by Lisa Young
Nevertheless, a sliver of guilt gnawed away at her, and keen to placate her overwrought sister and avoid any pre-wedding drama she patted her sister’s arm reassuringly.
“Yes, just dressed for the occasion, I expect,” she reassured her, before reminding her to keep an eye on Lesley, and moving quickly on to greet Virginia and Jess.
After a warm embrace from Jess, Virginia pulled her to one side. “Okay, mate?” she looked Lottie square in the eyes.
Lottie smiled in return, always glad of the seemingly never-ending support of her lovely friend.
“Yes!” she replied emphatically. “You know, V, I really thought I’d be terrified, but all I feel is excited! I feel like everything is bright and clear and I’m absolutely certain that this is the best decision I’m ever going to make in my life!”
Virginia beamed at her. “Proud of you, mate, so proud!”
They were interrupted by Linda Lovely, who was tapping furiously on her clipboard. Efficiently, she dispatched all but the wedding party from the cottage and a temporary peace descended. Mel loitered nervously in the doorway, clutching what Lottie could only assume was her wedding speech. Taking a moment away from the furious instructions of Linda, she passed Mel a glass of prosecco.
“Dutch courage?” she offered.
Mel snatched the glass and greedily drained the contents. “Bloody hell, Lottie. I’m terrified! I didn’t realise there would be so many people, and that bloody Pru has been Facebook messaging me all morning saying she’s looking forward to a catch up. I swear, Lottie, if that woman makes a pass at me I’m on the next plane to Australia!”
Lottie chuckled at the image of Pru chasing Mel around their wedding reception. Linda appeared at her side, snorting nervously and reminded Lottie that it was time to get ready. She dispatched Mel through the front door before scooping up Odie to straighten the bow tie he was frantically trying to dislodge.
Finding one another in the bedroom, Lottie and Alice chuckled about Tony’s choice of clothing. Alice shook her head with bemusement, “Let’s hope he doesn’t get frisky with the waiters today! The sooner it’s just the two of us the better!”
Lottie couldn’t agree more.
Much as she was looking forward to the ceremony, they had deliberately kept the reception small, and planned on finishing at five so that they could spend some time with the boys before they headed to the airport.
“Venice!” they both squealed. The beauty and romance of Venice would undoubtedly provide them with a sanctuary for a few days, to recover from the events leading up to the wedding and the day itself.
Without any sense of urgency, they showered and readied themselves, marvelling at the different cuts of their suits, which, despite some similarities gave them each a definitive look, thus avoiding Lottie’s horror of looking like two identical butch dykes. Tenderly, Alice tucked Lottie’s short hair behind her ears, as Lottie peered anxiously into the mirror for a closer look.
“Not bad,” she muttered, before turning her attention to Alice, who was struggling to attach her corsage.
Alice’s face assumed a serious look and she gently clasped Lottie’s hands, stilling them.
Lottie felt vaguely anxious, but Alice kissed the furrow of her brow. “Silly worry wart! It’s nothing bad.”
Reaching into the inner pocket of her jacket, she pulled out a single sheet of paper.
“I know we’d agreed to do the traditional vows, but I changed my mind and I’ve written something I’d like to say.”
Without saying any more, she handed the paper to Lottie, who sank onto the bed and turned her attention to the crisp sheet of paper:
Lottie,
you are my best friend and my soulmate,
I’ll always be by your side,
Let nothing come between us, neither stubbornness nor pride.
I promise that my love for you will grow stronger every day,
And all that I ask of you in return is that you
love me in the same way.
Lottie’s eyes filled with tears. Alice smiled.
“Perfect.” Lottie stated quietly.
Satisfied, Alice returned the paper to the safety of her top pocket and took Lottie’s hand to go downstairs for the final time as singletons.
Turning the corner of the stairs, a silent ensemble greeted them. Lottie’s heart swelled with pride as she saw her boys dressed in their morning suits, both with a single red rose tucked neatly into their buttonholes. Robbie patted his pocket confidently, indicating the safety of the rings and Archie furiously tugged on the lead of the hyperactive Odie who was clearly anticipating a long romp on the beach.
Clasping Alice’s hand, Lottie smiled. “Ready everyone?”
“Ready!” the group answered in unison.
Turning to Alice, Lottie smiled. “Ready?” she asked.
Alice beamed in response. “Ready for the rest of my life to be married to you. Let’s go!”
LOTTIE AND Alice took their time making the short walk down to the village hall, drinking in the unseasonably warm day and the clear skies. The seagulls serenaded them with a chorus of good cheer as they circled above and the sea lapped the harbour as they made their way down to the lower beach and the village hall.
The haunting Celtic tune played by their bagpiper drifted to greet them. Lottie’s heart lurched as the sound of the pipes always evoked in her a deep emotion and reinforced that she was Scottish to the core. The wedding party hurried ahead of them to enter the hall before the doors were closed, encasing the guests in the hall, giving Lottie time to adjust her suit jacket as the bagpiper adjusted his pipes and played “The Flower of Scotland”. The girls loitered a moment to enjoy the music.
