Ma and the girls all lead the way out to the area where we’re having the ceremony. Grant greets us as he’s going to escort Ma down the aisle.
“I do believe my nephew is going to lose his shit when he sees you, beautiful.” He kisses my cheek and then looks at Ma.
“I finally get my chance to walk down the aisle with you, Linnea. Let’s go.”
I hear Pa growl.
“Brother, she ain’t ever gonna be yours.” This has us all chuckling.
Ma and Grant start down the aisle when the music starts playing. Kinsley, Hannah, and Mads follow them down the aisle.
Juan and Ry walk up with fanny packs on and both smiling ear to ear.
“Sis, you look beautiful. We’re gonna make the path to your man worthy of ya.” They both open their fanny packs and head down the aisle, embracing their rolls as flower boys, tossing rose petals along the aisle. Laughter fills the room as both Juan and Ry dramatically dance down the aisle. I can’t help but giggle at both of them.
Pa and I are about to step through the door when he speaks up.
“My girl, I just want you to know I couldn’t be prouder of you. I know you didn’t settle and you love that man with all of you, just as he loves you. You’re going to be a great mom and have a great life. I just want you to know what a privilege it’s been that the gods chose me to be your pa. Now, let’s go before I make us both cry.”
I can only nod because if I speak, I’m gonna be a blubbering mess.
The doors open again and we start down the aisle. I look up and see Shane. He looks amazing in his dress shirt and pants. The moment he looks me in the eyes, I can see his love. His eyes are glassy and it feels like it takes forever to get down the aisle to him. When we get to the end of the aisle, Pa leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. He shakes Shane’s hand and gives him the one-armed hug guys do. I think he says something to him before he goes to sit down next to Ma. Shane takes my hands, brings them up to his lips, and gives them a kiss.
“You look amazing, gorgeous.”
“So do you, handsome.” My brother clearing his throat reminds us both that we’re standing in front of a bunch of people.
“Sister, I know you love him, but maybe we should get to the part where I actually marry you?” The crowd chuckles.
I glare at Jon as he grins at me.
Shane answers him. “We’re more than ready, Pres.”
Jon nods at him and starts the ceremony. He’s put together some beautiful words, and I know Jane must’ve helped him.
“Now, before we do the exchange of the vows and rings, the bride and groom have asked Rory to come up and say a few words.”
Shane
Rory walks up to the front. I expect him to read the passage that Kierstie asked him to but fuck if he doesn’t surprise us.
“Now, these two asked me to read a passage on love from a great author, and I was prepared to do that until last night. I watched these two and was inspired to share about them instead.”
He’s gonna do what? As long as he doesn’t upset my woman he can do whatever he wants.
He continues to speak, “I remember the first time I met Kierstie. I had just arrived at Ma and Pa’s with Ry and we were just happy to be placed together. It was a weekday and about half an hour after our caseworker dropped us off, the door opened and a bunch of kids piled into the house after getting off the school bus. The last one through the door was this little girl with big eyes and curls all over the place. She walked right up to me and my brother and told us. ‘I’m Kierstie. I’m six and you’re now family. Even if you’re only going to stay here a short time, you stay family forever. We look out for family here.’ She then bounced off to who knows where. That little girl became a beautiful woman with the same convictions. To her, family is everything. Just look at who’s here today. So many of us spent at least some of our childhood at Ma and Pa’s either as a foster kid or a friend. How many of you heard the same thing from Kierstie at some point?” Dozens of hands go up.
“That just shows me how much and how strongly she loves and believes that statement. Now, we also know just how much of a temper my sister has.” A few chuckles spatter the audience, but I’m wondering if I’m gonna have to deck her brother. I let him continue for now.
“Leave it to the man who’s going to marry her to point out the obvious to us all. She was getting upset about something the other day and I made a comment to him about getting stuck with dealing with her temper. He told me she doesn’t have a temper like we all say she does. He told me to think about it. When she’s gotten that way, what’s the common denominator? Family. Family is always at the center of it, and she’s usually upset on behalf of someone she considers family. You see, he sees her. He sees all of her. What we have called a temper, he more accurately calls passion. Passion and love for who and what she holds most dear. Leave it to the man who’s meant to be hers to describe her best.” Well, fuck me. He doesn’t need to be hurt after all.
“Now to the groom. I’ve known Shane since I first came to the family. We’d see him in the summers when he came to town to visit and sometimes throughout the year. I got to know him a bit when he prospected before he joined the military. Since I’ve been back, we’ve gotten to know each other as men. He has the same strong beliefs about family. He would go to the ends of the earth for someone he considers family. He’s the kind of man that never gives up hope for someone. He might not have experienced the best childhood, but he’s become a very good man. One that I’ve been proud to call a brother in my MC for years and now even prouder to call him a true brother.”
Well shit. He’s good with words, that one.
“With two people who both have such strong beliefs in family, I have no doubts that they will have a happy and love filled marriage. They truly are two examples of family being what you make it to be. Here’s hoping that my sister doesn’t kill me after the ceremony for going off script.”
Ror goes to sit down and I look back at my woman who has unshed tears in her eyes.
