"Forever family"

Everything is fuzzy on the way back to my apartment. I can't tell if this is a dream or not. Madz fingers rub along mine as he drives back towards the shop.

He takes a turn that's a different way to the shop and I glance over at him. "Where are we going? Are we not heading to the shop?" I ask.

He takes his eyes off the road for a second to look at me and then back to the road. "We just need to stop by the clubhouse really quick. I need to pick something up."

Nodding my head I focus back on my window. I see snow falling and I turn up the heat a little bit. My dad always loved winter, the snow and all the holidays that come along with it.

I think about all the holidays we spent together and wish that he could have gotten to know Madz and Eleanor. He would have loved them so much.

In my heart I know he would have accepted Madz. Madz is everything my dad could have looked for in a man for me. He's also the son of his best friend so that would have helped him.

We pull up to the clubhouse and Beau, Axel and Knox are all at the gate with smiles on their faces. Madz just glares at us. How odd. "Just open the gates and let us in."

They just keep smiling and open the gates for us. Madz parks under a car port and walks over to my door to let me out. He grabs my hand and makes sure I don't slip on the wet snow.

Slowly we make our way to the door and he stops to kiss me. "I'm so glad you said yes. I'll spend the rest of my life worshiping you." He opens the door and the lights are so dim that I can't see.

Standing close to Madz I hear a shuffle and then suddenly the lights are turned on. It takes a second for my eyes to get used to it but once I fully see what's in front of me I smile.

It's every member of the club, Eleanor, and Georgia in front of me. There is a congratulations banner hanging from the wall. Balloons are filled on the floor and everyone is yelling at us.

"She said yes!" Madz yells at his friends and family." He takes my hand and lifts it into the air. Everyone starts to make their way over to us and give us pats on the back.

I see little Eleanor waiting her turn and I squat down to hug her. "Uncle Madz told me he was going to ask you to marry him. That means you will be Auntie Nova now right?"

I smile at Eleanor and give her a big hug. "Yes, that means I'm Auntie Nova soon." Eleanor lets go and runs over to Cash. She's telling him all about how I'll be her Aunt now.

Cash walks over with Eleanor in his arms. "So someone tells me you are going to be her Auntie now. She is so excited about that." I smile at both of them.

"Im so glad to be part of Eleanor's family. They all mean so much to me. Thank you for being so welcoming to me." Cash leans in with Eleanor and they both give me a hug.

I see a line of people behind them waiting to talk to me. Everyone gets their chance to say congratulations. I'm giving hugs and kisses on the cheek.

Georgia is the last to meet with me. "Honey, I'm so happy you said yes. I wish your dad could be here. I feel like he would have loved you guys together."

"I think so too. Madz was raised by you and my father loved you." Georgia's eyes welled up with tears but they didn't fall down her face. I give her a hug. "Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for sweetheart. I wish you nothing but the best. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the both of you." I can't wait either.

Being brought into this fold is amazing and I never imagined my life to end up like this. Madz eventually makes his way back towards me. "You okay?"

"I'm perfect, are you okay?" He doesn't even answer me, just gives me a simple kiss and holds my face in his hands. Rubbing his nose to mine.

"Is it time for the cake yet?" Eleanor yells over everyone talking. That gets us all to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Who made the cake?" As I ask this all three prospects walk in and head towards us. "Hi Axel, Beau and hello to you Knox. Thank you for being part of this."

Axel comes in for his hug and I squeeze him back. His brotherly love always fills me with joy. The others just give me a small hug and step away.

Madz has gotten used to our connection. I don't hear him grumble anymore when Axel hangs out with me or gives me hugs. I think he understands what we mean to each other.

"Hello, guys. Is it cake time or what?" Eleanor is still going on about the cake. I head over to the table and see a two tier cake. Written on top is 'Congratulations' in sloppy writing.

I look over at Axel and his smile just shines down on me. "Did I do a good job Nova. It's lemon flavored. Eleanor told me that's your favorite."

"She's right. It is my top favorite flavor. Thank you guys. You didn't have to do all of this for me." I look around and see everyone smiling at Madz and I.

"Hey Eleanor, guess what time it is?" She drops everything and scatters over to me.

"Cake time!" She yells. I cut her a slice and carefully handed her the plate. "Thanks Nova." She walks over to the table careful not to drop her cake and sits down.

I slice up some more and plate them all when Madz walks over to me. "This isn't your job. It's supposed to be a party for you." I shake my head.

"I don't mind. It gives me something to do." Going back to the cake. Axel did a wonderful job. The cake looks moist and cooked all the way though. I can't wait to have a slice.

I grab a slice for myself and head to Eleanor's table. Sitting down next to her she doesn't say anything much at first because she's too busy enjoying the cake.

We eat in silence when Madz comes up behind me and leans his head on mine. "How's the cake darlin'? Did Axel do a good job? If not, he can have bathroom duty."

I chuckle at that. "He did a wonderful job. We need to work on presentation. His writing was a little...messy." I can feel Madz laugh. I lean into him.

I look around and see everyone enjoying themselves. This is something I needed in my life. Smiling over how life turned out for me. I take another bite of my cake when I hear something crunch.

"Oh no." I mumble. I think I bit into an egg shell. I see no one else is having a problem so I don't say anything. I'll have a talk with Axel later.

Eleanor is finishing up her plate when she asks me a question. "So you and Madz are getting married right?" I nod. "Okay, so does that mean I'm getting a baby cousin soon?"

Madz chokes on his drink and I pat him on his chest. It takes him a second to settle down but once he's done he is just looking at me wide eyed.

"What?" Eleanor asks. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No sweetheart. You didn't. I think you just took Uncle Madz by surprise." I smile at her. "Maybe someday you will have a cousin but right now I just want to spend a little time with Uncle Madz."

"Okay. Can I have some more cake?" Well that was simple enough.

"Of course. I cut up more and they're all on the table. Go grab another slice. Just a tiny one though." I wink. Madz looks back over at me with an odd expression.

"What's up?" I ask not knowing what this face means.

"Do you really mean that? Do you really want a family with me one day?" I turn around on my stool to face him fully.

"Yes Madz. I want everything with you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day. One day I want to grow that forever." Madz eyes glisten as he listens to me.

"I love you darlin'." Madz lays his forehead on mine and we settle into silence.