by Kyra Lennon
“Okay,” I said, turning back to my friends. “We need to start getting ourselves organised. Where are my little ones?”
Deanna laughed. “Kayla is in the playroom with them. She arrived at eight thirty, shortly after us. They’re all excited.”
“Was Jayden okay last night?”
It had played on my mind a little, because although he knew Mitch and Deanna, he had been thrust into a group of kids he had never met before. It must have been a little daunting for him. He was coping reasonably well without Jen being around, but James had said that he often woke up in the middle of the night crying for her. It was that fact that really sealed our decision to let him stay with James. Jayden told us himself that he liked being near to his little brother, and that when he felt sad, he would get his toys out and play with Harley because being with his brother made him feel better.
“He was absolutely fine. He and Jamie got along brilliantly, and Grace kept following him around like a lost lamb.”
I glanced at Chrissie. “First crush?”
Chrissie laughed. “I wish. Three years old, and she’s already got favourite boy friends back home.”
If Josh had been in the room, he’d have made a crack about how she turned after her auntie. I couldn’t even deny it. I had a lot of “boyfriends” starting from when I was five years old. I just hoped Grace would be lucky enough not to follow me down the road of dating disasters as she got older.
“Before I do anything else,” I said, “I need to go and see my girl. Then… then we need to start getting ready!”
Izzy and Bree both let out excited squeals, making everyone laugh, before I headed down the hall to see Jessica, Jayden, Jamie, Grace and Kayla.
What followed over the next few hours can only be described as a tangle of hair, make-up, dresses, perfume and laughter. It’s no easy task to get a bridal party of ten, plus two mums, and including four under eleven-year-olds ready. Bree did an incredible job on our make-up, and Anita, who Bree had worked with several times, had given us perfect hair. My own hair had been styled in such a way that I couldn’t quite figure out how she’d done it. It had been kind of pinned back a little at the sides, and then weaved together in an intricate way so curls hung down my back. When I finally put my dress on, I’d never felt more like a princess in my life – and I was never really a princess kind of girl.
But for my wedding day, it felt right.
It was twelve fifteen when we were all made up and in our dresses, and Jamie and Jayden were in their suits. Freya, Bree, Chrissie, Izzy, and Kayla looked absolutely stunning in their deep plum-coloured gowns. It had taken forever for everyone to be happy with a style, but the one we’d settled on was perfect for everyone. The dresses had spaghetti straps, with fitted bodices. The material was gathered at the waist on the left side, and then the skirts flowed down to the floor. The light, floaty material would allow them to dance easily later. Jessica and Grace wore white short-sleeved dresses with a thin plum-coloured ribbon at the waist, and delicate, tiny plum-coloured flowers on the front of the skirt. Jamie and Jayden looked adorable in their dark blue trousers, white shirts, and dark blue waistcoats and bow ties. Their suits matched the ones the guys would be wearing, though the men would wear jackets, not waistcoats.
“Wow,” I said, as I stared at my entourage. “I can’t believe how amazing you all look.”
“Us?” Freya choked out, her eyes filling with tears. “Look at you!”
Smiling, I looked around at my friends and family, and took a deep breath. “Before anything else happens today, because once we go downstairs and the wedding happens, things are going to get crazy, I just want to tell you all how much I love you. And how much I appreciate having you in my life. I know this sounds corny, but I wouldn’t be who I am without all of you. Every one of you has influenced me, and taught me things, and I don’t think I could have gotten through this year without you. So… thank you. Just… thank you.”
While the younger members of the group were either disinterested or didn’t understand, Freya, Bree, Kayla, Izzy and Chrissie all rushed forward to hug me.
“We love you too,” Bree said.
“However,” Chrissie added, as we broke apart, “we’re gonna go and wait in the hall to give you a little time to yourself.”
I nodded, grateful. As much as I needed my girls around me, the swarms of people surrounding all of us since we’d arrived had become a bit much, and I needed a quick time out before the wedding.
My friends slowly filed out of the room, and once I was alone, I let out a sigh. The silence was almost deafening for a moment, and I had to take a few more deep breaths until I was used to being alone again.
When I was younger, I was never the girl who dreamed of her wedding day. Sure, I played dress up with my friends now and again, but the end goal for me was having a life. A life that centred around more than a nine to five job, a husband, and two point four children. I knew I wanted a family at some point, but what had always mattered the most was living a life I was happy in, and not just muddling through with no direction.
Now, there I was on my wedding day, less than an hour away from marrying Radleigh McCoy. I’d done it. I’d worked my arse off to get a good career, and I’d got a job many people would have been envious of. Sure, I screwed up. A lot. More than once. But things were on the right track now, and I was about to get that dream job back again. I was about to have everything I’d ever need. Some would probably say I didn’t deserve it. That some of the things I did meant I should face a horrendous attack of karma, but as far as I was concerned, I’d had it. In spades. Nothing I ever did went unpunished.
It was my turn to be happy.
A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts, and I smiled as Deanna stepped into my room. For a second, she stared at me, shaking her head as if in awe.
“Sorry,” she said, laughing. “I can’t deal with how beautiful you look. My almost daughter-in-law.”
