“Oh sure, my mum’ll just kill us, that’s all.”
“Too right,” Joe said, laughing lowly.
The music started and both men tensed. They were two men who had been in countless fights with gangs, they’d both been shot, stabbed and the like, yet the simple first strains of wedding music made both of them tense unaccountably. They both grinned at each other, knowing the other was outrageously nervous. Joe glanced over to where Taylor sat looking very reserved. He’d been surprised she’d come at all. He figured since many of his other relatives were in attendance, she thought she had to be. He thought again about everything she and Roslynn had said, and experienced a flash of doubt, but then movement at the back of the church caught his attention.
When he looked down the aisle and saw Randy looking absolutely incredible on Darrell’s arm, that doubt was permanently and resoundingly extinguished. He stared at Randy, not believing that she could be even more beautiful to him than she had always been, but here she was coming toward him, and he was stunned.
Her eyes were on him, she was thinking much along the same lines. Joe looked incredibly handsome in the black tuxedo and tails he and Rick had opted for. When Darrell and Randy reached the alter, Joe stepped forward. Darrell turned to Randy and kissed her on the cheek. He turned to Joe and took Joe’s extended hand. He leaned in and in an undertone said, “You better take good care of her, Sinclair.” Joe looked at the younger man, and nodded slowly his eyes steady. He had every intention of taking care of Randy. His eyes went to Randy, and as Darrell stepped back she stepped forward. Joe extended his arm to her and she took it, he noticed her hand was shaking as she did.
“You look incredible,” Joe whispered to her in awe.
“So do you,” she whispered back, smiling shyly up at him.
They stepped aside then as the second bridge of music started. Joe looked at Rick, and saw that his friend was looking at Katherine.
As Randy had come down the aisle, Rick had looked from her to his family, his gaze coming to rest on Katherine, who had a sour look on her face. He continued to stare at her. When she finally met his gaze, he could see that she’d read his displeasure. Her face reflected surprise at his obvious discontent but it was also obvious that she didn’t intend to back down. Rick shook his head slightly, pursing his lips, as if saying he didn’t understand her at all. He looked up, just as Midnight and Tom Ryan entered the back of the church. Every thought about his family, his sister, everything, went straight out of his head.
He almost forgot to breath, he was so entranced by his bride. His eyes connected with hers as she started down the aisle, and their eyes stayed locked. In his look, she saw all of the love and devotion that he held for her. She also saw surprise. She thought he looked drop dead handsome in the tuxedo, and she still couldn’t really believe that she was actually marrying this gorgeous man. When Midnight and Tom got to the alter, Rick stepped forward. Tom turned, raising Midnight’s hand to his lips. He kissed it and smiled at her warmly. She returned his smile and winked at him.
Tom turned to Rick. Grasping his outstretched hand, he leaned in and said, “Hold on to this one tight.” He said in an undertone, grinning widely at Rick. Rick chuckled lowly and nodded.
Then he turned his eyes back to Midnight’s. She was watching the exchange between them with a soft smile. She took his proffered arm, squeezing it gently as she looked up at him. Suddenly she didn’t feel nervous at all. She felt that this was right and what they had been destined for all along.
She had chided herself over and over again at not admitting it to herself sooner, but she knew that her independent spirit had wanted to deny needing someone as much as she needed him. Now looking up into his beautiful deep blue eyes, she knew everything was as it should be. She and Joe exchanged a quick glance and both grinned. She knew he was considering the irony of this day too. Then the priest began the ceremony and they were both caught up in his words.
Three hours later, at the reception held at the Sinclair estate, everyone waited for the entrance of the brides and grooms. Little did they know that the four were sitting in the limousine, drinking a bottle of champagne and reflecting on the day so far.
“I thought I was going to pass out, standing there forever!” Midnight said, laughing.
“Yeah, who told the guy to go on and on like that?” Rick seconded, laughing too.
“Well,” Joe said, grinning, “your mum arranged the priest, talk to her.”
“Great!” Rick said.
