Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(56)
We grabbed the drinks and headed back to the table where I took my seat between Hudson and Isaac. Isaac gave me a concerned look so I leaned over and nuzzled my cheek against his as I whispered in his ear.
“Everything’s fine. I was just telling Caleb how wonderful you two are.” Isaac blushed prettily at that and I gave him a quick kiss because I just couldn’t help myself. He smiled at me, his blue eyes lighting up with happiness. I turned and saw Hudson watching us, a smile on his face as well and so I leaned over and kissed him too. I took their hands in mine and placed them in my lap, linking the three of us together.
The grooms walked into the tent a little bit later and everyone stood and cheered. Morgan and Akio looked deliriously happy and all of us were thrilled to get to celebrate their special day with them. Dinner was delicious and we spent the entire time talking and laughing with our friends. Carter and Ryan took turns telling us about some of their more humorous moments on the road and Giovanni and Caleb told us in hilarious detail what it was like for them becoming parents for the first time. After dinner, Landon stood and tapped his knife against his glass to get everyone’s attention. We all quieted so we could listen as he toasted the happy couple.
“Akio and Morgan are both very special to me. For those of you who may not know, Akio and I have been best friends for many years. We met when I was working for another entertainment agency. Akio was brought in as a temp for our office manager and we hit it off right away. He reminded me a lot of my little brothers, Caleb and Carter. Just like them, he was feisty, opinionated, and liked to be the center of attention,” Landon said, playfully rolling his eyes and drawing a laugh from the crowd, including the men he was referring to.
“But also, like them, he was kind and compassionate and one of the finest individuals I’ve ever known. I asked him to take a leap of faith and move with me as I started my own agency and he came along for the ride without question. That’s how Akio has been with every part of our friendship; standing by my side no matter what and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to have as a friend.” I glanced over at Akio and saw him wiping tears from his eyes. From the looks of things, he wasn’t the only one moved by his best friend’s speech.
“Morgan is one of my favorite people in the world, always has been. He’s easygoing, hard-working, and loyal. He’d give anyone the shirt off his back, in fact, I’ve seen him do so; and he’s always honest, no matter what. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood include Morgan. He was always thinking up some new adventure we could go on, most of which ended up with either us getting hurt, getting in trouble with our moms, or both.” The audience laughed at that, especially when Landon and Morgan’s mothers frowned at them, giving them the mom look.
“Sorry, Mom, but it was all worth it,” Landon said into the microphone then he turned back to face the newlyweds. “Morgan taught me how to have fun, accept challenges, and to not take life so seriously, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Akio and Morgan, you both deserve all the joy life has to offer and as the two of you begin your life together, I wish you much love, happiness, and many amazing adventures.”
We all raised our glasses in a toast and then watched as Morgan and Akio got up to have their first dance as a married couple. They held each other close as they swayed to the music and whispered things that were only meant for the two of them.
When they’d finished their dance, they called all the unmarried men and women to the front where we waited for them to toss their bow ties over their shoulders. Curtis, who worked for Caleb and Giovanni at their restaurant, caught one and then his jaw slackened as Jakob, his boyfriend of over a year, caught the other.
Jakob looked very pleased with the outcome though and he planted a very long, very heated kiss on Curtis’s mouth that had everyone cheering and whistling. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be very long before we were celebrating their wedding and I couldn’t be happier for the young chef. Curtis was a nice guy and I was glad he’d found someone that made him happy as Jakob so clearly did.
We spent the rest of the night dancing, laughing, and visiting with friends. I was exhausted by the time we made it back to Hudson’s place and we quickly undressed and climbed into bed, snuggling up as closely as we could to one another. It had been a beautiful wedding. As I drifted off to sleep, my mind was full of hope for Morgan and Akio, but also for myself and my future with the two men at my side.
“What can I do, Uncle Hudson?” Nicholas asked hopefully.
“Oh, I have a very important job for you. I need your help making the salad. Would you like to do that?” I asked.
“Yes! I help Mommy make salad all the time. I’m a good helper, aren’t I, Mommy?” Nicholas looked to his mother who beamed at him proudly.
“You’re the best helper I’ve ever had. Now, go wash your hands and bring the step stool from your room so you can reach the counter,” Aysha told him.
Nicholas stopped long enough to give us each a quick hug and then he ran out of the room to do what he’d been told. My sister and I exchanged grins and then she went back to stirring the potato salad while I finished pressing the hamburger into patties.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“Maybe a little. I think I’m more excited than anything else,” I answered honestly.
I’d been wanting to introduce Aysha and Nicholas to the two men in my life for quite a while, but between all our work schedules, it had been difficult to find a time when everyone was available. Finally, we’d been able to agree on a date and Aysha offered to have a cookout at her house. I checked my watch for the thousandth time and grinned when I saw that they’d be there in less than a half hour.