Chapter 9
Waking up the next morning, Herm is gone. I listen through the monitor and hear Herm talking to our son. "Little man, Mommy and Daddy love you so much. I never thought I would have a family but here you are. Your Mommy has made me so happy and you have made me so proud and you aren't a week old. I love you E-Man." I couldn't help but smile. Getting up, I walk into the nursery and just stand there leaning on the door frame watching him. Looking up at me, Herm smiles. "Morning babe. How'd you sleep?" he asked. "Good. How about you?" I asked. His smile got wider "Best sleep of my life." he says. Laughing softly, I walk over and kiss his lips and kiss the top of EJ's head. "I already fed him, he should be going back down for a little while." Herm tells me. "Okay, I'll start the coffee and start breakfast." I tell him before walking out of the nursery and down the hall to the kitchen.
Breakfast is done and before I can call down the hall to Herm, he walks into the kitchen fully dressed hanging his kutte on the back of the chair. "Hap just called. Got enough for one more?" he asked. "Yeah, there's enough." And as if on cue, Happy walks into the house and greets Herm. Walking over to me he kisses my temple. "Hey little girl." he says. "Hey Hap. Sit, food's done." I tell him and they both sit at the table as I plate the food and bring them over with fresh cups of coffee. After breakfast is done, the boys go out onto the deck to have a smoke while I clean up. As I am finishing cleaning, they come in and Herm tells me. "I gotta head to the clubhouse. Church." I look at him confused. "Leadership challenge." He says to me. "Oh. Be careful. Both of you." I say pointing at them both. They both kiss my cheek and head out the door. Happy has been Herm's best friend for years and has become like a big brother to me.
Later that evening, Herm walks in the door like he always does and drops down on the couch. EJ is in his swing looking around and I grab a beer out of the fridge before walking in and joining him, handing him his beer. "Thanks babe." He says putting his hand on my knee like he does every night. "Long day?" I asked. "Yeah. Been trying to get everything on track." he says. We agreed a long time ago that we would have full disclosure so I know what all goes on in the club. "You wanna talk about it?" I asked him, knowing that if he doesn't tell me now he will when he wraps his head around it. "Voted Clay out of the gavel today. Jax is the new prez." He says. "Wow. You all good with that?" I asked. "Yeah, we are. Found out some shit. Clay was behind JT's death and found out he killed Piney." I looked at him shocked. "Meyhem?" I asked. "Not this time but can be voted again later. Jax needs him to get out of this cartel shit." Taking another drink of his beer, he looks at me. "What?" he asked. "Getting out isn't going to be easy but the best way to go is to offer something to replace what you guys have. Better offer. Have you guys thought about working something out with some of the local crews like Mayans or Niners? Maybe if you could show them that passing that business on to them would bring in more money because they cover a larger area and the prisons where you guys don't." I tell him. Thinking it over, Herm kisses me and smiles. "Let me call Jax. That might actually work." He says before getting up and walking out onto the patio to call Jax.
The next morning they are all sitting in church and Jax and Herm are telling the guys the plan that I suggested. They all seem to agree that it is worth a shot and probably the best bet. After church is done, Herm comes home and tells me the good news. "Hey baby." He says kissing my lips softly. "Hey. How'd it go?" I asked, a little nervous. "Guys liked the idea. Thinks it might be the best way to go. Just have to work out the details with the other crews and see what we can work out." he tells me. "Good. I'm glad to hear." I tell him. "You know, for someone that didn't grow up around the club, you sure seem to have an understanding of how to do things." he says. "Well, what helps is you don't keep things from me. I just want to do whatever it takes to keep my future husband safe." I tell him.
***Four months later***
Standing in one of the tents set up on the Reservation, Gemma is helping me with the finishing details before walking down the aisle. I asked Tig to give me away since I don't really have a father figure around. Tig walks in, "Ready to go Doll Face?" he asked. "Ready as I'll ever be." I smile. Gemma kisses my cheek and takes EJ from his carrier and walks out to where the ceremony will take place and takes her seat, holding our son. "Let's do this." I tell Tig as we walk out to get started.
Walking up to the makeshift altar, I see Herm, standing there in a white button down, dark jeans and his Kutte. I am wearing a knee length, white lace, simple dress and white heels. Standing in front of the 'preacher man' he start the ceremony. "Who gives this woman away to be married?" he asked. Tig spoke up "I do, even though I shouldn't." he cracks a smile and we all laugh knowing he's messing around. And then on to the vows. "Do you Herman Kozik, take Julie James to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward?" Herm smiles and says "I do." He turns to me and asked. "Julie James, do you take Herman Kozik to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?" I smile at Herm and say "I do." Now onto the rings. Tara hands me the ring to put on Herm's finger, "With this ring, I vow my love, respect and loyalty." I slide the ring onto his finger. Happy hands him the ring for my finger. "With this ring, I vow my love, respect and loyalty." Happy leans forward "Say it." I look at him confused and he says "And I promise to treat you as good as my leather and ride you as much as my Harley." and the rest of the Sons say that last part with him. I couldn't help but laugh. "By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your bride." He says and Herm does just that. The rest of the night is spent drinking and partying. Gemma leaves with EJ for the night to give us a chance to have our wedding night together. Taking me home, he carries me across the threshold and I whisper, "Make love to me Mr. Kozik." He smiles as we head towards the bedroom, "As you wish, Mrs. Kozik."