“I thought it was a nice ceremony,” Randy put in with a serious face. But then she broke into a laugh as the other three stared at her openmouthed. “Okay, okay! It was a bit much!” she said then, holding her hands up in defense and laughing.
They all laughed, thinking of how often they all had wanted to tell the priest to hurry it up. When he had finally pronounced them each husband and wife, and had presented them as Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, and Mr. and Mrs. Debenshire, they had all but run back down the aisle. After the tiring round of photographs, they had all hid out in the limousine. Joe had told the driver to drive around for a while. Meanwhile they had taken out a bottle of champagne and relaxed.
“So what do you think the odds are,” Joe began slowly, looking at Rick, “that we’d get away with skipping the reception all together?” Randy and Midnight laughed. Rick shook his head.
“About nil,” he said, grinning. “You know my mum, she’ll hunt us down, and I don’t think you or my lovely wife could hold her off, even with your guns …” He had stressed the word wife, looking down at Midnight, who leaned against him, sprawled out on the seat of the limo. She had taken off her veil, and taken her hair down. It now fell in silky waves down her back. She looked momentarily taken aback.
“Wife?” she said, her voice tremulous. “Oh shit …” she said then, a slow grin starting on her face.
“Oh, love, it will only get worse,” Rick said, smiling. “Wait till it’s mother of my child …”
Midnight rolled her eyes. “Wait … I think I want to take this back!” she said dramatically, pulling playfully at the rings on her left hand.
“Oh no you don’t!” Rick said, covering her hand with his. “You’re mine, there’s no turning back now!”
Midnight looked at Joe, who was smiling at them. “Aren’t you gonna help me?” she asked petulantly. “You are supposed to be my backup, you know!”
“Not anymore,” Joe said, “not in the relationship department anyway. That’s Rick’s job now, just like it’s Randy’s job for me.” He said the last, kissing the top of Randy’s head. She too had removed her veil, and was sitting in the circle of Joe’s arms. She turned to him, smiling.
“And I have no intention of going anywhere,” she said, reaching up to touch his cheek. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
“We better get in there,” Rick said after a few more minutes. The limo was sitting just outside of the gates to Joe’s house.
“Hey, yeah,” Midnight said, sitting up. “I haven’t even seen your house yet. I’ll need a tour, you know …”
“Yeah, I know,” Joe said, smiling. “Otherwise you’ll probably get lost.” He reached behind him and knocked on the glass between them and the driver, indicating they were ready to go now.
“I got lost my first day here,” Randy said, laughing.
“That big, huh?” Midnight said. Then she gasped as they drove around the bend and Joe’s house came into view. “Jesus Christ!” she whispered. She looked over at Joe, who was watching her for her reaction. He shrugged. She shook her head, she knew her partner was worth a lot of money, but she had never really put it into perspective until now.
As they entered the large ballroom style room in Joe’s house, everyone applauded. They spent the next three hours trying to talk to as many people as possible. Joe introduced Randy to his relatives, some of whom he had never even really met himself. She was impressed with the people that made up the Sinclair family. Just about every member of Joe’s fami
ly found Randy to be an enchanting girl and thought that Joseph had done well for himself. None of them seemed to take the view that Taylor had voiced. One particular uncle on Joe’s father’s side of the family told Randy that his brother’s son was very lucky and he wished that he had been so lucky when he’d married. His wife had promptly elbowed him in the ribs, and they had laughed merrily. Randy felt much better about the whole family name thing, seeing that Taylor was apparently the exception, not the rule.
Midnight and Rick also made the rounds. Midnight met Deborah’s husband and their two daughters. She decided right away that she agreed with Rick, Deborah’s husband was a stuffed shirt, and she couldn’t see how someone as lively as Deborah could stand his stoic manner. Their daughter’s, however, made Midnight wish mightily that the baby she carried was a girl. Susan and Elizabeth were pictures of their mother. They were happy-go-lucky children, who also happened to entranced by their beautiful new aunt.
