Page 25 of Raven (Sinners Revenge MC- Rapid City, SD #6)
Raven
M y mom texted and said they were on their way, so Sydney and I had about fifteen minutes before they were here. They’d known for a few days that I was going to propose to her and were eager to meet her. And if you thought I should have introduced them before I proposed, you’d be wrong.
My family didn’t judge people and never interfered in the lives of others or their decisions. They believed that everyone was entitled to support, even through bad decisions, and I was grateful they were so chill.
“They’re on their way,” I yelled down the hallway into the bedroom.
Sydney was getting ready while I got the steaks marinating on the island.
She wanted to be presentable the first time they met, so I volunteered to get lunch started while she got cleaned up.
I wished we had time so I could make love to her, but she said she was sore from our marathon lovemaking last night.
I whispered into her ear that I would make her dessert, and she blushed before walking into the bathroom to get showered. The sound of a motorcycle pulling down the street alerted me that my parents were arriving, so I walked into the bedroom and explained, “They’re here.”
She looked at herself in the mirror and turned to me. “Do I look okay?”
She was wearing a pair of jeans, some tennis shoes, and a nice T-shirt. Approaching her, I pulled her close and kissed her cheek, responding, “You look beautiful as always.”
Her blush was cute as I grabbed her hand and led us back into the kitchen. Opening the door to the garage, I pressed the button on the wall, and we watched the garage door rise into the air. Mom and Dad were getting off their bike as we walked out to greet them.
I felt Sydney grip my hand tightly, and I stroked my thumb across the back of her hand to offer comfort.
Mom smiled at us as Dad helped her off their touring bike, and when she approached us, she opened her arms to Sydney.
Sydney gave me a confused look, and I shrugged as she hugged my mom.
My dad walked up and remarked, “Come on, Caroline. Don’t scare the poor girl. ”
Mom stepped back and wiped under her eyes as she looked at my father. “She’s so beautiful.”
My father smiled and reached out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Sydney. I’m Roger, and you’ve met Caroline.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she returned and shook his hand.
“You want to go inside?” I asked them, knowing we’d be more comfortable in the kitchen than standing in the driveway.
“We’re waiting on our friend. He should be here any minute,” Dad remarked and turned to look down my street.
A bike turned at the top of the street, and Sydney stepped back as her mouth dropped open. She looked at me, and when I saw who was turning into my driveway, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I guess we don’t have to worry about leaving a voicemail,” I reasoned.
Billy pulled his bike up next to Dad’s and killed the engine as he swung one leg over the seat and dismounted.
Sydney’s eyes filled with tears as he pulled her into a hug.
They were wrapped tight in their embrace as my parents and I watched on, feeling the emotional reunion between Billy and Sydney.
He pulled back and wiped under her eyes as he spoke. “I see you found your way, Squirt.”
Sydney looked over her shoulder at me, then back to her uncle. “I found everything.”
Billy released her, and they walked to us. “Are you going to make an honest woman out of her?”
“As soon as possible,” I responded, and he patted me on the shoulder.
“Good. I’ve always thought you two would make a good couple,” Billy remarked and looked at my father. “I guess that makes us family now, huh, Roger?”
My dad chuckled and replied, “We’ve always been family, Billy.”
Billy nodded and answered, “That we have.”
I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I was happy Sydney’s family was here to celebrate our impending union. “Let’s get inside.”
I took Sydney’s hand, and we walked into the house with my parents and her uncle trailing behind us. Stepping into the kitchen, I turned and asked, “What’s everyone having to drink?”
After getting what everyone wanted, I asked, “Do you want to sit outside until Darla gets here or what?”
“Your sister called me about an hour ago. She got called into work, but she said she’ll get with you about dinner later this week,” Mom responded, and I gave her a knowing nod.
Darla was an amazing doctor, and she was dedicated to her job.
It wasn’t unusual for her to get called away, so I wasn’t that surprised.
I had no room for judgment. Most of the year, I worked from sunup to sundown, so I’d missed my fair share of events with the family.
I made all club events, but they were usually late in the afternoon or evening.
“Let’s sit outside and enjoy the nice afternoon while we can,” my dad suggested.
We all gathered our drinks and walked outside, each of us taking a seat around the table. Sydney looked at Billy and asked, “How long are you in town for?”
Billy sat back in his seat and responded, “I was thinking I’d take my old camper off your hands and park it in one of the long-term lots for the winter. That way, I can be here when you two get hitched, and I don’t have to worry about driving over in the snow.”
