“That’s so far away. What about Christmas?” Her eyes light up.
I bark out a laugh. “Wild horses couldn’t get Vivien on a plane to Ireland at Christmas. Are you mad? She’d probably get hypothermia.” Ash had suggested a winter wedding to Viv, and the look on her face was fucking priceless. “You have no chance of convincing my Californian princess to get married in Ireland in the fucking dead of winter. No chance. Nada.”
The noise level explodes as my brothers, their wives and children enter the chapel. Jamie and my parents move to go to them, but I pull Mum and Dad aside because there is something I need to say to them. “What’s wrong?” Mum’s brow instantly creases in a frown. “You’re not having cold feet, are you?”
“Are you kidding?” My eyes almost bug out of my head. “My feet are about as toasty warm as you can get. I can’t wait to marry Vivien. I have dreamed of this day for years.”
Lauren’s expression softens, and I’m glad I have a good relationship with Vivien’s parents now. It’s important to me. Not just because of Viv but Easton too. “This isn’t about Vivien. There is something I need to say. Something I should have said a long time ago.” I take both my parents’ hands. “Thank you.” Tears stab my eyes, and I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Thank you for taking me in, for loving me, and for always making me feel included. You never treated me any differently, and you never held it against me when I was in self-destruct mode.” I hug Mum first. “I love you, Ma. I love you so much.”
I rub at the tears leaking out of my eyes. Shit.
Dad comes at me, enveloping me in a hug before I’ve had the chance to hug him. “We love you, son, and we’re very proud of the man you’ve become.”
“Thanks, Da. Love you too.” I’m all choked up.
“Who’s the pussy now?” Jamie says, and I simultaneously want to punch him and thank him for helping to lighten the mood.
“Oh, I love weddings so much,” Lauren says, wiping tears from her eyes. “They always bring out so much emotion. That was beautiful, Dillon.”
“I’m not done,” I say, improvising now. I had planned to talk to my parents before the ceremony, but I wasn’t going to say anything to Viv’s parents yet, waiting for my speech. But the perfect moment is now. I bundle Lauren in my arms. “Thank you for giving me another chance and for trusting me with Vivien and Easton. I promise I will love them and protect them for the rest of my life.”
“Aw, Dillon, stop.” She half laughs, easing out of my embrace. “You’re ruining my makeup.”
We all laugh, and then she takes my hand, squeezing it. “You have more than proven yourself to be a good man, Dillon. Jon and I know you’re going to be as amazing a husband as you are a father. You have put smiles back on my daughter’s and my grandson’s faces, and that is something we worried would never happen.” She tilts her head to the side. “But it’s more than that. Vivien has come to life in a way I’ve never seen before. She literally glows with happiness, and we know that’s due to you. Thank you for loving her and Easton, and welcome to the family.”
“I am honored to be a part of your family.”
“She’s here,” Ronan calls out, walking into the chapel with his daughter, Emer, in his arms.
The woman conducting the ceremony steps into the room from a side door, waving us forward. “Can everyone please take their seats. The bride will be with us shortly.”
Lauren kisses my cheek. “Don’t be nervous. She can’t wait to marry you. I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs up that aisle.”
“I should’ve asked you to be my best man,” I joke, shooting a dark look at Jamie. “This one sucks at motivational speeches.”
“Just keeping it real, bro.” Jamie nudges my shoulder, and I grin.
We take our places, and I try to control my nerves as the opening notes to “I Knew I Loved You” by Savage Garden starts playing. I turn to look when there is movement behind us, fighting emotion as Easton walks up the aisle, looking so fucking adorable in his little suit. He insisted on a miniature version of mine, complete with black shirt and white tie. He’s carrying the ring cushion, looking proud as punch.
“Mommy was crying,” he says when he gets to the top, and I pull him into my side as Ash walks up the aisle next in a gorgeous green silk gown Vivien made. She’s carrying a bunch of white roses which makes me smile.
“Is Mommy okay?” I ask East.
He nods. “She said they were happy tears because she’s so happy to be marrying you.”
A layer of stress lifts off my shoulders. “That’s good, buddy.”
“I’m happy you’re marrying Mom too. Now I know you’ll never leave.”
I crouch down as Ash reaches the top of the aisle and Audrey starts walking. Easton still misses Reeve, but his life has gone on, and he doesn’t get sad as often. This comment reminds me the impact of what he’s lived through will always be there, and I hate he still feels insecure. That the tragedy means he probably always will. “I’m not going anywhere, Easton.” I hug him. “I love you and your mom, and I’ll always be there for you.”
“I know, Daddy.” He holds my hand as Vivien appears in the corner of my eye.
Everyone turns to look at her, and she’s a vision in white as she walks up the aisle on her father’s arm. Strong emotion is reflected upon her face, her smile is wide, and her eyes are bright, and I feel like running toward her because I need her in my arms stat.
We only have eyes for each other as she approaches, wearing a strapless knee-length white silk dress with a lace overlay she made herself. It’s a pretty simple design but elegant and classy. Just like my bride. Her hair is pulled back in a bun, and her makeup is subtle. She clutches a larger bouquet of roses to her chest.
“You look stunning. I’m the luckiest man alive,” I tell her when she reaches me, pulling her toward me before Jon can officially hand her to me.