"Not by blood"

Axel has been acting weird all day. Nothing worrisome but still off. I haven't asked him what's wrong but I'm on my way now since we have slowed down.

"Hey Axe, everything okay?" Axel stops washing the dishes and gives me a look. It's serious and I'm not sure if I like it. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong Nova." I give him a stern look. "I promise. I just wanted to ask you something and I'm a bit nervous." He grabs a towel and wipes his hands off.

"Just tell me. Whatever it is, we can take it on together." He smiles at that.

"I was just wondering...well.. I was wondering if maybe I could walk you down the aisle on your wedding day." My heart flutters. Axel is the sweetest.

He knew that I was extremely upset that I would be walking alone and he stepped in. "Axel...."

"You can say no." He throws out at me. "But I just didn't want you walking along on such a special day. I know I'm not your brother but to me you feel like a sister."

"Axel, that's so sweet of you to offer. We may not be related by blood but that doesn't matter to me. I care about you and I'm honored you even thought about this." I lean over and hug him.

"So what do you say Nov's? Is it a yes?" I hug him tighter.

"I would love for you to give me away. Thank you for thinking of me." We let the hug soak in.

"Always Nova. You mean the world to all of us. Not just me. You've filled an empty spot each of us had." Not the tears. I don't want to cry.

But they fall anyway. "Axe, you're so sweet." I finally let him go. "Alright, let's get back to work." We both fall into line and knock everything out in two hours.

Everything is prepped and ready for the next day. I hear Madz boots hitting the floor when I turn around and see him with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"Hello, darlin'. I hope you had a good day. Axel." He tips his head at Axel. Axel waves me goodbye and heads out the door. We're all alone and he sets the flowers down.

Walking into my space he cups my face and snuggles his face into mine. "Darlin', I thought about you all day." And I thought of him all day as well.

"Well I missed you too Madz. Want to go for a walk? The weather isn't bad." He grabs my coat off the rack and I take that as a yes.

Placing my gloves on my hands and hat on my head we head for the front door. Madz locks up and we walk towards the park. We walk in silence just taking in the beautiful snow.

The weather has been on and off the last few days. Light snow but then it melts hours later. Today we have a light flurry but it's just nice enough to be outside right now.

Carefully, Madz helps me off the curb and we get to the first trail. "Which one do you want to take?" I point to the second trail since it's my favorite.

It has a lake you walk around and it's so nice. Thinking of my future I see Madz and I enjoying a summer's day together. Like in the past the picnics we've had.

I think about my past and everything I've been through. It has only made me stronger as a person and now I have people to back me up.

"Whatcha thinking about so hard over there?" Madz asks.

"Life." A serious answer but all I give him.

"That seems like a lot. Anything I can take off your shoulders?" Shaking my head no and just looking off into the lake. "Well you let me know if and when it gets to be too much."

"I will. I promise." We enjoy walking when Madz stops and I turn to look at him. His face was rosy from the cold. He looks so cute. "What's up Madz?"

"I just wanted to take the time to soak you in." I walk towards him slowly and place my gloved hands on his face. "You're just so beautiful I don't want to miss a moment with you."

"Madz, how do you always know what to say? I love you so much. When you walked into those doors. I didn't ever expect any of this to happen. To meet you and your family." I smile rubbing my hands on his face.

"Me either. We really do owe Eleanor for this." I smiled at his words. Eleanor walking into my shop was worrisome but it helped me find my way.

"I think we owe her a pony." Madz lets out a loud chuckle.

"And where would this pony live, Nova? Neither of us have room for a pony." That has me thinking about what I'll say next. I've realized that one day we will need a home.

My apartment is too small for a family and the clubhouse is cool but not made for a family to live in either. "Well, I was thinking."

"It's always good when you think, Nova." Madz comes in for a kiss. "Tell me darlin' what was on your mind."

Shyly I look into his eyes. "Well one day we will have a family of our own." I say softly. "And I was thinking maybe we could build a house around the clubhouse and start from there."

Madz cold fingers are stroking my neck and I shiver. "Darlin' I think that's a wonderful idea. We have so much room on the land that sits empty."

"Okay, I was worried it was too much and you wouldn't like the idea." I grab his cold hands and stuff them in my pockets. Trying to warm him up some.

"Nothing you could say would be too much Nova. I'll do my best to give you everything you ask for." He leans in and I can feel him take a deep breath.

"Good, should we finish our walk? You're really cold." He smiled at me and removed his hands from my pockets. Grabbing my right hand.

We fill the air with talks about the wedding and what we're doing for Christmas. "Every year we have a get-together for Christmas at the clubhouse. Everyone brings their family and we just relax and have a gift exchange."

"That sounds nice. I bet it's fun to get together with all of you at once. You'll need to upgrade the clubhouse soon if we keep growing." Madz ruffles my hat on my head.

"I was already thinking about that." He states. "I talked to the brothers about expanding since we're getting so big. I've already had more people come and ask if they can prospect for us."

That doesn't surprise me. Since my attack the town has been getting used to the NSMC and the people in it. They realize they are just normal men trying to live life.

"Nova." I look over at Madz.

"Huh?" Giving a questiony look.

"I don't know why but as soon as I see you everything else fades. You fill my life but more importantly my heart, full of love." Madz grabs my arms, holding onto me like I'm an anchor.

"When you're gone it's like the world fades to black. When you walk back into the room it's like the world is full of color again. I never want to be left alone ever again." Tears fill my eyes as he continues.

"You'll never be burden and I feel safe with you. I feel like my whole family is safe with you and that means something to me." I know this. Madz would never open his family up to someone he knows would hurt them.

"Madz." He holds up his hand. He's not done yet.

"Nova, when the day comes and you're walking towards me you better be sure that's what you want because I'll never let go of you. Ever. Be sure baby because I know that I am." He's serious.

Nothing else is said between us. We just stand and hold each other close. I look up into the sky and see the sun parting from clouds. I feel like this is my dad telling me that everything is going to be okay.