is as mysterious as they’d like to believe.
He waves us into the house.
“Let’s go to my office.
The boys are quietly watching television in bed with Rory and Molly is out for another hour or two so Jane’s still sleeping.”
We both follow him to his office.
“So this one ain’t the legal one, right? ‘Cause if it is, we're gonna have to wake up a couple witnesses.”
Mick answers him.
“No, we can wait for the legal one to be later today.
This is more so we can say the vows we wrote for each other, to each other.
This one is for us.”
Jon faces us and leans against his desk and crosses his arms.
“Little one, he’s making it fucking hard for me to dislike him like a good brother.”
Oh for fucks sake.
“He’s been your friend for decades, I think you already knew he was a good man.
You can tone down the whole mean big brother thing.
I know you love me.”
He shrugs and looks at Mick.
“You two want me to say what I’ve got planned or just let you say your vows and I say the important bit afterward.”
He nods.
“Yeah let’s do that.
You can say the stuff afterward, but maybe just us to each other first.”
Mick takes both my hands in his.
He gives them both a squeeze and I can see the love shining back at me when I look in his eyes.
“Madison.
I can’t tell you the exact moment that I fell completely head over heels in love with you.
It was a million little things.
It’s how you make sure everyone is always taken care of, how you honestly get so excited when a new book comes out or your coffee comes out just right.
I love that you bite your lower lip when you're rethinking something for the millionth time.
I love that you wrinkle your nose when you’re really concentrating on something.
I don’t know the moment I fell in love with you but I know that one day I looked at you and all I could see was my future.
You’re the one I want to do life with.
I remember the day at the clubhouse when you wore those new clothes and I might not have reacted the best.”
I hear Jon make a noise and I might’ve too at that understatement.
“Okay, so I was a bit over the top, but in that moment I realized your beauty shines inside and out and that I was gonna be damned that someone else would get to live their lives with that beauty and strength.
Baby, I know we might have taken our time to get to start our forever, but like I’ve told you before, I wouldn’t change a thing since our journey brought us here, to this moment and I can’t imagine being in this moment in time with anyone else.
I can’t wait to do the rest of this life together with you.”
Tears are streaming down my face.
Mick reaches up and wipes them off of my face.
“That was so beautiful and perfect.”
I hear Jon clearing his throat.
“Sis, before you try to jump him or something like that, which I really don’t need to be a part of, why don’t you say yours?”
I can’t help but glare at him for a second.
“Mick.
To say I love you is an understatement.
You are everything to me.
You’re my best friend, my confidant, my greatest cheerleader, my love.
You love with your whole being and I love that you give me all of you.
I love that you care so much about the people who are important to you.
I love that you’re passionate about your work.
I love that you can be serious but also laugh at yourself and you help remind me to do that by just being you.”
I can feel his strength helping me as he squeezes my hands.
“You saw me when no one else did.
You saw me under my fears and overthinking.
You’ve helped me realize all my dreams.
You’ve given me the two greatest gifts I could ever have, your all-encompassing love and this little one that’s going to join us in the next few months.
When I’m at a loss for words, you seem to find them in my heart and know what I mean even when I can’t figure it out myself.
I’m so lucky to get to be your wife.
I love you and I’ll love you till the last breath leaves my body.”
I hear sniffling from the doorway and look over and see Jane and Juan standing there with Molly in Jane’s arms.
Juan looks over at Jon.
“You better fucking do your part before she completely loses it.”
As tears are streaming down both my and Jane’s face, I don’t know which one of us he’s talking to.
Jon looks between us and clears his throat.
“Okay, I wasn’t sure about doing this now when Mick first texted me this idea, but after hearing those words between you two, he was definitely on to something.”
He looks at Mick for a second and then to me.
“I don’t think anything I can say can add to that other than, Mick, do you take Madison as your wife, in sickness and in health for as long as you live?”
He gives me that smile that’s just for me.
“I absolutely do.”
Jon looks at him and nods and looks at me.
“Madison, do you take Mick as your husband, in sickness and in health for as long as you live?”
I realize in this moment, this is the moment that we become us.
That we become one against the word.
“I do with every ounce of my being.”
Mick’s smile gets even bigger and I feel his hands come up and cup my face.
“Love you forever wife.”
He kisses me and I can tell he meant everything he’s said this morning and everything that was unsaid.
I know without a shadow of a doubt he loves me with every ounce in him, just like I love him.
