Page 72 of Single Mom for the Bikers

The sun shines down on the courtyard, clean and mostly repaired, but still showing some scars from the attack that nearly took my daughter from me. The Harem Brunch Club along with the rest of the old ladies, and even the club girls helped decorate. There are flowers everywhere, and a row of vintage bikes, displayed proudly.

There's nowhere I'd rather be than at the Screaming Eagles compound.

Is it dangerous? Sometimes.

Could it use a coat of paint and some fresh grass seed in spots? Probably.

Is it where the three loves of my life are? Definitely.

I glance down at Mia, in her flower girl dress that she keeps twirling. Together with her light-up sneakers, it's enough to entertain her for hours. Four loves.

I’m waiting in the garage for the music to start. Eagle-eye bitched a little about these ceremonies getting out of hand, but in these—and only these—cases, nobody listens to him, so we're going to have at least a little nod to tradition.

Alessa's circling me, making sure I look good from all angles. “Girl, you're beautiful. Your boys are going to have heart attacks all at the same time and die out there.”

I laugh. “I hope not. This was a lot of work.”

“What about me? Do I look pretty? Look!” Mia spins her dress again, her sneakers blinking as she moves.

“Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.” Alessa assures her, which makes Mia light up even more than her shoes. It's true though, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Always has been.

“I don't like this suit,” Dante says, looking uncomfortable with the stiff collar and something more restrictive than loose shorts and a T-shirt.

“Stop pulling at it,” Liam orders, sounding like a mini version of King.

“You look incredibly handsome,” I tell him, with a lot of emphasis on incredibly.

“Yeah,” agrees Mia. “Increb—increbi—incredli—aaaah!—increbidly handsome!”

Both kids laugh from deep in their bellies like it's the funniest thing they've ever heard. They've only grown closer and closer, the longer we've been around. At this point, the guys and I can't break up, because it would break my heart if they couldn't play anymore.

The music starts, blaring from a boom box outside. Some rock rendition of Ave Maria. I shrug. Close enough.

Summer rounds up all the kids who are big enough to help, minus Mia. Dante and Liam will walk with the rings, Izzy will help keep Emily’s Charlotte and Faith’s Chloe—both two years old—on track as they throw flowers. They leave the garage in the right order, but only fate can decide what happens once they get going.

Mia reaches up to take my hand, and wait a moment before stepping into view. All three guys are standing next to Eagle-eye as we come out. The way their eyes bug out makes all theprep time worth it. I swish my skirt once, showing off my light-up sneakers too. Mia insisted, saying they would make me like a space princess, and I couldn't really argue with that. She makes sure to dance with me, not to be outdone.

As soon as I'm within range, Havoc grabs me around the waist and swings me around, lifting me up for everyone to see. Sledge picks up Mia and gives her a kiss, and then Phoenix takes her second, before plopping her onto a chair covered in flower petals.

The courtyard is packed full, and I even know most of their names now.

Mom's here too, with Bill close to the front. They stand out, looking oddly traditional in a very unusual setting, but while Mom is still getting used to the idea, she told me she wouldn’t miss this for the world. I knew when I made up with Phoenix that it wouldn’t be the last time we talked about what happened, and it was true. The night we met with Mom and Bill… it wasn’t easy, but I think it was good for all of us.

Alessa and Faith’s front yards are set up with a pig roast and a huge grill, both producing the most amazing smells. Time to get the ceremony over with, since I'm starving.

“You look amazing,” Havoc says. “You make me wanna?—”

I hold up a finger. “Maybe save that for later?”

He glances down at the kids and grins. “Yeah, alright.”

Sledge pulls me right up against him, holding me close as we're starting.

Eagle-eye clears his throat, and scratches his gray mustache. “I don't know how you fucks talked me into doing this… again, buthere we go.” As he speaks, Jupiter trots up to him and lies down next to his feet.

He acts like this is inconvenient, but I don't believe for a moment that he doesn't enjoy doing this kind of stuff.

“Havoc, Phoenix, Sledge.”

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