by Fox Brison
That would definitely put the mockers on the day.
My heart sank into my furry slippers. “You being here wouldn’t have changed anything, Dad,” I stood up and began pacing. “I still would have fallen for Skye. I’d still be who I am.”
“What?”
“Even if you’d been a househusband, I’d still have been a lesbian, Dad!”
“What? Oh, pet, no… that’s not what I meant at all!” He raked his hands through his thick salt and pepper hair; he might not have been around but we shared several mannerisms. “This is why I let your Mam do the talking, I make a right pig’s ear out of it. No, I meant if I’d been around more I could’ve gone to that shite Donaghie’s house and given him a taste of his own medicine.”
Tears rose in my eyes, relieved and upset I’d misjudged him so terribly. “Dad,” I sat back down and put my arm around his broad shoulders. “No one knew the extent of his cruelty until it was too late. You being around wouldn’t have made a ha’peth of difference.”
“Perhaps so, but promise me, Natalie, promise you won’t make the same mistakes as me. Skye’s as good a woman as you’re ever likely to find. If there are choices to be made in the future, remember that being there for your wife and family is the most important job you have in life.”
“I will, Dad, and thank you.” He kissed the top of my head and stood up. I grabbed his hand and he tilted his head in question. “You’re a great dad, you know. Never doubt that.”
“And you’re going to be an even better mam.”
Why the hell was everyone suddenly obsessed with babies!
“Do you have something old, something new?” He changed the subject, much to my relief.
“No, I hadn’t thought about it.”
He produced a hankie from his trouser pocket and slowly unwrapped it. Inside was an old fashioned gold watch, a round one with a mother of pearl face. It was beautiful “I got this when I left the merchant navy. I had it inscribed for you.”
I cradled the watch in the palm of my hand and flipped it over carefully. Wiping the last of my tears away with the hankie it was wrapped in, I read the words etched into the metal on the back.
Life is tough my darling daughter, but never forget, so are you.
It was my turn to be lost for words.
Chapter 47
Skye
My wedding day dawned bright. Amazingly bright. And for the second time in two days, a hand slapped mine away as I reached out for Natalie beside me.
“How many more times, I’m Angie not Nat,” Angie said with a chuckle.
I blushed. It had become as intrinsic as breathing; as soon as my brain clicked into gear, some part of my body would seek Natalie’s warmth. Who am I kidding? My brain wasn’t in gear half the time when I’d snuggle into her first thing.
“You’d be so lucky,” I muttered.
Angie laughed and touched my hand. “I would be and so is Nat.” She said it so sincerely I felt the tears rise.
“Coffee’s on,” Ali called from the living room. “We have three hours. Let’s go, people, we have a schedule to keep.”
“She’s the first person I’ve met who’s more anal than ye,” Angie whispered. “A lot more!”
“Yeah we’d better do as she says. I was on her bad side for long enough and it isn’t the prettiest of views!” I opened my eyes wide. “Oh. My. God, Ange,” I whispered, before squealing, “I’m getting married.”
***
I slipped on my dress, took a deep breath and checked myself in the mirror. My ivory dress was a simple floor length affair. It appeared as if it was in two sections. The top, which crossed over my chest, was separated from the bottom by a thin silver band at the waist. The smooth satin skirt clung to my hips, and fanned out until it reached the floor. I wore peep toed heels to match. My hair was hanging loose and poker straight – Angie had spent twenty minutes with a pair of straighteners and the threat of the iron if I didn’t sit still. I went for the minimalistic look with my makeup - smoky eye shadow and a little gloss on my lips.
“Breathtaking,” a soft voice interrupted. I turned and smiled seeing Robbie and Cameron standing at the door, both resplendent in their new suits. Tears prickled in the back of my eyes. The shareholders of Kleenex were going to ‘clean up’ today. They bought new suits. For me. My brothers owned one ubiquitous suit that was dusted off for every special occasion, births, marriages and deaths, and the fact they’d been considerate enough not to wear the same one they wore at my father’s funeral spoke volumes.
