Page 38 of The Wedding Toast (The Hamiltons #10)

“How long do we have left?” Becca asked.

“Not long before we need to go downstairs,” said Callie. “Do you need anything?”

She laughed. “A fast forward button, if you have one. I just want to do this now.”

“We’re nearly there,” said Callie. “Your mom asked if you want to see everyone before they go out and take their seats.”

Becca shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t think I do. I’ve chatted with them all already. We’ve said what we need to say. There’s no point in them hanging around here. But wait, I’m talking about Danny and CJ and the rest of them. Is that who she means?”

Callie nodded. “Them. And I think there are a few other people down there. The only ones I thought you might like to see were Elena and Walt.”

“Oh.” Becca blew out a sigh. “I can hardly say that I want to see them and not my brothers and sister, can I?”

“I would if I were you,” said Callie. “But then I only have brothers, and they don’t care.”

Becca laughed. “I guess I’ll just leave it as a no for now and hope that since Walt and Elena are going to walk out there with my mom when it’s almost time, I’ll get to see them then. Are Russ and Ria here yet?”

“They are. They arrived a few minutes ago. I really like them. And I love that Ria is going so far out of her way to make sure that Elena and Walt feel included.”

That made Becca smile. “Well, if you can say that you really like Ria, then I don’t see how you can have a problem with any of the wine people. When I first met Jacob, Ria was pretty much the highest of the mighty around here. She made even the rest of the Napa bigwigs quake in their boots.”

“So I heard,” said Callie. “And I can kind of see it. It’s obvious the woman has a backbone of steel, but she’s a sweetheart, too.”

“She is. I’ve gotten to know her a little bit, and she’s lovely. All I’m saying is you should keep an open mind about the rest of them, too.”

“I am,” said Callie. “I’m doing much better than I expected to. I thought you were proud of me.”

“Oh, I am,” said Becca. “I’m not lecturing you. I just want you to feel comfortable. It’s all part of my evil scheme. You know, if you feel comfortable enough over here, you might move to be closer to me.”

Callie gave her a wry smile. “I know it’s your wedding day, and I’m supposed to make sure that you get whatever you want. But I’m not sure …”

“I’m only teasing. I’m just so glad you’re here.” Becca held her arms out, but Callie shook her head.

“I’d love to hug you, you know that. But I’m afraid that if I do, we’ll mess up both our dresses.”

Becca rolled her eyes. “You’re right. Although this is probably the first time in our lives that either of us have cared more about our clothes than a hug.”

“It is,” Callie agreed. “And no matter what else, before you get into …” She stopped so abruptly that Becca was a little concerned.

“Are you okay?”

Callie sputtered a little. “I am, sorry. I just choked on my breath or something. All I was going to say was that before you and Jacob drive away tonight, once we get you changed out of your dress, you have to promise that I get a hug before you leave, okay?”

“Promise,” said Becca.

They both turned when the door opened, and her mom came bustling in.

“Oh, well, now, just look at the two of you.” Her mom held her phone up and snapped a photo.

Becca laughed. “You must have thousands of photos already, Mom. And the wedding’s not even started yet.”

Her mom waved a hand at her. “And that’s as it should be. A daughter only gets married once.” She scowled at Becca. “At least, that had better be the case with my daughter.”

Becca rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Mom, you’re going to talk to me like that right now? When we’re only about fifteen minutes away from my wedding?”

Her mom laughed. “Sorry, Becs love. I didn’t mean it like that. I know that you and Jacob are going to have a long and happy life together. And do me a favor and hurry up with the grandbabies, will you?”

Becca and Callie both laughed at that, although Becca wasn’t about to spell out that she intended to start work on the grandbaby plan just as soon as she could tonight. Instead, she went with, “I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Are you two about ready to come down? It’s nearly time for me, and Elena and Walt, and Russ and Ria to go and take our seats. But before we go, I want to see your dad’s face when he sees you.”

Becca’s hand came up to cover her heart. “Aww. I can’t wait to see him either.”

Her mom sniffed. “I’ve only seen your dad cry twice in all these years. I think today is going to be number three, and I don’t want to miss it.”

She came to Becca and gripped her arms. “You look beautiful. You are beautiful, Becca. I’m so proud of you.

And I’m so happy for you. You found yourself a good man.

” She blew out a breath and looked up at the ceiling before glancing out at the vine-covered hills.

