Epilogue - Rose

Five months later...

My hands are shaking so badly that I'm shocked the delicate lace veil draped over my upswept hair isn't quivering along with them.

I never thought I'd marry so young, but today is the day I've been simultaneously dreaming of and low-key dreading for months now—my wedding day.

The momentous occasion when I'll finally walk down that aisle and pledge myself eternally to Grant to officially become his wife. As if sensing the spiral of nerves threatening to overwhelm me, Holly leans in close, making a few deft adjustments to the flowing skirt of my pristine white gown.

"You've got nothing to worry about, sweetie," she murmurs, "Trickster may act all big and tough out there, but we both know he's just an overgrown teddy bear when it comes to you."

From her perch atop a battered old make-up table, Sophie snorts indelicately, rolling her eyes.

"She's right, you know. My dumbass brother is basically a pile of mush underneath that surly biker exterior these days." She pins me with an appraising look. "Trust me, Rose - he'd have to be out of his goddamn mind to let a catch like you slip through his fingers now."

A wobbly smile tugs at my lips as I smooth a hand over the gentle swell of my abdomen, my son's first home for the past three months.

"I know you're both right. He loves me, and I love him more than I ever thought possible." I hesitate, giving voice to the one lingering doubt that's been swirling through my mind lately. "I just...I can't shake the fear that one day, he'll wake up and realize he could do so much better than a boring little nobody like me. You know?"

Holly's expression turns stern for a beat before melting into fond exasperation.

"Rosie, Rosie, Rosie...when are you gonna get it through that pretty head of yours? You're not just some forgettable nobody - you're the woman who swooped into his life and changed everything for the better!"

"Holly is right," Sophie chimes in, surprising me with the unexpected sincerity in her tone. "You managed to tame my wild-ass brother's heart - something I never thought I'd see. Trust me, the big lug is probably pacing out there and freaking out just as much as you right now, even if he'll never admit it."

I can't help but chuckle at the mental image that conjures - Grant, that hulking, feared outlaw biker, a nervous wreck behind that trademark scowl and swagger.

"Well, in that case, you'd better take notes, Sophie," I tease, arching a challenging brow at the younger woman. "Since you'll be the next one walking down the aisle before too long."

Sophie pulls a revolted face, hazel eyes going comically wide.

"As if! Yeah, I've got a decent guy hanging around right now. But that doesn't mean I'm ready to go getting all tied down with rings and vows and whatnot. We've only been together for two months!" She shakes her head vehemently.

Holly throws up her hands in fond exasperation.

"You keep telling yourself that, little miss. Even the wildest of free birds likes to settle into a cozy nest once in a while..."

The three of us dissolve into laughter at that, the earlier tension finally dissipating. At least until a crisp rap of knuckles against the door breaks the moment.

"Ten minutes, ladies!" Someone calls out, "Get your asses in gear - it's showtime."

With a deep, calming breath, I straighten my shoulders and hold my head high as I make my way towards the door. This is it - time to take that life-altering stroll down the aisle toward the next incredible chapter of my story.

When I emerge into the main chapel area, my gaze instantly sweeps across the assembled crowd. They're an eclectic, rough-around-the-edges bunch for sure, but they're family all the same

The journey down the long aisle seems to stretch on for an eternity. Crimson rose petals line the path, and I can't resist reaching out to trail my fingertips over the velvety soft blooms as I go. Clusters of familiar, ruggedly handsome faces line the simple pews along the way - my new extended family here in Pine Valley.

I can't help but smirk at the sight of those burly, fearsome-looking bikers fidgeting and tugging uncomfortably at the confining dress shirts and slacks. As if they're just itching to strip off the formal attire and get back into their customary leather and denim getup.

Even so, each and every one of them has begrudgingly cleaned up for the occasion - a testament to how much this day means to them. To Trickster.

Grant - no, not Trickster on this blessed day, just my wonderfully rugged, sensitive protector Grant - stands before me looking more strikingly handsome than I've ever seen him.

Speaking of my soon-to-be husband...my breath hitches as I finally lay eyes on him, resplendent in a dapper black suit, patiently waiting for me at the end of the aisle. He's never looked more handsome, gray eyes shining with a softness I've only ever witnessed when he gazes at me.

In a startling rush of clarity, it hits me just how incredibly lucky I am to have stumbled into this life - this family - by pure chance that fateful night five months ago. If those terrible men had never tried to kidnap me, I would never have crossed paths with Grant and the Rogues.

I'd have never experienced this whirlwind courtship, the electrifying passion, the fierce protectiveness and loyalty of being folded into their rough-and-tumble ranks.

Now here I am, heavy with the pregnancy I never dreamed I'd get to experience, about to pledge my eternal vows to the only man I could ever love this fiercely. A man who once operated in the violent underbelly of society but who softened his own hardened heart for me.

I've found my home. My people.

A place where I finally truly belong.

As I reach the altar, Grant's hand slips into mine, giving a firm, reassuring squeeze.

"You look more beautiful than I could've ever imagined, Rose," he rumbles, voice thick with barely restrained emotion.

And in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of his love and the steadfast support of this makeshift biker family, I realize...

This is only the beginning of our incredible adventure.

Thank you for reading it!