‘I’m so sorry, I really didn’t want to waddle up the aisle on your special day. I didn’t think I’d get pregnant so fast.’
‘Hey, I streaked up the aisle with my backside on display and my phone blaring for yours,’ I laughed. ‘Besides, how could I not be happy that my best friend is having a baby in two months and that I’m going to be godmother?’
‘Please tell me you’ll try for a baby soon,’ she pleaded. ‘It would be amazing to have children of a similar age. They could end up being best friends like us.’
‘Except for the fact that they’ll live so far apart,’ I sighed.
I’d spent the last ten months living between London, New York, and Rome, doing some modelling jobs wherever Alec was working. We still hadn’t agreed on where we were going to call home. Poppie and Justin had moved out of London and returned to Shropshire, to be close to her parents for when the baby was born. The beauty of finance was that as long as he had a good internet connection, he could work from anywhere. I was missing her terribly, and from the moment I found out that she was pregnant and moving home, the appeal of my formerly glamorous and jet setting, yet hardworking, lifestyle suddenly lost its sparkle. Alec and I needed to have a serious conversation on our honeymoon about where we were going to put down roots.
‘I have to go, darling. Give me a kiss and I’ll see you at the church.’ Mum pursed her lips, but I threw my arms around her neck and hugged her tightly.
‘Thank you so much,’ I whispered earnestly. Despite Alec and me wanting to pay for our own wedding, my parents had insisted, saying that after I’d paid off their mortgage and set them up for life, meaning they could retire early, it was something they wanted to do for me. I knew it wasn’t like we were having an extravagant wedding, I only wanted it to be close friends and family, but all the same, I was really touched.
‘It’s the least we can do after everything you’ve done for us, darling. I’m just so proud that you followed your heart and stuck to your guns. He’s been the only man you’ve ever wanted, just like your dad was for me. I hope you’ll both be as happy as we are.’
‘We will be. I know we will be, Mum,’ I confirmed. I kissed her goodbye and let Vivian come and check my hair and makeup before we got ready to leave the house and head to the small village church down the road. I’d wanted to keep it low-key as well to avoid all of the press attention. It was our day, not the public's. We deserved at least one day of our lives out of the spotlight of the media. I laughed when Poppie emptied out my jewelled bag and made sure my phone was turned off.
‘Nothing is interfering with this wedding,’ she said firmly. ‘I’ve even made sure that that cow Ruth wasn’t going to be in the area today. I wouldn’t have put it past her to barge in and try and ruin your day.’
‘You did? I wonder what happened to her. I haven’t heard anything about her for a long time.’
‘You didn’t know? She married Reece, got pregnant, and he walked out on her for another woman he was seeing behind her back. I would say karma’s a bitch, but in this case, she already had that covered.’
‘Poppie,’ I scolded. Yes, Ruth hadn’t been the nicest of people, but no one deserved to be abandoned.
‘Don’t you dare feel sorry for her, Paige,’ she warned with a pointed finger and a scowl. ‘She didn’t have a nice bone in her body.’
‘Wow, pregnancy hormones make you one angry mamma bear,’ I giggled. ‘Remind me never to cross you.’
‘I thought you’d learned that after my revenge mission on Spence,’ she grinned. ‘I can’t believe you fessed up and gave him money for his guttering.’
‘You know what? I’m getting married today, let’s not talk about exes. I want to get to the church and marry him before he changes his mind and runs out on me.’ I felt a swirl of nerves stir in my stomach. My head was telling me not to be so ridiculous, but he’d left Tiffany on their wedding day. And I was Paige Taylor, good luck had never been a friend of mine.
‘There is no way he’s not marrying you today, Paige. Wild … bulls couldn’t drag him away from you. The love he has for you is the real deal, so stop looking over your shoulder waiting for the worst to happen. Those days are behind you now. You kissed all of those frogs and now you have your own Prince Charming.’
Dad held my hand in the vintage car as we pulled out of the drive. I looked at him with a frown as we turned in the opposite direction to the church.
‘What’s happening?’
‘It’s a surprise, all arranged by Alec, just go with it. I promise you’ll be happy.’
