Page 83
It’s as though my heart feels whole again and I take a full breath for the first time in years. Our life might not have been perfect growing up, and it may not be perfect now, but as long as we’re together, everything will work out just fine.
ONE YEAR LATER
Looking at myself in the mirror, I can’t help but think of how different I thought my life was going to turn out. Growing up, I was a person who wrote everything down like a road map of how things were going to be, very scheduled. It helped me cope with all the craziness that happened at home with my father. My goals back then were to graduate high school, head out of state to college and find my forever man. We’d have a whirlwind romance, just like the books I’d read, and be nothing like the example I grew up with, with the exception of how great my mother was to me. My husband would have his dream job that he loved very much, then come home to me and our kids each night. I’d make jewelry during naptimes and in between running around taking the kids to their functions. Our life would be perfect and we’d live happily ever after.
Today, I realize that I’m lucky if I can stick with my grocery list each week. Nothing ever goes as planned and somehow, I think I love that more. Not one thing from my journal happened the way I had written down.
“Oh, Remi, you look absolutely beautiful,” I hear from the doorway. “Let me help zip you up.”
Melissa comes over with Raegan, Sutton and Allison on her heels.
“You have the perfect glow,” Sutton compliments and they all agree.
“Thank you.”
“Today is just perfect,” Melissa gushes. “I know you probably thought your wedding day was going to be different but…”
“Dead Road men have their own way of making sure we remember our big day,” Raegan laughs and all the women chuckle.
“Getting married in a prison chapel was definitely not on my bingo card growing up,” Allison says with the biggest smile. “But Blade didn’t want to wait three years until his release.”
“I thought Stone was breaking up with me at the time of my wedding,” Raegan says.
“I’m still not over missing your ceremony,” Melissa says as she hooks a catch at the top of my dress, looking over my shoulder in the mirror.
“Let’s not forget being the size of a whale and in the hospital,” Sutton says in mock anger. I’m not buying it. I’m not even sure the woman knows how to be mad at someone.
“Well, when you say all that I guess my day is a cake walk,” I laugh and they follow.
Melissa turns me to face her.
“Life never goes as planned, sweetheart. Sometimes it throws us a curveball,” she says, taking my hands in hers. “Just make sure you’ve surrounded yourself with the right people and you’ll be able to get through anything.”
I nod as I take in her words. Melissa makes me miss my mom so much. She’s like the team mother who is always there helping when you need it. She’s become so important in my life since Ryder and I came to live here. We all call her mom and she fits the role so well.
A knock on the door stops the tears building in my eyes. Sutton rushes over, only cracking the wooden door open.
“Who is it?” she asks.
“Ryder and Papa,” I hear my son’s voice and it brings a smile to my face.
The men come in and stop when they see me.
“Mom, wow, you look…” Ryder pauses for a second. “Beautiful.”
My heart melts at his words and I look him over. All I’ve ever wanted from the moment the doctor placed him on my chest was for him to be happy and healthy. Other than what happened a year ago, Ryder has flourished being here with his dad and all his uncles. Melissa and Crusher stepped right in as doting grandparents and he is more loved than I ever thought possible. This kid is thriving in school and sports and has a good group of friends.
“Thank you, baby,” I choke out trying to get my emotions to settle. “How’d this morning go?”
Ryder shrugs and it has Crusher chuckling.
“The kid hit every curb in the parking lot,” Crusher informs us with a laugh as my son grumbles. “Gonna have to get Brass to reattach my front bumper.”
Ryder flushes red from embarrassment as the room joins his grandfather in on the laugh.
“Good thing he has plenty of time before he gets his permit,” Allison jokes.
It’s a good thing Dead Road has a lot of land for him to practice on before he’s let out in the real world.