“Today at the ceremony you gotta wait to kiss till I tell you brother.”
Micks breaks the kiss and answers my brother without looking at him.
“I will.
I just couldn’t wait any longer to kiss my wife.”
I kiss him ‘cause how could I not? Mick moves to hold my hand and looks at the two nosey nellies at the door.
“This didn’t happen.
You two get that? As far as everyone else knows, our wedding later today is going to happen with no changes or anything like that. Got it?”
Jane nods.
“It goes in the vault.”
She looks over at my brother.
“You might want to tell this one ’cause next to Nicky and Ry, he’s the biggest gossip I know.”
Juan’s glaring daggers at her, though she was one hundred percent accurate.
“Baby.
The fuck I am.
You know Ry gossips more than me.”
I know this can turn into an argument in the next sixty seconds and I don’t want to be here for that.
I go up to Juan and poke him in the chest as I look up at him.
“You aren’t going to say anything to anyone or I’ll bring up that one secret I’ve kept for over a decade.”
I watch as he looks confused for a few seconds then he gets this horrified look.
He must’ve just remembered what I’m talking about.
He glares at me.
“You’re just mean.
That’s dirty, sis.”
I shrug my shoulders as I head out of the room to the front door.
“It’s only dirty if you give away our secret.
Now, I need to head back before everyone at Ma and Pa’s wakes up.”
I hug Jon.
“Thank you for doing this now and later today.
It means a lot to both of us.”
Jon hugs me back.
“Shit.
sis, you know you only have to ask and we’d do just about anything for you. Love ya.”
Mick does that half-hug thing guys do and we both head out.
Mick walks me to my car.
“See you in a few hours, wife.”
Looking in his eyes, I know I’ll never get tired of looking into them.
“See you soon, husband.”
I give him a quick kiss then get in the car ‘cause I know someone at the house is going to be up any minute, if they aren’t already.
Mick
About an hour after I got home Micah, Jameson, Samson, Saxon, Asher and Ry came over with food and we hung out till it was time to get dressed and head over to Ma and Pa’s.
I rode with Micah in his truck since I’ll drive us to where we’re staying the next couple of days in the SUV I just got her.
I parked it over at Mom’s last night and Asher and Logan brought it over to Ma and Pa’s earlier today for me.
On the ride over Micah, who’s one of the quietest brothers and been my best friend since we were in junior high, speaks up.
“You know, I’ve known you through all your past girlfriends and crushes, hell I remember in junior high how we both thought that one cheerleader, what was her name?”
What was it? “Holly?”
He nods at me.
“Holly, that was it.
How we both had the hots for her but she ended up falling for some junior.
Anyway, in all our years of friendship, I’ve never seen you settled, like you always seemed like you were searching for something, or that something was missing.
You don’t anymore.
I think Madison is who you were searching for.
She’s your missing piece.
It looks good on you and I couldn’t be happier for you.
I’ll be honest, I’m fucking jealous, not ‘cause I’m pining for your girl, ‘cause she’s like a sister to me and that’s just eww, but ‘cause I want what you’ve got.”
I look over at him.
“First off, fuck you very much for saying eww about my girl, though I’m glad you think of her as a sister so I wouldn’t have to beat your ass.
Secondly, you’ll find your person, I know it ‘cause you’re an awesome person.
Maybe it’s time for you to start dating again, it’s been a long time since-”
Micah cuts me off.
“I know.
I think I’m there and ready finally.”
I don’t say anything more ‘cause that’s more words than I’ve heard him say at once in over four years.
As soon as we got to the house, we were ushered to the backyard with Anna and Ma both saying the house was full of the girls getting ready and I was banished from coming inside.
I look around the yard and it’s been decorated exactly as my girl wanted.
String lights hang everywhere, ready to shine once the sun sets a bit.
Flowers and candles inside of mason jars line the tables.
It really is pretty, but honestly it could be a dirt lot and still be perfect, because I get to marry the woman who has consumed me for so long.
I take a seat at one of the tables, anxious to get this shit started.
I must get lost in thought ‘cause I’m surprised when someone sits next to me and bumps my knee.
I look over and see Erik sitting next to me.
“You know, I’d have a problem with just about anyone else marrying my little one, but you two… hell, you two are meant to be together.”
I must make a face at him.
“I know, you were gonna marry her even if I had an issue with it.
Shows me how much you love her.”
He leans back in his chair to reach into his pocket.
