Of course, he made sure everyone saw the matching wedding bands Adam picked out for them at least three times. Just in case they weren’t paying attention the first two.
Teddy and Adam were adorable together, though she doubted Adam would approve of that description with him being a Bryson, a Marine and a cop. A triple alpha threat like the rest of the Bryson males.
Her own triple threat put the portable car seat down next to her and took his own seat just in time for Ron to stand and announce, “Since I’m the most senior here, I’m going to start, then anyone else who wants to say something can. If anyone doesn’t like that, they can file a complaint with the complaint department, which is a department of one. Me. I’ll make sure to take the time to read that complaint before I throw it into the fire. Now lift your glasses.”
All the adults, except for Leah, lifted their champagne, while the kids, Greg and Carly’s sister-in-law lifted their sparkling cider for a toast.
Then everyone got choked up as Ron obviously struggled with getting his words out. He cleared his throat a couple times, while Mary Ann squeezed his arm and wiped at her own eyes. “We had three sons, so I never thought we’d have a fourth wedding. Because, if nothing, the Brysons are stubborn and loyal, meaning the women that married us are stuck with us forever. We take ‘til death do us part very literally. So, there will never be a second wedding for my boys. They found the loves of their lives, the mothers of my grandchildren, and I couldn’t be happier.
“But, in truth, we don’t have three sons. We proudly have four. Someone left the front door open a crack and another one wiggled his way inside. Once he did, we embraced him as our own. And we’re not giving him back. Even though he thinks today is the first day of being a Bryson, that’s not true. He’s been a Bryson for a long time now. So, I’m not welcoming him into the family because he’s been planted in the middle of it for years.”
Teddy had a hand covering his mouth and Adam had an arm over his husband’s shoulders and wore a crooked grin as he tried to keep himself together.
The women were crying, the men occasionally clearing their throats roughly, the kids not understanding the fuss since Teddy had always been a part of their lives. He’d always been Uncle Teddy.
Ron lifted his flute a little higher. “Cheers and congratulations to the new Mr. and Mr. Bryson.” He took a sip of his champagne and everyone followed suit. “I said enough, now I pass it over to my brother.” Ron frowned. “Who is now also an in-law?” He shook his head. “I don’t want to know.” He sat and Mary Ann leaned in to kiss his cheek.
Randall stood and lifted his glass. “Then I will welcome him to my family.” He turned to face Adam and Teddy. “I have to say, when the two of you literally came out of the closet together at Marc and Leah’s wedding, I didn’t think it would last since you two are such opposites. But here you are. And today, I gained another son. I also have to say, Teddy, you are one of the best gifts Adam has ever given us.”
Laughter rose from around the table and Teddy blew kisses at his new father-in-law.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m not good with speeches. Congratulations! And can we all agree that you two need to get moving on giving us our first grandchild? We have a long way to catch up with my brother.”
Two seats down from Carly, Jet dropped her dark head, shook it and groaned.
“Get used to it,” Carly, Leah and Amanda warned her, all at the same time. The three women laughed.
“Anyone else want to say anything?” Ron asked.
As one, the adults rose, lifted their glasses high and Max yelled, “To Teddy for finally nabbing his Bryson buck!” They laughed as they took another sip from their flutes.
“Yay!” Teddy shouted, clapping and doing a wiggle in his seat. He lifted his hand up over his head. “Has everyone seen my ring yet?”
Amidst the groans, Greg yelled, “Need to eat! I’m hungry!”
Carly was surprised nobody was crushed in the rush to get to the buffet and away from Teddy’s flapping hand.
“You stay here with Levi. I’ll grab you a plate.”
She smiled up at Matt as he planted a kiss on her forehead and went to get in line.
If someone had said the grumpy asshole cop who responded to her car versus deer crash would turn out to be the best husband in the world, she would’ve argued with them.
And she would’ve been wrong.
* * *
“When do you start?” Matt asked Jet as she stood back, watching some of their family moving around the dance floor to a slow song.
Max was dancing with Hannah. Cathy was dancing with Greg. Amanda with Oliver, Randall with Teddy and Adam had grabbed Carly. Leah attempted to dance with a four-year-old Jax, while Marc danced with their six-year-old, Austin.
Ron and Mary Ann moved slowly around the dance floor, holding each other tightly. His parents wore very contented smiles.
“After the new year,” she answered. “I look forward to working for Max. And I’m super grateful he offered me the position.”
“It isn’t a huge department,” he warned her, something she already knew but he wanted to make sure she knew she might not have a lot of opportunity for advancement. Not like a bigger department in one of the cities.
“It’s not as small as the one I’m working at now. I’m the only female and the men don’t respect me at all.”
“Sounds familiar,” Matt grumbled as he stared at his brother Marc, who
