Chapter Nine

Slim

TODAY IS THE last day our family will remain whole with everyone in Benton Falls. Bright and early tomorrow morning, we're all heading out for Pine View now that the storms have gone through and we've got clear skies from here to Pine View. Vault learned last night the extent of the damage in the city and he's ready to head home. Chrome and Court have been on the phone with Vault and Valor since yesterday as they started to clean up the compound and help in the city they've made their home. We all decided that we're going to remain in Pine View for a few days so we can help out wherever it's needed and get the town back up and running the way it should be. Though, a few of the businesses have been demolished and if the owners don't see the value in rebuilding, then those spots will remain empty. At least until someone else decides to bring something else in. Vault and Valor are already throwing around ideas of what they'd do and I know this is the right move for the boys. Especially when we all sat back and watched our sons and grandson come up with ideas of what to bring to the city as well.

Our ol' ladies and daughters, or granddaughters, have been busy for the last day and a half cooking and baking to send the boys off properly. Yeah, we already had a party when the boys patched in. Now, we have even more reason to celebrate. The boys are entering the world and taking Hope with them as they all begin their lives away from Benton Falls. And Kingston has given us plenty of reason to celebrate.

It's been two days since Fox and Killer unveiled his new bike and we all joined them on a ride. To watch Kingston ride the bike the way he used to was a sight to behold. None of us thought he'd go there, but he surprised all of us by taking off on his own and even doing a wheelie before getting back to the compound. The look on his face told us all everything we needed to know and I'm glad his dad and uncle made him do this. It has helped him so much mentally and I know it's only going to make him that much more determined to get through physical therapy and finish healing the best he can. Kingston isn't going to ever go back to normal, but he'll adjust to his new normal and find a happy balance with the way his life is now.

I also know Zoey, who's in college and away from her family, isn't going to let him hide from riding his sport bike now either. They were the only two that ever rode sport bikes between the two clubs and they used to disappear for hours at a time until they eventually showed up excitedly talking about where they'd been and what they'd been doing. Kingston and Zoey always found these amazing roads to ride that no one else traveled. They could let their bikes take over the road and test the limits of themselves and the machines they were riding. Carson might be Kingston's best friend, but Zoey is also his best friend. She shares his love of sport bikes and they've bonded in ways none of us will ever understand because we don't ride them. To say we're all happy that Kingston has found that part of himself again would be the biggest understatement of the year.

I'm sitting back against the clubhouse while watching the ol' ladies move around the yard and make sure everything is set up to their standards. If there's one group of people out there who expect the very best for their family and aren't shy about demanding it happen, it's our ol' ladies. They give us the best food, take care of us, and are there for anything we need or want. All of them have found themselves in this club and with their men. It just so happens that I've been able to be part of the journey as they found themselves and then as they raised their children to be the best and strongest versions of themselves as they can be. These women truly are the backbone of this club and I don't know where any of us would be if they left us. Or if we'd never met them at all.

"What are ya doin' over here alone?" Playboy asks, walking up and sitting next to me as I continue to watch my family around the yard.

"Just watchin' everythin'. This is the last time we'll all be here like this and I'm not sure what it's gonna look like movin' forward. The boys won't be here, most of the girls are goin' off to do their own thing with college or whatever their next phase in life is. Rayven just dropped the bomb that she wants to go into the military last night. That's my girl and I'm not sure how to feel about that. She's her own person and always has been. Your sister is gonna do great things. I just wish she didn't need to go into the military to accomplish that shit," I answer my son, looking to see his reaction to Rayven going into the military.

"What? I never would've expected that shit," Playboy says, leaning back in his chair as he scans the yard and his eyes land on his sister.

"Neither did we. It broke Shy's heart, but she won't ever let Rayven see how much it hurts her. She waited until we were in our room before she completely broke down. I've never seen her as upset and scared about somethin' as she is with this. Now today is the last day the boys will be here and we'll visit them and they'll visit home again. It just won't be the same. We need to find new Prospects and doin' that means the boys are really gone," I say, looking over the yard at everyone as I've been doing for the last hour or so.

