The clinking of glasses echoed through the room, followed by the joyful smiles of everyone present. Almost in unison, they all cheered:
“Cheers”
The master of ceremonies was then called over by the newlyweds, who could barely contain their excitement for the surprises they had planned. Alden took the microphone and began to speak.
“My dear family… You have no idea how amazing it feels to see all of you gathered here tonight. The only one missing is Matthew Rice, who, for some reason, couldn’t make it… Wherever he is, I hope he’s happy and doing well.
“He has been a great man, and he deserves to be mentioned, because in one way or another, all of us carry a part of him in our lives.
“Now that I’ve brought him to your minds—and knowing that he’s never absent from our hearts—I can move on to what my wife and I wanted to share with you.
“The woman who completes my life, my son Ethan, is already a part of her. But now, with Serenity and our soon-to-be-born daughter, we will be even stronger.
“Serenity is the woman who captivates me with just one look. My son and I have embraced her, clung to her presence. I love her, and I want to spend the rest of my life by her side.
“As everyone has said, we’ve already started our life together. Serenity is a woman worthy of admiration. Just like her father, she accepted both me and my son. She welcomed us and loved us as her own, the way only a woman who truly loves her partner and child could. And that only makes me love her more and more.
“Now, I’ll pass the microphone to my wife—and to our little girl, who’s been keeping us company from her mommy’s belly and hasn’t stopped moving all night. She must be soaking up all our happiness.”
Serenity took the microphone, beaming.
“Thank you, my love! First of all, Mom, Dads, thank you for everything. For this, for making the effort, but most of all, for being here—for me, for Alden, for Ethan, and for our baby.
“I am such a lucky woman. I arrived here as my little brother’s big sister, and now I somehow have four brothers.
Today, I am the aunt of a beautiful little girl who has stolen everyone’s hearts, and I am the daughter of three incredibly handsome and wise fathers.”
She paused for a moment, taking in the room, before continuing.
“A little while ago, I listened carefully to the words of my beloved husband. I saw and heard the nostalgia in him. Matthew was an incredible and wise man to him.
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