Ricky
Today has swung around so fast, I almost don’t believe it’s finally here. By the time the sun sets, Kyla will be wearing my ring and she’ll have my name, and I’ll finally be able to call her my wife. I feel like I should be nervous, but I’m not. I can’t wait. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time now, and I’ll be the first one to admit, I’m fucking buzzing.
My phone rings disturbing the silence, after staying at the clubhouse last night, I can’t remember where I put my phone. I find it under the sheets and Kyla’s name fills the screen.
She shouldn’t be calling, she wanted everything traditional. I answer and press the phone to my ear, praying nothing is wrong.
“Hey, babe.”
“Are you sure you love me?” she says, no hello, no how you doing today.
“What the hell, Ky?”
“Answer me, are you sure you love me?”
She isn’t messing around, she’s being serious.
“Do you think I’d stand in front of the whole club and marry you if I didn’t love you?”
“I don’t know, you might just be too afraid of my dad to back out now because he knows how happy you make me.”
I should be pissed, but a small chuckle escapes me, and I sit down on the bed.
“Babe, I’m fucking fearless when it comes to you. You know how much I love you. What’s going on? Are you having doubts?”
“I need to tell you something, and it can’t wait till later,” she says.
I can hear her release a shaky breath and I begin to panic myself.
“Okay.”
“I need you to know you saved me, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
“Ky…”
“Hold on, I haven’t finished. Because of you, I have a life worth living.”
“Seriously, Ky. You don’t have to say all of this. I know how you feel.”
“I’m freaking out,” she admits and I’m on my feet.
“Why? Babe, tell me what’s going on?”
What the fuck has happened since I saw her last night? I saw Pope an hour ago, so I know nothing would’ve happened before that, when it comes to Kyla, Pope’s expressions are an open book.
Shoving my feet into my boots, I grab my keys off the night-stand. I’m going to find her.
Opening the door, I have to stop myself from running straight into her. She’s here.
Her cheeks are dry, but her eyes watery and red.
“I’m pregnant, I know you want kids, but I’m not sure if I’m ready. What if I relapse and you’re not around and the kid is on its own, or what if I’m the worst mom in history?”
Ending the call, I drop my phone into my pocket and pull her against me.
“First off, I couldn’t be happier than I am right now. Secondly, you’re going to be a great mom, even if you make mistakes, I doubt you’ll be the first one to make them. We have support everywhere we look, my mom, your mom, you’re stressing over nothing. We’ve got this, babe.”
“Do we?”
My mouth stretches across my face, “Yeah, we do. We’re gonna be great fuckin’ parents. Don’t worry about anything. If you feel like it’s getting too much, tell me, and I’ll help you. You know I will.”
Pulling away from her, she looks up at me and still doesn’t look satisfied.
“Honestly, babe. I’m marrying you because I love the fuck out of you and now we’re having a kid as well. This is the best day of my life. Smile.”
She does but it doesn’t shine. She’s starting to worry me when she blows out a heavy breath and smiles.
“Okay, we’re doing this. We’re having a baby,” she squeaks.
“We’re having a baby,” I nod, smiling like a fool, “First, we have to get married, go get yourself ready and I’ll meet you at the altar.”
It takes a moment to notice her hair and makeup are already done, with the news I’m going to be a dad, who gives a fuck what she looks like. Well, I do care, I care that I should’ve noticed as soon as I laid eyes on her.
“It won’t just be the two of us ever again, we’ll have to look after a tiny human that we made,” she says, soberly.
“I know, babe. I can’t wait.”
“I was just checking.”
Leaning up on her tiptoes, she presses her lips against mine and backs off before I can deepen the kiss.
“I’ll see you soon,” she smiles broadly, much happier now.
“Don’t keep me waiting,” I yell after her, but I don’t know if she heard me after disappearing down the stairs.
Closing the door, I can’t believe what just happened. I’m getting married, and I’m going to be a dad. I finally have everything I want with Kyla.
Fuck yeah.
Adjusting my tie that I have no clue how to fucking do, I leave it dangling around my neck. Shrugging into my cut, I make sure I pick up my smokes and keys on my way out.
The bar is nearly empty, everyone must already be out back. Sparky is the only one standing behind the bar. He pours himself a tequila and shoots it down his neck in one gulp.
“What’s up, brother?” I ask, standing opposite him.
“Nothing for you to worry about today,” he grins, and pours me a drink. He pours himself one and holds his glass up to mine.
“You know the saying, happy wife, happy life?” he says.
“I haven’t heard that one.”
“Learn it, live it, love it. It’s true, I wouldn’t guide you wrong, brother.”
He clinks his glass against mine and we both neck the drinks.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, seriously though, congratulations for today. I’m happy for you and Ky, she’s a good one, and Pope’s her daddy, don’t fuck it up,” he chuckles.
“I don’t intend too,” I tell him and push away from the bar.
Outside, bikes are parked up everywhere. Kids are running around, soon, I’ll have my own running around. Man, I am walking on air right now I’m that happy.
