by Tijan
“Especially Nate’s, but be kind. We love him.”
Nate took the microphone, half scowling and half laughing. “Sit down. We all know you’re going to be trying to do a second, third, and fourth toast.”
Logan took the seat beside Mason and nodded. “Oh yeah. That was the censored toast. These folks don’t know what they have coming later.”
“Hi, everyone.” Nate stepped back from the table, his drink in hand, and gazed at Mason and me for a moment. His voice grew thick as he let out an uncomfortable laugh.
“Sorry.” His head dipped low, his voice was hoarse. “I’m—I knew I’d have to wrestle this thing from Logan, so I wasn’t fully prepared. Now I’m standing here and staring at someone who I’ve considered a brother all my life, and wow.” His mouth curved into a half-grin. “It’s overwhelming. Man, Mase. I can’t believe you got married. I mean . . .” His eyes found mine. “I knew you were the girl for Mason, but the whole journey we’ve taken. It’s just, wow. It’s a lot.”
He lifted his head and looked to the crowd. “I’m not an orphan, just so everyone knows. I have some incredible parents.” He pointed. “Right over there.”
An older woman and man waved.
Nate cleared his throat. “Yeah. Since I came back, I haven’t left your side. And we’ve had times, like Logan said. I was one of those hospital visits.” He gestured to me. “Sam too, but we’ve gotten through everything, and I know I don’t regret anything. I wouldn’t trade anything with anybody, no matter what was promised to me. Thank you, Mason. Thank you for being my best friend growing up. Thank you for bringing me into the family. Thank you for never turning your back at some of the worst times. And thank you, Sam, for making Mason who he is today.”
Logan nodded. “She did.”
“Mason was an ass—”
“Children!” someone yelled.
“—not great guy,” Nate continued. “And he’ll say he still isn’t, but he is. You’ve made him a better person. You made him love harder. You made him forgive harder, and the fact that he forgave even a little is a big deal. Mase was never built that way.”
Mason squeezed my hand, nodding along with Nate.
“And you’ve made him want to build a better future with you than I think he would’ve if you hadn’t been in the picture. I don’t know what we all would’ve done without you. You’re the glue for us. You hold everyone together, whether you realize it or not, and I thank you for that. I thank you for always being kind to me.”
Another tear slid down my cheek. “It wasn’t hard,” I murmured. “You were kind to me too.”
He grinned. “Yeah, well, sometimes I wasn’t the nicest guy.” He shared a look with Mason. “But we’re all here now, and I think I’m kind of in shock.” He clapped Mason on the shoulder, moving to Logan’s shoulder too. “We grew up, guys.”
Both brothers nodded.
Nate laughed. “The fact that none of us are in jail right this second speaks volumes. Thank you, Sam, for that too.”
Laughter rose from the audience.
“But I really just want to say I love you both. You’re family to me. I know that’ll never change, and I guess, thank you for making it official.” He raised his glass. “To not living in sin anymore.”
He took a sip as everyone laughed again before joining his salute.
Heather stood next to me, holding her hand out. “Okay. It’s time for the girls.” Matteo had started to stand, but she shook her head. “Nope. It’s maid of honor time.”
Matteo sat.
And Nate handed the microphone to Heather.
Heather laughed into the microphone, her voice light. “Now, it’s the ladies’ turn.” She moved the bottom of her dress over so it was more centered around her. Heather had been the most reserved about the dress. She’d confessed in the bathroom that she worried everyone would see her breasts. I’d doubled over in laughter, and I giggled again now, thinking about it.
She had looked sheepish, shrugging as she grabbed her boobs and pushed them up, adjusting.
“What? I might like to dress skimpy, but I never really show off the girls. They’re for Channing only.”
“No.” I had touched her arm, still shaking my head. “I have no idea why that’s so funny, but thank you. I worried about the dress, but everyone just agreed, and you never said anything.”
