Chapter Thirteen

Valor

TO SAY I was shocked as fuck when Savannah brought up me adopting the girls again a few days ago, would be an understatement. Yeah, we talked about it before everything happened and I thought it was off the table completely with all the shit we've been through. Instead, she's always going to do whatever is necessary to put the girls first and make sure they're protected at all costs. Savannah might not fully trust me yet, but she's coming around to the idea of me being in her life and around the girls again. I'm trying to show her every single day that I'm not going to leave her again. There's one definite way I can make sure she knows and will realize how serious I am about being with her and the girls. I want them in every part of my life and I was serious when I told Savannah I'm going to claim her as my ol' lady and I want to marry her.

We might just be getting back together again, but Savannah and I have been together for years. Yeah, we got sidetracked and lost our way together at one point, but now that I have her with me, I'm not going to fuck anything up with her. So, when I talk to the judge we know about the adoption for the girls, I also talk to him about overseeing my marriage to Savannah. Yesterday when we talked to everyone, I pulled my brother, Annabell, and the girls aside to tell them my plans for marrying my girl. The girls aren't gonna go to school so they can be there with us. Slim, Shy, my brother, and Annabell will be the only other ones there. I want Court there as my best friend, but he told me he's willing to wait and plan a celebration at the clubhouse once all this shit is over with. He doesn't want to overwhelm the girls and Savannah since they're still getting to know him.

Court is definitely stepping up when it comes to my girls. He was the first to volunteer to follow the girls to school and remain outside the building when we brought it to the table. Thankfully the school district here is on one campus so we're not spread thin. The most important thing to me is making sure they're protected when Savannah and I aren't with them. When they're all at the clubhouse, he spends time with the girls and Savannah, talking and getting to know one another. He's helped the girls with homework, talked to them about things when I'm working or on the phone with a client and not around, and done everything he can think of to make sure he gets to know my family. Court understands more than everyone but Vault how important they are to me and will do whatever is necessary to make sure he's there for them like I'd be. One of the reasons he's my best friend in the world.

Shy already took the girls out today. She made up some excuse about needing a few more clothes for the girls and her because they didn't bring enough. She's going to make sure my girls have new dresses for today. As far as Savannah knows, we just have the hearing for the adoption. The reality is we'll be signing all the paperwork for the adoption after the judge marries us. They're taking a group of guys with them to make sure no one gets close to them. Court, Playboy, Slim, and Killer are among the men with them. Some of the boys have volunteered to go as well. They want to make sure everyone is protected and said they'd remain with the younger girls so the girls are in and out as quickly as they can be. Slim and Vault made the decision to let them go since they'll be Prospecting soon and this is something they'll be doing once they get that cut with the Prospect patches on it.

While they were gone and getting ready, I left to go get rings. I ordered an engagement ring with a matching wedding band and then my own wedding band. All three rings match one another and I know my girl will love her rings. They're platinum with a small diamond in the center. Four small emeralds surround the diamond and then wrap around the band. There's a skull on each side of the diamond and a rose with the vine wrapping around the band. It's a ring I designed when I first started feeling something for Savannah. She doesn't know anything about it because I wasn't sure if we'd ever get where we are now. The wedding band has the same rose and vine wrapping around the band that's filled with alternating emeralds and diamonds.

My ring is made of titanium and is black instead of platinum. There's one emerald and diamond on the ring to go with the stones in Savannah's ring. I have a rose wrapped around a skull etched into either side of the stones on my band to go with the design of my soon-to-be wife's ring. I wanted to etch something inside her ring, but there's not enough room. I did have her initials put on the inside of my band so she'll always be with me. My plan is to also get a tattoo of the skull wrapped in a rose's vine and Savannah's initial on my ring finger so I'll always have it with me even if I have to take my ring off for work. Maybe Savannah will do something similar on her finger. It's something we can talk about later.

