Mila
The big day.
Well, it doesn’t feel as big as my commitment ceremony to Mack, Reaper and Scrapper, but graduating college is still a pretty big deal. I don’t know how to feel about Mom and Dad sitting in the audience for this when they never even responded to my wedding invitation. College graduation fits a lot better into their idea of what their daughter should be, I guess. More so than me being the old lady to three big bikers with a very relaxed approach to society’s rules and regulations, never mind actual laws. But they’re here, and I’m glad.
Is it too optimistic to think I can eventually win them over? Not just for me, but for Danny. I want to yell and point out that he was proven innocent of the extra charges and served well over his time for what he was actually arrested for, but I also think that it’s Mom and Dad’s turn to reach out.
Danny and I have each other now, and a whole found family that might be unconventional, but will never turn their backs. Meghan’s already got a job with a law firm, and she convinced them to start a program helping the people like Danny get reparations for what was done to them. If that isn’t good enough for our parents, then that’s on them. Today, I’m just going to worry about enjoying myself.
I glance out over the crowd. I feel a little silly in my graduation gown and cap, but they mean a lot. It’s been a lot of work and a lot more danger than I’d expected to get here, but I’ve done it. The auditorium is packed with people, but it’s not hard to pick out the ones who are here for me.
Usually, graduations don’t have a whole section filled with MC members.
I just assumed that Scrapper, Reaper and Mack would be here. Obviously. What I didn’t expect was Eagle-eye and Miriam, the entire Harem Brunch Club and all their men—I’m not even going to ask who got saddled with babysitting duty or how they worked that out—but it means that smack in the middle of the seating, there’s a huge splash of black leather cuts instead of suit and ties. Meghan and Danny are with them, but Mom and Dad are sitting closer to the front, way away from the Screaming Eagles.
Three more people ahead of me, and then I’ll receive the little piece of paper that I can hang on the wall in my office someday. And to think, when this school year started, I wasn’t even sure if I would make it out of it alive.
Two.
One.
“Mila Anne Cole!”
The hall explodes with cheers, whoops and yells. I hurry across the stage before someone starts shooting in the air. “Thank you,” I say to the dean as I shake his hand and receive my diploma.
“You brought a whole fan club,” he observes, his expression amused and looking like he’s trying to decide if a full on smile would be too undignified. “Most people don’t get that many seats.”
I shrug. “We ordered early.”
That’s not entirely true. Snark made it happen.
He raises an eyebrow. “Congratulations.”
I finish crossing the stage, go down the stairs and head back to my seat, only to sit restlessly until letters D through Z make it through the line. I suppose I could sneak out, but I feel it’s rude to leave before everyone gets their turn, and I’d take a large portion of the crowd with me. If my last name started with Z, I’d hate to receive my diploma in front of an empty auditorium.
What amazes me more is that all of the Screaming Eagles stick around with no complaint. Despite their wild nature, they also have good hearts, and will follow Eagle-eye’s lead. Their president runs a tight ship. I’ve realized that after a bit. Most of the time he sounds like a dad frustrated with all the dumbass things his kids get up to, but when it really matters, I’m pretty sure every single one of the Screaming Eagles would give their lives to keep him safe, and he’ll do everything in his power to keep all his boys safe. Them and the people they love.
That puts a bigger lump in my throat than receiving the diploma does, because I haven’t just found three amazing men to complete me. I’ve found a family that’s bigger and better than anything I could ever imagine. That part wasn’t a lie. They are my family now, and I’m theirs and the enormity of that still hits me hard sometimes.
Finally, the dean declares our class graduated, and the whole auditorium cheers as we throw our mortarboard hats in the air. We weren’t supposed to decorate them, but everyone did anyway. Mine says “PROPERTY OF SEMC”, with the logo and Scrapper, Reaper and Mack’s names in smaller letters around it. I have no idea where it lands after the toss, but it doesn’t matter. I’m ready to get out of here.
The whole auditorium turns into chaos as everyone’s trying to get out at the same time, but the Screaming Eagles are like a black ship cutting through the ocean of people, heading right for me.
“You did it!” says Scrapper as he yanks me into a hug, followed by a kiss that gets some people around me cheering and others hurrying by before something more indecent happens. And then he spins me into Reaper’s arms for his turn, who hands me finally to Mack, who literally yanks me off my feet and lifts me up on his shoulders. With a surprised squeal, I bend over his head and cradle it under me so I don’t fall. He grips my thighs tightly to lock me into place.
“Coming through,” he booms. “Graduate coming through.”
