The Langfield Brothers: Box Set

37. Aiden

THIRTY-SEVEN

AIDEN

Me: Who came up with the puffin idea?

Beckett: I made it happen.

Brooks: LOL. Of course Matchmaker Beckett is to blame.

Beckett: Haha. Laugh all you want. You’re all happy because of me, and now we have puffins walking down the aisle. I’m clearly the best man in this group.

Gavin: Why do I have a feeling I should have picked you as my best man?

Me: Who me?

Brooks: Definitely me.

Gavin: Honestly, either. It would surely be better than listening to Beckett drone on about how amazing he is.

Me: I can switch boutonnieres and be in the groom’s suite in five. Just say the word.

Gavin: Aiden, I need you on bird duty. Brooks, can you make sure Sara knows not to let Vivi touch the puffins? Avery says they’re friendly, but I’m not taking any chances.

Dammit. I push my hair back and head down the beach toward Christian Damiano, the Boston Revs’ infamous pitcher, and his fiancée, Avery, also his coach’s daughter, who are guarding the little penguin-like birds. Damiano is crouched beside one, having a full-on conversation. When he finishes speaking, I swear the bird fucking nods. Then Damiano pats the thing on its head.

Strange.

“Hey, guys. I’ve been told to hang with the puffins.” I hold a hand out to Damiano.

Instead of shaking it, he stares at it and grimaces like it’s diseased. I know the guy is a germaphobe, but he literally just touched one of those birds, and now he’s worried about my hand?

Avery takes my hand instead, side-eyeing her fiancé. “Hi, Aiden. The birds are ready. Don’t you worry.”

Her eyes are lit up with infectious excitement. It’s exactly the vibe I need. I’ve been nervous all day. Not because my brother’s getting married—and definitely not because of the puffins, though the way one is looking at me right now, like he might be hungry, has me keeping one eye on him as I talk. No, I’m nervous because this is Lennox’s first solo wedding, and I want it to go well for her. I want her to be confident in herself. I want to make sure she’s happy, content, settled, before I’m forced to make hockey my primary focus for the next month.

The last few weeks with her have been perfect. Lunches out, hangouts with my family, double dates with my brothers and their women, more nights like the one we had in the park, watching movies from the early 2000s, like Fever Pitch and 13 Going on 30 —some of our old favorites.

Now, though, it’s almost time for Gavin and Brooks and me to shift our focus. If Lennox is confident in her business, content in this life, maybe I won’t fail her again.

Because the more I think about it, the more I realize I did fail her all those years ago. At least a little. And that’s likely why she ended things.

I was so obsessed with making it to the NHL that I didn’t see what really mattered. I didn’t see how lost she was. Being with someone so focused, so sure, and so supported couldn’t have been easy.

As the music starts, I nod at the puffins and then head down the aisle with my brothers and Daniel, who’s joining us as a groomsman since he’s Millie’s twin.

In the sand on either side of the aisle, white chairs are set up, facing the water. As we make our way past each row, I note one familiar face after another. It’s a small wedding—only our family, Millie’s family, some of our teammates and their families, as well as a select few friends.

Lake sits beside my mother, holding her two-week-old son Nash. It’s a wonder she’s here, but it was important to the whole family. She and Millie got off to a rocky start, but in the last several months, they’ve grown close.

Gavin kneels in front of the women and presses a kiss to our mother’s cheek. He runs a soft hand over Nash’s head, then gives the new mom a quick peck too. The way Lake beams up at him makes me tear up. I truly do love love.

The sun is bright, but the breeze off the water makes the temperature almost bearable as we wait for the music to begin.

I eye the birds hanging with Avery and Damiano, and a bad feeling washing over me. Involving flying creatures in this wedding may not have been Beckett’s best idea.

I tilt to one side and whisper, “How well-behaved are the puffins?”

Beckett runs a hand down the front of his suit coat and surveys the beach. “I don’t know. Probably better behaved than you.”

I scoff. “Right.”

Brooks nudges me. “Will you two be quiet and stop fidgeting? The photographer is taking pictures. If you ruin them, Lennox will kill you. And if Lennox kills you, Aiden, then I’ll somehow be in trouble with Sara, and no one wants to face Sara’s wrath.”

Gavin chuckles. “Yeah, your girl is nuts.”

Brooks points at him. “I’ll let you get away with that, but only because it’s your wedding day.”

Gavin winks. “Sorry. I’ll be good. What is taking the girls so long? It’s ducking hot out.”

As if he’s summoned them, the music starts.

Instantly, his eyes light up. While everyone here will be watching the ladies—and I’m anxious to watch Lennox as she comes down the aisle—I keep my focus trained on the man of the hour. It’s the most beautiful thing, watching him get everything he’s ever wanted.

