She starts to cry again. “Caden, as a sign of my love.” Her voice is shaky as she fights back tears.
“And to show the world I have chosen you above all others.”
“And to show the world I have chosen you above all others.”
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
“With this ring, I thee wed.” She slides the ring down my finger.
Doc looks at both Emma and me. “In order to make a relationship work, it not only takes love. It takes passion and understanding to get you through the good times and the bad. Continue to date each other. Take the time to show each other that your love and marriage grows stronger with time. It will take trust to know that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other. It will take dedication to stay open to one another and to learn and grow together. It will take loyalty to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings. And lastly, it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you both have pledged today.”
He then looks to the crowd. “And now, by the power invested in me by the State of Pennsylvania, it is my honor and delight to declare you married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest.” He then looks directly at me. “Caden, you may kiss your bride.”
I pull Emma into my arms and give her a kiss to remember. When we finally come up for air, the crowd is clapping and cheering.
We both turn toward the crowd.
“Ladies and gentleman, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Caden Jackson.”
As we walk back down the aisle, music plays in the background. You can hardly hear it through the cheers.
After the chairs are cleared, we party. It’s a party that lasts well into the wee hours of the night. At one point, I look over at Emma, who is standing chatting animatedly with Honey, Sainte, Ari, and Rebel. She’s beaming and radiant and oh so beautiful. It’s in that moment I realize this is what true contentment is. A peace washes over me as I think about her and our two children, who thankfully are getting stronger by the minute and should be coming home from the hospital next week. I’ve never been a religious man, but I am truly blessed.
I think back again to the day Emma arrived at the gate, crying. That was our beginning, and we’ve dealt with every obstacle that has come our way: Brianne, Grayson, Ireland, and jail. And of course, we cannot forget Grayson number two. How fucked up is that? Well, thank fuck he crawled back into his hole, and if he knows what’s good for him, we will never hear from him again.
I take my drink and step outside for some fresh air. The memories of the past year fill my head, everything leading up to Hawk.Damn, I miss him so much.A part of me died with him, but Emma, Aiden, and Cadi have helped fill that missing part.
I look up at the sky and say aloud in a soft voice,“Hell, Hawk, I don’t know if there is a heaven or hell, but if there is, I know you’re in heaven.”I take a sip of my bourbon.“I won’t let you down, buddy. Every promise I ever made to you, I will keep. The club is flourishing, and I’m sure you already know we’ve acquired a new business and Honey is running it. She had a couple of rough patches, but she is definitely on the mend. You were right about so many things: Honey and Sainte and of course the fact that I was gonna have a boy. But you neglected to tell me about my daughter. Guess your connection was a little clouded.”I chuckle to myself.Unless, knowing you, you kept it a secret to surprise me.”I hold my glass up to the heavens.“I miss you, buddy. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Epilogue
Ten years later…
Sainte
I sit on the couch while I watch my beautiful wife wrap presents. It’s Christmas Eve, and our son Luke is sound asleep upstairs, dreaming about Santa Claus. He just turned six and is a spitting image of his mother. Thank fuck for that. Honey is rushing to get all the presents wrapped because we have to be at Ice’s in the morning. It’s tradition. I guess I could help her, but I am thoroughly enjoying watching her.
Honey and I have been married now for seven years. She has not touched a drop of coke in all that time, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. It’s a constant struggle for her, but she’s strong. She has been an amazing wife and mother, and sometimes I wonder what the fuck I did to deserve this amazing life.
She looks at me and smiles. “You’re staring.”
“I am.” I don’t give her any more.
“Why?”
I grin. “Just counting my blessings, love. That’s all.”
“I love you, Sainte.”
“Back at ya, babe.”
I sigh. Yep, another Merry Christmas for the memory book.
Ice
The same night…
“Tell me again why we wait until Christmas Eve to do this shit?”