My heart swelled in my chest. “You look beautiful too, Dee.”
She really did. She wore a knee-length sheath dress in navy blue. The top was made of elegant lace, leading down to a satin skirt. For an older woman, she was absolutely stunning.
“I have a gift for you from Radeigh,” she said.
“He’s here?”
Deanna burst out laughing. “Don’t sound so surprised. Of course he’s here! Mitch said he’s been up since five this morning.”
“Oh no! I hope he doesn’t fall asleep during the reception.”
“Not a chance. He’s too wired to sleep. He can’t wait to see you.” Deanna opened up her hand to reveal a small red velvet box. “He said to tell you that, if it doesn’t ruin your outfit too much, he’d like you to wear it.” She grinned, and I could just imagine him laughing as he said it.
Taking it from her, I lifted the lid and smiled. Inside was a silver locket. The front was diamond encrusted, and when I opened the locket, tears sprang to my eyes. On one side was a photo of me and Radleigh. One of the first photos ever taken of us as a couple when we were in London. On the other side, engraved into the silver, were the words, “More than words can say.” The memory of the words I’d said to him in the hospital made me bite my lip to stop the tears from falling.
I turned the box around to show Deanna, and her eyes welled up too. “Oh, that boy of mine. He might play the tough guy, but he’s sappy, just like his father.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Deanna. You and Mitch raised the perfect man for me to spend the rest of my life with. I love you both so much.”
“We love you too, Leah. But you are the one who turned Radleigh into the man he is now. Without you, he might have continued to go through his life without ever really loving a woman again. I’m so glad he found you.”
“I think we found each other.”
Deanna nodded. “I think you’re right.”
Stepping forward, I hugged her tight, still trying to get a grip on my emotions. I was going to be exhausted by the e
nd of the wedding from all these feelings I was trying to keep in check. As we let go of each other, I took the necklace from the box.
“Please can you help me put this on?”
Deanna nodded, and I placed the chain around my neck, turning so she could fasten it for me. My change of position had me facing the mirror, and I stared at myself for a moment. I hadn’t realised anything was missing, but with the necklace in place, I was ready. Outfit complete.
“Is this really me?” I asked, chuckling. I never had a confidence problem when it came to my looks, but something about me looked different. Better.
“It’s you,” Deanna said. “And if you’re wondering why you look different… take a closer look at your eyes.”
I squinted slightly. “Bree did a great job with my mascara…”
Deanna shook her head, laughing. “They’re sparkling. The way they do when you’re really happy. Not just every day happy, but so happy you could burst. That’s what’s different today. You had that look when Jessica was born. I’ve seen it now and again when I catch you and Radleigh looking at each other when you think nobody is paying attention.”
I turned to her. “I am happy. So, so happy.”
“I know.”
Another tap on the door broke our moment, and this time it was my mum and dad who entered. “Sorry,” Mum said. “We can come back.”
“No,” I said, quickly. “Please, come in.”
Deanna gave me another hug. “I’ll leave you to it. See you soon, honey.”
A little shiver ran through me knowing the next time I saw her would be when I walked down the aisle. As she left the room, Mum and Dad came farther inside, and they both stared at me, just like Deanna had. Mum had already seen me in my dress, but Dad hadn’t, and his eyes misted over. Seeing him overcome with emotion made a lump form in my throat. Dad didn’t really do emotion. He was quiet. Not quite browbeaten by my mother, but he certainly preferred the peaceful life.
“Leah.” He choked out my name, swallowing hard. Words seemed to fail him, and I walked towards him and fell into his arms. He kissed the top of my head, and as I glanced at my mum, she smiled.
“We have something for you,” she said.
I turned slightly, still keeping one arm firmly wrapped around my dad. I was having a hard time forming words too, so I just looked at her, waiting.
Mum fumbled in her clutch bag, and I thought how lovely she looked. While Deanna was the glamorous kind of beautiful, my mum was… well, mumsy, but still beautiful in a more prim and proper kind of way. She wore a dusky pink dress which was similar in style to Deanna’s, though the top had an embroidered rose pattern on instead of lace. After a moment or two, Mum pulled out yet another velvet box – this one black. I appeared to be stuck in some kind of jewellery-giving loop.
As Mum passed the box to me, she said, “I know you already have earrings on, and you really don’t have to wear these, it’s just, I wasn’t sure if you’ve got your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. I know your dress is new, but what’s in this box covers everything else.”
I glanced down at the box for a second before opening it up and gasping. “Mum…”
“You always loved these when you were a little girl. And I thought maybe you might like to wear them today.”
My eyes fixed on the tiny diamond earrings resting on a bed of white satin. They’d belonged to my grandma. Mum inherited them when my grandma died, and anytime Mum wore them, I always told her how pretty they were, and how I wanted a pair just like them when I was a grown up. They were a very pale blue, so pale you almost couldn’t tell there was a colour to them at all.
Mum was right. They were blue, borrowed, and certainly old.
