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“You know what I mean.” Rafferty stared right back at her.
“If by that you mean, I know how often you exaggerate your accomplishments, then yes.”
My brother turned various shades of purple and opened his mouth to retort. Fortunately, we were interrupted by Pop standing and clinking a fork against his wineglass.
“Time for the toasts,” I said, overly brightly.
Rafferty, momentarily distracted from his ongoing war with Arabella, shifted his attention to Pop.
“What a day it’s been, right?” Pop said, adjusting his tie. “I can remember marrying Mrs. Moon here like it was yesterday.”
Mama gazed up at him with loving eyes.
“On that great day, I became both husband and father. I can honestly say that was the beginning of the best days of my life.” He turned toward Atticus. “You were only eleven years old when I came into this family—twelve by the time we married—and I can remember thinking you were an old soul in a boy’s body. In subsequent years, you proved to be not only that but some kind of boy genius.”
“Geniusmight be a strong word,” Thad called out.
Pop brushed that aside with a dismissive gesture. “We all know it’s true that our Atticus was given many intellectual giftsfrom God, but he also understood what it means to work hard. Your mother taught you that through her example.”
“Yes sir, she did,” Atticus said.
Mama, never comfortable with compliments, flushed..
Pop continued, growing emotional. “Whatever this next chapter holds, I wish you and your beautiful bride as much joy and fulfillment as I’ve felt with your mother. And Annie, welcome to the family, although it seems a moot point, given you’ve been part of it since you were a little girl.” He raised his glass. “To my oldest son and Annie. Long may you live and love.”
“Slurfpig,” Thad shouted.
All four of us brothers echoed him.
Mama got up next, wiping the corners of her eyes with her napkin. “We don’t talk about the days before Mr. Moon arrived in our lives much, but it’s been on my mind today, mostly because I can still remember the day I married him as if it were last week, not over twenty years ago.” She glanced down at Pop. “Goodness, we’re old.”
“Still a ways to go, baby,” Pop said, winking at her.
“Anyway, when you were born, Atticus, I was only a girl. In some ways it felt as if you and I grew up together. You were my firstborn, the one who made me a mother, and I loved you with a ferocity I never knew I was capable of. You’ve been the finest son I could ever ask for. And now, Annie, at last, has come back to us, and for that I thank the good Lord. Annie, you’re a blessing to this family, and we’re delighted to welcome you back in. Here’s to the new Mrs. Moon. May God bless this marriage and this family.” She picked up her glass and clinked it against Annie’s and then Atticus’s.
I clinked glasses with Arabella. Rafferty did not.
Instead, he rose to his feet to give his best man speech. “I prepared some funny anecdotes about my oldest brother in honor of today but standing here tonight, they seem trite andnot as humorous as they were in my head. So I’ll say this instead. Witnessing how you both handled all the mishaps and disappointments today, it’s obvious to me how much you love each other. I predict you’ll do well as a team, getting through whatever obstacles and hardships appear along the way. I’m awed by how you treat each other and humbled by your devotion and love. You’re both such fine people. Congratulations. And best wishes for a long and joyful marriage.”
Celeste got up next, a little slowly, as if her head still hurt from the night before. “Obviously, I’m the outsider here, the one who knows Annie from a completely different part of her life than she has here with you all. I know how spectacularly talented she is. How nice and grounded she is, even during the most stressful of times. What I didn’t know was how much the people in this room helped to form her into the woman she is. Meeting you all and spending time here on your beautiful property, I now understand my friend better. And I can see clearly why she wanted so badly to come home.” She raised her glass. “Here’s to my extraordinary friend and the man she loves. I wish you only the best. From the bottom of my heart.”
Annie and Atticus had vacillated between tears and laughter during the speeches. The bride’s father spoke in stops and starts, crying through much of his speech and ending with a simple, “I’m happy for you, princess. I truly am.”
When everyone had said what they wanted, Atticus stood. “Thank you to everyone for making this day possible, especially the best best man ever. Rafferty, as you do with everything in your life, you knocked this out of the park.”
“Other than the doves and the rain,” Rafferty said under his breath.
Arabella sighed with obvious impatience.
My brother ignored her.
“And thanks, Caspian, for becoming a man of the cloth to marry us.”
“He’s not a man of the cloth,” Mama said disapprovingly.
“I’m only teasing, Mama,” Atticus said. “However, I want to thank you, Mama. Pop, you too. You’ve both supported me no matter what. I wouldn’t be the man I am without your guidance and love. But perhaps more importantly, thank you for being the shining example of a happy marriage,” Atticus said. “A union that’s not always perfect, I’m sure, but looking in we’d never know. I’ve never heard you say a cross word to each other or about each other. Annie and I aspire to have the kind of relationship you have, built on respect and honesty. So thank you.”
Elliot came out the kitchen door with the cake on a rolling table. Murmurs of appreciation rumbled through the room.