Alice pulled Lottie towards her, kissing her tenderly on the cheek. “You’re my flower of Scotland,” she whispered huskily.
Lottie returned the kiss and whispered against Alice’s lips. “Soon to be wives!”
The bagpiper finished, and inside the hall Lottie could hear Ellie Goulding’s, “How Long Will I Love You”, and the resounding “ooos” and “ahhs” from their captive audience.
Archie and Robbie reappeared, Archie’s eyes bright with excitement.
“Mum, am I walking with you?” he asked, suddenly older in his demeanour.
Nodding, Lottie casually linked arms with him as Robbie more formally offered the crook of his arm to Alice, who took it, giving him a squeeze.
They started to move forward. The baby-dykes surged past them muttering apologetically about a flat tyre, although judging by their dishevelled appearances Lottie wryly concluded they had made a detour into the sand dunes.
Linda Lovely lowered her clipboard and smiled broadly at the couple, her eyes shining bright with tears. She signalled officially for the doors of the hall to be opened, and the music flooded the terrace.
As Lottie and Alice walked into the entrance hall, the room collectively turned to take them in.
Lottie felt overwhelmed with the love in the room as she tried to take in the happy faces that turned to greet them. Alice gasped as she noticed her parents in the front row. Lottie only recognised them from photographs, and she knew that Alice did not have a close relationship with them. When they were planning the wedding Lottie had tried, without success, to get Alice to contact her parents and Alice had agreed she would once the wedding was finished, but she did not want to risk the chance that her parents would not be receptive to her wedding plans and spoil anything. Alice’s dad, a portly man and her mother an older and equally beautiful version of Alice gave her an anxious smile. Alice’s eyes filled with tears and she waved at them, momentarily losing her cool as she turned to Lottie. “My mum and dad!”
Lottie turned and beamed in return.
With great ceremony, Archie led Lottie along the makeshift aisle scattered with more red rose petals. Lottie smiled at as many people as she could, noting that most of their guests were filming on their mobile phones. Lo
ttie’s attention was caught by Ann, who was frantically pointing to the alpha male beside her, shirt unbuttoned to the waist with a mat of curly dark hair exploding from the crevice.
“My new man!” she mouthed. Lottie smiled politely and made a mental note not to get trapped by Ann later on.
Feeling suddenly scared, she glanced behind and managed to catch Alice’s eye, full of love. Overcome with emotion, a tear slid gently down her cheek.
Turning once again, she felt confident as she walked, taking in the stunning floral displays of cream and red. As she reached the top, she beamed at Mel, who stood fidgeting anxiously in her role as the best woman.
Alice arrived at her side and they both stood before the celebrant. Robbie ceremoniously handed the arm of Alice to Lottie, who gratefully received it.
The ceremony was later referred to by their friends as the best wedding they had ever attended. Lottie and Alice both affirmed their vows before the kindly celebrant, to cheers from the gathered crowd. Linda had abandoned her clipboard and taken on the responsibility for instigating appropriate cheers throughout the ceremony, which helped to lighten the atmosphere. Lottie noted that Linda seemed to have grown in confidence and come into her own, as a result of this wedding planner experience.
They exchanged their rings, then Lottie and Alice joined hands and raised them to the room to whoops and cheers from the onlookers. Robbie wiped a few tears, anxious to maintain his manly façade, but Archie cried unashamedly, still having childhood on his side.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON, the couple once again took centre stage as they chose to overlook the obvious mistake in the announcement by the hired help, as Mr. and Mrs. Grant-Blair.
Mel anxiously prepared to deliver her best woman speech. Lottie had been intrigued to know what she had managed to include, after she had given her a list of subjects to avoid, including any mention of Lottie’s façade as a heterosexual.
Pru appeared at Lottie’s side. “Lovely ceremony, dear, you do make a spectacularly handsome couple, I must say. Now you’ve resolved your issues, I think you’ll do very well, sweetie.”
Lottie gave her a forced smile and bit her lip, refraining from voicing the thoughts she had about Pru and her almost certain narcissistic personality disorder.
Grabbing a nearby chair, Pru inappropriately placed herself on the top table, presumably to get a prime view of the object of her desire, Mel.
Clearing her throat Mel eyed the crowd nervously, choosing to ignore the sudden arrival of Pru.
“To all of Lottie’s and Alice’s friends and family—Hello! I was surprised when Lottie asked me to do a speech. I don’t know if she mistook me for somebody that was good at this sort of thing.”
There was a ripple of laughter around the room. Mel took a deep breath and continued.
“I have a sneaking suspicion she wanted me to say a quick hello, do some comedy dancing, and my walking down to the cellar routine. I’m not going to do those things. What I want to say instead is how special marriage is. It’s the ultimate declaration of love. A good marriage gives you confidence and a strength that’s greater the sum of its parts.
It’s a wonderful thing.
In this country we have only just caught up with the idea that everybody should be able to do it. Everybody that is lucky enough to find that special someone they want to spend the rest of their lives with.
