Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“Ronan,” I began, turning to him.
He was patient, waiting for me to speak. Still tall and strong, his shoulders were broad, his expression open and his eyes full of life.
“You, today, being with me. It means a lot.”
“For me too,” he said.
“I remember meeting you the first day when you came to pick up Beth.”
He chuckled. “You were a kid. You looked at me like you’d never seen someone so big.”
I laughed with him. “I hadn’t. You were like a giant.” I paused. “Your size reflected your heart.”
He huffed out a surprised breath.
“I don’t say it enough, but thank you. For being the husband you are to Beth. The dad you are to Zoey and Luke. The friend, brother, and father you’ve been to me.” I had to clear my throat. “I wouldn’t be standing here today getting ready to marry my Jenny if it weren’t for you. Everything you’ve done for me. For her. For my sister.” I paused, feeling like I was twelve again. I shuffled my feet, looking down. “You made my life better, Ronan. You made all our lives better. I wanted—I wanted you to know how much you mean to me. How special you are to me. I love you, and I’m glad you’re with me today.”
He was silent, and I looked up. His eyes were filled with tears he let overflow, not embarrassed to show his feelings. He rested his hands on my shoulders, the strength in his muscles belied by the gentleness of his touch. He smiled despite his tears.
“I’m proud of you, Evan. I’ve watched you grow from a boy to a man. I’ve seen how you’ve overcome. Pushed. Taken every obstacle in your way and kept going. You’re an incredible young man.” He shook me slightly. “I’m here for you—anything, anytime.” He laughed and wiped his cheek. “But I think you’re going to do fine on your own. You’ve got this.”
Our eyes met. “I couldn’t love you more if you were my own. You know that, right?” he added, his voice thick with emotion.
I nodded, unable to speak.
“Then let’s get you inside and married. Today is a day of celebration.”
He embraced me, his arms tight, his hold firm. He had always offered his affection freely. His hugs were legendary, and I’d often sought them as comfort when I was younger. Now, I used them to show my love, because my affection for this great man knew no bounds. He was the example I planned to follow in my life. I wanted to be the friend, the husband, and the father he had been to me.
Everything that was right and good in this world.
He pulled back.
“You ready?”
Thanks to him, I was.
“Yes.”
And with him by my side, I headed toward my future.