Words sometimes didn’t cut it, they were pale imitations of the truth you wanted to share. But gestures? The million small gestures, the thousand grand ones, they all led to this one moment.
My brothers in new suits.
“Sit for a minute,” Robbie said. I raised my eyebrows but did as he asked. “Mam didn’t have much in the way of finery and most of what she did have went in the bins, and her jewellery, well Dad sold most of it. However,” he pulled out a string of pearls from his pocket, “we managed to save these. I remember you would sit at her dresser wearing them and she’d tell you that they were for you to give to your daughter one day, just like her Mam had done to her.” I choked back a tear and removed the small gold chain I’d been wearing; Robbie tenderly put the pearls around my neck and fastened the gold clasp at the back. I ran my fingers over them, their opaque lustre shimmering in the late morning light. It raised memories, good memories, of my mother and the generations of women who’d worn them before me. “We weren’t part of your life for so long, Skye, but these pearls are a promise to be there for the rest of it. When your daughter wears these down the aisle, her uncles will be there feeling as proud as we do right now.”
Cameron took over. “We love you, Skye, always have always will.”
“Jesus, will you stop! Ali will have a fit if I ruin her makeover!” I said, choking on a laughing cry. I didn’t think it would be possible to be any happier at that moment, and then I thought about Natalie waiting for me. “Come on, I don’t want Nat to think I’ve left her standing at the altar!
Chapter 48
Skye
Rob took my left arm and Cameron my right as I waited nervously outside the main hall of the castle. Behind me, Angie and Ali were gorgeous in their lavender satin dresses and bringing up the rear were Jamie, Malky and Melissa, the boys in suits to match their dad, a lavender tie finishing off their outfits, and Melissa? Well she wanted to be like her Aunty Nat and wear a suit, so Ali made a compromise and Melissa wore cream trousers and a lavender blouse. She looked as cute as a button.
The wedding march echoed throughout the room ahead of us and I nodded. Stepping inside, I glimpsed at the congregation before starting down the aisle. Sara had done us proud. The aisle was separating two blocks of chairs, each one covered in white cotton with lavender bows on the back. Down either side were tall planters containing the white and lilac rose bowls we’d made. I spotted Nat’s straight away and smiled. They provided a nice contrast to the yellowing brick walls of the hall. A table at the front was set out ready for us to sign the register, witnessed by all our friends and family, the white tablecloth divided by a two tone purple runner. Another bowl of flowers was centred on it, filled with trailing rosemary and white gypsophila.
Everyone turned in their seats as I entered, and although I usually hated being the centre of attention, today I didn’t mind. I was so proud I felt like I was about to rupture something vital, like my spleen or heart. Brooke and Abby caught my eye first, big grins that made me smile back and sitting in front of them were Tara and Michael, Michael in his kilt. That made me chuckle dryly, considering how much Nat deplored having to wear one for Andy and Sara’s wedding. Tommy was sat beside them and he winked. My step faltered. I couldn’t believe I was going to be related to him. However, two steps later Natalie came into focus and from that second on, I only had eyes for her.
She’d surprised me; I knew she wouldn’t be wearing a dress but oh wow, did she we
ar the women’s tuxedo well. Damned well. So well I almost stuttered to a stop to appreciate the view. The fitted jacket cinched in at her waist and the trousers hung loosely over her long limbs. It was midnight blue, with darker satin lapels, a white shirt and… oh nice touch, a lilac bow tie. She was a delicious mix of adorable and sexy as hell.
And in half an hour she would officially be mine.
Holding my bouquet of white and lilac roses tightly, I ignored the slight shake in my hand. Although it took barely a minute to reach Natalie’s side, it had been a lifetime in the making. It was another movie moment, one I never thought I would ever have with a woman I truly didn’t really deserve. The congregation faded into the background away until it was simply me and my future wife. “Hey,” she said softly and smiled.
