Page 96 of The Wedding Toast
“I love you, Becs.”He gave her a squeeze before stepping back and looking her over.“My little girl grew up to be a beautiful woman.And even better, you grew up to be a kind, caring, wonderful woman.”He swiped at his eyes and gave her a rueful smile.“I’m so proud of you, love.”
“Aww, Dad, I’m so proud of you.”
They stood there smiling at each other until her mom called, “You’re going to have to get your butts into gear.”She came to them and kissed Becca’s cheek.“Love you, Becs.I’ll see you out there.”
Becca’s heart felt like it might overflow when she watched her mom cup her hand over her dad’s cheek and say, “And I love you, Charles James Taylor.I’m going to go sit down.You bring our baby girl out there and walk her to her future.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jacob and Bentley stood off to one side watching people take their seats.They’d arrived a little too early, just as he’d intended.
“The arch is spectacular,” said Bentley.
Jacob turned to stare at it.It was even more beautiful than he'd believed possible when he'd seen it this morning while Alara was still working on it.A rush of warmth filled his chest.
“What’s that smile for?”asked Bentley.Then he shook his head.“Forget I asked.You probably don’t want to …”
Jacob chuckled.“It’s okay, I don’t mind sharing.I was just looking at the arch …” He gestured around at the beautiful scene laid out before them, at the cornflowers lining the driveway, and the way the whole estate had been transformed for this day.“I was remembering the first time I saw a cornflower.”
Bentley gave him a puzzled look.
"When Fred—Becca's car," he added with a rueful smile, "broke down while Slade was driving it back from Oakland for her.He brought it back here, and when I went out to the garage to look at it, Slade showed me the little flower vase on the dash.She had a crocus in it."He grinned at his friend."It's just so Becca – a crocus in a Focus."
Bentley chuckled.“I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, well, that’s because I only ever told you about the cornflower she had in there.She said she kept it because it reminded her of home.And that’s how this whole thing came about.I wanted this place to feel like home to her.”He gave his friend a wry smile.“It’s a long way from Kansas, after all.”
“It might be a long way,” said Bentley, “but I know she thinks of this as her home now.And not because of the cornflowers – because of you.”He gripped Jacob’s shoulder.“I’m happy for you, my friend.”
Jacob nodded, not trusting his voice for a moment.“Thanks.I’m happy for me too.”
Bentley nodded to where the officiant was beckoning them over.“It looks like it’s almost time.”
“It’s time, all right,” said Jacob.And the two of them went to stand beside the arch.
After he’d greeted the officiant, he smiled out at the rows of friends and family who were watching them more attentively now.It seemed there were representatives from every era and area of his life.
Smoke sat with his wife, Laura, and his parents, Madeleine and Cole.There was a time when it would have been hard to believe they’d ever all sit together again.Smoke gave him a nod, and Laura waved.Beside them were Smoke’s brother and sister, Cam and Chelsea, with their partners, Piper and Grant.The Hamiltons had been a big part of his childhood, and here they were now, part of the most important day of his life.
He chuckled when Antonio waved at him.He was sitting with the rest of the DiGiovannis – his wife Mary Ellen, his brother Marcos and his wife, Molly.Little Luca sat on Marcos’s knee, a toddler now, waving his chubby little arms at his grandparents.Antonio’s mom gave Jacob a wave, and he waved back.He considered those guys to be the Italian branch of the family.
Xander grinned at him.He and Tori were sitting with Willow and Slade, who gave him a nod.Jacob was glad to see John with those guys and touched his fingers to his brow when John saluted him.
They were all just behind Russ and Ria.Ria held his gaze for a moment, and he had to close his eyes.She was the closest thing to his parents he had here today.Next to her and Russ, Elena and Walt sat tall and proud, making him glad he’d asked them – not just to sit with his family but to prove to the world that they were his family.The thought had him needing to clear his throat.His parents might have been gone a long time, but he had more family now than ever.
As if to prove it, Darlene got up from her seat and came toward him, a grin on her face and a tissue in her hand.“You look like you’re getting a bit choked up there, big fella,” she said as she handed it over.
He had to laugh when she winked at him.
“Don’t worry.I’m keeping my back to them so no one can see.”
He chuckled.“Thanks, Darlene.”
“You’re welcome, love.”She hesitated for a moment, and Jacob held out his arms.He held her tight for a moment when she wrapped him in what had to be the most motherly hug he’d ever known.Everyone in the first few rows laughed when she finally let go of him and turned to Elena and Ria.
“I know he’s yours, but we’re all one big family after today.My Chuck’s already said we’re not giving our Becca away.We’re claiming this one and the rest of you, too.”
Bentley grinned at Jacob as she bustled back to her seat beside CJ.
