Page 67 of Bear
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Lunch was almost over. His sunbeam was going to be his officially. It was good the sisters had helped with the kids this morning because it had allowed him to sneak away and have his little project done. A small part of the wrap showed underneath his t-shirt but he’d kept a sweatshirt on at lunch under his cut. He planned on taking off the sweatshirt before they started.
“The judge will be here in a couple minutes. Let’s get this stuff cleaned up so we can make room.” Regina directed everyone while Bear grabbed David and nodded at Rascal to grab Joey. He motioned for Scoop to slip Phoebe away, too. He had the items Sarah had been working on. What Winnie did realize is it helped having friends in high places. All the red tape had been moved out of the way with their help in the trafficking arrests. As soon as he and Winnie were married, they’d sign their names and the judge would witness. The kids were taking his and Winnie’s last name.
Kennedy had been staying with Jesse in her house. When their house was done it would have plenty of room for her to move into it with them. He’d been spending time getting to know her even though it was a little awkward at times. She’d started seeing the same therapist he did and it seemed to be helping.
He leaned down and showed Phoebe her jacket. Since the girls had already had the idea for embroidered jean jackets, he’d just had Sarah add a couple of things when she was working on them. In addition to the Bluff Creek Brotherhood MC on them, he’d had her add Bear’s Lightning Bugs. Phoebe smiled then jumped up and down. He’d known when he asked Sarah to do the stitching in purple his girl would adore it. She slipped her arms into the jacket then threw them around his neck.
“I love you, Daddy. I’ll always be your lightning bug even when I get to catch the bad guys.”
He fought back tears. This girl had his heart and he had no doubt she’d catch bad guys when she grew up.
“I love you, too. Now, let me help David.”
He turned to David and held out his jacket. He’d chosen the traditional black, burgundy and gray their emblem had. David slipped it on, rubbing his fingers along the stitching. “I gots one like Grant.”
“Yep, because you’re a part of my family and a part of the club. I love you, David.”
“Love you, Daddy. Hurry, I wants to show Grant.”
Bear turned to see Rascal had slid Joey’s jacket on him. “Son, let’s go get you married.”
Rascal patted him on the back then Bear walked out holding both kids. Winnie stood at the front of the room by the fireplace. In the time he’d been gone, they’d draped the mantel in a greenery rope with candles interspersed and black and burgundy ribbons. Winnie waited beside the judge in her jeans, motorcycle boots and long-sleeve shirt with her property cut. Her smiled widened when she saw the kids’ jackets.
He walked up to the woman who had brought the sunshine into his life and given him a family. “You ready to do this?”
She nodded. “I’ve been waiting for this for fourteen years, Benton.”
The judged nodded.
Winnie held David’shand with her right hand and laid her left on Benton’s hand which was cuddling Joey. Phoebe held David’s hand and also Bear’s. The kids were just as much a part of this as she and Benton were.
“Winchester Franks and Benton Carter have chosen to pledge their lives together. Benton?”
“I take you, Winchester Franks, as my lawful wife and pledge I will honor and love you until the last breath leaves my body.”
Winnie swallowed and hoped she could get through her vows before she choked up too much. She’d waited too long for this and she was finally getting everything she’d fought for.
“I take you, Benton Carter, as my lawful husband and pledge I will honor, love and remind you how very special you are to us until the last breath leaves my body.”