“Hey,” I replied, handing my bouquet to Angie. Or Ali. Or maybe it was Rob. I don’t know who it was, because my entire world sharpened to Natalie and nothing else.
“You look incredible,” her eyes were focussed on me too. That was nice. I could lose myself in their depths.
“You’re not so bad yourself, stud.” I leaned in for a kiss.
“Ahem,” I blushed hearing the interrupting cough of the registrar and the laughter from the congregation.
As we began saying our vows, humble intentions and oaths to each other, sunlight streamed through the Castle’s high window bathing us in warmth. Accuweather had predicted wet and windy conditions and I had nightmares of the slope leading up to the castle becoming treacherous and someone, possibly Nat, probably me, breaking their necks.
It turned out to be the warmest February day since records began.
“Ahem?” Sara this time and she made a hurry up sign with her hand.
I jerked. Again I had been so lost in Nat’s eyes I forgot everything else that was going on. Vows. Right. I have this. “I love you, Natalie Ann Jeffries,” I began simply. “I will honour and cherish our life together. Everything I am, everything I will be, is down to the care and protection you provide me with.” Noting the emotion of the occasion overwhelming Nat, I quickly adlibbed, “And I will happily pick up your wet towels off of the bathroom floor for as long as I live.”
Natalie laughed which was the desired effect. Still nervous, she battled through it. “I love you too Skye Donaghie. I don’t care where I go or what I do, as long as I can reach out and touch your beautiful face, as long as I can see the love I have for you reflected in your eyes.” Her voice cracked. I wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks and took her hands in mine, squeezing gently. “Your strength and courage is my inspiration and I promise the love I have for you will light your darkness better than all the stars in the heavens combined. You were my first love, you are my only love and you will be my last love.”
We slipped plain platinum bands onto each other’s fingers to a barely whispered awww from the audience; even Tommy Morton had a tear in his eye. We shared out first kiss as a married couple to the rapturous applause of the congregation, not a tradition in England, but clearly instigated by Brooke and Abby if the whoot, whoots were anything to go by.
Was it perfect?
It was beyond perfect, I’d say.
Chapter 49
Skye
The reception was wonderful. Mrs Je… Mam, I corrected myself, did us proud. The food was delicious and the drink flowed freely although I abstained. I wanted to remember every single second of this day. Family. Friends. Each moment locked away to be pulled out at a later date and savoured.
Plus there was the little red circle in my diary.
It may have been pushed, or rather thrust unceremoniously, to the back of my mind, but it was still there and it would be twice as bad with a sore head. There was also a chance I could grow maudlin, and that was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.
Sara stood up and clinked a fork against her glass. The tent grew still and waited expectantly.
I waited nervously.
“Sixteen years ago I chose a seat in French class, not knowing that one simple decision was going to change my life, and my family’s life, forever. It was the start of a friendship that has powered its way through the years, through good and bad, through weddings and births. Skye Donaghie was a mouse, or so I thought. Little did I know she had a core of steel running deep in her veins, a core that has moulded her into the amazing person she is today. To my new sister, Skye!” Everyone raised their glasses and repeated my name. “Nat,” Sara turned her attention to my wife. My wife. Christ. If I thought fiancée felt good saying my wife was spine tingling. It quietened down again. “My baby sister. What can I say? You’ve finally done something right.” There were soft chuckles which she allowed to die down before continuing. “When I first realised you had a crush on my best friend, I freaked out. Not because you liked girls, but because you were a complete shit.”
“Thanks, Sis, you can wrap it up whenever you want,” Natalie called.
“I’m joking, keep your knickers on, well,” she qualified, “for the next few hours at least.” Sara winked and the place erupted. “No but seriously, I never thought anyone was good enough for Skye, until you finally grew up and admitted your feelings. I’ve never known two people who deserve the abundant love they share, and the happiness and strength they give each other. I love you both and there is no doubt in my mind you will enjoy a long and loving life filled with laughter. To Skye and Natalie, my best friends, my sisters!” She received a standing ovation, which, to my mind, was thoroughly deserved.
