Chapter 37 Wyatt
WYATT
When Wyatt and Edith joined the wedding party at the café, the staff had already laid out a spread of Cornish delicacies including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
There were crab sandwiches, buttery Cornish pasties, salmon, and cucumber sandwiches, mini cheese and onion quiches, griddled tender stem organic broccoli and asparagus, saffron buns, lemon drizzle cake, vibrant red strawberries, pots of golden crusted clotted cream and chocolates from the local confectionery shop.
Coolers overflowed with champagne, local organic wines, elderflower cordial, and cider, while tea and coffee were available for those who desired them.
Wyatt took his seat at the top table beside Titus, while Edith slipped inside to check on a few last details.
He accepted a glass of champagne from one of the servers and sipped slowly, enjoying the crisp cool drink.
The hum of conversation rose and fell as people ate and drank, laughed and joked, and the afternoon drifted on by.
Wyatt was constantly aware of where Edith was throughout the afternoon, and every time their eyes met, something crackled in the air between them.
He knew she wanted to hear what he had to say now.
The thought of telling her appealed — the idea of finally unburdening and making sure she knew it was no fault of hers that he’d behaved the way he had.
However, he was also filled with trepidation about sharing the worst thing he had ever done with her.
It could make her hate him, and that was a risk he was prepared to take.
When the food had been devoured and the tables cleared, the wedding cakes cut and served, and glasses filled once more, it was time for the speeches. Finn went first.
‘I’d like to thank our family and friends for coming today.
Your presence at our marriage has meant so much to us.
As you all know, it’s not my first time…
’ He looked at Thora, who smiled fondly at him.
‘And I have this wonderful woman to thank for loving me and understanding me, for knowing when something was wrong, even before I could admit it myself. I will always love you, Thora, for your friendship and for the two beautiful children I have with you.’
Thora nodded her agreement, her hands clasped to her chest.
‘My children, Rosie, and Reggie,’ Finn continued, ‘I cannot put into words how much I love you and how proud I am of everything you do every day. You fill my heart, and I am so grateful to be your dad.’ At this point, he welled up and had to take a few moments to compose himself.
When he was able to speak again, he said, ‘Thanks to Edith for your flawless planning and for making this a wedding to remember. Also, thanks to Wyatt for your help. You have been a fabulous best man to Titus. To Pearl and Ellie, thank you for the fantastic food and the beautiful wedding cake and for allowing us to hold our wedding here in this most perfect of places. It means the world. And finally…’ He turned to Titus and held out his hand.
‘To my… my w-wonderful husband. Thank you for choosing to spend your life with me. Your love is so precious to me. I am grateful for every hour of every day that we get to spend together. I loved you, Titus, and I always will.’
Wyatt had to blink the tears from his eyes as Finn finished.
The love present in the gardens was so powerful he felt it throughout his entire body.
It was a warmth that spread from his chest, causing his heart to beat a little faster, and his skin to prickle with goosebumps.
He felt a light-headedness, a gentle pressure behind his eyes, and a deep, contentment permeating every cell.
As the applause faded, Wyatt swallowed hard. Watching Finn and Titus, he realised love could survive the truth — maybe that was what he needed to believe.
‘That’s one hell of a speech to follow,’ Titus said gruffly as Finn sat down and he pulled his phone from his pocket. ‘Sorry about this, darling. I’m not watching YouTube, I promise. My notes are on here.’
Everyone laughed, and Finn shook his head. ‘Bloody YouTube! He’s always watching music videos,’ he said by way of explanation to their guests.
‘For me, love always seemed to be an elusive concept,’ Titus began. ‘It was something that happened to others but not to me. I couldn’t understand the idea of settling down with one person and making a promise to love them for life. But then… then I met Finn and everything changed.’
Murmurs of Awww and Ahhh spread through the guests as Titus composed himself after sharing such raw emotion.
‘For me… falling in love with Finn was so easy. He has brought such calm and balance to my life. I was always rushing around, keeping busy as if I was afraid of slowing down and facing up to life and reality. Finn has taught me it’s OK to slow down, it’s OK to sleep in and take time to drink my coffee, it’s OK to soak in the bath for an hour if I want.
He’s taught me so much about taking things at a slower pace, and for that I am grateful.
My thanks today go to Finn. I love you, my husband.
Also to Thora for being such a fabulous friend to us both, to Rosie and Reggie for accepting me into your lives, to Big Barry for not biting me when we first met…
’ More laughter came from the guests. ‘And to everyone Finn has already thanked for making this day so special. I love living here in Porthpenny with my husband — I love that word! — and our family, and being a part of this wonderful community. I want to grow old here with Finn and with you all, because I know now that there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
’ He raised his glass. ‘Finn, my love, here’s to always and forever. ’
The guests repeated his toast and clinked their glasses together, then they drank champagne.
Rosie and Reggie said a few words, and so did Thora, and they echoed the sentiments expressed by Finn and Titus about family being not just about blood relatives but also those they chose to have in their lives.
Then it was Wyatt’s turn to make his speech. He cleared his throat and stood up. He sipped his drink, suddenly feeling nervous.
He was used to public speaking as he did it all the time for work, but this was different. This was about congratulating his dear friends and about letting them know how happy he was for them. He really, really didn’t want to mess it up…