After picking up the rings and having lunch with my brother, we make our way back to the clubhouse. Our woman who makes the rags and our cuts should be arriving soon to bring Savannah's ol' lady rag. Plus, I want Buzz and Fox to have enough time to put the tracker on my girls ring. They have them small enough that she won't even know it's there and we can start it remotely if something ever happens to her. I will make sure she knows there's a tracker on her ring though. I'm not going to hide anything from Savannah and this is a major thing she'll need to know about so she's not pissed when she finds out later on.

"Are you sure you're ready for this shit?" Vault asks me as we pull back up to the clubhouse after running our errands.

"Of course I am. You know I thought I was in love with Kasey for the longest time. Even when I was with Savannah before, I still had the idea of Kasey in the back of my mind. After spendin' time with her and the kids when Anthony was bein' a stupid fuck, I realized I was more in love with the idea of Kasey and not her as a woman. She grew up in a club and knows what the life entails. I wouldn't have to explain everythin' to her or worry about her not understandin' shit when things were goin' to shit. Savannah might not have grown up in a club, but she's been around enough that she understands everythin' Kasey does. Hell, she might understand it better because she was older when she learned everythin'. We all helped her adjust to her new position in life and we helped with the girls. She truly knows and understands what we're about and knows I'll have to make tough decisions along the way," I tell my brother, looking at him as he parks his truck along the side of the clubhouse instead of in a parking space.

"Just makin' sure, Zach. You know I support this. Savannah and you are good for one another. After I got over my shit and started to look at everythin' I never could figure out what happened between the two of you. I still don't understand it. But, I'm happy as fuck you're workin' your shit out. As long as you're happy, I'm happy," my brother says as we get out of the truck and head inside to find our woman waiting for us with the rag in her arms.

"Tillie, it's good to see you again. How are you doin'?" I greet her, stepping up to the table she's sitting at and pulling out the chair next to her.

"I'm doing good. You're finally claimin' an ol' lady. Never thought I'd see the day, Valor. I'm happy for you," she answers with a smile on her face.

Tillie is an older woman we met just after moving to Pine View. She's a seamstress who loves to make things she's never done before. Vault talked to her about making the cuts for Martin and George when they started Prospecting for us and about making the ol' lady rags so we'd have her locked in when the boys moved down here with us and started their lives. Vault and I really never thought we'd get a chance to claim our girls as our own. We wanted to have things in place for everyone else and not ourselves. Now, we're using her for our ol' lady rags and she's gonna give us some shit about it. Tillie won't ever let us get away with anything and always says what's on her mind. It's one of the reasons she's so damn funny and why we love talking to her. She kind of reminds me of the female version of our dad.

"I am. My girl moved down here from Benton Falls when she got in some trouble. I've got three daughters too. Been in their lives since they were little and now they're back with me where they belong," I tell her, a large smile on my face as I talk about my girls.

"Good. She's a good girl I'm guessing and maybe she'll settle your ass down," Tillie says, laughing at her words while looking between Vault and me. "And where's your ol' lady? She have that baby yet?"

"No, ma'am. She's up in our room I think. Valor's got a big day today and I hope she's gettin' ready. I'm gonna go check on her. She knows I don't like her takin' a shower on her own these days," my brother says, giving Tillie a quick hug before rushing upstairs and heading for his room and woman.

Annabell still has about two months before the baby is born. I think that's what she said the last time we talked about it. I don't really know anything about all of that kind of stuff. What I do know is I'll be there for my brother and sister-in-law as soon as Annabell goes into labor. I'm not sure Vault will be any good for his wife when the day actually comes and it's time for her to go to the hospital. Annabell wanted to give birth to their baby at home, but my brother put a stop to it really quick. He's not willing to risk her life because she wants to give birth at home. I can't say I disagree with him about this either. When Savannah and I finally have our baby, I want her in the safety of a hospital in case something goes wrong.

