“Whitney is one of a kind, Brayden. We’ll all be a family and take care of each other now.” Liam stopped fiddling with the tie and placed his hands on his nephew’s shoulders.
It tugged on Liam’s heart to see how much Brayden resembled his father, just as Ally did. It made Liam miss his lost brother a great deal, but it also comforted him to know that Vincent would live on forever through his children.
“We’ve got to get all this sappy stuff over with,” Brayden said, trying to pull himself together. “Today is a happy day.”
“I agree with you on that,” Liam told him. “Just know that if you ever need anything, I will always be here for you. I can’t replace your father, and I wouldn’t want to try, but I can be the best uncle you’ve ever had.”
“You’ve already proved that,” Brayden replied.
They gave each other a long hug before they finished getting ready for the wedding. It wouldn’t be long until Whitney arrived, and she probably wouldn’t be happy if the groom and best man weren’t in place. And yet she had put up with a lot from both of them.
“May I join you?”
They turned to find Frederick walking into the room, looking suave and more relaxed than Liam could ever remember him.
“Of course, Dad.” Liam was growing used to the term.
“I know I haven’t always been the best parent,” he began. When Liam tried to stop him, Frederick held up a hand and his son let him continue.
“I haven’t always been the best father — I’ve made so many mistakes over the years. But I’m grateful to have time to make up for them now. I’m brokenhearted that my beloved Vincent won’t ever get to see these changes …” He suddenly coughed, but no one was fooled by his obvious attempt to cover up his breaking voice.
“He can see us, Grandpa,” Brayden assured him. “He’s watching over us.”
“Thank you, young man. I appreciate that,” Frederick said, and he gave the boy a wobbly smile. And then he turned back to his son.
“In spite of my missteps, Liam, you’ve given me new hope. You’re a wonderful man with a big heart, and though you’ve faced adversity, you still managed to find something in your life, a rare something, that not all of us are allowed to experience.”
“I wasn’t always so wonderful, Father, and you’re well aware of that fact. But Whitney makes me a better man.”
“Well, today is a day to share what little wisdom I can. It’s a fatherly duty to roll out sage advice to his son. Treat her like a queen, and always have her at your side.”
Liam smiled at his father. He didn’t need that particular lesson. He already loved his soon-to-be wife to the point of bursting, but he wasn’t going to steal this stirring scene from the old guy.
“Don’t ever take her for granted,” Frederick continued. “Every single day that you have together is precious. Remember that even on those days that you think the universe is conspiring against you, take a moment to thank her, even if it’s just to thank her for loving you. So often we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone.”
“I can’t imagine that there will ever come a day I could forget how much I appreciate her,” Liam told him.
“Ah, because you’re newly in love. Time makes these feelings seem to fade, though they are always inside us. Don’t let time erase what comes in the beginning. And that includes respecting her. If you don’t respect her, you can’t respect yourself.”
“Aunt Whitney has said that same thing to me many times,” Brayden admitted.
“That’s because she’s a wise woman,” Liam told him as he ruffled his hair.
“Only two things more,” Frederick said. “Communication is key to it all. Listen and be heard. Don’t dwell on the small stuff, but embrace everything about her. She’s unique and you’re lucky to have her, as she’s lucky to have you.”
Liam felt he was coming out far more ahead than Whitney was, but he kept that to himself. He didn’t want to admit to the weakness he felt in his knees when it came to this woman.
“I will, Dad,” Liam promised.
“Here’s the most important thing you can do as a husband. Show your future children how much you love their mother. That will teach them how to treat their spouses later in life. I’m sorry I didn’t do that for you.”
“You did the best you could. And what matters now is who you are today. I love you, and your grandchildren love you. And I promise to love my wife forever.” Liam stepped up and hugged his father, something he hadn’t done since he was a very young boy.