Page 93 of The Wedding Toast
Her mom laughed.“Sorry, Becs love.I didn’t mean it like that.I know that you and Jacob are going to have a long and happy life together.And do me a favor and hurry up with the grandbabies, will you?”
Becca and Callie both laughed at that, although Becca wasn’t about to spell out that she intended to start work on the grandbaby plan just as soon as she could tonight.Instead, she went with, “I’ll do my best.”
“Good.Are you two about ready to come down?It’s nearly time for me, and Elena and Walt, and Russ and Ria to go and take our seats.But before we go, I want to see your dad’s face when he sees you.”
Becca’s hand came up to cover her heart.“Aww.I can’t wait to see him either.”
Her mom sniffed.“I’ve only seen your dad cry twice in all these years.I think today is going to be number three, and I don’t want to miss it.”
She came to Becca and gripped her arms.“You look beautiful.Youarebeautiful, Becca.I’m so proud of you.And I’m so happy for you.You found yourself a good man.”She blew out a breath and looked up at the ceiling before glancing out at the vine-covered hills.“You found yourself a good life, too.Just make sure that you live it well.”
Becca swallowed around the lump in her throat.“You’re going to ruin my makeup if you keep that up, Mom.”
Her mom leaned in to hug her, not caring about crushing the dress.And Becca didn’t either.
“Love you, Becs.I’ll see you downstairs.”
“Love you, Mom.”Becca’s words followed her as she turned and hurried from the room.
~ ~ ~
Jacob stood in front of the mirror one last time and inspected himself closely.He looked good.The charcoal suit he’d settled on in the end was formal enough without seeming stuffy, and Becca always loved him in a crisp white shirt.
He ran his fingers down the cornflower blue tie with a smile.He could still see her as she’d collected some of the flowers from his proposal – she had them pressed in one of the big encyclopedias in the library.And he’d never forget the way she smiled when he picked up a couple himself and told her that they were for his tailor, so that he’d know what color he wanted his ties in the future.
He checked his pocket square – also cornflower blue, of course.He was good to go.
He turned to look out the window at the vines rolling away over the hills to the horizon.“Wish you were here,” he murmured to his mom and dad.
“Are you ready?”Xander called from downstairs.
“Never been more ready in my life,” he said with a grin as he jogged downstairs to join Xander, Bentley, and Slade.
“Looking good, big brother,” Xander said with a smile.“I don’t know why, but I thought you two—” he jerked his head toward Bentley, who was dressed the same as Jacob “—would be wearing waistcoats.”
“They look great,” Slade told him with a frown.
Xander laughed.“I know!That’s what I meant.Waistcoats are kind of formal.”He smiled at Jacob.“A bit too stuffy for you, though – now.”
Jacob chuckled.“Thanks.I know what you mean, and I’m sure you won’t be surprised that we considered it.”He smiled at Bentley, who laughed.“Bentley would have worn one with me, but I know he’s relieved not to have to.”
Bentley just shrugged.“Your wedding, your call.”
“If you guys want to know the truth,” Jacob told Xander and Slade, “we actually tried on cornflower blue waistcoats, but …” He gave a shudder, and the others laughed.
“You would have looked like peacocks!”said Xander.
“Maybe so,” said Jacob.“But even more than that, with so much blue everywhere – all the flowers and the ribbons and everything else – I was concerned that rather than making a statement, we’d end up blending in.”
Slade grinned at him.“Who’d have thought of cornflower as camouflage?”
“Not me – not until now anyway.”He checked his watch.“It’s time to go, guys.”
They all grinned at him, and Xander and Slade hurried over to the bar – the cottage used to be a tasting room, and Slade and Willow hadn’t converted the downstairs back yet.
Xander handed him a shot glass, and Slade handed Bentley one.
Jacob rolled his eyes – shots weren’t exactly his style, but …
