"Just thinking about how far we've come," she replied honestly. "From that first day at the motel. Me, half-dead from dehydration and fear. You, all intimidating enforcer with your rules and your orders."
A small smile curved his lips at the memory. "You were a mess," he agreed. "But still stubborn as hell, even then."
"Look where that stubbornness got us," she pointed out, gesturing to their entwined bodies, the peaceful bedroom, the life they'd built together.
"Wouldn't change a thing," he said simply. "Not even the hard parts. Not if they all led here."
She understood what he meant. The suffering had been real, the danger genuine. But without those crucible moments, they might never have found each other. Might never have discovered the depth of what they could be together.
"Me neither," she agreed, laying her head on his chest, listening to the steady, reassuring beat of his heart. "Though I could have done without getting shot. Twice."
His chest rumbled with quiet laughter. "Fair point, baby girl. Fair point."
They dozed for a while, drifting in and out of sleep, content in each other's arms. Outside, the sun continued its climb intothe October sky, painting the bedroom in warm golden light that promised a beautiful day ahead.
A perfect day for what they had planned.
Eventually, reluctantly, they rose to shower and dress. As Lily stood before the bathroom mirror, applying minimal makeup, she studied her reflection. The woman looking back at her was both familiar and strange. She was still recognizably herself, but changed in fundamental ways.
Stronger. More confident. Her eyes clearer, her stance more assured. The physical scars from her ordeal were fading, but the inner transformation remained. All the growth, the resilience, the certainty of who she was and what she wanted.
"You look beautiful," Blade said from the doorway, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror.
She smiled, turning to face him. He'd dressed with more care than usual wearing dark jeans, a crisp button-down shirt, his leather vest the only concession to his usual style. His hair was neatly combed, his beard trimmed to precision.
"So do you," she replied, reaching up to straighten his collar. "Very handsome."
He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Ready for this?"
"More than ready," she assured him. "You?"
"Been ready since the day we built the LEGO castle together," he said simply.
Together, they moved through the cabin, preparing for their guests. The place had been transformed in the six months since they'd first arrived. What had started as Blade's spartan retreat now felt like a proper home. Photographs hung on walls once bare. Colorful throws softened the leather furniture. Bookshelves held a curious mix of tactical manuals and children's storybooks, a visual representation of the duality they both embraced.
It was their space. Their sanctuary. Equal parts adult haven and little girl's comfort zone, with Blade's protective presence the common thread that wove it all together.
As they worked side by side in the kitchen, preparing food for their guests, Lily marveled at how naturally they moved together. How easily they'd fallen into this domestic rhythm, despite the unconventional path that had brought them here.
"Think they'll be surprised?" she asked, arranging freshly baked muffins on a platter.
Blade considered this, slicing fruit with the same precision he applied to everything. "Some of them, maybe. Lucky and Savage probably saw it coming. They know me better than most."
"And the others?"
He shrugged. "Does it matter? It's our decision. Our life."
"No," she agreed. "It doesn't matter. I was just curious."
They worked in comfortable silence for a while longer, until the sound of vehicles approaching drew their attention. Through the window, they could see a procession of motorcycles and cars winding up the mountain road toward the cabin.
"They're early," Lily observed, glancing at the clock.
"Eager," Blade corrected with a small smile. "They've been waiting for this as long as we have."
She felt a flutter of nervous excitement in her stomach as they moved to the porch to greet their guests. One by one, the club members arrived. Lucky and Trinity first, followed by Savage and Savannah, then the rest in quick succession.
There were hugs, handshakes, excited chatter as everyone gathered in the cabin's main room. Lily found herself passed from embrace to embrace, receiving whispered congratulations and warm expressions of support from each of the club's members and their partners.
