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Mom’s eyes light up when she sees the barn again, and she looks at Mike with a beaming smile.
“Mike, our reception is in the barn?” she asks.
“Of course it is. Where else would be this fitting? Our best memories were made here, and I want to continue them here.”
Mike gently places his hand against her cheek, his thumb is a whisper against her skin as he caresses her. “We start the rest of our lives today back where it all began. And now, we can forever make memories here.”
Mom looks at him with a questioning look, like she doesn’t understand what he’s saying.
“Callie, I fell in love with you here. We can relive all those memories whenever we want now. I bought old-man Harris’ farm. This barn is yours. Our forever.”
Mom breaks down in tears, and Mike pulls her close to him—holding her. Through quiet tears, she says, “I can’t believe you bought this place, Mike. After all we’ve been through and shared to get here, I’m so lucky to have you.”
Soon after, we’re announced, and we step into the barn as a family rather than individual couples. The guests cheer and whistle, and I can’t help but smile. It was a nice touch that Mom wanted to do—one united family.
The barn’s been cleaned out, there’s no hay bales or baby animals, but a pristine white room with a chandelier hanging from the center with white silk material billowing down over the ceiling which gives it a romantic feel. Fairy lights line the walls of the barn and are interwoven with the silk material all over the ceiling. I know Mom will be impressed because I am.
We walk in and take a seat at the head table in front of the dance floor, and the festivities begin.
Chris and Frankie worked together to create the menu for the evening, and the food is extraordinary. I’m having a great time. Jeni asks me to check out the cake with her, which from where I am, looks massive. It’s eight layers. The bottom is a carousel with four horses, and there are little figurines of the family couples and then figurines of the kids sitting at the bottom. It’s obviously one of Sarah’s masterpiece ideas, but surprisingly, she’s pulled it off. It not tacky, maybe a little extravagant, but absolutely amazing.
As the evening draws to a close, Brielle rushes over to Jeni and me thrusting her left hand in my face. I laugh as she cries, and Logan catches up to her. “Oh my God, Aiden, look at it!”
“So… you said yes, then?” I ask, and Brielle looks back at Logan, who shrugs.
“You knew?” Bree asks. I nod, and Jeni giggles. “Wait! You knew, too, Jeni?”
Jeni nods as Mike comes over and slaps me on the back.
“Sorry, Bree, we all knew,” I tell her.
“Sarah!” she calls out. Suddenly, her mind has other ideas as she runs off with Logan in tow.
“Hey, Aiden, I just want to thank you for everything. This wouldn’t have been as successful as it has been without all your help and constant support. So, thank you, son. Your mother and I are very blessed to have you in our lives,” Mike states.
It’s taken two weeks for me to get over the initial shock of the news, but at this moment, I realize being angry, upset, or whatever the feeling was because they didn’t tell me accomplishes absolutely nothing.
Mom comes over and takes Mike’s arm. “It’s time for us to go, honey.”
Mike looks back at me and nods. “The missus wants to go. I better not keep her waiting.” Mike and Mom turn to walk away.
“Mike, wait!” I call out, stopping them before they head off on their honeymoon. “I’m glad the truth finally came out. I’m glad that I can… not only call you family… but also my father. So, I just wanted to say congratulations, and that I love you… Dad.”
Mike’s lip quivers while Mom looks at me and smiles.
“Oh, Aiden… I’ve waited my whole life to hear you call me your dad. I love you, too,” he gushes, then lunges and holds me tightly. I can hear him sniffling as I hold my father and can’t hel
p it as I start to tear up as well.
Dad finally lets me go and rests his hand on my shoulder. “I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my life, my son.”
“C’mon, Mike, you have the rest of your life for father and son bonding. Take me to the haystacks, please. Oh, by the way, that’s a code word for bedroom,” Mom whispers the last part, making me laugh and somewhat cringe all at the same time.
“Waaay too much information, Mom.”
The music starts playing, and people line up to say their farewells. Mom laughs and takes my dad’s hand as they head off to their honeymoon.
I stand back and watch them go, and I take the time to look across the room at my entire family.