“You found yourself a good life, too. Just make sure that you live it well.”

Becca swallowed around the lump in her throat. “You’re going to ruin my makeup if you keep that up, Mom.”

Her mom leaned in to hug her, not caring about crushing the dress. And Becca didn’t either.

“Love you, Becs. I’ll see you downstairs.”

“Love you, Mom.” Becca’s words followed her as she turned and hurried from the room.

~ ~ ~

Jacob stood in front of the mirror one last time and inspected himself closely. He looked good. The charcoal suit he’d settled on in the end was formal enough without seeming stuffy, and Becca always loved him in a crisp white shirt.

He ran his fingers down the cornflower blue tie with a smile.

He could still see her as she’d collected some of the flowers from his proposal – she had them pressed in one of the big encyclopedias in the library.

And he’d never forget the way she smiled when he picked up a couple himself and told her that they were for his tailor, so that he’d know what color he wanted his ties in the future.

He checked his pocket square – also cornflower blue, of course. He was good to go.

He turned to look out the window at the vines rolling away over the hills to the horizon. “Wish you were here,” he murmured to his mom and dad.

“Are you ready?” Xander called from downstairs.

“Never been more ready in my life,” he said with a grin as he jogged downstairs to join Xander, Bentley, and Slade.

“Looking good, big brother,” Xander said with a smile. “I don’t know why, but I thought you two—” he jerked his head toward Bentley, who was dressed the same as Jacob “—would be wearing waistcoats.”

“They look great,” Slade told him with a frown.

Xander laughed. “I know! That’s what I meant. Waistcoats are kind of formal.” He smiled at Jacob. “A bit too stuffy for you, though – now.”

Jacob chuckled. “Thanks. I know what you mean, and I’m sure you won’t be surprised that we considered it.” He smiled at Bentley, who laughed. “Bentley would have worn one with me, but I know he’s relieved not to have to.”

Bentley just shrugged. “Your wedding, your call.”

“If you guys want to know the truth,” Jacob told Xander and Slade, “we actually tried on cornflower blue waistcoats, but …” He gave a shudder, and the others laughed.

“You would have looked like peacocks!” said Xander.

“Maybe so,” said Jacob. “But even more than that, with so much blue everywhere – all the flowers and the ribbons and everything else – I was concerned that rather than making a statement, we’d end up blending in.”

Slade grinned at him. “Who’d have thought of cornflower as camouflage?”

“Not me – not until now anyway.” He checked his watch. “It’s time to go, guys.”

They all grinned at him, and Xander and Slade hurried over to the bar – the cottage used to be a tasting room, and Slade and Willow hadn’t converted the downstairs back yet.

Xander handed him a shot glass, and Slade handed Bentley one.

Jacob rolled his eyes – shots weren’t exactly his style, but …

Xander just smiled. “You’ll drink enough champagne later. Just humor me, okay?”

He chuckled. “Gladly.”

Xander held up his glass. “Here’s to you.

The best big brother a guy could ever hope for.

I love you, Jacob, and I know these guys do too.

” The others nodded as he continued. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I know that with Becca, you’ve found it.

Here’s wishing you a long and happy marriage and a forever kind of love with your wonderful wife. ”

He lifted his glass higher and said, “Jacob and Becca,” before downing his shot.

The others did the same, and Jacob had to swallow a couple of times before he could join them.

He laughed as he set the glass down. “Cognac shots?”

Slade laughed. “Shots because you’ve loosened up so much since you met Becca, Cognac because you’re still you – and we love you.”

Bentley chuckled beside him. “Dammit, guys, if we’re all just coming out and saying it, I’m not going to be left out.” He grasped Jacob’s shoulder as he said, “I love you too!”

Jacob blew out a breath. “If you guys are trying to make me cry, you just might succeed. So, let’s go, can we? I don’t want Becca to get there before me.”

As they started for the door, he added, “And yes, I’ll say it, too – I love you all.”

~ ~ ~

Becca stood in front of the mirror. This was it! The time was finally here – and she couldn’t wait.

She loved the dress. She loved the way her hair was pinned up in front, but the back still fell around her shoulders.

She’d wanted it to be fancy, and Jacob loved her hair down.

She reached up to touch the beautiful necklace that sat at her throat.

She’d joked with him earlier in the week that she’d probably stand out as the only person who wasn’t wearing anything cornflower blue.