The first toast began simply by accident.
Griffin was talking to Kendal, when Bianca walked past.
Griffin raised his glass in her direction.
"I'm so happy to see you back on your feet again." he said.
"Here, here." chipped in Kendal, raising her own glass.
The people around them also murmured their good wishes.
"And to you continued good health." added Frankie. He had been standing a few feet away with Cara, Jake and Krystal.
This got more raised glasses and mutterings of 'here-here' and 'to your good health'.
People around the pool began to pay attention.
"And where is Marissa?" Krystal called.
"I'm here." said Marissa, stepping away from her conversation with Caleb, Colby and Lisa to stand beside Bianca, who was bemused at how quickly she had become the centre of attention.
"Good." said Krystal. "Then I propose a toast to the both of you and your new life together in this beautiful new house."
"To Bianca and Marissa." was the universal response as everyone at the party toasted the couple.
"Ah, but we have forgotten some other very important people." said Adam, stepping forward with his champagne glass in his hand. "This will also be home to two birthday-twins and their little sister. Where is my grandson?"
He raised his voice quite loud at that point to get the attention of the kids who were still busy playing at the bottom of the garden. A lot of beckoning waves from Opal, Cara and Marissa helped the children realise that they were missing out on something, and they all hurried across the lawn to join the adults. Marissa and Bianca gathered Miranda, AJ and Gabby around them, and then there was a brief bustle of activity as the kids were all found drinks in order to join in with the toasts.
While they were waiting, Marissa quickly smoothed her son's unruly hair and tucked in the back of Gabby shirt, making sure they all looked presentable. Bianca handed Miranda one of her crutches so she could put her arm around her daughter's shoulder, which caused her eldest child's smile to double in size.
"Are we all ready?" asked Adam. "Excellent! Then let us drink the health to the Montgomery-Tasker-Chandler family; may you fill this house with love."
"To love." toasted everyone else.
Bianca smiled modestly and gave a polite cough, ready to make short speech of her own.
"I would raise a glass of my own if I had one, but I just want to say thank you, to everyone who has come to join us here today, but we are not the only couple with a reason to celebrate. I would like you all to raise a glass to honour the engagement of my mom and Uncle Jack." she gave the couple a happy grin, raising her crutch in salute in lieu of a wine glass. "To Jack and Erica, this time I hope it sticks!"
"To Jack and Erica." everyone chorused.
"And it will." added Jackson as an aside, causing a ripple of laughter.
"And I would like to toast you all." said Marissa. She stopped to put an arm around Bianca's waist and looked adoringly down at her new family. "We would like to thank you. Thank you all for coming; thank you all for your help and thank you for your support over this whole gruelling year… just thank you! To all of you."
"To us" and "Thank you" were the hesitant responses; it's very hard to toast yourself. But everyone was clearly touched by her words.
Tad then took centre stage looking thoughtfully down at his wine glass.
"As you know." he said. "I'm not one for speeches…"
This causes a wave of amusement to run through those assembled.
"…but seeming everyone here together. It has reminded me that it has been almost a year since we were all at a gathering like this… celebrating the return of Stuart Chandler, to his family and his friends…"
Scott, who was stood beside Stuart, patted his father on the back and the people around him raise their glass in his direction; some of those around David did the same.
"… That night ended in a tragedy and I don't want to bring a downer on this celebration by any means… but I think we should take a moment to remember those who are sadly no longer with us."
Everyone nodded and bowed their head in memory.
"Greenlee…" toasted Ryan, locking eyes with a sombre Jackson.
"My Angie…" said Jesse.
"My mother…" said Frankie; father and son speaking almost in unison.
"Zack…" said Kendal, sadly raising her glass in his memory.
"To those who can't be with us." said Dixie loudly; a toast that was repeated by the rest of the group. It was the closest she dare get to mention the other who couldn't be with them; someone who would probably never be welcome in Pine Valley ever again.
Tad still in centre stage, took the lead once more.
"That night I made a speech" he said, playing with his glass a little. "I think I spoke about how we in Pine Valley always come together 'in tragedy and triumph' as 'neighbours, family and friends'. Today we are celebrating a triumph. We are celebrating family, new beginnings, and most importantly, love. And love is ultimately what holds us all together... all of us… because that is how Pine Valley works…"This statement raised smiles and approving nods. "…and I think from now on, we are due fewer tragedies and more triumphs just like this one… So I would like to raise a toast; after all the hardships we have overcome this year - To all the triumphs still to come."
"To the triumphs still to come!" came the rousing cheer.
…