Bent, Not Broken(41)

Facing the priest, she held Joker’s hand more firmly. He was hers and she was his. At the end of the ceremony, when the priest asked if anyone objected, there was silence all around the clubhouse. No one would dare question their union  . Joker slid his ring onto her finger and she did the same with hers. She was his old lady, and he was her old man, and it would be that way until they breathed no longer.



“It hurts,” Amy said, panting after she tried to push. It had been several months since their marriage and Joker was regretting getting her pregnant. Every part of their life was bliss, filled with happiness and love.

“I know, baby. One more push. You heard the doctor.”

“He’s not even crying yet,” Amy said. “Ouch, it hurts.”

Stroking her head, he whispered words of love and encouragement. Amy was his heart and soul. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. If she asked him to jump, he’d ask her how high. He was devoted to her.

In the last few months he’d proven to her that she was not broken. For so long she’d truly believed she was a broken woman incapable of love and being loved. He’d showed her something different. His woman wasn’t broken. She might be a little bit bent, but they all were, and he loved her even more because of it.

She gave another push and then the sound of a squealing baby filled the room.

The nurses started to clean up the baby and then Joker looked up. Held before them in a blue blanket was a beautiful baby boy: their boy, his and Amy’s first child.

“I love you, Joker.”

Staring at the precious gift she’d given him, Joker held her tight, both of them embracing the little life they’d created.

“What should we name him?” she asked.

“It’s your choice, baby girl.”

She smiled and looked down at the baby. “I guess we don’t have to decide right now.” She looked at him then, her eyes full of love, her face covered in sweat and exhaustion. “I want more, Joker. I want a big family so no one will ever feel alone again.”

They’d both been only children, and he would have given her, would give her, anything she wanted. Pressing a kiss to her head, Joker agreed. “We’re going to have more children. You can count on it.”