Page 132 of Paladin's Hell

“Jay,” he starts, his voice ringing out clearly and loudly. “You’ve been the only woman for me for nearly three years. I’ve never looked at anyone else, never wanted to, and I never will. We’ve got a whole lifetime ahead of us, so no need to rush into a wedding. You’ve agreed to wear my patch; I’m satisfied with that for now. But here, in front of all our family, old and new, I’d like to ask that one day, you marry me. What do you say, Doll?”

I’m clasping the leather jacket to me, that means as much as any vow. It’s more that he’s publicly giving me his commitment, in front of everyone I know and love. There’s only one answer I can give him.

“Yes!” I cry out, and I’m in his arms once again.

“Jayden! Jayden!” Our kiss is interrupted by little hands tugging at my waist. “Can I be a bridesmaid?” asks Amy.

“Me too. Me too.” There’s a childish squeak as Ollie toddles across and is copying her friend.

I get down to their level. “I think that’s a great idea. But you’ll have to grow up a little first.”

“What about Eli?” Ollie’s sucking her thumb. “Can he be one too?”

“My son’s not going to be a fuckin’ bridesmaid,” I hear Drummer growl.

“What about a page boy?” Paladin comes to the rescue.

As I’m chatting to the kids, and the women and children join me, Demon speaks to Pal. “What is it with Tucson? Something in the water? They’re all breeding.”

Rock steps up, his arm around a very pregnant Becca, and puffs out his chest. “We’re just virile, Brother. Got what it takes.” He pumps his hips and has me laughing.

Ella and Slick are hanging back. I wonder how they’re taking this. They’d wanted me to wait until I was eighteen, now, thanks to the law in Colorado, I’ve jumped the gun. Cautiously I approach them.

“Oh, Jayden,” Ella starts, with tears in her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. You and Pal, you’re going to do so well together. He’s good for you, good to you. You might be younger than I hoped, but your experiences made you grow up fast. You know your own mind.”

“Still got a shotgun and know what to do with it if he ever does you wrong,” Slick warns.

Overhearing, Pal salutes him, while mouthing at me, I love you.

“Do you miss Tucson?” My sister asks me.

I think before answering. “I miss you, Slick, and everyone. Especially the children. But I’ve made a new life here for myself.” Before I can continue I get a slap on my back.

“She’s one of us now,” Mace is grinning. “We’re not giving her back. Kind of got used to her.”

“I’m not a puppy,” I tell him. But his friendly words seem to have made Ella feel easier, and she visibly relaxes. The effect Mace was clearly aiming to achieve.

We eat, drink, I get hugged, kissed and congratulated by the men and women of each club. It’s later on when the sun’s reached its zenith that I have a moment to myself and Moira finds me.

She sits next to me, her eyes on the kids running around. “We never had that in our chapter. I was the only one with children. Seeing all the Tucson kids today, kind of makes me wonder if we missed out. There’s something about them that makes a real family.” When I nod, she looks at me carefully. “I know what I’ve said before, but sometimes I feel like I’m getting fucked up in my head. Bitter because age is creeping up on me. Having Demon when I was seventeen wasn’t a mistake. Wouldn’t think the worst of you if you did something similar.”

“I’d love a baby of my own,” I reply, thoughtfully. “But I also want a chance for Paladin and I to get settled into our new life. There’s plenty of time for kids in our future. That’s one thing we’ve got on our side.”

“You’ve got your head screwed on right, haven’t you? Jay, you have no contact with your mom. Your sister’s in Tucson. When the time comes, your kids will have a ready-made Grandma and Grandpa in Hellfire and me.”

I’m turning to thank her when a deep growl comes from behind me. “Less of the grandpa, ol’ lady if you fuckin’ please.” But Hellfire winks at me. Since he’d stepped down from being the prez, he seems much more relaxed. Even approachable.

“Happy?” Pal asks as he walks me back to his bike.

How can I be anything else? The outing by itself would have been an experience, throw in my birthday party, catching up with my Tucson brothers and sisters, being given the property cut which I’m now proudly wearing, and going home with a gorgeous engagement ring on my finger, has made it a day that can’t be topped.

I’m just turning to tell him, when a shout sounds out. “Whose bike’s the fuckin’ Vincent? Fuck me, what a beauty.”

“It’s mine.” Thunder swings around, his eyes going wide at Sam. “Restored her myself,” she tells him.

“Sam’s mine,” Drummer warns him, his steely stare pinning him down. “And that, darlin’, is going back in the crash truck. You’ve got the baby to look after. Only let you bring it to ride over the bridge.”

“Ella said she’d look after Zane and Eli.” Sam pouts at her old man.

“Not happening. Not that long journey.”

Turning my attention back to Pal, I grin, he returns it. Seems some things never change. Seeing Sam with her hands on her hips, I’ve no idea who’s going to win this round.

My man turns me to face him, his hands settling on my biceps. “You wishing you could go back to Tucson?”

It’s a moment before I respond, considering his question carefully. “Seeing everyone today has reminded me what we left behind, Pal.” He opens his mouth, I cover it with my fingers. “They’ll always be there for us, proved that today, didn’t they? If we’d stayed, we wouldn’t have been able to get together. Even in another year, I think they still would have put obstacles in our way. It would have been hard for Ella to let me grow up and let me have the life I want. I love you, Pal. You’re my future. Here we can be us. Together.”

I don’t know if I put it plainly enough. But he seems to understand as he leans in closer. “You’re my home, Doll. Wherever we end up. Tucson, Pueblo, wherever life takes us. As long as we’re together, that’s all I want.”

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