"Stop pacing." Happy growled as he buttoned his black dress shirt. Opie offered Jax a bottle of whiskey, but he just shook his head. They were leaving the clubhouse in twenty minutes to make it to the Redwoods by four.
"Don't know why you're nervous, Jax. Not like you haven't been married before." Bobby said with a shake of his head before giving up on buttoning his shirt the whole way up. Jax sat down in his seat at the table and took a deep breath.
"It's not the same. I don't know what I did to deserve Mackenzie. Couldn't blame her if she wasn't there when we show up." Jax said with a small laugh. Opie smiled and shook his head.
"Nope, Lyla said they're almost ready to leave the hotel." Opie said, texting her back quickly and snapping the phone shut. Jax took a deep breath and nodded before standing up and buttoning his white dress shirt.
"You nervous?" Gemma asked as she glanced over at Mackenize. Her soon to be daughter-in-law looked over and shook her head with a smile.
"Not at all. I've never been more sure about anything in my life." Mackenzie popped a soft kiss on the top of Abel's head as Phil pulled into a parking spot. She felt nervous butterflies in her stomach as she tried to peer around the trees and catch a glimpse of Jax or any of the Sons. Their bikes were parked just to the right of where Phil had parked, so she knew they were there.
"Thanks for driving the car, Lyla." Mackenzie gave the blonde a tight hug as she stepped out of Gemma's SUV and met Lyla at the back. Lyla beamed at Mackenzie and nodded.
"Anytime, sweetheart. I'm so happy for you two. You look gorgeous!" Lyla said as the sun caught Mackenzie's hair. It seemed to glow in a waterfall down her back.
"They're ready." Phil said, walking around to the three women. Mackenzie nodded and gave Abel a quick wave as Lyla and Gemma led him to stand with Jax. She took a deep breath and waited a couple minutes before walking down the path.
Jax waited for Mackenzie in front of a huge, redwood giant. The club and family were seated at large, round tables with navy blue tablecloths and silver chairs. The use of the club's colors didn't go unnoticed by anyone. Abel tugged on Jax's hand. Jax looked up and had to struggle for a breath.
Mackenzie walked down the center of the tables slowly. She was holding a bouquet of white roses and smiling brightly. The sight of Jax and Abel standing a few yards away was almost too much to handle. She heard a loud whistle from one of the tables, and she was willing to bet it was Tig.
"Hey." Jax said with a smile before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. She smiled silently, knowing her voice would betray her if she spoke. As the two stood mere inches apart, the rest of the crowd seemed to disappear. Jax felt lighter than he had in years, even feeling hopeful for the future for the first time since he'd finished reading JT's manuscript.
"Jaxson, I promise to love you and our family for the rest of my life. Wherever this road leads us, I'll always be right by your side. When you need to rest you head, I'll be right there by you. You've made me the happiest woman in the world. I'm yours always and forever." Mackenzie said from memory as she slid a black, carbon fiber ring on Jax's finger.
"Mackenzie, when I'm with you, I'm home. You're the calm to my storm and the light through my rain. I love you more than words can say. You are the best mother I could ever dream of for Abel and our little one." Jax smirked a little and looked out at his brothers.
"I promise to treat you as good as my leather and ride you as much as my Harley." Jax vowed in true SAMCRO fashion as he slid Mackenzie's wedding band on. They didn't wait for the go ahead from the preacher. Jax pulled her into him and kissed her deeply, arching her back just a little.
There were whistles and catcalls from their family and friends as they broke apart and turned to face the crowd. Abel clapped and smiled as Jax picked him up and carried him back down the aisle on his shoulders. Mackenzie looked up at the two of them and smiled brightly. She knew, come hell or high water, she would be there for her family and so would Jax.
The party was moved back to the Redwood clubhouse for the sake of the park. Gemma stuck around for a while, but eventually headed home with Clay and Abel. Jax and Mackenzie milled around the crowd, stopping for introductions every now and then. She hadn't expected it, but several officers from surrounding charters had made their way to the wedding, or at least the reception.
"Congrats, you two." Happy said with a rare smile as he pulled Mackenzie and Jax into hugs. Mackenzie wasn't sure if it was the overwhelming happiness or her hormones, but she started crying when Happy let her go. He looked at her with a lost expression before she kissed him quickly on the cheek and pulled back with a smile.
"Babe, I think it's time we get home. You've got to be tired." Jax said, rubbing his ringed hand over her exposed back. She turned and draped her arms over his shoulders.
"Mr. Teller, you aren't getting out of your vows that easy. I think that Harley's gotten more action than me today." She said with a playful wink. Jax laughed before scooping her up in his arms, much to the delight of the now intoxicated crowd.
No sooner had Jax and Mackenzie stepped into their bedroom, there was a loud knock on the door. Mackenzie felt panic set in as she peered out of the bedroom window. There were blue, flashing lights blazing in the sky. Jax tried to calm her as she rushed for his phone.
"Baby, it's okay. I'm sorry Mackenzie. I don't know why this couldn't have fucking waited until tomorrow." He said as he held her tightly to his chest. He knew if he didn't go to the door soon, they would break it down.
"I love you, Jaxson. Happy's on his way. Don't you dare get in that car before he gets here." Mackenzie said sternly as she reigned her emotions in. If there was one thing she'd learned from Gemma's lecture on the way to the ceremony, it was the importance of being a strong old lady.
Jax held onto Mackenzie's hand as they headed to the front door. He took a deep breath and swung the door open. Mackenzie and Jax were face to face with the San Juaquin County Sheriff, not Unser as they had expected. The sheriff's face contorted with shock as he looked at Mackenzie in her wedding dress and Jax in something besides a hooded sweatshirt or t-shirt.
Mackenzie felt the tightness in her chest loosen a little as she first heard and then watched Happy's bike pull into their driveway. The sheriff tensed as Happy walked right up to the door and stood on Jax's other side.
"These charges are bullshit." Jax growled as he clapped Happy's shoulder before starting to shrug his kutte off to give to Mackenzie. The sheriff's brow raised and he shook his head.
"Not here for you, Teller. Ms. Bradshaw," The sheriff started. Happy shook his head and rested his hand on the grips of his concealed 9mm.
"It's Mrs. Teller, what do you want with my wife?" Jax asked, growing sick to his stomach. The sheriff reached around his back slowly and pulled out a set of cuffs.
"Mrs. Teller, you are under arrest for felony grand theft auto. You have the right to remain silent." The sheriff finished reciting the Miranda Rights as Mackenzie was spun around and cuffed. Jax, Happy and Mackenzie were slow to process what was happening. She shook her head and tears started falling as she pulled against the restraints.
"The fuck. She's pregnant. You can't cuff her like that." Jax yelled as he lunged for the sheriff. Happy caught his arm, although a certain form of torture was flashing behind his eyes as he wished he could get a hold of that cop. Mackenzie did her best to stop her sobbing and looked up at Jax.
"I love you Jaxson. Call Lohen. Please, Jax." She tried to force a smile, but it only made her more nauseous. He nodded adamantly and jumped forward, kissing his wife's lips deeply before she was ripped out of his reach. Happy gave Mackenzie a silent and stoic nod as she looked over at him.
She knew in that moment, that everything was going to be okay. But, in order for that to be true, she would have to get back to her roots. She had to be the girl that grew up on the streets and fought for everything she had. She had to be tough. She had to be an old lady.
DUN DUN DUN! As always, reviews are always loved and welcomed. I hope you all are coping well with our Sons being over. I know it'll hit me hardest tomorrow night. Happy reading and I hope that somehow, my stories can ease the pain and keep the club alive. Long live SAMCRO