I bit my lip as we drove further out into the countryside, past the village hall where I’d first met Alec, back when he was chairman of the YFC and I’d just stare at him in awe. I wished I could go back in time to whisper in that young girl’s ear to keep dreaming and never lose hope, that sometimes fairy tales really do come true. Tears stung my eyes when the car pulled into a smart paved courtyard flanked by stables and a large barn that had been done up, with tall white rose bushes in blue glazed pots flanking the walls. It was the farm where I’d come to do my stock judging all those years ago. Except it was no longer a working farm, it had been turned into a boutique wedding venue. Dad helped me out of the car and Poppie rushed over to adjust my veil with a grin.
‘What do you think? How gorgeous does it look?’
‘Amazing! I had no idea it had been converted.’
‘Alec wanted it to be a surprise, we all knew. See over there?’ she pointed. ‘That’s Daisy’s old stall, where you groped a cow’s arse, got covered in crap, and nearly had your first kiss. It all started here, Paige, fourteen years ago to the day.’
‘Are you ok?’ Dad asked, looking concerned. I nodded. I was just speechless, totally overwhelmed. It had all started here and I couldn’t think of anywhere better for it to come full circle. We posed for some photographs, taken by Alec’s apprentice, before I was led over to the paddock opposite, where an outdoor wedding had been set up. There were white-painted wooden chairs, with azure organza ribbons tied around the backs, for the guests who were all craning their necks to see us. The aisle was lined with more white rose bushes in blue pots with white wooden duckboards forming a firm surface on the grass for us to walk up. A pergola had been created and decorated with floating white voile panels, white roses, and hundreds of blue cornflowers, and Alec was standing there, his broad back rocking the fitted morning suit he was wearing. I couldn’t wait to see his face. A small orchestra started playing as first Vivian, then Shauna, and finally Poppie, headed up the aisle before me. ‘Ready?’ Dad asked.
‘I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life, Dad,’ I confirmed, itching to get up there to see my man.
‘I’ll always be here for you, Paige. I may be handing you over to another man, giving him the responsibility of caring for you now, but as beautiful and grown up as you may be today, you’ll always be my little girl, no matter what.’
‘Dad,’ I moaned, my eyes filling with tears, matching his. He wiped mine away for me, then his own, and held out his arm. My heart was racing with each step I took towards Alec. I barely noticed our small congregation either side, I just wanted to see his face the moment he turned around and saw me. ‘Owwww,’ I uttered as Dad moved forwards and I was yanked back.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
‘My foot, I can’t move it.’ I pulled again, but it was like I’d been super glued to the wooden slats below me. I reached down and hitched up my dress and groaned. I’d only caught the slender heel of my designer, silver-jewelled shoe in the gap in one of the boards. ‘Seriously? Today? I couldn’t just have one perfect, disaster-free day?’ I moaned. Dad dropped to his knees and I put my hand on his shoulder as I slipped my foot out of my shoe. I balanced on one leg as he tried to pull my shoe out.
‘Careful, careful, these shoes were custom made, they are priceless,’ Jean-Claude uttered as he raced down from Alec’s side, in his role as best man, to come and assist. ‘Gently, gently,’ he
urged. The orchestra stopped playing and all eyes were on me as the two men argued about the best way to get it out, with Dad asking if anyone had a hammer or wrench at hand.
‘Like people turn up at a wedding with one in their jacket pockets.’ I rolled my eyes as he and Jean-Claude bickered. ‘Leave it, I’m getting married right now, with or without it.’
‘You can’t limp up the aisle with one leg shorter than the other, darling,’ Jean-Claude chastised. ‘It will ruin the whole effect of my dress.’
‘Then I’ll take off my other shoe and go barefoot,’ I suggested.
‘And drag my dress on the ground? No, no, no,’ he uttered, looking horrified.
‘I’ll carry her up the aisle,’ Dad offered.
‘You’re fifty-two, Dad. I’m not having you carry me up the aisle, you’ll have a heart attack.’
