“Eve, dear, sit down. You’re being dramatic. You know how I feel about the dramatics,” Doris scolds and Eve sits back down.
“Well, you’re scaring me. You never stand to talk to the room, you usually just turn around in your chair and interrupt without thought.”
Doris rolls her eyes. “I do not.”
“Doris...” Eve pushes.
“Fine, fine. I have something to tell you, and before I do, I’ll remind you again about the dramatics...”
“Doris!” Eve snaps.
“I have cancer,” the old woman announces and for a second, it feels like I’ve been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. Doris has become something special to all of us, and we all appreciate, love and respect her. “It’s terminal, and I’ve chosen not to get treatment. I’m old and I’ve lived my best life, I want to die in peace. I’m happy with my choice, and I’m not going to change my mind.”
Eve presses a hand to her mouth and Riggs squeezes her knee, his face somber.
“What?” Eve croaks. “I don’t understand.”
“H-h-how long?” Poppy asks.
“It could be anywhere from six months to a year, maybe less, maybe more. I don’t want you to come at me with your tears. I’m happy, I’ve had a good life. I’m okay with this. I’m going to die having lived more than most people. I’m grateful about that.”
“But...” Ramona whispers. “We love you, Doris.”
“And I love you all, which is why I’m telling you.”
“Are you sure there is nothing you can do?” Gabby asks. “Something?”
“There is plenty, dear. But it’ll only put my body through hell and give me a smidge more time. I’m set in my choice.”
“And we respect that,” I say, even though I feel like I’m going to cry at any given second. “But, you have to understand, we’re going to be a little dramatic for a second.”
Doris exhales. “Very well, go ahead. Eve, stop your blubbering. I hate blubbering. I’d much prefer a gentle sob.”
“Oh my god,” Eve laughs through her tears and rushes over, throwing her arms around Doris and squeezing her tight.
We all take our turns hugging Doris, and only when we’re done and we’ve all shed a tear, do we sit back down. Doris takes a seat between Eve and Poppy, and Eve reaches over and takes her hand. Hugh does the same to me, squeezing, letting me know he gets it. The bikers might not have as much to do with Doris, but they all love her just the same. She has become a part of our family, and we adore her.
“Now, there are a few things I’d like to say while you’re all here,” Doris announces.
Oh, good, she’s going to make us cry even more.
“First of all, you ladies, remember what I said to you all about getting all goo goo over these men. I know they’re handsome and you like the idea of being seen with them, but you’re all strong women and you need to make sure you keep that while I’m not around.”
Hugh snorts beside me and I laugh.
“Secondly, don’t let yourselves go. You can’t expect a man to want to keep you around if you get all saggy and lazy. I might come here every day, but I’m always dressed well. I take the time to make myself look presentable. If that’s all you can offer your marriage, then you give it everything you have.”
My word.
Eve laughs.
Poppy rolls her eyes.
“And lastly, I know you’re having your baby soon, Poppy but I want one of you to name your child Doris. I’d like my legacy to live on, so I expect one of you to take on this wonderful name. Don’t be afraid that it’s old school, I promise whoever takes it will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Eve shakes her head, but she’s smiling, huge. “I’ll take one for the team, Doris. I promise.”
“Wait on,” Riggs grunts. “Care to ask me, first?”
“Nope,” Eve says. “And you’re going to have to deal.”
Doris nods, a smile on her face. “See, you have listened to what I’ve told you. Well done, Eve, you show him who is boss.”
“Careful, Doris,” Riggs says. “I’m not scared to end you early.”
She scoffs and goes over, taking his big biker face in her hands and squeezing it. “You’d never. I’m not afraid of you, dear.”
He reaches up and takes her hands off his face, but he doesn’t let them go. He gives her old fingers a squeeze and she smiles at him.
Well god damn.
I’m going to lose it.
Hugh leans forward and presses a kiss to my temple, and I close my eyes, breathing him in for a second.
Everything is perfect.
The world is finally coming together.
Everyone is happy. Poppy is going to have her baby soon, the couples are all going well, Hank is off on his adventure alone and we’re all going to be leaving to start our new life together. Everything is amazing.
Even though Doris is leaving us, knowing her has been the most incredible part of meeting all of these people.
“Now, that’s enough of all this drama,” Doris says. “Eve, where is my muffin? I don’t come here every day to watch you cry. You’re not a pretty crier, dear. Your face gets all scrunchy and you sound strange. Come on, let’s get it together. I need a good dose of muffins before the good lord takes me.”
Eve laughs. “I’m so glad to know I’m an ugly crier, Doris. I’ve got plenty of muffins for you.”
“You’re not ugly, dear. Just an ugly crier. There is a difference. When I was younger, we were only allowed to softly sob. It wasn’t proper for a lady to be blubbering and wailing like you ladies are right now. Get it together.”
She’s grinning as she says the last part.
I’m going to miss this woman.
She has had such a huge impact on my life.
On all of our lives.
She is the final piece of the puzzle for all of us.
“And you men, if I see one of you cry over this, you’re dropping a level in my books. And, let me tell you, right now you’re up there with the best of them. My spank bank is full, and I don’t want to have to eliminate any of you, so man up and keep it together.”
They all grin.
Oh, Doris.
Bless your heart.
THE END
I hope you enjoyed this series. It was such a blast to make. All the characters really did become such an important part of my life. I loved every second of it and I hope you did, too. As always, thank you so much for reading and supporting my work. Keep reading to see a snippet of my newest series, coming out in January 2022. It’s going to be a romantic comedy, with some seriously hot cowboys, some epic mystery and a whole lot of sexy time. So, if you’re interested...read on...there is a snippet below...
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