“That’s why you two are perfect for one another.He’s been dreamin’ of a girl like you his entire life, Keaton.You ever need anythin’, I’m here for both of you,” he tells me as Tucker walks back in with Bridger in his arms and I finally notice what they’re both wearing.
Tucker and Bridger are both wearing jeans with boots on their feet.Bridger has a black onesie on and over his shirt is a leather cut that matches Tucker’s.There’s a patch on the front with his name and when Tucker turns him around, I see the club name and logo covering Bridger’s back.He’s so stinking adorable and I can’t stop the smile on my face as I take him in.Tucker is wearing a black button-down shirt under his cut and he’s changed out of his glasses and into his contacts.
“You both look so good,” I say as Tucker steps up to me and pulls me into his side with the arm not holding Bridger.
“The three of you together are the perfect family,” Lock comments as we turn to look at him.“Fatherhood looks good on you, Ice.Never thought I’d say that, but it’s the truth.I’m happy for the two of you.”
“Thanks, Lock.You’ll find your girl one day and I’ll be right there cheerin’ you on,” Tucker says as he looks at his best friend in the world and I know he means it.
“We’ll both be there for you, Lock.I know we’re just meeting, but I can’t wait to get to know you better,” I tell him before we all leave the house and get in Tucker’s truck.Lock moves his bike into the garage next to Tucker’s and we close the door so no one can get near them.
We all ride to the courthouse together and I listen as Tucker and Lock talk the entire way.They’re so close and I’m happy they have one another.Right now, it makes me miss Nora more than I have recently as my eyes fill with tears.Tucker notices and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“She’s here with you, Songbird.Nora’s watchin’ us today and I hope she’d be happy with you choosin’ me,” Tucker says low enough so only I hear him.
“I know she is.Nora’s always with us and will guide us when we need it the most,” I tell him as I look up at the sky at the clouds.It’s something Nora and I did when we were teenagers and wanted to lose ourselves for a little while.
It still hurts when I think of Nora most days, but it’s becoming easier at the same time.I can think of the times I was lucky enough to share with her and smile now.When I look at Bridger, it doesn’t break my heart quite as bad when I notice her features in his small face.Now, I think of what she’d do with him and vow to make sure all the dreams she had for her son will come true one way or another.
We pull up to the courthouse and I see my parents waiting for us by their car.They come over and get Bridger from the truck while Tucker introduces Lock to them.I wait for my soon-to-be husband to lift me out of the passenger seat because I can’t jump down on my own.It’s too high in the air for that.Plus, Tucker would lose his mind if I tried to get out on my own.He likes to help me and I’m not about to deny him.Our group walks in the courthouse and are shown a waiting area as the judge finishes marrying a couple in front of us.Tucker and I fill out the necessary paperwork together as we sit among my parents, Lock, and Bridger.I’m not nervous as we wait to be called in.For the first time in my life I have a feeling deep in my soul that I’m doing the absolute right thing.I take Tucker’s hand in mine as we sit next to one another and talk quietly among our group.
When it’s our turn to go in, my dad waits outside the door with me after my mom hands over a beautiful bouquet of daisies and sunflowers.This is how we make sure Nora is here with us today.My dad walks me in and down the short aisle before placing my hand in Tuckers.We listen to the judge go through the ceremony and then repeat after him.Tucker and I exchange rings we had.I slide his grandpa’s wedding band on his finger while he adds the wedding band that goes with his grandma’s ring on my finger.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.You may kiss your bride,” the judge says as Tucker pulls me in his arms and kisses me deeply.The world fades away and I forget we have an audience in the room with us.When we finally break apart, I can feel a blush covering my face as we turn to face my parents and Lock.
After finishing the paperwork, we all head out and follow my parents to a restaurant just outside of Briar Glen.The food is really good despite the nauseous feeling I have.It won’t go away and I might have to go to the doctor soon about it.We talk and laugh, my parents getting to know Tucker more while we all get to know Lock better.Today is absolutely perfect and I’m happy we made the decision to get married this way.It’s nothing over-the-top when I’m already in the spotlight on a regular basis.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ice
SOMETHING IS GOINGon with Keaton.Over the last month, our lives have been busier than ever before.I’ve found her sleeping more often than not when I walk in a room and she said she was going to be working.I’ve also heard her getting sick throughout the day.Her skin is pale and she’s started eating bland food.Memphis noticed the same thing when he showed up for a surprise visit to work on their song for a few days between tour dates.He wasn’t surprised at all to learn we’re now married and he ordered us all lunch with Keaton’s favorite pie for dessert.I’m happy he’s not pissed about our marriage and seems to support the two of us.I’ve tried talking to her about it, but Keaton says it’s nothing and leaves the room.I want to make an appointment with the doctor, but I feel like that would be crossing a line I won’t be able to come back from for a while.Keaton knows her body better than I do and if she feels the need to get checked out, she’ll make an appointment and go.I just hope she lets me go with her and find out what’s going on.I’m getting really worried about her.
I’ve been working at the strip club like normal and finally selected a new alcohol supplier.They’re local and so far they haven’t given me any problems.I like the owner and he’s checked in after every delivery because I did tell him what was going on with our last supplier.Instead of leaving our shipments outside like the last supplier did, the new one brings them in and places them in the storeroom.One of us goes through the invoice and we both sign off on it before they leave.The one time we had a case missing, they went right back to the warehouse and delivered it in less than an hour.I’m really happy with the change and wish I’d made it sooner.
A week after Keaton and I got married, we officially adopted Bridger as our son.The entire courtroom was filled with her parents and everyone in the club with the exception of the Rebels.Our entire family was there in a grand show of support and it made Keaton cry.We were asked some questions, the CPS caseworker spoke on our behalf, and we handed over our marriage license.It didn’t take the judge long to grant our petition to adopt Bridger.He signed off on the paperwork and we left to celebrate.Judge and Wren had a feast catered at the clubhouse for us to enjoy.It included a huge cake we all devoured before the night was over.I was worried how Keaton’s parents would fit in, but they made the best of it and talked to everyone as if they were best friends.There wasn’t a single moment of judgment from them and I appreciated it more than I’ll ever be able to tell them.
