Love Returns

by Ronni Meyrick

  “Very well, Ms Bromwell, now if you and Ms Macguire would like to follow me through to the dining room, we’ve put together a selection of dishes for you to try. If we work on the starters tonight we can cover main course and dessert tomorrow. Perhaps we could also get the coffee and wine done tonight. It would save a lot of time. I understand you’re having the cake made in London, so that is one less job for our chef.”

  “Yes, it will be delivered the morning of the ceremony. Also can you check that Ali, and I have separate rooms for the 12th February. I want to be a little traditional that night.”

  “No problem. As I understand it, Ms Macguire will be staying in her Mother’s suite that night. I will get the bartender, to bring your wine through to the table in the dining room.”

  Flick offered him a small smile, and then took Ali’s arm and escorted her into the dining room. Now that she had laid a demon to rest, it was time to again look to the future, and all the happiness that was to come. Life was going to be good.

  ###

  After their weekend away they were anxious to see the girls. Flick had gotten June fully out of her system. She had found out what she needed to know, and now did not want anything more to do with her. They had spent the weekend trying food and wine for the wedding. Then they had to go through decorations, and place settings. Flick’s brain was on overload with wedding plans.

  Ali had certainly made herself useful, over the last two days by helping Flick to unwind, and taking her mind off things. They were making up for lost time, and had spent most of the evenings making love. Without the kids, there were no noise restrictions, and every time Flick came she was as loud as she had ever been, if not louder.

  She didn’t know how many times that was, but it was a bloody lot. They were both sedate and totally worn out, this was a good feeling. They were both glowing when they got to Marion and Claude’s. Marion was down the steps first and rushed to take Flick into her arms.

  “How did it go, darling?” she asked as she released Flick.

  “Well apart from the fact, she was a huge homophobe and questioned our parenting skills. Everything went fine.”

  “What a bloody cheek. She should talk about parenting. I hope you put her in her place.”

  “Well Ali did. She lost her temper and set her straight. She thought we were training the girls to be lesbians, and that was it, Ali was on her feet to correct her. I told her I wasn’t going to see her again, I didn’t have room for another Mother in my life, now that I have you.”

  Marion wrapped her back up in her arms, and pulled her inside. It was now time to start talking weddings again.

  Chapter Twenty

  It was now the first week in February and Ali was starting to get nervous. She and Flick had the next month off work. They figured they could use the first week and a half to make sure everything was going to go smoothly. After that they would have a few days to rest before the actual big day arrived. Then they were going to Italy for two weeks on honeymoon. Marion and Claude were taking the girls to France for two weeks while they were away.

  She knew that she shouldn’t panic and that everything would be okay. The Grand had things sorted out their end, which pretty much took care of everything. There were going to be about one hundred guests. The girls’ dresses were finished. Ali hadn’t actually seen them, as they wanted to surprise her. The photographer had been hired, and there was a band booked for the afternoon and evening receptions. Flick was the picture of calmness. She had completed all her shopping for the wedding, and the honeymoon. Ali was still yet to go holiday shopping.

  “You’re not nervous are you, baby?” Flick asked as she sat on Ali’s lap and kissed her.

  “Maybe just a little bit. I’m just sitting here going through things in my head. It seems everything is ready. We just need to go and pick the rings up a bit later on.”

  “Well the girls are going to Mum’s after school, so we can go out now, have lunch somewhere, get your holiday clothes and then go and get the rings.”

  “That’s a good idea, sweetie,” she kissed Flick and went to get her wallet and car keys.

  “If you’re really lucky, when we get home I will model one of the underwear sets I got for the honeymoon.”

  “I vote that we stay here, and find out what kind of trouble we can get in to.”

  Flick laughed, “I know what trouble we can get into. We didn’t get dressed yesterday until half an hour before the girls got home. We spent all day in bed. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just I’m knackered. My body needs time to catch up to my brain, perhaps we can have an early night tonight.”

  Ali pulled Flick closer and kissed her passionately.

  “Yeah okay. Lead on, darling, I’m in the mood for shopping.”

  ###

  They all arrived at The Grand Hotel on Thursday 11th. Just to be sure, everything was right they wanted to go over everything with the manager again. Ali was beside herself now, and convinced that something was going to go wrong.

  “We’ve paid nearly £50,000 for all of this, I want it to go right. If there is anything wrong here on Saturday, I’ll want to know why, and who is to blame.”

  “Ali, baby, calm down. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack at this rate. I don’t want my wife too sick to be able to go on honeymoon. Now sit down and be quiet. Or better yet go, and have a drink in the bar with Mum.”