I turn the corner and bump into Slade and Niall. Both, pat me on the shoulders and look like they have made an effort today.
“How you feeling? It’s not too late if you wanna get out of here,” Niall laughs finding himself amusing.
“Nah, brother. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Looks like it’s going to be nice today for it,” Slade murmurs, looking over his shoulder.
I look in the same direction and see Kristen already seated with Zach next to her.
Her stomach is round, large and fucking round.
“How long does she have left?” I ask.
It feels like she’s been pregnant forever, or we’ve just been so preoccupied it feels that way.
“She’s still got a couple of months, she’s hating it, I’m loving it.”
I can imagine.
Kyla will look like her soon.
Will she hate it?
“Rick, here a minute,” Pope grunts, calling me over.
“See you later, brothers,” I tell Slade and Niall and join Pope on the edge of the crowd.
His hair is tied back smoothly, and he has a white rose tucked into his buttonhole.
“Is this how my daughter wants you to wear this?” he asks, flicking at the tie hanging around my neck.
“Fuck if I know how to do it,” I shrug.
He steps towards me and starts fiddling with the thing.
“Last chance, you go now, and I’ll give you a head start before I hunt you down for hurting her. If you stay and hurt her, there will never be a head start.”
Why is everyone under the impression I need to be asked if this is what I want. I wouldn’t have fucking proposed if it wasn’t.
There have been three times in my life where I’ve had to make a decision and I haven’t regretted it. Joining the Lost Souls, best thing I ever did. Asking Kyla to be my old lady. And lastly, asking her to marry me.
“She’s pregnant, Pope. I’m not going anywhere. She’s stuck with me for all time whether she wants me or not.”
Although I’m hoping she will always want me. He stops messing around with the tie and stares at me.
For a beat, I don’t know if his eyes are shining because he’s imagining doing unquestionable violent acts on me, or if it’s because he’s happy.
I don’t actually know what Pope looks like when he’s happy. Fuck I hope this is him being happy. I don’t want to have to explain to Kyla that I had to kick her daddy’s ass on her wedding day or try to anyway.
“You’re going to be a Grampa,” I say, making sure he hears me.
“Grampa?” he murmurs.
I nod and laugh at his shock.
“Oh hell, another you running around,” he smirks.
“It could be worse, it could be another you running around,” I say.
Even Pope grimaces.
“But it could be another Kyla, a beautiful little girl.”
“Let’s pray for a girl, plus, we get to shoot anyone who goes near her,” he chuckles, seeming a lot more relaxed about the idea when violence is involved.
Who needs to worry about having a daughter with Pope for a grandpa; I think I’m already worried for future male interests.
His phone goes off and he nods as he reads the message.
“She’s ready…are you?”
Tilting my head, I raise one eyebrow and reach for my smokes.
“Shouldn’t you be going to collect her, you’re the one walking her down the aisle to me.”
Yeah, I’m feeling brave being cocky with him, but fuck it, my good mood is untouchable, and I don’t care.
“You’re lucky I don’t wanna ruin her day, talk to me like that tomorrow and it’ll be a different story.”
“Love you too, dad,” I push it, and hold in a huge snort of laughter.
“Fuck off, and stick that soft shit up your ass,” he grunts, walking off.
Laughing, I turn and walk straight into Sparky.
“Sorry, brother.”
“It’s all good, when’s this show getting on the way?”
“Now, Pope’s gone to get her. Can you get everyone seated and shut them up?”
“Sure.”
I make my way to the alter and shake hands with the priest Pope paid to show up. I couldn’t choose a best man, so I stand alone and wait for my bride. As I look around, my brothers and their old ladies are taking their seats. I notice Cas sitting next Alannah, he doesn’t put his arm around her like he’d usually do, he doesn’t even look at her, her frown that she quickly replaces with a fake smile screams something huge is wrong with the two of them.
Leo wriggles off Alannah’s lap and onto Cas’s, she goes to put her hand on his thigh, but thinks twice about it and puts both her hands on her lap.
Whatever is going on is their business and I stop watching them. It’s not long before the song Kyla chose comes on and everyone stands.
This is it, our moment, the time we become man and wife. Taking a deep breath, I count to three and look up, and there she is.
My heart races away with itself and I can feel every pulse in my body thumping against my skin.
With every step she takes, I struggle to breathe. I thought I could live with her beauty now, but in her stunning white dress, with her soft curly hair framing her beautiful face, I don’t know how I got so lucky.
Her arm is linked through Pope’s and for once, he isn’t tensed and ready to rip someone’s face off. He is happy, and I know what that looks like now.
Kyla kisses him on the cheek and he releases her and hands her over to me.
When I first saw this woman, she was puking on the carpet in Cas’s old room, tweaking her ass off for a fix. She begged me to let her die and she repulsed me.
Thank god I saw past the habit and saw her. We wouldn’t be here today if I continued to only see the junkie and not the woman who is kind, and funny, sweet yet fiery. Who knew under the poison of heroin was the woman of my dreams.
As we stand in front of the priest, with the club and family behind us, I’m standing on air.