Christmas With The Best Man. Susan Carlisle

be the silliest thing he’d ever worn if it wasn’t for the fact that it was so cold and not wearing a hat was even more ridiculous.

      He received more than one interested look and a few grins as he made his way through the older part of the building to the lobby and out the front entrance of the hospital. His idea of dressing up was putting on a pair of slacks and a collared shirt. Casual was his style, less dog and pony show. He worked hard and liked to relax and have fun when he was off duty. Only when he couldn’t avoid it did he put on a suit for a medical meeting. To be wearing a tuxedo was taxing. The only reason he was doing so was because he loved his brother. Elijah wished him well. It had been hard on Charles when he’d lost his wife and had been left with two small sons to raise. Elijah was glad his brother had found love again, happiness.

      Elijah pulled on his black gloves as he went down the stone steps to the street to catch a cab. It would get him to the park entrance nearest Shakespeare Garden and then he would have to walk from there. Just as Helena had told him more than once, he’d be cutting it close on time.

      The taxi driver put him out at the curb and he hurried down the path. Thankfully, having grown up in New York, he knew Central Park well. He’d heard of people getting lost in the massive acreage. As a child, he and his siblings had played there. More than once they had picnicked in the Shakespeare Garden area among the trees and foliage. Those had been sunnier days, both literally and figuratively. Ones from a long time ago.

      He hurried up a slope and made a left turn at a sign reading “Grace and Charles” with a large red bow on it. Up another rise he followed another path into an open area surrounded by snow-tipped trees. Smaller trees in the area were decorated in white lights that were shining brightly in the dimming daylight.

      An arch made of red poinsettia and more white lights were at one end of the open space and facing it were rows of white chairs with red bows tied to the ones closest to the aisle. A few people were already taking their seats. Tall portable heaters were stationed around the ceremony area. At the other end of the field was a huge tent with four low round fire pits that glowed. His family was standing around them.

      Elijah took a deep breath to fortify himself for what was coming.

      As he approached, Charles left the group and walked toward him. “I thought I’d have to send Zac after you.”

      “I told you I’d be here.” Elijah grinned at his brother. As twins, they had always been close. It wasn’t until they were eighteen that they’d had secrets between them. Elijah carried that guilt and regret to this day.

      “Yeah, but I know better than most that you’re always five minutes behind.”

      Elijah gave him a wry smile. “Funny, big brother. I’ve heard it all before. Just because you were born before me it doesn’t mean I’m one step behind you.”

      “About following in my footsteps, how’re things at the hospital?” Charles asked as they continued toward the tent.

      “Under control. We managed to get the patients waiting down to a reasonable headcount before I left.” Elijah couldn’t fault Charles for his dedication to his job, even on his wedding day. “What you need to be worrying about is that beautiful bride of yours. I’ve got the ER covered. Enjoy the day, your honeymoon and let me handle the rest.”

      “I’m trying. I guess most of my worrying has to do with nerves.”

      Elijah didn’t doubt that. The thought of a wedding made him edgy as well and he wasn’t the one getting married. He looked around. “So where are the rugrats?”

      “Max and Cameron are with Grace. They’ll be coming down the aisle ahead of her.”

      Elijah gave him a brotherly pat on the back. “I hope you have them bundled up. It’s cold out here.”

      Charles laughed. “I know. But this is what Grace wanted. I love her so that’s what we’re having.”

      That kind of love Elijah couldn’t comprehend. He’d never felt that for a woman. Didn’t think he ever would. He understood wanting, enjoying, appreciating a female but loving one the way his brother did Grace wasn’t something he’d experienced. More than that, Charles had been able to find it twice. Elijah didn’t plan to have it even once.

      They approached the group of people creating a semicircle around one of the fire pits. His mother and father were there, standing close but not too close. His two younger sisters, who were dressed the same as Helena had been, except for white capes over their shoulders, stood off to the side, talking to Zac, his other brother, who was dressed like Elijah, down to the red scarf and hat.

      This was his family. The one he loved and had betrayed. He’d kept an ugly secret from them that he had no right to. He had hurt his mother, who had done nothing but love and support him, to protect his father. He blamed himself for the farce they all were. And for the horror of the media circus they had become.

      He took his sister Penny in his arms for a hug. “Hey, sis. You look great. Big change from that flight suit I usually see you in.” Turning to the other woman, he gathered her to him. “Good to see you, Miranda.”

      “You look nice, Elijah,” his half-sister said. “Love the hat.”

      “Thanks.” He slapped Zachary on the back and stepped over to his mother. The harsh look she’d worn as she’d watched him and Miranda embrace turned to one of warmth as she gave him a tight hug. His father came up beside them and extended his glove-covered hand. Elijah hesitated a moment before taking it. “Father.”

      It was still difficult for Elijah to face him. The years had gone by and the pain had eased but all that had happened still hung like a bad smell between them. It couldn’t be erased. Elijah glanced at Miranda. The issue was a living, breathing person among them.

      He’d been eighteen when he’d been on his way to meet a high school friend in the Hell’s Kitchen area of New York City. Passing a café, he’d glanced in the window to see his father sitting at a table with a woman and a girl of about twelve. Elijah hadn’t recognized them. He’d stopped and stared. It hadn’t been the type of place Hugo Davenport would frequent. Not thinking twice, Elijah had entered the café and approached the table.

      “Hey, Dad. It’s a surprise to see you down here.” Elijah had stood there, grinning.

      The shocked then stricken look of his father’s face had created a sick feeling deep in Elijah’s middle. His father had been caught. That was the moment Elijah had grasped he’d stepped into something dirty. He’d glanced at the woman, who had worn a worried look as she’d glanced between his father and him.

      “Uh, Elijah. I h-hadn’t expected to see you,” his father had stammered.

      He’d given his father a pointed look. “I hadn’t expected to see you either.”

      Elijah had watched the woman fix her frightened eyes on his father.

      “Daddy, can you pass me the ketchup?” the girl had asked.

      Elijah’s attention whipped to the child. Daddy! What was going on here? Yet he already understood too clearly. Apparently, something had been going on for some time. His stomach roiled. He had to get out of here.

      His father quickly stood. “Eli, it’s not what you think.” Panic filled his voice.

      Elijah didn’t wait to hear more. He made it to the sidewalk before his arm was caught and he was turned to face his father.

      “Son, I never wanted you or anyone else to find out like this. Think twice about what you’re going to do. This could destroy your mother. The rest of the family.”

      His father should have been the one to think about that. “So what do you want me to do?” He was yelling. His heart was pounding. All he desired was to run.

      “Calm down. We don’t want to make a scene.”

      How like his father to worry about the family name while he was out ruining it. Protect the family name at all costs,