“And, Vivian, do you take Aaron to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, standing by him through sickness and health, through good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Vivian announced as she pushed the ring onto Aaron’s finger.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” When the judge said that, I closed my eyes, because I didn’t want to see them kissing. They did that a lot.
“Now, Ireland, it’s your turn,” Judge Olson announced.
“Do I have to say all of that stuff?” Everyone laughed, but I didn’t think it was funny because none of that stuff they had just said made sense to me.
“Of course not, this is the easy part.” The judge moved around her desk and took a seat again. I sat in the middle chair with Vivian and Aaron on either side of me as we faced her desk. “Ireland, do you want to be adopted by Vivian and Aaron?”
“Yes please. I would also like to make Lacy my middle name so I can have Skkye as my last, okay?”
“I can do that for you,” the judge promised. “Vivian and Aaron, I need you to sign these papers.” I watched as they both signed. “Very good. Once again, I’m excited to announce that the three of you are a family. Ireland, do you have anything you want to say?”
“Can I now call you Mom and Dad?” The answer they gave me was to pull me into a hug that was so tight I could barely breathe. Vivian kissed my face all over. “Hey, you were just kissing him with tongue, he probably licked your lips, gross. Don’t be kissing me now.” Ireland wiped her face.
When we left the judge’s office, we headed toward the front doors but then stopped before pushing them open.
“Are you ready, Ireland?” Aaron asked, and I nodded. We walked out of the courthouse and photographers were all around snapping pictures. The three of us walked up to a podium. “Let me begin by thanking you all for being here. I’m hoping that by having this conference you all will learn the truth here and now from my mouth and will leave us alone in regards to our personal lives. I would like to introduce you to my wife—” Aaron said, and all of the reporters started shouting questions, but Aaron ignored them. “My wife, Vivian. And this is our daughter, Ireland. If you will excuse us now, we have a reception to get to.”
We walked into Sixes, and I froze in awe.
“Surprise,” people shouted.
“Ireland!” My friends Bee, Harlow, and Gianna raced up to me.
“My mom said that you can call her Aunt Sophie, and I’m like your cousin now,” Harlow announced.
“Then that makes her my cousin too, since we’re cousins,” Bee added.
“Oh, you fabulous diva, did you dress yourself? Turn around, let ole Ringo take a look at this concoction.” I turned for Ringo. He was a friend of my mom’s, and he was a guy but liked to dress up like a girl and sing. He was funny. “I do believe we have our next fashionista in the making.”
I turned in a circle and took in everything around me—all the people, the badges, helmets, and Dad’s jersey from when the Lightning won the season finals last year. Home, this was home.
____________
The Iron Orchids story continues…
Ever since Piper became the first female motorcycle deputy, Orange County has been busy. Now, there’s two. A new edition to the Iron Orchids—meet Sadie, the newest deputy to join in Sadie, Doctor Accident. Tap on the title to purchase or Read for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited membership.
Continue flipping the pages in this book for a sneak peek of Sadie, Doctor Accident and to find a list of all of my books including those included in Kindle Unlimited.
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NEW RELEASE
Kat, Knight Watch
Kat joins Sadie, Bridget, Piper, and the gang of motorcycle deputies in their quest to keep the streets of Orange County safe. Tap on the title to purchase or Read for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited membership..
PREORDER
Ringo, Slippery Banana - 08/11/2020
Ringo is Here! Ringo gets his own book. Available now on Preorder.
Binge Read Me
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Suggested Reading Order
Original Iron Orchids, Books 1 through 7
Tap the links to find each title
Ariel, Always Enough - Book 1
Sophie, Almost Mine - Book 2
Katy, My Impact - Book 3
Leo, Kiss Often - Book 4
Stella, Until You - Book 5
Vivian, Midnight Call Girl - Book 6
Ringo, Slippery Banana - Book 7
Iron Orchids—Badges Series, Books 8 through 11
You met some of them in the Iron Orchids. Now these women motorcycle officers will ride into your heart.
Sadie, Doctor Accident - Book 8
Bridget, Federal Protection - Book 9
Piper, Unlikely Outlaw - Book 10
Kat, Knight Watch - Book 11 (New Release)
Iron Ladies, Books 1 and 2
A whisper network of women. Women who help the wives of controlling men. You don’t want to cross these ladies.
Adeline, Getting Even - Book 1
Sunday, Sweet Vengeance - Book 2
Iron Horse, Books 1 through 3
The love stories of three sisters who struggle to run a cattle ranch and to prove the strongest cowboys can be a girl.
London, Is Falling - Book 1
Paris, In Love - Book 2
Holland, At War - Book 3
Box Set Madness
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Iron Orchids Collection
Tap the links to find each title
Iron Orchids, Box Set 1 - Ariel, Always Enough and Sophie, Almost Mine
Iron Orchids, Box Set 2 - Katy, My Impact and Leo, Kiss Often
Iron Orchids, Box Set 3 - Stella, Until You and Christine, The Stars
Iron Horse Collection
Iron Horse Box Set - London, Is Falling, Paris, In Love and Holland, At War
Sneak Peek—Sadie, Doctor Accident
Book 8, Iron Orchids
Chapter 1 - Sadie
Damn, I made this
