There’s an alley up ahead, I take her down it, stepping back to give her privacy.
“I’m sorry. It’s just…”
“Shush. No need to explain, darlin’. I feel like havin’ a stiff drink myself.”
“You don’t drink.”
“I know,” I reply laughing. “It’s a shock. Having built ourselves up to deal with the worst, well, I think we’re both comin’ down with a bang.” She wipes her mouth with a tissue. “What?” she asks when she sees me examining her.
“You’re not illegal any longer.” When she tilts her head to one side, I add, “Judge said you could get a green card on your own merits.”
Already pale from vomiting, her skin turns even sallower. “You saying you only married me so I could get a green card? That you want a divorce?”
Taking a deep breath, I correct her. “Fuck, Mariana. How the hell can you ask that? Not even thinkin’ it. But,” I pause, trying to find the right words. “But if it was a reason you married me…”
“Tse! How couldyousuggest that?”
I brush back her hair, and pull her closer. “Perhaps because I can’t believe someone as perfect as you wants me?”
She bats at my arm. “You’re joking, aren’t you? Me? Perfect? I think you’ve got that the wrong way around.”
Unable to help it, I smirk. “You think I’m perfect?”
“I love you, Tse.” Then she gives me a cheeky smile. “I never know who I’m going to get. The white man, the computer nerd, the biker, or the wild untamed Indian.”
I pull back.She sees me. Sees all sides of me, and loves them all.
Ignoring the fact that she’s just been sick, I lower my head and kiss her, my cock having its predictable response, not caring she’s just been ill either.
“Do you want to get a house in town, or live on the compound?” I ask her as we at last leave the traffic of LA behind.Nowwe can start talking about a future.
“I don’t mind where we live. As long as I can complete my studies and then work as a nurse.”
She’s rung Drew and told him, he’s over the moon excited. At the same time, I spoke to Drummer, told him he wasn’t losing a man. The only thing to mar our journey is that I have to stop twice more when she feels ill again.It must be all the tension of this morning.
“You okay?” I ask her as I pull the truck around the back of the restored auto-shop at the entrance to our compound.
“Yeah, I don’t know what’s the matter with me, Tse. I feel fine again now.”
“It’s been a big day. Best get some food inside you. I’m sure there’ll be leftovers from dinner.”
“Food might help,” she agrees. “I feel hungry again now.”
As soon as I open the clubhouse door, and step back to allow her to go in first, I realise leftovers aren’t going to be on the menu. There’s a Welcome Home banner stretched over the bar, and food laid out along the top. Drew’s standing in a prime position looking excited and happy.
Horse has obviously arrived during our absence today, and he raises his beer towards me as I give him a nod. Sophie’s standing beside him, they’ll be catching up in their own version of English, I expect. No one else will understand them.
Drummer steps forward, welcoming me back with a man hug, and then a shorter one for Mariana. Blade, Peg, Wraith, one by one all my brothers come over. No need for words, they’re all telling me they’re glad we’ve come home in their own ways.
“Mouse, got a minute?”
“Yeah, VP, what’s up?”
“Everyone else knows now, so you should too. Didn’t want to tell you this for obvious reasons, but a few days back, Sophie heard she’s got permanent residency.”
“That’s great, Brother.”
“Yeah. I was sort of knowing how you were feeling. Two years she’s been temporary, but nothing’s ever a shoo-in, is it? ’Specially not nowadays. So we’re pretty excited she’s permanent now. Still got a few years yet before she goes for citizenship.”
