Page 4 of A Very Miller-Cooper Life

Ethan took off his glasses and dabbed at his eyes with a tissue, but it was no use. His tears were flowing even more now. “Wow. I probably should have gone first. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to read my own words when I’m crying like a fool.” He wiped his glasses and put them back on then stared down at the paper in his hands. “All right. Here we go. Jamie, you always say that I was the one who got away, but the truth is, Inever went anywhere. Even when I didn’t know it, my heart was always waiting for you. You’re not just the love of my life. You’re also my soulmate. My life became a million times more beautiful from the moment you walked back into it. I can’t wait to start the next part of our journey together. I can’t wait to watch you become a father to our future children. Life with you gets better every single day, so I can’t even begin to imagine how amazing the years to come are going to be. I could go on forever, but we promised your nana we would keep this ceremony short.”

“Hell yeah!” Nana screamed from where she was sitting in the front row, causing everyone to burst into laughter, including Ethan and Jamie.

“Exactly,” Ethan said as he smiled and shook his head. He put the note back into his pocket and took both of Jamie’s hands in his. “I love you, Jamie. I loved you before I could define what those feelings in my heart were. I love you now, and I’ll love you forever. I promise.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house (aside from maybe my mother and father, who looked annoyingly stoic) as Jamie and Ethan walked back down the aisle together. Before we walked down the aisle as well, Reagan scooped two of our children into her arms and I grabbed the other one, then we walked down as a family.

After a few more pictures, it was time for the cocktail hour and reception. I had a few drinks for liquid courage before I decided to finally go talk to my dad, who was standing off to the side and watching everyone else enjoy themselves, which was a little better than my mom who hadn’t left her seat at their table.

I walked over and put my hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump. “It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?”

My father nodded, his jaw set in place as if he was holding in the words he actually wanted to say. Words that I’m sure he shouldn’t say. “It was.”

I pointed over at my brother who was laughing with his new husband. “Jamie looks so happy. Ethan really is perfect for him. I have no doubt that they’ll have a great life together.” I stared at my dad for a long time until I finally broke him and his demeanor softened.

He sighed and slouched his shoulders slightly. “I’m trying Charlie, okay? I really am. I want to be happy for your brother. I am happy. I’m just…” He trailed off instead of finishing his sentence.

“I really thought we turned a corner at my wedding, Dad.” I let out a frustrated sigh, mostly because I really was frustrated we were still stuck in this spot when I thought we had moved on, but also to prove my point that I was sick of his shit lately.

“It’s different with Jamie. He’s my son, my boy. It’s different.”

I shook my head. “It shouldn’t be.”

My dad’s shoulders dropped even more. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.” I nodded across the room.

“I know.”

“I know apologies are hard for you and Mom, but maybe at least start by telling him you’re happy for him.”

“Iamhappy for him,” my dad said, his voice firm in a way that actually made me believe him.

I elbowed him in the side as playfully as I could even though I really wanted to knock some sense into him. “Then show it.”

“You’re right.” He looked at me and smiled and it was the most sincere smile I had seen from him in a while. “You’re very smart.”

“I know.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder. “Now, I need to get back to my wife before the triplets kill her.”

I smiled over at Reagan who was bouncing Carter and Ronan on her lap while Olivia, who was being held by Reagan’s mom, screamed and tried to reach for her.

I reached my arms toward Olivia when I got to the table. “Here. Let me take her from you. I know she’s a handful.”

“Oh, she’s just fine,” Mrs. Cooper said as she smiled down at Olivia rather than handing her to me. “I’m all partied out. Why don’t you let me and my husband take them for the night?”

I shook my head. “We can’t make you do that. Plus the cribs are already set up in our room. It’s no big deal. I appreciate the offer though.”

“Well, guess what? There are cribs set up in our room as well. I called the front desk to have three brought up this morning before I came to your room to get them. It looks like you have no choice but to give them to me.”

“Are you sure? Because I don’t want—”

“For God’s sake, Charlie. Just let them take the kids,” Reagan said with a laugh, not hesitating before handing the two she was holding over to her dad.

After giving the babies a bunch of hugs and kisses, Reagan and I finally let ourselves relax, which obviously meant having as many drinks as we could as quickly as possible.

“I’m going to miss you when you go back to work,” Reagan said, her words slurring as she danced close to me. “When is that happening? Did you hear anything back from the last daycare we emailed?”

I cringed at her questions. This was the last thing I wanted to be thinking about right now, especially since I had nothing but bad news for her. “Honestly, I need to get back as soon as possible. I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to findassociate doctors to fill in almost all of the days I’ve been out, but paying them is causing a big hit to the money we’re taking in.”

---