“I felt bad. I think we’re all just happy for you.” She’d grinned. “Besides, we all look ridiculously hot in this getup.” She looked down at the sheer, light green fabric flowing over the sheath beneath. “You’ve got style. I’ll say that for you, even though Malinda fought you on it. Didn’t she?”
I’d nodded, still chuckling. “Yeah.” I yawned to stop laughing and wiped at a tear. “She was thinking I’d want a more formal dress, but nope. That’s not me.” I’d reached out and touched Heather’s dress. It was a simple cut, falling just above the knee with a ruched top. The girls had picked their style. They could have spaghetti straps or sleeveless like Heather’s. They all looked comfortable, but so beautiful, and the wedding was all light green and cream. I had little white lights filling the church where we got married, and the reception too. If I had to say so myself, the entire place looked beyond regal and elegant.
“Malinda started crying when she saw everything last night,” I’d told her. “She said I’d been right and how dare she question me.” I’d smiled, feeling Malinda’s hug again. “I love her.”
“You got a good one there.” Heather had nodded, her flirty eyes growing serious and misty. “You’re a good one, Sam. I know you think you’re the lucky one, but it’s not you. We’re the lucky ones.”
I bit my lip, my throat swelling.
“Those friends you had before, they were assholes. They lost out, completely. There’s a reason Mason loves you, a reason Logan loves you like a sister and has since day one. A reason Malinda cherishes you so much. A reason Mark adores you, and not just because he’s your stepbrother. They all love you because of you. You’re amazing, and you have no idea how good of a person you are.”
We’d stood in front of the bathroom mirror, and I turned so I was half-hidden by the tampon bin. I felt the tears flowing and couldn’t do anything to stop them.
“Sam.” Heather had pulled me into her arms. She’d hugged me, and while it should’ve been awkward because both of us had our hair done up and makeup on, it wasn’t.
I’d hugged her back, whispering, “Thank you.”
She was the friend I needed who’d appeared at just the right time. And there’d never be words enough for me to express my gratitude to her.
“Thank you,” she’d whispered back. I’d felt her tears on my shoulder.
A moment later, I’d stepped back and fluffed her dress out. “See? Another reason my taste is spectacular. Another bride couldn’t have done that.” I’d smoothed my own dress.
Heather had laughed, dabbing at her eyes. “Yes, another reason.”
And she was dabbing at her eyes now too, as she held the microphone. Putting her glass down, she reached for a balled-up tissue.
“I haven’t even started.” She laughed huskily. “I hope it’s okay, Mason, but I’m going to center more on Sam.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
She cleared her throat, patting the side of her dress so it was smooth. “So, I have a lot of friends from Roussou and my boyfriend . . .” She gave him a soft smile, and Channing nodded from where he sat at the end of Mason’s groomsmen. “He lives and works there, and he grew up there. I went to Fallen Crest, and Samantha doesn’t know this because she’s never stopped to think about it, but she was actually one of the first good friends I had. I grew up with Roussou people, so my Fallen Crest friends were lacking, until one day I’m sitting outside the bar my dad owned at the time, and here comes this skinny, gorgeous girl. She’s all sweaty and looking at me like she’s a lost puppy wondering if she can have something to eat. I think I scared you that day, but you thanked me earlier today for b
ecoming your friend at just the right time. You don’t know this . . .”
Her voice grew hoarse, and she blinked back tears. “But you did the same for me. I needed a friend too; I just didn’t know it. You always say I’m the tough one, but that’s not true. It’s you. You’re so strong, and I am beyond blessed that you chose me. Like Nate and Logan, I don’t consider you a friend. You’re a sister to me, and I’ve never had one of those. So thank you for that.” She bit off the last word, unable to keep going. Her tears were blinding her.
Standing, I took the microphone from her and pulled her in for a hug. I struggled to keep my emotions in check, but that’d been the story today. I was crying one second, then laughing the next. I knew we were just starting the evening too.
Heather tucked her head into the crook of my neck and shoulder. “I’m pregnant.”
