Epilogue #2
“You don’t need to explain,” she assures me, quickly shutting the door. “Mica knows better than to come around bothering you before the ceremony. This was supposed to be your time to chill out and relax.”
“I enjoyed his visit,” I admit guiltily.
“I’m sure you did. My son can be charming when he wants to be. They all can,” she adds as she quickly rights my hair, then tugs the strap of my sundress back into place.
“There,” she says cheerfully. “You look proper instead of freshly ravished.”
“Thank you,” I say. “Do you think we’re going to hell for ravishing in a church?”
Queenie chuckles. “No, of course not. A church is just a building where people meet to talk about spiritual matters. It’s not a place where God hangs around to be offended by humankind.”
“Sorry if that was a silly question. My gramps never put too much stock in organized religion, so neither did I. He said they were a bunch of hypocrites that sinned all week and then thought going to church on Sunday washed away their sins.”
“That’s a harsh view but he wasn’t wrong about that.
I grew up in a church where men made all the rules and decisions.
Women were expected to obey. As you can probably guess, I said hell no to all that and ran away.
I eventually met up with Rock.” A wry smile crosses her face.
“I learned that you don’t have to rely on controlling old men to tell you what to believe because God is everywhere.
What’s important is that you treat people well and with respect.
Some people might need a religion to help remind them of that.
Others do well being guided by their own sense of morality. ”
“I guess that’s how Gramps thought too. He had his own moral code that he lived by.”
She gives my arm a pat. “He was rough, but he was a good man. He’d be proud of what you’ve done in his absence, and if I believe in anything, it’s that today he’s gonna be watching over you.”
When we go out to the chapel, all the seats are filled with smiling faces. And my uncle Cray has decided to walk me down the aisle this time. I stop beside him, not surprised that he’s wearing his everyday clothing.
This time we have an actual ordained preacher. Not that our first ceremony with Rigs officiating didn’t feel right, but I think I always knew that it wasn’t a proper wedding, even if it was legally binding and the marriage became real.
When the music starts, I slip my arm through Cray’s and we put one foot in front of the other.
Mica watches me come, his eyes occasionally dropping to my belly.
His expression is one I can only describe as adoring.
When we reach Mica, Cray hands me off to him.
I know it’s an old fashioned tradition, but I wanted Cray to have a part in my vow renewal ceremony.
Mica takes both of my hands in his and we turn to face each other.
Pastor Langley opens his Bible and addresses the room. “We are gathered here today in the presence of God to witness Mica and Nova renew their commitment to one another.”
He turns to Mica. “Mica, do you reaffirm your commitment to Nova as your wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, comfort her in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for as long as you both shall live?”
Mica’s eyes don’t leave mine. “I do.”
Pastor Langley turns to me. “Nova, do you reaffirm your commitment to Mica as your husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, comfort him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.” This renewal is so much more intimate than our original wedding ceremony.
The pastor nods. “Mica has informed me that they will be exchanging new rings as a symbol of their renewed commitment. Can the ring bearer make their way forward, please.”
Suddenly, I hear a commotion at the back of the chapel and then the tapping of claws on the wooden floor.
I look up to see Sable walking up the aisle and straight to Mica.
That’s when I notice she has an ivory satin ribbon tied around her collar.
Mica tugs at the ribbon and two wedding bands fall into his hand.
He drops the larger one into my hand. I’ve never seen either of these rings before.
Petting her, he murmurs, “Who’s a good girl?”
Sable wags her tail and sits down expectantly.
Mica says as he slides it onto my finger beside my original band, “With this ring, I thee wed, again.”
I fight back tears because I don’t want to cry in front of everyone. Gazing down at my hand I see it’s a simple platinum band that’s practical and exactly my style. My original ring is ornate and beautiful, perfect for special occasions. This one is the ring of my heart.
When he holds out his hand to me, I fumble with the ring he gave me for a second before getting it to slide onto his finger.
I can feel a slight tremor when I slide the band into place. “With this ring, I thee wed, all over again,” I say repeating his words.
Pastor Langley states, “By the power vested in me by the state of California, I am pleased to pronounce your vows renewed.” He smiles warmly at Mica. “You may kiss your bride.”
Mica slips his hand around my waist and tugs me close. When his lips touch mine it’s with warm familiarity. My hands move up and loop my arms around his neck.
We get lost in the moment and when we pull apart, the small chapel erupts in claps, and his brothers tease him about having two weddings to just get some extra kisses. His family has an odd sense of humor but since I know it comes from a good place, I’m there for it.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Pastor Langley announces over the commotion, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson.”
When we turn to face the small crowd, Mica raises our joined hands like we’ve won a competition of some sort. He’s clearly elated and all smiles, so I don’t say another word to bring him down or spoil the moment for him.
Jasper whistles through his teeth with Tessa clapping at his side. Mac is sitting beside Cray, who gives us a chin jerk as if to show his approval. We walk back the way we came, only instead of going back to the changing room, we head out to the courtyard.
There are a few tables scattered around with drinks and a grazing table. The round table holding our tiered cake is off to the side, so no one is likely to bump into it by mistake and send our cake tumbling to the ground.
Cray and Mac find us near the grazing table, where Mica is working on his third plate of food. Mac is proudly wearing his new Raging Vultures cut.