"Rayven will do everythin' she can to survive and get through this shit. We always knew the girls weren't gonna be average and that's because they grew up in the club. They're stronger than most and are so fuckin' determined and independent. There's no way in hell they were gonna settle for average jobs or doin' anythin' we would expect them to," Playboy informs me, his voice a whisper as Shy and Sam make their way over to us.

"What are you guys doing?" Sam asks, squealing as my son pulls her down in his lap and buries his face in her neck.

"We're just watchin' everythin'. Everyone is here where we've been for years. I've ruled over this club for longer than I can remember and I've seen so much shit over the years. Now, we're goin' through another massive change and I'm not ready for it. I don't think any of us are ready for it. But, we're gonna get through it the way we have with everythin' else that's been thrown our way over the years. The boys are leavin', Hope is leavin', we've got a girl joinin' the military, and who knows what else comin' our way. I just want to make sure we all get through everythin' in one piece," I say, looking at my wife as she sits down in my lap and I hold her close to me like no one's around and we're all alone in the world.

"True. But, it's time for the kids to start their lives and we all know that today is a day to celebrate and be a family. We will get through this, Slim, because we're more than the men and women of a club. We're family and will always do what it takes to support one another and make sure everyone comes through this stronger and as happy as we can be," Shy tells me, turning and kissing me before settling back in my arms as she starts watching our family.

For the longest time, the four of us sit back and simply watch. We barely talk to one another as we take everything in. This is a good day even if it does signify another change in our lives. It's not until the meat is done cooking that we finally move and make our way through the food line and join the rest of our family at the picnic tables around the yard. The compound is filled with music, laughter, and talking amongst everyone. As always, we need to ensure this is one of the best days before we all leave and make our way to Pine View.

Standing up in front of everyone, I wait for everyone to calm down.

"As you all know, we're leavin' tomorrow mornin' to take the boys to Pine View to join Vault and Valor in the newest chapter of the club. We've been given a few extra days with them which were definitely needed. Fox and Killer got Kingston back on his bike. Not once, but twice. Kingston, we're all so fuckin' proud of you for everythin' you've overcome and the way you're handlin' your recovery. We all know you'll be back to where you belong in no time because you have the determination and strength to get where you should be.

"Hope is also movin' to Pine View to start her life and help the club any way she can. You've been a tremendous help to every business this club has and we're gonna miss you more than you know. But, it's time for you to leave your mark on the world. We're also proud of you, sweetheart. Now, for somethin' that most of you don't know. Our girl, Rayven, is gonna join the military to find her path in life. She wants to change the world and I see her doin' that and so much more. We love all of you and it's been an honor to watch you all grow into the young men and women you've become over the years.

"The rest of you won't be leavin' here for Pine View, but you will be findin' your path in life. You'll be goin' to college, workin', or whatever you've chosen to do with your lives. As a parent and grandparent, I can't tell you how happy we all are that you've figured out what you want to do and the best way to accomplish all of your goals and dreams. Even if it's not the path everyone else would take to get where you want to be. So, let's celebrate our family and tomorrow we'll begin this new journey as a family," I say, raising my beer in the air as everyone else raises their drink and starts to cheer and clap for our family members who are leaving us.

Taking my seat once more, I watch as Kingston, Carson, and Kaden go through and light the bonfires that have already been prepared for the night. Gwen and Shy bring out bags of marshmallows and everything else needed for s'mores. It's been a long time since we've had those as a club and I'm ready for them.

Moving toward the fire with everyone else, I take a seat and we wait to be handed what we need to make our s'mores. I watch on as Vault and Valor help their young children toast the marshmallows and then put the rest of the ingredients together. It's so amazing to see them after going through everything and now as they become dads to their children. I mean, Valor kind of always has been because of the girls, but to watch him with his boys as babies, is something completely different. The same with Vault. He's always been so good with the kids in the clubhouse and now to watch him teach his own children and help the grow and learn.

"Look at them. Hound would be so proud of the men they've become and the dads they are. Watchin' them, they remind me so much of Hound when he was navigatin' how to be a parent to these two," Killer says, taking a seat next to me and keeping an eye on the two we're talking about.

