Alexa
TWO MONTHS LATER, with the trial looming earlier than expected, I found myself edgy and downright miserable. Paisley had been released to go to work each day, but she was here in the evening, and under heavy guard anytime she left the abbey, so I didn’t have my partner in crime during the day, and couldn’t see Reese much either. No one in my wake was safe, not even the Reverend Mother, which was why I was currently sitting in my room sobbing because I’d been so nasty to her.
A knock at my door brought Sadie and I frowned. “When did you get here?”
“About twenty minutes ago,” she said. “Tough day, huh?”
I dropped my face in my hands. “Ohmigod, I totally freaked out on your aunt. I don’t even know why.”
Sadie giggled. “Oh, honey, it’s okay. She didn’t take it personally.”
“Maybe she should have. I’m horrible.”
“Alexa, you’re stressed. The trial date’s been moved up and you’re understandably freaked out.”
“That’s no excuse to snap at the Reverend Mother because she offered me a sandwich.”
Sadie giggled. “Well, you were pretty adamant about the salami, granted. But it’s okay. Seriously. I know my aunt. She gets it.”
I faced her. “I really need Reese.”
“I know, honey, but it’s not safe.”
“I need him!” I growled.
“Call him.”
“I already did. It didn’t help. I need him here.”
She wrapped an arm around my shoulders and rubbed my arm. “I’m sorry, Lex.”
I shrugged her off of me. “I don’t want you to be sorry, Sadie. I want you to figure out how to get my man here... now.”
My stomach roiled and I was forced to make a run for the bathroom. My thoughts swirled as I puked up everything I’d eaten that day... the most urgent one being, if Sadie didn’t get Reese here tout de suite, I was gonna cut a bitch.
I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then headed back into my room. It was empty and I breathed a sigh of relief as I climbed onto my bed and sobbed all over again. God, I was pathetic.
* * *
I was startled awake by my bed dipping and strong arms wrapping around my waist. “It’s me, Freckles.”
I turned to face Reese and dropped my face into his chest. “What are you doing here?”
“You sounded like you were gonna have a nervous breakdown, baby. I had to do something.”
I burst into tears and sobbed into his T-shirt.
“Hey now,” he crooned, and lifted my chin. “What’s goin’ on, Lex?”
I squeezed my eyes shut tight. “I think I’m pregnant.”
“Eyes, Lex.”
I met his as I sniffed.
“You think you’re pregnant?” he asked.
I nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about the Pill, I mean, I did, but it’s not like I can just show up at the doctor, but I didn’t want to stop having sex, which was really selfish of me, because I shouldn’t burden—”
“Baby, breathe.”
I took a couple of deep breaths which really didn’t help.
“No. But I’m late. Like three weeks late and you know me, I’m never late. And I’m puking my guts out, plus I’m yelling at everyone. I snapped at the Reverend Mother, Reese. Over fucking salami. I’m a monster.”
He chuckled and pulled me closer. “Okay, baby, it’s okay. I’ve got you.”
“Why are you laughing?”
He stroked my cheek. “Because you’re fuckin’ adorable.”
Reese grew serious. “What the fuck?”
“I’m an unmarried pregnant nun, Reese. What other word is there?”
He wiped my tears from my cheeks and kissed me gently. “You’re not a nun and you’re not gonna be unmarried for long.”
“Reese, we can’t get married until the trial’s over.”
“Who says?” he challenged.
“Everyone.”
“Do you say that?”
“Well... no.”
“And I sure as hell don’t say that,” he said, stroking my cheek. “So, we’ll get married tomorrow.”
“But we can’t live together.”
“Sure we can.”
“Reese, stop it,” I hissed.
“Stop what?”
“Stop making promises you can’t keep.”
“I can keep them.”
I blinked up at him. “What?”
“Got it all set, baby. Cullen’s been working around the clock.”
“Who’s Cullen?”
“Cullen Wallace. Brother of one of the Dogs. Hatch. You’ll meet him soon, probably,” he explained. “Our house is fully wired, we have a panic room in the basement—”
“Since when?”
“Finished it yesterday, not that we’ll need it, the home isn’t in my name.”
“Whose name is it in?”
