“Hey, Mum,” I smiled at her, as I entered the kitchen.

She looked up, and smiled back.  “Hey, honey.  Are you having a nice time today?”

I nodded.  “I miss him, though,” I almost whispered, tears threatening my eyes.

“I know, sweetheart.  But he wouldn’t want you to be sad that he’s not here.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, “You’re right.  Come on; let’s get these drinks to the kids.”  I needed to busy myself, and keep my mind occupied.  Otherwise, I would be thinking of J the whole time.  Missing him.

We grabbed the large esky that was full of drinks and carried it outside to the sheltered area where the kids were set up with party food.

A hush fell over the party, and all eyes were on me.  I looked at my Mum, but she was just smiling at me.

And then, I saw him.  My face lit up, and my heart started beating faster in excitement.

J.

I ran to him, and he caught me in a huge hug.

“Fuck, baby, I’ve missed you,” he breathed into my ear.

“I’ve missed you too, so much.  I’m never letting my father send you on a trip ever fucking again.  Okay?”

After J had recovered from being shot, he had confronted my father over the whole ‘Mandy Incident’, and it had ended with them having a huge punch up.  And when I say huge, I mean fucking gigantic.  I’d never seen anyone take on my father like that before.  They had both ended up with broken bones; it hadn’t been pretty.  Dad was so angry at J afterwards that he had sent him on a two month road trip to sort out club stuff that needed sorting out.  Really, I had no idea what club stuff needed sorting out, but J had gone and done his time.  I think it was some sort of club bullshit where you just have to do what the President tells you to do.

He chuckled.  “Yeah, babe.  You tell that to your father.”

“I fucking will,” I threatened.

“Shut up, and kiss me, woman,” he ordered, and I willingly complied.

It was the most amazing kiss ever; full of the love and desire we had for each other.  When we pulled apart, he said, “I love you, Madison Cole, and I am going to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I cocked my head to the side.  “I love you too, J.  But if that’s a marriage proposal, you’ve gotta do better than that.”

He threw back his head and laughed.  God, it was good to hear that sound.  When he finished laughing, his eyes met mine, and a thrill ran through me.  “Mark my words, baby, we’re getting married.  I’ll find a special way to ask you, but for now, you just need to know that my heart is yours.  You’re the love of my life, and I’m never, ever letting you go.”

I sighed; content in the warmth of his love.

I loved this man with all my heart; he had shown me that even though life can be a bitch, love can get you through any storm.

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THE END