Page 26 of Madison
I stand up and kiss her cheek. “Love you too. I’m gonna go out and clear out their waiting room. I’ll give the two of you some time alone before I come back.” I turn around to leave and see Jason at the doorway. I nod as I head out of the room. I know I should give them their privacy, but I can’t help turning around and watching from the doorway. Don’t judge me. You know you’d do the same thing.
I watch him go up to her and kiss her on the forehead. He then touches his forehead to Mom’s. “Baby. I’m not ready to lose you a second time. Not when I just got you back.” He really does care for her. Something feels right in my gut about it. Time to go find my girl.
CHAPTER 10
Madison
In the last three months things have really taken off. Romona had her surgery and spent a few days in the hospital. Anna took her to their home afterward to recover with help and Jason has become a fixture in her life. He makes sure she’s eating the healthy foods she’s supposed to. He dotes on her completely. We’re even supposed to meet his kids soon. I think I went to school with one of them, but it should be an interesting dinner at some point.
The guys have been working almost every weekend on my sandwich shop and we’re actually going to be able to open next week. It’s amazing the amount of guys who’ve showed up to help every weekend. Ry finally gave up helping after Christy hit him with a board by accident for the third weekend in a row. I swear he’s a magnet for her accident-prone calamities.
I’ve hired Christy, Mary and a woman named Jackie, who’s just left her husband who sounds like a complete loser. She’s got three little ones and hasn’t worked since before they were born. She came to the clubhouse for help. I guess she’d gotten their card from Ry with a promise of help when she needed it. My luckis that she’s had experience in waitressing and helping manage a restaurant before, so she’s been a godsend.
Kierstie had her little boy about two weeks ago and last weekend Jane had a little girl. Bitches leaving me to be the last one pregnant. Kierstie pushed all of like five times and he was out. Jane was in labor for all of like four hours. I’m scared they got all the good luck in that department.
I just hit twenty-two weeks and luckily, I haven’t had many issues with this pregnancy. My morning sickness was pretty minimal, though Mick has had to wait to drink his coffee till he gets to work ’cause the smell of it…just ick.
Speaking of Mick, we’re getting married tomorrow. We’re getting married in Ma and Pa’s backyard. I didn’t really want a huge wedding, but even just inviting the family, it’s decent sized. I’m having Kierstie and Hanna stand up with me and Mick is having Micah and Jameson stand up with him.
Mom, Romona, and Anna have done all the cooking and it’s just going to be a family party, not any of the reception traditions really, though I think someone might be conspiring to have a first dance. Jane is making cupcakes for our cake and I love that. Jon’s agreed to officiate for us. Ma and Romona insisted that we spend today and tonight apart, both saying that’s a tradition that’s required. Anna deemed it so too. When Mick tried to argue it, Asher told him if he was forced to do it then he had to too. So he’s down at his shop working on drawings since he’s been banished from our home till I go over to Ma and Pa’s. That’s right, he officially moved in here a couple of months ago, which is good since I apparently can no longer sleep without him.
The girls are all coming over here and we’re doing a spa day and I’m sure there’s going to be some chocolate involved since alcohol is a no go for me right now. It will also give me a chance to get in some baby snuggles since the newest arrivals will be with us. Is it bad that I’m ready to get through this day ’cause I can’t wait to marry Mick tomorrow? I just finished my vows and I think I finally found the words to say what I mean. Hopefully he really gets it tomorrow. There’s a knock on the door and it opens with my never-quiet-a-day-in-her-life sister calling out. “You better be dressed bitch ‘cause we’re here and we bring all the pampering shit and a crap ton of Jojos!” Jane comes in behind her with Hanna, Kinsley, Shandy, Brandy, Christy and Mary following up, all with shit in their hands. Last one to come in is Nicky. “Honey we brought Jojos, brownies, marionberry shakes and all the stuff to make your skin glow for tomorrow.” Oh yes. My pregnant ass is about to devour my weight in yumminess. I love my tribe, and I love how they get me. My pregnant selfreallyloves that they brought me a large marionberry shake. Let’s get this shit started. I gotta try to not look like a whale tomorrow.
Mick
I don’t remember a time I wanted to argue with Mom and Ma more than I did yesterday when I was told I can’t spend tonight with Madison. They went on and on about it’s the one thing they’re putting their foot down about. They said nothing good came with spending the night before the wedding together. Mom isn’t one for tradition and following rules, but even she said thiswas one to follow. Asher, the fucker had to chime in and say if he could do it, so could I. Shane made a similar comment, even adding that Pa and Grant made sure he didn’t sneak over during the night.
So yes, I might be sulking at the shop since I’m banned from my own home till later today. I’ve tried working on designs for my appointments next week, but it’s not really working. I don’t have any appointments today and I don’t think Grant does either. I’m staring at my desk when I hear the front door chime. Looking over I’m surprised when I see Jon standing there. “Pres? What can I do ya for?” He walks over and sits on one of the stools next to my table. “I happen to know there’s a crowd of women and Nicky at your house right now and that you’ve been banished for the next few hours, so I thought it might be a good time to get my tattoo for the baby like I got when Carter and Bryant were born.” I can’t help but be shocked. “You only get tattooed by Grant. I mean like every single one of your tattoos is from him.” He stares me down, in that way that makes you wonder if he’s about to say something meaningful or just strike you dead. I am marrying his little sister tomorrow so it could really go either way.