“Private holding.”
“So you hid it?”
“I hid it.”
“That’s kind of genius,” I admitted.
“I’m aware, baby.”
“What about a license?” I challenged.
“Got that sorted too.”
“Yeah, baby. I know people.”
“I’m really sorry I got pregnant.”
“Don’t you dare apologize,” he admonished. “Unless you’re not happy... are you unhappy, Lex?”
“What? No,” I countered. “Are you unhappy?”
“No, baby. I’m thrilled.”
I leaned back a little. “Really?”
His hand slid to my belly. “A life we created is percolating in here, Lex. We made that. I love that... and you. I’m humbled you’re gonna have my baby. Now, you gonna marry me?”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“I don’t have a dress.”
“Yes, you do.”
I frowned. “I do?”
“Yep. Bought you one today.”
“You did not.”
“I did.”
“But I wanted to pick my dress,” I cried.
“You don’t trust me?”
“I don’t know,” I hedged. “It’s my wedding dress. You’re not supposed to see it until I walk down the aisle.”
He sighed. “I haven’t.”
“Well, that doesn’t make sense! How the hell can you buy a dress if you don’t know what you’re buying?”
He smiled. “I took Paisley with me. She chose it, tried it on, without me seeing it, then picked your size.”
“Oh,” I whispered. “Paisley would know exactly what I wanted.”
“It’s why I took her.”
“I can’t believe you spent a day shopping with Paisley.”
“Four.”
“What?” I squeaked.
“Four days. We’ve been doing this dance for two weeks.”
“What the hell?” I snapped. “I thought she was only allowed out to go to work.”
“Technically she is, but Cameron arranged some protection.” He sighed. “I thought she was fuckin’ with me after the third store on day two, but she finally found it today and it’s even the perfect size. Better be. Cost me a fuckin’ fortune.”
“Ohmigod, Reese, really?”
“Yeah, baby, really.”
I snuggled closer. “I love you so much.”
“Love you too. So... wedding. Tomorrow?”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay, baby. It’s all set. Father Michael’s gonna marry us. Ryder and the crew will be here, as will Paisley. Can’t get your mom out, I’m afraid—”
“It’s okay. As long as Paisley’s there, I’m okay. What about Sergei?”
“Still workin’ on that.”
“You are?”
“Do I know how close you are to your brother?” he challenged.
“Yes, you know how close I am to my brother,” I grumbled.
“Then do you doubt I’d move heaven and earth to get him to his only sister’s wedding?”
I bit my lip. “I don’t doubt it for a second.”
“Good.” He leaned forward and kissed me gently. “Then I am moving heaven and earth, Lex.”
“Thank you, honey.”
“My pleasure, baby.” He kissed me again. “I need to go.”
I wrapped my arms around him like a vice. “No.”
“I’m not supposed to be in here.”
“I don’t care.”
He pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “Okay, just a little longer.”
* * *
I awoke the next morning to an empty bed. I didn’t remember falling asleep and I certainly didn’t feel Reese leave me, but I was much calmer than I had been the day before.
On my nightstand were a plastic Fred Meyer bag and a note.
For your peace of mind, Freckles. I love you, R.
I peeked inside and found two pregnancy tests. I grabbed my phone and pressed call.
Reese answered immediately. “Hey, baby. You okay?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to wait to take these with you?”
“Up to you.”
I sighed. “I thought you’d be jonesing to ‘share in this moment’ with me.”
He chuckled. “I’m tryin’ to give you some space, but, yeah, if you could wait, I’d appreciate it.”
“How soon can you be here?”
“We’re gettin’ married today, remember? Not comin’ ’til it’s time.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Okay, I can wait.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes, honey. Of course.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I closed my eyes. I missed him... even though I’d just seen him.
“Hey,” Reese whispered.
“Yeah?”
“I love you, baby. Can’t wait to marry you.”
“Me too, sugar bear.”
“See you in two hours.”
“What?” I squeaked, glancing at my clock. “That’s not enough—”
“Knock, knock,” Paisley called as she pushed open my door.
“Sounds like hair and makeup’s there,” Reese said.
“Honey, two hours is not enough time.”