Sara is the first one down the aisle. Her blond hair is swept to one side, and her peach floor-length chiffon gown flutters around her. When she sees Brooks, she winks. Then, with her focus set on Gavin, she shoots finger guns, making her bouquet bob. “Your bride is beautiful. You’re going to cry.”

Next up is Liv, who remains calm as she makes her way toward us, her long brown hair in loose curls.

When she smiles at Beckett, he shakes his head. “Luckiest ducking guy in the world.”

Winnie, Finn, and Addie are next. Winnie is wearing a peach dress like the bridesmaids, and though she’s wearing a smile, it’s forced.

I make a mental note to drag her out onto the dance floor tonight. I haven’t seen her light up in a while, and I miss the easy smiles she gave out so freely when she was a little girl.

Five-year-old Addie is in a white dress with some kind of tutu. She’s very seriously tossing flower petals as she goes, keeping her focus trained on the basket she’s clutching.

With her next toss, Finn, who’s beside her, gets a face full of petals. Scowling, he yanks the basket from her hand. As they reach the end of the aisle, he pulls back like he’s going to toss it at her. He’s decked out in a tuxedo and looks adorable, save for the attitude. Just as he’s ready to let the basket fly, my father grabs it.

In unison, every one of us up front lets out a relieved sigh.

That could have gone so much worse.

Next up is my sister, Sienna, the youngest Langfield and Millie’s former boss, who is carrying Vivi girl. My niece is wearing a poofy white dress with a peach sash tied around the waist.

It’s in this moment that my joy takes over, and I break out in song. It’s a Jack Black tune. My Millie song, of course. “Peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches, peaches.” I throw a hand up and really lean into the bravado, channeling the opera singer inside me.

Finn tugs on my jacket and stomps on my toes. “Not the time, Uncle Aiden. Bossman says we have to behave.”

Holding one hand out and the other to my chest, I cough out a laugh. “Sorry, guys. The moment got the best of me.”

Gavin tips forward and glares at me around Beckett. Lake is giggling quietly behind her hand in the front row.

Sara is full on chortling.

I straighten my jacket, position Finn in front of me, and keep my head down. I’ve finally settled when the music transitions and Lennox comes into view.

I practically swallow my tongue at the sight of her.

She’s stunning. Her pink hair is styled in some fancy updo with braids and curls. She’s beaming. She outshines her surroundings, which is saying something, because she did an incredible job on everything today.

God, I hope she can truly take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous the ceremony is and recognize that she did this.

When her blue eyes meet mine, the music fades, as does my concern for the birds. All I see is my future.

I see the park where Lennox and I met up when we began planning this wedding. The one with the carousel and the setting sun. I see her walking down the aisle to me, our eyes connecting, my heart bursting with love.

My knees wobble, and for a second, I think I’m going down.

Brooks grabs my shoulder and squeezes. “Breathe, brother.”

I don’t look away from Lennox to acknowledge him, but I inhale through my nose. I work hard not to blink, not wanting to miss this. It may be the only time she ever walks toward me like this. But with every step she takes, my resolve grows. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure it isn’t.

It isn’t until the birds have made it down the aisle behind Lennox that I come out of my stupor.

Sienna must have passed Vivi to Gavin when I wasn’t looking, because she’s now in his arms, pointing at the waddling puffins and shouting, “Duck, duck!” entertaining the crowd.

The music shifts again, and we all fall silent. I should have known there’d be no traditional wedding waltz today. On Ford’s arm, Millie stands at the end of the aisle, radiant. Two musicians play a saxophone rendition of “Witchcraft” by Frank Sinatra.

The first time Gavin set eyes on Millie, she was playing a piano and singing this song.

Millie’s dress is simple silk that hugs her curves. Her curly auburn hair blows loosely in the wind.

Gavin sniffles, catching my attention. With tears in his eyes, he whispers to his little girl, “Look how beautiful Mommy is.”

The waver in his voice only makes me more emotional.

When Millie and Ford finally reach us, Millie gives Vivi a kiss on the cheek.

Ford pulls her in for a tight hug, pecks her cheek, then hands her off to Gavin while simultaneously scooping Vivi into his arms.

As the pastor welcomes us all, Vivi points to the puffins and screams duck again. Ford pulls her to his chest, whispering in her ear, instantly settling her.

All eyes turn back to the bride and groom. My brother squeezes Millie’s hand, and as a tear slips from his eye, she swipes at it with her thumb. He grasps her wrist and kisses her fingers, then holds her hand to his lips as the ceremony continues.

