Slow Ride (Riding with Honor) (24 page)

As they made their way out to the hallway Becca shook each of their hands and then yelled down the hall
, “Chuck, wait, I have something for you.”

The group followed her down the hall to where Chuck had stopped.  Turning to them
, she said, “Give us a minute, please.”

“It’s fine Becca… I don’t care if they know my business
,” Chuck replied, looking positively sick with worry.

“I received a response from Judge Patterson
,” she said, handing him a letter.

“What’s the verdict?”
he asked, taking the letter from her.

“He’s giving you a choice…but there is really only one.  Three years in jail or 1000 hours of community service is what he’s decided
,” she said, looking first at Chuck and then at the group.

“Shit
, that’s like six months at forty hours a week!” Chuck said and then sighed.

“Well there is a little more to it than that…” Becca said
. “A minimum of twenty five hours per week is required and the service provided is at his sole discretion.”

“When the fuck am I supposed to work?” Chuck asked in disbelief
.

“Judge Patterson’s son-in-law passed away a little less than a year ago and his daughter is struggling to both work and care for her two young sons and disabled daughter
,” Becca continued.

“Are you shittin’ me
, Pyle?” Chuck asked.

“No… you are to provide childcare for the two young boys after school.  They are six and nine years old.  The daughter is older…an adult…and won’t require any care.  You will stay with them after school until the mother gets home from work and anytime during the weekend that you are needed
,” Becca finished quietly.

“So that old bastard is going to make me into a
manny to service the needs of his family?  Is that even legal?” Chuck said.

“Well
, legal or not…it’s the only choice you have.  The shelter won’t take you because you have a record and neither will any of the other programs he checked into for you,” she said. “If you complete the hours and get into no further trouble, not only will he not extend your probation but by that time you’re done you will be
off
probation.  He will consider your community service hours should you request to have your juvenile record expunged.”

“Shit!” Chuck whispered.

“It may not seem like it, but the Judge is pulling strings here to keep your ass out of prison so I would suggest you do everything in your power to complete these hours to his satisfaction.  If you mess this up or piss him off…there will be nothing I can do to help you at that point,” Becca said.

Stepping forward Dana touched his arm
, “Chuck…you’re great with Gretchen and she’s only five…and a girl!  Entertaining two little boys will be a cakewalk for you!  I can give you all kinds of ideas on how to keep them busy and entertained…and you know you can call if you have any questions.  It won’t be so bad… you’ll see.  Gretchen adores you… if you get sent to prison…it would absolutely crush her.”

“I know…it’s just that if I’m not working I’ll be watching his damn grandkids…so I’ll barely ever see her anyways
,” he muttered.

“Ever heard of play dates?” Dana asked with a smile and a wink.

Chuck smiled at her and then gave her a hug. “Thanks, Dana.”

“Keep off my woman!” Tommy laughed as he pulled her to him
, “Why don’t you hug on Lilly…feel her up instead.”

“
She
isn’t engaged or married yet dumb ass!  Besides, Bobby would take me out,” Chuck teased.

“Give a man a chance dude!  I just got her to agree to move in with me…I don’t want to scare her off!” Tommy laughed.

“Seriously though I’m glad you got the girls…that skank should just stay gone,” Chuck said, smacking Tommy on the shoulder as they exited the courthouse and went their separate ways.

The morning of the wedding dawned early and she scrambled about to get Melody fed and an outfit laid out for her
.  Then she helped Gretchen dress so they could head to the salon to get their hair done.  Tommy and Chuck had agreed to take Melody with them so that she only had to worry about herself and Gretchen.

After getting their hair done, she p
ulled up and parked along the street in front of the bike shop. She helped Gretchen out and they headed to the office which had heavy blinds pulled shut as it would be used as the bridal suite. 

Stepping inside she noticed Gran sitting in a chair rocking Melody who seemed quiet and content.  Sherri was adjusting Lilly’s dress
, checking the appearance in a full length mirror that had been leaned against the far wall.

The dress was a far cry from a traditional wedding dress
, showing much more leg than was customary.  The dress hit Lilly about mid-thigh, was form fitting and had a short train attached to the back. 

Thigh high white platform boots covered most of her legs leaving only a small part of her
skin showing between her knee and where the dress rested.  Somehow the dress looked classy on Lilly. 

She helped Gretchen put on her dress as she would act as both flower girl and ring bearer.  Then she helped Sherri slip into her
outfit which was also form-fitting but a deep green color with matching boots.  An exact duplicate of Dana’s own dress but made for someone who wasn’t so skinny...or tall.

“Well let’s get you dressed
,” Sherri said with a smile. “You should look amazing with your long-ass legs and all that hair.”

As she slipped into
her own dress she heard a rumble so loud it sounded as though either a storm were coming or that a war had been started.  The sound got closer and closer and peering out from between the blinds Sherri looked back at them with excitement.

“They are lining up out there…we have less than fifteen minutes before it’s time!”
she said with excitement in her voice.

A flurry of activity ended with a knock on the door.  Dana opened the door to Dickie whose face broke out in a grin.  When he whistled she had to look away as she felt her cheeks burn at his obvious appraisal.

The dress was so short!
  It showed so much of her legs and being form fitting seemed to make her even taller and skinnier.  Seeing herself in the full length mirror, she did look great except for that.  However, the smile on Dickie’s face and the way his eyes lowered and then returned to meet hers left her feeling a little more confident.

“Are you lovely ladies about ready to get this show on the road?”
he asked with a smile.

