Chapter 12
Christian stopped to say ‘hi’ to a couple of family members as he made his way down the center aisle toward the dais, where the ceremony was going to take place. He just turned away from one of his cousins when he spotted Shea standing by the front row, talking to Christian’s dad. His breath caught, Shea looked incredible in his navy blue pinstriped suit. The last time Christian saw Shea in a suit was at his parents’ and sister’s funeral a couple of years ago. They all perished in a house fire one night. Shea didn’t live with them, so he didn’t know what happened until the police called him after they were already dead. It was only a week after they got home from Europe. Shea was now left with no family; both of his parents were only children - all four of his grandparents passed away when he was younger - and his only sibling was his sister.
Christian moved toward his best friend. Dammit, why did he have to be in love with the one man he couldn’t have? Life was so unfair. Christian plastered on a smile as he sidled up next to Shea, clapping him on the back.
“It was nice of you to dress up,” Christian teased.
“I hate suits. I only wear them when I have to.” Shea grunted, tugging at the collar of his shirt.
Christian huffed and brushed Shea’s hand away. “Stop fiddling, you’re messing up your tie,” he muttered as he turned Shea to face him.
Christian fixed Shea’s askew tie, smoothing his hands down his lapels to make sure they were flat. “There, now don’t touch it.”
“Thank you, honey.” Shea smirked.
Christian gave him a dirty look that made Shea chuckle. Meanwhile, his stomach twisted with the ‘honey’ remark.
“Go sit down, we’re going to start soon,” Christian muttered.
“Yes, sir,” Shea said with an exaggerated salute.
“Ass.” Christian snorted and shook his head before walking away from him.
Christian stopped to give his mom a kiss and his dad a hug before he stood on the dais with Sebastian and Henry, who were both looking at him funny.
“What?” Christian asked.
Both of them shook their heads vigorously and muttered, “Nothing.”
Christian narrowed his eyes at them. What the hell was up with them? Christian decided to let it go. Knowing his brothers, it was something stupid anyway. Christian glanced in Shea’s direction. Margot was now sitting next to him, and Quinn was making his way up to them. Christian sighed with a heavy heart; he would probably be doing this again in the near future for Quinn and Margot. First Henry, then Sebastian, and now Quinn - they all found the one person that they wanted to spend the rest of their life with. Christian has, too, but that was never going to happen. He was never going to get married because he would never find someone he would love more than Shea - it just wasn’t possible. Shit, weddings were so depressing; he couldn’t wait for the ceremony to be over so he could drink away his sorrows.
~~~~~
Everyone stood as the music started playing. Margot turned to see the double doors in the back of the room open to reveal Raelynn and her father. Margot’s breath caught, Raelynn looked absolutely exquisite in her wedding gown. It was an A-line style ivory strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, and a beautiful lace overlay. Her blonde hair was half up with her veil at the back of her head. She looked elegant and graceful, and Margot hoped that she would look half as stunning when it was her turn to get married.
Margot glanced at the dais to check out the guys. Sebastian looked like he was fighting off tears, and Henry and Quinn were smiling as they watched Raelynn come down the aisle; however, Christian was frowning with his head bowed slightly. Margot wondered what could possibly be bothering him now. She elbowed Shea and nodded in Christian direction.
“What is his problem?” she whispered.
Shea’s smile faded as he looked over at his best friend. “I don’t know, maybe his anxiety is up.”
As if Christian knew they were talking about him, he lifted his head and looked right at them. Shea mouthed to him, asking if he was okay. Christian gave him a tight smile and nod before turning to look at Raelynn, who just stepped onto the dais. Sebastian met her, shook her father’s hand, took Raelynn’s hand, and led her up to the center where the minister was waiting.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and to the point, maybe all of fifteen minutes. The bridal party exited first and went to go take pictures, while the rest of the guests headed for the cocktail hour. Margot got a glass of champagne off a passing waiter and made her way over to the hors d’oeuvre tables.