Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
He opened the door and Jeremy saw Ken and Brady break their embrace and look guiltily in his direction. “Sorry,” Brady mumbled. “You two done in there already?”
Owen snorted and walked past him without looking back. “The wedding is in an hour,” he called over his shoulder. “Don’t take too long with my best man.”
A flushed Ken caught Jeremy’s eye and sent him a stunning smile before dragging Brady away. “An hour? I can handle that.”
***
“Are you ready?” Jen was holding his hand as they stood at the top of the stairs, just out of sight, listening to old Irish melodies drifting up from the cellist Declan Kelley’s wedding planner had hired for the occasion.
Jeremy took a breath and squeezed her fingers gently. “I’m ready. That doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.”
Jen started sniffing and Jeremy shook his head. “If you start crying now, Little Finn, we’re not going to make it down the stairs.”
“Can’t have that,” Jen said with a watery laugh. “Owen would never forgive me.”
“And Trick and Declan would never forgive me for making you cry. You look great, by the way.”
Jen was wearing a gray silk dress layered with sheer silver. Her strawberry-colored hair was pulled back and tumbling in large curls down her back. She looked like an angel to Jeremy, and as she walked beside him and guests started turning in their seats to stare, she felt like one too. An angel saving him from facing this alone. He would always be a member of the Little Finn Fan Club.
From the base of the stairs, Shawn and Ellen were looking up at them, all smiles. When Ellen saw her daughter her eyes filled and she held her hand over her heart, mouthing the words, “So beautiful.” Then she turned to Jeremy and that hand reached out for his. Jeremy took it and squeezed it gently.
Jen lagged behind them as Shawn gripped his shoulder in a silent statement of affection and pride. Jeremy nodded and started to move toward the dais where Owen was waiting, pausing when he realized the three of them were still walking with him. Ellen hadn’t let go of his hand.
A few more steps and Stephen and Seamus were suddenly in front of him. Their identical smiles were supportive and encouraging. They didn’t say a word, just stepped aside, joining the small army of Finns gathering behind him.
Jeremy almost stumbled when he realized what was happening. The other guests—graphic artists, construction workers, pub regulars and longtime family friends—seemed to figure it out at the same time. They were all walking him down the wide aisle. Supporting him. It was the same thing they’d done after they’d found out about his relationship with Owen, only this time they were showing everyone there what they’d shown him that day. Finns stood by the people they loved. Always. No one who left here today would have any doubt that Jeremy was a welcome addition to the family. That all the Finns approved of the marriage.
Solomon and Rory showed up in front of him, patted his arm and nodded as they fell in line. Then came Noah and Wyatt. Jeremy’s vision was blurring by the time he saw James stand up beside his chair. He made no move to join them, gesturing to Sol sitting beside him, staring resolutely at his shoes. Jeremy felt Shawn’s hand—still on his shoulder—flex, but he didn’t pause beside his brother or stop the procession. In that moment he felt sorry for Sol. He’d forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded by this much love. Shielded from harm. Jeremy covered Shawn’s hand with his own, hoping he could share that feeling with Owen’s father.
He got the impression of a beautiful room filled with people sitting on pristinely white chairs. The runner was cranberry red and the garland lining the aisle was a lush green. There was a giant Christmas tree in the corner of the room glowing with warm fairy lights and overflowing with small white RSVP cards signed by all the people who’d come to the wedding. It was simple, but breathtaking. He hadn’t expecting anything like this.
He’d say he felt like a damn Disney princess, but Owen would never let him hear the end of it.
Owen. Jeremy looked up, but Tasha caught his eye first. She was sitting in a wheelchair wrapped with sparkling garlands, in a silver sheath dress similar to Jen’s. She was radiant and smiling through her tears as he got closer to his destination.
Jeremy blinked swiftly and sought out Owen. Standing beneath an elevated bower draped in holly, mistletoe and more small sparkling lights, he stood proud and tall and so handsome Jeremy caught his breath. Brady stood beside him, his head even with the arch and his hand clutching a leash attached to the dog at his side.