by Penny Blush
Memphis placed a golden sparkly crown party hat on my head kissing my cheek, “happy birthday my queen.”
The night was perfect. Bear had a chef friend fly in specially to cook for us. My belly was so contently full that I didn't think that I would have enough room for cake.
The soft live music from the string quartet floated around us in the background. Loud enough so that we could hear the melodic sounds, but low enough that we were still able to talk without having to yell over the music to be heard.
After the dinner dishes had been cleared away, it was present time. I tried to protest, insisting that I didn’t need any gifts, with the spa day I had with the girls and this fabulous dinner I didn’t need anything more. My protests were quickly shut down by cries that I would be insulting everyone by not accepting them.
They were all more than generous with their gifts. A new lightweight motorbike jacket for the summer from Davis and Bishop. A beautiful platinum watch from Bear and three pairs of heels from Tabby, who waved away my protests when I mentioned that she paid for the spa.
“You are my sister, and I love you. Now, shut up and accept my love in gift form,” her tone left no room for argument.
I burst into tears crying like a baby when Jax and Cassidy gave me their gift.
“It was my idea, but Cassidy did all the work,” Jax advised.
“Jax, I don’t know what to say,” I sniffed. “Thank you.”
I flicked through the pages of the photo book that he had given me. There on the glossy pages was my history and my family. There were pictures of my parents on their wedding day, photos of Davan as a baby, my mum pregnant with me.
A picture of a seven-year-old Davan sitting on the hospital bed next to our mum with me as a newborn wrapped in a striped hospital blanket asleep in his lap. Davan looked so cute, with a huge smile on his face and his chubby arms wrapped protectively around me, the epitome of a very proud big brother.
There were pictures of Davan in his military uniform, including one of my favorites. It was on a deployment day. The photo showed Davan in his uniform with an eight-year-old me in a yellow frilly summer dress. We were saluting each other with goofy smiles on our faces.
There were also photos of Davan and I that I didn’t even know existed. Davan was on his knee in front of me the day of his redeployment after our parents had died. We were holding my dog tags that he had given me as he explained their meaning. I was wearing the dog tags tonight, they may not have gone with my dress, but it was my birthday, and I needed my brother with me.
There were photos of Davan from wherever in the world he had been stationed, in all his combat gear in the back of a Humvee. Him manning the gun on the top of a tank. Dav in his fatigue pants, boots, and a tee, manning the barbeque and one of him in his uniform wearing a Santa hat sitting in the mess-tent with his buddies. These photos were the most contact I had with my brother in years. I still couldn’t get confirmation if he were even still alive.
There were pictures of Cassidy, Tabby and I, and ones of myself with the boys. There were shots of Jaxon and me, growing up, including one of me hiding in the damn hedge.
There were pictures of Memphis and I, but my most favourite was one that I didn’t even know had even been taken. It was a lazy Sunday morning, and we had been slow dancing in the kitchen as we cooked breakfast for Cassidy and the boys. The sun was streaming in through the windows flooding the room in sunlight.
We had one hand wrapped around each other, and our other hands clasped together resting on Memphis’s chest. We were staring into each other’s eyes like we were the only two people left in the world.
“Jax, Cass it’s beautiful thank you,” I said through my happy tears.
All my photos were lost in the fire that destroyed my apartment building. I had given Jax a USB containing all my photos and important info, just in case anything bad happened. I hadn’t gotten around to reprinting them after everything that had gone on.
“Let’s dance!” Davis declared, holding his hand out to Tabby breaking the somber mood that had taken over the party.
I danced with everyone, each taking their turn to cut in. I only managed to dance with Memphis for a short amount of time before Bear tapped his shoulder indicating that it was his turn to dance.
It was the most magical birthday ever. I was so happy and apart from Davan being here to celebrate with us, I don’t think that anything could have made it better.
“May I cut in?” Jax asked. Bear twirled me into my cousin’s arms, who hugged me close.