“What?” I pulled back and grabbed the microphone. It hadn’t caught that, but I wanted to be safe. I passed it off to Mason and looked back to Heather. “You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Channing knows, but don’t tell anyone. We’ll announce it later. Will you be her godmother?”
Her.
I touched my chest. I was going to be a godmother. “Yes! Yes.”
And we were back to hugging.
I had a feeling we’d be doing this all night long.
After we settled back in our seats, Matteo made a toast. Courtney and Grace did one together, and even Channing stood for a few words. After that, it was our parents’ turn. Malinda cried the whole time, so it was really just David speaking, but when he’d finished, she grabbed a piece of paper and shoved it into his hand. He read from it, so we heard Malinda’s word through him. Then it was James and Analise’s turn. Everyone tensed slightly, but James only laughed.
“This would be the perfect time to get you back, Mason, but I won’t,” James said. His eyes filled with mirth. “I’m hoping Logan will forget the favor I promised him too, so I’m going to be the doting and proud father I always should’ve been when you were growing up.”
And he was just that. He talked about how proud he was of Mason, how Mason was the man James aspired to become, and by the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Analise took the microphone next, a tender smile on her face.
She looked exceptionally beautiful tonight, but my mother was always stunning—especially lately because she’d continued to be stable since she returned from her long hospital stay. She’d even helped me pick out my wedding dress, and advised on the decorations too. I knew she’d offered to take control of the cleanup, but that was a job in itself. Still, it meant a lot. It meant more than a lot. We weren’t daughter and mother, but we were becoming friends in a way. It felt good. It felt right, and her toast was short, but very sweet.
“I have loved you since the day I met you,” she said. “I have loved you when I couldn’t show you. I have loved you when I was hurting you.” She began crying, and so did I. “And it was because of my love for you that I sought help. I loved you every day I was in the hospital. I loved you every day I was in the residential home. I loved you the day I came home, and I have loved you every day since. I will love you every day that you’ll let me, and if you choose not to, I will continue to love you even after that. I will never stop loving you, Samantha, and I am not the reason you are the amazing woman you’ve become, but my heart couldn’t be any prouder. Like Mason has done for his father, I thank you for showing me the type of woman I should be. I love you.”
I went to hug her, then moved to hug all the others.
There was more talking and celebrating after that. Helen stood up. Garrett stood up. My little sister even made a speech, and everyone melted into puddles when she waved her little hands in the air.
But then Logan announced it was time to party, and soon we were all on the dance floor.
A couple hours later, I began to wonder: Do newly wedded couples stay until the end of their receptions?
I had this idea in my head that they slunk off halfway through the night, eager for their time alone, and everyone else stayed dancing and partying until the deejay quit working. I don’t know if that’s the truth, but it’s not what Mason and I did—not because we didn’t want to be alone, but because we’d already broken the tradition of not seeing each other the night before. We not only saw each other, we slept in the same bed, and had some hot and rough sex. Oh yeah. We shattered that tradition, and we were also the last to go at the end of the party.
After the deejay finally cut the music and packed up his things, all of our friends remained in the banquet room for another hour, talking and laughing around a table. Logan held Taylor on his lap. She leaned against his chest, her eyes half closed the whole time. Nate was beside them, with Heather and Channing next to him, holding hands under the table. Matteo sat with Grace, and Courtney was beside her. Finally, with exhaustion growing, people began saying their goodnights and goodbyes.
Courtney was first to wave goodbye with tears in her eyes. She wound her little arms around me and whispered in my ear, “I wish all the blessings and happily ever afters for you, friend.” She squeezed me tight one more time. “I know you guys will be fine.” She kissed my forehead and waved to everyone else as she left.
Grace and Matteo were next, holding hands.
He went for the side-hug with Mason, but Mason wasn’t having it. He went straight for a real hug, and the two clasped each other tight. Matteo pulled back and flicked away a tear like it was never there as he reached for Grace again. I knew she meant it when she said congratulations to me.