He chuckled. “I love you, baby. See you in one hour and fifty-six minutes.”
He hung up.
I turned to Paisley who was laying a garment bag on my bed. “Hi.”
She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Hi.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
Paisley rolled her eyes. “I didn’t have much choice. I couldn’t let Reese pick your dress; you would have looked like some biker ho.”
I giggled. “Well, I appreciate you having my back.”
She shrugged. “It was easy, honestly. Reese bought me my bridesmaid’s dress.”
“He did?”
“Yep.” She grinned. “He doesn’t know he did, but he did.”
I was pretty sure Reese did know he bought it, but I didn’t say that to Paisley. She liked getting one over on people, so I let her have that.
“Okay, go shower,” she instructed. “Don’t wash your hair.”
“I know the drill,” I retorted, and hugged her again. “Thanks, bestie. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I headed off to the bathroom, taking the quickest shower in history, and then I joined Paisley (and Sadie) back in my room to prepare for my wedding.
* * *
Paisley and I walked out to the foyer of the sanctuary and I couldn’t stop a gasp as my brother walked toward me. He looked a little beat up, but he’d showered and wore a suit that appeared to have been made for him... and he was alive.
I made a run for him, but he stopped me before I could jump into his arms. “Can’t mess up the dress, sis,” he said with a chuckle, pulling me in for a gentle hug.
He was right. The dress was perfect. The lace top had capped sleeves, a low V-neck with a satin bow around the waist, and the lace flared over the top of a tulle skirt and floated down like a chain of flowers.
“Paisley nailed it, huh?” I said.
“You look beautiful.” He glanced at Paisley. “As do you.”
“Thanks, buddy,” she said. And she did. Her ink blue a-line dress with halter neckline hugged every one of her curves and suited her coloring to a T. She’d nailed her choice as well.
I hugged him again and forced back tears. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I know, myshka.”
I rolled my eyes. He’d always called me “little mouse,” mostly because he said I was the loudest human on the planet, so it was his affectionate attempt at irony.
Stroking my cheek, he smiled. “But I don’t have long and Reese is waiting.”
I nodded. Paisley handed me a bouquet of light pink and white roses and baby’s breath, and I slipped my hand into the crook of Sergei’s arm. It was time. I couldn’t believe it. After all this time, Reese was mine until death... because divorce wasn’t an option... death would come first.
I bit back a smile as Sergei walked me into the church just as the music started to play. He leaned down and kissed my cheek and Paisley stepped around us and strolled toward the aisle.
“Ready?” Sergei whispered.
I nodded and we began our walk toward my future.
* * *
Reese
Alexa came into view and any breath left in my body disappeared. God damn, she was beautiful. Her eyes met mine and I could see the tears threatening to spill... hell, I was biting back my own.
The tip of her tongue touched her lips and I wanted to forget all the ceremony bullshit and take her into a side room and fuck her senseless, especially when she gave me a slow, sexy smile. Unfortunately, the chapel was filled with a dozen or so bikers, at least twenty nuns, and a priest. Not a group of people I could ditch without being noticed... not to mention the fact it was my wedding day.
Hey, baby, I mouthed to her as she moved toward me.
Hi, she mouthed back.
Sergei delivered Alexa to me and I lifted her hand to my mouth, kissing her palm. “You are stunning,” I whispered.
“So are you,” she whispered back.
I wore black jeans, motorcycle boots and a white button up, but I’d dressed up the ensemble with a black dinner jacket.
Father Michael led us through our vows (not fast enough in my opinion) and then it was finally time to kiss my wife.
Fuck.
My wife.
Alexa stared up at me with a watery smile as I cupped her face. “Hi, wife.”
“Well, hello there, husband.”
I leaned down and gently kissed her. She opened her mouth to deepen the kiss, but I kept our first kiss as a married couple PG-13... and saw her irritation all over her face. I smiled and turned her to face our friends as Father Michael introduced us.
I took Alexa’s hand and kissed it gently, raising an eyebrow at her expression. “Patience, Mrs. Alden.”
“You know how I feel about patience, Mr. Alden.”
I grinned. “Smile, Lex, you just got married... to me.”
She finally smiled and faced our friends.