Page 68

Phoenix

(A few years later)

T he bar is buzzing with energy as my friends and family come together to celebrate. This moment has been a long time in the making. "Congratulations, Phoenix and Kat! We knew you two could do it!" Jesse shouts as he pours a fresh round of drinks for everyone.

Lifting his glass, Miguel adds, "To Arizona's newest and prettiest nurses. May we always have you watching our backs."

"Here, here!"

Cheers ring out through the room as laughter spills from my lips. Happiness—pure, unfiltered happiness—is all I feel. Kat and I finally did it. We finished school and passed our boards. We’re now officially RNs in the state of Arizona. It feels like a dream come true.

Warmth spreads across my back as steady arms circle my waist. I can't help the smile that spreads over my lips as Mason leans in and whispers in my ear, "Congratulations, baby. I'm so fuckin' proud of you."

I turn in his arms, bringing our lips together as he holds me tight, molding my body to his. When we pull away, my eyes catch on Dad standing by the bar. He watches us for a second, a tiny smile tugging at his lips before turning away. I swear I see a twinkle in his eye.

Acceptance.

That's what I see in his gaze. Pride and acceptance. It took us a while to get to this point, but he finally seems to accept the relationship Mason and I have. Over these last few years, Mason has proven he'd do anything to keep me safe, but more than that, he's proven his love for me time and time again, earning Dad's utmost respect.

The same can be said for his enforcer. Ever since Raven's rescue, the big bad Reaper has done nothing but prove his loyalty. To the club, to my dad, and most importantly, to my sister.

When she first told me how things sparked between them, I wasn't sure they'd both stick it out for the long haul. Rae's never been the relationship type and Reaper didn't seem to be either. I'm so glad they proved me wrong. My sister finally found her match, and I couldn't be happier for her.

I watch from the corner of my eye as Rae leans over the bar top, saying something to Dad. He laughs, shaking his head as he replies. When Raven smiles back in response, my heart swells. Their relationship has improved so much since we first arrived. Gone are the days when they communicated in scowls and cursing matches. Rae has finally accepted him into her life as our father, no longer scorning him for his past mistakes.

It’s another piece of our story that's fallen into place, making what was once fractured a bit more whole.

Sipping on my drink, I look for Kat, finding her at one of the tables cozied up with Tweak. My smile widens as I look at my friend. All I see in her is happiness. Martin may have taken that from her for a time, but my strong, resilient friend fought to build it back.

I look around the room at everyone gathered to celebrate. Kat's family mingles with our friends from school and Ms. Day, our favorite professor. Doc, who'd helped secure Kat and me jobs here in town, is chatting it up with Bear and Hammer. Raven smiles as she fills a pint glass for Miguel, shooting a sly wink to her man, who leans on the bar a few feet away. Lace is perched on Stitch's lap as he, Bones, and Archie—both now patched members of the club—raise shot glasses.

Every member of the Sons is here to partake in the celebration. The club still conducts illicit business, but they no longer leave Rae, Lace, and me in the dark. They can't tell us everything, but what they can, they do. Deals are still struck, and goods are still exchanged outside the confines of the law, but for today, they set everything aside to celebrate Kat and me.

Today, there are no wars to fight or rivalries to contend with. No worries over the Sheriff breathing down the club's back, waiting for the Sons to step out of line. Nothing is stirring in the background that will steal away this moment in time. For a while, we can just be—just enjoy this time together and let our family relish in happiness.

My heart feels so full, and a sense of peace washes over me. Life is pretty fucking spectacular.

My senses start tingling when someone tinks a spoon against their glass. Everyone turns to give Mason their full attention.

He clears his throat before eyeing the crowd. "You all know I'm not big on public speaking, but I have something important to say."

Mason licks his lips and turns his attention to me. "Phoenix, words can't express how proud I am of you. How happy you've made me since that first day we met. You came out of nowhere and knocked the wind right out of me. I wasn't sure how to do this or if today was the right time and place. But after talking to Kat and Viper and Raven, I know this is perfect."

My brows furrow as I look at the three Mason named. Kat beams at me with glassy eyes, and Dad looks from Mason to me, a wobbly smile forming on his lips. When I look at my sister, she swipes her eyes and gives me a knowing look and the brightest smile I've ever seen. She draws a subtle X over her heart and winks, nodding her head to the man who's stolen my heart.

Everything clicks, and I know what’s happening before I turn back to him. "Nix, you own every piece of my heart. Each day, I fall for you a bit deeper, and I can't imagine spending my life without you. The thought of doing so hurts more than anything I've ever experienced. Baby, I want to love you for the rest of our lives. I want to wake up every day knowing you're mine, start a family together, and watch our children grow and thrive. We've already chosen to become a family in spirit, but let's make it official . . . "

I watch through blurry eyes as the man I love gets down on one knee before me. "Make me the luckiest man on the planet, Nix. Marry me, baby."

He pops open the lid of a small velvet box, and I can no longer contain my tears. Inside is a small but beautiful ring. One of the few my mom kept when she got sick. It was an heirloom, she'd told us, something she got from her mother before she passed. I remember her wearing it a few times when Rae and I were younger . . . On her left hand. Looking at my dad, I know there’s more to it than that. His tears fall as he smiles at me, and I promise myself I’ll get the true story from him later.

When I face Mason again, I choke out my answer through the happiest tears. "Yes," I say, sucking in a deep breath. "A million times, yes!"

The ring slides perfectly onto my finger before Mason sweeps me into his arms, planting kisses all over my face. The room erupts in cheers and a shower of champagne rains over us. Jesse is beaming as he sprays the room with bubbly, shouting his congratulations.

"I love you so much, Phoenix," Mason whispers in my ear.

"And I love you, Mason. I love you so freaking much."

We’re suddenly surrounded by warm bodies, pulled into a large embrace as the rest of our family engulfs us in a giant hug. Nothing but happiness shows on every face as they congratulate us. I smile back at each and every one, basking in the love that lives here, at the family we never knew we were missing.

Through the crowd, I find my sister. Happy tears roll down her cheeks as she smiles brighter than ever. Reaper pulls her under his arm, and even he has a smile on his lips as he watches everything play out. I meet Raven's eyes, watching as she mouths, "I love you."

The damn bursts as I mouth the same back.

My heart feels whole like it never has before, as I take in the room. The piece of my soul that I always felt was missing was here the whole time. Mason, Dad, and everyone else in this room helped fill that void. They were the missing pieces I never knew I needed.

I still don't know what it was that guided me here all those years ago. Why I couldn't go on without knowing my father. Part of me thinks it was Mom who set me on this path, guiding me here from the afterlife to piece back the family that shattered when she died.

Maybe she knew all along that we needed to find him.

Maybe she knew how much he needed us.

If I had never made that fateful decision to come here looking for our dad, things would probably have been easier and safer, but I wouldn't take it back. Not for anything in the world. With these people, Rae and I have made a family. We've finally found our place in the world.

We've found our home.

And somehow, through all the chaos, we both found love.