And love. What is love? Someone once said that it is passion, respect, and admiration. If you have two, you have enough. If you have all three you don’t have to die to go to heaven. Lottie and Alice are definitely in heaven.”
Spontaneous applause erupted from the assembled guests at this point, and Lottie and Alice exchanged a loving look.
“I want to say a bit more about love. When I asked Alice for her thoughts in preparation for this speech, she sent me this text— ‘How do I feel about Lottie? She is sweet, sensitive, loving and generous. She always gives one hundred percent to me, her family and her job. I quite simply love and adore her. She is funny, super intelligent, and stubbornly proud. She is fiercely protective of those she loves.’”
There was a heartfelt round of applause at this point, before Mel continued.
“Some of you may not know Lottie all that well so here is my quick guide to Lottie Grant-Blair. She is an absolute delight. She is fantastic at what she does.
She inspires me, and she is the life and soul of her workplace. She has that rare quality of someone who can walk into a room and change the atmosphere—she can make everyone feel ten-times better than they did before.
She loves the fact that Alice has a sausage dog, and is the best vet in the Highlands.
I have not known Alice for long, but I do know that she has made Lottie the happiest woman in the world. She is the final piece that makes the Grant-Blair family complete. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lottie and Alice!”
Lottie wiped the tears away, noting Mel’s pride that she had pulled it off without a hitch. She blew her a thankful kiss.
Pru was on her feet, tears streaming down her face as she roared, emphatically turning to the crowd demanding they clap louder. Mel quickly found her seat next to the safety of Elspeth.
Alice rose and tapped her glass, and the room quietened. Lottie was surprised that Alice had decided to make an impromptu speech. Although confident in her professional capacity, Alice usually shied away from public attention.
“Hi everybody,” she began, and as Lottie noted a tremor in Alice’s voice, her heart filled with love. She was aware of the huge applause and much whooping, spurring Alice on.
“I didn’t plan to make a big speech, but I couldn’t let this day pass without saying a few words.
“Firstly, and most importantly, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for coming today. When I look around this room, I see the most important people in our lives, and this day would not have been the same without each and every one of you. Thank you to Robbie and Archie for the part they have played in this special day. With every day that passes, I have the privilege of being part of this incredible family and getting to know these two young men as they grow older. I never imagined that I would be part of a family with children, in fact I would say that I never considered that children would ever play a part in my life.”
There were more cheers and laughter from the crowd at this point, and Alice reached down to clasp Lottie’s hand as she noted a solitary tear trickling down Lottie’s cheek.
“I am so incredibly proud to be able to call myself part of this family. When I met Lottie, I was instantly entranced. She was bubbly, funny and kind, and I know that I have met my soulmate. I admire who she is and the incredibly brave path she has chosen in her life.”
She turned to face Lottie
“And now you’re my wife, I intend to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Finally, I know there is one important person who is missing today. Lottie’s dad. I don’t want to make her cry, but I did want to acknowledge that his presence here today is missed. Therefore, I would like to ask you all to join me in one final toast.”
The room quietened and took on a more sombre tone as all the guests stood with their glasses raised.
“To Graham, missed by your family today but not forgotten. Your memory is treasured. Cheers!”
The crowd returned their glasses to the tables, before an impromptu round of applause broke out and the guests turned to chatter amongst themselves.
Turning to face Alice, Lottie saw the love she felt reflected back at her in equal measure. “Babe, that was beautiful. Thank you.”
Lottie choked back her tears and Alice tenderly kissed the back of her hand.
“Can we have a moment outside?” Alice asked, and without waiting for a reply she gently pulled Lottie away from the crowd and out onto the relative calm of the beach, under the shelter of the gazebo.
The lanterns twinkled as the sun lowered in the sky. Turning towards the open sea, they both breathed in d
eeply, trying to take in the magic of the early evening.
Lottie turned to face Alice. “I’m so proud of you, Alice. Look at this day, it’s been absolutely perfect!”
Alice smiled. “I can’t quite take it all in. It seems to have gone so fast, but I feel like I’ll remember every detail forever!”
Lottie kissed her deeply, their tongues entwined in a lingering embrace.
Pulling away and slightly breathless, Alice paused, and Lottie noted a trace of worry etched across her features,
“Babe, I have one more thing that I’ve been meaning to talk to you about,” Alice ventured.
Raising an eyebrow quizzically, Lottie waited.
“I know it’s our wedding day, and it feels like this is the beginning of our journey. I meant what I said about feeling privileged to be part of your family, I really never thought that having kids was important. But, Lottie, after living with you and the boys I can’t imagine life without their boisterous chaos!”
Lottie chuckled. “I know. I was worried when you first moved in, about how it would work out. I mean, you went from a seaside sanctuary to an episode of Dawson’s Creek!”
Alice giggled. “I can’t deny it was a bit of a shock, babe! But you know those boys are really just an extension of you. I see you in Robbie’s stubborn pride, and in Archie’s sensitive and caring nature. It has made me rethink what family is and what it means to me.”