by Brittle, D M
I refused to take my lips away from my wife’s for the duration of the clapping and cheering, I had been addicted to Jo since the day I met her and today I felt no less love for her than I did then, but I did feel for her more love than I thought was humanly possible.
We were caught up in a whirlwind from the second that we became husband and wife. We had signed the register and had at least a million photos taken and I was confident that I was about to experience lock jaw. We had then greeted every single guest on our way out of the church, Jo’s smile hadn’t faltered once since she had stood at the church doors before our wedding, if there was ever one thing that made me happy, it was the fact that Jo was happy, it was my lifetime ambition to keep her happy.
The guests had all filled into cars and were heading back to the house for our reception while Jo and I were finishing off having a final few photos taken before our wedding car would take us back too. We thanked the vicar for marrying us at such short notice and promised him again that we would be here for Sunday service as soon as we got back to the UK in the spring/summer, we would also be arranging our babies’ christenings here too. After helping Jo into the car, I walked around to the other side and climbed in next to her; she was still smiling happily.
“Hello husband,” she said as I closed the door.
“Mrs. Mackenzie,” I smirked, “how lovely to see you.”
Jo gave me a curt nod, “You are so getting laid tonight by the way.” I saw her smile widen and her cheeks flush as she turned her attention to the outside world.
I shuffled closer to her and whispered in her ear, “So are you, by the way.”
She gasped as I took her earlobe between my teeth and tugged gently. “We finally get the house to ourselves tonight, no mothers walking in on us, no family and friends on the other side of the walls, no toddler tantrums at bedtime, no crying puppy who wants to go pee in the middle of the night, just us; me and my wife.” Jo turned her head quickly and looked at me with a serious expression on her face.
“Blake,” she said sternly, “if you think for one second that I can wait until after the fireworks at midnight, all of the drunk guests to disperse and the staff to finish clearing up then you are very much mistaken,” she leaned into me and whispered quietly, “I have been waiting since dinnertime when you almost…. You know?” She moved away and looked back out of the window. “So, just a heads up; you need to sort something out, soon, somewhere that we won’t be interrupted, where we can actually do….. The thing…. Okay?”
“My wife is bossy,” I teased. “I like it.”
“Why isn’t the car moving yet?” Jo asked suddenly. “We have been sat here now for at least ten minutes, our guests are going to be wondering where we are.”
“Again,” I replied dryly.
Just as Jo cut her eyes at me the driver replied, “I’m afraid we have a slight problem again Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie.”
“Well you can sort it out again can’t you? Just as you did on the way down here,” Jo stated.
“Erm, I’m not confident that we can this time. There seems to be a problem with the choke.”
“The what?” Jo asked confused.
The driver laughed once before noticing the angry snarl that Jo was giving him. He cleared his throat before continuing, “I’m afraid the choke is well and truly stuck, I was surprised that we managed to get it working when we broke down on the way here but because we did, I assumed that it would see us back up to the reception at least,” he said carefully.
“So you basically knew that this could happen while we were in the church and yet you did nothing about it?” Jo’s voice began to rise as her anger became visible.
“I’m a driver sweetheart, not a mechanic.”
Jo gasped loudly in shock, he had succeeded in fully angering her, did he not notice that she was pregnant? One thing that I had learned in the past six months was that a pregnant angry lady made a standard angry lady look like a kitten.
“Firstly; do not call me sweetheart, you prat. And secondly; what the hell is a choke anyway?” Jo’s voice had gone up an octave; she was getting herself really worked up, just minutes into our married life.
“Is there any hope that the car may start?” I asked calmly.
“I’m sorry Mr. Mackenzie but it’s looking highly unlikely,” he replied apologetically.
“I don’t believe this,” Jo whined. “It’s my wedding day, My.Wedding. Day.” She repeated sadly. “We have a house full of guests waiting to celebrate with us, this is just a disaster.” Jo began picking at the petals from her bouquet as her eye brows drew together in sadness. “The pain that follows the happiness, it came back.”
“It’s just a car Jo; this is not going to ruin our day. I won’t allow it to ruin our day.”
Jo lifted her eyes to me, “call the house, have someone come down and collect us, it’s not how I imaged getting to my wedding reception but it will have to do.”
I sighed, “I don’t have my phone, Alex was calling you all to see where you were, and because he doesn’t have Anthony’s number or Jemma’s, he used my phone and then never gave it back to me.” Jo looked at me with disbelief before turning to the driver.
“Can we use your phone please?”
“Of course, here,” the driver took his phone from his pocket and handed it to Jo. After a few seconds Jo sighed heavily and handed it back to him.
“It may be a good idea to charge your phone, that way if your old banger ever breaks down then you can call somebody to come and rescue you maybe.” Her sarcasm was evident.
“You will have to go back into the church Blake, there’s no other alternative.”
“Reverend Matthews left the church after the service Jo,” I replied carefully.
“Great.” she snapped. “So were stuck here, no houses, no ‘phone boxes, absolutely no way to communicate with anyone, how ridiculous!” she yelled.
