The Promise(145)

Vi’s dad was there (not her mom, they weren’t tight), as were Theresa and Vinnie as the only parental figures Cal had left. Still very close with her first husband’s parents, this meant Bea and Gary Winters were also there, rounding out the three tables.

Folks settled in their seats. Ben brought my drink, then took off his suit jacket to expose the deep green tailored shirt underneath. He tossed his jacket over the back of his chair. Cal showed, coming in with Kate, and I knew another friend of Vi and Feb’s was there, Mimi (the lady who also owned the kick-ass coffee shop in Brownsburg), who was coming to the wedding but was there early to look after Angie and Colt and Feb’s Jack.

I sipped my Bellini, sitting back, slightly listed to the side because Ben was leaning into me and the arm he had on the back of my chair. I smiled, chatted, giggled. Champagne and red and white wine (consumer choice, total class) were brought around, as were mushroom caps stuffed with cheesy, creamy crab meat.

It was when the appetizer plates were whisked away, glasses were refilled, and we were gabbing while waiting for our main meals when the clink of a knife against a wineglass sounded.

All eyes went to the parents’ table to see Gary standing, holding up his Champagne glass.

When conversation died, his eyes to Vi and Cal, he started speaking. “I apologize. I have something to say, but I’ve had concerns if I should say it. In the end, I felt it needed to be said. I talked with Bea and we decided it was more appropriate tonight, in close company, than tomorrow.”

He drew in a deep breath and his voice got softer, but it still carried when he went on.

And now his eyes were just on Vi.

“My beautiful flower,” he started, and I didn’t even know what he was going to say, but the way he started made me deep breathe in an effort not to start crying. “This day was a day I never thought would come to pass. This day was a day I never would wish to come to pass. But here we are, witnessing you closing one book and opening another that’s empty. A book you get the privilege of writing, the story of the life you’re about to start making. Bea and I know, to the depths of our souls, just like the extraordinary story you crafted the first time so magnificently” —he tipped his head toward Kate and Keira— “this one will be no different.”

“Holy crap,” I whispered, and Ben’s hand went from dangling off the side of my seat to wrap around my arm.

Gary’s eyes went to Cal.

“This day is a day I never would wish to come to pass. But you must know, Bea and I are honored beyond imagining that you’re the kind of man who would allow us to be here tonight, to share in your joyous celebration tomorrow, to keep us stitched into the fabric of your life. However, it’s more, Joe Callahan. Bea and I are honored beyond imagining simply to know a man with such love in his heart, he would give it freely to our girls, strength in his mind and body to protect them, firmness in his resolve to take care of them. Regardless if this new book you’re writing with Violet means Bea and I must close our book, a book that has no hope of reopening, there is no other man in the world we would wish to sit in the seat you’re currently occupying. We’re pleased to know you. We’re pleased to have you as a part of our family. And we wish you, Vi, Kate, Keira, and little Angie have all the beauty you deserve as you write your story.”

He lifted his glass as I heard Vi make a whimpering noise, but I didn’t look at her as Gary kept going.

“To the soon-to-be Joe and Violet Callahan, wishing you a life story full of all the love, hope, promise, joy, and laughter you not only deserve, but you’ve earned.”

A variety of “here here’s” and “To Cal and Vi’s” were shouted as we all grabbed our drinks and took a sip.

Except Violet, who got up from her chair, walked with red cheeks and shining eyes to her father-in-law, wrapped her arms around him, and shoved her face in his neck.

And I sat there thinking I loved that. I loved that emotion from Vi. I loved that she was the kind of person who could take something possibly awkward, but knowing the players, understand it would end up stunningly beautiful.

And I sat there looking around, seeing Cal give his attention to Kate and Keira, both overwhelmed with emotion from their grandfather’s speech, both not his by blood but his all the same. I took in Vinnie and Theresa, who were there not only as relations but also because they’d earned their spot there, being the only real mother and father Cal had his whole life.

And then there was me. Loving one brother who was killed and, years later, loving another one because he was everything a man should be and he gave all that beauty to me.