My eyes get misty again, and my heart aches at how beautiful this moment is. The pastor’s words are moving, and as the sun sets, the sky is a vibrant red. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect day for my brother to get everything he’s ever wanted.

The perfection is stained a bit when Vivi screams duck again, because in the next instant, the sound of flapping wings drowns out the pastor’s voice.

I throw my arms over my head as the startled birds flap over our heads. It only makes Vivi squeal louder.

Beside me, Beckett hollers at Damiano. “Get the ducking ducks out of here!”

It’s too late, though, because the bald pastor’s head is already coated in an oozing brown and white goo.

“Oh, I’m going to throw up,” Gavin mutters, backing away and pulling Millie with him. Gagging, he points to the pastor. “Someone help him. And get him away from me.” He bends at the waist and clutches his knees. “Oh, it’s so bad.”

“Whoa, Uncle Gav is going to barf,” Finn yells, bouncing on his toes in front of me.

“Damiano,” Beckett yells.

The poor pitcher is corralling the puffins, using some type of whistling call, and thank fuck, they’re all waddling in a line down the aisle.

Avery cringes, clutching her hands in front of her. “I’m so sorry. I think the crowd made them nervous. But good news,” she says as she approaches, pulling a towel from her purse, “the applesauce consistency means the birds are healthy. You shouldn’t need any shots.”

“Oh my god. You need to go,” Gavin groans.

Lennox’s face has gone white. Shit. I need to fix this for her.

“Can someone get the groom a water?” I yell.

“And a wet cloth,” Lennox hollers, finally kicking into gear.

It takes a good fifteen minutes, but once everyone is hydrated again, and the smell of the birds dissipates, we’re all back in position. All of us but the pastor, that is. Though Beckett has taken over the ceremony.

“I knew being ordained online was a good idea,” he says with a wink.

The crowd breaks into a chorus of chuckles and whistles and full-out guffaws as he begins.

“We’re here today because one of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing met my brother.”

More laughter.

“No, seriously. Millie, if it weren’t for you, Gavin never would have known true happiness. He never would have settled down, and he may not have been ready to be a father to Vivi. The three of you are living a beautiful story full of family and love, showing the world that following your heart, no matter the cost, will always be worth it.”

As Beckett goes on, I can’t help but watch Lennox. She’s misty eyed, with bright cheeks and that dazzling smile.

By the time Beckett finally announces that Gavin can kiss his bride, I swear he’s coming out of his skin, dying to touch her.

“It is my great honor to pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

Gavin grasps Millie by the neck and pulls her close. “Peaches,” he mutters, his lips against hers.

It’s not a chaste kiss. No, he goes all out, dipping her back.

She giggles against his mouth when he brings her back to her feet. “That’s Mrs. Peaches to you.”

Beckett stands behind them, chest puffed out proudly. Just as the happy couple goes in for another kiss and the photographer steps up to snap a picture, a black bird flies overhead and lets its bowels loose on Beckett’s suit.

“Ducking shit,” Beckett yells up at the sky.

Vivi claps. “Duck!”

Finn shakes his head, peering up at his dad. “I got bad news, Bossman. That is not the consistency of applesauce.” Then, in a quieter voice, he adds, “Also, that’ll be a thousand.”

The reception is a blast. It’s impossible not to feel the love radiating off Gavin and Millie, even from across the room.

When Beckett gets up to give his speech, we hop up for a surprise flash dance mob, boogying to “I’ve had the time of My Life.” Daniel plays Johnny to my Baby. My brothers and I shimmy our shoulders and walk toward him, dancing to the beat. Millie and the girls are laughing so hard, tears stream down their cheeks. Gavin is grinning wide. When it comes to the lift scene, I give the crowd an exaggerated wink, then sprint toward my Johnny.

Just like I knew he could, my left winger lifts me into the air and spins.

It’s a highlight of my life.

It’s almost as great as the text message I receive only moments later, while Lennox is in my arms and we’re swaying to the music.

Jill: Hi. Did you buy your mattress from a discount store? Because I am covered in bites from some type of bedbug, and I must be allergic. I tried calling the mattress store, but they said because the order was in your name, you would have to make the claim on my behalf. I’m forwarding my medical bills, my lost wages (since I can’t post on social media looking like this), and my therapist’s bills. I can’t sleep, Aiden. Every time I close my eyes, I picture the little terrors biting my skin. Do you have any idea how awful this is? Here are the pictures that the company needs for the claim. You need to deal with this NOW!

pictures of Jill’s body covered in red splotches and her hideously annoying rash-covered face

With a guffaw, I show Lennox. Then I shoot Jill a text.

Me: New phone, who dis?

Before she can respond, I block her for good.