Her mother laughed with her at the thought that her brothers would even think about staying in line when given the chance to say something shocking about Chase in front of such a large crowd.
Sophie quickly stopped by Chase and Chloe’s seats. “Is everything going okay so far?”
Chloe hugged her tight. “It’s the most beautiful wedding in the world. I can hardly believe it’s mine.”
“Thanks, sis,” Chase said, “You’re one heck of a wedding planner.”
Sophie didn’t bother to hide her wide grin. She adored Chloe and was beyond thrilled for Chase. “If it’s okay with both of you, I’d like to get rolling on the speeches.”
When they agreed, Sophie walked up to the table where her brothers and sister were waiting for her to set them loose. Before anyone could ask her where she’d been for the past half hour, she gave the microphone to Marcus. “You’re first, and then pass the microphone to the next oldest. Jake will go after the boys, then Lori and I will go last.”
Smith was frowning as he looked between her and Jake. She’d known her family was going to be watching her very carefully when she walked back into the reception area, and that even the slightest indication that something had happened to her would send all six of her brothers on a rampage. Especially given her new look for the wedding, she knew they were already suspicious that something was going on. She took her seat and flashed a bright smile at Smith, thankful when Marcus stood up and all eyes turned to him.
“This is a big day for the Sullivans.” The guests immediately stopped talking and focused their attention on Marcus. “I’m sure there are some who thought the day would never come when one of us would say ‘I do’.” As the crowd laughed at his on-point observation, Sophie worked like crazy not to stare at Jake, who was seated next to Lori at the far end of the large table. “Now that it has, I know there isn’t a single one of us who is surprised.”
Marcus turned from the crowd to face Chase and Chloe. “Chloe, if I had tried, I couldn’t have found a partner more perfect for my brother.” The bride's eyes were already filling with tears as her new husband threaded his fingers through hers. “Chase, I’m as happy for you as I’ve ever been. And so damn proud. Our father was one of the best men I’ve ever known and you’ve always reminded me so much of him. He would be as proud of you, Chase, and he would love you, Chloe, as much as the rest of us do.”
Marcus’s strong voice broke slightly on the last word and he looked up toward the sky and paused like that for a few long moments. Sophie could hear sniffles from all throughout the reception area. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her mother beginning to cry, but Sophie knew if she actually looked at Mary, she’d dissolve into a wet puddle, too. Smith gripped her hand hard and she squeezed back with all her strength, the two of them holding on to each other as Marcus continued.
“One other thing I’m absolutely sure of—” He paused again to smile at Chase and Chloe, and turned to briefly look at each of his brothers and sisters, before focusing on his mother. “—is that he’s here with all of us today.”
Marcus was holding his hand over his heart by now and Sophie knew why. That was exactly where she held her father to her. He’d passed away when she was only two, but she’d heard so many stories about him over the years, and had each of his pictures memorized, that she felt she could remember him just as well as any of her older siblings.
“We can’t wait to meet the first of the next generation of Sullivans.”
The applause came, then, as everyone got to their feet to toast not only Chase and Chloe, but the baby growing inside of the beautiful bride. Chase’s hand rested possessively over her gently rounded stomach as he kissed Chloe, and Sophie leaned into Smith’s shoulder as she whispered, “They’re so beautiful together, aren’t they?”
Smith kissed her forehead, then took the mic from Marcus. As he stood up, everyone let out a collective gasp. It wasn’t just that he was a movie star. Smith had always had a huge presence, had always been mesmerizing, especially when he was decked out in a black tux with tails. Sophie was sure every woman at the wedding—taken or not—was dreaming about what it would be like to have Smith Sullivan give her a second glance.
“My brothers and sisters like to tell me I live in a world of make-believe,” he said in the voice that a billion people around the globe could have recognized with their eyes closed. “I don’t know what they’re talking about. My life is perfectly normal.”
Laughter rolled through the crowd as Ryan and Gabe shook their heads as theatrically as possible.
“One thing we can all agree on,” he continued when the laughter subsided, “is that there’s nothing imaginary about the love between Chase and Chloe.”
Oh my. Sophie knew her big brothers could be big softies. But had any of them ever let anyone but the family see it before? Especially Smith, who had to guard himself from the pressures of fame and strangers who thought they knew the real man when they definitely didn’t.
And yet, in this moment, for the brother he loved, Smith was pure emotion. If he was willing to risk baring his soul for a few moments like this, Sophie knew she didn’t have a prayer of being anything but a big old splashy puddle by the time the microphone landed in her hand.
“To your forever.”
Everyone raised their glasses as Smith toasted the bride and groom, Chase nodding at his brother with a big grin in acknowledgement of the beautiful wish he’d just made for them.
Ryan was next as he took the microphone from Smith and stood up. Any of the women who hadn’t just lost their hearts to Smith would have been hard pressed not to give it up to the pro baseball player. Sophie couldn’t think of the last time she’d seen Ryan or Zach in a tux. Both of them had complained when she’d informed them that’s what they were going to wear as groomsmen. Knowing her brothers and the way they charmed absolutely any woman they came into contact with, Sophie made sure to let the tux rental company know she’d be extremely upset if they caved and gave her brothers alternatives to the tuxes.
And she’d been right to hold firm. All of her brothers looked absolutely fantastic, a picture perfect postcard of male perfection. Sophie shot a glance at Lori, silently acknowledging that the two of them didn’t look half bad, either. Their mother, Mary, was pure elegance in her floor-length lace and silk dress in a soft coral that perfectly set off her coloring.