“Boys,” Dad says in his stern dad voice. “Just go outside, would ya?”
“Boys?” Owen scoffs and the entire room erupts in laughter.
“Just go,” Mom says, holding her stomach from laughing.
“Come on.” I reach for Wren’s hand and we make our way to the door.
“Sure, let the baby of the family go first,” Royce grumbles.
“You losers were dragging your feet. You snooze, you lose,” I tell them, dropping Wren’s hand to pull open the patio door.
“What?” I stop in my tracks.
“Let me see.” This from Royce.
“Move, Marsh,” Owen whines.
My parents’ backyard has a huge white tent. Underneath the tent, there are white chairs with ribbon and some other decorations. “Mom? Are we having a bigger party than Sunday dinner?” I call out.
“Wait? When is their anniversary?” Owen whispers. “We didn’t miss it, did we?” he asks.
Laughter from beside the house breaks out, and we all turn to look at Grant and Conrad. “We didn’t think y’all would ever get here,” Conrad complains.
“What’s going on?” Royce asks.
“Well, boys, today is my wedding day.” Conrad puffs out his chest, and I swear if he smiles any wider, his face is going to crack.
“No shit?” Royce, Owen, and I all murmur.
“Why are you the privileged one?” I ask Grant.
He shrugs. “I’m married to the sister of the bride.”
“Can you all please go sit down so I can marry the love of my life? I’m afraid if I make Aspen wait any longer, she’s going to change her mind.”
“Not happening.” I hear Aspen call out from somewhere in the house. Turning, I look up and see her and Aurora sticking their heads out of the upstairs window. They’re in Conrad’s old room.
“Love you, babe,” Conrad calls up to her.
“Love you too. I’m coming down,” she tells him.
“Finally.” He winks up at her.
“This is really happening?” I ask Conrad.
“This is really happening,” Conrad confirms.
I break away from our small group that’s gathered on the back deck, Madeline still in my arms, and pull him into a hug. “I’m happy for you,” I tell him, getting choked up. That’s no surprise. As brother number four, who claims to have found his magic and grow our family, not only giving me another sister but another nephew, I’m used to the emotions that grab me. I’ve watched all four of them fall head over ass in love, and the women they’ve chosen only make our family better. Stronger.
“You okay?” I feel Wren’s hand on my arm.
“I’m great.” I smile at her. “Let’s go grab a seat.”
Hand in hand, we make our way to the tent and sit. Wren tries to take Madeline from me, but the sweet girl snuggles into my chest, hiding her arms. “She’s fine, baby,” I tell Wren.
There’s a lot of commotion while my brothers and their families, along with my parents, choose seats. I’m getting ready to ask where the minister is when Dad steps up to the altar of flowers.
Placing my hand on Mom’s shoulders, I whisper, “Is Dad marrying them?”
She turns to smile at me. “He is. He was ordained online.”
“That’s cool as hell,” I reply.
“Marshall, watch your mouth around that baby,” she scolds.
“Sorry, Maddie,” I tell the baby in my arms, placing a soft kiss on her head. She doesn’t seem to mind my language or my kisses.
Conrad takes his place standing before Dad, as Grant hits Play on his phone, and the “Wedding March” comes through the speakers that are placed throughout the tent. My eyes flash to Aurora and her parents, who are both waiting with bated breath for Aspen to appear. Then I turn back to my brother. With each of their weddings, aside from the first wedding for Royce, I’ve watched them. I know I’m supposed to watch the bride, but it’s the expression on each of my brothers’ faces that I will always remember about their weddings. The day they get to see the love of their life walk down the aisle to them.
Conrad smiles and bites down on his bottom lip. I can see the tears as they pool in his eyes. I watch as his throat bobs with his thick swallow, fighting back his emotions. He’s unable to stand still as he shifts his weight from foot to foot. I watch as my dad, who keeps his eyes on Aspen, places his hand on Conrad’s shoulder. My brother visibly relaxes, but it’s not until Aspen reaches him and he has her hands wrapped in his does he still.
Reaching over, I place my hand on Wren’s thigh, and she wraps her arms around mine, snuggling into me. This is the first of my brothers’ weddings that I’ve brought a date to, and I did it right, bringing two. Glancing down, I see that Madeline has fallen asleep. The trust that this little girl has in me makes my heart beat faster inside my chest. Beat by beat. It’s as if it’s singing for her and for her mom. I don’t understand it. I’ve never spent this much time with one woman, let alone a single mother.