by Bella Andre
“Hopefully, the girls will be out here soon,” Sophie whispered to Lori.
“No kidding,” Lori agreed. “Otherwise our brothers look like they’re going to go caveman.”
Maybe Mary shouldn’t have laughed in agreement as she stood at the front with her oldest son, Marcus, to co-officiate the wedding. But her children had always been her greatest joy—and watching each of them find love meant everything to her.
The first notes of the Wedding March rang out through the vineyard, and Mary’s chest squeezed. In a matter of minutes, her sons would be pledging their hearts to the women they loved. And she’d have two new daughters. She couldn’t wait, her smile growing even wider as Heather emerged from a rose-covered archway.
Zach’s indrawn breath easily carried to Mary’s ears as he saw his bride in her gown for the very first time. Heather was absolutely radiant in white silk that draped elegantly over her curves. The designer had made her the perfect dress—simple, yet breathtaking.
As she walked up the aisle on her father’s arm, Heather never once took her eyes from Zach. Mary swore she could feel the connection between them, so strong that no one, and nothing, would ever break it. Even when Heather’s father kissed his daughter’s cheek before moving back to his seat, Heather held Zach’s gaze. And when Zach reached for her hand and kissed it, Mary nearly broke into sobs right then and there.
It suddenly hit her: How on earth was she ever going to make it through not just one of her children’s weddings—but two on the very same day—without falling completely apart?
There was barely enough time for the crowd to catch its collective breath before Vicki emerged from beneath an arch made of baseball bats held by Ryan’s teammates.
But it wasn’t just the bride’s unique entrance that had Mary smiling. It was seeing how bright Vicki’s eyes were, how flushed her cheeks, as she smiled at her groom. Ryan’s grin nearly split his face as he took in the stunning vision of his best friend, dressed all in white.
Never had two brides been more beautiful, each in their own special way. Where Heather’s gown was pure simplicity, Vicki’s made you look once, twice, then again. Yes, there was white silk and lace, but instead of using thread to connect the fabrics, zippers crisscrossed to create a corset-like bodice that was positively breathtaking.
Pure joy infused every step Vicki took toward Ryan on her father’s arm. Mary’s son didn’t wait for them to make it all the way to the altar, but met them halfway down the aisle. Vicki’s father laughed along with everyone else at the groom’s enthusiasm, and once her father had hugged his daughter with tears in his eyes, Ryan took his bride into his arms and kissed her soundly, long before any vows were spoken. When they finally drew apart, they walked hand in hand to stand beside Zach and Heather in front of the guests.
Marcus moved forward to begin the ceremony. “Thank you for coming today to celebrate the love between Heather and Zach and Vicki and Ryan. My mother and I are honored that they asked us to officiate their double wedding today.”
Mary had to take a deep breath to steady her emotions before moving to Marcus’s side. Smiling first at the brides and grooms, she then looked out over the large group of beloved family and friends on the patio. “As you can see, we decided to do things a little differently this time.” The crowd laughed, and she continued, saying, “In addition to having two weddings today, we also thought we’d have some nontraditional ring bearers be a part of the wedding. Please welcome Atlas and Cuddles.”
Still holding Zach’s hand, Heather turned and gave a low whistle. A few moments later, Atlas and Cuddles began to trot down the aisle, the wedding bands tied with ribbons to their collars.
Seeing the two dogs together—one huge, one tiny—never failed to make Mary smile. Three hundred people obviously agreed as applause rang out. Heather and Zach had trained their dogs so well that clapping and laughter didn’t distract them from their task as they continued to walk up the aisle.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Mary saw a flash of golden fur near where she and Marcus were standing at the upper edge of the patio. When Atlas’s ears perked up, Mary guessed the Great Dane must have seen it too. Always alert to her dog’s behavior, Heather gave another whistle to keep his focus on her.
But a moment later, when another golden streak of fur shot by, before anyone could stop the teacup Yorkie, Cuddles was off and chasing the rabbit. Atlas was one of the most well trained dogs Mary had ever come across, but how could anyone expect him not to dash off after his best friend and two rabbits?
Zach cursed softly, then quickly kissed Heather and said, “I’ll go get them.” He was gone in a flash, in his suit, chasing the two dogs.
“I’ll help,” Ryan said. After a kiss for his bride, he was running out into the vineyard too.
Again, Mary knew she shouldn’t laugh, but seeing her two sons in their perfectly pressed wedding suits yelling for the dogs as they ran between rows of vines was something she knew she’d never forget.
“I should probably go help them, shouldn’t I?” Marcus said, amusement threading each word.
Through the laughter she was barely holding in, Mary agreed with her eldest son. “Probably. Especially since it looks like Smith, Chase, and Gabe are all already heading out in search of the dogs.”
“I would go too,” Lori said, “but I’m wearing heels.”
“You can do absolutely anything in heels,” Sophie noted.
Though it was true, Lori shot back, “I don’t exactly see you running out there to help, Soph.”
Sophie grinned at her twin. “That’s because I can barely keep from falling over in my heels even on solid ground.” She looked at Heather and Vicki next. “But if you want me to try, I can join my brothers out there. And I’ll make Lori come too.”