“Your parents would be so proud of you,” he whispered giving me a squeeze. “I wish Davan could be here for you,” he added.
“I just wish I knew that he was okay,” I sniffed. Damn freaking tears. “That was my birthday wish.”
“I’m so sorry that it is not within my power to grant you that wish,” he kissed the top of my head.
He held me as I closed my eyes and let the gentle swaying sooth me enough to collect myself again. Jax slowly danced me around the dance floor that had been set up on the grass.
“Cuz, I think Memphis wants to cut in,” Jax said softly.
“Thank you for the dance Jax.”
I kissed him on the cheek and turned ready to be welcomed into Memphis loving embrace. But, what I saw stopped me in my tracks. Memphis was surrounded by our friends, and family down on one knee with a ring box raised between us.
“Baby Girl, Marry me.”
Chapter 18 Memphis
When you go all in for your big moment, you expect a little more than crickets.
I mean like literal crickets.
I said the words, Baby Girl - Marry me, the only response I heard was crickets.
The night at the club when I sat with Hedge in my arms, I thought we had an understanding. She was sitting on my lap with her head resting on her favourite spot, on my chest nestled atop my heart.
I’m pretty sure that if you opened my chest and looked at my heart, her name would be carved into it in big letters, ‘Hedge’ and when she finally gives in and tells me her real name, it will join it. Even in the loud club full of people, booming music, and bright lights, we sat in contented silence. I lazily trailed my hand up and down her back, now and then kissing the top of her head.
“Baby Girl,” I said breaking the silence, “we’re getting married.”
“Okay Baby, can you do something for me though, propose to me,” she smiled looking up at me. “I know it’s silly, but I want you to propose to me.”
“For you my love, anything,” I declared and kissed her, “I just wanted you to know.”
Hedge whispered in my ear, “I can’t wait to become Mrs Blue.”
There it was - acknowledgement. We were getting married. The whole proposal thing was just a formality. I could have just bought a ring put it on her finger, job done, but that’s not how I wanted to do things.
I only ever planned on asking someone to marry me once and if and when my heart picked that person then the proposal had to be done right. My heart had chosen Hedge, and my head and my dick could not have been happier with its choice.
A special lady like Hedge deserves to be proposed to properly.
Had her father been alive or if I could have found her brother I would have asked them for her hand in marriage as neither of them was an option, so I asked Jax. Hedge was at training with her Sensei so Jax, and I decided to sit on the deck having a quiet beer.
“Jax, I want to marry her.”
“Is this your way of asking for my permission?” he asked smugly.
“No, this is me telling you. Even if you said no, I would marry her anyway.”
“I know you would Bro, but you still have to ask me. It’s tradition, and as the only available member of her family, I take my duties very seriously.”
He placed his beer bottle on the coffee table, sitting forward looking at me expectantly. Jax is my best friend and the closest thing I have to a brother, so I was well aware of the joy he g
ot through torturing me.
Okay, whatever jerk, you want to play the big brother card? I’ll play, anything to get my girl.
“Jaxon James O’Hare, you are my brother and my best friend. Your beautiful cousin, Hedge, is the love of my life. I love her with all that I am, and I would very much like to make her my wife. I would greatly appreciate it if you would give me your blessing.”
“Shit dude that was fucking perfect. I think I kinda want to marry you.”
“Jaxon, you know the agreement,” I said looking at him sternly. “If we haven’t found someone else to marry by the time we are sixty, then and only then would we get married.”
“And then you, you selfish-bastard had to go and break our agreement by falling madly in love with my stupid cousin,” he sighed disappointedly.
“I know Jaxon, I am so sorry, but the heart wants what the heart wants.”
“Can’t argue with that logic,” Jax said finishing his beer, picking up my empty and heading inside for another.
“I’m sorry, Jax,” I said apologetically. “If it’s any consolation, you would have made such a pretty bride,” I added, opening a fresh beer.
