Epilogue
One year later
Commando
“My only problem with this wedding, is that there are no strippers allowed,” Slade said, exchanging laughing looks with Girth. I was staring at my reflection in the mirror, while Mom was helping me fix my wine colored bowtie.
“Will you boys leave him alone? He’s trying to set an example for you, so learn from him,” Mom snapped teasingly at them, and they continued to laugh. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at me in the mirror. I could see she was proud. Settling down with a good woman, was not something she had expected from her son. She was smiling and I was happy that she was happy too.
“Congratulations, brother,” King said, thumping my back, just as Dad entered the room.
“Clear out, boys. I need to speak to my son,” he said.
Dad was already in his suit…an attire I had never seen him in before. He was standing at the door of the room, his hands clasped together in front of him.
King, Girth and Slade each patted my shoulder in congratulations as they headed out. My best men. My brothers. Mom kissed her husband on his cheek before she left the room too. I could see that she was in a romantic mood.
I tucked a hand into the pocket of my pants, as I looked at him through the mirror. He remained standing where he was and I wondered if he still secretly disapproved of this relationship. I knew he liked Ava, in fact he fucking adored her. That was not the problem. The problem was that I was marrying her. It was more than just a casual relationship with a beautiful girl I couldn’t keep my hands off.
Dad took in a deep breath and I met his eyes.
“Your sister’s out there,” he said and I nodded my head.
“I saw her already,” I said to him. Moira rarely ever paid us a visit anymore, staying away from our lifestyle as much as possible. I preferred it that way, but she wasn’t going to stay away from her brother’s wedding. She had to see it for herself to believe it.
Dad was quiet again, stroking his salt and pepper beard. I knew he had something to say and I wished that he would just say it.
“If your mother hadn’t become pregnant with you, son, I would have never married her,” he said and I clenched my jaw. This wasn’t exactly something I wanted to hear on my wedding day.
“Yeah, I always got that feeling,” I said and he stepped towards me.
“Don’t get me wrong, Kelley, I love your mother. She’s the only woman in the world who can keep me in control,” he said and I looked away from him, and turned to fixing my bow tie again. I tried to picture Ava, walking down the aisle towards me, to focus on anything but this bullshit that my father had decided to put me through.
“But marriage was never on the cards. I had never pictured myself as much of a family man,” he continued, not getting the hint.
I looked back at him through the mirror. He had come to halt directly behind me, looking me up and down.
“You think I’m making a mistake. That I’m going to be saddled down with responsibilities, and a woman and kids,” I said, in a deadpan voice and he nodded his head.
“Yes, you will have responsibilities. You are now responsible for another life, and when you have kids, you will be responsible for theirs too,” he said and I clenched my jaw. I didn’t fucking care what he thought of this marriage. I wanted nothing more than marrying Ava. This had been the happiest year of my life and it was fucking unbelievable.
“But making a mistake? I don’t think so,” he said and my brows crossed with surprise. Where was he going with this?
Dad reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder and my muscles stiffened.
“Ava is a good woman, and she makes your mother happy. More importantly, she makes you happy and keeps you grounded. So, no, I don’t think you’re making a mistake, son. I think you’re making the best fucking decision of your life,” he said and I whipped around to him.
Dad had stretched out a hand to me and still in shock, I shook it. We smiled at each other and I caught the look of pride in his eyes.
“Now get out there and marry that woman before she runs away with King or someone else. Hell, if I was a few years younger…” Dad said with a laugh and I playfully punched his shoulder.
“Don’t finish that sentence, Dad,” I said, smiling at him and he clamped his mouth shut.
“Thank you,” I added and he nodded his head.
He was right, this was the best fucking decision of my life and I couldn’t wait to make it.