“At this time, we would like to open up the floor to the victim, Aubriella Adams, to speak.”
The room feels motionless, quiet, as if everyone knows this is an important moment. They know what this man did to my girl. They know what kind of monster he is.
Aubrey stands and unfolds a piece of paper. I didn’t know this was going to happen, if I did I would not be okay with it. I don't want her to go through any more pain. She looks at Rich and holds his stare and now I know why she needs to do this. I see no fear in her face. I see anger and I see strength but she’s devoid of fear. She squares her shoulders and stands fierce.
“You were supposed to take care of me. You weren’t supposed to take my innocence. You raped me and abused me. I want to look you in the eye and tell you…. You are a monster. You are sick. You are a murderer and a pedophile. You need to know, you may have taken my youth, but you will never….ever have my future. I have a man I love and I’m loved by him. I’m going to have his children one day. One day soon, I’m going to go to college. I’m going to have a career. I’m going to grow old. I’m going to live my life and you will rot behind bars.” She continues staring him down as she takes a seat. I mouth ‘I love you’ to her. She mouths ‘I love you’ back. I whisper in her ear, “Do you want to go?” and she nods.
The judge is still speaking, he is going to give Rich a chance to talk. We stand up, turn our backs and walk hand in hand out the doors, away from him, away from it all. We don't need to hear what Rich has to say. Today was about Aubrey and her alone.
The press, not expecting us when we walk out the door, isn’t ready for questioning and we quickly make our escape.
She lets out a breath she must have been holding as we walk outside.
“Amazing,” I say as I start the bike.
“What do you mean?”
“You have more courage than anyone I’ve ever met.”
I pull her into a deep kiss, not giving a damn if there are a ton of cameras on us or not. My tongue pushes into her parted lips and her mouth welcomes me. She matches my kiss giving me everything back that I’m giving her. Our lips break apart and the rest of the world fades away as I pull the bike into the street and leave everything dealing with Richard McCleary behind us….well almost everything.
*
She doesn’t know what I have planned for today, but she is turning twenty and it’s a day to celebrate. I pull the bike in front of the diner in Little Italy. I had the club pull their bikes in the alley behind the diner.
Jenny is barreling down the street towards us and spots us. For a second, I think my gig is up. “Aubrey! Oh my god! What a coincidence,” She links her arm with Aubrey’s, “I was just coming in for pancakes. I slept in.”
“Jenny, it’s nearly noon.”
“What? I had the day off!” Jenny rolls her eyes, like sleeping in until noon is a natural thing.
“I could never do that.” Aubrey seems at ease as she goes back and forth with Jenny. We’re standing in front of the diner and I see a glimpse of one of my brother’s patches through the windows and I know we need to head in.
“Okay ladies. I hate to break this up, but let’s go in. You joining us then, Jenny?”
“You bet I am.”
We walk in and it’s a whirlwind of surprise. Balloons are everywhere, streamers are strung, and Angie walks out with a large cake flickering with candles. The room is filled with our families, including Ari and Gino who got to skip school. Ari runs up to Aubrey and begins to sing “Happy Birthday” to her in the most powerful voice I’ve ever heard from a young girl. The whole room is silent while she sings.
I whisper in Aubrey’s ear, “Did you know she could sing like this?”
“No clue,” she whispers back.
We’re in awe and shocked speechless when Ari finishes singing. After several seconds that seem like much longer, Aubrey begins clapping and everyone follows suit.
“What are ya clapping for? Aubrey you're supposed to blow out the candles.” Ari looks confused like she doesn’t understand what the fuss is about. Gino watches Ari with so much pride. That kid has it bad and at such a young age.
“Make a wish.” I stand behind Aubrey while she blows out the twenty candles covering her cake.
“Let’s eat,” Skaggs call out.
“Let’s drink,” Jenny shouts next.
“This is a family restaurant,” one of the diner employees shouts, getting laughs from around the room.
