MADISON

We’re in South Vacherie, Louisiana at the Ciphers’s plantation, a property they’ve kept in its dilapidated state out of respect to the days gone by when slavery still existed. They don’t want to wash away the horrors of our nation’s past. I’ve been told it’s their mission to remember it so that the atrocity never happens again.

Nicholas explained to me that the Ciphers travel the states fighting for the innocent and taking down evil wherever they find it. That could range anywhere from human trafficking to a lone rapist terrorizing a community—and everything in between. They do what the police cannot, and stop the cycle.

“So, they’re heroes,” Denise said to him.

“Pretty much,” Nicholas proudly replied.

Their gang lives here together in this old mansion with its ghostlike furniture and enormous paintings of people no longer living and of no relation to them.

The Ciphers exist as a modern family, sharing a communal living space, raising their children to fight so that they will join the battle and help those who cannot help themselves.

I’m in awe of that, because all of the grown-up children I’ve met so far here, are powerful people. Nothing like how I was raised.

I wish I knew how to fight.

I’d have taken Mr. Schweis out myself—and he never would have tried that shit with another woman again.

Nicholas’s cousin Sofia is the sole child of Jett Cocker, President of the Ciphers and son of Nancy and Michael. Jett was originally named after Jerald, Michael’s father and May’s deceased husband who I recently learned about.

But like society’s rules, a birth certificate could not confine this man.

The younger Jerald changed his name to a more fitting “Jett” when he joined this club. It was a point of major contention for decades between father and son. Michael helped pass laws in Washington and his rebellious offspring broke them.

And I bet he did it with the smirk he had on his handsome face today, when Nicholas introduced me to his biker uncle.

I only got a glimpse of the long war between the ex-Congressman and his son, Jett, from a few stories Nicholas shared with us on the ride here…but the described finale of their feud cracked my heart wide open.

The Ciphers are an amazing group of tamed animals. They talk loudly, joke at each other’s expense constantly, and laugh with all of themselves.

The Cockers, by comparison, are mild.

So as we sit here on foldout chairs amid rows of both families under twinkle lights and mystery, it’s fucking hilarious to see the collective and unexpected reaction to what Sofia just did.

She crassly swore, very loudly to Grams, and when she did, almost the entire Cocker Family shouted along with Grams, “Language!”

It was this cacophony of reproach said all in good fun.

The Ciphers, however, in their leather-accessorized suits, dresses and motorcycle boots, were and are still, appalled.

Shocked.

Speechless.

Dumbstruck.

Even embarrassed.

Which makes the Cockers laugh harder, Sofia Sol right along with them. She meant to do it. Probably even knew it would put her blood family at ease. From what I understand, she’s not as close to the Cockers as they’d like her to be, since she was raised so far away and in such a different form.

I suspect some of these milder folks from Atlanta, who love her dearly and long to know her better, were a little intimidated by the wild biker gang.

But no more!

The Cockers got the upper hand with this stunt.

Sofia gave them the key they needed to out-rebel the rebellious, and break the ice for good and for all.

Nicholas and I are laughing with them, because I got a taste of this “Language!” family tradition when I was at his grandparents’ house for lunch.

Denise, however, hasn’t a clue.

“What the…?” she whispers to me.

Even Michael Cocker is laughing from his gut.

Nancy is wiping her eyes, shoulders shaking.

These people are over eighty and they just cracked up at the word, Fuckin’.

May Cocker is the only one who looks quietly pleased with herself, hands primly on her lap as she sits atop those two cushions.

“I’ll explain later,” I tell my best friend.

As the wedding commences, it’s beautiful. Max Cocker, who just finished directing his first feature film, is officiating it. He got ordained to marry any of his cousins who asks. He already wed his Falcon Quarterback cousin Eric and his new wife Wren. This is his second round. He looks so handsome as he proudly recites his part.

When Sofia gives her vows to her gorgeous groom, there are tears streaming down her cheeks. He wipes them away with a thumb and makes the Ciphers sigh.

Matthew whispers to Nicholas, “Never thought I’d live to see it.”

“Me neither,” he smiles, subconsciously squeezing my hand.

* * *

For the reception the men of both families work together to move chairs and bring in tables, joking as they go.

Denise slaps my hip as a handsome Cipher approaches us, and he’s not like the others. “Hey there, I’m Tonk Jr.” He extends his hand and she shakes it.

“Denise.”

“I’m Maddie, Nicholas’s girlfriend.”

He nods like he noticed that, and returns to Denise. “Would you like to dance when the music begins?”

She reacts with perfect eyebrows raised. “Yes, I would!”

He smirks, and heads off on a satisfied, “I’ll be back then.”

We turn to each other, excited for her because he is sexy, though very conservative compared to his gang.

She whispers with enthusiasm, “What’s his deal?”

“No clue, but he’s the only one with short hair and no leather.”

“I’m about to find out!”

Laughing I motion with my chin to Zoe, Nicholas’s sister, who’s approaching me with a shy smile.

“Madison?”

“Hi!” I self-consciously adjust my twilight-blue dress that I bought for the event, trying not to be nervous.

I’ve only been dating Nicholas officially for one week and a day. We’ve spent every one of those together—he’s worked on his computer from my apartment—but still, eight days is just eight days. His sister I know not at all. And I want her to like me. She looks like a fairy who’s never been hurt. Completely open and guileless.

Denise glances to me.

Leaning down in a pretty, cream-colored dress to pet Bucky, Zoe explains, “Mom and Dad are on the front porch and wanted to know if you and your friend, and your adorable dog—hi Bucky! I’ve been dying to meet you!—would like to join us for some wine while the guys do their thing?” She smiles up at me as if the answer is obvious.

My heart picks up speed. “Sure, yes, that sounds great.”

Denise and I exchange a look as we follow the ethereal Zoe Cocker while she happily chatters along.

“Isn’t this a beautiful place? Last time we came here I was so much younger. This back screen porch was in tatters! I overheard Grandma Nance telling my aunts that the Ciphers had it rebuilt just for the wedding. Did you know it’s the first thing they’ve improved since they added on the garage for all of their motorcycles, isn’t that interesting?”

In the mansion we pass a huge kitchen overflowing with an amazing feast, on our right. People are already picking at it, heavy in conversations, the sound bouncing off the walls.

To the left is a television room where all the chairs and couches are facing the screen. Today flowers adorn every flat surface, their fragrance mixed with candlelight from dozens of flames, is truly lovely.

Zoe leads us through a hallway with an ornate staircase lifting off from it. We curiously scan the second floor where antique doors to bedrooms are closed for privacy. Only one is open and even at this odd angle we can see signs that it’s a bathroom, welcoming anyone of the nearly hundred people who are here today.

“My brothers are having a laugh at the idea that our Sofia has actually tied the knot.” Zoe smiles as we enter the grand foyer. “If you knew what we knew, you’d be shocked, too!” Chipped walls give the space a ghostly feel, and gigantic, painted portraits of long-dead people watch us. Denise gives them the finger while Zoe’s not looking. “I’ve always looked up to Soph, so I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed.”

“Really, why?” I ask Zoe, stifling a smile at my friend.

“I hoped she’d be the one cousin who didn’t get married.” Scrunching her nose, Zoe shrugs, “She’s a superhero! Marriage is so…human.”

Denise smiles, “Wearing that gown was pretty super to me.”

Zoe whispers conspiratorially, “My jaw dropped. It was perfect!” as she turns an antique doorknob.