Blake grinned as the women in his family flocked around Krista to admire her engagement ring. They’d come straight to the pub for their farewell party after an overnight trip to Niagara Falls. Unlike his and Tita Belen’s birthday celebration, the parents decided to keep Ryan O’Connor’s regular hours; they’d blocked off a section for the family, but welcomed customers in. At ten in the evening on the second day of the new year, the place was full.
He stood in the corner, waiting for Krista to signal him if the ladies started talking about the wedding. Judging by the gleam in his mother’s eyes, she was determined to take part in the planning. His fiancée could hold her own, but they’d agreed to answer questions together.
Aidan sidled up beside him, his eyes also on the table of laughing women—their mom, Tita Belen, Darcy, and Krista. “Thanks for getting me off the hook.”
“I didn’t do it for you.” Blake nearly laughed at his brother. Aidan was delusional if he really thought he was saved from getting questioned about settling down. At best, Blake had only given him a reprieve. Their Ma would be dropping hints again as soon as he and Krista set their plans.
“Are you talking about the wedding tonight?”
Blake narrowed his eyes at his brother’s overly casual tone. Aidan had been engrossed with this topic for days now. “We’ll start some of it now, but we won’t finalize anything until Krista has met with her family and friends in Manila.” Friends. Her best friend in particular. Oh ho! “She’ll want to ask them what role they want to play in the wedding. Maybe she’ll ask her sister, Farrah, to be the maid of honor.”
Aidan shrugged. “That’s her choice to make.”
Blake tried another tack. “I wonder who Maddie will bring to the wedding. I’ve met her new boss. French, smooth and cultured. Same age as you.”
Aidan growled out a response that sounded like, “Surrender monkeys.”
Blake grinned. “She’s half-French. I’d be careful what you call them around her.”
“Who said anything about seeing Madeleine?”
“Singapore is a small place. I’m sure you’ll bump into her.” Blake didn’t wait for Aidan to respond. He strode to the table and sat beside his fiancée. She had winked: their prearranged signal.
The dads came out of the office and took their customary seats at the opposite ends of the long table. Uncle Jack had been out of a wheelchair since New Year’s Eve. Though still pale, he’d already lost the haggard look from his hospital stay.
“Where is everyone?” Blake asked the group.
Darcy, the Little Ms. I-Know-Where-The-O’Connor-Brothers-Are-At-All-Times, had the answer. “Patrick is in Hawaii for the Tournament of Champions. Ronan said he’ll drop by if he’s in this area.”
“Craig told me he’ll come out here after he has expedited the last order of the night.” This time it was Tita Belen who replied. “We can start without them.”
Taking it as a signal, Da began the prayer.
The moment amen was uttered, Giulia launched her questions. “Have you decided yet where and when you’re getting married?”
Blake held Krista’s hand on top of the table. They’d already discussed this during their trip upstate. “We want to have a church wedding in Boracay, and if you’ll all agree …” he paused, looking at each of the elders separately, “we’d like to have our annual reunion celebration there at the same time.”
“A Christmas wedding! How wonderful.” Ma clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Sean?” she beseeched Da.
“All right. These old bones could use some thawing,” Da said, winking at Krista. She grinned back at him. Blake brought their entwined hands to his lips, pleased that his fiancée had quickly become close with his family.
His voice husky, Uncle Jack replied, “It’s the first special event of my daughter’s life I will have the opportunity to witness. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Krista stood to move to her dad’s side. She kissed his cheek and Tita Belen’s. “Thank you. It will mean so much to me for you to be there.” They responded by hugging her tight.
Craig approached the table with a tray of champagne-filled flutes. “Compliments of the owners.”
Tita Belen rose to her feet. Raising her glass, she said, “To Krista and Blake, the first wedding in the Ryan and O’Connor families ...”
Ma jumped up and looking pointedly at her oldest son, she quipped, “... may it only be the beginning.”
“Hear, hear,” Blake cheered, earning him a glare from Aidan and a giggle from Krista.
Everyone stood and clinked glasses. “To Krista and Blake. Sláinte.”
##