Fortunately, neither bride looked overly upset by what had happened. “Atlas and Cuddles will grow tired of chasing the rabbits soon, and then they’ll come back,” Heather replied. “At least, I hope they will.”
Vicki grinned at Heather. “We can always do the ceremony without the rings, and later, when the dogs are done having fun, we can slip the rings on.”
Fortunately, a great whoop rang out from the vines. “We’ve got ’em!” one of the men called out.
Zach and Ryan emerged from the vines a few moments later, victorious heroes with Cuddles safely in Zach’s arms and Atlas walking calmly beside Ryan. Seeing that neither dog was wearing a ribbon anymore, Mary hoped the rings were safely in the grooms’ pockets. Their brothers fanned out behind them, and Mary swore she heard a collective sigh from the female guests at seeing so many Sullivan men together like this.
As if they’d choreographed it, both grooms stepped back up onto the terrace and pulled the rings out of their pockets to hold them up like trophies to their brides. While the crowd continued to laugh, Heather and Vicki petted the dogs and kissed their men.
Finally, the ceremony could begin.
Again.
Neither Zach nor Ryan looked perfectly pressed anymore, but as far as Mary was concerned, it was exactly right for her car-racing and ball-playing sons. They were both just as active and energetic as their father, and somewhere, some way, she knew Jack was watching today’s wedding, laughing right along with her at how much fun it all was—and tearing up with her too.
* * *
“Thank you for bringing the dogs back,” Heather whispered into Zach’s ear while he held her tightly. He wished they could say their vows just like this, without his ever needing to let her go.
“They did it on purpose, you know,” he whispered back. “Cuddles’s sense of humor is definitely rubbing off on Atlas.”
She didn’t deny that it was true, simply laughed softly as she held him just as tightly. “Our two big goofballs.”
“Soon to be three,” he said through the lump in his throat at the thought of the new baby they were going to have.
Marcus cleared his throat. “Looks like it’s time to get this show on
the road, for real this time.”
Zach gave Heather one more kiss before they reluctantly drew apart. Reaching for each other’s hands, they were staring into each other’s eyes as Marcus began the ceremony.
“Heather and Zach, we are gathered here today to witness your love for each other.” Marcus focused on Zach. “Zach, one of the reasons you always do so well on the race track is that you have an innate sense of how to make the right decisions in a split second, even when your life is on the line. We all agree that the best decision you ever made was to fall in love with Heather—and to continue pursuing her until she fell in love with you too.” Marcus turned to Heather. “Heather, you’re everything we could hope for in a new sister. Strong. Courageous. Fun. And, best of all, willing to put up with our brother.” He grinned at both of them. “Now, for what we’ve all been waiting for—your vows to each other.” Marcus stepped back so that Zach and Heather were the sole focus of the guests.
“Heather, until I met you, I sped through life, thinking I needed to experience everything before it was too late.” Zach had always been as cool as they came, but right now his throat was so tight with emotion that he had to work to get the words out. “But the only thing I would have missed, truly missed, was you.” He squeezed her hands tighter and would have pulled her closer, but she’d already taken a step toward him, obviously needing the same thing. “You’ve been mine since the first moment I set eyes on you. And I’m yours. Always.” Zach took the wedding band from his pocket and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand.
Tears were spilling down her cheeks as she gazed from the ring into his eyes. Lifting their hands where they were linked, he gently brushed the wetness away.
“Zach.” Heather’s voice trembled, even just saying his name, and he loved her more than ever as she smiled at him through her tears of joy. “I never believed forever was possible until you. And I never thought anyone could break through my walls either. But then, there you were. The man I secretly dreamed of. Someone strong enough to love me even when it wasn’t easy. Even when I was scared by what I was feeling.” They both moved closer again, so that he could practically taste each of her words as she said, “The dogs fell for you first, but it didn’t take me long to realize they were right. I am yours, just as you are mine. And I’ll love you forever.” She took the ring he handed her and slipped it on his left hand as she said again, “Forever.”
Everyone in the crowd was sniffling when Marcus spoke again. “Zach, Heather, by the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Neither Zach nor Heather had any plans of waiting until Marcus gave them leave to kiss to seal their vows. And though every one of their kisses had been beyond hot for the past three years, their first kiss as husband and wife truly was special. Not only hot, not only perfect, but a promise they were making to each other to never give up and never let go. No matter what.
Because their love was meant to last forever.
* * *
Ryan smiled at Vicki as she wiped away her tears from watching Heather and Zach say their vows. He’d known this would be a deeply emotional wedding—but as far as he was concerned, that only made it better.
Ever since he’d come back from chasing down the dogs, he’d been holding her in his arms. Now, he whispered, “Ready for it to be our turn?”
There were no more shadows, no more lingering hurt in her eyes, as she nodded. “I can’t wait another second.”
He didn’t know who kissed whom then—just that it was the perfect way to begin their own ceremony.
