Chapter 16
Five courses later, and heaven only knows how many drinks. I do know the waiters were constantly refilling wine glasses, the party was still going strong.
I was happy with my lemonade and fresh orange. I smiled at Daniel, who was also not drinking. When he had been ribbed about it by Sean, he just laughed and said, “Hell no, I’m not drinking, I want to be able to bed my wife properly tonight.”
Sean turned beet red, but the rest of our guests roared with laughter.
Then it came the time that I dreaded the most. I think every bride and groom did. It was time for the speeches!
God only knew what this lot would come out with.
Our speeches were a bit different, as the boys were not going to do one. Since they were both the grooms and best men, we decided to skip them.
That left my dad, Sean, Annie and Mr. Davies, who had asked us if he could say a few words.
I hadn’t expected it, but was touched at the same time.
My father stood, and tapped his wine glass for attention. When that didn’t work, he put on his deep courtroom voice, and shouted, “Hear, Hear!”
The room quieted, apart from a few twitters from my mother and sister, who were well used to that voice.
Dad gave them a mock glare, but turned back to the now listening guests.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming today, to help us celebrate our baby girl’s wedding.”
He grinned at me before continuing.
“What seemed like only yesterday, my beautiful wife, brought Dia home. We hadn’t planned on any more children, but when my Meg brought home this little waif of a babe, our hearts melted. We knew she was meant for us, and I hadn’t planned on giving her up anytime soon. I wasn’t happy about her going to London to work––at all, but her mother and brother convinced me it was the best choice.”
He glared at Daniel, Kale, and Robin.
“I’m still not sure I agree it was, but here we are. Our Dia, was never conventional, and instead of coming home with a nice Catholic boy, she brought him home,” he nodded at Daniel. “Along with two more! I just wish she had good enough taste to make sure the other two were Catholic, but no one’s perfect.”
Everyone laughed, and someone shouted, “Is that why you have the open bar, Liam? To drown your sorrows that her other two men are not of the faith? I don’t blame you!”
That was followed by cheers and tuts from several little old ladies.
“Aye, Malcom. It’s a shame, sure enough, but there’s still hope for them yet. They will be in the church for communions and the little one’s Christenings. We will have em converted before you know it.”
That had all the glasses in the room raised, followed by, “Cheers!”
Once the room was quiet again, my dad continued.
“Even though she didn’t take the path I wanted for her, I want her to know that I’m proud of her.” Dad turned to me, and raised his glass. “To Dia! I love you baby girl, and know that I am so proud to be your father, and to call you my daughter. You have grown into a strong, beautiful woman and I know you will be a wonderful wife and mother. To Dia!” my dad called out.
“To Dia,” the room followed happily.
Dad came over and bent down to hug me tight.
“I love you, baby girl, never doubt that.” Then he whispered into my ear. “And I hope that one day I can make it up to you, for being such an old fool.”
“Daddy,” I whispered back. “There’s nothing to forgive. I love you just the way you are. Thank you so much for being here for me now.”
Dad straightened up and went back to his seat, and threw back a shot of whiskey.
Once dad had sat down, Sean stood up.
“Well, hell,” He laughed. “No pressure there, trying to top that speech.”
We all chuckled softly, as Sean intended.
He looked at me, then Daniel, before letting his gaze travel over to Kale and Robin.
Sean took a deep breath and cleared his throat, even still, when he spoke, his voice was filled with choked emotion.
“I remember the day you came home to us, Dia. You were so very small. When Mum and Dad brought you in and put you in my arms––I fell in love for the first time in my life. I knew love. I loved Mum and Dad, and I almost liked Mara,” he paused for the guffaws at that, and the cheer from Mara’s husband.
“But you, Dia––when Dad put you in my arms, and I looked down into your eyes, I fell in love. You were the first person that ever needed me. The first person to depend on me, and I was determined not to fail. When dad told me that you had no one else but us, I swore to myself in that moment, that I would take care of you for the rest of my life. That you would be my baby-girl. I would be the best damn, big brother the world had ever seen––or die trying. Just because you are grown up now, with a daughter of your own on the way, means nothing. I’m still here to protect you. If any of these miscreants takes a step wrong, I’m going to take them down, with extreme prejudice.”
“Good to know,” Robin laughed. “We would deserve it if we didn’t treat her like the queen she is.”
Sean mock glared at them all, before continuing.
“That goes for my niece as well.”
“Go have your own children,” I winked at him. “And bully them into submission.”
“God have mercy on any daughters he might ever have,” someone muttered.
Sean glared at the room in general, before raising his glass.
“To my beautiful sister, people. Who is such a handful it takes three men to handle her!”
I almost died of embarrassment.
I sank my face into my hands and groaned.
The idiots beside me were smiling, well like idiots. They obviously thought that it was gospel, while everyone else in the room cheered loudly.
This reception was going to go down in history as one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.
I could already hear them telling the tale years from now, how Dia needed three men to keep her in line.
Oh My God.
Once Sean sat down, I thought that we were done with the speeches, but no, my soon to be ex best friend, stood up with an evil grin on her face.
She looked at me, and mouthed, “Payback time, bitch.”
Oh, sweet Heavenly Father, what did she have planned?
“Good afternoon, everyone!” She called cheerfully. “As you all know, we always save the best for last. That’s why I’m here.”
Heads shook and a few people groaned.
Annie just carried on as if she heard none of it.
