The Best Man's Speech

29: Daddy's Home

✵ JAMES ✵

I kept my eyes focused on Luis and his father, Caden, they both looked happy to have been reunited. And the little one managed to forget me so early. "Hey!" I called out as I bought a warm bottle of powdered milk for Luis to drink from, as asked by Caden himself.

"Thanks bro, I don't know what I would've done without you." Caden informally said to me as he handed Luis to me, I held the baby in my hand as he started to coo and laugh while holding onto my cheeks.

"I won't lie, I was surprised that Luis' mother is Julie. How did that ever happen?" I announced, looking at him. I knew he would tell me since we practically grew up together. He was the only other person who knew what happened to me before I became the man I am, other than Julie and Lyra... and not because I told him, but because he was there. He was the one who helped me get to where I was, if it wasn't for the sponsored funds from his family, I wouldn't be dealing with the luxury I have today. His family took me in and granted me the opportunity to get to where I am and I will forever owe that to them.

"Oh you know her. She was a hooker and all. I didn't know I slept with her until I woke up with a banging hangover the next day. Seeing her in my bed hurt more than the hangover. Don't worry I kicked her out as fast as I could." He laughed with me as his son laughed too, clearly just laughing since he saw us laughing.

"And you're not going to doubt that Luis is your son?" I asked him.

"Well, I know you and Michael did fill me in on your specific instructions regarding the custody of my son. What made you want to separate Luis from his mother?" He asked me.

I looked down at baby Luis while answering, "He reminds me nothing of Julie but more of the child I used to dream of having... when I was madly in love with her... like a fool." I chuckled a bit, "I saw your eyes in his, they are the exact duplicate of yours, it's crazy but real. And that was when I knew he might belong to you. I didn't want to leave a Ryote with her... especially not after what she did. I wouldn't want to leave her with any child. So I figured it'd be best for him to live away from her craziness." I looked at him and watched him hold onto one of my thumbs again. "He's so innocent, he makes me happy."

"So the girl you're into..." His words trail off, waiting for me to tell him more.

"Lyra?" I questioned and he nodded rather excitedly, impatient to hear more, "Well, I may be in love with her. And I am so glad that Luis is not my son... otherwise that would've made everything between Lyra and I one hell of an unsolvable mess." I chuckled at the last part.

He took Luis from me, "Well this baby boy is still going to be intruding in your life. I am making you his godfather. And you might want to put a ring on her before someone else does... plus I think she'd make a great godmother." He chuckled before gently slipping the tip of the baby bottle into Luis' mouth.

I looked at him, confused, questioning why he wanted to make me his son's godfather. He spoke, "You got rid of Julie from his life and made sure to hand him to his only remaining family. You deserve to be his godfather, plus you did say that he makes you happy. Now who else can take that position?" He smiled, making me laugh a bit, "Plus Lyra seems like a great person... and she is pretty hot, who's to say she won't attract anyone else?"

I stood up and dismissed his last words, "Whatever genius." He may be older than me by two months, but he was still more immature than I was... for now, let's hope that being a father changes that. "We should head inside before people think I ran off with you and your child."

"I wonder how Lyra will react to that, she might question your sexuality." He laughed with me, while walking into the wedding hall that was slowly getting flooded by guests who were just arriving here. "We should take our seats." Caden suggested as an order, leaving my side to head to one of the elite tables, where they gave him a high baby chair for Luis.

I made my way to Nathan's side at the altar and looked at him, "Just in time, J." He commended me. I chuckled as I pat his shoulder, "Of course, aren't I always on time?" I joked, referring to my incredible punctuality records of showing up early to everything and intimidating the fuck out of everyone around me.

"Here she comes." I whispered as the low waltz music started to orchestrate itself across the room, while Meia walked in. Her white dress was made of floral patterns that laced around her figure, hugging it lightly. The skirt trailed behind her as a mermaid dress with a long tail. She did wear a very transparent veil, to show that her hair was decorated with small, white flowers that were clipped into her hair.

Her bridesmaids were still six in number, Julie seemed to have been replaced by one of Lyra's cousins. I don't remember her name, but her face was familiar, she showed up to a Van Hayes charity event and was introduced to me as their cousin. I think her name was Sara, but either way she looked stunning in her dress. It fitted her well and cascaded perfectly around her skin, I am surprised that she had the same figure as Julie. But not entirely surprised since Julie was a very typical woman.

As she approached the altar, I realised that her back was bare and exposed, but in a sexy way, not too provocative for her special day. She moved to sand opposite Nathan and smiled adoringly to him before her maid of honour, my Lyra stood behind her, taking the bouquet from her hands. They were finally ready to say their wedding vows.