“Thank you,” I breathed. “I want to wear them.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Smiling, I headed back to the mirror, to swap my new diamond earrings for ones which meant so much more. When I was done, I turned back to my parents and let out a long breath. “So… I guess it’s almost time.”
Mum nodded, smiling. “I have to go downstairs and take my seat soon, but we just wanted a minute with you. Leah… the last few years have been… well, you know. There have been a lot of ups and downs. All we ever wanted for you was to find someone who loved you and would take care of you. And even though you live so far away from us now, you have that. Being here for the past week has showed us how happy you are. How settled you are. We’ve seen how right it is for you to be here, and you’re an amazing mother. We just… we want you to know… we’re proud of you, Leah.”
That did it. I’d tried so hard not to cry, but I’d waited my whole life to hear those words. Don’t get me wrong, I knew they were proud of the things I’d achieved, but most of the time, I felt like I was a disappointment for not doing what they wanted me to do. To hear those words out loud was the best gift I could have asked for.
Thank God for waterproof mascara.
My parents wrapped me into a hug, and we held each other for a long time. “I love you both so much,” I told them.
“We love you too,” Dad said, and I caught him brushing away a tear of his own as he straightened up. “Now. I think it’s about time your mum went to take her seat because…” he paused then smiled. “I’ve got to walk you down that aisle.”
Chapter Fourteen – Thank You
You know that tradition of the bride being late for her wedding? Well, first of all, I would never have pulled that off since the wedding was in my own house. But mostly, I couldn’t wait another second longer than I had to to see my man. Screw tradition; I didn’t want to be late.
My arm was linked through my dad’s, bridesmaids and page boys behind me as we stood just outside the marquee. I peered inside and gasped. I hadn’t had a chance to see it all set up as most of it had been done the day before, and once I’d arrived home I’d been marched up the stairs, but it was exactly as I’d envisioned it. High backed white chairs lined the inside, and each chair had a fancy bow tied around the back, in the same plum shade as my bridesmaids’ dresses. White roses were displayed on plinths along the aisle, and I could hear the gentle chatter of our guests as they waited. At the end of the long aisle, I could see Bryce, but my view of Radleigh was mostly obscured as he stood right in front of the guests, out of my line of sight.
“Are you ready?” Dad asked, and I nodded, even though all of a sudden I was having trouble breathing.
I turned to look at my stunning bridesmaids who all beamed back at me.
“Let’s do this,” Bree said, grinning.
Nodding again, I turned to face the entrance of the marquee, and as the music began, silence fell over the room, and everyone stood up. Radleigh and I had chosen a slowed down version of Still Into You by Paramore as the song I’d walk down the aisle to. The lyrics were so perfect – speaking of a couple who didn’t necessarily have an easy relationship, but still felt butterflies, still loved each other as much as they had when they first met.
I blinked away tears as we began the slow, long walk down the aisle. Friends and family smiled at me as I passed them, and I tried hard to smile back, but all I wanted to do was reach Radleigh. He didn’t turn around right away, and I knew he wouldn’t. However, Bryce did, and his eyes widened as they fell on me. He gave Radleigh a gentle nudge, and whispered something to him. A second later, he looked over his shoulder.
There are no words to describe how I felt when his eyes met mine. Talk about butterflies. They took flight inside my stomach, soaring around at the joy in his gaze. I wanted to drop my bouquet and run to him. He gave me the smile. The smile he reserved for me, and my breath caught. He’d never looked more perfect to me than he did in his tailored suit, silently willing me to hurry up and get to him.
Everyone else ceased to exist.
It seemed like years before I reached him, but when I did, as much as I wanted to fall into his arms, I remembered to hug my dad and kiss him on the cheek before he “handed me over�
� to Radleigh.
“I love you, Dad,” I whispered.
“I love you too.” He nodded towards Radleigh. “Now, go to him before the anticipation kills him.”
Laughing, I placed another kiss on his cheek then handed my bouquet to Freya before finally turning to Radleigh. His eyes glimmered as he stared at me for a moment, then reached out and put his hands on my waist, drawing me in to him and holding me close. I let out a breath as I circled my arms around his neck. It had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d seen him, but it felt like forever. The feel of his lips on mine, in a kiss that might have got us thrown out of a church, told me everything I needed to know.
We were there. We’d made it.
“Leah,” he whispered against my cheek. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you. And thank you for the necklace. It’s gorgeous.”
“So are you.” He brushed his lips against mine one more time. “You ready to get married?”
Grinning, I said, “I’ve been ready since… London.”
Radleigh chuckled softly. “Let’s do this.”
I stood beside my man in front of our family and friends, and we exchanged vows. As much as we could have written our own epic vows, we decided to stick with tradition – everything else about our relationship hadn’t followed the rules, so we decided to do this one thing the “normal” way before, no doubt, heading back to our usual unconventional routine.
There was no stopping us when Radleigh was told he could kiss the bride. He turned to me with the biggest smile, placed his hands on my face, and kissed me hard. I couldn’t help laughing as his tongue found mine. If we’d had the choice, we’d have slipped away for a private celebration, but when applause and whistles erupted around us, we reluctantly broke apart. There was a hell of a long way to go before we were allowed any alone time.