Heather and Channing were third in line, and we shared hugs all around. Mason was my best friend. Logan after him, but then it was Heather for sure. No girl, not even Taylor, would ever fill Heather’s shoes, and this hug wasn’t really a “I’m unsure how this will affect us in the future” hug, but one that said “I love you to death and call me when you wake up so we can laugh about everything all over again.”
As Heather and Channing left, I knew we’d be seeing each other or talking very shortly. They were lifers with us.
Then there were five.
Nate (his date had slipped away to their hotel room for the night already), Logan and Taylor, and Mason and me.
I don’t know who started it, but we all stood and moved out to the lobby. We stopped there, and I curved into Mason’s side, his arm around my waist. Taylor had curled into Logan, and Nate’s hands were in his pockets. Their tuxedo jackets were long gone, as were the slim black ties they’d worn, and the ends of their shirts had untucked from their pants.
Mason’s eyes were tired, but alert, and his hair had been raked through so it stood up a little bit. It suited him. He could’ve been a CEO after an all-nighter, and one day, I was sure he would be.
I knew he would eventually tire of football. He and Logan were already talking about business ventures, starting up a tentative idea, and I had no worries about it. I was certain that eventually they would be CEOs, rivaling their father. Until then, they were going their planned routes. The NFL for Mason, and law school for Logan.
“This is it.” Nate glanced around the group, a twinge of sadness in his eyes.
I wasn’t sure what Nate was going to do. He’d followed Mason to Massachusetts and was working in a business there, but he’d kept quiet about his plans for the future. I had a feeling that wherever Mason was, Nate would be too.
Mason’s hand tightened around my waist; I felt good and anchored, and I needed it. The tiredness was getting to me. I yawned.
Mason nodded. “This is it.”
Nate looked at Logan. “I’m going up to wake my date. You’ll be at the house later?”
That house was the one I’d moved into and started this whole process. James and Analise had kept their promise. They’d moved out, and it was left for us to use whenever we wanted. Everyone had stayed there this past week, but some got hotel rooms for tonight. And I knew Mason had plans for us.
We were heading to Europe for a
month of backpacking. We’d stay in hostels unless they were too nasty, then we’d spend the money for a nice hotel. But we had plans to stay as grassroots as possible. I was excited about the honeymoon trip, but I knew tonight Mason was intending to take us somewhere else completely.
“Yep. We’ll be there,” Logan told Nate. “We’ll see you later.”
Nate nodded and pointed toward the elevators. “I should get up there before I can’t wake her up anymore.”
There was another round of hugs, but we’d see Nate tomorrow evening.
Nate was family. He’d never venture far from our side.
Logan and Taylor walked beside us out to the parking lot. Once we got to Mason’s Escalade, Taylor didn’t linger. She broke from Logan’s side, coming to hug me and whisper, “He’ll stay forever if I don’t do something. Love you, sister, and I’ll see you guys tomorrow for dinner.”
We hugged once more, then she hugged Mason and turned to Logan. “I’ll be in the car. Not too long, okay?”
He nodded, and their hands swiped as he handed off the keys.
Then there was three.
We looked at each other, and Logan blinked back a few tears. A crooked grin showed, and he sighed, “The Threesome Fearsome.”
He looked at Mason, then me, and I matched his crooked grin, saying, “Always.” I slipped my hand back into Mason’s, but I gave him some space.
This was it. This was the final hug goodbye. In some small sense, things would be different after this. Mason was my husband.
I grinned up at him, feeling the same breathlessness I always did when he entered a room. But I also felt flutters in my chest and stomach today for the same reason Logan was trying not to tear up.
Mason was my husband now. My real family. It was him and me. Husband and wife. God, I was someone’s wife. I was Mason’s wife. I felt a whole new tingle at that thought. I’d never get used to it. It was all so surreal, but that was our Twosome Fearsome.
The Threesome Fearsome would remain, but it was different. Logan had always been on Mason’s other side, but after this, he would stand behind us. It would be Mason and me, side by side. We’d follow our own trail, and eventually Logan would start off on his own path with Taylor.
