Still holding Zach's hand, Heather turned and gave a low whistle. A few moments later, Atlas and Cuddles began to trot down the aisle, the wedding bands tied with ribbons to their collars.
Seeing the two dogs together--one huge, one tiny--never failed to make Mary smile. Three hundred people obviously agreed as applause rang out. Heather and Zach had trained their dogs so well that clapping and laughter didn't distract them from their task as they continued to walk up the aisle.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Mary saw a flash of golden fur near where she and Marcus were standing at the upper edge of the patio. When Atlas's ears perked up, Mary guessed the Great Dane must have seen it too. Always alert to her dog's behavior, Heather gave another whistle to keep his focus on her.
But a moment later, when another golden streak of fur shot by, before anyone could stop the teacup Yorkie, Cuddles was off and chasing the rabbit. Atlas was one of the most well trained dogs Mary had ever come across, but how could anyone expect him not to dash off after his best friend and two rabbits?
Zach cursed softly, then quickly kissed Heather and said, "I'll go get them." He was gone in a flash, in his suit, chasing the two dogs.
"I'll help," Ryan said. After a kiss for his bride, he was running out into the vineyard too.
Again, Mary knew she shouldn't laugh, but seeing her two sons in their perfectly pressed wedding suits yelling for the dogs as they ran between rows of vines was something she knew she'd never forget.
"I should probably go help them, shouldn't I?" Marcus said, amusement threading each word.
Through the laughter she was barely holding in, Mary agreed with her eldest son. "Probably. Especially since it looks like Smith, Chase, and Gabe are all already heading out in search of the dogs."
"I would go too," Lori said, "but I'm wearing heels."
"You can do absolutely anything in heels," Sophie noted.
Though it was true, Lori shot back, "I don't exactly see you running out there to help, Soph."
Sophie grinned at her twin. "That's because I can barely keep from falling over in my heels even on solid ground." She looked at Heather and Vicki next. "But if you want me to try, I can join my brothers out there. And I'll make Lori come too."
Fortunately, neither bride looked overly upset by what had happened. "Atlas and Cuddles will grow tired of chasing the rabbits soon, and then they'll come back," Heather replied. "At least, I hope they will."
Vicki grinned at Heather. "We can always do the ceremony without the rings, and later, when the dogs are done having fun, we can slip the rings on."
Fortunately, a great whoop rang out from the vines. "We've got 'em!" one of the men called out.
Zach and Ryan emerged from the vines a few moments later, victorious heroes with Cuddles safely in Zach's arms and Atlas walking calmly beside Ryan. Seeing that neither dog was wearing a ribbon anymore, Mary hoped the rings were safely in the grooms' pockets. Their brothers fanned out behind them, and Mary swore she heard a collective sigh from the female guests at seeing so many Sullivan men together like this.
As if they'd choreographed it, both grooms stepped back up onto the terrace and pulled the rings out of their pockets to hold them up like trophies to their brides. While the crowd continued to laugh, Heather and Vicki petted the dogs and kissed their men.
Finally, the ceremony could begin.
Again.
Neither Zach nor Ryan looked perfectly pressed anymore, but as far as Mary was concerned, it was exactly right for her car-racing and ball-playing sons. They were both just as active and energetic as their father, and somewhere, some way, she knew Jack was watching today's wedding, laughing right along with her at how much fun it all was--and tearing up with her too.
*
"Thank you for bringing the dogs back," Heather whispered into Zach's ear while he held her tightly. He wished they could say their vows just like this, without his ever needing to let her go.
"They did it on purpose, you know," he whispered back. "Cuddles's sense of humor is definitely rubbing off on Atlas."
She didn't deny that it was true, simply laughed softly as she held him just as tightly. "Our two big goofballs."
"Soon to be three," he said through the lump in his throat at the thought of the new baby they were going to have.
Marcus cleared his throat. "Looks like it's time to get this show on the road, for real this time."
