Page 58 of Saved By the Pitcher

Billy’s smile widened. He took a longer look at James and whistled. “I wasn’t sure about the midnight blue tux, but it’s great. And the longer jacket makes you look even taller. Are you trying to make me look even shorter?”

James took a hold of both of Billy’s shoulders. “I never think of you as short. Maybe it’s because I always look up to you.”

“You’re such a sap.” Billy snickered, but pulled James into a hug. “And you know darn well that you’re the one that is looked up to, James. Mike may be your hero, but you’ll always be mine.”

They parted when there was a light rap on the door. It opened a crack before Emily Hunt popped in her head. “Hey guys, they’re ready for you.”

“Thanks, Emily,” James called out to the closing door. He turned back to Billy. “Does my hair look okay?”

Billy rolled his eyes. “If it was any more perfect, people would think it’s a wig.”

“You think it looks fake?” James glanced back at the mirror and messed up one of the waves a bit, hoping others would realize it was natural.

Billy laughed. “You’ve become so vain. It must be all the praise that Mike keeps heaping on you. Come on. We don’t want him and Nadia to think we jilted them at the altar.”

James frowned. “That would be bad. I think they’d shrug and marry each other. I swear, sometimes I think they look like they have a crush on each other.”

“Hmm.” Billy nodded. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

James put his arm around Billy. “Bro, she’d never cheat on you. She’s crazy about you.”

“I know.” Billy smiled. “Mike would never cheat on you, either.”

The two made their way out of the bedroom and down the hallway to the French doors that led to the grounds outside. Many guests were already seated on folding chairs facing the makeshift platform that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean. The brothers waved at the people they passed. There were agents, fellow actors and crew members who were there for James. Numerous athletes and business associates of Mike’s were in attendance, too. College buddies and co-workers, as well as Nadia’s friends and family, were there for Billy.

Maria and Billy’s mother Caroline stood at the end of the aisle, bestowing kisses on the cheeks of the grooms when they met them at the front of the crowd. Once Maria and Caroline were seated in the first row, the justice of the peace nodded to the hired orchestra which started playing classical music to begin the ceremony.

Mike was the first to start his way down the aisle, his right arm hooked with his father’s, and his left arm hooked with his mother’s. James sucked in a breath. He had never seen Mike in a tux, and the traditional black made his guy look like the best James Bond one could imagine. Upon locking eyes with James, Mike beamed a megawatt smile. When Mike and his parents reached the altar, Mike’s father gave his son a hug and his mother kissed his temple. Once they took their seats, Mike gave such an obvious appraisal and approval of James that the guests started laughing.

Everyone’s attention turned to Nadia making her way down the aisle. Like Mike, she had chosen to have both parents accompany her on her walk. Billy’s mouth was open, seemingly in disbelief at the vision before him. James thought he had good reason. Nadia had never looked more ravishing. Her hair was upswept, her make-up was gorgeous and the gown was an expensive designer piece that was courtesy of Mike. The form-fitted top sparkled from small jewels that disappeared into the smooth, white silk skirt of the dress. As she approached the makeshift altar, James could see that the gown had a long train, giving his friend a regal, elegant look. Once Nadia was by Billy’s side, it could have been a cloudy day and James still would have felt the warmth of her brilliant smile. When he glanced to Billy, he saw that a shy grin had broken through his haze of awe.

The music stopped and everyone faced the justice of the peace, Dan Moyer. “Well, with these four up here, I don’t feel very attractive right now,” Moyer joked to a chuckling crowd.

The two couples had chosen not to write their own vows, figuring the guests would get tired of listening to the ramblings of four different people. Instead, Moyer had the two brothers face their betrotheds and repeat the traditional vows of loving, cherishing, supporting and befriending the ones they loved until they were parted by death. Then, Nadia and Mike repeated the same vows to their Vicksburg boys.

“Well, this is the most unusual wedding I’ve officiated,” Moyer joked, again to mild laughter. “But I might add, I think it is one of the most beautiful. I am pleased to say that by the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss your spouses.”

The crowd cheered as Billy chastely kissed his bride while Mike grabbed and kissed James like he was going to peg him right then and there. His enthusiasm elicited more laughs from the guests, especially when he pulled away and James was flushing.

Moyer waited for the four to congratulate each other and share embraces before closing the ceremony. Then Billy and Nadia walked back up the aisle, followed by Mike and James. They all grabbed hands and shared smiles with guests as they made their way back to the house.

“What now?” Billy asked Mike.

“Now you go back to your guest room and spend some time with your bride. They’re going to let the guests chow down on finger foods and get drunk on free booze. No need for us to watch. We come back out in thirty minutes to them cheering and we’ll dance the rest of the day away.”

Nadia laughed. “Sounds good to me. I’ll be glad to get a half hour off these high heels.”

Mike laughed. “Oh, Nadia, I planned the thirty-minute interlude for you to be able to remove more than your shoes.”

She rolled her eyes. “Maybe you guys can strip, have sex and redress in a half hour, but I can assure you, it’s a lot harder for me with this contraption.”

Billy frowned. “So unfair.”

Nadia grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss. “I’m sorry. We can still kiss and cuddle for a while.”

Billy smiled. “I love you so much.”

Before James or Mike could comment further, Billy rushed Nadia to their guestroom.