Ryan’s mother moved to stand before them, her smile warm and full of great love. “Vicki and Ryan, we couldn’t be more thrilled about being here with you today. You two have loved each other for so many years, and I can’t remember ever being happier than I am right now, knowing you are finally going to become husband and wife.” His mother was one of the strongest people he knew, but her eyes were damp as she said, “And now, we can’t wait to hear your vows.” When his mother stepped back, it felt to Ryan as if he and Vicki were the only two people in the world.
“Vicki.” Ryan wanted to freeze-frame this moment, wanted to remember every detail. “We were fifteen years old when you saved my life—and then became my best friend.” He lifted their joined hands to his chest. “You’re the most important person in the world to me, and I vow to do anything and everything I can to make you happy from this moment forward.” He slipped the wedding band on the ring finger of her left hand. “I love you, Vicki. More than you’ll ever know.”
His beautiful, glowing bride threw her arms around him and held on tight. But her tears weren’t the only ones falling—his were too. He’d waited so damned long for this moment, he almost couldn’t believe it was finally here.
Finally, Vicki drew back. Her cheeks were still streaked with tears, but her voice was strong as she reached for his hands again and said, “You make me so happy, Ryan. You’re my best friend. You’re my one and only love. You’re the first person I want to see when I wake up in the morning. You’re the one I want to share absolutely everything with all day long. And you’re the man I want to fall asleep with each night, knowing I’m perfectly, wonderfully safe in your arms.” Her lips curved up into a stunning smile that made his heart flip around in his chest as she slid his wedding band into place on his left hand. “It’s always been you. And it always will be. I love you.”
Mary stepped up to say, “By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” but Ryan and Vicki were kissing before his mother finished speaking.
It had taken nearly two decades to win Vicki as his wife. And now, Ryan couldn’t wait for all the decades in front of them as two halves of the whole they’d always been—and always would be.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Marcus’s wife, Nicola, Mia’s husband, Ford Vincent, and their friend Drew Morrison took the stage not long after the ceremony to sing a beautiful song that Nicola and Ford had written for the happy couples. Mary overheard more than one guest say, after listening to the three world-famous stars perform, that this had to be the wedding of the century.
Perhaps she was biased, but she couldn’t help but agree. Not only because the two couples were meant to be—but because everyone in the family had come together to help in some way. Yet again, Mary gave thanks for the day she’d met Jack Sullivan in downtown San Francisco. He’d changed her life in the best possible ways—first with his love and then by giving her eight incredible kids.
After eating their fill of the delicious meal, everyone took to the dance floor, and Mary was dancing with her brother-in-law William Sullivan. “I know I say this every single time,” she commented as they swayed together, “but this has been an absolutely perfect wedding, hasn’t it?”
He smiled as he took in the same beautiful family picture—kids and dogs and happy couples all around them. “It sure is. I just wish my brother could be here today. Jack would be so proud of how you raised your kids, and how they’re raising theirs.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat, something she’d had a lot of practice doing for the past twenty-plus years. Not just because she still missed Jack so very much, but also because William hadn’t had an easy time of it either. He’d once been a talented and extremely famous painter, with a wife he adored beyond reason and four children. But thirty years ago, things had gone off course for William. So far off course that his wife had walked out on the family and taken her own life. William hadn’t painted in thirty years, and his relationship with his kids had often been fractured as well, but Mary knew he was doing what he could to try to fix things.
“You’re not doing too bad yourself, you know,” she encouraged him in a gentle voice. “Your kids are just as extraordinary as mine.”
Drake was a renowned painter, Suzanne was a brilliant computer programmer with a thriving tech company in Manhattan, Harrison was an expert in medieval history at Columbia
University, and Alec owned a very lucrative business building private planes just outside of New York City.
William looked extremely proud—but somewhat anxious too—as he looked over at his children. “I know they are. Despite their father.”
“William.” Mary put her hand on her brother-in-law’s face, one that was similar enough to her late husband’s to make her heart twinge every time she looked at him. William had lost his wife not long after she’d given birth to Drake, their youngest. Thirty years later, Mary could see that the five of them were still reeling from what that loss had done to their family. For so long, she’d hoped they could heal what was broken. She still did. She told her brother-in-law yet again, “Whatever you need, whatever your kids need, you’re not in this alone. You have me. You have all of us.”
She could see how close to the surface his emotion was as William nodded. “I know.” He forced a smile for her. “It’s always good to be reminded, though.”
Mary was about to say something more when she suddenly heard a gasp from behind her. Dylan and Grace had been dancing—with both Mason and Grace’s very large pregnant belly between them—but now they were standing still in the middle of the crowd.
With so many children and grandchildren of her own, Mary had seen this look enough times to guess what had just happened. “Grace, honey?”
Grace’s eyes were big as she said, “My water just broke.”
As if her words had been broadcast over a loudspeaker, several of Dylan’s siblings quickly gathered around their brother and his wife, with Dylan’s parents, Claudia and Max, getting there first. Mary smiled as she and William moved back on the dance floor to let them all in.
Mary’s sister-in-law Claudia put her arm around Grace. “Have you started having any contractions yet?”
“I’ve had quite a few Braxton-Hicks cramps over the past week, so I figured that was all they were today too. Especially since I’m still two weeks away from my due date.”