Page 74 of Reaper Released

Pa John comes and gives me a kiss on my forehead. “You didn't actually think we wouldn’t come, did you?”

Pa Steven comes up and kisses my other cheek. “We’ve never missed a doctor's appointment, a school play, or a court hearing. What makes you think we would miss you getting fucking married?”

“God, I’ve missed you all so much. How long are you staying for?”

Cade laughs. “Trying to get rid of us already, Squirt?”

“Never!”

“We’re here for a month. We've missed you too, kiddo!” John says.

The lump hits me hard, then. My dad always called me kiddo.

Cade notices. “Come on, Squirt, let’s add another family member to this ragtag band of fuck ups we love so dearly!”

I grin at them all. “He did this, didn't he!” It isn’t a question. It's a statement. I know Steel has arranged all this. I'll never know what I have done to deserve this wonder of a man.

I just hope I don’t fuck it up. He’s too good to lose! They surround me and turn me towards the aisle. Just as I’m about to step on the aisle, the ‘Wedding March’ plays out across the field. At the end of each row of seats, there's a bouquet slightly smaller than the girls’ in red and white roses. My bouquet is slightly larger and hangs longer at the front. It’s made up of mostly white and red roses, but there are two black roses in the centre.

I look back to Steel, the archway is now covered in red, white and black roses, and a black carpet is running between the white chairs. Each chair has a red, white, or black ribbon tied in a bow around it.

Fuck, Steel and Beauty really have made this beautiful. A massive marquee is behind the raised area where Pops, Steel, and Ares are standing. The girls are all side by side to the left of the raised platform, and all the boys have separated to the right behind Steel.

Looking across at all the club members and their families, all the men are dressed in black suits with red shirts, and the women and children are a mix of black white and red. When I said the theme was black, white, and red, I thought of a few flowers and the bridesmaids, but everyone in the club has stuck to it like glue. They all look beautiful as I try to smile at everyone.

While I’m walking, I’m gripping my pas tight, as if I think they might not be real and disappear at any given moment. I can’t help but keep looking at Steel. He takes my breath away as we step toward the raised platform. Pops steps down, leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek, speaking so only I can hear.

“You look beautiful, Sunshine.” Before stepping back, he then asks, “Who gives this woman to be married today?”

Cade, Bernie, John, and Steven reply, “We do!”

They all kiss my hand, and Cade holds it while I step up towards Steel, he winks at me, and they sit down on the front row next to Ma.

As I reach up and take Steel’s hand, he pulls me towards him and lifts me off the ground, kissing me like we are already married.

After a little while, Pops coughs. “Ahem, we haven’t got to that bit yet!”

There’s a chuckle throughout the seats, and I blush slightly. Fuck, I’m never gonna live that down. We step back a little and grin at each other like idiots. Thank heavens for the expensive lipstick. It’s still where it’s supposed to be and not all over Steel's face.

Giving us a moment to take a breath, Pops asks, “Ready?” We both look at each other and nod.

“Do you, Ray, Sunshine Reins, take Colby Steel to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in failure, to love him faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?”

Never faltering, never taking my eyes from his, I reply, “I do!”

“Do you, Colby Steel, take Ray, Sunshine Reins to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in failure, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?”

Holding my gaze and smiling wider than ever, he nods. “Fuck yes!” he breathes out.

Everyone cheers as he sweeps me up in his arms, swinging me around and kissing the life out of me.

“Ah, fuck it, I now pronounce you husband and wife, as you were!”

But we’re still kissing, and I don’t give a shit that all these people are staring, cheering, and whooping. These people are now my family. Next thing I know, we’re being hugged and kissed by the bridal party. When Beauty hugs me, I grin. “Fuck, girl, this is amazing. You’re so talented. I can’t thank you enough!”

“You’re welcome, but the majority of it, Steel did. He told me what he wanted, and I made it happen. You’re beautiful together!”

Steel grabs my hand, and we head over to the field at the side of the tent. Everyone’s gathering there for photos, the whole club and their families. As I walk to the photographer, I ask her for a few specific photos for myself, and she nods. After taking a few with everyone who attended, the families are sent to the tent to find their tables. We take more photos, and then the club members go to find their families. We then do all manner of family-based photos. The guys all look so handsome, with their top two buttons open on their shirts, all suited and booted.

---