People begin to chatter and take turns approaching Aubrey and wishing her a happy birthday. No one asks about the hearing. I asked them not to. I want it behind us and today to be replaced with only good.
“I can’t believe you did this for me.” She stretches up on her tiptoes and kisses me. It’s fast and sweet. She tries to pull away but I want more so I deepen the kiss. A few of my brothers make catcalls and I pull away. Aubrey’s face is flushed a light shade of pink showing her embarrassment and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Jenny pulls Aubrey away from me to open a present. I walk over to Mickey and my dad who are in a booth in the back corner of the restaurant.
“How did it go this morning?” my dad asks.
“You should’ve seen Aubrey. She stood up, looked that son of a bitch in the eyes and took away any hold he may have thought he still had on her.”
“She a strong one, that’s for sure,” Mickey says.
“Everything all taken care of?” I ask.
“Aye, talked with Patrick, it’s all in place,” Mickey chuckles, knowing that Patrick is crazy, “it’s all set. No one will know we had anything to do with it.”
“Good.”
I watch a few people hug Aubrey goodbye and decide it’s time to get her out here. This was only the start of my plans for the day.
“I’ll catch up with you boys,” I start to stand and walk away from the table.
“Good luck tonight, son.”
“I got this,” I smirk.
I give Ari a hug and let her know that we’ll see her at her game tomorrow, and see Aubrey talking with Vito and Angie.
I walk up to Aubrey from behind and wrap my arms around her, staking my claim in front of Vito. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready,” she says and flashes me the sweetest smile.
“I’ll bring your presents to the house. Stop by and get them whenever you’re not on two wheels.” Angie gives Aubrey a hug and wishes her a happy birthday one last time.
*
The shower just started, so I hurry to the kitchen to get everything right. Angie helped me with a dish of lasagna. She precooked it, so all I need to do is warm it. I turn on the oven and begin setting the table. There is a small table that seats two, that I normally use as a catch all covering it with bills and junk mail.
Aubrey thinks I’m taking her to dinner, so she’ll come out of our room dressed for a night out. When we got back to our cabin, I spent hours worshiping her body after which she passed out. I woke her up telling her she needed to get ready and that we had dinner plans.
I fish out the bag I hid under the sink filled with all kinds of white candles and I go about lighting them all over the kitchen. The oven dings letting me know it’s preheated. I pull the dish from the cooler I had out back and stick it in the oven. I grab two glasses and fill them with a sweet white wine the lady at the store sold me on, saying that if we weren’t much of a wine drinker that sweet is better.
The water to the shower shuts off, so I figure I have at least another fifteen minutes for her to get dressed and fix her hair, maybe longer. I go into our hall bathroom and give myself a once over. I take my hair out of its ponytail, smooth it all out and tie it back again. I laugh at myself, fixing my hair that was already fixed, ‘Grow some balls, Daws. It’s going to be great.’ I’m nervous and rightfully so, I still don't understand how I got so lucky and she picked me. I stop questioning it and check my watch. The lasagna needs to come out of the oven.
Garlic and Italian spice
s waft through the air as I put our food on our plates.
“Hey Daws, have you seen my gold heel?” Aubrey says walking down the hallway holding a gold high heel in one hand, not paying attention to what’s going on around her.
She takes my breath away. She’s wearing a white dress that stops a few inches above her knees. It’s fitted, but classy. The neckline hangs loose, giving just a tease of her full breasts. Her blonde hair hangs over one shoulder. I’m glad we’re not leaving the house tonight. No one deserves to see this, only me.
“Forget the shoes. You’re beautiful.”
Her eyes meet mine and she finally notices all of the flickering lights.
“Daws,” my name rolls off her lips, in barely a whisper, “You’ve done so much for me today, already.” Her cheeks turn pink and I know she is talking about the two orgasms I gave her not too long ago and not just the surprise party.
I take the shoe from her hand, toss it aside, and lead her to the table. I pull out her chair and she takes a seat. “It’s beautiful and smells delicious.”
“It should. I didn’t make it,” I joke, “Remember the last time I tried to cook for you?”