Zach gave Heather one more kiss before they reluctantly drew apart. Reaching for each other's hands, they were staring into each other's eyes as Marcus began the ceremony.
"Heather and Zach, we are gathered here today to witness your love for each other." Marcus focused on Zach. "Zach, one of the reasons you always do so well on the race track is that you have an innate sense of how to make the right decisions in a split second, even when your life is on the line. We all agree that the best decision you ever made was to fall in love with Heather--and to continue pursuing her until she fell in love with you too." Marcus turned to Heather. "Heather, you're everything we could hope for in a new sister. Strong. Courageous. Fun. And, best of all, willing to put up with our brother." He grinned at both of them. "Now, for what we've all been waiting for--your vows to each other." Marcus stepped back so that Zach and Heather were the sole focus of the guests.
"Heather, until I met you, I sped through life, thinking I needed to experience everything before it was too late." Zach had always been as cool as they came, but right now his throat was so tight with emotion that he had to work to get the words out. "But the only thing I would have missed, truly missed, was you." He squeezed her hands tighter and would have pulled her closer, but she'd already taken a step toward him, obviously needing the same thing. "You've been mine since the first moment I set eyes on you. And I'm yours. Always." Zach took the wedding band from his pocket and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand.
Tears were spilling down her cheeks as she gazed from the ring into his eyes. Lifting their hands where they were linked, he gently brushed the wetness away.
"Zach." Heather's voice trembled, even just saying his name, and he loved her more than ever as she smiled at him through her tears of joy. "I never believed forever was possible until you. And I never thought anyone could break through my walls either. But then, there you were. The man I secretly dreamed of. Someone strong enough to love me even when it wasn't easy. Even when I was scared by what I was feeling." They both moved closer again, so that he could practically taste each of her words as she said, "The dogs fell for you first, but it didn't take me long to realize they were right. I am yours, just as you are mine. And I'll love you forever." She took the ring he handed her and slipped it on his left hand as she said again, "Forever."
Everyone in the crowd was sniffling when Marcus spoke again. "Zach, Heather, by the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Neither Zach nor Heather had any plans of waiting until Marcus gave them leave to kiss to seal their vows. And though every one of their kisses had been beyond hot for the past three years, their first kiss as husband and wife truly was special. Not only hot, not only perfect, but a promise they were making to each other to never give up and never let go. No matter what.
Because their love was meant to last forever.
*
Ryan smiled at Vicki as she wiped away her tears from watching Heather and Zach say their vows. He'd known this would be a deeply emotional wedding--but as far as he was concerned, that only made it better.
Ever since he'd come back from chasing down the dogs, he'd been holding her in his arms. Now, he whispered, "Ready for it to be our turn?"
There were no more shadows, no more lingering hurt in her eyes, as she nodded. "I can't wait another second."
He didn't know who kissed whom then--just that it was the perfect way to begin their own ceremony.
Ryan's mother moved to stand before them, her smile warm and full of great love. "Vicki and Ryan,
we couldn't be more thrilled about being here with you today. You two have loved each other for so many years, and I can't remember ever being happier than I am right now, knowing you are finally going to become husband and wife." His mother was one of the strongest people he knew, but her eyes were damp as she said, "And now, we can't wait to hear your vows." When his mother stepped back, it felt to Ryan as if he and Vicki were the only two people in the world.
"Vicki." Ryan wanted to freeze-frame this moment, wanted to remember every detail. "We were fifteen years old when you saved my life--and then became my best friend." He lifted their joined hands to his chest. "You're the most important person in the world to me, and I vow to do anything and everything I can to make you happy from this moment forward." He slipped the wedding band on the ring finger of her left hand. "I love you, Vicki. More than you'll ever know."
His beautiful, glowing bride threw her arms around him and held on tight. But her tears weren't the only ones falling--his were too. He'd waited so damned long for this moment, he almost couldn't believe it was finally here.
