Chapter 58

Lug Nut


For our first few miles Ailee kept a death grip on my stomach despite me driving the speed limit. Ailee had told me she had never been on a bike before. I’m trying my best not to scare her. It is a hell of a lot different than all the armored SVU’s she rides around in. The longer we ride the more she loosens up. I go a little faster each time. She is laughing and hollering by the end of the ride. I can feel her smile on my back when she leans back in. I pull off on a dirt road headed to our destination and slow down. Ailee sits up and looks around. I know she is confused but she is being a good sport about not knowing what I’m up to.

When we pull up to the spot I have set up I park the bike and kill the engine. I hop off first, help Ailee with her helmet and grab her hand. “ Hold on to me when you climb off. Your legs may be a little wobbly at first.” I told her. Ailee turned in the seat and stood. I’m happy I was holding her because sure enough her legs almost gave out. When I’m sure she is steady I hold her by the waist and let her look around. Ailee gasps when she sees the private retreat I set up for us. “ Oh Travis. This is beautiful.” she says.

I look over at the four person tent I have set up on a platform. I have an air mattress already inflated inside covered in several thick blankets and pillows. Just in front of the platform is the fire pit complete with wood. I have a cooler with dinner, dessert and drinks for us for the night. I even have a log with a few pillows for us to lean against as we sit beside the fire. I turn to look at Ailee “ Do you like it, honey?” She gives me her thousand watt smile and places her hand on my cheek guiding my face down to hers. “ Travis, this is wonderful. I love it.”

“ Come. I’ll get the fire started then we can have dinner while we watch the sunset.” I told her as I pulled her over to the log. Once I knew she was comfortable I got working on the fire. I have to give it to Finn, Callen and Anna. None of this would be possible without their help. They even made sure we had extra wood to get us through the night. I was hoping we wouldn’t need it and will be using body heat to keep us warm. Once the fire is good and I’m sure it won’t go out I grab the cooler and go sit next to Ailee. “ So what is for dinner?” she asked. “ To be honest I don’t know. Anna wanted to help so with the food and I let her. I’m sorry to say I’m not much of a cook. I’m better with a grill.” I told her as I opened the cooler and started pulling out containers, paper plates, plastic forks and spoons, napkins as well as bottles of water and orange juice for Ailee to take her meds. Man, Anna thought of everything.

“ So we will find out together.” Ailee said as she grabbed a container. She lifted the lid and said “ Pasta salad.” I opened the next one to reveal fried chicken legs. Ailee and I took turns opening all five containers to find caesar salad, strawberries and two pieces of turtle cheesecake. Once we got our plates fixed we leaned back just in time to see the sun dropping in the sky behind the hills. It was beautiful but I think it is the company making it that way. We talked as we ate and joked around. Ailee told me that Finn is about to go on his first vacation in five years. She and Cormac are sending him away for a week. And then Callen is next. Apparently they only agreed as long as one of them was with Ailee instead of two new guards. I have to respect their dedication and loyalty to Ailee.

During Ailee’s time in the hospital I learned as much as I could about the family and how it worked. It runs similar to the MC just on a bigger scale. If I was going to be in her life I wanted to know everything. Cormac, Callen and Finn were happy to tell me what I needed to know since they view me as family now. The one thing everyone I talked to agreed was that their loyalty to Ailee, she earned every bit of it. Not from force or fear but respect. As if I needed another reason to love this woman.

After we got done eating, Ailee packed up the leftover food while I disposed of the trash. I put the cooler on the platform close to the tent and went to sit with Ailee just as the sun disappeared and made way for the stars. I wrap one arm around her shoulders bringing Ailee to my side. She rests her head on my shoulder as we look at the stars that look like glittering diamonds on a velvet blue backdrop. I pull my surprise from my pocket and slide it on my pinkie for safe keeping. Ailee wraps her arms around my waist and buries herself into my side. We sit in silence just enjoying being with each other. There is no awkwardness to the silence. I think this is the perfect time for the second part of my surprise.

I take the hand Ailee has around my waist and entangle our fingers. I run my middle finger over her ring finger already picturing my band on it. I take a minute to gather my thoughts. I know Ailee isn’t going to want some big drawn out speech but I want my words to convey everything I was feeling. “ Ailee.” Ailee turns her head to look at me. I look into those bright eyes I could drown in. I could see our whole lives play out behind them. “ Ailee, honey. You know I love you.” I told her. “ Aye, as I love you.” she said. I smile at her.

“ I never want to be far from your side. I have claimed you as my ol’e lady but I want it all. I want you as my wife as well. I want you to bear my last name. I want the piece of paper. Ailee, I’m asking you to make me the luckiest and happiest fucker in the world and marry me.” I said. Ailee smiles and says “ As long as you agree to finish moving in with me then yes I will absolutely marry you. Then we can both be the happiest people in the world.” Take her hand and slide the ring on her finger “ Honey, I will be packed up and moved in tomorrow night.”