  “Yeah okay, you’re right.”

  She kissed Flick’s cheek as she left. She found her Mum alone in the Bar. Claude had taken the girls out somewhere.

  “Hey, Mum. Mind if I join you?”

  “Of course not,” she motioned for a waiter. “A very large cognac for my daughter,” she looked at Ali, “darling, you need to calm down, you’re getting married in two days. It doesn’t matter if everything isn’t how you planned. The important thing is that, you’ll be marrying the woman you love no matter what.”

  “You’re right, Mum. I have been a bit of a bitch lately.”

  Marion chuckle softly at her daughter and smiled brightly as Flick came in and joined them.

  “It’s okay, Flick, I have just given her a lecture.”

  “Good,” Flick said loudly exhaling.

  Ali pulled flick to her and buried her face in her neck. “I’m sorry, Flick, just as long as we get the ceremony that’s all that matters,” they shared a cuddle and Ali visibly relaxed a little while in her arms.

  “Everything is just how we planned, love. Now no more bitchiness or panicking. It’s all taken care of.”

  She planted a kiss on her forehead, and smiled over at Marion who chuckled at the pair of them. If Ali was this bad now, god knows what she was going to be like on the actual morning of the wedding. She just hoped that Marion and Claude would be able to handle her. If not then she would send in the big guns. Belle. She had a calming effect on Ali, and Flick knew that Ali was well and truly wrapped around the child’s little finger.

  ###

  On Saturday morning it was Flick who was nervous. She had missed Ali so much last night. It was their first night apart, since she and the girls had moved in with her. Flick and the girls had shared a bed last night, but she didn’t sleep that well. She missed being in Ali’s arms. She had a vodka and tonic, at 12 p.m. to settle her nerves. The hairdresser had just left, and she was now having her makeup done. There was a knock on the door, and Marion entered.

  “How you doing, darling?” she asked placing her hands on her shoulders.

  “Nervous as hell. In an hour and a half I’m going to be a married woman. All I want to do is cry, I’m so happy.”

  “Ali is the same, she’s been blubbing like a baby since breakfast.”

  “Is she okay though? I missed her so much last night, I came close to banging on your door at 2:00 a.m.”

  “We had to restrain her, otherwise she would have been in here by 11:00 p.m. Now what do you need me to do?”

  “Nothing. Don’t you want to be with Ali? That’s a mother’s jo
b on her daughter’s wedding day, getting her ready.”

  “So that’s why I’m here. My Daughter is dressed, and is in the bar with Claude having a brandy to calm her nerves. Now I’m here to make sure my other, daughter, and granddaughters don’t need me.”

  “Thanks, Mum. Could you help me get my dress on, in a little while? The girls may need a little preening too.”

  Marion went off in search of the girls. Within half an hour Flick had her dress on, and they were having pictures taken in the suite before they went downstairs.

  The sound of The Flower Duet was reverberating, through the hallways and even in the Lobby. The double doors to the banquet room were pushed open, and the girls started to walk down the aisle, dropping white rose petals as they went. When they got to Ali they both hugged and kissed her.

  Claude took Flick’s hand.

  “My God, Flick, you’re beautiful, Ali doesn’t look to shabby either. I couldn’t be prouder than I am right now. I never thought I was going to get to experience this feeling. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  He kissed her cheek. Then the aria started playing again. This was their cue. Claude beamed with pride, as they entered the room. Ali was stood at the front with her back to Flick. Charlie looked at Flick and smiled, she then turned and said something to Ali. Once they reached the registrar, Ali finally turned and looked at her. Flick was stunned to see a tear roll down Ali’s cheek. Ali wiped the tear away, and then bent her head to Flick.

  “You look heavenly, darling,” she then planted a kiss on Flick’s cheek.

  The registrar asked everyone to be seated, and the ceremony began. Ali and Flick couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. The registrar had given up on holding their attention.

  When it came to their vows, there was an official piece they had to recite to the registrar. They would then recite their own vows, to each other. Flick was first.

  “My, lovely darling Alison. Before we met, I was nothing and had nothing. You were my light in a dark place. I love you with all my heart, and we will never be apart. I can’t wait for us to be married, as I will then be Mrs Macguire. Thank you for loving me. I will love and honour you, for our whole lives together.”

  Alison bent and kissed her on the mouth, and then took a deep breath.

