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“She is quite the charmer.”
Vada smiled. “Aunt Gloria always has been.”
“I was speaking about your daughter.”
Vada glanced over to her mom, who was staring across the room. Her face softened, and she drew in a breath. It had been a long time since she’d seen her mother content. A little lighter and less guarded. There was no one in the room to impress.
“Why did you send the bracelet as Aunt Gloria?”
There was a long pause. “I wasn’t sure if you’d accept it if you knew it came from me.”
It was a fair concern. But…
“I would’ve,” Vada whispered.
Her mother looked over at her. “You’re showing me more grace than I deserve.”
Seeing her mom with tears in her eyes was a rare sight. Vada could only recall seeing it happen twice—at her grandparents’ funerals. It was a side to her mother she hadn’t been sure existed. Vada knew her mother’s appearance at her wedding wouldn’t miraculously change their relationship. There were apologies to be said, healing to work through, and boundaries to be set. But Vada recognized what a huge step this was in their relationship going forward. Her mother was offering an olive branch, and Vada was going to take it.
“It means a lot to me that you’re here.”
Her mother reached out and grasped her hand. “Me too.”
The silence stretched longer than most would deem comfortable. Yet somehow, standing next to her mom, surrounded by everyone she loved, it all felt right. Not everyone would be as forgiving as Vada. Most would’ve cut ties long ago. But her decision to accept the olive branch wasn’t about anyone else. It was about Vada.
Much like her family with the Ghosttown Riders, her new relationship with her mom would look different than most. It would take time to build something real. But much like everything, Vada had hope.
*
Vada walked her mother and aunt to their car and headed back into the clubhouse. Her mother had mentioned visiting in a few months. Vada wasn’t sure if it would actually happen, but she was optimistic. Some family dynamics were hard to navigate, and a few were not worth trying. Only time would tell if hers would come out on the other side. It was a risk Vada was willing to take.
Vada was halfway to the clubhouse when she saw Regina walking toward her with a familiar couple. She didn’t know Tully and Maureen well, but they knew Hades. He’d mentioned them a few times. And Vada got a true insight into who the couple was through Jack’s pictures.
“You’re leaving?” Vada asked.
Maureen smiled with her arm looped through Tully’s. Vada was aware of her backstory and appreciated the two of them making the trip for Hades.
“Gonna leave the partyin’ to the kids.” Tully said and was quickly cut off.
Regina twisted her lips and scoffed. “Speak for your fucking self, Tull. I ain’t going anywhere.”
Vada chuckled, walking closer to Maureen, who reached for Vada’s hand. She squeezed tightly and smiled. “It was a beautiful wedding, and Hades is a very lucky man.”
“Thank you. We’re both so happy you could come.”
Tully snorted. “Wouldn’t have missed it. Never thought I’d see the day Hades settled down, but marriage looks good on him.”
They started down toward the parking lot, and Regina glanced over her shoulder.
“Your husband,” —Regina winked— “is looking for you.”
My husband.
Vada spun around and rushed back to the clubhouse. Aside from the ceremony and the video, she hadn’t spent much time with Hades. She was about to change that. She pulled open the door and started down the hallway.
She slowed her steps as she came to the bar doors. A familiar melody began. While it was a sweet gesture on Trista’s part to have the song played, twice was unnecessary. She walked over to the DJ station where Joe was set up with Rose next to him.
“Hey, um, Joe, you just played this song fifteen minutes ago,” Vada said.