"He would be. Hound was a great man and I miss him so much. Today is a day I really need him because he'd know exactly what to say and how to make sure everyone knows how proud we are of them. How are you doin' knowin' your girl is movin' to Pine View?" I ask him, not sure where his head is right now because I haven't had a chance to talk to him about things.

"It's definitely somethin' I can't stop thinkin' about. I love my girls and only want the best for them. It took Hope gettin' mad at me to make me realize how much I've been holdin' them back. I know you've all tried to tell me the same thing over the years. But, it took seein' her tears and knowin' she was miserable because of me broke me. I've never been so fuckin' pissed at myself as I was the day we got into that fight. Hope is so strong and I know she's gonna make it no matter where she goes. I've been holdin' them both back and didn't realize how it was truly affectin' them," he answers me, finding his daughter and watching her as she toasts a marshmallow while Kingston and Faith tease her because she always sets them on fire somehow.

"She's gonna be just fine. Hope is strong because of you and if she needs you, she'll call. Faith and her are both daddy's girls and they love you so much," I tell him, knowing it's the truth just like he does.

"Yeah. I just wish she wasn't movin' so fuckin' far away. Kingston already said he'd keep an eye on her and make sure nothin' happens. I'm just waitin' for your grandson to step the fuck up and tell me he likes my daughter," Killer says as Carson walks up to Hope at the fire next to us.

"He will. He's not gonna do anythin' without talkin' to you first. You know that he's not what he seems, yeah? I don't think he's gone out or anythin' like he's made it seem over the years. Yeah, he can get all the girls, but there's always been only one in his heart and that's why he's never had a serious girlfriend. Carson has been waitin' for Hope and just wants to make sure she feels the same about him before he steps up to talk to you. I personally don't believe he has anythin' to worry about, but that's somethin' you'll have to deal with when the time comes. Maybe he'll talk to you before we leave tomorrow," I tell Killer as he keeps his eyes on the small group next to us for the longest time.

We all watch the kids as they continue to laugh and talk amongst one another while spending time with all of us. They don't want to feel as if they didn't spend enough time with us before leaving and we don't want them to feel as if we didn't care enough to be with them before they leave. We'll make sure to do the same thing when we're in Pine View. Annabell and Savannah have already been talking to the rest of the ol' ladies about preparing a massive feast for everyone when we're in Pine View. The day we leave, the Nomads who aren't staying will more than likely also be leaving so the boys can step up into their roles in the club and they can start doing what they need to in order for the club to continue to thrive as it has been under Vault's leadership.

"Dad, why haven't you come over to toast marshmallows with us?" Hope asks, walking up to Killer as he smiles up at his daughter.

"I've been watchin' you burn the hell out of them as always, baby girl. I don't know why you can cook and bake as good as your mama and the rest of the ol' ladies, but you can't toast a simple marshmallow. Where did we go wrong?" Killer teases her, his voice full of laughter which is a rarity to hear unless it's aimed at one of his girls.

"Dad! I can toast a marshmallow without setting it on fire," she says, a blush creeping up her face as she smiles at her dad and me.

"No, sweetheart, you really can't," I add in helpfully with a smile on my face. "We watched you burn five marshmallows and then you melted the last one before Kingston took your stick away. I'm surprised you didn't start a fire the way you just let them fall to the ground at your feet."

"Slim! Will anyone here stick up for me?" Hope asks, looking around as the rest of our family turn their attention away from her. "Really guys! This is how it's gonna be?"

We all start laughing as Hope pretends to get mad at us all and stomps back over to where Kingston and Carson are talking while toasting their own marshmallows. Killer watches them closely as Carson helps Hope toast a marshmallow and tries to get her to pay attention to that and only that. It doesn't work, but they have a good time and laugh. Yeah, it won't be long before those two are taking things to the next level and Killer is having that talk with my grandson. I know Playboy has already told him to make sure he talks to him before doing anything. Carson isn't stupid, he already knows what he has to do in order to get Hope as his woman.