Cas...Some years later
I knew this day would come. I’ve played it out in my mind hundreds of times and now it’s finally here.
My son, grown and strong, and fucking handsome, just like his old man, with the exception of his momma’s hot-headedness.
The patch I had stitched the day he was born, and kept in my office all these years, burns into my palm as I hold it, sitting at the head of the table in the back room.
I’ve been the president of the Lost Souls motorcycle club for over twenty years now, and this is my proudest moment.
Patching my son into the club.
Making him a Lost Soul, instead of just being the son of one.
I try my best to keep a straight face, but I can’t wipe the joy from me no matter how hard I try.
“Leo Jackson, stand up, son.”
Taking a deep breath, I walk around the table and stop in front of my boy. Wrapping my hand around the back of his neck, I grip onto him and look into his eyes.
“This club has been fortunate not to have seen violence in such a long time, you don’t remember the carnage and loss we suffered. Do you vow to protect your brothers if we have to fight once again? Do you vow to have your brothers back in life and death? To stand shoulder to shoulder with every man in this room, and defy all odds?”
“I do.”
“Would you die for these men?”
“Yes.”
I can see the honesty in his eyes, my boy is as loyal as I am.
“Welcome to the club, my boy.”
Pulling him against me, the room erupts into cheers and I let him go and hand over his patch.
The patch he’ll wear until he dies. Which, I hope and fucking pray isn’t for many, many years to come.
Brothers congratulate him, and I take it all in. The club has always been tight between brothers, but sons are joining now, and the bond is even tighter.
Zach, JJ, and now Leo. All Lost Souls brothers.
All strong and the club’s future. One day, my boy will take the gavel from me and he will know of the responsibilities, the highs and the fucking lows. For now, I’m going to enjoy my boy’s night.
The doors open, and Leo is pushed into the bar. Alannah has gone all out and thrown him the biggest party the club has ever seen.
She was more excited about him patching in than she was when he graduated. Cheering from the bar, Leo laughs at his mom and throws his arms around her.
We’re not the most conventional family, but fuck convention, this is my family and tonight, we’re celebrating another milestone.
“Look at them,” Sparky says, coming up beside me.
Leo and JJ have always been close, and they are now. The two of them remind us of well, us.
“Both our boys are Lost Souls,” he boasts proudly.
“Like they were always destined to be,” I grin.
“Like you believe in destiny, Cas. The boys never had a choice,” Bonnie laughs, tucking herself into Sparky’s side.
I don’t know how she does it, she doesn’t look any older than the day I first met her, covered in battle scars and bruises. Okay, maybe a few wrinkles around the eyes, but not many.
Arms wrap around my waist, and I turn my head to find my wife cuddling up to me.
“One down, one to go,” she murmurs, nodding over to Luca.
Both my boys will be patched in, when Luca comes of age, he’ll prospect, and he’ll earn the patch.
“This is all I’ve wanted, from the day I fell in love with you,” I tell her.
“And you’ve got it,” she smiles, leaning in for a kiss.
Pressing my lips to hers, I wonder how I had the shittiest start in life and then how I lucked out like I have.
I have an amazing old lady who has given me two sons I am fucking proud to call my own. I own a glorious machine that someday I will pass down, hopefully to a grandson.
And my club.
These men who I call brothers are everything to me. You can rise against us, you can chase us down with bullets, but we are Lost Souls, it runs in our blood, and we will always triumph.
The End