Page 63 of Amy's Santa

When I stop wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes, I wave at them to calm down. “Before you get carried away, we can’t just decide to have a joint wedding on our own. I think Drew and Eli might want a say.”

“I’ll want a say in what?”

So caught up in the conversation, I hadn’t realised church was over. I go bright red as I try to summon up an answer for Drew. I mean, I’m assuming he meant what he said and that he’s going to ask me, but we’re only just starting out now on our life together. He might have meant plan a wedding a year in the future. Maybe being an old lady and old man would turn out to be enough. Drummer hadn’t tied the knot with Sam, and they couldn’t be happier or more devoted.

Olivia saves me, saying breezily, “We were just discussingmywedding arrangements.”

When Drew raises an eyebrow toward me, I know he isn’t convinced. But it seems he’s got something else on his mind. When he holds out his hand, I take it, and he pulls me up and directs me over toward the bar.

When we get there, he whistles loudly, attracting the attention of everyone, and of Pussy, the sweet butt who now keeps herself busy generally helping out and keeping the younger girls in line as she doesn’t have much call for her sweet butt services nowadays. Woman must be sixty, but her figure’s still fine, though her face might have her story etched within the lines.

Pussy approaches grinning widely. She bends down and comes up with a brown paper bag.

I forget to breathe, guessing what it is, ready to make the commitment to Drew. We might have been talking about weddings, but me wearing his rag, the Property of Wizard patch on the back feels far more significant.He owns me.It’s all I’ve wanted since I was six.

The room falls silent.

Drew stares at me, finally giving me the words I’ve wanted to hear almost all my life. “Amy, will you be my old lady, ride through life by my side?”

My legs feel weak. My voice trembles as I reply, “Yes. I love you Drew.”

He doesn’t have to say it back, his love for me shines out through his eyes as he slides the leather cut out of its wrapping and holds it out for me to put my hands through the arm holes.

It fits perfectly, a waistcoat designed for the feminine form. I see my stepmom watching carefully as I slide it on, making me suspect she had a hand in choosing it. For a moment I stand stunned, breathing in the strong smell of new leather, then I launch myself toward him. Drew swings me up into his strong arms and my legs go up and around his waist. I raise my face and our lips meet. He thoroughly ravishes me, as I devour him in return. Lost completely in our own little world it takes someone’s shout to bring us back to the here and now.

“Get a room!”

I feel self-conscious as Drew lets me down, but the joy surrounding us dissipates that feeling fast. It’s not as if PDAs in the clubroom are unusual, or, when it’s only adults, sexual acts brazenly performed.

“Amy.” Dad approaches, stealing me from Drew and hugging me tightly. “This is all I ever wanted, you here, on the compound.” His eyes glisten as he adds in a whisper, “Your mother would have been so proud.” I know he’s referring to Crystal, my birth mother not Marc.

But Marc’s next to hug me and give me her congratulations too.

Everyone starts getting drinks and filling their plates with the food from the delayed buffet, when Drew whistles loudly again, following it by shouting, “Quiet!”

Gradually voices end conversations, and everyone turns to stare at him. I do too, especially when he sinks to his knees in front of me.

My hand covers my mouth when he starts to speak, “Amy, babe, I love you. You’re wearing my property patch. What do you say to making it legal?”

“Are you asking me to marry you?” I gasp out, knowing that’s what he’s trying to say, but slightly uncertain.

“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” He smirks. Then, as though like magic, a gorgeous diamond ring appears in his hand. “Will you marry me, Amy? Do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

There’s only one answer. “Yes!”

“Double wedding!” Olivia shouts.

“What?” demands Hawk.

“What?” echoes Drew as he spins around.

Then I notice a silent conversation between the prez and his VP, a variety of raised eyebrows and chin lifts. After a seemingly successful conversation, Drew turns away and takes in the men and women he’s responsible for.

“Double wedding,” he announces to a deafening roar, stomping of feet, and the sound of fists hitting tables.

The noise continues when he turns back to me, his eyes blazing with desire and emotion. Then, I’m over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift, as he rasps, “Can’t wait any longer to fuck you wearing just that cut.”

“That’s my daughter you’re talking about!” yells Dad, but he doesn’t sound upset.

---