Page 83 of Zen's Crash

Taking a few steps to the window, I can see our friends and family milling about in Zen’s large backyard. It’s decorated in our wedding colors of black and white. All the men in our wedding party are wearing white tuxes, and the bridesmaids are wearing long black mermaid gowns that echo the white one I’m wearing. Of course, the brothers are all wearing their cuts. Everyone seems to have a drink in their hands and smiles on their faces.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t realize Zen has slipped into the room until two strong arms slide around my waist from behind, and he caresses my gently rounded belly.

“You look absolutely gorgeous.” His warm praise and the expression of adoration on his face when I turn to look at him fill me with a kind of happiness I’ve rarely known in my topsy-turvy life.

I reach up and straighten the bowtie on his black tux. When I’m finished, my hands drift to the cut he’s wearing over his tux jacket. The leather is warm to the touch and reminds me how much Zen loves his club and the friendships he’s made with the brothers.

“You look pretty amazing yourself.”

We’ve wrapped respect for his club into every layer of planning for our wedding. From having Rigs perform the ceremony, to our fancy wedding cake having the Savage Legion emblem on the front of the top layer, to decorating his motorcycle with flowers and streamers that say ‘Just Married’. I love all of it.

I gesture behind me, out the window. “Everything looks beautiful.”

He gazes down at me with such affection that it makes my heart beat a little faster. “Thanks for agreeing to the biker details. It means a lot that you support me being a member of the Legion.”

My eyes fly up to his, and I choke out, “Of course I support your club. If it weren’t for your club brothers, I’d probably be in a shallow grave somewhere in the desert right now.”

His fingers come up to gently cover my lips. “I would never have let that happen. Let’s keep the focus on today and the life we’re building together. Your crazy uncle got what he deserved, and your cousin is serving time for his part in that shit.”

I nod, and his fingers drop away. “You’re right. It doesn’t make sense to let them steal our joy.”

A grateful smile spreads across his face. “That’s my girl.” Sneaking a glance out the window, he tells me, “I came up to let you know that I’ve been holding back my mom and my sister for the last hour or so. They’re pretty eager to spend some girl time with you.”

I nod. “Send them up. Your sister is going to do my hair and makeup.”

“God help you if she does. That girl has a heavy hand with the makeup.”

I chuckle. “I think being a little heavy-handed, as you say, is so the pictures will look nice. Don’t worry, I won’t let her overdo it.”

He just shakes his head. “It’s almost like you’ve never even met Lori before.”

Before I can respond, there is a knock at the door.

Zen sighs, “That would be them, I imagine.”

When he opens the door, I see that it’s not only his mom and sister, but also all the bridesmaids.

His mother, Miriam, and sister, Lori, come pouring into the room along with Cindy and Kayla. My poor fiancé gets punted back towards the corner of the room and gives me a rueful look on his way out the door.

I feel immersed in love when they all approach with happy smiles. Trying not to tear up at the emotions this moment pulls to the surface, I let them surround me with their love.

His mother is wearing one of those mother-of-the-bride outfits with pearls and subtle sequins stitched onto the top. She has her hair swept up into a nice updo. “You look amazing,” I tell her.

Surprise registers on her face, and she stammers, “Why, thank you, Lexi. But it’s you everyone will be admiring. Today is your day to shine, and we’re here to make sure you look perfect on your special day.”

His sister jumps in. “My mom even brought you some jewelry to choose from for your something borrowed.”

It takes me a second to remember the old tradition of the bride having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you.” I give his mother a hug of gratitude, and she beams back at me and begins unpacking her jewelry cases.

Lori pulls me down onto my vanity stool with my back to the mirror. “I’m going to let my electric curlers and curling iron heat up while I work on your makeup.”

She grabs the makeup case we built together for the occasion and gets to work.

Kayla, who always has a knack for being awkward, picks up my wedding crown and balances it on her head. “Does this feel like becoming a fairy princess for a day?”

Ever the older sister, Cindy takes the crown away and sets it back on my vanity table. “It’s not polite to wear the accessories another person has bought for their special occasion, sis.”

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