***
The warm weather extended all afternoon which meant we were able to open the tent flaps and place some tables and chairs outside. After Sara’s speech I was feeling emotional and overwrought, so I slipped away quietly to gather myself. Natalie found me hiding at the bottom of the garden watching the sun set. “Okay?” she asked.
“Uh huh, you?” I took the ends of her now loosened bow tie and pulled her to me. She shuddered as I first kissed along her jaw, and then down the open v of her shirt, popping an extra couple of buttons as I went, sucking at the point just above her breasts something that drove her wild.
And one of my guilty pleasures.
If we’d been at home and not twenty metres away from a tent full of our family and friends, I’m not sure I would have stopped. I slowly stepped back when I heard Cam and Tommy on the other side of the bush. “Shh,” I giggled. “Listen.” They were both obviously very drunk.
“I asked that lassie to dance,” Tommy said.
“Which one?” Cameron asked.
“You know, the blonde Yank. Turns out she plays for Nat’s team.”
“Sunderland or Boston?” Cameron was quite clueless.
“Nah, she’s gay. I’m never going to find myself a wife, Cam. All the good ones are taken or lesbian.”
Nat and I couldn’t contain our laughter and ran when Tommy called through the hedge, “Hey, who’s there?”
The party went on into the wee small hours but Nat and I excused ourselves as the church bells rang out midnight.
To whoops and claps, of course.
Chapter 50
Skye
Monday morning arrived far too quickly for my liking. Nat and I sat in her car outside the breast clinic; she held my hand, but didn’t speak. It was such a contrast from the past two days. The wedding on Saturday was everything I could have hoped for (multiplied by one million) and yesterday saw a steady stream of people pop in to the cottage to say thanks and what a great day it had been. Then last night Brooke and Abby came for an early ‘see you soon’ dinner, because Tommy was driving them to the airport at six this morning for their flight back to Boston. I shuddered. He has it bad for Brooke; God I hope he doesn’t make too much of an arse of himself. I used the too much, because it was Tommy and he couldn’t help but make a bit of an arse of himself.
The last few weeks with Nat was exactly what I needed and I would spend the rest of my life thanking her for that. The thought of losing her was one hundred times worse than the thought of this
appointment.
The clinic was not at all what I expected. It certainly doesn’t feel clinical, I mused as I gave my name to the receptionist whilst handing over my appointment letter. She in turn gave me a questionnaire to fill out. After I completed the form, Nat and I waited. “I downloaded this for you; I thought it might help pass the time.” She offered me her phone, where Mmm Fingers, a highly addictive game Jamie had introduced us to at Christmas, was queued up and ready to go. “I got Jamie to post a score that might challenge you more than my measly eighty-five.”
I looked at her, astounded. Could she be any more wonderful?
But my silence led her to the wrong conclusion and she hung her head. “I’m sorry, darling, I thought… never mind it was a stupid idea. Sorry.” She tried to take her phone back but I held onto it tightly.
“Hey, it was a genius idea. I have a confession though, I secretly downloaded it onto my tablet so I could beat the kids next time they came round. Now let’s see what Jamie got.” It really was the best idea ever. The forty five minute wait could have been torturous but it was actually fun. Nat even chanced her luck a few times.
“You’d think being a lesbian I could master a game called Mmm Fingers,” she muttered, pouting at her failure to cross the century line once again.
“Mrs Donaghie Jeffries?” the nurse called. “Mrs Donaghie Jeffries?” she repeated almost immediately.
“Yes, yes I’m here but hang on a min, I’m on for my best score!” I sailed past Jamie’s five hundred and thirty one and high fived Nat. Everyone stared at us like we were insane and maybe they were right. “Sorry,” I said, leaving my chair and we followed her into the consultant’s office, my nerves ramping up with every step.