‘I’m very fit for my age, thank you very much,’ he retorted with an offended look. ‘Just ask your mother, she has no complaints.’
‘No complaints at all,’ Mum winked from the front row. ‘He’d put some teenagers to shame.’
‘Seriously? We’re discussing your sex life in public? Today?’ I groaned. I was just going to have to stomp up the aisle barefoot with my dress hitched up.
‘Allow me,’ came Alec’s voice. I looked up to see him standing in front of me, his blond hair styled into that perfect mess I loved so much, his blue eyes shining with happiness, offset by the cerulean cravat he was wearing. ‘If anyone’s carrying my stunning bride up the aisle, it’s going to be me. It’s the only way I know she’ll make it in one piece. I’ve waited long enough, I’m not waiting any longer.’
‘I’m so sorry, it was all supposed to be perfect today.’
‘It is,’ he smiled. ‘You’re here, looking simply breathtaking and missing one shoe. If I can’t play Prince Charming to your Cinderella today, when can I?’ he asked, bending down to gather me up in his arms. I swooned as I put my arms around his neck and looked up at him. ‘This is it, last chance to change your mind,’ he whispered as he walked me the short distance to the waiting celebrant.
‘I’m right where I want to be, are you?’
‘Of course I am, Paige. This is where I fell in love with you, there’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be today. Look over there.’ He flicked his head to where a black and white cow was chewing on some grass, with a blue ribbon around her neck. ‘Even the cow who started all of this has come to celebrate.’
‘That’s Daisy?’ I laughed. ‘She’s still alive?’
‘Seventeen years old, with the most enormous family of her own. Her old stall where you judged her is now the bedroom of the honeymoon suite. I finally get to kiss you in there tonight, like I wanted to that day. I’m also hoping that we’ll be starting a family all of our own in there later, too.’
‘Mr. Wright,’ I grinned. ‘You do know how to woo a girl, but I’m warning you that much as I love that Daisy’s here, if she takes one step towards me with that flatulent bottom of hers, we’ll be having barbequed beef for lunch tomorrow.’ Daisy lifted her head and let out a long, low moo of disapproval.
‘Can we proceed?’ asked the celebrant.
‘Wait, wait,’ huffed Jean-Claude as he appeared at Alec’s side, brandishing my missing shoe. ‘I prised off the wooden slat with the starter crank from the wedding car to free it.’
‘Thank you,’ I beamed. Alec carefully set me down and slipped my shoe onto my bare foot, grinning up at me from his kneeling position.
‘See, perfect fit. There’s no disputing you’re my Cinderella now.’
‘I always was, we just took our time getting to the ball,’ I reminded him.
For once in my life, with the exception of Daisy farting and making everyone laugh as I was trying to say my heartfelt vows, the rest of the day went without a hitch. The sun stayed shining as we had canapés out in the courtyard before heading in to the gorgeously decked-out barn for our formal sit-down meal, followed by much dancing and laughter. I refused any alcohol, but for a tiny sip for the toasts. I still couldn’t handle it and there was no way I was ruining my wedding night. I didn’t object when Alec took my hand and we sneaked out, leaving everyone else to enjoy their night as we headed to our cosy suite. Everyone was stopping over in the en-suite rooms of the converted farmhouse, so we were all having breakfast together in the morning before Alec and I headed off on our two-week honeymoon.
‘Do you want your wedding present now, or shall I save it for when we’re away?’ Alec asked, slipping his arms around my waist as we stood in the exact spot he’d fallen on me all those years ago.
‘Let’s save it, like I’ll save mine for you. Right now, the only gift I want to unwrap is you.’
‘Your wish is my command, Mrs. Wright,’ he murmured, gently kissing my lips.
‘Say that again,’ I begged, sure I’d never get tired of hearing it.
‘Mrs. Wright, can we stop talking and get on with the baby-making portion of the evening?’
‘Something you never need to ask me,’ I replied, then giggled as he tackled me to the bed with a growl. He’d not been wrong about our compatibility in bed, or in the shower, bath, car, or anywhere else we were constantly doing it. He blew my mind. Even Spence wasn’t a patch on Alec, and I thought I’d had it good with him at the time. I really was the luckiest girl in the world.