“I know right,” he agreed, taking his seat. “I would be a classic bride through. No meringue for me, the bridesmaids, well, that’s a different story.”
“Naturally, can’t have the bridesmaids drawing attention from the bride now can you.”
Cassidy came out joining us on the deck, taking a seat next to Jax claiming his beer and taking a sip.
“You two are so weird.”
“Yeah but that’s why you love us,” Jax said taking his beer back and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Yeah, I guess,” she sat back on the lounge chair, kicking off her flip-flops, planting her feet on Jax lap.
What are you ladies talking about, anyway?”
“Memph wants to marry Hedge,” Jax said, starting to massage her feet.
“Well duh, we all know that,” Cassidy replied.
“Yeah, no, Babe. He wants to do it now,” Jax informed her. “He asked my permission and all.”
“Holy shit Memphis, really?” A bright smile broke out across her face, and I nodded. “How are you going to do it? It has to be perfect.”
“What has to be perfect?” Bear asked walking up the stairs with Davis and Bishop on his heels.
“Memphis is proposing to Hedge,” Cassidy supplied.
“About fucking time,” Bishop said placing a case of beer on the coffee table. Once Bishop got over what had happened with the beating and Hedge performing surgery on me in the kitchen he was a proud member of Team Hedge.
“How are you going to do it?” Davis asked.
That is how my perfect, intimate proposal ended up being a full-on family affair. Cassidy got on the phone with Tabby who agreed to keep Hedge occupied for the day while the others offered to help get everything organised. The night had gone off without a hitch until now.
“Baby Girl, marry me.”
It was done the words were hanging between us. I was down on one knee, with the ring box in my hand raised up to her. My beautiful girl, stood in front of me in the dress that Tabby helped me pick out, just staring at me. Everyone held their breath looking at her expectantly.
Okay, so this was not the reaction I was expecting.
Tension buzzed in the air as Hedge slowly slid her eyes from mine to the ring box then back again. Slowly she walked towards me. My heart froze in my chest.
Shit, shit, shit she is going to say no, is she going to say no? She’s going to say no.
She stood in front of me, placed her hands on my shoulders and gracefully lowered herself to her knees. She took my face in her hands and kissed me.
Frozen in shock, I just kept looking at her expectantly.
She didn’t answer me, she just kissed me. Her hands tightened into my beard making me gasp, and she used the opportunity to slide her tongue against mine. A spark ignited in my chest, and I kissed her deeply, passionately. The others were forgotten. Breaking the kiss, I rested my forehead against hers, my hands running up and down her sides.
“Baby Girl, you have to answer me. Your silence is killing me here.”
“Memphis, you are the love of my life. You’re mine, and I am yours.” She leant forward and brushed a feather-soft kiss on my lips. “You own my heart. In my heart, I have considered you my husband since the horrible night I found you broken and bleeding. I knew right then that if anything ever happened to you that I would be lost. I love you Memphis, now always and forever. Of course, I will marry you.”
The party erupted into cheers and applause. I took the ring from its padded velvet cushion and slid it on her finger. I brought her hand to my lips kissing her ring finger that had a direct line to her heart like she had to mine. I stood up offering my hand bringing my bride to her feet and into my arms.
“You had me worried for a moment there,” I said kissing her again. I would never get enough of kissing her. “What took you so long, what were you thinking? I could see your mind was working a mile a minute.”
“I was trying to stop my heart from galloping out of my chest,” she smiled, and her eyes sparkled. “I thought that my birthday could not have gotten any better and then you proposed, and it was perfect. I thought that I would never be able to find the words to tell you how absolutely, truly, madly, deeply in love with you I am.” I saw tears well in her eyes. “I was thinking how much my parents would have loved you and how much I wished that my brother was here to share this with us.”
“I wish that too, Baby Girl. I love you so damn much,” and because I couldn’t help myself, I kissed her.