I talk to Tillie for a few minutes more before walking her to her car so she can go home. After putting the rag up, I get ready for the day. Today I'm not gonna be wearing my jeans and a tee-shirt. I want to dress for the occasion since Shy is gonna make sure Savannah does too. This is her day and even if we're not having her dream wedding, I still want it to be special for her. So, I'll do what I need to in order to make that happen.

"Love, are you ready to go?" I ask Savannah, walking into the room at the clubhouse and finding her sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah. I'm so nervous. I don't even know why I'm nervous because this is just a formality. We already know the judge is gonna sign off on the paperwork and the girls will be yours as much as they are mine," she says, giving me a small smile as she looks up at me.

I know I'm not supposed to see her before we get married, but there's no helping it today. The last thing I want to do is give away the surprise so I'm going to have to see her before we get to the courthouse. We'll have the girls riding with us in the truck I bought when they got back to Pine View with me. I had to have something big enough for all of us to ride together. Savannah doesn't have her car here, so she needs something to get the girls back and forth to school as well. Buying the truck accomplished both goals. Anyway, my girl is sexy as fuck.

Savannah is wearing a simple white summer dress. It has those thin straps that look as if they'll snap with one wrong move. The dress accentuates her ample chest before flaring out around her flat stomach and hitting her just below her knees. She's wearing a pair of wedged sandals on her feet. Savannah's nails have been painted a dark green that's my favorite color. I mean, black is my favorite color, but a deep, dark green is a close second. That's the color she's chosen to wear for our wedding day. Her fingernails have that French manicure bullshit where only the very tip is painted a color with the rest of her nail natural or whatever you wanna call it. The tattoos on her body stick out as I take in every inch of her tan skin once she stands in front of me.

"Sexy as fuck, Love," I growl out, leaning down and pressing my lips to hers in a gentle kiss.

My girl deepens the kiss while wrapping her arms around my neck and moving her body closer to mine. We kiss until we're both breathless with my hands wandering her body. I break the kiss because if we don't stop now, I'm not going to want to stop. Pressing my forehead against hers, I keep my eyes closed and take a few deep breaths to calm myself down.

"We gotta go, Zach. Are you ready for this?" she asks me, giving me a real smile as a knock sounds on the door and Ava opens it.

"I'm ready for this," I tell her as we make our way over to Ava.

The three of us walk downstairs and meet everyone else going with us. Slim, Shy, Vault, and Annabell are going inside the courthouse with the girls and me. Everyone else will be staying outside and making sure no one gets too close. They're looking for any signs of Conrad or his father. No one's still seen him and I have a feeling he's here with his son since my girls are in Pine View.

We make our way out to the truck and I help my girls in before getting in the driver's seat and starting the engine. Only the guys not going in the courthouse with us are on their bikes right now. I'd love to get Savannah out on my bike with me, but there hasn't been time for that to happen. Right now we need to get the girls taken care of and figure out this shit with Conrad. I don't want to have her as an open target on my bike when we know that Conrad isn't above hiring someone to put a bullet in a person he views as an enemy. That's exactly how he sees my girl because she embarrassed the fuck out of him and made him look bad in front of his father. Conrad isn't going to let that shit slide and he'll want to make my girl suffer for it.

It doesn't take us long to make our way through town and pull into the parking lot of the courthouse. We might be in a small city, but we're pretty close to most everything we need on a regular basis. Parking as close to the building as I can, I don't let my girls out until Slim and Vault are out of their trucks and we're all surrounded by the men who escorted us here. Annabell and Shy get out of their trucks before we do. I made sure we'd be the last ones out so none of the women are left unprotected. Every man with us is surrounding the girls as they make their way over to my truck. They stop at the passenger side and wait for me to get to them so I can help Savannah out while we're surrounded.

"Let's do this," my brother says as we all walk together once I've got all my girls out and in the middle of the group of men. I don't leave them alone as I place a hand on Savannah's back and make sure the other three are close to us.

