Nick patted him on the shoulder. “It’s okay man, if I had a sister, I wouldn’t want you with her either.”
“That isn’t it.” Luke said and watched as Nick walked to the dresser and grabbed the silver pair of cuff links, Jake had left for him. “I owe you an apology. If I ever made you feel inadequate, it was wrong of me. Sam’s a lucky girl, Nick. Jake was right, there isn’t anyone better for our sister. No one will love her the way you love her.”
Nick looked at his friend for a moment. “So you’re okay with it?”
“I’ve always been okay with it.” He took his arm and helped him with the cufflinks. “I’m happy for you.” He lifted his head once he was finished securing the cufflink. The heat and the tie got to him for a moment or maybe it was the sincerity of his words, Luke tugged at the tie again.
“Thanks Luke.” Nick said, while he grabbed his suit jacket. “I love Sam, and she is the silver lining in everything, but another perk of marrying her is that I get you as a brother. I always secretly wished that we were and now we will be.” He shrugged his jacket on and avoided meeting Luke’s eyes. These damn romance novels were turning him into a sap. The next thing he read was going to be about gore and guts. Hell yeah.
“You have always been my other brother.” Luke said simply and grabbed the rose boutonnière and pinned it to Nick’s suit. Nick lifted his head and looked at Luke before grabbing him into a manly embrace, one that required several firm pats on the back.
“Okay, you’re starting to get emotional. Better get you to the gazebo.” Luke said with the hint of laughter in his voice. “Rings?”
Nick reached for the black box that was on the dresser and handed them off to Luke.
“Vows?” Luke asked, raising an eyebrow.
Nick pointed to his heart. “That shit can’t come from a piece of paper. It’s all right there.”
“Good answer.” Luke said with a grin and patted his back one more time. “Let’s go get you hitched, brother.”
*
Deb’s glasses dangled on the tip of her nose. She was struggling to secure the last of the pearl buttons on the back of Sam’s wedding gown, but couldn’t see through the tears that were cascading down her face. Thank God for waterproof mascara and all, this family was going to need it. Cara stilled Deb’s trembling fingers.
“Deb, why don’t you let me finish?” Cara said softly. Deb lifted her head and pulled her glasses off her face. Cara finished the delicate buttons, when she was finished; she looked over Sam’s shoulder at the reflection in the mirror. Sam was staring at the glass with a blank expression. Her mother fitted her veil behind her, trying her hardest to pull herself together to dress her only daughter. Cara’s hand touched Sam’s bare shoulder.
“You’re beautiful.” She whispered with a smile.
“I’m getting married.” Sam said in a hushed tone.
“Yeah, you are.” Cara assured her as she admired what a beautiful bride Sam made.
“I’m marrying Nick Foti. I’m going to be Samantha Foti.” She said with wide eyes.
Deb let out another sob at her daughter’s exclamation. Sam turned around and faced her mom. “Don’t cry mom. Please don’t cry.” She said taking her mother’s hands in hers.
“They’re happy tears, dear.” She said and lifted her hand to her daughter’s cheek. “Wait until your father sees you.” She said smiling through her tears.
“Aunt Sam, you look like a princess!” Ava exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Cara’s waist and looked up at Sam in awe. “The prettiest princess ever!”
Sam turned and smiled at her niece. “No, baby girl, that would be you.” She said and winked at the little girl dressed in a replica of her own wedding dress.
The color drained from Sam’s face when Cara handed her, her bouquet. “Oh my God! Where is the pin?”
“Calm down, honey.” Deb said and handed the pin to Cara. “Can you put it on, Cara? I can’t do it with these trembling fingers.”
Cara took the pin from Deb’s shaking hands and looked down at Jake’s picture, a smile captured her face and then she took Sam’s bouquet and pinned it to the handle. “There, now you just need your dad and you’re all set to be given to the man of your dreams.” Cara said and leaned in and kissed Sam’s cheek.
Tears shone brightly in Sam’s eyes and she lifted her bouquet to inspect Jake’s photo. She pressed her lips to his picture and bit down on her lip so she wouldn’t cry. God, she wished he was here, wiggling his eyebrows.
A knock sounded on the door and they all turned around as Mallory poked her head into the suite. “Are we ready?” She said with a beaming smile.
“Where’s Joe?” Deb asked, with her hand to her chest as she took a deep breath. The woman was having an anxiety attack or something… typical Deb.
“He’s at the bar with Phillip waiting.” Mallory said as if Joe and Phillip shooting shots were a normal occurrence. “Joe needed a little liquid courage to give the bride away.”