I Do...

Chapter 40

After the meal it was time for the speeches. My dad picked up the sheets of paper he had prepared his speech on and made his way over to the microphone. Everyone was quiet and turned to face him so he could read out his speech.

“For those who don’t know me, I’m Kevin, father of the bride and on behalf of my wife Kath and I, I would like to thank everyone for attending today. It doesn’t seem that long since I was up here giving a speech at my own wedding. August the third, nineteen ninety three. Wow I feel ancient just saying that. But today were here to celebrate my daughter and her new husband’s wedding.”

He gestured towards us as everyone cheered and clapped.

“I’m aware that Becky is probably terrified over what I am about to say. But she needn’t be. There are no embarrassing stories in my speech today.” My dad said looking down at the piece of paper in his hands “And if you believe that then you clearly don’t know me!” Oh god what is he going to say? 

“I just like to say how proud I am of my little girl. It doesn’t seem that long ago that she was just a baby; fitting perfectly into my one hand. Admittedly she hasn’t grown much since then like!” He said with a cheeky grin looking at me. I rolled my eyes as laughter circulated the room.

 “Don’t be fooled ladies and gentleman, Becky might be small but even as a baby she was a little fighter. Ask Kath and she can tell you that when she was pregnant, she was sitting in the staff room at work and Becky managed to kick Mr Catley, Kath’s former boss, through Kath’s stomach. So after that we decided that we were expecting a kung fu baby boy. But I can honestly say that I’m glad you weren’t a boy because I wouldn’t have the honour of standing up here today and making this speech.”

“I can remember seeing her for the first time. She was so small and perfect. Just like me I guess. “He said patting down his beer belly making everyone laugh. “I couldn’t believe that something so delicate and superb, was mine and Kath’s; mainly because Kath was throwing up at the time! Becky being the troublesome thing that she is, was born within just four hours and caused Kath to go into shock. Now I’m pretty sure I’m going to get hit for this, but I’m glad that Kath was being sick,” He said leaning away from my mother expecting to be thumped. If on cue my mother leaned across and whacked him across the forearm. “Because it meant that I was the first person to hold her.”

“I think it’s safe to say that you and me Becks have got on pretty well over the years. Although we did have a few disagreements. One of which I can remember was when you were around four and we went to a fair ground for the day. You decided that you wanted to go on the carousel and that I was going to come on with you. So we went on the ride and then around half way through you decided that you didn’t want to go on it with me but you wanted to go on with your mother. So there I was trying to hold you on the ride whilst you had a tantrum. Now most of you are probably thinking how hard can it be to hold a four year old on a ride? Well I can tell you...bloody hard! You were kicking and screaming the whole way round.” I covered my eyes with my hand as a red glow appeared on my cheeks. 

“What were my first impressions of Liam? Well, when he first moved into number twenty-six, I can remember thinking that he was like Bart Simpson. Now for those of you that have escaped being forced to watch The Simpsons by your delightful daughter,” He said sarcastically, shaking his head at me with a broad smile.

“You loved it really dad!” I said truthfully. I can remember spending most of our evenings when I was younger sitting on the sofa next to him with a mugs of hot chocolate, giggling helplessly with my dad over Bart’s mischievous behaviour and Homer’s stupidity. He was right Liam was very much like Bart when he was younger. He still was in some aspects. It was one of his traits that I loved the most about him.