Whether it’s my precarious position, Mack’s massive shape or the entourage of bikers behind him, the crowd parts like he’s Moses at the Red Sea. I have to duck under the door out of the auditorium, but then we’re outside in the June sun and everything is perfect.
“Mila! Congrats!” Meghan’s ceremony was earlier in the day. She’s ditched her cap and gown, but is still all glitzed up, ready to party.
“We did it!”
“We did!”
“I’m proud of you, Mini-Mi.” Danny smiles up at me, and I have to hold back tears.
I pat Mack on the head. “Let me down, I have hugging to do.”
And then I’m down on my feet like I just flew down. Some days I’m amazed at how strong he is.
I throw myself at Danny, hugging him hard. If you’d asked me a year ago if he’d be free and able to attend my graduation, I’d shake my head sadly and angrily, but now he’s here. Am I still angry? Of course, but not today. I don’t even bother holding back the tears anymore, sobbing into his chest as I squeeze him as hard as I can. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He holds me close, protectively in the way that only a big brother can. “Even if you hadn’t gotten me out, I would’ve broken out.”
“Liar,” I say with a laugh. “You didn’t even want to talk to me.”
He sighs, but nods. “I didn’t want you to get involved. It was dangerous. I mean, was I fucking wrong?”
“No. But you should’ve known that wouldn’t stop me.”
“Now that I’ll believe.” He laughs.
“Mila. Incoming,” Reaper says.
I look past Danny to see Mom and Dad coming our way. This is going to be interesting. They stop at a distance, expecting me to come to them rather than joining me along with the bikers and Danny.
“I’ll be right back.” I separate from Danny, who casts one glance over his shoulder and snorts.
“Want backup?” asks Scrapper, eying them with clear distrust. I think he takes their choices even more personally than I do. “I hate to talk shit about your folks, but their idea of what a parent should be rubs me way the fuck wrong.”
My first instinct is to tell them to hang back, but why? They are a part of me. It’s not my job to hide them from my parents, who should love and support me no matter who I’m with.
“You know what? Why don’t all three of you come? Danny, you too?”
He shakes his head. “What I have to say to them isn’t fit for the day.”
Dad doesn’t look thrilled that I’m bringing Mack, Scrapper and Reaper with me, but he doesn’t say anything about it either. But his scowl makes me think he’d rather have seen them go behind bars instead of us getting Danny out.
That’s his right to be wrong about.
I don’t have high hopes, but these are the people that raised me and dropped everything when I was hurt. I know that their bitterness isn’t all they are.
“Congratulations, Mila,” says Mom. Her gaze flickers nervously at the guys too, but she holds her arms open for a hug. And I take it. Trying to build at least a little bit of a bridge.
“Thank you. I’m glad you guys could come. I’m sorry you missed the wedding.” Am I enjoying seeing them squirm a little? Maybe?
Dad looks like he just ate a bug. “Yes, well, we had other plans, unfortunately. So you’re still… together?”
I lean back into Reaper, imagining the glare he’s aiming at my Dad after that question. It’s nice to have him at my back.
“That’s usually what forever means. Some of us honor our commitments.” Reaper puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it.
“Honey, I’m just not sure how to explain it to the neighbors,” Mom says. She blushes. “It’s very… nontraditional.”
I pretend not to understand what she means. “Do you mean in the bedroom? It’s not really their business.”
Dad can’t hold it in anymore. “For Heaven’s sake, Mila. The idea that you can commit yourself to three men is ridiculous. It’s perverse! I know this has to seem exciting now, and you’re young and experimenting, but this isn’t the sort of thing we do in our family. I’d expect something like this from your brother, but not from you. I’m disappointed.”
“I’m surprised you even remember I have a brother,” I snap back, then nod my head in Danny’s direction. “You can say hello if you want. If you remember his name. I’m not sure he wants to talk to you, though.”
“Honey,” Mom starts, but no, I’ve had it with their behavior.
“Don’t honey me! I’m surprised you even showed. I invited you even though you didn’t bother coming to the wedding because I wanted to try to include you. To build bridges. Maybe even help you reconnect with Danny, who is your son, in case that’s slipped your mind. I have met the loves of my life, and you don’t even have to understand. Just be happy for me. Like I’m happy with them.” Mom draws a breath, but I’m not ready for her yet. “Why is it so horrible that I’ve found someone to love? Someones. And they keep me safe, they take care of me, they’re supportive and encouraging. I would never have even finished this degree without them. Just…” I run out of words so I just throw my hands up.