We sat in silence for a moment as I thought hard about how we were going to get home and then I did the only thing that I could think of; I climbed out of the car and walked around to Jo’s door and opened it. Still, her eyes stayed down as she picked a petal from one of the roses and crushed it between her fingers. I crouched down to her level and turned her face gently to face me, she was trying desperately to hold back the tears that had pooled in her eyes.
“Hey, wife,” I said gently, a small smile tugged on her lips. “It’s just a car; it is not going to spoil the best day of our lives.” I stood and held my hand out to Jo.
“What are you doing?” She asked curiously.
“Well the car isn’t going anywhere so we have no choice, out you come.” I said as I beckoned her with my fingers.
Jo burst into laughter, “If you think for one second that I am walking home dressed like this with these stupid shoes on, in snow, might I add, then you are very much mistaken.”
“Just get out of the car,” I sighed. We continued to hold each other’s glare for a few minutes, both of us too stubborn to give in, until eventually Jo gave in first and huffed out of the car.
“Fine,” she snapped. “I will greet my guests looking like a bloody tramp.” I couldn’t help but laugh at her as I removed my coat and placed it around her shoulders.
“Do you seriously think that I would make my pregnant wife walk home, in this weather?” Jo looked at me confused before I leaned down and took her into my arms. Jo let out a little squeal as her feet left the floor. Her expression softened and she smiled at me lovingly.
“You are going to carry me all the way home?” She asked.
“Yep, I am going to carry you all the way home beautiful. Now let’s get going, we have a party to attend.”
“Are you going to be okay?” Jo asked the driver in a much softer tone than she had a couple of minutes ago.
“Absolutely fine,” he smiled back. “Now go enjoy your wedding reception, and again, I’m sorry about the car.”
“Thank you,” I replied before turning and beginnin
g the walk up to our house.
“You really are my fixer upper aren’t you?” Jo smiled before resting her head onto my chest.
“Your fixer upper?” I replied slightly amused.
“Yes, you are like Christoff from Frozen.” I felt Jo’s smile grow against my chest.
“You are comparing me to a Disney character now?” I laughed.
“Well Disney did invent prince charming, happy ever after’s, fairytale’s and Christoff from Frozen and I have all of those right here; my very own Disney film.” Jo tightened her grip on me.
“So that makes you my Disney princess doesn’t it?”
“Hhmm, which one am I?”
“Mary Poppins aren’t you?” I laughed. “Practically perfect in every way.”
“Is Mary Poppins even a princess?”
“She is in my eyes,” I smirked.
“Now I know you are just humoring me,” Jo laughed. “Will you always be my fixer upper slash prince charming?”
“Until death us do part Jo, and that’s a promise.”
*~*~*
The hill up to where our house sat seemed a lot steeper and longer than I imagined it to be. Jo had kept the conversation going for most of the way and had finally seemed to have forgotten about the car disaster as she chatted happily about the impending party. The roads were quiet thankfully and the pitch darkness of the countryside helped to keep us as anonymous as possible to passersby. I was sure however that at some point, our picture would appear somewhere online. So far this week we had managed to secure our privacy with everyone that was involved in the wedding, but nothing had prepared us for having to walk home. I smiled to myself when I realized however, that a photo of us walking home in the snow would be a great memento. I secretly hoped to myself that someone would have taken one without our knowing so.
“Do you want me to walk for a bit now? I can feel your arms shaking,” Jo asked concerned.
“No,” I panted. The truth was, I was knackered, but there was no way her feet were touching the ground until we were over the threshold to our home. “What kind of a husband would have his wife walk in this weather?” I asked as Jo chuckled.
“Sounds weird doesn’t it? Husband and wife; you are my husband and I am your wife.” She chuckled again.
“I’d laugh with you beautiful but I’m finding it kind of hard to breathe right now.”
“I knew I was too heavy for you to carry, let me down and I’ll walk the rest of the way, you need your energy for later,” she said before placing her lips to my neck.
“You’re not too heavy,” I replied instantly. “You’ve just had a good Christmas by the feel of it.”
Jo looked up at me quickly, her mouth formed an ‘O’.
“I am pregnant with twins; it is nothing to do with having a good Christmas thank you very much.”
“Twin humans or twin elephants?” I teased
“You cheeky …..” Jo narrowed her eyes at me. “At least I have an excuse, what’s your excuse for the Christmas weight gain?”
“I haven’t gained any weight,” I smirked.
“Have so,” She stated. “Your head got fat from all of the worshipping my mum gives to you,” she added.
“Ha-ha good one, I like that,” I laughed. “And had I gained weight, which I haven’t by the way, then it wouldn’t be on my head and it won’t be because of your mom, it would be down to one thing and one thing only.”
“And what’s that?”
“Lack of sex that you have failed to provide me with, hence any weight gain on my part would be your entire fault.”
“Well if that is how we’re playing this, husband, then my weight gain is one hundred percent your fault, yours, and your super sperm,” she snapped back.
“Ooh touché wife, touché.” We both began to laugh as Jo’s arms wrapped tighter around my neck and she kissed my cheek.
“Have I told you that I love you recently?” She asked happily just as our home came into sight.
“Not in the past twenty minutes no, you are slacking now you are my wife,” I laughed.
