“Fact,” Jamie agrees. “And I’m only yanking your chain. Vivien loves you. God knows why, but she’ll be here.”
I elbow my only groomsman in the ribs before I step away to welcome both sets of parents.
Vivien was more than happy when I suggested we stay in Vegas and tie the knot this week. Easton isn’t back to school until next week, so there was no immediate rush to head back to L.A. She had a big wedding the last time she got married, and she told me she loved the idea of a small private affair with just our close friends and family. It was a bit of a tight timeline getting my family here from Ireland, but we pulled it off.
Ash, Vivien, and the hotel manager have been pulling long days organizing everything. Honestly, I would have eloped and married her in my jeans with just Easton, Ash, and the band there, but Vivien had a few requests, and I can never deny her anything.
She wanted her dad to give her away.
She wanted both families here.
And she wanted to wear a wedding dress and me to wear a monkey suit.
So, here I am, waiting in a chapel in Las Vegas in a black Prada suit with a black shirt and white tie, shitting bricks because my idiot best man has planted stupid doubts in my mind.
Jamie, Ash, and Audrey are the only other members of the bridal party, along with Easton, because we wanted to keep it low-key.
Before, I would probably have asked Ronan too, but things aren’t the same between us. I managed to sidestep my feelings so we could get through the tour, and apart from that betrayal, he’s been a good brother. But I can’t forget the years I lost with Easton and the part he played. In time, I think I’ll get to a place where I can forgive him, but I doubt our relationship will ever be how it once was.
“You look so handsome, Dillon.” Ma yanks me down into her arms. “And I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
Dad slaps me on the back. “Looking dapper, son.”
“Thanks for being here. Where is everyone else?”
“They are getting pictures outside, but they’ll be in in a minute,” Ma explains. “I’ll be having more words with you and my daughter after the ceremony,” she says over my head as Jamie approaches. She let rip at the two of them last night at dinner, but it seems she didn’t get it all off her chest.
“You can’t still be mad, Cath? You should be happy you got someone to take that wild woman off your hands.”
Ma grabs him by the shirt, pulling him into a hug. “C’mere, you scoundrel, and don’t be talking about my daughter like that.”
“You know I love the fucking bones of her, and I’ll take the best care of her.”
“Suck-up,” I mouth.
Jamie flips me the bird, and I spot Lauren smirking as she takes it all in. She was at dinner last night with the entire clan, so she knows what we’re like by now. The two mums get on famously, and Viv’s dad even managed to coax my dad into a discussion, which is a miracle in itself because Dad isn’t known for his lively conversation. He’s more of the stoic silent observer.
“The girls have agreed to a joint wedding reception in Ireland next summer,” I remind her. “You can have your day out then.”
“That’s so far away. What about Christmas?” Her eyes light up.
I bark out a laugh. “Wild horses couldn’t get Vivien on a plane to Ireland at Christmas. Are you mad? She’d probably get hypothermia.” Ash had suggested a winter wedding to Viv, and the look on her face was fucking priceless. “You have no chance of convincing my Californian princess to get married in Ireland in the fucking dead of winter. No chance. Nada.”
The noise level explodes as my brothers, their wives and children enter the chapel. Jamie and my parents move to go to them, but I pull Mum and Dad aside because there is something I need to say to them. “What’s wrong?” Mum’s brow instantly creases in a frown. “You’re not having cold feet, are you?”
“Are you kidding?” My eyes almost bug out of my head. “My feet are about as toasty warm as you can get. I can’t wait to marry Vivien. I have dreamed of this day for years.”
Lauren’s expression softens, and I’m glad I have a good relationship with Vivien’s parents now. It’s important to me. Not just because of Viv but Easton too. “This isn’t about Vivien. There is something I need to say. Something I should have said a long time ago.” I take both my parents’ hands. “Thank you.” Tears stab my eyes, and I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Thank you for taking me in, for loving me, and for always making me feel included. You never treated me any differently, and you never held it against me when I was in self-destruct mode.” I hug Mum first. “I love you, Ma. I love you so much.”
I rub at the tears leaking out of my eyes. Shit.
Dad comes at me, enveloping me in a hug before I’ve had the chance to hug him. “We love you, son, and we’re very proud of the man you’ve become.”
“Thanks, Da. Love you too.” I’m all choked up.
“Who’s the pussy now?” Jamie says, and I simultaneously want to punch him and thank him for helping to lighten the mood.
“Oh, I love weddings so much,” Lauren says, wiping tears from her eyes. “They always bring out so much emotion. That was beautiful, Dillon.”
“I’m not done,” I say, improvising now. I had planned to talk to my parents before the ceremony, but I wasn’t going to say anything to Viv’s parents yet, waiting for my speech. But the perfect moment is now. I bundle Lauren in my arms. “Thank you for giving me another chance and for trusting me with Vivien and Easton. I promise I will love them and protect them for the rest of my life.”
“Aw, Dillon, stop.” She half laughs, easing out of my embrace. “You’re ruining my makeup.”
We all laugh, and then she takes my hand, squeezing it. “You have more than proven yourself to be a good man, Dillon. Jon and I know you’re going to be as amazing a husband as you are a father. You have put smiles back on my daughter’s and my grandson’s faces, and that is something we worried would never happen.” She tilts her head to the side. “But it’s more than that. Vivien has come to life in a way I’ve never seen before. She literally glows with happiness, and we know that’s due to you. Thank you for loving her and Easton, and welcome to the family.”
“I am honored to be a part of your family.”
“She’s here,” Ronan calls out, walking into the chapel with his daughter, Emer, in his arms.
The woman conducting the ceremony steps into the room from a side door, waving us forward. “Can everyone please take their seats. The bride will be with us shortly.”
Lauren kisses my cheek. “Don’t be nervous. She can’t wait to marry you. I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs up that aisle.”
“I should’ve asked you to be my best man,” I joke, shooting a dark look at Jamie. “This one sucks at motivational speeches.”
“Just keeping it real, bro.” Jamie nudges my shoulder, and I grin.
We take our places, and I try to control my nerves as the opening notes to “I Knew I Loved You” by Savage Garden starts playing. I turn to look when there is movement behind us, fighting emotion as Easton walks up the aisle, looking so fucking adorable in his little suit. He insisted on a miniature version of mine, complete with black shirt and white tie. He’s carrying the ring cushion, looking proud as punch.