"I promise to never stop teasing you," Wyatt said and everyone groaned, but Sam laughed. "I'll never stop showing you how much I love you, how much you mean to me."
As Wyatt turned, DJ held out the ring to him very carefully while Riley whispered, "Don't drop it, Uncle Wyatt."
Taking the ring, Wyatt smiled and nodded. He held the ring reverently then kissed Sam's ring finger. As he started to slip the ring on Sam's finger, he said, "With this ring, I promise to cherish you and honor our vows, and love you and only you forever."
The justice of the peace declared them husbands and there was cheering and kissing, and Rico's chest hurt and his throat was tight from the effort of not letting himself burst into tears. He hugged everybody and saw plenty of people wiping away tears including his grandmother.
"I knew there would be waterworks," she said and dabbed at her eyes, careful not to mess up her makeup.
Sammy was looking worriedly at DJ while Wyatt wiped tears from his cheeks. "DJ is crying," Sammy whispered. Riley had been letting off some steam running in circles around trees, but now he went over to DJ and put his arm around his big brother while also jumping in place.
"He's just happy," Riley told her.
"I'm not crying," Rico claimed though no one was accusing him.
"I'll put my arm around you anyway," Mitch told him then he kissed him on the cheek.
"OK. Let's go eat some cake!" Wyatt said and everybody cheered, the kids the loudest.
Hand in hand, he and Sam led the way through the orchard and down the hill with the kids following closely behind them then the rest of the guests.
"I'll never look at this hill the same way again," Sam said to Wyatt as they walked down the path and put their arms around each other. Their wedding rings shining in the sun, they were a picture of happiness.
To actually get any pictures, the photographer had to run to get in front of them, but barely managed to overtake them. The kids took this as a challenge and started racing downhill. As Wyatt and Sam joined in with the guests following them, it was like the newlyweds were trying to make their escape early.
Rico wouldn't have blamed them. He couldn't imagine wanting anything more than to be alone with the man he just married. Except he wasn't getting married. Why was he thinking like that? Is this what they meant by wedding fever?
Though his suit was light, Rico did feel overheated in it while running around under the midday sun. The sun wasn't the only thing making him hot. His hand in Mitch's was burning hot, but he wouldn't have dreamed of pulling it free of that strong grip.
Chapter 42
The reception was being held at his grandmother's, and that's where they were all heading. Sam and Wyatt tried to have it at the Stone Creek Inn, but their events hall was booked for some kind of business convention. Grandma was thrilled about that. She wanted to treat Sam and Wyatt and show them how much she adored them.
She spared no expense to have the reception catered and have her back yard decorated with ribbons and topiary and so many white flowers. Her gazebo was the centerpiece of the décor, and a huge hit with Sammy and Gloria. As soon as they laid eyes on it, they screamed with delight and ran to take over the place like it was their own princess castle.
When the wedding party arrived from the ceremony, the party at Grandmother's was already going. All the people who weren't allowed in the orchard had gathered there. Tables with white tablecloths and elaborate flower arrangements were set up all over the lawn. Drinks were flowing and caterers were ready to serve up food and even more drinks.
"She went all out," Mitch said with a smile.
"She really did. Look at this place. You would think they were having the wedding here," Rico said looking all around as people greeted each other and waited for Sam and Wyatt to make their big entrance.
When they did, Sam's jaw dropped. "It's beautiful," he said when he and Wyatt came down the garden path. Whatever Wyatt said was drowned out by clapping and cheering from all the people who were seeing the married couple for the first time.
Armed with baskets filled with flower petals, the kids ambushed the happy couple and showered them with white petals. Sam and Wyatt were caught in a blizzard until Wyatt started to chase the kids, and they all started running and screaming.
"Act like a serious, married person," Rico told him.
As champagne was brought around for the newlyweds, they drank a toast to each other. They did it with their arms entwined, and they looked so perfect together. Wyatt looked ecstatic while Sam was more serenely blissful, no trace of the panic attack from before.
Everyone else clapped and joined in the toast. That's when Rico got to give his heartfelt, best man speech, and he made Sam blush like every best man should. But soon he was upstaged by Wyatt's best men, DJ and Riley.
They stood together and Riley fearlessly called out, "Hi. I'm Riley." He waved all around.
DJ introduced himself more shyly, and when he started speaking, he could hardly be heard. He was so nervous, but he pushed on bravely. "Me and Ry are Uncle Wyatt's best men together, and we love him and Sam, and we want them to be happy."
Riley added his own contribution to the speech. "Everybody's gonna be happy!"
The two boys were then showered with kisses by Sam and Wyatt. Both of the newlyweds looked ready to cry all over again, but they held it together so they could have their first dance.
