Page 75 of Falling for Her

He clears his throat and continues, “I have known Jokester since he was born, I have never seen him this happy and this much in love,” I swallow the emotion wanting to come out at his words. Butcher looks at Essy, “This amazing young woman loved him instantly for who he was, his character, his heart, and brought our brother back home. Today I am extremely grateful that I get the honor to marry you both, not in your mother's bakery,” Adam passes Butcher the deed to the bakery. He holds it up with the new ownership in bold and states, “but your bakery, the legacy your mother left for you and your brother.”

Essy sobs, seeing the paperwork, and I squeeze her tighter around the waist, causing her to look at me.

“You deserve this, Esmerelda,” Butcher says, “You deserve happiness and laughter, which is something this place and this man gives you.”

Essy nods, not breaking eye contact with me but also not denying his words because they are so fucking true.

“A teenager losing her mother but gaining a baby brother decided to, instead of going down a dark path, take care of her family and the business. Then took on this guy who was going through so much pain and sorrow for what I put him through to keep my blood family together,” Butcher says, “You brought him back, gave him a purpose, and I cannot thank you enough for the happiness that you give him, the love that shines every time you look at him and right now, marrying you two here today will forever be one of the best memories I’ll always remember….”

I sniff hard, trying not to cry like a little bitch in front of my brothers as Essy smiles, not caring that we’re not dressed up but knowing this way is just us all over.

“I’m not going to say anything more because I know how much you two want to be married, and I don’t want you both to wait any longer, so, Damian Clark, do you take Esmerelda Jacobs to be–”

I cut him off and say, “I do,” making everyone chuckle and Essy giggle.

Butcher chuckles, “So impatient. Esmerelda Jacobs, do you–”

“I do,” Essy says quickly, and I grin wide.

“Jeez, you two are perfect for each other,” Butcher mumbles, then announces, “By the power vested in me by Pennsylvania ordained limited, I now pronounce you man and wife you may–”

I cup Essy’s face, keeping one arm around her waist, and kiss her before Butcher can finish. Everyone cheers, and I melt into my girl, my tongue tangling with hers.

She’s mine, she’s all fucking mine.

Essy giggles against my lips, and I grin before pulling back and muttering, “My wife.”

Her tears fall, and she replies, “My husband, my everything.”

I nod and kiss her again, holding her close to me, and finally, fucking, everything inside me feels whole.

The past, Bethany, the club, this right now is a fresh start, and I’m so fucking glad I came into this café all those months ago meeting this perfect woman in my arms wearing my ring, her mother’s ring…

I’m one lucky fucker, and never, fucking never will I take her love for granted.

Epilogue

Esmerelda - Ten Years Later

“Oh,comeon,youcheated,” Cody shouts at Aiden, who smirks at his pseudo brother, placing what I’m guessing is a full flush on the table before him as Cody’s wife, whom he met four years ago on a blind date, Mary, bites her bottom lip to stop her laughter from escaping. Levi, on the other hand, lets his out, and I shake my head as I gently rub my five-month bump.

Aiden, my sweet little brother, is not so little anymore. Not only can he beat your ass in a poker game, something I warned Cody about several times – Aiden apparently learned from the best, Slick – but he’s also the best person I know.

He’s fourteen and becoming an amazing man with the guidance of Dad, my husband, and the brothers.

Apparently, he wants to follow in Damian's footsteps and not only become a brother, something Bullet, who is now president of the club, has said will happen, but also he wants to be a tattoo artist with a side gig as a family lawyer.

He has ambitions, and I hope and pray my mother looks down on us and is proud of who he has become.

“Hey, sweetheart, where are Trish and Lucas?” my dad asks, gaining my attention. I look up and smile as he stops by the counter.

“With Damian and should be back any moment,” I answer. Then I nod to the back table and say, “Your son has hustled Cody out of fifty dollars.”

Dad tries to hide his grin as he mumbles, “Goddamn, Slick,” but it comes out and I chuckle.

He looks proud, way too proud.

“Well, I better go discipline him then, huh?” he says as he pats my hand on the counter and turns and walks over to the back table with a pep in his step, and I shake my head.

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