“I’m just so happy for you,” she cried, wrapping me in a tight hug.
“Congratulations,” Sophie spoke for the first time, coming around and joining in the hug. “You make my brother so happy. And you’ve been so good to me. I’m so happy for you,” she added, her eyes shining with moisture.
“Oh, not you, too!” I groaned.
“You guys have fought so hard for each other. We’re all happy,” Connie assured me.
“I know. I love you, guys,” I said as I grinned.
“Why’s everybody cryin’?” Cole demanded. We hadn’t noticed the guys in the doorway; we were so wrapped up in our group hug.
“Sal and Kat are engaged!” Scarlet sang, bouncing over to Cole and throwing her arms around him. He had to take a step back since she practically tackled him with exuberance.
“Oh, yeah?” he said as he grinned, looking over at Sal who stood beside him. “Congrats, man. He shook Sal’s hand while trying to balance his fiancée.
“Thanks,” Sal replied, looking over at me with a wink.
Mack crossed the room and sat on the edge of Ettie’s bed, taking her hand in his. His mood was clearly somber, but he managed a smile in my direction.
“Why’s everybody cryin’?” Axel echoed Cole’s question as he joined our emotional gathering. Yet, he only had eyes for Sophie; his gaze swept her face with concern.
“My brother’s engaged,” she told him shyly.
Axel grinned, moving to shake Sal’s hand and patted him on the back. “Happy for you, brother,” he said sincerely. “When’s the wedding?”
I looked over at Sal and shrugged. We hadn’t talked about that yet.
“As soon as possible,” he surprised me by saying.
“Uh, babe, let’s get through the next wedding first,” I suggested, nodding at Cole. “Then we can talk.”
“We’ll see,” he grumbled.
I never expected Sal to want to run down the aisle. But one thing was for sure, the last few months he’d done a lot of surprising me.
A nurse came in then, her eyes growing wide at the room packed tightly with bikers and crying women. “Can I ask a few of you to wait out in the waiting room? We’re just about ready to discharge you,” she said as she nodded toward Ettie. She’d had to stay the night due to dehydration and they wanted to keep her under observation.
“Yes, finally!” Ettie exclaimed happily.
Mack nodded in agreement. He was undoubtedly happy to get his girl home. She’d be lucky to get a moment alone for the foreseeable future. Even now, he seemed reluctant to take his eyes off of her.
“Let’s go, babe,” Sal said with a cock of his head toward the door.
I nodded in agreement and bent down to hug Ettie briefly. “Let me know when you’re up for visitors,” I told her.
She nodded. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I said as I smiled.
“I’ll call you later,” Scar told me nearly in warning. No doubt she’d want every detail of the proposal and to talk about the wedding.
I rolled my eyes, but nodded as Sal took my hand and practically dragged me from the room.
******
A few nights later, we had a barbeque at the club. Everyone had a celebratory vibe with our engagement and Ettie’s return. Some of the members of the Sinners had stayed in town and joined in the celebration.
Scar had even made her famous ribs. She only made them on special occasions. They were delicious and always promptly devoured.