And when she finally got up to the stage, I saw Will’s eyes misting over, too.
Then, as my heart pounded in my chest, I exchanged places with my brother. With the two of them standing behind me, all time and sound seemed to cease as the doors opened. The first person I saw was Michael, clad in a tuxedo that made him look a thousand times stronger and more intimidating than ever. But, when Luna emerged in her wedding gown, a knot formed in my throat.
My God, she really is breathtaking.
She had a crown of white roses nestled in the big curls of her hair that fell down just past her shoulders. Her spaghetti-strapped dress hung daintily against her, framing her curves in a way that made me salivate. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my cool as her hips swayed side to side. Ruffling the fabric and making it undulate as if the energy of the ocean waves fueled the beauty of her dress.
And when Michael escorted her to me, handing her over for me to take as my wife, a tear slid down my cheek.
“You leave me speechless; you know that?” I whispered.
Her dazzling brown eyes gazed up at me as she smiled. “I really like this coat on you. I hope you bought it.”
I nodded. “I’ll make sure to wear it often.”
The wedding itself moved in a blur. I couldn’t take my eyes off Luna, and I damn near forgot the vows I had written because I couldn’t stop staring at her. I stumbled my way through them, feeling like a damned idiot. But, when I finally got to the end of them, I got to slip that ring on her finger and bring her against me in a deep, luscious, passionate kiss.
While the crowd that had come to celebrate with all of us stood to their feet and clapped.
Luna and I stepped first off the stage, and I scooped her into my arms. She squealed with delight and kissed me one last time as people threw crimson red rose petals into the air. With Bryce and Will behind me, scooping their women into their arms, I carried the love of my life down the aisle. Feeling her tongue tangle with mine as silky rose petals graced the floor beneath us.
Signaling the start of our lives together.
The photographer wrangled our large family out front for some pre-reception pictures as the limo pulled up. Maria stepped out with the kids, and we waved her into the photos, proclaiming that she was just as much a part of this family as the rest of us were. We jumped in the air and took silly face pictures with the kids. We did pictures with just the women and just the men before breaking off into family units and doing our own little photo shoot.
Then, after the photographer was satisfied, the three happy couples piled into the limo. So we could make our way to the reception hall.
“Holy shit,” Willow said breathlessly.
Sadie giggled. “Took the words right out of my mouth.”
Bryce leaned forward. “Maria told me she’s going to take the twins home. They’re getting a bit antsy, so she wants to get both of the little guys fed and down for a nap.”
Worry crossed Sadie’s face. “Are you sure she doesn’t need my help?”
Will took her hand and kissed it. “I promise, our boys are going to be just fine. They’re in great hands.”
I nodded. “Plus, Maria’s got her daughter helping out today as well. So, she’s not alone.”
Sadie sighed. “Oh, yes that’s right. Thanks for reminding me.”
It tickled me to know that they named their baby boys after Will and Dan, after Dad, especially when Sadie had been so adamantly against it, at first. But, sometimes, when you know something, you just know, and not everyone can always explain it. For some people, it’s naming their children. For others, it’s finding their life partner.
And as I slid my arm around Luna, I relished the fact that I had found my person. The woman who had been made just for me.
“So, are you going to update us?” Sadie asked.
Luna cleared her throat. “Huh?”
Will chuckled. “Already worn out from today?”
Luna sighed. “It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure.”
Willow leaned forward. “She couldn’t sleep last night from all of the excitement.”
I peered down at her. “Is that true?”
She looked up at me. “Let’s just say I’m going to need a lot of caffeine to finish out today?”
I grinned. “Whatever you want, that’s what you’ll get.”
“Hello!” Bryce playfully yelled, “we’d all like an update on the house, please!”
Luna giggled. “Can’t you just look out your back window and see it for yourself?”
I laughed. “I didn’t purchase a plot of land that close to my brothers. We need at least a shred of privacy.”
Will smirked. “And I know what for.”
I shot him a look. “You don’t get to make jokes about my wife like that now, okay?”
Luna patted my chest. “Ah, my fierce protector.”
Willow giggled. “Guess women do sometimes marry men like their fathers.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “Anyway, the house is coming along great. All they have to do is finish up the guest bathroom and paint the outside. Everything else is finished.”
Bryce popped open a bottle of champagne. “That, in and of itself, calls for a celebration. Because it’s hell in a handbasket building a house anywhere, much less a two-story home with a wrap-around porch.”
Will reached for a crystal flute. “And don’t forget those columns. Those things alone are a pain in the ass.”
Sadie scooted closer to me. “Did you end up putting the lake in front of the house or behind the house?”
I smiled. “Why don’t you come over after we get back from our honeymoon and see for yourself?”
Will leaned into the conversation. “Uh, because we honeymoon after you guys do. So, she’ll come to see it when we get back just before her cousin Ellie comes for a visit.”
Willow raised her hand. “Oh, did you just mention Ellie is coming to visit you guys?”
“Yep, she’s thinking about moving here when...”
“She’s still single, right?” Willow butted in.
“Yes, yes she is.”
Willow grinned, “Well, then, we will have to make sure to introduce her to Uncle Ryan.”
Luna giggled, “There she goes again… the queen of matchmaking.”
Before Willow could defend herself, Sadie turned her eyes out the window. “Who the hell is that?”
We all looked out the windows before Bryce groaned. Will told the girls to stay in the limo as it pulled right up to the reception hall, and I had half a mind to tell these reporters to fuck off. Sure, they were from Forbes Magazine, but this was our wedding day.
A quote could happen after we enjoyed ourselves.
Still, my brothers and I slipped out of the limo and walked right up to the woman with the recording device. She asked us a few questions about our “vintage bank” headquarters that had been up and running in Conroe for the better part of the last eight months. We talked about the employees we already hired and the jobs we were looking to hire for in the future. Will quickly went over the design elements Luna helped him with, and Bryce rattled off some numbers on how much our conferences would bring, monetarily, to our small hometown.
Then, the reporter for the magazine asked us a question that caught us off-guard.