Chapter Twenty-Five

Laurel

My son was free and clear.

He was still a pain in the ass, but his future looked bright once more.

I still couldn’t believe everything. I was still processing, but one thing I knew for sure, Nash was going to be okay.

I guess in the end, that was all that mattered. I hated what happened to him and I was pretty positive I would never get over that, but seeing Nash laugh again while he played with his brother warmed my heart.

As a parent, that’s all I ever wanted for my children.

A happy childhood. One that they could look back on fondly and remember when they grew older. I guess every parent wanted that or at least some version of that. Only time would tell what impact this had on Nash, but I wasn’t worried.

My son was strong.

“How are you handling everything, my darling?” my mom asked, taking a seat next to me.

The girls wanted to celebrate Nash’s good fortune, so they were throwing an impromptu barbeque. While I didn’t think what happened needed to be celebrated, Nikoli told me that Nash’s future did, so that’s what we were doing.

“Taking everything with a grain of salt. You know me.”

“I do, which is why I’m worried.”

Looking at my mother, I frowned. “I thought you said you never had to worry about me?”

My mother smirked, watching Kai jump onto Nash’s back while Nash tried to fend off Cameron and Benny, who had wrapped themselves around Nash’s legs.

“It’s a mother’s lot in life to worry about her children. You know that better than anyone. The trials we’re put through raising our children are a testament to our strength and resilience. It’s what we do afterwards, when the dust settles, that determines if we can move past the outcome and find happiness. And, my darling girl, I’m afraid you might make that impossible.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Nash is safe and happy. His record is clean. His future is what he makes of it. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Yes, you could, Laurel Shay,” my mother whispered, turning to face me. “Do you want to know why I keep getting married? It’s not because I enjoy getting married. It’s because I can’t be alone. When your daddy died, something inside me died too. I never fully recovered from that. Oh, I put on a brave face for you girls, but nothing was ever the same again.”

“But you’re marrying Mr. Munson.”

Mom nodded. “Yes, I am. In two months and seventeen days.”

Reaching for my mom’s hands, I whispered, “Mom. If you don’t love Mr. Munson, then why are you marrying him?”

“I do love Charles. He’s a lovely man and kind to me.”

“Mom, that’s not a reason to get married. You marry someone because you can’t imagine your life without that person. You marry someone because your entire world revolves around that one…” I said, when the realization hit me like a wrecking ball. “Oh, Mom. Daddy wouldn’t want you to stop living. He loved you so much, Momma, and only wanted you to be happy.”

My mom smiled and patted my hand. “It’s okay, darling. I knew long ago that I would only have one great love in my life, and for a short time, I had everything I ever dreamed of having and more. Your father was the love of my life, and when I die, I know he will be there to greet me at the pearly gates. You have that special love, Laurel. That’s what I wanted to say. You and Nikoli have that once in a lifetime love. Don’t let current events stop you from grabbing onto that young man, because, my darling girl, you deserve the same happiness I had with your daddy.”

“It’s different between Nikoli and I.”

“No, it’s not,” my mother huffed. “You only think it is. That man has loved you since you were fifteen years old, Laurel Shay. Maybe even from the first moment he laid eyes on you. My darling girl, you can’t lie to me. I saw the way you looked at him, too. Life is fickle, Laurel. You don’t get a choice in how your life turns out. Yes, life interrupted and separated the two of you for a time, but I like to believe that was because the both of you needed to grow up and learn what love really means. Because trust me, darling, that boy loves you deeply. From the moment the two of you reconnected, it was like time and distance vanished. You two picked up right where you left off.”

Looking at Nikoli laugh with his brothers while they all watched Cameron, Benny, and Kai tackle Nash to the ground, I admitted, “I do love him, Momma. I love him so much my heart hurts just thinking about him. I just don’t know how to move past everything that’s happened. Right now, all I can concentrate on is my boys. They need me more than Nikoli does.”

“You’re wrong, Laurel,” my mother replied. “Nikoli needs you more.”

Facing her again, I frowned. “How do you mean?”

“Your young man has lived his entire life never knowing where he truly belonged. Never really fitting in anywhere.”

“He fits in here, with the Sons of Hell.”

“Yes, he does now. But have you considered what his life was like before you two reconnected? Something tells me that while he may be a member of this club, he truly never felt he belonged because his past refused to let him. You were there when he told everyone his story. When he left WITSEC, what was the first thing he did?”

“He came looking for me?” I whispered.

“And when he couldn’t find you?”

“He moved around, never settling anywhere.”

“You are his true north, Laurel. The home he’s been searching for since he was fifteen. That speaks volumes. Now that he has you back in his life, that man can relax and be whoever and whatever you need, because his happiness begins and ends with you. All you have to do is let him love you, Laurel.”

“What about the boys?”

My mom chuckled. “Oh pish. Those heathens will be just fine. You raised those boys right and you know it.”

“He asked me to marry him.”

“I know.”

“Of course you do.” I smirked, shaking my head. “Did he tell you what I said?”

“No, he didn’t have to. I knew you wouldn’t say yes until everything with Nash was settled and, my darling girl, now it is. So, there is nothing stopping you now from having everything you’ve ever desired.”

“I’m scared, Momma.”

“I know you are, Laurel. Love is scary. It will consume you. It will change you. Strengthen you and break your heart all in the same day. But when the sun sets and you climb into bed at night, nothing in the world will matter but the man lying next to you, because once you are curled in his arms, you will know you are right where you belong.”

“What do I do, Momma?”

“You don’t need me to tell you that. You’ve always marched to your own drum. You already know what to do.”

She was right.

I did know.

Looking back over at Nikoli, I saw him smiling at me.

Grinning, I leaned forward, then yelled for all to hear, “Ask me again, Nikoli!”

The smile on his face grew brighter and the noise died down around us. Even the boys stopped wrestling as they got to their feet.

“You sure?” Nikoli chuckled, shaking his head while he stepped forward. “Because once you say the words, woman, you are mine forever. No turning back. I will never let you go again.”

I smirked. “So, what are you waiting for?”

“Do it, Dad!” Nash shouted, grinning from ear to ear as he grabbed Kai, holding him close.

There, standing front and center, surrounded by his family, my mother and the boys, Nikoli got down on one knee, reached into his cut, and pulled out a small blue velvet case.

Opening it, I saw the most beautiful rose diamond sparkle at me when he said for all to hear.

“Laurel Shay McDonald. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”