“You’re welcome to stay at the house,” my father reasoned, and Billy shook his head.
“I don’t want to take advantage of you and Caroline’s hospitality,” he answered.
“You’re welcome to stay here,” I offered, and he turned to look at me.
The man I’d idolized growing up was older, but his words still held years of wisdom. “A new couple needs their space, and I wouldn’t think of infringing on Syd’s home.”
“But that’s what I did to you,” she said, and he turned to face her.
Lifting her hands from the table, he explained, “You never infringed on anything with me, Sydney.” She opened her mouth, but he cut his eyes at her, stopping her interruption.
“And before you start rationalizing things, remember one thing. You are my family, and it was an honor and a joy to help raise you. Even if I wasn’t the best parent to you, I enjoyed every single minute. ”
Sydney had tears in her eyes again and she swiped them from her cheeks as she chuckled and said, “I swear I’m not usually this emotional.”
“You never gave yourself the grace you deserved, Syd. You never complained, you never asked for more, you accepted everything as it came to you, but for your entire life, you existed in survival mode.” Billy glanced at me and reasoned, “Raven gives you the safety you need to be vulnerable, and with that, you will grow.”
I heard a sniffle and looked to see my father comforting my mother. I gave her a curious look, and she explained. “I’m just so happy seeing you in love, Caleb. Since Sydney came into your life, you’ve changed for the better.”
“Having a partner who always has your back helps, and I see amazing things in you two’s future,” my dad added.
I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment everyone expressed and I reached out and took Sydney’s hand into mine, kissing the top. She smiled at me, and for the next hour, we sat outside, visiting and catching up.
Sydney stood after a while, and I looked up at her. “I’m going to get the side dishes started so we can have lunch.”
“Can I help you?” my mom asked.
“Yes, please,” she responded, and together, my mom and ol’ lady walked inside, leaving the three of us alone.
Once the door was closed, Billy looked inside before turning back to me. He reached inside his cut and pulled out a fat envelope, sliding it across the table. I opened it as he began to speak quickly.
“I made a detour on my way up here to retrieve something for Sydney. I don’t want her to know I gave it to you. I don’t care what you tell her, but do not say it was from me,” Billy instructed.
I opened the envelope and found it stuffed with hundred-dollar bills. Lifting my eyes to him, I noticed my father wasn’t shocked or put off by Billy handing me an envelope full of cash.
“What’s this?” I asked, needing to know where this money came from.
He cut his eyes to my father then back to me as he answered. “I had to handle a chicken and his two stupid brothers.”
It took a heartbeat for his true meaning to ring clear. My eyes grew wide, and I looked at my dad who seemed nonplused by Billy’s statement.
I would never ask him directly, so I beat around the bush and inquired, “Do we have to worry about anyone asking about the chicken?”
Billy reached into his cut and pulled out a joint before lighting the tip. He handed it to my father who took a hit before passing it to me. I took my turn, still waiting for a response. Billy took the joint from me and finally gave me an answer.
“Accidents happen every day. People should be more careful with their chemicals.”
My father was a high school chemistry teacher and when I looked at him, the stare he gave me told me everything I needed to know. Between the two of them, they handled Rooster and his brothers, ensuring Sydney never had to worry about them again.
I slipped the envelope into my pants pocket and explained, “I’ll tell her Comet was able to retrieve her funds, and no one will ever know otherwise.”
Billy tucked the joint between his lips and offered me his fist. I bumped mine against his as he spoke. “I trust you’ll always make sure she’s put first.”
“Above all else,” I answered, and he turned to my father.
“I told you they would be perfect together. You raised a good man.”
“Thanks,” my father responded and then suggested, “Let’s go inside before they think we’re out here plotting something.”
We all stood, and Billy dropped the half-smoked joint into the ashtray on the table before we walked inside. Seeing Sydney and my mom laughing over something as they worked together making lunch was a heartwarming sight.
After grilling the steaks, the five of us sat around eating and discussing nothing and everything. It was a joyous afternoon spent with family and as the evening wound down, and everyone was getting ready to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental.
I’d always dreamed of having what my parents had, and while I had my fair share of women throughout the years, Sydney was the first woman who saw me for who and what I was, accepted me and my flaws, and gave me hope that I had found my one.
She was my other half, the first and only woman I ever loved, and the future mother of my children. We hadn’t discussed kids, and I hoped she wanted them, but if she didn’t, then we would spend our lives traveling to new adventures.
As long as she was by my side, the future was full of endless possibilities. And I couldn’t wait for our forever.