Rick was talking to one of his many relatives and happened to glance over at Midnight. A smile lit his face. She was standing with Susan on one side of her and Elizabeth on the other. Both girls were holding her hands, staring up at her adoringly. Midnight was laughing and talking to them animatedly, obviously very comfortable with children. It surprised Rick. He had never seen her deal with children, he had no idea she even liked them. His wife was certainly a mysterious package. He watched as she knelt down and hugged both girls. She closed her eyes as if making a wish. Then she opened them and looked directly at him. Seeing him watching her, she smiled and winked.
There was the time for the “fathers” of the brides to dance with their “daughters.” By this time everyone knew that Darrell was Randy’s older brother, and that Tom Ryan was a very close friend of Midnight’s. All the same, it was very poignant to see the two men lead the two new brides out to the dance floor, both men very obviously proud of the young woman on his arm. Randy and Midnight had talked about what song they wanted to dance to with their respective escorts. They had decided on newly released ballad by Queensrÿche, called “Silent Lucidity.” As the song began, both Tom and Darrell took their respective charges in their arms, surprised by the song. But as the chorus began, both women mouthed the words, looking up at the man holding them. The chorus seemed to define both Tom and Darrell’s place in their lives, talking about watching over these young women and protecting them in a kind of quiet grace.
Tom smiled down at Midnight, as they continued to dance. “You look absolutely wonderful today, young lady.” His eyes grew soft as he looked at her. “Certainly not the little gang member I met so long ago.”
Midnight grinned at him. “Yeah, I guess not huh? Did you think we’d ever make it this far?”
“I always knew you were destined for a lot more, Midnight,” he chided gently.
“Yes, you did, didn’t you,” she said then, a beatific smile on her face. “You were always behind me, keeping an eye on me, weren’t you?”
“Yep, but you never really needed me much, you did everything for yourself. You’ve come a long way, Midnight.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have, if it wasn’t for you. I would have gone and killed that gang leader and probably landed in jail for it. But you changed that, you got me going the right way. That’s something I don’t think I’ve ever really thanked you for …”
“Seeing you today, as beautiful as you’ve become, seeing you happy, and marrying a man you so obviously love, that’s enough. That’s what I’ve always wanted for you, little one.” At that moment, Tom Ryan looked every bit the proud father, and Midnight decided that he would have to play an important part in the life of the child she carried. She wanted her child to have a grandfather figure. She wanted her child to have everything she never had, a family a home life, everything.
Randy looked up at her big brother, once again very happy that he had come. She knew that his presence didn’t mean that he accepted Joe, but it did mean that he was willing to try. She was glad.
“Have I told you today, how beautiful you look?” Darrell asked, smiling down at his sister.
“Yes,” she answered, blushing.
“Well, it’s still true, you look great, Randy. You look happy too,” he said then, looking chagrinned. “I guess I’d have to be blind not to see that, huh?”
“I am happy, Darrell. I love him,” she said softly.
“Yeah, I guess I’ll have to give the guy a chance. I was just looking out for you, you know,” he said looking rather sheepish.
“I know, Darrell,” she said, placing her hand on his cheek. “But you have to get to know Joe; he’s sweet, and caring. He needs me, Darrell, and I need him.” Her voice was quiet but sure, and Darrell Curtis knew that his little sister had grown up, and that she knew what she wanted.
“So,” he said, shrugging and grinning at his sister. “I’ll give the guy a chance, but if he ever hurts you …” His voice trailed off ominously.
“You’ll kill him,” Randy finished for him, smiling at him like a child.
“Damn right.”
When the time came for the newlyweds’ first dance, the dance floor cleared and Rick, Midnight, Randy, and Joe walked out. The first piano chords of the acoustic version of Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” played and the guests listened intently as the words of the song surrounded them. At first, everyone was surprised that they had chosen a rock song, but everyone who knew Rick and Joe, knew they never did anything traditionally. The words of the song did seem quite fitting.
The reception went long into the night. Midnight and Joe stole off together at one point so Joe could show her the rest of the house. They ended up in his old bedroom. She looked at the picture of the Black Knights and then at him.
