CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

-:- MACKENZIE -:-

It’s my wedding day and I’m so excited I can’t keep still, I’m on my third coffee already and that’s not helping my nerves. Kayla, Flynn and the kids arrived last night and while she stayed at the cabin with me, Jig was demoted to a room at the clubhouse. She’s done nothing but laugh at me all morning because I’m so hyped up. She says it’s nerves, but I don’t agree unless it’s nervous energy.

BigDog is following me around more than ever without taking his eyes off me, he’s obviously picked up on my energy and is wondering what the hell is going on. He’s going to the wedding service with me, which seemed to cause an issue with Jig to start with. Mav stepped in and sorted it out in the end, though I don’t know what his solution was.

Mav wanted to give me away, but that honor is reserved for Flynn, naturally enough. I can’t even imagine how he thought I’d ditch my brother for anyone else. Mav then went straight to Jig, announced he was best man for him, and as Jig had asked no one else, he just went with it.

Hearing Kayla call me to the kitchen, I disturb BigDog again as I leave the bedroom and head downstairs. Entering the kitchen, it’s full of people, or should I say women, the Three Stooges are here, along with Winter, Star, Raven and Cora. Winter is the first one to grab me and give me a hug, quickly followed by all the others. Once the hugs are out of the way, Amelia speaks up.

“Now, I know you youngsters these days believe you know it all, and that things from our day are old-fashioned and outdated, but there are some things that just can’t be allowed to disappear. So that being said, on your special day you need something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe, according to Star. I got the old covered. This is the veil I wore on my wedding day, and you can wear it when you walk down the aisle. Well, I’m sure you know what to do with a darn veil.” Kissing me on the cheek, I see a tear in her eye.

“Something new, I’ve got that from Jig. It’s your name patch. You know what he calls you, Beautiful . I’ll have it on your kutte in no time,” Winter states. I take it from her to have a quick look before she snatches it back again.

“I got the something borrowed, so I brought you my bracelet. It was an anniversary gift from my hubby on our first year. This is the first time it’s been off my wrist since that day.” Now it’s my turn for a tear to run down my cheek as I kiss Bitty while allowing her to fasten the bracelet on my wrist. I feel honored.

Sybil steps up and hands me a small pouch. Opening it, a small silver coin drops into my palm. Raising my eyebrows, I look at her. “That’s a sixpence for your shoe, as the rhyme goes. It’s an old English coin. They put one in their Christmas puddings too, apparently. Whoever finds it gets good luck and wealth in the coming year.”

“I just need to find something blue, then I’m done,” I state, looking around at everyone.

Kayla steps up. “I think we have that one covered, too.” Passing me a small jewelry box that looks familiar, but I can’t place it. Opening it reveals a beautiful sapphire pendant on a gold chain. Immediately recognizing it as my mother’s, I burst into floods of tears. Kayla puts her arms around me as I sob onto her shoulder. “Your Momma gave it to Flynn with strict instructions that it was to be your blue on your wedding day. He’s kept it safe, waiting for this day ever since. I was honored when he asked me to give it to you.”

Looking around the kitchen, there isn’t a dry eye in the room, except Winter’s, who smiles and winks at me. I bet that’s her sniper training, I think to myself, not wanting to affect her vision.

“Since we couldn’t add to the somethings , we thought we’d add to the ambience of the morning. Champagne and snacks are on Cora and me. Dig in,” Raven and Cora lift bags and bottles onto the table. Spilling out are snacks of all kinds and popping corks, we all dive in. I’m told firmly by Kayla that I am only allowed one glass of alcohol, and a small one at that.

Once we’ve all had a drink, and everyone has had a good look at my somethings, it’s time for makeup and hairdo. Cora is on hair duty and Kayla is on makeup.

It takes two helpers to get me into my dress and looking perfect. Now I’m ready to go, I can hardly walk. This was my idea and I’m going to make it work.

Heading outside, there are bikes everywhere. I see kuttes from different clubs and look around, astonished at the number of bikes in the street. Drag walks over to me, smiling. “I put the word out to a couple of clubs we are friendly with to see if they could spare a few brothers as part of your entourage. I guess they got carried away and asked other clubs too.” Seeing my trike on the road and the Raging Barons’ brothers all around it, I feel safe amongst so many strangers.

“Okay. Let’s get this show on the road.” Making sure BigDog is safely harnessed on the trike, and with goggles and helmet on, I mount up too. Drag waves his hands in the air and the street rumbles with all the engines starting up. A minute later and Drag waves his helmet above his head and the lead bikes start to move away. Flashing lights and a siren announce that Forest has provided a further escort for me.