“I know I can’t replace Mitch and would never try to, but being that he was one of my best friends from the time we were in middle school, I think I knew him just a bit.”
I know he’s working himself to a point.
“Yeah, honestly I think you are the person who knew him the most.”
He looks at me for a second.
“No, I was second in that category.
Your mom knew him best.
He loved your mom, I know when he was drunk he said some stupid shit, but I saw him with that girl and then with your mom.
He was in love with the idea of that girl, but he was head over heels in love with your mom.
He said to me once that the three best days in his life were the day he met your mom, the day they got married and the day you were born.
The day you were born was one of the scariest for him too with the complications your mom had.
It’s one of the few times I ever saw him pray.
He was so scared he was going to lose you both, but you came out strong as could be.
Unfortunately her complications made it so she couldn’t have more and I know that hurt her for a while.
Your dad was just so happy to still have her and have you that I don’t think he felt cheated at all.
He loved being your dad.
I know I’ve told you before that he’d be proud of the man you are, but I think it’s the right time to let you hear it from him.”
What the fuck is he talking about? I watch him pull out an envelope from his pocket.
“Your mom and I found this letter he wrote to you in his shop after he died.
It looks like he wrote it when he found out you were going to apprentice with Grant to learn to tattoo.
I think today is the right time for you to hear from him.
I only read the first two lines, the rest is just between you and him.”
He hands me the letter.
Looking at it, I can tell it’s my dad’s handwriting.
It’s at this moment I realize how much I wish he was here today.
I don’t think the pain of losing a parent ever goes away.
It’s been ten years but I can still hear him calling my name.
I open the envelope and take out the paper.
It’s a single sheet of paper, but that was Dad, never saying more words than he felt necessary in any situation.
Mick,
I want you to know I think you’ve made a very good decision.
You have a great artistic talent, which you obviously get from your beautiful mom.
Choosing to go into tattooing as a career will give you a more steady stream of income than some other artistic careers.
Grant’s a good guy and will teach you all you need to know.
I know we’ve never talked about it since you saw me yelling at your mom a few years ago, but I want-no need to share this with you.
You were right to call me on my shit, and I would expect nothing less from the son I’ve raised.
I haven’t had a drink of whiskey since that night and have no plans to touch it again.
I’ve done some serious thinking and I know I’m not a good man when I drink the hard stuff.
I don’t think I realized what I’d been saying to your mom all these years when I’ve been drinking it.
I love your mom more than life itself and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to her.
I can see even though you’re just twenty-one, I know you’re a good man, and you are a man, son.
I have two hopes for you in life.
That you find happiness in what you do, that it gives you a sense of pride and purpose and secondly that you find your person.
That you find the person that you want to spend your days with, that you can’t imagine your life without them, that you want to share your love with.
Do I care if it’s a woman or a man? No, though I do hope you decide to have kids ‘cause I know your mom would love to have some grandbabies to love on.
Love you son and I’m proud of you.
Dad
PS If you're working with Grant that closely, maybe you can kick him in the butt and make him see that the person he’s meant to be with is right in front of his face.
Fighting back tears, I look up from the letter and realize Erik’s not next to me anymore.
I wipe my eyes.
“Son, are you okay?”
Looking to my right I see Mom walking my way.
“Yeah.
I’m great. Mom.”
She walks up to me with a concerned look on her face.
“You sure?”
I nod and hold up the letter.
“Erik gave me a letter he found that Dad had written to me.
I just read it.
It’s like I could hear him saying the words to me.”
I can see Mom tearing up.
“Oh honey, he’s here with you.
He’s in your heart and you look so much like him.
He’d tell you the same thing I do, that I love you and am so proud of who you are as a person.”
I stand up and give Mom a hug.
“Thanks, Mom.
Love you too.”
She wipes her eyes and takes out a compact to make sure her makeup is still good.
“Guests are starting to arrive, let’s go greet them and get people seated.
What do you say?”
I stick my arm out for her to take.
“I say that takes me one step closer to getting married so I’m all for it.
Let’s go.”
Madison
Our ceremony was everything I could hope it would be.
I’m really glad that we shared our vows this morning because even the traditional vows had me crying like a baby.
Mick had tears in his eyes as I walked down the aisle to him.
Everyone did amazing with the food and we’re all sitting around, enjoying the evening.
Mick hasn’t let go of my hand all night, and I love that.
