Cassidy. A lump formed in John Jacob’s throat as the reverend began to speak about love and fidelity. Both men looked nervous and excited. He remembered that feeling well on his wedding day. Tyler was sweating a little and when it came time for him to say his vows, he began to ramble quickly but a quick squeeze of the hand from Michelle settled him down. He asked if he could start again and the guests all laughed, which lightened the mood. He took a deep breath and when he spoke this time, he was eloquent and heart felt. He spoke of how much he always felt like an odd duck until he found Michelle. He said she soothed his soul like a delicious grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. It seemed like an odd thing to say but Michelle began to cry. She got his humor and knew exactly what he meant. She promised to make him grilled cheese sandwiches every day for the rest of their lives. When it was Channing’s turn to say his vows, he spoke about the fragility of life and how he intended to make every moment count with the woman he loved and that he was grateful to have found someone so beautiful on the inside and out. Someone who gave him courage, hope and the optimism that nothing would stand in the way of their happily ever after. He was thankful every day for meeting Teri-Lyn. Seemed like only yesterday they were bickering about loving each other. But she hung in there and let him build his empire, while she took care of their home. There were no regrets about the way they’d lived their lives. He wanted his boys to have the same happiness and fulfillment as they did. The reverend pronounced both couples man and wife, both Tyler and Channing didn’t waste any time taking their brides into their arms for a smoking-hot kiss. It wasn’t until the nephews starting yelling “yuck” did they come up for air. As they made their way back down the aisle, John Jacob held Teri-Lyn close as she cried tears of joy.
Teri-Lyn watched Morgan play with the flowers in the centerpiece on the table when she normally would have been trying to keep up with the boys. Even when they were helping Michelle and Cassidy get ready this morning, she got the sense that Morgan had something on her mind. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been moping around for days.” Teri-Lyn put her arm around Morgan. “Have I? I thought I’d been putting up a very good front.” Morgan laughed. “You have, but I know you too well. Seth’s been acting different too.” “I was just thinking of how much all of our lives have changed.” “Change is inevitable. Are you still worrying about Seth retiring?” “No, I was just thinking about what a different person he was when we met. He ate, slept, and breathed football, and he had such a glamorous life. His love life was the subject of international news.” “I used to worry about him so much back then. Now look at him.” She motioned to Seth who was helping the boys eat a mini pig in a blanket from the kid’s catering table. “You know what he did last weekend? He helped the boys paint their play room.” She smiled. “Love changes people. He knew he had to be the best version of himself if he were going to be a good husband and father. You’ve transformed all of our lives, and we have you to thank for all of that.” “Me?” “You and Seth meeting was the ripple effect that kicked all of this love blossoming on the ranch. Tate and Isabelle would never have met in your kitchen, and he would never have realized he needed the love of a good woman in his life. J.J. says that romance novel you gave him to read made him think deeply about happiness and what he wanted in life, and that led him to Sam. Michelle wouldn’t have met Tyler and they wouldn’t have done that crazy dance that led to them finally getting together. And C.J. wouldn’t have gone chasing after Cassidy if he didn’t have all those talks with Isabelle on the ranch. We touch each other’s