Emma jumped when the guests broke into laughter, some positively cackling with delight.
Knightley turned to Ben. “Should I go into the time you set the living room rug on fire and Margo was the only one smart enough to get the fire extinguisher?” The guests cheered. “Or should I tell them the story about that cab ride and the pigeon and how, thanks to Margo, the ASPCA didn’t have to get involved? Or maybe about some of those high school parties when Margo practiced her legal skills and convinced the cops no one was home after several noise complaints?”
“You can skip them all!” Ben shouted out with a smile.
Knightley laughed. “Ben, you will leave here today with a wife, one who is warm and loving and for some reason puts up with you.” There were more chuckles from the guests. “And Margo, you leave here today… with… well, a lovely dress and some pretty spectacular flowers.”
There was more laughter, even some hooting from amid the crowd, as Knightley threw a glance at Emma.
“You know, I was going to quote Shakespeare, but I think—and I’m sure one of my closest and dearest friends here tonight might agree—that it feels appropriate to quote the classic New York romance,When Harry Met Sally, instead: ‘When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’?”
There was an audible aw from the crowd as Emma’s mouth fell open. That washerline.
“Ben and Margo, I’ve had a front row seat for years watching your romance grow, and I’ve seen how you both challenge and support each other, how you find pure joy in one another’s successes even more than your own. Do you know howrarethat is?” Knightley said the last line more quietly, almost as if to himself.
Emma’s brow furrowed.Ah, who is this romantic, and where is George Knightley?
Then he raised his glass. Emma found herself quickly doing the same, along with every guest who seemed enraptured by Knightley.
“To the happy couple. I think I speak for everyone here tonight when I say it’s an honor to watch you both embark on what is sure to be a wild and beautiful ride. You’re a very lucky man, Brother. And Margo, I didn’t need a beautiful wedding to call you my sister. I’m just glad it’s official.”
The garden erupted in cheers and applause. Knightley left the microphone and returned to the table, meeting Emma’s shocked expression with a grin.
“Well?” he asked as he sat down.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Plagiarist.”
His head fell back as he laughed.
She smiled at him despite herself. She couldn’t stay mad after that speech.
The band picked up their instruments and started playing the beginning chords of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House, as guests started making their way to the dance floor.
“Seriously though, I’ve never heard you talk like that,” Emma said after a moment.
Knightley didn’t answer at first. He just looked over at her, cocking his head as he considered her, perhaps waiting for her tosay more. She was so used to joking around with him, she wasn’t really sure how to compliment him properly, so she turned to humor instead. “So where have you been hiding this sweet side?”
“Who said I was hiding it?”
“Well, that was the first time I’ve ever seen it.”
“Probably because you never looked.”
“Oh please. I think at some point over the last twenty-three years I would have noticed.”
He raised an eyebrow at her playfully. Or was it condescendingly? She wasn’t sure, but she suddenly felt vulnerable again under his gaze.
“I only meant that I’ve never seen how—” Emma started to defend herself but was cut off as Margo appeared behind her and enveloped her in a hug.
“Look at you! And you!” she said, her words slurring together as she pulled Knightley into her embrace. “My sister and my… ah!… brother! I just… am so… I love you guys and…” Her voice trailed off as her eyes welled with tears again. “We should all dance right now.”
The slow song ended, immediately followed by the upbeat tempo of “Take On Me” by A-ha.
“Knightley’s too cool to dance, remember?” Emma said, eyeing him smugly.
“Oh, right. Okay, just you, then!” Margo said, grabbing Emma’s hand. “Oh God, I wish Montgomery was here. You could have danced with him! And then got married and had babies and moved in next door to me and Ben and…”
She kept talking as she pulled Emma to the dance floor, not bothering to look back and notice Knightley watching them as they disappeared into the crowd.