“I had to throw out your pans. I wonder if your parents ever noticed?”
“I’m sure they didn’t.”
We joke back and forth. Our dinner conversation is light and fun despite the heavy amount of romance I’ve created in the atmosphere. When it looks like she’s almost finished, I move to the living room and turn on the radio until I find a song worthy of this moment. I settle on “Georgia” by Ray Charles. I like the old bluesy sound. She is still seated in the kitchen.
“Dance with me,” I put my hand out and she takes it.
We’re both barefoot, I’m wearing jeans. It doesn’t matter that I’m not dressed up. I’m no longer nervous. Aubrey is in my arms and we sway to the music. I change the lyrics from Georgia to Aubrey, “Aubrey, Aubreeeeeey. The whole day through. Just and old sweet song...Keeps Aubrey on my mind,” I sing softly to her. I know my voice isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t matter. I spin her out and curl her back into me. Her hair whips around in my face and that scent of berries I love so much surrounds me. Our hips press together. I spin her out again, this time bringing her in so that her back is to my front. I kiss her neck and continue singing to her as she sways with me to the music.
The song ends and a commercial starts. The music fades out and all I need is right in front of me. I kiss her shoulder and then I turn her around.
“I told you in that hospital room that I planned on making you my wife.” I drop to my knees, both of them, because that’s how she makes me feel. Every look from her could bring me to my knees. “I admire your strength, your tenacity and your beauty, but mostly I love the way you love. Will you love me forever and be my wife?” I fish a ring out of my pocket and hold it up for her.
She drops to her knees in front of me, so that we are almost eye to eye. Tears stream down her cheeks. “Daws.” My name barely escapes her lips for the second time tonight. “Wherever you are. I’m am. I think from the second I met you, even though I didn’t want to admit it, I knew….I knew that I’d love you forever. Yes. Yes, I’ll be your wife.”
I slip the ring on her finger, a little clumsy at first so she brings her hand up and helps me to it. My thumb brushes over her face, so I can sweep away her tears. She pulls my thumb into her mouth as it passes over her lips. The look in her eyes is filled with love and passion. Her eyes bore into mine, like they’re looking somewhere so much deeper.
I pull my thumb away, not able to take it another second. I crash my lips to hers, not really giving her more than a second before my tongue dives into her mouth. She kisses me back matching my ferocity. I tangle my hands in her hair pulling her closer and I fall back a little so that my feet are tucked under my ass. Aubrey grips the back of my hair, then brings us even closer by wrapping her legs around me and straddling my lap. Her dress hitches up and I can see her white lace panties as they grind against my super hard dick. Her movements are just as fierce as mine. Everything inside of us is screaming to get inside one another. More. We both need more. I flip her to her back and rip her panties away.
I need to be inside of her. We’re on the kitchen floor, but I hardly care. The only thing that matters is us. Right here. Right now. Our breathing is heavy. Our eyes still remain locked on one another. Before I can do it myself, Aubrey is unzipping my pants freeing my cock. I slam into her hard ‘cause I can’t wait. She is wet and slick, her body welcomes me. I pull out so that I’m teetering right on the edge of her pussy. She is trying to pull me back into her, but I’m not giving in just yet.
“You said yes?” I question, just wanting to hear her say it again, ‘cause I’m selfish like that.
“Yes,” she screams out in an aggravated yet playful sorta tone.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes. I want to marry you.”
I slam into her again. My dick fills her up. She hooks both legs around me making sure our bodies don't have much room to separate. I couldn't pull out of her all the way right now if I tried. Over and over, I pump harder each time pushing into her as hard as I can. Our bodies slap against each other
“Daws, I’m going to...”
I cut her off while kissing her neck, “Me too.” She arches her back and I slam into her one last time. Her walls clamp down around me and her insides squeeze my dick making me explode.
“Holy shit,” I pant out, our heads pressed together.
“Holy shit is right,” she barely gets out.
