Brothers in Blue A Bryson Family Christmas - Jeanne St. James Page 0,68

parents of the bride and groom. Or groom and groom.

Hell, Teddy wouldn’t mind being considered the blushing bride. More like a bubbly one. He was surprisingly quiet during the ceremony but once they said their “I dos” and the two practically ate each other’s faces off during the kiss, he was back to his bubbly, outspoken self.

Of course, he made sure everyone saw the matching wedding bands Adam picked out for them at least three times. Just in case they weren’t paying attention the first two.

Teddy and Adam were adorable together, though she doubted Adam would approve of that description with him being a Bryson, a Marine and a cop. A triple alpha threat like the rest of the Bryson males.

Her own triple threat put the portable car seat down next to her and took his own seat just in time for Ron to stand and announce, “Since I’m the most senior here, I’m going to start, then anyone else who wants to say something can. If anyone doesn’t like that, they can file a complaint with the complaint department, which is a department of one. Me. I’ll make sure to take the time to read that complaint before I throw it into the fire. Now lift your glasses.”

All the adults, except for Leah, lifted their champagne, while the kids, Greg and Carly’s sister-in-law lifted their sparkling cider for a toast.

Then everyone got choked up as Ron obviously struggled with getting his words out. He cleared his throat a couple times, while Mary Ann squeezed his arm and wiped at her own eyes. “We had three sons, so I never thought we’d have a fourth wedding. Because, if nothing, the Brysons are stubborn and loyal, meaning the women that married us are stuck with us forever. We take ‘til death do us part very literally. So, there will never be a second wedding for my boys. They found the loves of their lives, the mothers of my grandchildren, and I couldn’t be happier.

“But, in truth, we don’t have three sons. We proudly have four. Someone left the front door open a crack and another one wiggled his way inside. Once he did, we embraced him as our own. And we’re not giving him back. Even though he thinks today is the first day of being a Bryson, that’s not true. He’s been a Bryson for a long time now. So, I’m not welcoming him into the family because he’s been planted in the middle of it for years.”

Teddy had a hand covering his mouth and Adam had an arm over his husband’s shoulders and wore a crooked grin as he tried to keep himself together.

The women were crying, the men occasionally clearing their throats roughly, the kids not understanding the fuss since Teddy had always been a part of their lives. He’d always been Uncle Teddy.

Ron lifted his flute a little higher. “Cheers and congratulations to the new Mr. and Mr. Bryson.” He took a sip of his champagne and everyone followed suit. “I said enough, now I pass it over to my brother.” Ron frowned. “Who is now also an in-law?” He shook his head. “I don’t want to know.” He sat and Mary Ann leaned in to kiss his cheek.

Randall stood and lifted his glass. “Then I will welcome him to my family.” He turned to face Adam and Teddy. “I have to say, when the two of you literally came out of the closet together at Marc and Leah’s wedding, I didn’t think it would last since you two are such opposites. But here you are. And today, I gained another son. I also have to say, Teddy, you are one of the best gifts Adam has ever given us.”

Laughter rose from around the table and Teddy blew kisses at his new father-in-law.

“Okay, that’s it. I’m not good with speeches. Congratulations! And can we all agree that you two need to get moving on giving us our first grandchild? We have a long way to catch up with my brother.”

Two seats down from Carly, Jet dropped her dark head, shook it and groaned.

“Get used to it,” Carly, Leah and Amanda warned her, all at the same time. The three women laughed.

“Anyone else want to say anything?” Ron asked.

As one, the adults rose, lifted their glasses high and Max yelled, “To Teddy for finally nabbing his Bryson buck!” They laughed as they took another sip from their flutes.

“Yay!” Teddy shouted, clapping and doing a wiggle in his seat.