Knowing she would be the first down the aisle after Gretchen didn’t help her nerves any but she nodded just the same.  Gran headed out the door of the office carrying Melody but stopped in the doorway and looked back at Lilly.

“I knew you were the one for him the first time I seen you both together.  I wish you all the happiness in the world…both of you,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Looking back at Lilly she watched as Sherri stepped up close to her with a tissue in an attempt to keep Lilly’s tears from ruining her makeup. 

Lilly looked stunning as did Sherri…and Dana looked pretty good too.  Sherri’s friend Leah stood at the door to open and close it behind each person who would walk down the aisle. 

After lining up at the door and holding Gretchen by the shoulder in front of her she watched as Dickie approached Lilly and offered her his arm.  He looked good in what appeared to be new jeans and boots.  He wore a button up shirt that he left un-tucked and a leather vest.  His usual chain ran from a belt loop into his back pocket.  These guys weren’t the suit and tie sort, but he looked good compared to his usual scruffy appearance.

“Hey Miss Lilly…I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that I picked your little ass up off the highway that day.  I’m glad to see him settling down and enjoying life with the woman he loves beside him.  He’s come a long way since I first met him.  He’s a little rough around the edges but he has a heart of gold and I’m glad a good woman recognized that in him.  It’s my honor to lead you out there to him,” he finished as Lilly grasped his arm.

Sherri again stepped up to ensure Lilly’s makeup stayed as flawless as when it was first applied and she could only smile through her own emotions.  Lilly was lucky to have the man she loved make such a lasting commitment to her and she felt lucky to be a part of it. 

Sherri opened the door to whisper something to Gretchen about walking slowly and Dana watched as she slowly walked from the open office door to the entrance of the garage bay and then disappeared around the side.

Leah watched Gretchen from the open bay and then turned and headed back to the office and opened the door for Dana.

“Ready?” she asked with a smile.

“Yes
,” Dana said as she stepped out of the office and headed to the open garage bay.

White folding chairs had been set
up underneath the overhang of what used to be an old gas station, the pumps having been removed many years ago.  The bride’s side had a piece of white lace with silver edging attached to the back of each chair.  The groom’s side had a piece of black leather with silver grommets attached to the back of each chair.  Quite a few people sat on both sides.

A
long row of motorcycles acted as a barricade between where the ceremony would be held and the street.  Down the middle of the chairs was another row of motorcycles acting as the aisle for the wedding party to proceed through. 

There were five bikes on each side all at an angle facing the front where the guys stood looking at her.  Behind the guys in the distance were their motorcycles.  Each one decorated with a sign displaying their function in the wedding, Groom, Best Man and Groomsman. 

When she reached the last row of chairs and the entrance of the aisle of motorcycles she paused as Lilly had requested.  The men on the motorcycles all stood up their bikes and started them. 

The noise was somehow exciting and as she started down the aisle toward the front
.  Each man revved his engine as she passed.  Then she saw him.

All three of them looked amazing but her eyes
did not want to leave Tommy.  He wore black jeans and boots with a white button up shirt in the same style as Dickie, un-tucked, with a black leather vest.  His guitar was slung across his back. 

Chuck stood to one side of him in the same type of outfit.  Bobby stood on the other side of Tommy and also matched
the difference being he wore a black shirt rather than white.  They were astonishingly handsome standing there together.
Hot!

“It makes you wonder what is in the water around here”

Lilly’s words brought a smile to her face.  As she made it to the front of the aisle he smiled and winked at her while holding Gretchen’s shoulder to keep her by his side.  She found her spot and turned to face the crowd of people who had gathered.  Sherri made her way up the aisle just as Dana had and took her place beside her.

When Lilly appeared in the doorway of the garage the crowd stood and cheered until she made it to the last row of chairs.  She paused at the entrance of the aisle until the crowd was seated and quiet again. 

Suddenly the men on bikes down the aisle all revved their engines together and shut off the motorcycles. 

Glancing over she watched as Tommy maneuvered his guitar around to the front and began to play as Lilly slowly made her way up the aisle.  She was surprised when Gretchen began to sing.  She recognized the tune of Leather and Lace.

The song continued with Tommy singing along with Gretchen as Lilly joined Bobby in the front.  When the song ended the minister began the ceremony.  Much like the rest of the wedding, the ceremony was untraditional as well
, full of laughs and smiles from both Bobby and Lilly and references to motorcycle parts and rides. 

It suited them both really well and Dana found herself smiling each time Tommy would catch her eye.

As the ceremony came to a close and Lilly and Bobby shared their first kiss as husband and wife the minister said, “I’m proud to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jackson.”

The crowd cheered and the men on the bikes down the aisle started their engines and drove up the aisle and around the wedding party to park behind the
wedding participant’s bikes. 

The crowd made their way up the aisle one row at a time to greet the wedding party and congratulate
d Lilly and Bobby.  At some point Tommy broke away to take Gretchen and his guitar to Becca who was taking her along with Gran and Melody, to the reception hall.

Once the last guest made it through the line she noticed that all the bikes acting as a barrier were now loaded with riders.  Bobby lifted Lilly into his arms and carried her over to his bike before s
etting her back on her feet again. 

Chuck guided Sherri to his bike while Tommy guided her to his.  Once they had all loaded onto the bikes Bobby and Lilly drove to the end of the street with Chuck and Tommy’s bikes doubled up behind him.  Soon enough they were joined by the bikes that had formed the aisle and those along the streets.