We quickly make our way up the stairs of the courthouse and inside. All of us go through the metal detectors after emptying our pockets of everything for the security guards on sight. Once we're through, I lead our small party toward the back of the courthouse where Judge Paxton's chambers are. He's waiting in there for us.

"Zach, why do I feel as if something more is going on today?" Savannah asks me as we get closer to the chambers we'll be entering.

"Because there is more goin' on today, Love. Today, I'm makin' you mine," I tell her, bending down on my knee in front of her and pulling the ring box from the pocket of my black dress pants. "Savannah, will you do me the honor of becomin' my wife? I love you and told you that I want you as mine in every single way. Today, as we make the girls mine as well as yours, I want us all to have the same last name. I want to marry you so the entire world knows you're mine and I'm yours."

"I love you, Zach. Yes, I'll marry you. Weddings take time to plan though," she says, looking at Shy and Annabell to back her up.

"We're not havin' a regular weddin' right now, Love. Today, Judge Paxton will marry us. If you want a large weddin' with all the stuff you dreamed of as a little girl, we can do that later on. For now, I just want a small ceremony with us, your sisters, and a few members of our family," I tell her, needing this to happen today now that I've been thinking about it and we're so close to making it happen.

"I don't need a big ceremony, Zach. All I need is my family surrounding us and I'll be happy. Is that why you had me get a white dress, Shy?" she asks, turning to Shy where she stands with Slim as I stand up and remove the engagement ring from the box.

"Yeah. Valor told us all what he wanted to do and we all helped him put it together," she answers, a large smile on her face as Slim steps forward and looks directly at Savannah.

"Savannah, it would be my honor if you'd allow me to walk you down the aisle," he says, looking down at my girl as tears fill her eyes and I slide the ring on her finger before wiping the lone tear from her cheek.

"Of course, Slim. Thank you so much for doing this for me," she says, letting him pull her in for a hug.

"You girls are family and I'll do everythin' I can to make sure you get your happily ever after. Are you sure you wanna marry this fucker though?" he questions her, making us all laugh as she looks at me with love filling her eyes.

"Yeah, I wanna marry him," she states in a firm voice as the girls surround us even more.

"You guys get inside and make sure Fox sent the marriage license over already. We'll be right in," Slim orders us as I lead my girls in the door of the judge's chambers followed by Shy, Annabell, and then my brother.

I walk up to Judge Paxton where he sits behind his desk at the back of his large room. He stands immediately to greet me.

"Valor, it's good to see you today. Are these the girls you'll be adopting?" he asks, holding out his hand for me to shake.

"They are. This is Ava, Chloe, and Miracle," I answer him, pointing at each girl as I introduce them. "Girls, this is Judge Paxton."

"It's nice to meet you girls. Today is certainly a big day for your family," he says, smiling at the girls as they stand between Vault and me.

"It's nice to meet you, sir," Ava says, holding out her hand for him to shake. "Our family is growing today and we couldn't be happier."

"That's really good to hear, sweetheart. These boys are some of the best I've ever met. They'll take care of you all and make sure you have full lives," he says, complimenting Vault and I. "Let's get this show on the road so we can get you out of here to celebrate today."

Judge Paxton presses a button on the radio behind him and the wedding march begins to play. The doors behind me open as we all take our spots and I turn to watch Slim walk in with Savannah on his arm. She's smiling so big and I can't help but smile in return. She looks so fucking beautiful and I can't wait to make her mine.

Slim walks her up to me and stops before Judge Paxton asks who gives her away.

"I do, sir," Slim speaks loud and clear before turning to face my girl. "We love you girls and today you get one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of knowin' in my life. Valor, you take care of your girls the way your dad would want you to and make him proud of the man you've become. Love her every day of your life and make sure she knows how much she means to you. They all are the center of your world and deserve to be treated as that."

