Page 53 of Knuckle's Dispute

“Girl, are you out of the shower yet?”Victoria questions me, her voice snapping me out of my head.

“I’m getting there, Vic.We don’t have to rush to get ready, ya know,” I return, finishing rinsing the conditioner out of my hair and shutting the water off so I can get out.

Victoria holds a towel out for me and I wrap myself in it before taking the one to wrap my hair in.When I’m fully covered, I make my way into our bedroom.Yes, I’m fully moved into Micah’s house and we’re slowly combining our things and making this our home instead of just four walls surrounding us.I’m not making a ton of changes unless Micah okay’s them, but he simply pulls me into his arms, kisses me, and tells me to do what I want with the house.It doesn’t matter to him what I do and he’ll do everything in his power to help me when I need it.Including painting walls, replacing carpet, anything else I’d like to change about our space.

“I’ve got your dress hanging and ready to put on.I ran a steamer over it so there’s no wrinkles or anything.Sit down so I can get your hair and make-up done,” Victoria says, pointing me to a chair someone brought in the room and looking at it until I move to take the seat so she can get to work.“I know we don’t need to rush, but you get exhausted easily and Micah and I agree we need to get this done early so he can bring you home when you’ve had enough for the day.”

“You’re both gonna suffocate me before this pregnancy even hits the second trimester.You do realize that, yeah?”I ask her, shaking my head and laughing because Victoria is going to be over-the-top with everything and watch me like a hawk.

Honestly, I’m not sure who’s worse at this point—Victoria or Micah.Tease hasn’t been quite as bad as the two of them and I’m not sure why since he’s just as protective as his cousin.Especially when it comes to Kaden and me.So far, he’s giving me some leeway and I know it’s just a matter of time before that comes to an end.Right now, he’s my safe haven when my best friend and soon-to-be husband become too much.He’s gotten me out of the house more than once when Micah is going off on one of his tangents about what I can and can’t do because of the pregnancy.

Victoria works on my hair before moving to my face.I told her I want everything to be simple and easy that I can toss up at the end of the day.I don’t want to have to wash it out by the time we get back home after the ceremony and party at the clubhouse.All I’m going to want to do is change into my pajamas, slide in bed, and close my eyes.Having to take a shower will only exhaust me even more.

I look in the mirror as she works and find my long hair curled with half of it up in some kind of knot thing.Curls frame my face and hang over my shoulders while the rest cascades down my back.I love the way it looks and wish I had the time on a regular basis to do my hair this way.But, Victoria always knows what to do and how to make me look like the best version of myself.When she’s done with my face, I look at it all.She’s done very little and the effect is stunning.My eyes stand out and pop more than normal.That’s all I really care about honestly.My eyes are my best feature if you ask me and Victoria has made them shine today.

“Thank you, Babe.You always do the best work and make me look better than I could on my own.Love you, girl,” I tell her honestly, standing with her help before she walks to the closet and grabs my dress.

“I always got your back.You’re my sister from another mister and ride or die.No matter what happens or where you go, you’ll never get rid of me, Janessa.And I already know the same goes for you.You’re always there when I need you and would do anything for me.We’re sisters of the heart if not by blood.Now, get dressed so we can get you to the courthouse.Tease messaged me and they just left,” she says, her voice going slightly wavy with all her emotions.

After giving her a hug, I take the dress from her hands and grab the panties I picked out earlier.I don’t need a bra with this dress since my back is completely exposed.Shutting myself in the bathroom in case someone else walks in our bedroom, I quickly change into my outfit for the day.Victoria uses the opportunity to change into a different dress and get herself ready so we can head to the courthouse.

***

Victoria pulls up andlets me out right at the steps before going to park her car.I wait for her as instructed.She doesn’t want me to walk up the steps alone.No one does.Honestly, I worry about walking down them more than going up.My girl rushes from the parking lot over to me and has me hold her arm as she leads me inside.I make my way through the metal detector and security checkpoint without hassle before Victoria comes in behind me.She leads me to the room I’ll be getting married in and I’m handed a bouquet of flowers I wasn’t expecting.

“This is your moment girl.You’re marrying the love of your life exactly the way you want.I’m here for it and will be here if you need a quick getaway,” Victoria says, laughter leaving both of us as she turns to open the doors.“Seriously, you look amazing and I love you.”

