Sophie forgot all about acting normal. What was Jake doing? Sure, everyone else was pulling out the stops, but that was what brothers did for each other. Jake had always held his cards much closer to his chest than the rest of them, even Zach. Sophie fell even more in love with Jake as she watched him unexpectedly open up in front of hundreds of strangers.
“I still remember watching the football come sailing from out of nowhere straight toward my puny little head.”
One look at the large man standing before them and it was absolutely clear to everyone that nothing about Jake had ever been puny. Sophie shivered as she remembered how big, how strong, his muscular body had felt pressed into hers while he’d been holding her.
“Somehow I managed to catch it a before it nailed me right between the eyes.” Grins turned to laughter as Jake turned to Chase. “Your aim has always been dead on, buddy. After witnessing firsthand the way you—and the rest of this motley crew—took in a scared kid more than twenty years ago, Chloe, you’ll be pleased to know that you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with one of the best men I’ve ever had the honor of knowing. There’s a saying in Ireland that seems pretty appropriate for today:
If you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love.
If you must steal, steal away from bad company.
And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.”
Sophie couldn’t pull her gaze from Jake’s chiseled face as he raised the glass of specially brewed McCann beer that, she was surprised to suddenly realize, had just been delivered to all the guests’ place settings during the other toasts. That he’d planned such a beautiful toast for her brother and his new wife simply stunned her with its poignancy, as did his final words on lifted glass: “To one of those moments.”
Lori gave the crowd a saucy grin as she stood up. Putting her hand on her hip as if she were mad about something, she said, “I’ll have all of you know that I always figured I’d be the first Sullivan to get married.” She pouted into the laughter, somehow managing to look beautiful even as she pushed out her lower lip. “And if anyone had told me that my big brother was going to up and steal my thunder, I would have reminded him that little sisters know how to exact our revenge.” She winked in Chase’s direction.
Sophie had to admit that her twin knew how to work a crowd. It was why she was such a great choreographer. Lori understood what people wanted, and she was talented enough to give it to them. After the deep emotions from her brothers and Jake, Lori’s seductive playfulness was just what the doctor ordered.
“Good thing my love for you, Chase, is only surpassed by my thrill at calling Chloe sister.” She raised her glass to the bride. “Welcome to the family, sis. We’re thrilled you’re officially one of us now.”
Sophie’s heart started pounding an out-of-control beat as Lori sashayed across the reception area to give her the microphone. She wasn’t comfortable speaking in front of people, had always been able to rely on a crowd of charismatic Sullivans to disappear behind.
Her twin pulled her to her feet and shoved the mic at her, leaving Sophie no choice but to grab it before it fell to the floor. Sophie knew she must look like a deer caught in the headlights, with all of those people staring at her, waiting for her to say something beautiful and moving like every one of those who had spoken before her.
Oh no.
She didn’t know where to look, wanted to disappear into the floor. But then, just as she thought she was going to suffocate from being unable to take a full breath, she looked up and found Jake’s eyes on her.
You can do this, he seemed to be saying to her. And there was such belief in his unwavering gaze that Sophie had no choice but to believe, too, if only for long enough to make her speech and sit down.
“Hi.” She wasn’t used to hearing her voice echoing out of speakers like that and it took her aback, until she locked on to Jake’s dark gaze again.
You’re not really afraid of this bunch, are you?
She suddenly remembered him looking down at her from a tree fort the boys had built, so many years ago. She couldn’t have been more than six or seven and her legs had been trembling the same way they were now, but she’d seen that challenge in Jake’s eyes and she’d risen to it, climbing up that tree so fast she hadn’t been able to let fear grab hold of her and toss her to the ground. He hadn’t congratulated her for making it into the fort, had probably made some crack about banning girls in the future...but she’d known he was proud of her.
She wanted him to be proud of her now.
“I love weddings,” she finally said. “Big ones. Small ones. If it’s about love, and forever, you’ve got me. Right here.” She put her hand over her chest, then looked at her siblings. “Growing up in this family, it wasn’t always easy being an incurable romantic.” Her brothers and twin grinned along with the rest of the guests. “But if I’d ever been even close to being cured,” she paused and faced Chase and Chloe, “the two of you made me believe in love all over again.” She raised her glass to the couple. “I’d like to make a toast to my beloved big brother, Chase, and my brand new sister, Chloe, for writing one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever known.”
Everyone got to their feet again and she didn’t bother to stop her tears from coming as she beamed at her brother and his bride.
And then, finally, it was time to give the microphone to her mother. Mary Sullivan kissed her on the cheek and whispered, “Absolutely perfect, honey,” before she took the mic and faced the happy couple.
“I can’t count the number of times people have remarked on how hard it must have been raise eight children, but I’ve always thought I was the luckiest person in the world.” She reached up to her head. “Even if I had to start coloring my hair in my thirties to cover up the grays that seemed to come in by the second.” The laughter was mixed with sniffles already and Sophie was utterly enraptured by the love flowing around and around the room, wrapping them all up together in a soft cocoon.
“Although today I’m officially welcoming Chloe into my family, she’s been in my heart since the very first time Chase spoke of her and I heard the love he felt for her even across the telephone lines. I love you both.”
Just as Sophie had planned, the music started at the tail end of her mother’s toast. Smith pulled her up out of her seat and into his arms. Her big brother was a fantastic dancer and she’d always loved dancing with him, since the time she’d been a little girl, standing barefoot on top of his shoes as he twirled her around the living room.
She’d cried more today than she had in years, but they had all been good tears. Tears of joy, of pure love. Now she was laughing, feeling so light, so full of that love, as her brother dipped her and then drew her out for an extended twirl that left her breathless.
Especially when she landed straight in Jake’s strong arms.
Chapter Six
Jake had never seen anyone more beautiful than Sophie Sullivan. If he’d been charmed by the purity of her emotions during the wedding ceremony, her reaction to her siblings’ speeches had to be the sweetest thing he’d ever witnessed.