She beamed at him, looking happy and peaceful. “I love you too, husband.” He couldn’t help himself; he bent down and kissed her again . . . and again.
The pastor cleared his throat saying under his breath, “I think we’ve already covered the part where you kiss the bride.”
Declan pulled away and noticed everyone in the church smiling at them and beside him, Nick gave him a nudge, “Save something for the wedding night, bro.”
He chuckled, “There’s plenty more where that came from.” And then the four of them exited the church together with Beth and Ella holding hands in the middle.
***
The reception was held at a local country club. Servers circulated with champagne or, for those who preferred the nonalcoholic option, sparkling water. After the cocktail hour there would be a full dinner with a choice of prime rib or smoked salmon. There were also options for the guests who were vegetarians. Ella stood beside her new husband smiling as he joked around with Gray, Jason, and Nick. He had come so far from the standoffish man he used to be. He would never be a party animal, but she had no doubt, he would be one of the best friends that these men would have in their lifetime.
Her hip gave a small twinge from all of the activity of the day, but it was minor. She was grateful that her sister had plied her with Advil before the ceremony. Thinking of her sister, she looked around the room until she spotted her standing beside her husband. They were going through a rough spot. Crystal had spent so many years trying to be everything to everyone that she had started to crack under the pressure. She had finally decided that in order to keep her sanity, she had to make some changes and finally be the person that she wanted to be. Bill was scrambling to keep up with the new Crystal, but the look of adoration he had in his eyes when he looked at his wife told Ella that no matter how hard change was for everyone involved, if there was love, then eventually they would find their way back to each other.
“Ellie.”
The bride turned her attention from her sister and back to her husband as he cupped her elbow to turn her to see a strawberry-blonde woman, who appeared to be in her twenties, and a little girl approach. The pair that looked so much like a mother and a daughter stood next to Declan’s friend, Mac. Ella returned the woman’s friendly smile as Declan shifted and looked suddenly nervous. “Honey, this is Amy and her daughter, Renee.”
It took Ella a moment for everything to click into place. Craig’s Amy. Ella had sent her an invitation through Mac since she knew that she was visiting the area. She had desperately hoped that Craig’s wife would come. Declan needed to see the wife of the friend he held so dear. She stepped forward and pulled Amy into a hug. “I’m so happy to meet you,” and smiling at Renee she added, “and you too, Miss Renee.”
Amy returned her embrace and then turned to Declan. She put her arms around him and for a few moments they simply held each other, both lost in the memory of the man they loved. They both had tears in their eyes when they pulled back. “I’m so happy for you both, and I am thrilled that you included me in your special day. You have no idea how much this means to me.” She clasped Declan’s hand tightly in her own, “Craig would have been overjoyed and I know he is up there somewhere enjoying this day along with us.”
An obviously emotional Declan handed her a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. “I brought this for Ella, but I think you and I probably need it more right now.” His joke lightened the mood and everyone chuckled before he turned serious again. “Thank you, Amy, for coming. I . . . I’m sorry I never came to see you after . . . but I just . . . didn’t know what to say truthfully. I let you both down.”
Amy started shaking her head, “No, you didn’t. Craig talked about you all the time. He was always telling me how you looked out for him. He wouldn’t have been the man I loved if he hadn’t tried to save someone he thought was in trouble. My husband died a hero, and that is what I will always remember. My husband was a hero, Declan, and neither of us can take that away from him.”
Ella clasped Declan’s hand as she saw some of the weight visibly leave his broad shoulders. Knowing that Amy didn’t hate him for Craig’s death was something that would make this day even more memorable. All of the guilt and self-hatred was falling away and the wonderful man beneath it all was starting to shine through. Ella had always known he was there and her heart melted as she saw Declan realizing it as well.
Mac stepped forward looking pretty emotional, but trying to hide it. “If you two are finished with all of the crying, it looks like we’re missing a great party.” He gave Amy a quick hug and escorted her and Renee to a table.