“I…” Mom doesn’t know what to say either and we’re left staring at each other awkwardly.
I look right into Dad’s eyes, and he’s the one who turns away first. Mom doesn’t even try. She just looks down. They’re so frustrating, because I love them. They’re my parents. “Fine. I get it. I see how it is. Thanks for coming, I guess.”
The guys follow me as I walk away, a silent, leather-clad wall of support, absorbing all the daggers I’m sure Dad’s staring at my back.
“Mila, wait.” Surprisingly, it’s Dad. I turn to see what he has to say. Mom’s holding his arm. “Please, don’t walk away from us.”
“I don’t want to, but you make it hard to stay.”
He looks at Mom, and something passes between them. She nods. “We don’t want to lose you. Not like we did Danny.”
“He’s right over there. If you want him back, you could take a step right now. No one’s expecting you guys to shake hands and make it all better, but you have to either start somewhere or give up. Right now I don’t blame him for not wanting to talk to you.” I put my hands to my hips and glare at them. “Sometimes your kids do things that you don’t agree with. Deal with it. I never gave up on Danny and if you guys want to be part of our lives from here on, you’re going to have to figure some things out. Or we’re done until you do.”
This showdown was a long time coming, and it’s already made me feel better, even if I’m angry. If they’re trying to make me choose between them and Danny, I know which way I’m going. And if they want me to choose between them and my men, then I definitely know which way I’m going.
It’s Mom who takes the next step. “Honey, I won’t pretend to understand, but maybe we could start small? Let us take you out to dinner to celebrate tonight.” She looks between the guys, obviously uncomfortable. “And your… husbands? I’m sorry, I don’t even know what the right word is in this situation. I’ll try to be open to this for your sake, but I can’t promise that I’ll ever really understand. And if your brother is willing, he can come, too.”
“Tonight we’re having a celebration party at the club.” I hesitate. It’s going to be family friendly, but do I really want them there? “I can ask if you can come.”
Dad looks like he ate a lemon. He shakes his head. “Tomorrow? We are in town for two more nights.”
I think dinner with them is going to be just about the most awkward thing since the word awkward was invented, but it’s a first step. An olive branch extended, or at least the possibility of the start of one. “I’ll check with everybody.”
They wait while I walk back to him and Meghan and the rest of the Eagles.
“They really invited first?” Danny asks. At my nod, he sighs. “I’ll go because it’s important to you, but I’m leaving if they act like I’m the antichrist.”
“What about you guys?” Scrapper, Mack and Reaper have been quiet for the whole thing.
“We’ll be there for you,” Scrapper says. “I don’t give a shit if they approve of me. I don’t need it. But if they try in any way to make you feel like less than you are for any of your choices, they’re gonna fucking hear it.”
Reaper and Mack nod grimly, as ready to protect me from my parents’ prejudice as they are from murderous mercenaries. And I love them for it. Just hopefully there won’t be any guns involved.
We agree to a time and place, then start the walk to the parking lot so we can ride back to the clubhouse. Just before we get there, Reaper pulls me aside. Mack and Scrapper eye him curiously, but he just nods towards the bikes. “We’ll catch up in a moment.”
“What’s this all about?” I ask.
He waits until the others are out of earshot. “I’m gonna tell them too, but I wanted to show this to you first.” He pulls an envelope out of the inside of his cut. “There wasn’t a huge ceremony for this like you had, but here.”
I open it and read the letter inside. “You passed! You got your GED!”
He does the most un-Reaper thing I’ve seen him do in his life. He blushes. “I know it’s fucking almost ten years late, and it’s not as impressive as your college degree, but…” He shrugs.
I jump him.
I leap right at him, throwing my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist so he has no choice but to catch me and hold me close. And then I kiss him hard, sucking his tongue right into my mouth and not caring who sees us. It doesn’t take long for him to start returning it, and pretty soon there’s something prodding me between the legs that wasn’t there a moment ago. It’s a good thing we’re wearing clothes.
When we finally separate, I drop another quick kiss on his lips and then bury my face in his neck. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Fuck, it’s just a GED.” But his voice is thick. “It doesn’t fucking change anything.”
“That’s not true! It’s an achievement. And you worked for it. The time just wasn’t right then.” I look up at him, so freakin’ proud that he took the steps to finish something important to him. “Now we have two graduations to celebrate.”
He grins. “If you want to congratulate me properly, I bet we have some time before the party starts.”
“How fast do you think we can get back to the apartment?”
He doesn’t even put me down as he races back to the bikes.
(c) Stephanie Brother 2024
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