Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“If you’re standing in this yard, then you’re a close friend or you’re family, and therefore you know our story. You know that we didn’t always have it easy coming up, and life damn sure wasn’t as comfortable as it is now. Trent and I grew up rough, and so did our dad. He raised himself, became a man when he was still just a boy. He had responsibilities forced on him before he was ready.” Bishop’s eyes were on Mike’s, piercing and intense. The four of them were watching Mike and nodding their heads in agreement as Bishop spoke with elegance and maturity. “Now, our father may not have done things the way other fathers did, but we know he did his best, and he never gave up.”
“Not once,” Trent chimed in, a heartfelt expression warming his handsome face. “Especially with me.”
“He gave me a home when my own father turned his back on me,” Wood added. “I was lost, desperate, and I had no family. But Mike showed me what a real father is. One that will even kick your ass if it’s needed.”
That earned a few laughs and jeers from the crowd, knowing Mike could be a hard-ass, but he did it with the best of intentions and always from a place of love.
Edison’s tears were flowing when he glanced up at Bishop and then at Mike. “I remember when I first met Mike.”
“Oh gosh,” Bishop muttered.
“He was lying on the couch naked, and he told me to try not to leave Bishop for the better version,” Edison said around a watery smile. “And I wondered how in the hell was this guy a father? He was so young and full of life. Still is. And it didn’t take long to see that he’s the best father Bishop and Trent could’ve ever had. He’s also an amazing father-in-law. My dad died several years ago, and I never thought I’d feel that fatherly bond ever again. To have that wisdom, support, and the guidance that only a dad can give. But Mike, he… he was there for—”
“It’s okay, baby,” Bishop whispered against Edison’s temple when he became too choked up to finish.
Rayne went and stood behind Mike and put his arms around his waist in support, his best friend, Manny, gripping his shoulder on his right side. It was obvious Mike wasn’t expecting any kind of tribute from his sons. And the sincerity and emotion that emanated from the boys had Rayne trying to swallow down the lump lodged in his throat.
“Fuck. This is harder than I thought it was gonna be.” Bishop wiped at his eyes. “I just, um. I wanna say to our father, on behalf of all of us, thank you. Thank you for being the fierce, loyal man that we love and admire.” Bishop gestured at Trent and Wood’s backyard setup and the gorgeous yet masculine wedding decorations. “All of this is because of him.”
“Mike. Thank you for taking me in and being the father I never had,” Trent croaked. “Neither of my parents wanted me, but you fought to keep me. You never let me convince myself that I was alone and I had no family. Thanks, Pops, for fighting for me and kicking my ass to make me the hardworking, successful man I am today.”
Wood put his hand to his chest, his other arm slung over Trent’s shoulders. “Thank you, Mike, for not letting me self-destruct and ruin the one good thing I’ve ever had. We may scrap and fuss with each other, but I know it’s coming from a good place.”
Mike stood rigid in Rayne’s arms, and he could feel his man about to break down at any moment. Rayne let his happy tears run down his face, knowing that Mike had been waiting all of his life to hear those words. And he’d earned it ten times over.
Bishop let go of Edison and came and stood in front of Mike. Rayne inched away to give them their space, but he didn’t think he’d ever get used to how striking Mike and his son were when they were standing side by side.
“Dad. Thank you for being a teenage father and handling it like a boss. You may not have always made the right decisions, but you acknowledged your mistakes, and you turned yourself into a man that we all admire.” Bishop gripped Mike in a spine-cracking hug. “Thank you for not abandoning me when times got rough. I may have doubted myself a lot, but one thing you never did was give up on me. You made me work hard for a better life whether I wanted to or not.”
The crowd was starting to murmur warm sentiments as the toast came to an end and so did Mike and Bishop’s embrace.
“If you all will give me just one more moment, and then we can get this party started right.” Bishop’s deep voice rose, lightening the dramatic moment. There were several cheers around the yard, but it quickly died down when Edison came forward with a framed photo.