all the traditions we’d decided to skip, that one we held onto. Mostly because we were in serious danger of breaking the pre-wedding sex-fast.
Really close.
So close he had his hand up my dress as we sat next to each other while our families toasted, or roasted us, before dessert.
“Stop,” I chastised him when my mother took the microphone first. “Tomorrow.” It was hard to take me seriously when I told him to quit, but made no attempt to move his wandering hand.
“I can’t. I want you so bad,” he murmured into my hair.
“Not long, Lou.”
“We’re not spending any time at that reception, just so you know.”
“Whatever you say,” I easily agreed. I wanted him too. “You can kiss me though.”
It was chaste, but I felt the heat he was holding back behind his lips.
“How do I turn this thing on?” my mother asked like she’d never held a microphone before. Shane stepped up to help her.
“Thank you, sweetie,” she bellowed as the speakers roared to life. “First I’d like to say congratulations to my lovely daughter and her handsome groom. You two make a wonderful couple. It’s easy to see how much you love each other, simply by looking at you. As a mother, all you want for your children is for them to be happy, be good people, be responsible, and love with everything they have inside. My sweet Blake, not only have you become someone I’m proud of, but you’ve become someone I respect. You found love the hard way and never gave up. It’s because of your determination we’re gaining such a wonderful man into our family, and in addition, his family as well. We love you both very much.” As mothers do, she got teary, dabbing the liquid emotions from her eyes with a tissue. Then she passed the mic to Cory.
“Hey everyone, if you can’t tell, I’m Cory, Casey’s more handsome older brother.” The small crowd laughed. “I remember the first night Casey met Blake. We were meeting up for a drink the night before my beautiful wife, Micah, graduated. They say twins have some kind of connection, or something like that, but honestly I’d never felt it—until that night. I could feel how much he was into her just being in the room with them.
“It was the weirdest thing. I’d never seen Casey behave like he was. He was quiet and almost shy. If you know him like I do—well, it was obvious something was happening. The way they looked at each other that night, something sparked. Something came to life.
“If twins are born best friends, born with some unexplainable connection, then that was the night I watched how instantly theirs was going to be stronger.” Cory smiled at his brother. “Whatever sibling link we have can’t compete with what they have. Blake, he’s a horse’s ass. He’s cocky. Stubborn. But he’s the best friend I’ve ever had and it’s been a pleasure watching how your love has made him a man I look up to. Congratulations.”
What is it about when men get mushy that makes a heart squeeze like mine was doing in that moment?
“I’m Reggie, one of Blake's older brothers. I don’t have anything prepared, but just want to say, it’s a good feeling when you know your little sister is in good hands. It’s a bonus when he knows how to make killer beer. I wish you a long, happy marriage.”
Morgan spoke next. “Blake and Casey, thank you for letting us share this with you. I’ve learned a lot from my older brothers. Especially, what it looks like when a man treats a woman the way she deserves. The kind of love you two share is well worth waiting for.” Morgan, more strait-laced and serious than all of the other Moore children, mouthed I love you, guys and blew us a kiss when she handed her dad the mic.
“Casey was a hell of a little boy. There may have been be a forest full of trees to climb and he’d pick the furthest, hardest one. Then he’d figure out how to climb it. He’s approached life like that. Finds what he loves and goes for it. Sure, he looks like a knucklehead with all of those curls, but inside that melon of his is a brain that can find a solution to any problem. And fast. He moves on instinct and passion, a lot like his mom did.
“One night when they were small, Deb and I watched the boys wear themselves