“All right knock it off,” Jax said, slapping a hand on my shoulder. “Let go of her, will ya, I want to congratulate my kid sister on her engagement.”
Hedge beamed and threw herself at Jaxon for a hug.
“I’m not your Cuz?”
“Not today, today you are definitely my kid sister.”
There were plenty of backslaps, hugs and kisses from everyone. A mobile phone rang, and Jaxon answered and handed it to Hedge.
“It’s mum and dad. They want to say happy birthday and congratulations.”
Jax’ parents were on a holiday of a lifetime. They had decided that it was time to retire. They sold the farm at just the right time and got a motza for their parcel of land and were basically living off the interest.
Once the check cleared they put everything into storage and left on around the world holiday. They didn’t have any plans just pointed to a spot on the globe and took off. If they liked where they were, they stayed for a while if not they moved on. The little six-week trip had lasted almost six years.
Hedge having said goodbye to her aunt and uncle, ending the call. The wait staff that Bear had hired brought around glasses of champagne for everyone. Jax tapped the side of his glass to get everyone’s attention, and I pulled Hedge into my side.
“I would like to propose a toast,” he said to more cheers and applause. “To Memphis, you are my best friend and brother. I am so glad that you have found someone who makes you as happy as Hedge does. And to Hedge, I know all the shit that you have been through in your life, and you have no idea how much it makes my heart swell with pride and happiness knowing that you have found the happily ever after that you deserve.”
“Here, here,” came from the crowd.
“But, but,” Jax said raising his hand to get everyone to quiet down, “you might want to consider telling him what your real name is.” He winked at her as laughter broke out again. “I love you guys congratulations, and we all wish you all the happiness in the world. To Memphis and Hedge.”
“To Memphis and Hedge,” they all chorused.
I pulled her to me, kissing the hell out of her as the soft music of the string quartet was replaced by upbeat party music. We all celebrated well into the night, with more drinking dancing and cake.
Chapter 19 Memphis
Everyone was staying t
he night at Bear’s McMansion but us. Hedge and I caught a lift home with Johnny. I didn’t want to remain in the house with our friends. I wanted to take my fiancé home and make love to her all-night long.
“Baby, what are you smiling about?” Hedge asked, snuggling into me in the back seat of Johnny’s limo.
“Nothing really,” I held her hand in mine rubbing my thumb over her engagement ring. “Just thinking about how much I like calling you my fiancé.”
“Really,” she looked at me with such love it made her eyes sparkle.
“Not as much as I’m going to love calling you my wife though,” I smiled, pressing my lips to hers.
“Ugh, you two are so disgustingly adorable,” Johnny said rolling his eyes. “I wanna puke.”
“Sorry Johnny,” Hedge giggled apologizing.
“No, you’re not Doll, don’t lie,” he smiled. “I am ecstatic for you both. You both deserve love and happiness. Now. Get out.”
“What?” I said confused looking around.
“You’re at your home dummy. Hedge my darling, congratulations again, and I hope you enjoyed your birthday party.”
“Thank you, Johnny. I did,” she slid across the seat to give him a hug.
“Thanks, Johnny, for everything and thanks for the lift,” I said shaking his hand.
“Good night kids, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he called out the window.
“That would be a very short list,” Hedge chuckled wrapping an arm around my back.
“Okay fiancé lets go to bed, you have had a massive day.”
Arm in arm we unhurriedly walked up the stairs and into the darkened apartment. The apartment was quiet except for the electronic hum of the appliances and the click of her heels.
“Baby, dance with me?” Hedge asked, holding her hand out to me.
“For you Baby Girl, anything.”
Hedge smiled at me, she pulled out her phone pressed play on the music app and the dulcet tones of Al Green’s ‘How can you mend a broken heart?’ Came wafting through the speakers.
Weird song choice for someone who just got engaged I know, but she loved that song.