Matthew ran his hand around the collar of his shirt. “Is it hot in here or is it just me?”
“It’s nerves,” Liam told him. He glanced at his watch, then looked at his brother.
Matthew took a deep breath. “Sally’s right. I can do this. Is everyone ready?”
Liam, Sean, and Nathan nodded.
“I’ll be waiting beside Mom and Dad,” Sally said as she gave Matthew a hug. “Good luck.”
Becky was proud of Matthew and his siblings. They shared a love for each other that was strong and true. They’d all helped to make this day special, and it showed in the way everything had come together.
Now, after six weeks of planning, all they had to do was support their brother as he began a new journey that would change his life forever.
Sean stayed close to Matthew.His twin might be an extrovert who was always getting into trouble, but he hated giving speeches. When he was younger, he’d break out in hives if he even thought about talking in front of a crowd of people. Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen today.
As soon as the cafeteria doors opened, a hush fell across the room. Sean didn’t know whether it was because all four brothers had arrived together, wearing their dark suits and shiny shoes, or because they were so serious. It was probably a combination of both.
As soon as the initial shock subsided, most of the guests seemed to realize what was happening. Their surprised expressions turned to smiles, and there were even a few sighs.
Sean found his parents in the sea of faces. He hoped they were taking today’s turn of events in their stride.
His dad’s wink made him feel a hundred times better. His mom had her hand over her mouth and was trying to hold back her tears. He smiled when he saw the new light purple dress she was wearing. She looked beautiful, even if she was about to burst into tears.
He glanced at Matthew. He didn’t look as though he was about to faint, so that was a good start.
Not far from where their parents were standing was a raised platform. Leading Matthew there was the best he could do to make his brother more comfortable.
Liam and Nathan joined them. As they stood beside each other, Sean understood just how hard this must be for Matthew. Even though his brother knew most of the guests, the number of people looking at him must be intimidating.
“You’ll be fine,” he whispered. “Look at Mom and Dad if it makes it easier.”
Matthew had practiced his speech at least a dozen times in front of Sean, but this was different.
Taking another deep breath, Matthew opened the sheet of paper he’d brought with him and cleared his throat. “Thank you for coming here to celebrate what you thought was an engagement party. As you’ve probably guessed by now, it’s not an engagement party, but a wedding we’ll be celebrating.”
Matthew glanced nervously at everyone before dropping his head back to the sheet of paper. If he’d kept his head raised a little longer, he would have seen the empathy in the faces around them. Everyone could see how difficult this was for him. They were right here, supporting him with each word he spoke.
“You’re doing great,” Sean whispered.
The anxious glance he sent him made Sean move a little closer to his brother.
“Six weeks ago, I asked my twin brother, Sean, if he would organize a surprise wedding for Ashley. Until this morning, she didn’t know what was happening. I’m pleased to tell you she still agreed to marry me.”
Everyone in the room laughed.
“I love Ashley more than words could ever describe and—” Matthew’s voice trembled and tears filled his eyes. “I can’t imagine a more beautiful way to celebrate all she means to me than to give her the gift of a wedding. I hope she likes it.”
Sean looked at Matthew and Ashley’s family and friends. More than one person had tissues in their hand, wiping their eyes. Their dad had wrapped his arm around their mom’s waist, holding her close as Matthew spoke to the people around them.
“And, for everyone here, thank you for who you are. For being part of our lives and making us into the people we are today. I’m looking forward to starting an amazing life with Ashley and sharing many more wonderful days with her. If you’re wondering what comes next, Sean will tell you what the plan is for the rest of the day.”
Sean stepped forward, giving Matthew a chance to relax after his nerve-wracking speech. As he told everyone about the wedding and the arrangements they’d made to get everyone to Sally and Todd’s ranch, Nathan and Liam moved closer to Matthew.
Through thick and thin, wedding speeches and hives, they would always be there for each other. And, as he looked at Becky’s gentle smile, he knew she would always be there for him, too.
Chapter17
Twenty minutes later, Becky sat at the back of the church with Mary. “Do you like the flower arrangements Aunt Molly and I made?”