“I guess you’ve come a long way, haven’t you?” she said.
Joe was sitting on the end of the bed.
“Yeah, I guess I have, but so have you,” he said, looking at his partner standing in her wedding dress, in his room. He was struck again by the irony of it all. “Kinda like full circle.”
She turned to him. “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too.” She sat next to him, sitting shoulder to shoulder with him. “It’s like, everything was always meant to be this way. Like we were supposed to meet, and work together … you know …”
“Yeah,” he said, looking down at her. “If my parents hadn’t been killed, I wouldn’t have come to America, I wouldn’t have worked with you, I wouldn’t have gotten Randy for a secretary …”
“I wouldn’t have met Rick …” she continued for him. “We wouldn’t have ended up back here …” She looked around the room, her gaze falling on the Black Knights jacket on the chair in the corner. She walked over to it and picked it up. She looked at it, then at him. “I still have my Vettes jacket … somewhere … funny that we haven’t gotten rid of them … being the sources of our pain and all …”
“Maybe they’re not though,” Joe said, his eyes on her, “maybe that’s just what we’ve always thought, but maybe being in the gang was our source of strength. It certainly was a starting point for where we are now.”
Midnight looked at him, surprised by his words. “You know,” she said slowly, looking again at the leather jacket she held, “I think you’re right.” She walked back over to him, and sitting down, holding the jacket on her lap, she bumped her shoulder against his companionably. “I’m supposed to be the one with the degree in psychology, you know,” she said, grinning at him.
“Maybe you’re rubbing off on me,” he said, smiling back.
They sat in silence for a while. Eventually his arm went around her shoulders and she leaned against him. Both of them reflected on the day’s events, and the events leading up to it. A little while later Rick stuck his head in the door, then looked back over his shoulder.
“Yep, I was right, they’re in here,” he said, then he pushed open the door. Randy stood behind him, smiling. “We figured this is where you two had gotten to,” Rick said, grinning as he leaned against the doorj
amb.
“Come on in,” Joe said, motioning to his friend. Rick walked in, and stood next to Midnight. She put her hand out and he took it. Randy walked in and Joe stood and walked over to her, she looked up at him her eyes reflecting her love for him. Reaching out he pulled her to him, kissing her tenderly.
“We should get back,” Joe said, after a while.
Midnight sighed loudly, throwing herself back on the bed. “No!” she said melodramatically. “You can’t make me go back there!”
Rick laughed, moving to sit next to her on the bed. She moved around so that her head rested in his lap.
“Okay so maybe we can stay here for a little while,” Joe said, shrugging. He sat sit on his bed then, leaning against the headboard and pulled Randy down next to him. She sat next to him, her head on his chest.
“So …” Joe said after a few minutes of silence, “where do we go from here?”
“You mean, in general?” Midnight asked, looking up at Rick then back at Joe.
“Yeah.”
“Are you trying to say that life will be anticlimactic after all this?” Randy asked with a sly smile.
Joe, Midnight, and Rick laughed.
“Yeah, I guess,” Joe said, leaning over to kiss Randy again.
“Well,” Rick said, looking down at Midnight, “I for one intend to ask the boss about going to the academy.”
“You wanna be a real cop?” Midnight asked, surprised.
“And what’s wrong with that?” Rick asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “My wife happens to be a cop.”
“I just … well … okay.” she said, finally. Then she looked at Randy. “What about you?” she asked. “You want to stay a secretary?”
Randy was silent for a long time, she hadn’t really thought much past the wedding. She nodded slowly. “I guess, for now.” Then she looked at Joe. “That and take care of Joe.”
“That should be a full time job in itself!” Midnight said, laughing.
“Hey!” Joe said, indignantly, grinning all the while. Midnight just laughed harder and Rick joined her. Randy was nodding with a big smile on her face. “You too?” Joe asked, a look of mock distress on his face.
Empires Fall (MidKnight Blue Book 2) Page 21
