MC: LaPonte

by L. Ann Marie

  The President comes to us with security following. Kate says, “Holy shit!” Rich snakes his arm around her. “No Rich, the President is behind you.” He lets us go and turns around at attention.

  The President laughs. “Relax son, I just wanted to shake the hand of the man that instilled such remarkable honor and integrity in someone so young.” He shakes my hand. “Thank you for raising such an inspiring young man.”

  I shake his hand feeling fucking great right now. “I couldn’t do it without my wife and Brothers here.” I introduce him to Kate, Ben, Steve, Tiny and Casper. He shakes all their hands thanking them. Holy Fuckin Shit! He talks with Ben for a couple of minutes as I stand proud, arm around Kate while all the Brothers and Little Brothers hug and thank Rich.

  We float through the rest of the banquet. The Little Brothers are so good making us proud. As we’re sitting at the table I asked Ben what the President said to him. He tells us they have a dossier on the Club, he knows the work we’ve done to make it good and keep drugs out of our backyard. He looks down then back at us. “It was an honor to hear him say he is proud of us. Not something I expected the President of the United States to say to the President of an MC.” I see respect in his eyes. “This is a Brotherhood we can be proud of, the one that I dreamed of so many years ago. The fuckin President said he was proud of us. It doesn’t get better than that. Thank you Brothers it took every fuckin one of us to get that and fuck if it doesn’t feel good.” He smiles looking at each one of us with pride. Fuck if it doesn’t feel good.

  As we stand to leave we gather the Little Brothers from their table. I ask Victor where Little Ben, Jessie and Darren are. He points to the right. I look over and see the boys talking to the first lady. I hit Ben and call to Steve, I point to the boys, Jessie is signing for Darren while Little Ben is talking. I see Jessie thank her and turn back to us. They are talking to each other on the way Jessie walks backward signing while Little Ben steadies him and keeps him from hitting people. Ben asks what they were talking about. They look at Jessie. “Since we have a black President and the next one will probably be a woman we asked what she thought the chances of a deaf President were. She thinks it’s not only possible but probable. That means it will most likely happen because we have good strong role models.” Fuckin kids. Ben cracks up.

  Rich comes to us. “Where are you staying?” Steve tells him the hotel has room for him. He smiles big. “I was heading back after the ceremony. I’ll stay with you. I was only gone a day but I missed the fuck out of everybody. Thank you for coming. I can’t believe you kept it a secret.”

  “VP threatened everyone.” Tiny tells him. We all laugh. I put my arm over his shoulder and walk him out.

  The women, Petey and a few of the Brothers went to play laser tag. A few Brothers left so they could make it back for work tomorrow. The rest of us are hanging in the hotel bar. I’m still smiling. Ben smiles at me. “You’re still so fuckin proud of him.”

  I laugh, “Yeah I am.”

  “You should be Brother. You did a good job raising him. He’s as proud of you as you are of him. I used to think he was like Steve but I’ve come to realize he’s all you. Even when he gets a medal from the President he honors the people that touched his life. And when the hell were you going to tell us you had a black belt.” Ben asks. I spit my drink all over the fuckin place and crack everyone up including myself.

  “You haven’t held your face when you laugh. It’s already getting better?” Tiny asks.

  “Yeah, Doc put a new bandage on before we left but I don’t have any pain from laughing. I’m taking it as a good sign the graph worked.”

  “That’s good Brother, I never met anyone that fuckin laughs as much as you do.” Tiny says making me laugh.

  We sit shooting the shit until the Little Brothers get back. Kate and Jess take the boys and Ally up to the room leaving me with Rich, Steve and Ben. The Brothers called it a night. I think something is going on so I wait until someone is ready to tell me.

  Rich clears his throat. “My time is coming to re-up or retire. I know you wanted me to have more experience but I have a whole family now and I want to be part of their lives every day not just on my down time.” He looks at Ben and Steve nervously.

  They both laugh. Steve looks at Ben. “Brother we just came from a banquet where the President gave you a medal for valor and a ceremony because you’re the youngest person to get it. I think you achieved the experience you need to be a soldier for us. It would be an honor to have you as a member of our Security Team. As a matter of fact we we’re hoping to have you replace Casper.” Ben tells him. What the fuck?

  “Where is Casper going?” Rich asks the question rolling around in my head.

  “We need a new Police Chief. I believe Casper will be appointed in about three months. That would be the time you intended to be back. Yeah?”

  My boy smiles big. “Yeah.”

  Steve stands. “Settled. Anythin else?” I smile at him.

  “No VP. Just wanting to make sure I had a job when I get home.” Rich tells him with a smile.

  “Made us proud Rich aced everythin they threw at you. Nothin but proud to have you standin by my side. If I thought he’d do it I’d take your father too.”

  I laugh. “I’m no military man. I’m a…”

  “Building Super!” They all say laughing.

  Steve shakes his head. “More in you than most of the SEALS I worked with. Every day we learn more.” He looks at Ben then back at me. “Worked hard to get to good and find happy. You’re happy where you are and damn good at your job. We’re good with that.” He throws chin and walks away. Holy shit! I’ve gotten compliments from him over the last couple of months but I’m floored every fuckin time.

  Ben cracks up. “He doesn’t say much unless it’s explaining one of his ops or he’s pissed. When he gives you that kind of compliment it means something. My VP is wise.” Ben stands throws us chin and follows Steve.

  I look at Rich. “They finally see who you are.”

  I crack up. “That’s what Little Ben said.”

  He smiles, “took them long enough.”

  “That’s what Jessie said.” He cracks up.

  “I always knew dad.” I laugh again.

  “That’s what Darren said.”

  “Fuckin kids.” We both say.

  Other books by L.Ann Marie

  Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by [L.Ann Marie]:

  The Baxters Series

  She Found Us

  Our Wife

  Our Angel + Bonus Material (continuation of Our Angel)

  MC Series

  Knight

  Connect with L.Ann Marie

  I really appreciate you reading my book! Please leave me a review or email me your critique. Thanks!

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