Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
It was good to see.
It was incredible to have them all here. To live long enough to see all my boys and their families, happy, healthy. There had been scares and traumas for everyone, but we all persisted.
I glanced at Bentley, who was leaning on the doorframe by the kitchen. He had a cup of coffee in his hand and was gazing around, the look on his face saying everything. The once-lost man was home. These were his people. His family.
He glanced toward the microphone then back to the room. I met his eyes with a slight nod and a smile, encouraging him. Nothing was planned, but somehow I knew the day wouldn’t be right if Bentley didn’t speak.
I smiled as he set down his coffee cup and picked up the microphone.
BENTLEY
I grabbed the mic we usually used for karaoke. I took a minute to look around the room at all the faces. The smiles. Listen to the laughter. Feel the love that permeated this place. I tapped the mic to get everyone’s attention.
I smiled at their confusion. We hadn’t planned speeches. I had just wanted to celebrate this occasion with the people I loved the most. But I found myself wanting to say something. I cleared my throat.
“I won’t take up much of your time, but indulge me for a minute. It’s not often we have everyone—so many generations gathered together at once.” I met Emmy’s eyes, still beautiful and captivating after all these years. She nodded and blew me a kiss.
“Never would I have imagined when I opened the doors of BAM fifty years ago that I would be standing here today. Celebrating our achievements.” I took in a breath as emotion suddenly swamped me. “BAM was, and is, more successful than I ever dared to dream. ABC is the extension of that dream, run by some of our children and upholding the values we stood for all those years. It is a legacy I am proud of. One of many.”
I cleared my throat. “I never dreamed the day I went to find a place to live and ran into Aiden that this is where we would end up.”
“I was your good luck charm!” Aiden yelled.
Everyone laughed, and I joined them. “My best friend,” I said. “Then and now. We added Maddox to the group, and he became our third musketeer.”
“All for one!” Maddox called, sitting next to Jordan.
“When it was time for me to start my business, I knew there were no others I could trust or depend on more than my two best friends. No one I wanted to share that journey with more. To this day, I have never once questioned that decision. Together, we created an empire that we could all be proud of.”
There were choruses of awws and some whistling. I grinned. “And of course, we’d be nowhere without our Sandy. Our queen.”
That got a wild round of applause. Sandy laughed and waved her hand to stop, but I could see how pleased she was.
“Our company was strong, our days busy, but we weren’t complete until three wonderful women entered our lives. I know Emmy made me a better man, the same way Cami and Dee did for Aiden and Maddox.” I paused. “They were, and are, the best parts of us.”
Aiden and Maddox stood and clapped. I tucked the mic under my arm and joined them. There was more applause, and all the women looked teary-eyed.
“We grew again with Richard, Reid, Van, and Halton. Their wonderful wives and children. Our friendships became our focal point. Our compass.”
I paused to take a sip of water.
“We found this land, built this complex, and our families expanded. Developed in number and strength. Grew up together. Always more than friends. Family. We added more houses and this incredible gathering place we all love so much. Where we come together and celebrate as a family. Sometimes all together, sometimes in smaller groups, but it is the center of our little hamlet. The place we call home. The people we call family.” I paused. “I will always be proud of our company, but it doesn’t compare to the successes that happened outside the professional world. The greatest of which is found in this room. This family.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know where the years went. How my babies went from being safe in my arms to successful men and women with families of their own. How you all grew and became the people, we, your parents and grandparents, are so incredibly proud of. Watching you develop and become the people you are, the parents you are, is incredibly humbling.”
I had to pause before I could speak again.
“And as I said before, you are the greatest accomplishment of us all. BAM and ABC will carry on—legacies that will outlast me. Outlast many of us. But no legacy, nothing else I have been part of, will ever come close to making me as fulfilled as the people in this building. The beating, wonderful hearts of our families. That is the legacy I am most proud of. The one I will treasure and hold the highest in this life.”