I don’t know how many bikes there are, but it feels like a couple of minutes before I get to move forward myself. Following along behind Drag and Beer, we don’t head directly to the clubhouse where the service is being held. We take a long route through the suburbs and then down Main Street, where everyone and everything stops as people watch the spectacle roll past with a bride on a trike in the center of it all.

Arriving at the clubhouse, the brothers from other clubs drive by the gate and Drag stops us just outside. All the guys behind join the lead group and then turn and file back past, beeping and waving as they go. Standing by my trike, I wave as they head home.

Rolling into the compound, we park up and I see Jig watching the procession from the doorway. Mav takes his arm and pulls him back into the clubhouse, presumably to wait at the altar.

Flynn takes his place at my side and whispers, “You look gorgeous, Kenzie. Jig is a very lucky man, and I wish you both all the happiness in the world. If he does anything to hurt you, I’ll… get Mav to hurt him. Jig’s bigger than me.”

“You idiot. Thank you for the necklace. It’s beautiful and very precious.”

“It was Momma’s wish that you wear it, though I told her it was unlikely there’d be anyone out there who’d take you on,” Flynn gives a half smirk at his own comment.

“Get walking before I forget that I’m a lady and kick your arse.”

“Ass, you mean,” Flynn laughs, and we start for the aisle that will lead me to my man at the altar.

Walking down the aisle, I see Jig watching me with the biggest smile on his face. I have Amelia’s veil on and my head slightly down, so he probably can’t see me smiling back at him. He is wearing polished black boots, black jeans, a white shirt, black bow tie and his kutte. Just as Kayla instructed all the club brothers to wear for the service.

Once at the altar, standing there with Axel and Jig, I take off the veil. Kayla and Winter both step up as though taking the veil, but then standing behind me, they rip the dress open from the back and I step out of it. Shaking my hair free, it flows across my shoulders and down my back, just as I know Jig likes it.

Standing in front of him in matching gear, except for the bow tie, I point to the patch on my kutte that Winter sewed on so expertly that morning. Jig looks over at Winter and gives her a chin lift.

Axel begins the service and I can’t take my eyes off Jig. He’s staring back at me and he reaches out to take my hand in his. When Axel asks if anyone knows of any reason we should not be married, Amelia stands up, with a loud “Ahem.” Winter gives a small cough. All the girl gang stand, face the congregation holding a shotgun each, rack it as though loading a shell and then glare at everybody. Amelia smiles, “Just clearing my throat, dearies,” and then sits back down. The congregation bursts into cheers and applause and Winter winks at me.

Carrying on, Axel takes us through our vows and then to the exchange of rings. When Jig looks at Mav, he looks back blankly. Jig hisses at him, “The rings, Mav. Give me the rings.”

Mav stands up, taps his pockets and shakes his head. Jig shakes his head back at him, then surprises everyone when he sticks two fingers in his mouth and whistles.

Nodding at me to look down the aisle, I see BigDog walking towards us with a white collar and black bow tie around his neck. There’s a small box hanging from a ribbon, too. BigDog stops in front of Jig, who taps his chest for BigDog to stand on his back legs, front paws on his shoulders. Jig takes the box and tells BigDog to lie down by Mav.

I am so surprised and happy that Jig involved BigDog, I could kiss him right now. When he takes the rings and slips one on my finger, I can’t describe the feeling that sweeps through me. Staring into each other’s eyes, we both jump when the congregation starts laughing. Axel leans close to us. “I said, you may kiss the bride.”

Lunging forward in a totally unladylike fashion, I throw myself into Jig’s arms and kiss him passionately. Everyone shouts and cheers and there’s even foot stomping. As we prepare to walk back down the aisle, Jig calls BigDog and tells him, “Walk.”

BigDog gets up and stands in front of us. Looking over his shoulder as if to say, “Ready?” He walks down the aisle and out to the compound. As we get to the doors, Jig calls a halt and says that we have to wait. People rush past us and I expect they are going to throw confetti or something.

Mav pops back inside, and quickly says, “All good, Jig,” before disappearing outside once more.

Walking outside, there are guests standing on either side of the doors creating an arch. As we get halfway through they suddenly pull rifles from behind their backs and fire over our heads. I love it… I squeal with excitement and out of the corner of my eye, I see Jig wink at Winter.

I can’t think of anything that could make this day more perfect.