Finally, Vicki drew back. Her cheeks were still streaked with tears, but her voice was strong as she reached for his hands again and said, "You make me so happy, Ryan. You're my best friend. You're my one and only love. You're the first person I want to see when I wake up in the morning. You're the one I want to share absolutely everything with all day long. And you're the man I want to fall asleep with each night, knowing I'm perfectly, wonderfully safe in your arms." Her lips curved up into a stunning smile that made his heart flip around in his chest as she slid his wedding band into place on his left hand. "It's always been you. And it always will be. I love you."
Mary stepped up to say, "By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife," but Ryan and Vicki were kissing before his mother finished speaking.
It had taken nearly two decades to win Vicki as his wife. And now, Ryan couldn't wait for all the decades in front of them as two halves of the whole they'd always been--and always would be.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Marcus's wife, Nicola, Mia's husband, Ford Vincent, and their friend Drew Morrison took the stage not long after the ceremony to sing a beautiful song that Nicola and Ford had written for the happy couples. Mary overheard more than one guest say, after listening to the three world-famous stars perform, that this had to be the wedding of the century.
Perhaps she was biased, but she couldn't help but agree. Not only because the two couples were meant to be--but because everyone in the family had come together to help in some way. Yet again, Mary gave thanks for the day she'd met Jack Sullivan in downtown San Francisco. He'd changed her life in the best possible ways--first with his love and then by giving her eight incredible kids.
After eating their fill of the delicious meal, everyone took to the dance floor, and Mary was dancing with her brother-in-law William Sullivan. "I know I say this every single time," she commented as they swayed together, "but this has been an absolutely perfect wedding, hasn't it?"
He smiled as he took in the same beautiful family picture--kids and dogs and happy couples all around them. "It sure is. I just wish my brother could be here today. Jack would be so proud of how you raised your kids, and how they're raising theirs."
She swallowed past the lump in her throat, something she'd had a lot of practice doing for the past twenty-plus years. Not just because she still missed Jack so very much, but also because William hadn't had an easy time of it either. He'd once been a talented and extremely famous painter, with a wife he adored beyond reason and four children. But thirty years ago, things had gone off course for William. So far off course that his wife had walked out on the family and taken her own life. William hadn't painted in thirty years, and his relationship with his kids had often been fractured as well, but Mary knew he was doing what he could to try to fix things.
"You're not doing too bad yourself, you know," she encouraged him in a gentle voice. "Your kids are just as extraordinary as mine."
Drake was a renowned painter, Suzanne was a brilliant computer programmer with a thriving tech company in Manhattan, Harrison was an expert in medieval history at Columbia University, and Alec owned a very lucrative business building private planes just outside of New York City.
William looked extremely proud--but somewhat anxious too--as he looked over at his children. "I know they are. Despite their father."
"William." Mary put her hand on her brother-in-law's face, one that was similar enough to her late husband's to make her heart twinge every time she looked at him. William had lost his wife not long after she'd given birth to Drake, their youngest. Thirty years later, Mary could see that the five of them were still reeling from what that loss had done to their family. For so long, she'd hoped they could heal what was broken. She still did. She told her brother-in-law yet again, "Whatever you need, whatever your kids need, you're not in this alone. You have me. You have all of us."
She could see how close to the surface his emotion was as William nodded. "I know." He forced a smile for her. "It's always good to be reminded, though."
Mary was about to say something more when she suddenly heard a gasp from behind her. Dylan and Grace had been dancing--with both Mason and Grace's very large pregnant belly between them--but now they were standing still in the middle of the crowd.
With so many children and grandchildren of her own, Mary had seen this look enough times to guess what had just happened. "Grace, honey?"
Grace's eyes were big as she said, "My water just broke."
As if her words had been broadcast over a loudspeaker, several of Dylan's siblings quickly gathered around their brother and his wife, with Dylan's parents, Claudia and Max, getting there first. Mary smiled as she and William moved back on the dance floor to let them all in.
Mary's sister-in-law Claudia put her arm around Grace. "Have you started having any contractions yet?"
