Page 8 of Cage's Fall

I knew it was a big deal for Mom to be marrying Hawk and not just because he had been my father’s best friend but because he was a biker and mom swore, she would never get mixed back up in that world. But here she was, about to do it and I couldn’t be prouder.

I just hoped that Jacob had done his one job and keep Hawk semi sober for the event. But knowing my trouble makingbrother, he would have been the one handing Hawk drinks all night.

* * *

“Do you Hawk Watson, take Emily Bentley as your wife?”

Hawk’s lips twitched up. “Fuck yes I do.” And that sent the crowd laughing, a few cheers andhell yeahsbeing shouted as well.

“And do you Emily Bentley take Hawk Watson, as your husband?”

Mom smiled. “I do.” And those two words, sent Hawk’s face into disbelief, as if he was expecting her to say no this whole time, and as I was standing close to him— I saw the tears swell in his eyes before the celebrant pronounced them as husband and wife, and then I diverted my eyes as they gave the crowd the kiss they had been chanting for.

Jacob was standing in the front row clapping— and gave me a look as I walked down from the alter following the happy couple.

I knew that look- it was‘well that just happened’because we both were thinking mom would freak out on the day. But she hadn’t and now they were married and my small family who once had lost a father to the lifestyle— was now entering the MC lifestyle again.

Jacob was already a patched member, so he was already in the lifestyle but my connection to the biker world ended when Dad died.

Apart from Hawk visiting all the time— that was it. We never came to the clubhouse, and now I was back in the lot that my father had brought me to when I was a child. I could lie to everyone currently around me and say the tears in my eyes were out of happiness because my mom had just got married but the reality was, they were out of complete fear because it scared me being here, back at the MC.

* * *

I was so busy organising the reception I hadn’t stayed still for a second. I was making sure the food got out with the club women’s help. I swore Mom had not left Hawk’s lap for a second.

I was back in the kitchen cutting up the wedding cake, that had just been cut by the happy couple when the kitchen door spun open behind me. I didn’t turn around, expecting it to be one of the girls to help me dish out the cake.

“You okay Acorn?”

I paused, looking up. Hawk’s vest had clearly been washed and hand washed most likely by him for the wedding. His pants were clean, and his eyes were on me— he almost looked panicked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I replied to him. He had always called me Acorn since I was little. Even before Dad passed. I arched my eyebrows at him. “Are you okay?”

“Your mom said you wanted to talk to me, and I think it’s time you and I had a conversation.” He took a nervous sharp inhale. “I know I can never replace your old man. Don’t plan on doing that. But I want you to know, I see you as my daughter. And I know you coming back into this world, scares the hell out of you.”

I didn’t say a word.

“But you need to know Acorn, no one is going to hurt you. Cause they’ll have to get through me.” He walked towards me and my eyes followed him. “I don’t expect you to come to club parties or club events. I know it would be too hard on you.”

“Hawk stop.” I said and put the knife down, and suddenly I was the nervous one. “Do you remember the day I fell from the tree?” I said quickly and he frowned. “When I broke my arm in three places and when we got to the ER, when they asked who my father was, and I started crying?”

He nodded his head, and I saw his eyes go back in time for a second.

“And I was crying because Dad had just died, and you knew I couldn’t face having my arm casted without you. So you said…”

“I’m her dad.” He repeated what he said all those years ago. It was a bonding moment between Hawk and I.

I smiled. “Ever since that day, I considered you like a father.” I opened my clutch. “Now, I know not everyone would see this as a present. But this is my wedding present to you, and well mom already knows about it.” I handed him an envelope.

He frowned, but took it, opening it as I watched his eyes read over the document. A mixture of emotion going through his eyes. Then his eyes snapped off the paper on to me.

“These are adoption papers.” He looked at me to confirm it.

I nodded my head. “I know it’s only for a year, but I wanted you to understand that you are my father and have been for a long time.”

He had teared up when my mom said I do, but as he looked from those papers to me, his eyes welled upwith tears, and he was quick to pull me into a hug.

“Fuck you know how to ruin a bloke’s reputation.” He muttered into my hair. The emotion clear in his voice.

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