AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Who the hell is Cole?” Reaper asks me but I can tell he only beat Rager to asking the question.
“Cole is Raider’s best friend. He’s also the enforcer for Raider’s club. Honey has known him since he was a small child. Raider and Cole have been best friends since before they started school together. He also calls Honey, Mom, just like Raider,” I try to reassure Rager. Jealousy runs in that family’s blood. “So, will you Rager? Will you be my dad for my day?”
“What did Raider say about it? Does he want me there for your wedding?” Rager asks.
“Don’t sugarcoat it for him, Billie. He’s a man, and that’s something for him and his son to work out.” I frown at Mom, and she gives me those mom eyes.
“Raider doesn’t want you there. You two need to talk your problems out. I want you there. I want you to be my dad for the day and give me away with my mom. I won’t get married unless that happens. That’s the bottom line. Raider will get on board or we’ll live in sin for the rest of our lives.Life Stands Still For No One,and he will give these few things to me for our wedding day.” I am determined.
“I told you she was stubborn,” Mom speaks up. I look at Reaper, and for the first time, this man has nothing to say. I look back to Rager and I see the tears he’s fighting. Nope, I will not cry. I feel so vulnerable waiting for his answer. Maybe I misunderstood, and he doesn’t think that much of me.
“All you had to do was ask. The day we met in Conroe, I enjoyed spending the day with you and talking. I figured out that I had met a young lady who I genuinely liked and enjoyed spending time with. The situation that day was screwed up, but you were a joy to get to know. I would be honored to be the one who walks you to my son, no matter what he thinks of it. I will be there with you every step of the way during your pregnancy and for as long as you will have me in your life. I just don’t want to be what you and Raider argue over.” I look at Reaper and wait for him to answer me.
“I will do whatever you ask of me as long as it isn’t to be in delivery room when you deliver our next family member.” We all laugh over that one. I can finally breathe easy again.
“You let Billie Jo handle Raider and everything will be just fine. That young man loves my daughter and he is her match in every way,” Mom adds to the conversation.
“Since we’re all family now, Frannie, I am Tyrel Sullivan and this is my twin brother, Tyson Sullivan. Billie introduced us by our road names,” Reaper tells my mom.
“Billie has explained everything about motorcycle clubs and real names and road names and some of the rules of Raider’s club,” Mom tells Reaper. “This has been nice meeting the both of you. Road names or birth names, doesn’t matter to me as long as I know what name to call you. I’ve been stuck with Frannie since right after I was born. My grandma gave it to me. Not that it’s anything like yours.” Mom looks at me then. “Eat up, Billie. We need to get a move on so I can catch a nap before tonight’s shift after we finish up today.”
“What are you two ladies up to today?” Rager asks.
“We’re going to plan everything for the wedding, so as soon as Raider gets on board, then it can happen in the next couple of weeks,” I answer.
“It’s going to be a small wedding?” Rager asks me.
“I wanted to do a huge wedding, but Billie won’t have anything to do with that. I know she’ll be my only shot at a fancy wedding. Ryan is going to stay at home as long as he can, but we’ll be downsizing. Maybe he’ll learn to keep his room clean at least.” Mom laughs at what she just said. “Maggie, my youngest, will be getting married in her camo pants and combat boots. That girl has a pair for every day.”
Rager laughs. “That a girl. No harm in that.”
Mom laughs. “She tried to wear them for a dance recital. Then there was the time that I thought I would buy her pink camo shorts like I had seen on other little girls. She wouldn’t even try them on. She put her hands on her hips, looked at me, and asked ‘where am I supposed to hide in pink shorts, Candy Land? Camo helps me blend in and then I can attack whenever I want. I’m a soldier, and anyway, I outgrew Candy Land a long time ago.’ Then she huffed out of the room.” Mom just shakes her head. I finish my fruit on my plate. I laugh at the memory.Maggie had been mad for a week. Said she’s going to be a soldier when she grows up.
“Thank you both. I know our day will be complete now,” I say to them.
“I understand that you want me to walk you to Raider on your day and it has to do with feeling your dad close. Are you sure about this? I just want to give you every chance to come to your senses.” Rager smiles and winks at me. I think he’s trying to ease the heavy feelings this conversation has left, but I know I need to give him the whole truth.
“Rager, I gave you my main reason for wanting you to be there with me but I need to tell you, I will have a table set up with a picture of my dad and me on it. There is one other reason for this.” Rager doesn’t say anything, giving me time to say what I need to.
“I wasn’t raised in a home full of drama. We were just a loving family. I want a family like that for Raider and me. You can’t have that without always telling the truth between family members. Never leave anything unsaid. We only have the moment guaranteed in life. Having loyalty, facing our problems and not running away from them, or avoiding them, is what is important in a relationship. And lots of love.” I look at my mom for some reassurance and she nods her head at me. “If Raider keeps avoiding his issues with you and Honey, I think he’ll regret it. And regret can only fester and ruin everything around it. I don’t want to teach our children that’s the way to handle things. A parent’s job is to teach their children the better way to face life. We love, nurture, and protect them, but they need to know that when life gets hard, all you can do is put your nose to the grindstone and work through it. That’s what I want to teach our children, like Mom and Dad did us. I won’t marry a man who thinks he can run from the troubles that come our way.”
“That’s my girl,” Mom says proudly.
“I think my son chose very well.” Rager smiles at me. “I want you to call me Tyson. I am going to be your father-in-law.”
“You’re going to be much more than that,” I tell him.
“Damn, this shit is heavy. Billie, don’t forget, I’m also your uncle and I’ve never had a niece to spoil before.” I smile at Reaper.
“A woman never turns down a good spoiling,” I reply.
“Are you going to make us wear monkey suits that have those ties that chokes a man to death?” Reaper asks with his two hands on his throat like he’s choking himself. It makes me laugh.
“No tuxes and no suits. Good jeans and a button-up shirt with your cut over it is fine, along with your normal boots. No flowers or anything,” I explain. “The only reason I’m wearing a dress is because Mom asked me to. I will either have my cowboy boots on, a pair of ballet slippers, or be barefoot. I refuse to be uncomfortable on my day. No band or anything extravagant. We can dance to a playlist. We can hook someone’s phone up to speakers and have the music playing,” I finish.
“We’re having barbeque with the fixings, and I did insist on a wedding cake. Come with a big appetite. If it doesn’t rain, it will be outside. If it does, then I’ll get a tent or clean out a barn. When Billie says she wants a no-fuss wedding, she means it.” My mom is still upset I won’t have a big fancy wedding. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings but there is no need to spend that much money for one day. It can be just as nice but in an uncomplicated way. I can save the money that would be spent on a big wedding to add some modern furniture when we move into the big house, not counting all the baby stuff we’ll need to buy. The numbers keep adding up in my head.
“Let us know if we can help with anything,” Rager adds.
