“You’re smiling again.”
“No, I’m not.” Rory tried to frown and failed as he looked at Max.
“It looks good on you. Is it because of Kate?”
“That’s personal.”
“Nothing in this family is personal,” Rose said, rubbing her belly. “Do you love her?”
“Yes.” The word came out before he could stop it. “I love her.”
“Excellent,” Max said. “I’m not sure when this change happened, but I can’t be unhappy about it if it keeps you here.”
“I’m sorry,” Rory said softly.
“Am I forgiven then?”
He turned to look at his brother. Their eyes caught and held.
“I missed you.” Rory made himself say the words. Perhaps it was not the place, but then where was? “I do understand why you left. We were just lost without you.”
“And I should have tried harder to come back, but when I realized what I’d left behind, I couldn’t find you.”
“We must bring Maddie here.”
“We will. Perhaps we should both go back and get her?”
Rory nodded. “Yes, she’d like that, as would I.”
His brother held up his hand, and Rory clasped it hard. Max’s arms came around him and they hugged. Brief, but a good solid hug that brothers should share.
Rose started crying, so Rory put an arm around her shoulders and held her close. It felt natural to him now. This sister was his to love, as was the one next to her, Emily, and the other behind him, Samantha.
James smiled at him from his place beside Nicholas at the altar, and he nodded back.
The music started, and then there they were, the bride glowing on the arm of her brother. But it was the woman behind them who caught and held his eyes.
“The look on your face matches Kate’s,” Rose whispered.
Rory didn’t answer, just took her hand in his and held it as he watched Kate walk down the aisle. She wore rose beneath her emerald cloak. Her hair was loose curls with the sides pulled high.
His Kate, his love. She found him and smiled. He felt her love.
“Beth, stop blowing your nose on my shirt.”
Rory laughed as Warwick tried to force his handkerchief on the little girl who was on his lap.
Children ran around the church and laughed and chattered as the couple exchanged vows, and Rory enjoyed every minute. His family was a large, boisterous one, and he realized he liked it that way.
They threw rose petals over the newlyweds as they left the church, and he found Kate at his side.
“You look beautiful.” He wanted to lean down and kiss her soft lips.
“Thank you, and you look handsome.”
He leaned closer. “I love you.”
She turned, and he lost every thought but one. Kate.
