The reception was held in the main ballroom of the ship. The music was joyous, it seemed like everyone was on the floor dancing, enjoying the celebration. Roz walked over to Cynthia, then nudged her.
“What’s going on with Brian?”
Cynthia looked up, then in the direction Roz was pointing. It seemed like Brian was in the corner having words with Calley, the cellist. “Hmm … that can’t be good.”
Cynthia walked over to where the two were standing. “Is everything okay?”
“No,” Calley replied, sounding a little distressed. “My cello is missing. I put it back in the case and placed it here, next to this door. Now it’s gone.”
Brian looked at Cynthia. “I’ve checked the room, but I didn’t see it.”
Looking around, Cynthia replied. “Well, we haven’t docked, so it’s on this ship.”
“That comforting,” Brian smirked. “It’s a big damn ship, Cynthia.”
“I know that,” Cynthia frowned at him, then looked at Calley. “Mr. Thompson is an expert at finding things that are lost. He will turn this ship upside down if he has to, to find your instrument.”
“It’s not just an instrument,” Calley closed her eyes, trying to compose her temper. “It is a family heirloom, Mrs. Lassiter. I have to find it.”
“I understand,” Cynthia could clearly see the young woman was upset. “Brian …”
“I’m on it,” Brian said, then took off in search of the missing cello.
“Why don’t you come with me while he looks.” Cynthia took Calley over to sit with Taylor. Her phone buzzed. She touched her earpiece, then bent back to Calley. “It’s time for the bride and groom to leave. I have to handle that, but I will be back as soon as your cello is located.”
“Thank you,” Calley replied.
Cynthia could see the tension on the young woman as she walked away. She called Brian. “Anything?”
“I have it,” he replied. “One of the agents moved it from the path of the President’s route. I’m on my way back with it now.”
“Great, she’s at the table with Taylor Brooks and the Davies,” Cynthia replied, then walked over to Luke and Sasha. “It’s time to leave. We are going to make the toasts, then get you out of here.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Luke said as he and Sasha stood.
Cynthia walked over to the dance floor, where Grayson and Monique were blissfully in each other’s arms. “It’s time to make the toast.”
Monique nodded, then looked at Grayson. “Keep that hard until I get back.”
“It’s automatic when you are around.”
Cynthia rolled her eyes. “You two …” she shook her head. “Who would have thought?”
Monique chuckled, then followed her.
Cynthia walked over to where Matt and Leah were talking to Ty Pendleton and Nick Brooks.
“Think about it, Matt,” Nick stated. “Your training brought us Coco and a few others.”
“It would be nice to have a central training facility for the region,” Ty nodded in agreement.
“Excuse me,” Cynthia interrupted. “It’s time for the couple to leave. You have to make a toast.”
“Best man duty calls,” Matt said as he took Leah’s hand to follow Cynthia.
“I think it’s a great idea, Matt,” Leah said as they walked away. “You should think about it.”
“I will,” Matt said, then kissed her before walking to the front of the room. He picked up a glass, then used a utensil to tap it, bringing everyone’s attention to him. Matt smiled as all eyes turned his way. He cleared his throat, then began. “I am known as the jokester in the family, so don’t expect anything elegant.”
The guests laughed.
“I have been blessed with a remarkable family. Five brothers and six beautiful sisters, and I love all of them. Luke and I have a special bond. He is not just my brother. He is my friend and confidant. For a while I was lost, and he helped me to find my way. And I worried that I could not do the same for him. Then Sasha fell into our lives, and I knew the moment I saw them together that love had found its way to him. My worries were over.” He held up his glass, and the guests did the same. “To Sasha, welcome to the tribe known as the Lassiters. May your lives be filled with a sense of family and love for eternity. Here’s to the last of the Lassiter gents. May your union be fruitful and multiply.”
“Here … here.” The guests cheered and took a drink.
Matt took his seat next to Leah, who kissed his cheek as Monique took center stage.
“Hmm … A hard one to follow, Matthew, thank you,” Monique began. She exhaled, then turned to Luke and Sasha.
“We only found you a little while ago, and it feels like I’m losing you again. You see, I grew up knowing I had a sister and hating the fact that you did not want to be a part of us. I did not like you … ohhhh, I didn’t like you … until I met you. That day when I walked into your office and dragged you out, you instantly became a part of me. That’s not an easy thing to do. I am happy we found each other. You brought our family full circle, and now you get to be happy, too. As indicated by that ring Luke put on your finger, your circle is now complete. You have found that elusive element called love in Luke.” She held up her glass. “To Luke and Sasha. May your days be filled with a multitude of love and adventures throughout your lifetime.”
“Here … here,” the guests all chimed in.
Luke and Sasha stood. They held up their glasses as Luke spoke. “To all our families and friends. We treasure all the wisdom and examples of love you have given us. Thank you all for being a part of our special moment.”
Sasha smiled and said, “May the circle of love and family flow as wide and as deep as the Mediterranean Sea. Now, we are going to go and multiply.”
The guests cheered as the couple was whisked off by Cynthia. They all moved to the deck where the wedding ceremony was held. The stage and all the decorations were gone, and a helicopter was sitting on the helipad. Joshua was standing next to it, as Luke and Sasha climbed the stairs to reach it. The guests watched as the couple climbed inside. Joshua pulled something from his suit jacket and tossed it in the air. The sound of an explosion ricocheted around the ship. As the chopper took off, fireworks appeared in the shape of a heart with words inside that said, Mr. & Mrs. Lassiter.
The guests watched until the chopper disappeared, and Luke and Sasha were off to their new life.
Cynthia turned to Samuel, wrapped her arms around his waist then kissed him. “Luke and Sasha are off. The guest are having a ball and I haven’t had a good long lay since we’ve been on this ship. I have it on good authority that the bridal suite is empty. I’m in need of a good old Sammy Slam.”
Samuel took her hand and smiled. “Lead the way.”
Phire, LT, Leah, Matt, Jade and Blake sat on the top deck where the wedding ceremony was performed.
“Well, we’re next,” LT kissed Phire’s hand.
“I think this one went off without a hitch,” Blake said. “Let’s hope Cynthia’s magic touch holds up for the rest of us.”
Phire, Leah and Jade glanced at each other.
“You mean other than Sasha whipping her mother’s ass?” Phire asked.
“Or Stephanie almost being thrown overboard?” Leah asked.
Matt laughed. “That was funny as hell. You think we can do that with your father?”
“Or my mother?” Blake chimed in.
LT exhaled. “Leah, once I find all my brothers and sisters, and line them up in front of city hall, will you run them over with a bus?”
The three remaining couples burst into laughter at his request.
“That bad, man?” Matt asked.
“Not all of them,” LT replied earnestly, “but sperm donor, Trent’s two legitimate children …” he shook his head … ”they are the reincarnation of the devil himself.”
“There is a force that can deal with the devil on his own turf.”
LT looked up at his fiancée and asked, “Who?”
Matt and Jade chuckled and replied simultaneously, “Phire.”