The singer of the band tells us it’s time for our speeches. He helps me step up on the stand and lowers the microphone stand.
“Hello,” I say. “It’s hard to prepare a speech for your best friends, especially when mine are so special to me. I could thank them for the countless hours they’ve been by my side or tell you how they’ve been my rock through my most troubling time, but that doesn’t tell you about them. I’ve known them forever and it was only fitting that they became a couple. Whether we did this years ago or today, it was bound to happen. Today, I watch the union of two people who have triumphed over every obstacle thrown at them. They’re truly the epitome of romance and love to me. To Josie and Liam, thank you for showing me the path that I need to take.”
They meet me at the side of the stage and we hug. When Harrison takes the stage, my heart stops beating. That’s where he’s most comfortable. Where he shines.
“Good evening,” he says into the microphone. “As the best man, it’s my honor to give this speech. I’ve known Liam for over eleven years now and we’ve been through just about everything one can imagine. When he invited me into his home just over a year ago, I saw with my own eyes what had been missing from his life. I’m proud to stand up here tonight and congratulate my friend on finding the missing piece to his life, for having the guts to chase it down and for taking the steps he needed to make it his. Liam and Josie, you’re an example for us all.
“Before I leave, I have a gift for you. Weeks ago, four very talented people came to me and asked for some help. What they asked for, I thought couldn’t be done in weeks, but they practiced every free minute they could. These four persevered, and I’m proud to introduce to you Noah Westbury and Quinn James on guitar, Elle Powell on lyrics and Peyton Powell on drums. And for the record, I didn’t pick the song.”
My mouth drops open as the kids take the stage. I have to blink to be sure, but Harrison is right, my daughters are there and one is sitting at the drum set. Harrison moves around each child making sure they’re all set. When he gets to Peyton, I see it. I see how they connected.
Josie and Liam come over to me and stand. “Did you know about this?” Liam asks. I shake my head. “I’ll be damned.”
As soon as the music starts, the guests start laughing. The kids are playing their own version of Call Me Maybe. The lyrics Elle sings don’t really set with me because I’m focusing on Peyton. She’s so poised and determined behind the drum set and most importantly, she’s smiling. I haven’t seen her smile that big in a very long time and she’s doing it because of Harrison.
When the song is over, Peyton hugs Harrison before she comes rushing off stage. I pick her up and hug her tightly. “Oh Peyton, I’m so proud of you.” I set her down and she beams at me.
“Was I great?”
“You were the best drummer I’ve ever seen.” It’s not a lie, at least not for me.
“Harrison taught me after the boy at school started teasing me. He said to take out all my anger on his drums. He didn’t care if I broke them.”
I replay her words over in my head. I don’t remember a boy teasing her. “What are you talking about?”
Liam sets his hand on my shoulder. “When you were in L.A. there was a mishap at school. I thought Harrison would’ve told you, but I’m guessing now he was trying to save his relationship and it slipped his mind.”
“Is she being bullied?”
Liam shakes his head. “No, Quinn took care of that.”
I try to make sense of what they’re saying but I can’t. I need to hear it from Harrison. I look around for him, but don’t see him anywhere.
“Where’s Harrison?”
“He went home. He has an early flight to L.A. in the morning.”
“Why?”
Liam looks away and down at the ground before meeting my gaze. “He’s moving back.”
As soon as I step off the stage, the boys start their riff. We had to modify their song just slightly, but it works. Peyton has the hardest part and has worked really hard to learn her beats. I stand behind her, waiting to lend a hand if she forgets. But she doesn’t forget. She nails it each and every time she’s supposed to.
I watch the crowd, looking at all the guests lined up to support the kids. I couldn’t be more proud of the four of them, and am so happy that they asked me to help them put this together for Liam and Josie.