"I've had quite a few Braxton-Hicks cramps over the past week, so I figured that was all they were today too. Especially since I'm still two weeks away from my due date."
Grace and Dylan had Mason already, so Grace wasn't a novice to childbirth. Still, the second baby often had a way of coming faster than you expected.
"How far apart are your contractions?" Claudia asked.
Grace opened her mouth to answer, then winced instead as another contraction hit her. "Maybe two, three minutes," she finally replied.
Dylan looked stunned. "If I'd known you were in labor this whole time--"
Now that the pain had passed, Grace calmly put her hand on her husband's cheek and said, "I didn't even know. And I've done this bef--" She hadn't quite gotten out the full sentence before another contraction hit.
"That's a heck of a lot faster than two minutes," Dylan's sister, Mia, noted.
"Marcus, Nicola," Ford, Mia's husband, called out, "we're going to need a doctor."
"I'm already on hold with the hospital." Nicola moved closer, a cell phone up to her ear. "They've just paged the on-call doctor. And Marcus is getting a bedroom ready." She grinned at Grace and Dylan. "This is so exciting! Why don't I take you both inside?"
"Mommy"--Mason tugged at Grace's skirt--"are you going to have the baby now?"
Dylan lifted his little boy up and smooched him on the cheek. "We sure are."
"Yes!" Mason pumped his fist. He clearly couldn't wait to be a big brother. "It's taken forever."
Tatiana Landon, Ian's fiancee, held out her arms to the little boy. "How about we spend some time having fun together while your mommy and daddy make a beautiful baby brother or sister for you?"
Just because Tatiana was one of the biggest movie stars in the world didn't mean she cared one whit about a toddler getting her dress dirty or wrinkled. Neither did Dylan's brother Ian. Becoming a billionaire hadn't changed him--he'd always been a great, and protective, older brother.
"Aunt Mary, Uncle William," Dylan said, "could you let Rafe, Brooke, Adam, and Kerry
know we'd love for them to come up to the house when you see them?"
"Of course, Dylan." Mary gave her nephew a hug. He'd met Grace and baby Mason when she had come to interview him for a feature in a boating magazine. It had been love at first sight for all three of them.
Mason went happily into Tatiana's arms as Grace and Dylan headed into the house to meet the physician who was on the way. Claudia, Max, Mia, and Ford followed them into the house to help with anything they might need during labor.
Rafe and Brooke came dashing up a few minutes later, with Adam and Kerry close behind.
"We heard Grace went into labor." Brooke looked beyond thrilled by the news.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" her husband, Rafe, asked.
Mary thought Brooke and Rafe were utterly sweet together. They'd grown up spending summers next door to each other on a lake in the Pacific Northwest--two kids who had no idea that one day they'd meet again as adults and fall head over heels in love with each other.
"Everything's under control," Mary let them know. "They've already got a full crew in Marcus and Nicola's house, although Dylan would like to have all of you nearby so that you can meet the baby as soon as he or she is born."
"I've been to literally hundreds of weddings," Kerry Dromoland said, smiling widely with Adam's arm tight around her waist, "and I have to say this one is now my all-time favorite."
Kerry was one of the top wedding planners on the West Coast--and though Adam had once sworn he'd never fall in love and get married, Mary knew he'd move mountains for his fiancee.
"Let's head into the house." Adam grinned as he added, "Hopefully, there's still time to convince them to name the new baby after one of us."
Ethan Sullivan, another of Jack's brothers, moved beside Mary and William. "You really know how to put on a wedding." Ethan had settled in Maine several decades ago and had six great kids of his own. Mary's kids always loved hanging out with their East Coast cousins whenever they could get together.
Mary grinned at Ethan, then William. "I hope both of you are taking notes. Because something tells me you're both going to be in the thick of it in the not-so-distant future."
She barely managed to hold back her laughter at the look Jack's brothers gave each other--something akin to panic on their handsome faces.