(BL)Alpha Made-Chapter 533: The ’friends’ portion of the speeches
Dinner was relatively uneventful. However, when Ben and Amir showed up during the third course, they were escorted over to their respective parents and checked over. Amir looked a little pale, playing into eating something that didn’t agree with him. Honestly, if others were thinking the truth, Amir played a really good clueless pregnant person.
He really played it up, and Ben had always been protective of the smaller man. It was a good cover.
Those close to them also knew of the rule that Maxwell and Andrew had, so the sneaky glances cast at the newly married couple to the other couple were rather obvious. Even if they knew the truth, and Andrew had been there for several pregnancy checks for Amir, that didn’t mean that Andrew was going to reveal it to everyone else.
Ben and Amir, after their interrogations, went back to their seats and were fed while everyone else waited for the next course. It was after that course, while Ben and Amir were still working through their catch up courses, that the speeches began.
The wedding planner was great at organising everyone so that the speeches went smoothly. Andrew was not surprised that Maria spoke. She spoke of how long she knew Andrew, how great of a person that Andrew was and how happy she was that when Andrew came back into her life after the death of his Mom that Maxwell was there. She teared up speaking about how good Andrew and Maxwell were for each other and Andrew had a hard time keeping it together.
When Michael spoke, Andrew was slightly surprised, but it was not completely unexpected. Michael spoke a bit about Andrew during his university days, and again spoke of how happy he was to see Andrew again, to be by his side as his friend a physician as Andrew made the next steps forward with his life.
Mr. Dalton also spoke, singing Maxwell and Andrew’s praises and how they had warmly welcomed him and his wife into their home in a way that he had never expected from anyone. He briefly spoke about Andrew’s mom, but it was only brief. A light story, sweet, that made Andrew smile warmly.
The list of people who had told the wedding planner that they wanted to speak was far longer than Andrew had even considered. Most were ties that were connected to Andrew, and as they continued to speak, Andrew grew more and more confused and grateful. Maxwell just sat at Andrew’s side, squeezing his hand, proud in a way that radiated off of his whole body.
Andrew was crying. Of course he was crying. There was no way he would be able to keep himself together when people kept wishing him well in his next path forward. It was only made worse when Noah and Nicole got up to speak.
"Some of you may recognise us from a past familial attachment." Noah began, addressing the issue head on. Andrew had noticed as well how all through the night people had been a little hesitant with Noah and Nicole. They were able to deal with the standoffish attitudes of some of the guests.
It didn’t make Andrew feel good, but Mr. Dalton had been on top of the issue, acting like a bouncer of sorts. Andrew didn’t have to worry about it, thankfully.
"And while that family connection is true, it is also what makes us close to our dear half brother Andy." Noah said. Nicole nodded next to him, standing at the podium they were given. They both looked good, happy. Much better than Andrew had seen them like when they had been attached exclusively with the Abraham family.
No one was surprised by their announcement that they were half siblings to Andrew. While it was rude to say so, they were the same skin tone and did share similar facial features.
"Mine and Nicole’s relationship with Andy is a fairly new one, but Andy has proven, over and over again, that while it is new, it is strong." Noah’s voice cracked slightly and Nicole reached over, grabbing Noah’s hand for strength. She spoke next.
"We honestly never thought for a moment that we would get to meet our older brother. From childhood, we knew we had an older sibling, but he was spoken of as a mythical being. Something so disappointing that it couldn’t even be brought up around our father." The room shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the view into Nicole and Noah’s past. Nicole grinned, giving a small chuckle as she glanced at Andrew and Maxwell. "I would say that is very much not the case." Nicole chuckled again. "Andrew has actually been an inspiration to me for a long time, long before I met him and long before we both found ourselves in a therapy group together." Nicole said. "I always thought that the way that he was able to avoid our family’s touch was admirable, and that he probably had a really kick ass Mom." Nicole’s grin faltered, fading for a moment as she fought for control.
Noah took over.
"Andy is the kind of man who will drop everything and run for the people he cares about." Noah said, his voice tight. "Even if you aren’t sure who else to turn to, he’s there. Ready, willing, and never going to question why you need help. I am so glad that someone like that has entered my life and that I am able to share this special day with him." Noah bowed his head, covering his eyes for a moment. Nicole even looked very emotional.
Andrew could barely see them through his tears. This wasn’t a normal wedding speech, but how could it be? Their whole lives had been uprooted and they were still in limbo. Still trying to find themselves while the rest of the family that they had grown up with were being hunted like criminals.
"The day that Andrew asked us to be a part of his family for real is a day I will never forget. The way that both Andrew and Maxwell accepted us, people who were affiliated with those who had hurt him and those close to him, is something that I hope I will be able to mirror to others at some point. I never considered myself worthy of being a true alpha. I can say that Nicole probably felt the same. After all, we had some pretty shitty examples." Noah laughed, and no one else did. Andrew did smile at his attempt of a joke. "But hearing Andy speak, hearing what he said to Nicole in their sessions, knowing that we weren’t so different is what made me think it was okay to reach out. To get to know him. To get past my fear of letting others in." Noah swallowed thickly and Nicole took over again, tears in her eyes.
