Chapter 89: March
*Forget September. Wake me when March is over. – Evie*
On Saint Patrick’s Day, the whole clubhouse was full of activity. Late afternoon everyone gathered and watched an unconventional wedding.
Trigg came over from the sister chapter to marry Celt and Mia. He had become ordained to marry his daughter and her long-term boyfriend. Several weddings later, he was the unofficial officiant for the Saints. It started off normal, but when Trigg threw away his book of scripts, it went from normal to perfect.
Evie sat between her men during the ceremony. She danced with them individually and together. Law even slipped in a George Straight and two stepped her around the dance floor.
When Ink two stepped with her she nearly cried. But when Tank took his turn, not only did the place fall silent, she did give in to the tears. Ink was the charmer and Tank was the intimidating muscle. For the small woman who turned their world upside down, they both learned to dance.
Even her musketeers tried. Evie ended up leading with them and counting out the steps.
At the end of his dance, Athos hugged her close. “I’ve never seen my brother so happy.”
Evie smiled all night and was in a good mood for the next several days.
Spring break came and so did her wedding anniversary. When they had picked the day, it was because it would always be during or right around spring break. With the new school it was no different.
The night before Ink stayed home from work. The day of, Tank took off also.
“We told you, we’d go through hell for you. This is your hell, and we’re here for you.” Ink said when she objected.
“I’ve been through a few years on my own. I can get through this day also.” Evie pointed out.
“We know.” Tank agreed pulling her into his lap on the black reclining sectional in the living room. “But you don’t have to face it on your own anymore.”
“We’ll get through our bad times together.” Ink added. “And next month, you and I will be by Tank’s side for his bad day.”
Evie looked at Tank who looked at Ink. He allowed the larger man to glare at him and did not flinch. After a moment Tank sighed and buried his face in her hair for a moment. Tank felt Ink’s hand on his shoulder offering comfort.
Slowly, haltingly, painfully, he talked about the day that he ended up between a desperate mother and her children. Their father and grandmother already lay dead. The gunshots came just as he was getting home.
He stood between them, willing to die to ensure that the children would live.
“She shot me. Werewolf insists on Kevlar vests being part of the uniform. She hit the vest twice before getting my shoulder.”
He touched his shoulder and Evie knew the scar that he was feeling under the shirt.
“Then with her oldest two watching, she shot herself in the head. By the time the ambulance arrived, she was dead.”
He buried his face in her neck again and let out a deep breath. She held him and let him process everything he had been through. Just as she processed what she had just learned.
“The mom, Rachel, was one of my sisters’ friends. And I did nothing while she shot herself.”
Evie held him tight and cried for him. Ink took her offered hand and continued to lightly squeeze Tank’s shoulder. She could feel the tears on her neck and see them in Ink’s eyes.
“Ian. My sweet love.” She soothed.
The three of them spent the rest of the day in the sanctuary that they created in their country house. They binged Adam Sandler movies and junk food. And when she started to ask what they wanted for dinner, they simply said that it was taken care of.
Around six thirty, Law arrived with pizza and sodas. A little later, Athos showed up with red licorice and messages from practically the whole club making sure she was doing okay.
Evie spoke to her parents and sisters on the phone. Roscoe and Reed also called.
Law and Athos were both asleep in the living room when the last movie went off. Law in the blue recliner and Athos on the floor. Before following her men to bed, she put blankets over both of them.
Evie lay on Tank’s shoulder with Ink snuggled up behind her.
“I love you.” She told them and they both reciprocated the endearment. “Today was not easy, but it wasn’t as hard as the last few years.”
“We’ve got you, pet.”
“I know.” She kissed Tank and then Ink. “I’ve got you too.”
Less than two weeks later, they would repeat the same process. Tank admitted that Ink had made the day bearable. But having their woman with him, made it much easier.
Evie finally understood that when they said they had her, they weren’t saying that they would keep the bad away, but would support her on her journey. Along with telling them that she loved them, she also told them that she had them.
