NINETEEN
PISTON
I stand in front of the mirror, wrestling with this damn tie. My hands tremble as I try to get it right. Today's the big day. The day Jenny becomes my wife. Excitement courses through me, but it's tangled up with nerves that make my stomach churn.
I've faced down rival biker gangs and stared death in the face, but this? This is a whole different kind of terrifying. Marriage. Commitment. Forever. Part of me can't believe I'm doing this, that a woman like Jenny would say yes to a guy like me. An outlaw. A biker. A man with more scars than most.
The door creaks open and Jenny slips into the room, radiant in her white dress. Just the sight of her settles something inside me. She comes up behind me, her delicate hands smoothing over my shoulders.
"Need some help with that, tough guy?" She grins at me in the mirror.
"Nah, I got it." I fumble with the tie again, cursing under my breath.
Jenny chuckles and spins me around to face her. "Here, let me."
Her nimble fingers make quick work of the knot. She adjusts it, her touch lingering on my chest. "There. Perfect."
I drink her in, still in awe that she's mine. "You look beautiful, Jen. Damn beautiful."
She flushes, her lips curving into a smile. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
I wrap my arms around her waist, tugging her close. "Having second thoughts about marrying a rough-around-the-edges biker?"
Jenny laughs, shaking her head. "Never. You're stuck with me, Piston. For better or worse."
"Wouldn't have it any other way." I lean down and capture her lips with mine, pouring everything I feel into the kiss.
When we break apart, Jenny's eyes sparkle with emotion. "I love you. So much. I can't wait to be your wife."
"I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything." I rest my forehead against hers, savoring this quiet moment before the chaos of the day takes over.
With Jenny by my side, I know I can handle anything. She's my rock, my guiding light. And in just a few short hours, she'll be mine forever. Nerves be damned, I'm ready for this next chapter. Ready to be her husband, her partner through thick and thin.
We walk hand-in-hand out of the room, ready to face our future together. Come hell or high water, nothing's gonna tear us apart. That's a promise.
The rumble of engines fills the air as we pull up to the wedding venue. I cut the motor, taking a deep breath before climbing off my bike. The Iron Reapers are already here, their bikes lined up in a gleaming row.
"Piston!" Tank calls out, striding over to clap me on the back. "Big day, brother. How are you holding up?"
I grin, shaking my head. "Nervous as hell, but ready. More than ready."
The rest of the club surrounds us, offering handshakes and words of encouragement. These men aren't just my brothers, they're my family. They've had my back through the darkest of times, and seeing them here now, supporting me on the most important day of my life, it means everything.
"Listen up," I say, my voice gruff with emotion. "I just want to say thank you. To all of you. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for this club, for the bonds we share. You've seen me at my worst, and you've helped me become the man I am now. The man Jenny deserves."
Ranger steps forward, his eyes serious. "We're proud of you, Piston. Proud of the life you've built with Jenny. You deserve this happiness, brother."
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the group, and I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. "Alright, enough of this sappy shit. Let's get this show on the road."
Laughter breaks the somber mood, and we head inside, taking our places at the front of the room. The venue is simple but elegant, sunlight streaming through the windows and glinting off the polished wood floors.
I fidget with my cufflinks, my heart hammering in my chest as the music starts. This is it. The moment I've been waiting for.
The doors at the back of the room open, and Jenny appears, a vision in white. She's breathtaking, her dress hugging her curves, her hair cascading down her back in soft waves. But it's the look on her face that steals my breath. Pure, unbridled joy, her eyes locked on mine as she starts down the aisle.
The world falls away as she approaches, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to rush to her, to gather her in my arms and never let go. She reaches me, her hand slipping into mine, and I blink back the tears that threaten to fall.
"Hi," she whispers, her smile blinding.
"Hi yourself," I manage, my voice thick with emotion.
The ceremony passes in a blur, the words washing over me as I lose myself in Jenny's eyes. This woman, this incredible, fierce, loving woman, is pledging her life to me. And I to her.
When it's time for the vows, I take a shuddering breath, pouring my heart into every word. "Jenny, you are my everything. My reason for breathing, my guiding light in the darkness. I promise to love you, to cherish you, to stand by your side through every storm we face. You are my home, my hearth, and I will spend every day of my life striving to be the man you deserve. I love you, with every beat of my heart, every fiber of my being. Always and forever."
Tears shimmer in Jenny's eyes as she recites her own vows, her voice strong and clear. "Piston, you are my rock, my safe haven. Your love has transformed me, shown me what it means to be truly seen, truly cherished. I promise to be your partner, your equal, your best friend. To stand with you through every triumph and every challenge. You are my soulmate, my other half, and I will love you with every breath in my body, until the end of time."
As the final words are spoken and we're pronounced husband and wife, I pull Jenny into my arms, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Applause erupts around us, but all I can focus on is the woman in my arms, the woman who now bears my name.
Mrs. Jennifer Piston. My wife. My everything.
The reception is in full swing, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. I've got my arm around Jenny's waist, holding her close as we make our way through the crowd of well-wishers.
"Congrats, brother!" Tank claps me on the back, his grin wide and genuine. "You did good, man. Real good."
I nod, emotion clogging my throat. "Thanks, Tank. For everything."
He shakes his head. "Nah, man. This is all you. You and Jenny. You fought for this, for each other. And that's what matters."