  “It is I who have been brought to life by meeting you. You have brought my heart to life. It’s as though my heart beats only for you. You have brought so much happiness to my life. I love you whole heartedly with body and soul,” Ali wiped a tear away from her face, and accepted a tissue from her Mum. She had to compose herself before she continued. “Every time I see you it’s as if my heart is dancing. I promise to love you always, Felicity, with every cell in my body. I pledge that I will love you forever and always, and honour you for all the years to come.”

  Flick kissed Ali and the registrar continued with the service. Steph and Charlie signed the register and then, Alison and Felicity were pronounced Civil Partners. They shared a passion filled kiss, and turned to the girls who were crying. They motioned for the girls to come over, where they hugged them. As they made their way out of the ballroom the girls were at their sides holding their hands.

  The reception was beautiful, and everything was going as planned. The meal had been outstanding and the Champagne was flowing. The time had come for the speeches to be made. Ali and Flick had asked Marion to speak. Flick didn’t want to make a speech for fear of becoming too emotional, but Ali did. The Master of Ceremonies called for silence, and announced Marion as Mother of the brides.

  “I hope everyone is enjoying themselves. I have been asked by my daughters to say a few words. I don’t know about any of you, but I have never seen a love like these two share. If you have been privileged enough to be in their presence, you can see it and feel it. It’s almost as if it seeps out of their pores. They have made a lovely home together, and are now bringing up Annabelle and Chelsea in that home.”

  “ I never thought I would even have one grandchild, so I’m privileged to have two. But back to Ali and Flick, they are soul mates. Ali fell in love with Flick when they were at secondary school, and there has been nobody else, that has touched Ali this way. They were meant to be together. Claude and I have tried to think of a suitable gift, but what can you buy two people who already have everything they want? I would like you all to raise your glasses to my daughters. To Alison and Felicity, May you grow old together sharing the same pillow!”

  Everyone raised a glass and applauded Marion. Alison stood up and the silence returned. “Well here we are. Just over a year of, being together and we’re already married. That’s how sure I am of my love for Flick. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this day possible, and to you all for coming. But mainly to Flick and our daughters, who have had to put up with me for the last week, walking around like a bear with a sore head. Flick has given me something I never thought I would have. Children. I love how she has given this to me, and I’m glad that our house is now full with laughter. I love you Annabelle and Chelsea. But most of all I love you Flick. Thank you for the gift of love you have given to me. By the way Annabelle and Chelsea. When we get home from honeymoon, you will be getting the one thing you have been going on about for ages.”

  Flick pulled Ali to her and kissed her passionately. She didn’t care who saw.

  “Yay!!! We’re getting a dog!!!” Annabelle shouted.

  Ali smiled against Flick’s lips and had to laugh at their daughter’s antics.

  ###

  At the evening reception, Ali and Flick were asked to take to the floor, for the first slow dance of the night. They glided across the floor together, completely as one.

  “What did Charlie say to you, as I walked down the aisle?” Flick asked.

  “She told me how beautiful you looked, and that I was the luckiest woman on earth. I tend to agree with her.”

  “I love you, Mrs Macguire.”

  “I love you too, Mrs Macguire.”

  “I’ve had a brilliant day. I never realised how tiring getting married would be.”

  “I hope you’re not that tired, baby.”

  “Why, have you got something planned for me?”

  “Yes, and I think you’re going to be a busy woman all night long.”

  “Now, what gives you that idea?”

  “Well, it has something to do with the underwear I have on. It’s a Basque with suspenders and stockings.”

  “Can we go up now?”

  Flick laughed, “we have to wait at least another hour and a half, before we can leave.”

  “You want a bet?”

  Ali swept Flick off her feet into her arms and carried her to the lift.

  “Alison Elizabeth Macguire, where do you think you’re going? You still have guests.”

  “Please send our apologies, but we’re starting the honeymoon early. We paid for it so we can go when we want. I’ve got a Do Not Disturb sign, a bed scattered with rose petals, and a gorgeous new wife. Figure it out, Mother.”

  She shot her Mum a smile, and Marion threw her head back and laughed. The lift door closed and Flick kissed Ali.

  “God, Mrs Macguire, you can be so demanding and I think it’s very, very sexy.”

  “I know what I want, what I’ll always want.”

  “Oh yeah. What might that be?”

  “You naked and in my arms.”

  Flick was still in her arms as they got off the lift. As they reached their room, Flick smiled as she knew Ali wouldn’t be able to open the door unless she put her down. To her surprise Ali managed to get the door open without dropping her.

  Ali walked across the room and laid Flick down on the bed. She found the door sign and champagne. Ali poured two glasses, and put the sign on the door handle. She kicked the door shut, an made her way back to her wife. This was the start of a very long night and a very long and happy life together.

  The End.

  e Returns