"Andrew is the best of us, and we are proud to let the world know that we are his siblings. We will proudly carry the Knox family name, creating a new tradition born of love and kindness. Things that Andrew gave easily, willingly, without asking for anything in return. And Maxy, don’t think we forgot about you." Nicole said, turning and giving a watery smile to Maxwell. Maxwell jerked, looking a little afraid honestly. Nicole sniffed. "If I ever was worried that someone was going to take advantage of my sweet older brother, my fears have been placated by knowing what kind of a man he had chosen as a life partner. Anyone who dares to hurt him will have to deal with my kickass brother-in-law. A man who is just as kind as my brother, but doesn’t want others to know it." Nicole sniffed as Noah grinned.
"I never want to be on Max’s bad side." Noah joked and that one did get a soft laugh from the others.
"To the grooms!" Nicole said, raising a glass and everyone followed suit. Andrew was a damn mess, getting up to pull the two siblings into his arms and squeezing them. It wasn’t traditional, but Andrew knew that they had said what they wanted to, because they needed to. Andrew didn’t mind. He could hear how sincere they were in their words. How honest they were.
Maxwell even got up, hugging both of them tightly and pinching Noah and Nicole’s cheeks for good measure. They both grinned at him, cheeky.
After them was a speech from Rose and Jordan, filled with emotion that also left Andrew in tears of joy and laughter. She spoke of the boy that Andrew had been and how happy she was to see the man that he had turned into. She remembered little stories, like how Andrew had asked once about what it felt like to be an alpha and how he had been scared to grow into one.
Rose had looked at him, tears in her eyes as she spoke.
"And look at him now, one of the best true alphas I’ve had the pleasure to meet." Maxwell had handed Andrew tissues at that point. There was no way anyone would be able to remain dry eyed at that.
Jordan stayed behind after Rose had spoken, pulling out a long letter that seemed to surprise everyone, but Rose. May even gave Andrew and Maxwell a little knowing look, that only had Andrew more confused.
"Some of you may notice that there are two very important people missing from our family tables." Jordan began and Andrew felt Maxwell stiffen. "And as the one who pulled the short straw, it is my duty to read out the letter that my brother-in-law Richard Gates wrote, along with the soon-to-be father of their first child, Ellis Newman. Or, as some of you may know, the ever reliable Mr. Newman who stays at Maxy’s side." Jordan smiled up at Maxwell’s shocked expression. He clearly hadn’t expected anything from Ellis.
Andrew was beginning to think that maybe he should have kept at least a finger on the pulse of what the wedding planner was planning.
"Ellis didn’t want to embarrass Maxy too much, so he gave me a short, but heartfelt letter." Jordan said, clearing his throat. "Dear Maxwell. As we have known each other for several years, it has been my deepest pleasure to watch you grow and develop a company to support not just your needs, but the needs of those less fortunate. Without your help, I would have never been able to attain a job, work for myself, and learn what it means to truly live. I never would have known what an omega was capable of outside of what my family told me to be. I will never be able to thank you enough for that." Maxwell let out a shaky breath, the words greatly affecting him.
"Throughout the years that I have been by your side, growing with you, I knew that there was a hardness to you that kept growing harder and harder as alphas kept trying to put you in your place. I was worried that you would use that hardness to hide your heart away, and I was thinking that it was a great shame. Someone as wonderful as yourself should have a partner who could support you and understand you. I was worried, until you came into the office one day talking about a neighbour who had given you a casserole." Jordan’s smile when he looked up at Andrew was infectious.
Maxwell let out a wet laugh, squeezing Andrew’s hand.
"It was a good one too." Maxwell said loud enough for those close to him to hear. Laughter followed.
"Slowly, I watched as you and Andrew got closer and how this man was able to see you, get to you and understand you in ways that even I wasn’t able to do. I was so happy for you. Even more so when you finally announced that you were dating, and even more so when you told me of your engagement. Being able to watch you grow into the powerhouse that you are and be in love at the same time has made it easier for me to find myself." Jordan paused, his shoulders shaking slightly. "Maybe a little too much since I find myself bedridden from an unplanned pregnancy, but I know you wouldn’t hold that against me." Laughter filled the air. "Congratulations, my dearest friend and his wonderful husband. I wish you many years of happiness and love, and I look forward to continuing to witness it all. Love, Ellis."
It was Andrew’s turn to give Maxwell tissues, and Maxwell took them gratefully.
"That asshole." Maxwell muttered. It held no heat and Andrew smiled sweetly. Jordan cleared his throat.
"The letter from Richard, or Ricky, is much shorter. All it says is, ’we have to keep up the Gates tradition of someone missing a wedding. Love ya. XoXo, Ricky.’" Jordan’s grin was wide as Andrew huffed, rolling his eyes. It was a good note to end on before the older family members spoke.