“Love you, Vic.And you’re just as bad as Micah is.If anyone gives me a quick escape, it will be Tease,” I respond before we enter the room.

Victoria walks me down the center of the seats in the room we’re getting married in.My eyes are locked on Micah as he stands in front of the judge marrying us.I’m shocked to say the least.He’s wearing a black button-down shirt under his cut, new pair of jeans, and his boots look as if they’re brand-new.He’s not wearing his hat as normal either.My man looks sexy as fuck and I’m the lucky one who gets to call him mine for the rest of my life.

The second I’m close enough, Micah takes me from Victoria.He holds my hands in his and doesn’t take his eyes off of me.

“You look incredible, Little Fighter,” he whispers, a smile on his face.

“You’re sexy,” I return with my own smile as tears form in my eyes.

Tease and Victoria stand on either side of us with Kaden in Tease’s arms.I barely hear a thing as the judge begins speaking.My entire world is focused on the man in front of me.

“Micah, you may say your vows now,” the judge finally says.

“Janessa, you have shown me the meanin’ of love and how to live my life in more than just the shadows.Before you, I was barely gettin’ by and chose to hang in the background watchin’ everythin’ around me.Now, I want to be where you are and know you’re safe.You’ve turned my house into our home full of love and laughter.A place people want to come hang out in for more than a conversation for the club or gym.You’ve given me a perfect son and we have another baby on the way.With you, I know I’ll always have someone at my side to support me on the days I get lost in my head.You won’t ever make me feel as if I’m unworthy for the thoughts consumin’ me.Instead, you’ll help me battle my demons head on and you show me daily how worthy I am of your love.I’ll strive to be the best version of myself for Kaden and you.A man you’ll be proud to love and call your own.I love you, Little Fighter.More every fuckin’ day,” Micah says, his voice breaking at the end as he squeezes my hands in his.

“Miss Burns.You may say your vows,” the judge says, a smile on his face.

“Micah.Before you came into my world, I thought I was destined to be with a man who put his hands on me and blamed me for everything.I could never do anything right and he made me feel so small and alone even when I was surrounded by a ton of people.Now, when I’m at your side, I know you’ll always support me and never lay your hands on me in anger.You’ve taught me how to defend myself against those who wish to do us harm and have been there at my absolute lowest.With you at my side, I know I can get through everyday stronger than the last and survive.You slay all of my demons and fight for me when I can’t fight for myself.I’ve loved you longer than I could admit to myself.Even when I thought I hated you for the way you acted, I really didn’t.I love you and will for the rest of our days,” I say, the tears finally spilling over and rolling down my face to land on our hands.

We exchange rings and the judge says the vows we repeat.In minutes, he’s pronouncing us husband and wife and telling Micah he can kiss the bride.Without hesitation, my husband leans in and pulls my body close to his.Our lips meet and he instantly deepens the kiss.His hands rest on the sides of my neck and mine on his face.If I thought the world around us disappeared before, it’s nothing compared to this moment.Right now, the building could be burning down around us and I wouldn’t know it.

Catcalling is the thing that finally breaks me from the haze I’m in with Micah touching me.Breaking apart, we look around to find Tease and Victoria laughing their asses off while the judge smiles indulgently.We pull apart enough to sign the paperwork with our best friends before leaving the courthouse and heading back to the clubhouse for the reception.This time, I ride in Micah’s truck with him while Tease rides with Victoria.Micah doesn’t let me go the entire trip back and uses each stop light we hit as an opportunity to kiss me.This man will fucking ruin me and I’m here for it.

***

We’ve been at the partyfor hours and I’m honestly ready to call it a night.The entire club outdid themselves with our reception and I cried when we walked into the backyard.A large party tent was set up in case it rained today.There were two tables loaded down with every food the members of the club love to eat and our wedding cake sat on a table alone.Flowers were on every table in mason jars while ribbons in blue and silver were wrapped around the backs of each chair.Marie even hired a photographer to take photos during the reception.Everything was absolutely perfect and I can’t thank everyone enough.

“Before we head home, there’s one last thing to do, Little Fighter,” Micah says, leaning over in his seat.

Forever After Allby Luke Combs begins playing as my husband leads me to the makeshift dance floor.Micah wraps me in his arms and holds me close as we slowly dance with everyone watching us.Resting my head on his chest, I play with the short strands of hair at the nape of his neck.

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