“As you all know, we are here to celebrate the marriage of Dia and Daniel. However, it’s so much more than that. It’s not just Dia and Daniel––it’s Dia, Daniel, Kale and Robin. This union has four people in it, and while it’s not traditional, who cares? Dia is the most wonderful person I have ever met! She has more love in her than three women, so it only makes sense that she has three husbands!”
Annie paused to look at us.
My guys surrounded me, filled with love and adoration. I couldn’t help but return the emotion tenfold. They meant everything to me.
A slight twinge squeezed my heart, and my hand went to my belly. If only the last member of our group could be with us today.
‘It’s all right, Dianthe,’ Robin’s voice whispered into my mind. ‘Your Cernunnos is here in spirit, in our memories, if not in flesh. He will always be a part of you. And remember, this separation is not forever. His season will come again.’
“Every season comes again,” I whispered quietly.
Daniel took my hand, and squeezed it gently.
He leaned in and whispered into my ear, “We will always be with you, Dia––even when we aren’t.”
I smiled softly at him and kissed him quickly before turning back to Annie.
“See, look at them,” she smiled widely. “That’s what I’m talking about. That’s what true love looks like. No rules, no boundaries, just happiness.”
This was going a lot better than I had thought. Annie was being––well, not Annie!
That should have warned me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can we raise our glasses in honor of Dia and her men. Who would have thought, a good little girl like her, would have ended up with three hot studs! May she be a good Catholic girl, and have lots and lots of babies for me to love and spoil. With all that sperm floating about, you should be popping them out yearly, girl!”
I just stared at her.
She didn’t just say that. The room was in shocked silence as well, until someone started clapping.
We all looked to see who it was, and my eyes nearly popped from my head. It was my dad’s great auntie. She had to be ninety if she was a day, but she was clapping away like a mad one.
“Hear, hear,” she cackled.
It must have been pure vinegar and vigor keeping Aileen going, because she was still as spry as ever.
“What’s wrong with you lot? Dia, is doing what any good Catholic through the ages has done. She’s been married before the almighty, and already has a babe on the way. That girl is right, she will have many strong sons and daughters to follow the faith, and be warriors of Christ. I don’t know what all the fuss is about––it’s not like she’s the first to ever put the cart before the horse. Dia, you are a good girl, with a pure heart, don’t let anyone ever tell you different.”
Auntie Aileen took a sip from her glass and settled back down, as if she had never said anything at all.
The silence was broken with a final cheer, as laughter and soft conversations filled the room.
I glared at Annie, and whispered, “You are dead to me, no auntie privileges for you.”
She rolled her eyes at me as if the very idea was ridiculous.
That was confirmed with her next words.
“Ohhh, I forgot to tell you, I bought a car! It has all the best safety features and is a VW, so it’s totally reliable. I even had it fitted with a carseat, so we don’t have to worry about moving them from car to car.”
“Annie, she’s not even here yet,” I sighed.
Kale laughed, and leaned towards Annie.
“I will have to get the information from you and check it out. I have been looking at new cars as well. None of mine are suitable for the baby, and we have to make sure she has every available safety feature.”
I sighed, and muttered under my breath, “It’s not like she’s going to be in any danger. I don’t think a nuclear blast could get to her as it is.”
I don’t know who was more overprotective in this family, but I swear they were keeping score.
“You can never be too careful, Dianthe.” Robin unnaturally agreed with Kale, for once
See, even the fairy was in on it.
***
The rest of the evening seemed to fly by. There were many more congratulations, and wishes of goodwill. I danced with all my guys, and countless other family members.
I even saw Robin leading Auntie Aileen onto the dance floor at one point, and gently taking her into his arms for a careful waltz.
I had never even seen her dance before. I was dancing with my dad, when they came onto the floor, and it surprised him as well
“Would you look at that baby girl. I’ve not seen that old bird, dance since I was a young lad. Must have been at least forty years ago. That Boy of yours there, could charm the birds from the trees.”
“Or the old ones from their chairs,” I laughed.
“Exactly,” he winked at me.
“It’s good to see her so lively. I’ve been worried about her lately, since Robbie passed away, it’s as if she had lost her sparkle. Maybe this will perk her up.”
“I didn’t know that,” I frowned.
“I knew that Uncle Robbie had passed away over a year ago, but I had been so caught up in my own troubles that I hadn’t stopped to think about poor Aunt Aileen.
“Now don’t you be adding more to your plate, Baby girl. It’s not your place to worry, about Aileen. She has enough of her own children to look after her.”
“I know daddy, but if she’s not happy,” I trailed off.
“Maybe once everything is settled down a little, she can come down to Bean for a visit. Kale wouldn’t mind, and his mother would love to have her visit. The house is huge, and there are always people around. She could get to spend some time with the newest member of the family.”
“Don’t rush in to anything, Dia,” dad warned.
“You are going to have your hands full as it is, with a new baby. But, if you want, I will talk to her, and ask her if she’s interested.”
“Please do, daddy, it’s really not any trouble. I would love to have her visit. And just between us, she doesn’t have a lot of time left in this world, it would make me happy if I could add a little joy to her life.”
Daddy kissed my forehead as the music ended, and steeped back when Daniel approached.
“Go on with you now. Your husband is wanting to make an exit I think. I’ll talk to the old girl and see what she says, you go and do what newlyweds are supposed to do.”
I blushed and Daniel laughed.
It was only moments later, when we slipped away from the festivities and made it to our suite.
It was time for the wedding night. I smiled to myself, I had been secretly waiting for this night for a long time.