“Need to do that again. This time slower. I gotta savor you,” I scoop her up and carry her back to our room.
We make love again. This time soft and sweet.
When we’re done, Aubrey can barely stay awake, “Daws?”
“Yeah, sweet girl?”
“Best birthday ever,” she mumbles out and falls asleep in my arms.
It was her best birthday ever, but I think maybe it was my best day ever. I got to see my girl stand up and fight her monster and close the door on the evilness that hurt her. She put the darkness behind her and now all that’s left is is us. Will it always be easy? Being a Devil’s Crusader, probably not, but I know that no matter what life throws at us, we’re fighters and we’ll always fight for each other.
THE END.
Epilogue
Ari
“Ari! You need to hurry up in there or we’re going to be late.” Gino bangs on the bathroom door making me jump, smearing my eyeliner.
“Ten minutes,” I yell through the door as I wipe the smudge of make-up.
“Grandma’s already left and you know if I don't have Daws’ Charger there on time, he will kill me.” I hear a small thump on the door and I imagine that on the other side Gino is leaning against it. He might even be tapping his foot. One of his many tells that he is annoyed with me.
“Relax. Let me worry about Daws.”
I would never let us be late today. Today, Aubrey is graduating from nursing school. She’s worked her butt off and has spent the last several years studying or volunteering with women who have been victims of violence. I’m so proud of her. So what if we show up just in time? Daws can never really be upset with me. He’s been so good to Aubrey and me.
I remember the day they were married. It was a small ceremony that took place right at dusk. Angie’s backyard was covered in white, twinkling lights and white candles that lined a small runner leading to Daws.
One would have thought that Daws would have worn his club vest and be dressed very much like the biker that he is, however, he wanted something special for my sister. So, he wore a tux including that waist band thingy and his vest was on top of that. He looked so handsome. Besides Gino, who I always think is the best looking guy in the room, Daws had it going on. However, Aubrey stole the show.
I preceded Aubrey down the aisle and met Daws. He kissed me on my cheek and told me I looked beautiful. Of course, I blushed at his compliment. Aubrey walked
down the aisle next. Everyone was quiet, marveling at her strength and beauty. I watched Daws. The look in his eyes was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I can only hope one day that when I get married, my husband will look at me the same way.
Aubrey’s wedding dress was simple, yet elegant. It was a strapless white dress with a lace overlay. The dress was fitted and had a slight flair at the bottom. Her blonde hair, that I missed so much was pinned up with soft curls in big loops. It was beautiful. Jenny did an amazing job on it.
She met Daws and he immediately kissed her. “Daws you’re supposed to wait until the end,” she playfully chastised him.
The Justice of the Peace cleared his throat and asked if they could start. Jenny stood up and said, “Hold up. This isn’t right.” I was shocked and startled by her interruption, but then she continued, “Aubrey it was just you and Ari for a long time and I get that, but you have a lot of other women who need to stand by your side now. Ladies,” she finished and motioned to her family.
“Oh thank heavens, you said something first,” Marcella said as she stood up from her seat. Angie, Jenny and Marcella joined me at the front. Daws nodded at the ladies, accepting the interruption for what it was, pure love from Aubrey’s family.
The Justice of the Peace went through many of the normal wedding ceremony things and then he got to the vow part. I don't think I could forget this for as long as live, it was that perfect.
“Daws, I know we didn’t plan our own vows, but I think that I really need to say some things to you in my own words.” he grabbed her hands and stared directly into her eyes eating up every word she said. “When I came to this town, I was so lost and afraid. I was just barely making it. The slightest thing would set me into a tailspin. But then one day, I met you. That night was the first of many nights where I could finally sleep. Even before anything happened with us, you happened to me. You started changing me from the very first day. You helped me grow stronger. You taught me to be brave and you taught me to love. I promise you in front of our friends and family that I will always be strong for you. I promise to lean on you when I need to. I promise to always be there for you and to always face my fears by your side. I promise to always fight for us. And lastly, I promise that I will love you with every piece of my heart forever and always.
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