“You’re sure?”
“Yeah.” Conall had had to clear his throat. “I’m sure.”
Of course neither of their parents were here today. Duncan felt something unexpected: pity. It was their loss.
Gaze moving from the awe and love on Conall’s face to Niall as he wrapped an arm around Anna and then lifted her onto his lap, Duncan remembered that long-ago day when their mother had walked out after Dad was sentenced to ten years in the pen. Duncan had come home from his summer job hoping for dinner and found Mom packed.
“You’re…leaving?” His voice had cracked.
“Yes,” she’d said with so little emotion, he knew she was already gone in all but body. “You should, too.”
If he’d left for college the way he had planned, Niall would have survived. Maybe. “But…Conall,” Duncan had croaked in protest. No, begged.
“There’s nothing either of us can do for him, or Niall either. Face it.” And somewhere in there, she’d said, “Conall’s not your responsibility.”
Duncan had made a decision that day. He’d given up his dreams because he’d believed she was wrong.
He’d known for a long time that he had done the right thing. He’d even figured out that he felt a hell of a lot more than responsibility for his brothers.
Today, watching Conall hold out his hand for the woman who had taught him to love again, then smile at the two boys and murmur something to them before they stepped awkwardly aside and retreated to the pew with their adoptive grandparents, Duncan felt his eyes burning.
His brothers hadn’t only survived, they’d become good men who had responded in their turn the same way Duncan had that day. When they were needed, they’d stepped up to the plate.
Have I ever told them how proud I am of them?
He wondered what expression was on his face right now. Am I going to cry?
Yeah, he thought in astonishment and some embarrassment, maybe.
He met his wife’s eyes again and felt as if his chest might split open. All he could think was, how rare was it in a lifetime that a man had the chance to know how lucky he was? To have everyone he loved in one place? All well and happy and surrounded in their turn by people who loved them?
Conall and Lia, hand in hand, had turned to face the pastor, who smiled at them with warmth and wisdom. His voice filled the church with a natural resonance. “We are gathered here today to witness the joining of this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony.”
Duncan swallowed the lump in his throat.
My family.
* * * * *