AXTON BISHOP
The fellas in my club weren’t simply friends, brothers, or people who I expected to have my back when times were tough. Each and every one of them was a part of a machine. In the absence of one man, the machine would be incomplete. In the absence of some men, the machine would break down.
It took time, but Vince had become a critical component in the machine. Without him there was no doubt in my mind, the machine would cease to exist.
I held my head high and walked as straight as possible. It was something I had never imagined I would have to do, but I agreed to do so as a matter of respect. Well, that and I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing it with such devotion.
The slight tug on my right arm reminded me of my commitment. I blinked my eyes, lowered my chin, and waited.
He shifted his eyes upward and gazed at me blankly. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man on this beautiful day?”
“I do. Axton Bishop,” I responded with a proud nod.
“And, Mr. Bishop, do I have your blessing to move forward with this ceremony of marriage?” he asked.
I lowered my chin and smiled. “Yes, Sir. You do.”
Sienna pinched my arm.
You little shit.
The pastor motioned for her to come forward. I stepped aside, turned and walked to the open seat beside Avery and sat down.
It seemed strange for me to be dressed in a tuxedo for a biker wedding, but I should have known Vince wouldn’t do anything traditional to the one percenter. He was a romantic at heart, and I admired him for it.
The pastor shifted his eyes throughout the crowd. The entire yard was decorated and filled with chairs, a stage, band, and rented dance floor. Vince’s mother’s home was perfect for the wedding, and she sure seemed excited to plan the event entirely; no expense had been spared.
“Marriage is a solemn institution to be held in honor by all, it is the cornerstone of the family and of the community. It requires of those who undertake it a complete and unreserved giving of one's self. It is not to be entered into lightly, as marriage is a sincere and mutual commitment to love one another,” he said.
He turned and exchanged glances at Vince and Sienna. “This commitment symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives and still enhances the individuality of each of you.”
“Will rings be exchanged as a symbol of this union in marriage?”
Vince nodded his head and motioned toward the ring bearer. Biscuit grinned, raised the silk pillow, and waited as Vince removed the rings and handed them to the pastor.
“A ring is a circle with no beginning and no end. Love without end is what we hope to achieve in marriage. As this ring is placed upon your fingers remember that it is your love for one another that has brought you here, and it is that love that will guide you down the pathways of your lives.”
The pastor turned toward Vince and nodded his head.
Vince gazed into Sienna’s eyes and held the ring in his hand. “I promise to you to have all the patience required to comfort you through the life we share and as we grow and learn to love one another. I promise to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and understanding of all you may need, desire, or require of me. Above all, I promise to love you today and every day following no less than the previous, and to never anger beyond what words cannot repair.”
The pastor nodded his head.
Vince slipped the ring on Sienna’s finger.
The pastor turned to face Sienna.
She grinned, reached for the ring, and held it between her fingers. “I promise to be understanding of your needs, accepting of your shortcomings, and open to your requests of me. I promise to be loving of you now, tomorrow, and for every day we share, and to place my love for you above all other needs. Above all, I promise when you do anger, to be patient, and allow time to pass and wounds to heal, for man is imperfect, and the world knows this to be fact.”
The pastor nodded his head.
Sienna placed the ring on Vince’s finger.
“Repeat after me,” he said. “With this ring I make this vow to you before God, before witness, and before my brothers.”
They each repeated the vow.
“Stephen Vincent Ames, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
“Yes, Sir. I do,” Vince said.
“Sienna Ghee Boyco, do you take this man to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
“I certainly do,” Sienna responded.
The pastor glanced at each of them and bowed his head slightly. “Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
They kissed a kiss I damned sure wouldn’t have kissed at my wedding. After a few get a room remarks were shouted by various Sinners, they separated and turned to face the crowd.
I couldn’t have been more proud of one of my boys and his new wife. I turned toward Avery, smiled, and kissed her.
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you,” she responded.
Avery looked remarkable in her dress. She made me proud in what she had done with Jackson, work, life, and finally making amends with her parents. One day I would make her my wife, I was sure of it. When the day came, I would stand proud before my brothers and take the vow with honor and respect.
As the evening turned into night, and the alcohol became part of the occasion, the DJ tapped his finger on the microphone and got everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to make an announcement,” he said. “It’s time for the father-daughter dance. The song chosen was by the daughter, and I want to make sure everyone in attendance is ready. Axton?”
He motioned toward me with his free hand.
Oh shit, that’s my cue.
It was the least I could do for a member of my family whose father was deceased. Participating in the dance was a matter of respect.
I turned to the side and reached for Sienna’s hand, fully expecting a slow dance. She raised her hand in the air and pulled it away from me as she shook her head. When she kicked her shoes to the side, I realized I might be in trouble.
I wrinkled my brow and stared.
Her mouth curled into a smirk as she turned her head and shouted over her shoulder at the DJ.
“Hit it,” she said with a nod.
The music started and the floor began to shake. It wasn’t what I expected, but I had given my word I’d do the dance with her. Without hesitation, I grabbed the lapels of my jacket, pulled it off, and tossed it to Anita. I couldn’t wear a jacket and dance to the song she’d chosen, there was no way.
I glanced around the dance floor. Every person in attendance had their eyes on me.
And as “Christmas in Hollis,” by Run DMC played, I came to realize although we were all Selected Sinners, we were all different.
But for that moment, Sienna and I were exactly the same.
And I danced like it was the last time I would ever have a chance.