Page 16 of Catching Her Heart
She clears her throat and launches into what I think is supposed to be "At Last" by Etta James. What comes out sounds more like a cat being stepped on by a moose.
"At laaaaaast, my looooove has come alooooong..."
I try to keep my expression neutral, but Ted's shoulders are shaking with laughter. He’s not even trying to hide it. Aroundthe room, our families and friends are wearing the same politely pained expressions I remember from the national anthem.
But something miraculous happens. Despite the off-key warbling and the creative interpretation of the melody, there's something genuinely sweet about Bridget's performance. She's singing with her whole heart, her face glowing with joy and love for us. When she hits what might charitably be called the chorus, her voice cracks with emotion.
"At last, the skies above are blue, my heart was wrapped up in clover..."
I feel tears prick my eyes. Not from the musical assault, but from the pure love radiating from Ted's sister. This woman has been planning our wedding since the day she met me, and she's putting everything she has into this moment.
When she finally, mercifully finishes, the room erupts in applause. Bridget takes a bow, flushed and happy, and I realize that Aaron Mitchell, Ted's teammate from the outfield, is clapping particularly enthusiastically.
"That was beautiful," Aaron says, standing up. "Really moving."
I stare at him in shock. Either Aaron has terrible taste in music, or he's seeing something the rest of us missed.
"Thank you," Bridget beams. "I've been taking voice lessons!"
"It shows," Aaron says earnestly. "Would you like to dance?"
Bridget's face lights up like the Fourth of July. "I’d love to!"
As Aaron leads Bridget toward the small dance floor area, I lean over to Ted. "Is he serious right now?"
"Aaron?" Ted grins. "Dead serious. He's been asking about Bridget since the engagement party. He said she's refreshingly authentic."
"She's something, all right," I mutter, watching Aaron spin Bridget around the dance floor. She's giggling and glowing, and Aaron looks completely smitten.
"Oh no," I say suddenly.
"What?"
"I can see it happening. He's going to ask her out. She's going to say yes. Your family is going to adopt him immediately." I pause, watching Aaron dip Bridget while she laughs delightedly. "Your mother is going to start planning another wedding."
Ted follows my gaze and grins. "Aaron could do worse. Bridget's amazing. The best and biggest heart."
"And questionable vocal abilities."
"He doesn't seem to mind."
On the dance floor, Aaron is listening intently as Bridget chatters away, probably telling him about her voice lessons or her maid of honor dress or her theories about proper wedding planning. He looks fascinated. I’m genuinely happy for them both.
"Heaven help him," I mutter.
Ted laughs and stands up, offering me his hand. "Come on. Dance with me before my sister scares off another one of my teammates."
"Another one?"
"You don't want to know about the incident with the backup catcher and her PowerPoint presentation on wedding flowers."
I take his hand and let him lead me onto the dance floor. As we sway together to the soft music playing from the restaurant's sound system, I look around at our families and friends. Jay and Tracy are dancing nearby, looking blissfully happy. Kathleen has finally relaxed and is showing my parents photos on her phone—probably baby pictures of Ted. Nana is holding court at the head table, regaling anyone who will listen with stories about Ted's childhood baseball career.
"No regrets?" Ted asks softly.
I look up into his eyes, at the face I've come to love so completely. "About what?"
"Staying in Austin. Turning down Chicago. Agreeing to marry a catcher with an insane family."
