Repent (The Disciples 3)

The shock of her true beauty, a beauty that is inside and out, has me in awe as we stand in front of everyone.

I’ve waited my whole life for this. As I gaze at her, I see her at so many stages of our lives. I see her hanging with all of us rough boys, trying to keep up. I see her trying on lipsticks for the first time and telling me that she’ll only wear red.

I see her.

Her hair is down and flowing, her makeup is light, and I grin as she nervously blinks her eyes.

This is one of our moments. We’ve had so many, but staring at her and knowing that in moments she will be mine until death has kind of made me undone.

My heart is racing. I wonder if hers is too. She blinks up at me, her lips slightly open as her long black eyelashes tease me into wanting to spend hours kissing them.

I want to worship her tonight, make her mine in ways that were never possible before. She’s given me her body. Her friendship. Her support for as long as I can remember. And now it’s time we take this to the next level. Kids, houses, BBQs, I want it all.

“Take good care of my Dolly.” Shark looks into my eyes.

“She’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

A couple of Disciples old-timers cough but Etta is singing about finding love at last and I see Dolly’s eyes fill with tears.

“That’s quite a dress.” I pull her into my arms, holding her close as the justice of the peace starts to talk. I don’t hear him. All I hear is her heart beating strong, exactly like mine.

“Do you like it?” Her voice is raspy, almost out of breath.

“It’s not black.” I raise an eyebrow at her and her whole face lights up with a smile that I will hold with me, tucking it into my heart.

“No. No black. I wanted to be your princess.” Her breath smells like champagne and candy and I don’t care that the justice of the peace hasn’t gotten to the “kiss the bride” part. I reach down and capture her lips.

My brothers cheer and some whistle until I hear Axel and Doug say we have to stop and focus.

Lifting my head, it’s the first time I realize that Doug’s been standing next to Dolly. I smile as I whisper into her parted lips, “I like your bridesmaid.”

“He’s the best.” She smiles again.

This time, I do back up and turn to the justice of the peace who asks me if I take her as my wife. I grin, all my worries gone, and say, “I do.”

He asks her the same. “I do.”

“Do we have rings to seal your love?” She stiffens. Axel hands me our rings. I went overboard with hers. Stopping at Tiffany’s on the way here, I got her a three-carat princess-cut solitary diamond in a platinum band along with a plain platinum band for me.

“Edge…” She laughs then starts to cry as I put the rock on her finger. She turns to show Doug who takes her hand and inspects it.

“Christ, you two,” Axel snarls, dumping my band into her hand.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Before I can kiss her again, the room explodes with cheers. Blade walks up and has a “Property of Edge” cut that makes Doug gasp and Dolly laugh.

“Oh please, can we take pictures first?” Doug takes the vest from Blade who must be feeling happy because he doesn’t say anything and signals for the photographer and his son to come over.

“Edge and Dolly forever,” people chant as we make our way toward the door, trying to navigate the crowd and talk to well-wishers. Yet all I can focus on is my woman. My life. She’s mine.

Mine.

The owner brings out the numerous bottles of booze that I had dropped off, and the party begins. Pictures, cameras, all nonsense in my opinion, but Dolly is happy, laughing and hugging everyone. She’s even wearing her new cut and I have never felt closer to her or more relieved in my life.

“We did it, baby,” I whisper in her ear. She shivers and leans her head back.

“We did. You made this… like a real wedding.” She twirls toward me, her hands landing on my chest. “No more bad luck.”

“Thank fuck.” I look down at her as she snakes her hands up my chest.

“I promise never to stab you again.”

I laugh.

“What do you promise?” She blinks up at me and I know what she wants me to say. She wants me to tell her I’ll never cheat on her.

But I’m not going to. She needs to work it out for herself. She doesn’t believe me anyway if my throbbing wound means anything.

“I promise to care for you. Love you until you hold my hand and I wait for you on the other side.”