Page 85 of Bruised MC Bear

13

Vincent

Axeand I were at the altar, and the guests were mingling when the moment we had all been waiting for finally arrived. The organ player got the signal, and started his Halloween version of the wedding song. Mrs. Kessler headed up the aisle first, followed by Sonya. I had to swallow the lump in my throat. Her eyes dazzled, but she didn’t look my way, not for a second. Understandable. I still admired every detail of her face and every contour of her body in her stunning blue gown.

Silence fell around the room when Angel entered the chapel, escorted by Cole, the vice president of Axe’s motorcycle club. She took slow steps to the altar, moving in time with the music, eyes locked on Axe. Just as for the countless grooms I had the pleasure of witnessing before today, he was also transfixed, eyes filled with admiration and mad love, as he would put it. Finally at the altar, Cole joined her hand with the groom’s.

After a brief pause, the justice of the peace cleared his throat to address the couple and congregation.

“We are gathered today to bring this couple together in marriage, and to celebrate this memorable, joyous occasion in the presence of these witnesses. The act of marriage is a joining of two souls which unify to one, and is not to be taken lightly…”

Some of the justice’s speech fell into the background after I noticed Sonya staring at me. I gave her a wink. She looked away, but I continued to observe her. This woman had such an effect on me, it was a miracle I’d left her side earlier. She was clever for putting on the brakes. It was for the best.

My attention returned to the ceremony when the justice instructed the couple to face each other and join hands.

“Will you, Axe Arnold Voltaire, take this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live with her in the state of holy matrimony, forsaking all others, to love and comfort her through good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?”

“Hell yeah,” Axe declared, to a few nods and approving cheers in the audience.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He turned to Angel. “And do you, Angel Rachel Kessler, take this man to be thy wedded husband, to live with him in the state of holy matrimony, forsaking all others, to love and comfort him through good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live??”

“I do.”

“As you take these vows, Angel and Axe, I would have you remember that all things are possible with faith and love in each other. Do you have the rings to exchange a token of your union?”

I reached into my pocket and passed the wedding bands to Axe.

The justice of the peace continued. “Axe, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed. Let it forever be a symbol of our love and devotion.

Axe repeated it, and Angel did the same after she was instructed to make the same declaration.

“As you Axe, and you, Angel have consented together in the union of marriage, and pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of these guest, by the power vested in me in the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

“Come here, woman,” Axe shouted.

It was no surprise to me that my diehard patch-wearing friend patted his wife’s ass, then dipped her low for a long, heated kiss and some fondling of their own. Their eagerness got the crowd to their feet with applause. I shook my friend’s hand when he came up for air, and hung back when the happy couple headed out of the chapel, followed by Sonya. The wedding party was ready to start off an evening of what was sure to be a lively celebration.