Smiling, he holds his hand up for silence. “That’s right, we’re growing. We’ll be opening a chapter in the UK and Coal will be running that as President. We’re sorry to be losing the brothers that have opted to follow him but we’re also proud of them, it’s not easy starting a new chapter and they’ll be doing it in a new country with minimal support.” Cheers and whistling start up the night again. Maestro lets it.
Deck walks over to where I’m standing and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into his body. Turning, I encircle him with my arms, resting my head on his chest as Maestro gives his speech.
“As you all know Stacey agreed to be my Old Lady not long ago.” Whistles and cheers rend the air again, and Maestro laughs. Deck chuckles, and I smile. It’s a happy atmosphere. You’d have to be dead not to feel good.
When the crowd quietens down, Maestro says, “I’m not the only Ivor that found a woman though. Red, if you and Emily would like to come up here?”
Deck kisses my forehead. “Last chance to run, darlin’. Once you’re wearing my cut, you’re mine forever.”
“Forever it is then,” I pressed a kiss to his lips. The smile doesn’t leave my lips as Deck takes my hand and we walk to Maestro, who takes a box from Cash. He opens the lid as we walk up to him and holds it out to Deck.
“Thanks, Maestro,” Deck says, taking the cut out from the box. He holds it up for me to see. “Darlin’, never thought in a million years I’d get the chance to do this again. You took me by surprise. It was like a bolt out of the blue as soon as I saw you. I knew I had to make you mine. I know you’ve already agreed but I’d like to ask you again in front of all these people, will you be my Old Lady?”
My heart swells and tears prick my eyes as the man that I never expected asks if he can tie me to him in the most important way. Well…to a biker man, anyway.
“Oh, Deck, I’d agree a thousand times over if I could. Thank you for asking and giving me everything that I’ve only ever dreamed of. A family, a home, and a club that I’m proud to be an Old Lady in.”
“Turn for me, Em.”
I do, and as the heavy leather settles on my shoulder, a feeling of rightness flows through me. This was how it should have felt the first time. Spinning around, I wrap my arms around Deck’s neck and, standing on my toes, I press my lips to his.
The crowd whistles and cheers. A laugh bubbles up until I can’t contain it. Lowering my heels until I’m standing, I smile broadly at Deck. “Thank you.”
It’s not only a thank you for the cut. Deck knows this. It’s a thank you for everything he’s given me that I never expected to have. And the security that I’d longed for but never been able to achieve.
“You’re welcome, darlin’,” he whispers in my ear.
“My turn, old man,” Maestro tells Deck, gently pulling me away and enfolding me in his arms.
“Welcome to the family, Em. And thank you for bringing Dad back to us.”
I squeeze Maestro’s waist telling him, “He did the same for me. The best day ever was the day you turned up at Ford's.”
Maestro presses a kiss to my cheek before he passes me over to Cash, and so it goes until I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. The tears have dried, and I’ve smiled so much my cheeks hurt.
Ford finds me when I’m having a quiet five minutes to myself. I’m standing in the shadows of the clubhouse where I can still watch but where I can take a minute for myself. Up until a few weeks ago, I’d lived a solitary life except for work and my grandkids. Tonight has been happy but also overwhelming.
“Thought I’d find you hiding out,” Ford says, walking towards me. I smile and hold my hand out for him to take, pulling him into the shadows with me. I wrap an arm around his waist as his settles across my shoulders.
“Lots of changes, Grandma.”
My head shoots up, and I look at him in surprise. He grins down at me, shrugging a little. “Well, figured I had no choice with Rosie calling you grandma and you know Poppy will too, and that’s what you’ve been to me all my life so I figured ‘Ms. Emily’ was redundant. I can stop if you want though.”
“No!” I wince at my volume. In a softer tone, I say, “Don’t stop, Ford. I love hearing you all calling me that.”
“Good,” he replies with a small sigh. I can read him though, and he’s not unhappy. I ask anyway.
“Are you doing okay with all the changes Ford?”
He looks down at me for a minute before he stares back out at the crowd. Our family milled about. There’s laughter and teasing. Stacey hands a sleeping Poppy to Lizzie, who cuddles her close. “Yeah,” Ford nods. “I’m okay with all the changes. It’s weird not having to worry about money, Poppy, and you.”
I rear back in surprise. “You worried about me?”
“Well, yeah.” Ford frowns at me. “You’re my family, of course I worried.”
“Oh, Ford,” I blink and squeeze him a little tighter. “I’m forever grateful that you were brought into my life. I’ll tell you what I told your dad when I went to visit his grave.”
Surprise flashes across his face when I tell him this. Cupping his cheeks, I say, “You’re my greatest joy. Always have been and always will be, since the day you moved into the trailer at the park and your mom didn’t know what to do with you. We may not be blood but you’re my family and I love you from the bottom of my heart. Just like I love Poppy. Never change, Ford, because you are the best of the best.”