‘Stop, stop,’ I laughed as he dove under the clear water again to catch my feet and pull me under. We’d been horsing around like teenagers for the last thirty minutes and I was exhausted. He hauled me against him with one arm, as he swept my wet hair away from my forehead with his free hand and kissed me.
‘Do you surrender?’
‘Always to you,’ I confirmed, kissing him back. ‘Come on, let’s go and lie down for a while. We’ve been so busy, we haven’t even swapped wedding presents.’
He took my hand and we climbed out of the lake and up the steps to the flat lawn flanked by Cypress trees, below our private villa on Lake Como. I’d told him that I wanted to come to Italy for our honeymoon. Both of us were so well travelled, I wanted to be somewhere with him that was relaxed, with an easy pace of life and good food. He’d suggested his apartment in Rome, but much as I loved the city, much as I loved all of the major cities I’d visited, I was actually starting to crave the quiet now, something I never thought I’d say. So he’d booked this magnificent old villa with no immediate neighbours and a stunning view of the lake and mountains. It even came with its own speedboat, so we could explore the lakeside towns and buy provisions. He grabbed a large towel off the bed in the shaded muslin-lined cabana and wrapped it around me, gently rubbing me dry as he planted tender kisses on my lips. I sighed, full of contentment.
‘Wait here, let me go and get my camera,’ he ordered. ‘Do you need anything? Food, water?’
‘I’m good, thanks,’ I confirmed. We’d declined the cook and butler that came as part of the package, just wanting to spend time alone. I squeezed my hair in the towel as I watched him jog up to the house, marvelling at his toned, bronzed body. He was the personification of male perfection. Better still, he was all mine. I sipped some iced water and lay back on the bed, propped up by huge, squashy, waterproof cushions as I admired the view. We only had a few days left before we headed home, though where home was going to be, I still had no idea.
‘Alec,’ I scolded as he reappeared and started taking pictures of me.
‘I’m a photographer with a beautiful wife, I can’t help it,’ he grinned, clicking a few more before coming to lie beside me. ‘You look so sexy, bare faced and in this skimpy bikini, though I think you need to lay off the creamy pasta, your stomach’s bloated.’ He bent down to kiss it, and I smiled as I reached over into my bag and pulled out his carefully wrapped present.
‘Happy belated wedding day, Alec.’ I handed him the tiny parcel and he put his camera to one side and sat up as he started to tear at the paper. He looked at the item in his hand, then back at me, confused. I laughed
and turned over the long, thin piece of plastic, to let him see the pink words “Pregnant” that showed in the small window. His mouth opened and closed a few times, no sounds coming out. He shook his head and reached up to wipe some tears from his face. ‘I’m about thirteen weeks. I didn’t want to tell you until I was past the dangerous phase, but we have the scan when we get home next week, so we’ll know more then.’
‘We’re having a baby?’ he whispered, the emotion in his voice making my eyes fill with tears, too.
‘We are. Is that ok? I didn’t think I’d get caught so soon.’
‘Is that ok? Other than you agreeing to marry me, it’s the best news I’ve ever had in my life, Paige.’ He put the stick down and grabbed my face, making me laugh as he peppered it with kisses. ‘I’m going to be the best dad that ever walked the face of this earth, I promise.’
‘I know you will be. Will you mind if we have a boy or a girl?’
‘I don’t care. Whatever we have, we can try again for the other. God, I love you,’ he sighed, letting his lips meet mine. I sank back on the cushions, pulling him down with me as we lost ourselves in our bubble of bliss for a moment. He eventually propped himself up on his side and put his palm on my stomach. I covered his hand with mine as I smiled up at him. I hadn’t even told Mum or Dad or Poppie yet. I knew I was pregnant on our wedding day, when she’d said she’d love me to be pregnant at the same time, but Alec deserved to know first. I frowned as I tried to work out what felt different. Ever since Alec had turned up on Poppie’s wedding day to claim me, nothing had felt the same. ‘What’s wrong?’
Until We Collide Page 23