“You got a minute for club business at your own wedding reception?” Cray asks, settling into a chair across from us with a beer in his hand.
“Always,” Mica says, setting down his plate.
Mac pulls up a chair beside Cray and the four of us lean in closer to each other. I love that they include me in these conversations. In Gramp’s club, the women were always sent out of the room when club business was discussed. Mica runs things differently and I appreciate that about him.
“Do you mind if I ask how many brothers you’ve got patched in so far?” Cray asks.
“Not at all. Our membership roster is public information.” Mica begins naming them, “Let’s see, in addition to Mac, Buck, Hawk, there are three of Vulture’s old crew who approached us once word spread about starting a new club.
I’ve also got two prospects from the community who approached Mac about prospecting. They seem like solid guys.”
“Eight men total. That’s a pretty fuckin’ good start for a brand new club.”
“There are nine if you count me,” Mica says with a wry grin.
Mac leans forward and lowers his voice. “I drove out to the property yesterday with Buck to take measurements like you asked us to. The old foundation from the trucking company office is still solid. If you want, we can build on top of what’s already there instead of starting from scratch.”
I chime in, “I like the idea of building on top of what my gramps left behind.”
Mica smiles and grabs my hand. “I agree. Let’s save as much of what Vulture built as possible, especially if it saves us time and money,” Mica says. “What did the contractor have to say?”
Mac replies, “He walked the property with me and said the plans you brought him could be modified to fit the foundation with very little effort. He recommended that the clubhouse be built where the trucking company once stood, and the chopper shop be built on the south side near the road for customer access. I know you said you wanted the trucking operations to stay at your office building since Nova’s already set up there. ”
“When are you planning to break ground?” Cray asks.
Mica responds, “The permits cleared this past Friday. The contractor will have a crew out there on Monday.”
“My brother would’ve gotten a real kick out of this. His granddaughter and some accountant he never met rebuilding everything he lost.”
“Our paths did cross, though I don’t think he ever knew me as anything other than Rock’s son,” Mica says. “He once told me I had good posture for a biker and asked me if I played chess.”
Mac laughs, slapping his leg. “That sounds like Vulture. He always said you could tell a lot about a man by the way he carried himself.”
Cray’s expression becomes more serious. “I want you to know that my club is behind Raging Vultures one hundred percent. If there is anything you need, my crew will show up for you.”
“Same goes for the Sons,” a voice says from behind us. We turn to find Rock standing there with a bottle of beer in his hand. “Whatever you need to get off the ground, you’ve got the full support of Sons of Rage.”
Mica thanks them both and so do I. The group breaks up as people drift back to the bar and the cake table.
But I notice Mac looking wistfully into the distance before he walks away.
I guess this must be as bittersweet for him as it is for me.
The continuation of my grandfather’s legacy without the great man himself.
It’s the first time Mica and I find ourselves alone since the quickie before the ceremony. Mica wraps his arms around me from behind and splays both hands over my stomach. I lean my head back against his chest and relax into his arms.
“This is the wedding we should have had the first time.”
“I don’t know about that. This is warm, intimate, and special because we’re in love. It might have been painfully awkward to be so close when we were virtual strangers.”
“Maybe,” he admits.
“How do you feel, now that we’ve renewed our vows?” he asks quietly.
“Married,” I say. “For real this time.”
He presses his lips to the top of my head. “I feel like you finally chose me. That you’re well and truly mine.”
“I’m wearing your ring, wearing your property cut, and carrying your child. We even run our businesses out of the same office. I can’t think of any ways I could be more yours than I am.”
“That suits me just fine. I love the fuck outta you and I want you and our child close to me, where I can admire and protect you.”
“After everything we’ve been through, I’ll say hell yeah, to that every single time.”
He drops a kiss onto the top of my head and everything about this situation tugs at my emotions.
“I almost cried happy tears during the vows,” I admit.
He lowers his voice. “I know. I saw you doing that chin thing.”
“What chin thing?” I ask, mortified that I might be drooling down my chin or something equally revolting.
“When you’re scared or emotional, your chin gets this little quiver. I doubt you notice but everybody notices.”
“You’re right, I never realized I was doing that. Shit! That’s embarrassing.”
“It’s not embarrassing. It’s proof that you’re still human in a world that makes you cold and cynical if you let it.”
I turn around in his arms. He presses both of his hands against my back. “I don’t want either of us to lose our humanity. No matter what happens, promise me that if I start to get indifferent or detached that you’ll find a way to reach me and pull me out of it.”
He kisses my forehead and murmurs, “Don’t worry, darlin’. Keeping you strong mentally is part of protecting you. I won’t let you down.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss. Right before our lips touch, I remind him, “I love you, babe. And I’m so damn grateful that you came into my life.”
“I love you too, sweetness.” His hand comes up to rest against my belly and he adds, “Both of you.”
We can hear the happy sounds from the reception in the background but we’re both reluctant to leave this one perfect moment, where we’re safe and happy and whole.
I suddenly realize this is everything my gramps wanted for me.
It wasn’t just financial security, the home he provided for me, or even the businesses so I could earn my money and not rely upon a man to support me.
That was all just a means to an end. And that end was a man who loved me, a safe place to lay my head at night, and a family of my own.
My gramps and Cray both knew what I needed and each in their own way did their best to see that I got it.
The End.
Thank you for reading!