“Well, I love you,” she kissed me on the cheek. “I love you I love you I love you!” She chimed happily.
“I love you too,” I stopped for a brief moment to kiss my wife passionately. “Now let’s go and start the rest of our lives together.”
Jo
I couldn’t wipe the permanent smile from my face.
I was now Mrs. Josephine Mackenzie; I had married my knight in shining armour, and he had given me everything that I had ever wanted; happiness. Whoever said that there was no such thing as a happy ever after had never walked in my shoes, I had been dealt the worst cards imaginable in the past and somewhere between then and now, fate had decided that I had taken enough of the crap and they finally re-dealt me the best card available.
The wedding had been beautiful, and even though I hadn’t been impressed at the time, the car breaking down both going to the church and coming home, all added detail to the wedding that will have given us a memorable happy day that neither of us would ever forget; it was the day that Blake and I became one.
My mother and my new in-laws were waiting at the door when we arrived home, they stepped aside parting the ways as we approached enabling Blake to carry me over the threshold to our home. The rest of the guests were all gathered in the large hallway clapping and cheering us as Blake finally gave in and lowered me back to the floor. A waiter approached us with a tray, “congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie, a glass of champagne for you sir and as instructed, non-alcoholic champagne for the bride.”
“Thank you,” We both replied in unison as we took our flutes from the tray.
“I am responsible for looking after you both this evening, if there is anything at all I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. It is an honor to be a part of your special day, believe me.” The waiter laughed nervously as he shook his head, “forgive me, I am just such a huge fan of yours Mrs. Mackenzie.”
“Oh,” I replied in shock. “Thank you … Stephen,” I replied after noticing his name badge.
He gave me a curt nod as he visibly pulled himself back together, “we shall be serving dinner shortly, and we shall then arrange all of the guests into their seats before you enter the marquee,” He smiled.
“Thank you, Stephen,” Blake replied as our waiter turned and headed back to the kitchen.
“Looks like I am going to have to keep an eye on ‘Stephen’,” Blake said as he watched him walk away.
“Is my husband jealous because somebody actually fanned over me and not himself?” I teased.
“Let’s just say that he had better keep his hands where they should be this evening, and that is on food plates and glasses. I pulled Blake to me by his tie and kissed him, everyone around us cheered again.
“I love that you are jealous, it makes a refreshing change that it isn’t me,” I winked. “It also makes me even more excited about what you are going to put together for us as soon as the meal is over,” I said quietly.
Just then, Stephen re-entered the hallway and called all guests to be seated in the marquee, everyone filtered out quickly leaving the two of us waiting for our cue.
“Do you think we have time now?” Blake said as he looked at his watch. “I mean surely it will take a good ten minutes to get them all seated.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie, follow me please.” Stephen was back suddenly and calling us through to the marquee. I heard Blake mutter a curse that definitely included our waiter’s name in there somewhere causing me to laugh as I took his hand and followed Stephen out of the house and down the long path to where the marquee was set up.
“Okay, just a couple of minutes and we will be heading in there,” he smiled.
“Can I have a word in private please Stephen?” Blake suddenly said.
“Of course Mr. Mackenzie,” Stephen replied confused.
“What are you doing?” I asked quietly.
“Well, he said not to hes
itate to ask if we needed something.”
“So what are you asking him for?” Blake replied by tapping his nose and winking at me before disappearing with Stephen to the other side of the marquee. Whatever he asked of Stephen had them both smiling and laughing before they made their way back to me, thank god; I had imagined that he was going to make it clear to him to keep his hands on the plates and glasses as he had just said to me.
“Sorted?” I asked dubiously.
“Sorted,” Blake smiled. “Now I do believe it is time for us to take our seats, wife.”
“Lead the way, my sexy husband.”
*~*~*
I was sure that at some point this evening I was going to burst out of my dress, the food that we had been served was beyond amazing. We had been served very traditional English/winter dishes and each of them had been exceptional. We had started with spinach and bacon stuffed mushrooms followed by a main of roast pheasant in apricot sauce with seasonal vegetables, and finished off with a chocolate fountain on each table with a variety of fruits for dipping; overall, all of the food went down a treat. Alex had then stood and made his best man’s speech which had all of the guests both laughing and crying throughout, along with a red faced Blake at some of the old tales that his best friend had told about him. Uncle Anthony’s speech was touching and very emotional as he made a big point of remembering his brother; my father who would have been so proud to have stood and made the speech himself, we stood and toasted the one man that I would have loved to be there other than Blake. Then it was Blake’s turn, he stood and cleared his throat numerous times before beginning.
“Wow,” he exhaled in a rush. “This is far more nerve wracking than standing at the altar wondering whether or not your bride is going to show up.” Everyone laughed with Blake before the room fell silent in anticipation. “I would firstly like to start by thanking each and every one of you for spending this magical day with us. I apologize that there wasn’t much notice given on our part, but Jo and I are well known for diving in head first as you will have noticed by now.” Again everyone laughed along as Blake began to relax into his speech. “Doesn’t my wife look beautiful ladies and gentlemen?” As everyone began to cheer Blake lifted my hand and placed his lips there briefly before whispering, “I love you.”