I nod in response, emotions clogging my throat as I take Savannah's hand in mine and we turn to face Judge Paxton. He reads through the traditional wedding ceremony until he gets to the vows where we'll speak our own.

"Valor, you may speak your vows," he says, clasping his hands in front of his body.

"Savannah, I didn't truly know what love was until you walked into my life with three young girls. Every single day I spent with you I wanted to be a better man than my dad taught me how to be. The four of you are my world and you are my queen. We've had our ups and downs and still managed to find our way back to one another. The day I got the call from Ava, I didn't know what I was gonna walk in to find. Slim told me it was bad and that only made the fear fillin' me even worse. You get me in ways no one else has ever been able to do and I promise here today that I'll spend the rest of my life makin' everythin' up to you. With you I get a family of three beautiful, talented, amazin' girls. My promise extends to them. I will forever protect and love all four of you. We are a family and I will never take a single second with the four of you for granted. I love you, Savannah. Today, tomorrow, and forever," I say as my girl looks up at me with tears in her eyes that she's trying so hard to hold in.

"Zach, the day I met you, I knew you'd change our lives in the best way possible. I started to fall in love with you soon after meetin' you because of the way you took care of my sisters and me. You never once made us feel like property or that we were damaged. Instead, you made sure to tell us every day how special and amazing we are. When you moved here, you still made sure to talk to the girls as often as they called you. Even if you were in the middle of something, you still gave them your full attention and never made them feel stupid or as if they weren't your priority. Even when I wanted to hate you, I still loved you because of the man you are. Here today I promise to love you, support you in everything you want to do, and have your back when you need me the most. None of us are alone any longer and that's because you've pushed us to take a chance and open our hearts to you. I love you, Zach. Today, tomorrow, and forever more," she says, her voice wavering as the tears finally spill over and roll slowly down her face.

Wiping away the tears, I barely hear the words Judge Paxton says until Vault nudges me with his shoulder and hands over the ring for my girl.

"Repeat after me," Judge Paxton says, saying the words as I slide the wedding band on Savannah's finger.

"Savannah, if you'll repeat after me," he says, turning toward her as I hold out my hand for her and Ava holds out the ring I purchased this morning.

My girl repeats after the judge and slides the ring on my finger. I barely hold back as Judge Paxton finally pronounces us man and wife before telling me to kiss my bride. Placing a hand on either side of her face, I lean down and press my lips against Savannah's soft, full lips. I don't hesitate to deepen the kiss as everyone else fades to the background. After several minutes, I finally pull away from my wife and close my eyes while holding her close for a minute.

"Congratulations, Valor and Savannah," Judge Paxton says, bringing me back to reality as I look around our group while they smile at us.

All of my girls have tears in their eyes as Judge Paxton walks around his desk and pulls out the papers we'll need to sign off on. We sign the marriage certificate first with Vault and Annabell as our witnesses. After that's taken care of, the judge signs off on the adoption papers before turning to face the girls and me.

"Ava, Chloe, and Miracle, I want to congratulate you on your adoption. It takes a special man to take on children he didn't create, but I think you three already know that. I hope life treats you well and that Valor makes all of your dreams come true," Judge Paxton says, his voice full of happiness as my girls surround me and wrap their arms around me.

"He already does," Miracle says before burying her face in my side as her little body shakes with tears.

I hold my girls close and take a few minutes to ourselves as everyone lets us. When we finally pull apart, Slim tells us it's time to go. We've been away from the clubhouse too long and someone might know where we are now. With a nod of my head, I take my family out of the judge's chambers and head back out where the rest of the guys are waiting for us. I help them all in the truck and know nothing is going to wipe the smile off of my face. Today marks the beginning of the rest of our lives. It's a fresh start for all of us and there's nowhere else I'd rather be. Savannah, Ava, Chloe, and Miracle are my girls and I will make sure every stupid fucker who even thinks he can get close to them knows I'll burn the fucking world down to protect them without any hesitation.