There’s a note waiting on the island for me.
Morning lover,
I won’t be long. Went to visit with Ruthie and Chains.
I can’t wait to marry you this afternoon.
Love you. Em.
xxx
Smiling, I shake my head. I make two coffees in travel mugs and fill up a hot water bottle with water, grabbing a fleecy blanket from the pile that seemed to grow weekly. I walk out the kitchen door to the attached garage, opening up the doors as I leave the kitchen.
Setting everything on the passenger seat, I start the car and back out of the garage, turning my truck towards town and the cemetery.
Driving slowly down the snowy roads until I hit town proper and see that the snowplough has already been through, clearing the main street. A few of the shops have lights on, and I know before long the town would get busy. We never let a bit of snow slow us down from our daily business.
I stop behind the small SUV that I’d insisted Emily buy herself, getting rid of her old car. I worried about her constantly when she drove it. It was mostly held together with a hope and a prayer.
Picking up my pile and balancing the coffees on top, I walk towards Ruthie and Chains’ graves. There she is, my second chance at love. Sitting in a camp chair wrapped up for winter, mouth going a mile a minute as she talks to them.
She must hear me because she turns and looks at me over her shoulder, face alight with happiness as she beams a smile at me.
“Hi, honey.”
“What are you doing here, darlin’? It's freezing.” I ask, handing her our coffees. I pull her up from the chair and sit down before situating Em on my lap with the water bottle tucked into her belly and wrapping a blanket around us.
“Oh, that’s nice,” she hums, taking a sip of coffee and resting her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.”
Pressing my lips to her fleecy purple hat, I sink further into the chair. I look at Ruthie and Chains’ graves. Noting that they’ve been cleared of snow and have fresh flowers and pictures. The vases weighed them down. “You’re welcome ,darlin’. It's cold out here though.”
“It is, but it’s peaceful,” she agrees. “And I needed to speak to Ruthie and tell Chains about how well Ford's doing.”
‘Fuck me, this woman, and the capacity she has for love. That she takes the time to do something like this is only one of the many reasons that I love her.’
“Love you, Emily. Thank you for taking the time to look after their graves.”
Emily tilts her head back on my shoulder and looks up at me. “No need to thank me, honey. I have good chats with them. Ruthie gives good advice on how to handle your old ass.” She grins, lightening the mood.
I throw my head back and laugh. “I bet she does. Finish your coffee and let's get home. We’ve got a wedding to get ready for.”
“Yes, we do.” Emily says, finishing her coffee and standing up. “I’ll see you two soon.” She pats the gravestones and gathers up the blankets and travel mugs. “Stay, honey. Take some time. I’llmeet you at home.” She presses her lips to my cheek and walks away.
“Deck,” Emily calls to me. Standing up from the chair. I turn to look at her. She’s standing near her vehicle, smiling. “Have I told you that I think Valentine's Day is the perfect day for a wedding? If I haven’t, I wanted you to know. I couldn’t think of a better day. I’ll see you at the clubhouse. I’ll be the one in the wedding dress.” With that, she blows a kiss at me and gets in her car. I watch as her taillights leave the cemetery, my heart full for the woman who had entered my life like a bolt out of the blue, making it infinitely better.
Shaking my head, I turn back to Ruthie and Chains.
Squatting down in front of Ruthie’s grave, I put a hand on the stone. “Hi, Ruthie. Well, you were right, just like you usually were. I made a promise to you on the day you died. And you know I always keep my promises. Not sure whether you sent Emily or not. I’d like to think that you did. I’m doing as you asked and taking my second chance at love.
“I never thought when I made you that promise all those years ago that I’d be getting married again but here we are. Thank you for all the years.” Standing, I press my lips to her grave before moving over to Chains’ grave, smiling when I see all the pictures of Ford from when he was a baby to now.
“I’m sorry you never got to meet him, son. He’s a good boy who’s turning into a fucking fantastic man. Maestro and I are making sure of it. I’m sure Emily’s been keeping you up to date on him. Miss you, son. I’m glad your mom isn’t alone though. Look aftereach other.” Tapping my fist against his headstone. I pick up the camp chair, shaking the snow off the feet before folding it back up and walking back towards my vehicle.
A breeze blows gently across the snow in front of me, lifting it up before it settles gently back down again, and I swear I hear the echo of‘Be happy’in its wake.
“I will,” I promise, continuing to my vehicle and setting the camp chair in the back before getting into the driver’s side. “I will,” I whisper again as I drive away back to the clubhouse.
Time to make sure that everything is ready for this afternoon. It’s only the club and some of our staff from the different businesses. Maestro got himself ordained and will be doing the service for us. Excitement hums through me as I drive through the gates and see the local florist and cake maker’s cars in the parking lot. Brothers milling around helping carry everything into the clubhouse.
