by K E Osborn
“Okay, I’ve been busted. Better go. Just quickly, how are the kids? Did the twins sleep through?”
“Yes, they did… for once. I better go. Trish and Mom are calling me to get my hair done.”
“Okay, love you.”
“Love you, too. See you soon,” she says and ends the call.
“Man, you are sooo whipped,” Killian announces.
“Yeah, maybe, but I don’t care.” I laugh because it’s true and then turn to face Mike. “Should we start getting ready?”
“Absolutely, I can’t wait,” Mike replies.
Mike is calmer than I’ve ever seen him as we walk toward the edge of the cliff where people are now starting to arrive and mingling. The sun is beginning to set over the horizon in its beautiful tones.
Sarah has done an excellent job. There’s an archway with gilded roses covering it entirely, and white chairs line an aisle with a bright white carpet leading to the arch. There are flowers everywhere. The area is romantically lit with lanterns placed sporadically. It’s beautiful, and I know Mom is going to love it when she finally sees it for the first time.
We walk over to greet friends and family who are here for the ceremony. I notice Nana, and I’m more than a little surprised to see her here. I just assumed she wouldn’t show up—who could blame her?
“Nana, it’s great to see you. I didn’t think you would come,” I state as she hugs me.
“Oh, sweetheart, of course, I’d come. Just because Niall was my son doesn’t mean that I love Callie and Mike any less. I watched them grow up yearning for each other. I knew this day would come eventually, and I wanted to be here with them both to celebrate. Plus, I love a good wedding, don’t you?” I lead Nana to the front so she can sit on Mom’s side. “Aiden, sweetheart, I want you to know that I know. Your mother told me they finally told you about Mike being your father. Don’t worry, I already knew. I knew the moment I saw Mike at the hospital when you were born. I’m glad you know, and it absolutely does not affect our relationship. I’m still your nana for as long as you want me to be, even if we don’t share the same blood. I will always be your nana…” Tears well in her eyes. “I love you, Aiden.”
My chest squeezes tight as I try to fight back my emotions at hearing her say those words. “Thanks, Nana, I love you, too. You don’t know how much this means to me,” I reply, and she pats my arm. I lean down and kiss her on the cheek, and then walk over to stand next to Mike, who’s waiting for Mom to arrive.
The sun sets in hues of brilliant aqua and pinks as a light dusting of fluffy clouds line the sky, making it feel like heaven is opening up and shining down on us all. The string quartet starts playing, and I’m nervous again.
Brielle walks down the aisle followed by Jeni, who looks ridiculously stunning. I can’t help my wide smile as I watch her every step.
Then Mom walks down the aisle, and she’s radiantly beautiful in her lace gown. I look across to Mike, and his eyes glisten as Mom walks closer. She reaches the end of the aisle, and Mike takes both her hands in his and then leans in kissing her lips quickly.
“It’s not that part yet,” the minister chides.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist,” Mike jests, and we all laugh.
The ceremony is going without a hitch as the sun sets over the city of Mornington Vale. Killian takes photographs throughout the entire service, and I’ve never seen Mike and Mom look so damn happy.
Mom keeps wiping tears from her face as Mike recites his vows to her, and he cries when she says hers to him. I even see Jeni’s eyes glistening, and I can’t help but get a little choked up myself when I hand them the rings.
The ceremony concludes, and we make our way down the aisle to have more pictures taken.
I walk over to Jeni and kiss her cheek. “You look… amazing,” I tell her using our word, and she laughs.
“Well, you don’t scrub up half bad yourself,” she replies as she leans in and kisses me.
We arrive at the barn after having a million and one pictures taken by Killian and his apprentice.
Mom’s eyes light up when she sees the barn again, and she looks at Mike with a beaming smile.
“Mike, our reception is in the barn?” she asks.
“Of course it is. Where else would be this fitting? Our best memories were made here, and I want to continue them here.”
Mike gently places his hand against her cheek, his thumb is a whisper against her skin as he caresses her. “We start the rest of our lives today back where it all began. And now, we can forever make memories here.”
Mom looks at him with a questioning look, like she doesn’t understand what he’s saying.
“Callie, I fell in love with you here. We can relive all those memories whenever we want now. I bought old-man Harris’ farm. This barn is yours. Our forever.”
Mom breaks down in tears, and Mike pulls her close to him—holding her. Through quiet tears, she says, “I can’t believe you bought this place, Mike. After all we’ve been through and shared to get here, I’m so lucky to have you.”
Soon after, we’re announced, and we step into the barn as a family rather than individual couples. The guests cheer and whistle, and I can’t help but smile. It was a nice touch that Mom wanted to do—one united family.
The barn’s been cleaned out, there’s no hay bales or baby animals, but a pristine white room with a chandelier hanging from the center with white silk material billowing down over the ceiling which gives it a romantic feel. Fairy lights line the walls of the barn and are interwoven with the silk material all over the ceiling. I know Mom will be impressed because I am.
We walk in and take a seat at the head table in front of the dance floor, and the festivities begin.