I glance down at Jenny, my heart swelling with love and pride. She's beaming, her eyes bright with joy and unshed tears. In this moment, surrounded by the people who matter most, I feel invincible. Like nothing can touch us, nothing can tear us apart.
"Speech! Speech!" The chant starts up, growing louder until I have no choice but to acknowledge it.
I clear my throat, raising my glass in a toast. "I'm not much for speeches," I begin, my voice gruff with emotion. "But I gotta say, looking out at all of you, my brothers, my family... it means the world to me. To us."
I pull Jenny closer, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Jenny, you are my everything. My reason for breathing, my guiding light. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I swear, I will spend every day of my life trying to be worthy of your love."
Tears are flowing freely now, and I swipe at my eyes, unashamed. "To the Iron Reapers, to family, to love. May we always have each other's backs, no matter what comes our way."
"To family!" The chorus of voices echoes back, glasses raised in salute.
As the party continues, I find myself watching Jenny, marveling at the way she moves, the way she laughs. She's radiant, glowing with happiness, and I can't help but feel like the luckiest bastard alive.
"You're staring," she murmurs, sliding her arms around my neck.
"Can't help it," I grin, nuzzling her nose with mine. "You're just too damn beautiful."
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. "Smooth talker."
"Only for you, babe. Only for you."
And as we sway together, lost in each other's eyes, I know that this is just the beginning. The start of a new chapter, a new adventure. And with Jenny by my side, I'm ready for anything.
The rumble of engines fills the air as we step outside, hand in hand. The Iron Reapers have formed a line of bikes, chrome gleaming in the fading light. It's a tradition, a way of honoring the newly wedded couple, and the sight of it makes my chest tighten with emotion.
"Ready for this?" I ask, squeezing Jenny's hand.
She grins up at me, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Born ready, babe."
We climb onto my bike, Jenny settling behind me, her arms wrapping around my waist. The feel of her against my back, the way she molds herself to me, it's like coming home.
I rev the engine, feeling the power thrumming beneath us. The other riders follow suit, a symphony of roaring engines filling the air. It's a sound that speaks of freedom, of brotherhood, of the open road stretching out before us.
As we pull out onto the highway, the wind whipping past us, I can't help but reflect on the journey that brought us here. The struggles, the triumphs, the moments of doubt and fear. Through it all, Jenny has been my rock, my anchor in the storm.
I feel her arms tighten around me, her cheek pressing against my back. "I love you, Piston," she whispers, her words carried away by the wind.
"I love you too, Jenny," I call back, my heart swelling with emotion. "More than anything."
We ride on, the road unfolding before us, the future filled with endless possibilities. I know there will be challenges ahead, obstacles to overcome. But with Jenny by my side, I know we can face anything.
The bikes around us form a protective cocoon, a symbol of the family we've chosen, the bonds we've forged. The Iron Reapers, more than just a club, more than just a brotherhood. They're a part of us, woven into the fabric of our lives.
As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I can't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is where I belong, with Jenny, with the Iron Reapers. This is home.
We ride on into the gathering dusk, the rumble of engines a symphony, a promise of the adventures to come. And I know, with a bone-deep certainty, that as long as I have Jenny and my brothers by my side, there's nothing we can't handle.
The open road beckons, and we answer its call, ready to face whatever the future may bring. Together, always.
The waiting room's a goddamn circus - Iron Reapers sprawled out in the plastic chairs, bullshitting and trading stories to pass the time. Jenny leans into me, her fingers interlaced with mine, both of us waiting on pins and needles for news about Carlie and the baby.
"You think Mason's holding up okay in there?" Jenny asks, her voice barely rising above the chatter.
I nod, squeezing her hand. "He's tough as hell. Probably pacing like a caged animal, though."
We both chuckle at the thought. Mason, a man who instills fear with a single glare, now at the mercy of new fatherhood. The double doors burst open and Mason strides out, his face a mix of shock and elation. The room falls dead silent.
"Two," he announces, holding up fingers. "We got two boys, brothers!"
The Iron Reapers erupt in cheers and hollers, surging forward to clap Mason on the back. Pride swells in my chest - our president's a father twice over. A new legacy for the club. Jenny beams at my side, caught up in the celebration.
Mason makes his way to us, clasping my shoulder. "Carlie's asking for you, Jenny. Wants you to meet your godsons."
Godsons. The word echoes in my mind as Jenny rises, pulling me with her. We follow Mason down the sterile hallway, my heart hammering against my ribs. The moment we step into the room, the world narrows to the sight of Carlie cradling two tiny bundles, her face aglow with exhausted bliss.
"Meet the newest members of the family," she says softly, her smile brighter than the sun.
Jenny moves closer, cooing over the sleeping infants. "They're perfect, Carlie. Absolutely perfect."
I stand back, taking in the scene - Mason's hand resting protectively on Carlie's shoulder, Jenny marveling at the twins, the love and unity that fills the room. This is what it's all about, I realize. This is the future we've been fighting for. A future where brotherhood isn't just about blood and bikes, but about the families we create and the bonds we forge.
In that moment, with the weight of new life in the air, I feel a sense of certainty wash over me. Jenny and I, we're ready for this next chapter. Ready to face whatever challenges come our way, together. We've gotten each other's backs, no matter what.
I wrap an arm around Jenny's waist, pressing a kiss to her temple as we gaze at the newest additions to our misfit family. Two more reasons to ride hard and stay loyal. Two more reminders of what truly matters in this crazy world we live in.