My Unexpected Forever (Beaumont 2)

“I promise to share with you the joys of life, because with you, they’ll be that much sweeter.

“Liam, lastly I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, because tomorrow will never be enough.”

Josie never shared her vows with me and I’m than

kful for that. When she speaks about a perfect love and trust, she speaks from experience. She’s been through more than just losing the love they shared once, she’s had to learn to trust the public side of Liam, and she’s done it gracefully.

Noah hands his parents their rings. Liam gives him a fist bump, much to the guests delight.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Liam, you may kiss your bride.”

Whistling and laughter ring out as Liam dips his bride back and kisses her. When he rights her, he raises their hands in the air. I hand Josie her bouquet, and watch as my two best friends rush down the aisle to start the next chapter in their lives.

The kids follow, Noah with Peyton and Quinn with Elle. I step forward and loop my arm into Harrison’s. This is the closest we’ve been in weeks. It doesn’t feel forced or uncomfortable. It feels natural. It feels like home.

THE moment the wedding party is announced, Harrison leaves my side. I know I shouldn’t have expected him to stay next to me, but a small part of me hoped he would. That small part hoped that the wedding vows and the love in the air would spur him to take a step and demand that I talk to him. No such luck, and there’s no one to blame but myself.

Josie and Liam move right into their first dance. They hired a band to play live music tonight. The band plays one of the songs Liam wrote for Josie. Why she chose this, I’ll never understand, but it’s their song. When they finish, we all sit and enjoy dinner. The atmosphere is so laid back you’d think we’re at a party, not a reception. I’ve been to many and while most have been boring, this has a nightclub vibe going on. I have a feeling this will be an all-nighter for some.

The dancing begins as soon as the dinner plates have been carried away. Liam, Josie and Noah all dance together for one song, uniting them as a family. Jimmy stands next to Harrison. Both of them are without their jackets now. Jimmy’s bow tie is undone and his hair is standing on end. It makes me wonder which one of these women is his date for the night as I look around for someone who looks like they just came out of the coat closet. That image is enough for me to be thankful I didn’t have to coat check anything.

Time moves too fast. The cake has been cut. The bouquet tossed and Liam performed a very erotic dance to take off Josie’s garter. If she wasn’t embarrassed, I was enough for the both of us. Harrison caught the garter and spun it around his finger. He smirked when he caught me watching him. He licked his lips before turning away. That’s the rocker side of him showing, reminding me what I gave up.

The singer of the band tells us it’s time for our speeches. He helps me step up on the stand and lowers the microphone stand.

“Hello,” I say. “It’s hard to prepare a speech for your best friends, especially when mine are so special to me. I could thank them for the countless hours they’ve been by my side or tell you how they’ve been my rock through my most troubling time, but that doesn’t tell you about them. I’ve known them forever and it was only fitting that they became a couple. Whether we did this years ago or today, it was bound to happen. Today, I watch the union of two people who have triumphed over every obstacle thrown at them. They’re truly the epitome of romance and love to me. To Josie and Liam, thank you for showing me the path that I need to take.”

They meet me at the side of the stage and we hug. When Harrison takes the stage, my heart stops beating. That’s where he’s most comfortable. Where he shines.

“Good evening,” he says into the microphone. “As the best man, it’s my honor to give this speech. I’ve known Liam for over eleven years now and we’ve been through just about everything one can imagine. When he invited me into his home just over a year ago, I saw with my own eyes what had been missing from his life. I’m proud to stand up here tonight and congratulate my friend on finding the missing piece to his life, for having the guts to chase it down and for taking the steps he needed to make it his. Liam and Josie, you’re an example for us all.

“Before I leave, I have a gift for you. Weeks ago, four very talented people came to me and asked for some help. What they asked for, I thought couldn’t be done in weeks, but they practiced every free minute they could. These four persevered, and I’m proud to introduce to you Noah Westbury and Quinn James on guitar, Elle Powell on lyrics and Peyton Powell on drums. And for the record, I didn’t pick the song.”

My mouth drops open as the kids take the stage. I have to blink to be sure, but Harrison is right, my daughters are there and one is sitting at the drum set. Harrison moves around each child making sure they’re all set. When he gets to Peyton, I see it. I see how they connected.

Josie and Liam come over to me and stand. “Did you know about this?” Liam asks. I shake my head. “I’ll be damned.”

As soon as the music starts, the guests start laughing. The kids are playing their own version of Call Me Maybe. The lyrics Elle sings don’t really set with me because I’m focusing on Peyton. She’s so poised and determined behind the drum set and most importantly, she’s smiling. I haven’t seen her smile that big in a very long time and she’s doing it because of Harrison.

When the song is over, Peyton hugs Harrison before she comes rushing off stage. I pick her up and hug her tightly. “Oh Peyton, I’m so proud of you.” I set her down and she beams at me.

“Was I great?”

“You were the best drummer I’ve ever seen.” It’s not a lie, at least not for me.

“Harrison taught me after the boy at school started teasing me. He said to take out all my anger on his drums. He didn’t care if I broke them.”

I replay her words over in my head. I don’t remember a boy teasing her. “What are you talking about?”

Liam sets his hand on my shoulder. “When you were in L.A. there was a mishap at school. I thought Harrison would’ve told you, but I’m guessing now he was trying to save his relationship and it slipped his mind.”

“Is she being bullied?”

Liam shakes his head. “No, Quinn took care of that.”

I try to make sense of what they’re saying but I can’t. I need to hear it from Harrison. I look around for him, but don’t see him anywhere.

“Where’s Harrison?”