Chris and Frankie worked together to create the menu for the evening, and the food is extraordinary. I’m having a great time. Jeni asks me to check out the cake with her, which from where I am, looks massive. It’s eight layers. The bottom is a carousel with four horses, and there are little figurines of the family couples and then figurines of the kids sitting at the bottom. It’s obviously one of Sarah’s masterpiece ideas, but surprisingly, she’s pulled it off. It not tacky, maybe a little extravagant, but absolutely amazing.
As the evening draws to a close, Brielle rushes over to Jeni and me thrusting her left hand in my face. I laugh as she cries, and Logan catches up to her. “Oh my God, Aiden, look at it!”
“So… you said yes, then?” I ask, and Brielle looks back at Logan, who shrugs.
“You knew?” Bree asks. I nod, and Jeni giggles. “Wait! You knew, too, Jeni?”
Jeni nods as Mike comes over and slaps me on the back.
“Sorry, Bree, we all knew,” I tell her.
“Sarah!” she calls out. Suddenly, her mind has other ideas as she runs off with Logan in tow.
“Hey, Aiden, I just want to thank you for everything. This wouldn’t have been as successful as it has been without all your help and constant support. So, thank you, son. Your mother and I are very blessed to have you in our lives,” Mike states.
It’s taken two weeks for me to get over the initial shock of the news, but at this moment, I realize being angry, upset, or whatever the feeling was because they didn’t tell me accomplishes absolutely nothing.
Mom comes over and takes Mike’s arm. “It’s time for us to go, honey.”
Mike looks back at me and nods. “The missus wants to go. I better not keep her waiting.” Mike and Mom turn to walk away.
“Mike, wait!” I call out, stopping them before they head off on their honeymoon. “I’m glad the truth finally came out. I’m glad that I can… not only call you family… but also my father. So, I just wanted to say congratulations, and that I love you… Dad.”
Mike’s lip quivers while Mom looks at me and smiles.
“Oh, Aiden… I’ve waited my whole life to hear you call me your dad. I love you, too,” he gushes, then lunges and holds me tightly. I can hear him sniffling as I hold my father and can’t hel
p it as I start to tear up as well.
Dad finally lets me go and rests his hand on my shoulder. “I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my life, my son.”
“C’mon, Mike, you have the rest of your life for father and son bonding. Take me to the haystacks, please. Oh, by the way, that’s a code word for bedroom,” Mom whispers the last part, making me laugh and somewhat cringe all at the same time.
“Waaay too much information, Mom.”
The music starts playing, and people line up to say their farewells. Mom laughs and takes my dad’s hand as they head off to their honeymoon.
I stand back and watch them go, and I take the time to look across the room at my entire family.
Brielle and Logan—it will be their turn next—Killian and Daniel, Nana, Sarah and Chris, Mom and Dad, and then finally to my beautiful wife standing right beside me.
I’ve come to the realization that family is the most important thing in my life. Without these people, blood or not, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Each and every one of them have made my life better, and for that, I’m genuinely grateful.
I turn to face Jeni and take her head in my hands and kiss her with all the passion I can muster. Her hands automatically move to my hair, and I pull her body as close to mine as it can get, so every inch of us is touching. She moans slightly as my tongue finds hers, and we kiss passionately for what seems like an eternity but is only enough time for everyone to leave the barn and watch Mom and Dad drive off on their honeymoon. I take my lips from hers, and Jeni stands there looking at me with her beautiful, sparkling green eyes, and I revel in her beauty.
“Aiden, are you okay?” Jeni asks.
“Baby, I’m perfect. I didn’t realize how much I love you and our family until now,” I admit.
“Well, we all love you, too. So very much.”
“Jeni, you understand just how much I cherish you, don’t you?”
She smiles at me, her eyes sparkling the way they do, then she inhales with a simple nod of her head.
“I do.”
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Alex Scott is an asshole!
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While Alex Scott’s constant emailing regarding my eviction is driving me crazy, at the same time Xander’s sweeping me off my feet. The two men couldn’t be more polar opposite. One’s a brooding warmonger, hungry for action. The other’s a kind, sweet, caring soul who’s only out to look after my autistic brother and me.
Conflict - Betrayal - Lust - Angst
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Life can alter in the blink of an eye.
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Can you resist?
In this gritty MC romance, it’s a fight for their city, their club, and above all, their women. Enter the world of Chicago Defiance MC by internationally bestselling author, KE Osborn.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Penance – The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 2
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Sufferance - The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 4
Acceptance - The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 5
Balance - The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 6
Defiance - The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 7
Allegiance - The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 8
The Chicago Defiance MC Series Box Set – Books 1-8
LIKE YOUR BOOKS IN AUDIO?
Resistance – The Chicago Defiance MC Series Audiobook 1
Penance – The Chicago Defiance MC Series Audiobook 2
Deviance – The Chicago Defiance MC Series Audiobook 3
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I couldn’t walk away.
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The vivacious lead singer of the world-famous band, Luminous.
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