“I know, but he’s doing it less and less, plus I thought I’d like to get this one by the man who’s going to be not just my club brother, but my actual brother by this time tomorrow.” I know to some this might not be a big deal, but knowing how particular he is about his tattoos, I know it is. “Well what do you want and where?” We start figuring out what he wants and its placement. It’s not a complicated one so it only takes me a few minutes to draw it up. I get everything together and start to get to work. “You ready to marry my little sis tomorrow?” I barely look up athim before I answer. “I was ready the day she agreed to be mine. Yeah, I’m beyond fucking ready.” Jon nods at me. “Good, ‘cause she deserves a guy who thinks she’s as amazing as she is and I know you do. I also know you saw how strong she was when all of us took her for granted and didn’t see the real her.” I just listen while I work ‘cause I don’t know how to respond to that. “Jane reminds me often that I was too stubborn with that whole thing and that Mads-er Madison is just as passionate about the family as Kierstie is, she just shows it differently and that I shouldn’t compare them. She reminds me of that fucking fact every time Bryant does something different from Carter. It’s not like they’re identical twins or something, of course I know they’re different.” I can’t help the grin. “Was this something she went on and on about before Molly was born?” He glares at me. “Yes. Fuck whenever she’s pregnant Jane scares me. I don’t know what our kids growing inside of her does, but it’s terrifying at times.” I dip the needle in the ink and continue working. “Does that mean the three of you are gonna lay off of her for a while or get fixed?” He doesn’t answer right away. My curiosity gets the better of me and I look up at him. He’s glaring at me. “Fuck that shit. My woman is amazing and I wait till the doctor gives a go ahead, but last time that was the longest eight weeks of my life, and no I ain’t getting fixed…yet.” I smile at his answer. “What about you? You two talk about how many kids you’re wanting?” I continue on the line I’m working on. “Yeah we have. She really wants two or four kids. She doesn’t want an odd number. I’ll give her as many as she wants or her body’s up for carrying. If she changes her mind and just wants this one, I’ll be fine too.” Jon doesn’t say anything for a few minutes. I am almost done when he lets out a sigh thatmakes me think for a second I have Ry in my chair. I wipe off the section I’m working on and I look up at Pres. “You make it really hard to do my job as her big brother and threaten to end you if you hurt her.” I look at him with all the seriousness I can muster. “If I ever really hurt her. I expect you to send me straight to Hel but just so you know, I’d rather cut off all my limbs and bleed to death than hurt her.” Jon nods, making me think that I gave the right answer. Glad to see we’re all on the same fucking page since he’s agreed to marry us tomorrow.
**********
It’s early, like before the sunrise, but I’ve been up for a while. Today’s the day I get to marry my girl. I get to tie her to me and the world will know she’s taken.
I didn’t sleep much last night. It just felt wrong sleeping in bed alone. I pour my first cup of coffee for the morning, grab my phone and head for the couch. This is the first morning in months that I’ve been able to make a cup of coffee at home. We learned pretty early on that the smell of it brewing makes Madison sick, so my coffee maker at work has been used on a daily basis. I grab my phone and see I’ve got texts from three people already this morning.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: I know you’re probably sleeping, but I can’t. I can’t believe I get to be the lucky one to marry you today. Your child has been particularly active, it’s like she knows her daddy isn’t home. I know everyone insisted on this,but I’m missing you. That’s all. This time tomorrow I’ll be Mrs. Mick Johansen and I can’t wait. Love you.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: Oh yeah. Your child has decided that brownies, Jojos and marionberry shakes mean heartburn like crazy. Not a fan.
Me: I didn’t sleep much. The bed isn’t the same without you in it. I’m sorry she’s giving you heartburn and I’m not there to help you. Our parents can still be forces to be reckoned with. You still having heartburn? Can I order you anything or bring you anything? It’s technically the day of the wedding so we can’t get yelled at for seeing each other.
While I wait to see if she responds I look at the other two messages I got.
Mom: I know you’re a grown adult, but I wouldn’t be your mom if I didn’t remind you on this big of a day to wash behind your ears and make sure your fucking socks match. See you later. Love you.
Me: Yes ma’am. Love you too.
Micah texted me to let me know he’ll be here at like ten with some food and some of the guys to get ready together and hang out till we gotta go to Ma and Pa’s. I get up to refill my coffee cup. This is definitely a two cup day. My phone dings with a text.
My soon-to-be Mrs.: It’s doing better now. I think my stomach is just nerves at this point.
Me: Are you nervous to marry me?
My soon-to-be Mrs.: No, not at all. I can’t wait to marry you. I’m happy we wrote our own vows, I’m just terrified that in front of all those people, I won’t be able to get through them and you deserve me being able to say the freaking words.
Reading her text I come up with an idea. I shoot a text off to Pres and wait for his response.