I hear rustling behind me and I turn to see Ry, Saxon and Nicky bringing out what looks like a stereo.
I look back at Mick and he’s got a grin on his face, telling me this ain’t a surprise to him.
“What did you do?”
He lifts up my hand and kisses it.
“I know we weren’t gonna do a lot of the traditional reception stuff, but I couldn’t not have a first dance with my wife.”
He stands up and holds out his hand to help me up.
Some of the guys move a couple of the tables out of the way.
I look over to Ry who has the stereo all set up.
He looks over to me.
“Mick picked this song out himself Sis.
He knows you’re the country girl of the bunch.”
I watch him hit a button and one of my favorite songs that Ma used to play starts playing.
Mick spins me around once and brings me close in.
“I hope you aren’t too mad, wife.”
I look up at him.
He doesn’t know just how perfect this moment is.
“I’m not mad at all.
I used to hear Ma play this song when I was a kid and I remember wishing I could dance at my wedding to this song.”
I feel the tears starting again.
“You made my dream come true without even realizing it.”
He kisses my forehead.
“I might have had a little help.
When I thought of this idea, I talked to Ma and she gave me a list of songs that she said you loved.
How could I not pick the one called ‘From here to eternity?’ I listened to it once and knew it was the one.
The one I wanted to dance the first of a lifetime of dances with my wife.”
Whelp.
There go the tears.
We slowly dance and I can’t help but think when I listened to this song as a kid, what I really was wishing for was him.
The song ends and Mick kisses my forehead again.
“There’s another person who really wanted to dance with you baby.
He said he only gets to do the father-daughter dance once with you.”
I turn and see Pa standing right next to us.
How is a girl not supposed to constantly cry when both her husband and Pa keep being so sweet and thoughtful? I go hug the man who’s loved me unconditionally practically my whole life.
“Little one, I know that fine young man is now your husband and is the man that comes first in your life, but don’t ever forget how much I love you and that I loved you first, damn it.”
I chuckle at him, always so protective of me.
“I love you too, Pa.”
When the song starts, it fits what he just said.
Listening to Heartland belt out, I’m reminded of times as a little girl that Pa would have me step on top of his feet so we could dance around the living room.
I’m so thankful the gods saw that it wasn’t his time to go when he had the stroke.
I can’t imagine having a better dad.
He loved all of us when he didn’t have to.
The hours of tea parties, dolls, and dancing that he did with me and Kierstie are too many to count, but my favorite times hands down, is when he’d find me in the closet reading and read with me, just the two of us.
No matter how many kids we had in the house at the time, he would take the time to sit in there with me.
“Pa, you know I said something to Mick earlier today, but I think I need to amend it.”
He twirls me around once.
“What’s that little one?”
I put my head on his chest, just as I’ve done my entire life.
“I told him he was the only one who saw me, the me behind my overthinking, fears and worry.
But he’s not the only one.
You saw me too.
Those times you found me in my closet and we’d talk or read together.
You took the time and saw me, even when I didn’t see myself.”
A few seconds later I hear him sniff, like trying to hold in his emotions.
“Little one, I’ve always seen you.
Now just because you’re married doesn’t change the fact that I’ll always be here for you.
You need an ear to listen? You know where to find me.
I can’t wait to see you as a mom, I know you’re going to be amazing.”
He gives me a big hug like only he can-all-encompassing and yet gentle at the same time.
He kisses me on top of my head.
“You go and see your husband, little one.
Thank you for dancing with your old man.”
Ma
Watching Jonah dance with our little one, I know it’s killing him that she’s officially married.
He thinks highly of Mick and that he’s a great guy, but those two have always had a special bond.
He always would go find her when she hid in her closet when the craziness of our house got too much for her.
He’s always had such a soft spot for our two girls.
I know he loves our boys, but there’s something to be said for a daddy and his girls.
I know he loves his grandsons something fierce but little Gracie has him wrapped around her finger already and I’m sure here shortly little Molly will too.
I have no doubts when Madison gives birth, my big hulking man is going to be a sucker for her too.
I watch him finish and walk back over to me.
I can tell he got a little misty-eyed while out there with Madison.
He sits down next to me.
“You okay there?”
He looks over at me and smiles with unshed tears in his eyes.
“You know there are some days I wonder if we raised this bunch okay or not, but today’s one of those days that makes me realize we did a pretty fucking good job, my love.”
I reach over and squeeze his hand.
“That we did, that we definitely did.”