Fall From Grace

Chapter Nine

Opie

"I got us an extension with the gun drop for next week. Gracie being in town and all, you deserve some down time, brother."

I take my usual seat around the table as Clay slaps my shoulder and sits at the head, pulling a cigar from his pocket. "Something you wanted to run by me?" He asks, lighting the smoke and taking a few quick puffs. I've known Clay my whole life - him and Gemma treated me like their own kid when mom skipped town and Piney drank himself into a ditch. He knows how much I love Gracie so I don't know why I'm so nervous sitting before him now.

Even if he tells me no today I'm still going to marry her. I just wanted to try and do it the right way instead of throwing a ring at her and telling her to go fuck herself. I clear my throat and reach into my pocket, causing Clay's eyebrow to lift in question. I hold the box in my grasp for a minute and then hand it to him - unable to find the words I want to say.

"Shit, Opie. I'm flattered but... what are we gonna tell Gemma?"

Clay's wide smile brings on my own and I hang my head, running a hand over my face before looking up at him again. "I wanted to ask you for your blessing... on marrying Gracie." I watch as Clay opens the box and plucks the tiny ring out with his large weathered hands. "This is Linda's ring. Piney give it to you?"

I nod. When I told my old man my plans of asking Gracie to marry me this weekend he insisted I give her his mother's ring. It had belonged to her mother and her mother before that. Gracie could keep the one I bought her to show off if she wanted but this is the ring she deserved. "It's beautiful, Ope. There's nothing - nothing - in this world that would make me happier than you marrying Gracie. You're already like a son to me this will only make it official."

Clay and I stand at the same time as he hands me the antique box back and wraps his arms around me in a tight hug. "You've always been a part of my family, son." He assures me before slapping my back and ushering me to the door. "Now... a friendly reminder? Us Morrow's are stubborn mother fuckers so good luck. You're gonna need it."

We laugh at the truth in his words as I make my way back into the bar - spotting Lyla berating Gracie who's still sitting on the edge of one of the tables trying to keep calm among our family and friends. I meet Jax gaze from across the room and shake my head, silently assuring him I've got this. I may have pulled a knife on some bitch who called Gracie a slut in middle school but Jax head butted the principal's daughter in tenth grade just for rolling her eyes in Gracie's general direction.

X

Gracie collapses on my chest as I run my hands up her back and into her hair, her heart is beating steadily against mine as she catches her breath and kisses my jaw. I'm still in shock at her earlier revelation about wanting kids - she'd laughed it off with Gemma and the others yet whispered for me to come inside her just seconds before I did as she asked.

I have no idea what to say to her just this indescribable feeling of love and purpose as I think about how beautiful our kids will be. Gracie will be a perfect mother - loving and kind. She won't abandon her kids like our mothers did. She will fight for them and raise them right and me... I'll do my best to be a good dad and give them everything I can. "I love you, Opie..." Gracie whispers in a sleepy voice - her body sinking into mine as my fingers stroke her long hair. "I love you baby." I assure her, my own voice deep and quiet as I feel the edges of sleep pulling me in.

X

I'm sitting on the worn table outside of The Clubhouse smoking when Gracie's RAV4 pulls in and I watch quietly as she emerges from the car carrying more bags of baby stuff with her.

"You'll spoil the kid at this rate."

Her smile lights up my whole world as she leans forward and kisses me quickly. "Nothing wrong with that." She assures - turning as Tara comes outside and takes the gifts from her quickly. "I can bring them." Tara glances at me quickly as I take one last drag from my cigarette and flick it away, standing between the girls. "I, uh wanted to talk to you for a second."