Chapter 5

• I pull out of her kiss and glance around to see everyone seems to be feeling the same way, all of them wiping their eyes, overcome with emotion. Even Ben has a tear in his eye. Nothing has ever felt so right and so damn well fucking deserved. This is a fight the whole family has fought.
• Fought and won.
• The victors.
• The victor is love.
• I desperately wish I could bottle this perfect moment in time so I could replay it again and again throughout my life.
• “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
• Through teary eyes Natasha laughs, leans closer, and tenderly cups my face.
• “Kiss me, my husband.”
• Our lips touch and I am lost.
• Natasha
• The weather has been flawless, just like the night. It’s still and just coming on to eight o’clock. Joshua and I have been married for approximately three fabulous hours and I can’t wipe the stupid smile from my face. A large, long table sits underneath the tree, covered in white linen tablecloths. Overhead branches are adorned with fairy lights, while candles and beautiful flowers embellish the table. We are drinking the most ridiculously expensive champagne known to man and everyone is laughing and chatting loudly. Large lanterns are lit around the perimeter, and music is being piped out to the entire space. It’s magical, to say the least. Never, in my wildest of wild dreams, could I have imagined that I would get married in such a heavenly place. We have just eaten a beautiful meal and now we’re all mingling and laughing. This is the most relaxed we have both been for a very long time, and I feel a deep, sated happiness, relieved that we have finally done it.
• We are legally married.
• I keep catching Joshua looking at the ring on his hand while talking as if not believing it has actually happened. I know how he feels. I can hardly believe it myself.
• The waitresses pour everyone another champagne and Joshua stands at the table. Cameron taps the side of his glass with his fork and everyone takes their seat back at their designated spaces. I sit next to Joshua and he places his hand on my shoulder affectionately.
• The table falls silent as they wait for his speech, and he seemingly pulls himself together, as if preparing to be serious.
• He smiles and swallows nervously. “I would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate with us.” He raises his glass as if finished and everyone laughs. Oh, he’s nervous. My heart melts for my beautiful man and I grab his hand in a reassuring gesture.
• He hesitates as his face falls solemn and he drops his head. He looks to the empty place next to my mum and the candle that’s burning there. My dad’s empty place at the table. My eyes instantly cloud over.
• “John.” He hesitates again and the table falls deathly silent. “There.” His voice cracks and he stops. A tear falls onto my cheek and I squeeze his hand just that little bit harder.
• “There isn’t a day goes by when you are not in my thoughts.”
• Mum drops her head in sadness but Bridget grabs her hand.
• “I go over it again and again. Wondering if I did things differently, would you still be here with us?”
• He hesitates and my blurry eyes stare up at him.
• Brock drops his head in sadness, too, and I hear Bridget sniff loudly.
• “The only relief I have is the hope that you will rest in peace knowing that I will spend the rest of my life ensuring your daughter’s happiness. Nobody could ever love her more than I do.”
• The bittersweet tears run down my face before I quickly wipe them away.
• I will not be sad today. I will not be sad today. I will not be sad today.
• “More than any other day, I wish you were here today, celebrating our love with us.”
• Joshua raises his glass. “To John.”
• Everyone raises their glasses. “To John.” They repeat sadly.
• He regains his composure and he raises his glass to our guests. “To you lot.” He smiles broadly and everyone chuckles. “You have had to endure more in the last few months than any friendship should ever have to endure.”
• Cameron interjects. “Amen to that!”
• Everyone laughs out loud.
• Joshua smirks at his beloved brother and continues his speech. “And yet you have all been so loyal and so committed to us.” He hesitates and I know he is becoming emotional. “We will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have done and the tears you have shed for us.” He raises his glass happily. “To you lot.”
• Everyone smiles, nods and raises their glass in agreement. “To us lot.” They all laugh.
• He turns his attention to me, and I smile as I hold my breath.
• “Natasha,” he whispers.
• I smile through my tears.
• “For two days I have been trying to get this speech right in my head with what I want to say.” He frowns. “But how do I put into words how I feel about you?”
• I smile.
• “Words fall short,” he whispers.
• Oh, I love this man. I place my hand over my heart as I literally swoon all over the table.
• “There aren’t enough words or stars in the sky.”
• I smile. Could he be any more perfect?
• “So I am just going to say it like it is.” He smirks.
• Abbie and Bridget raise their glasses at me. This speech is going to be super romantic, I just know it. I smile broadly in anticipation.
• “You are a beautiful, intelligent, uncoordinated drama queen.”
• My mouth drops open in horror and the table erupts into laughter. This is not at all what any of us were expecting.
• He holds his hands up to order silence as his smile erupts.
• “A beautiful slut who I fucking adore.”
• The table once more erupts into loud laughter. Oh my God, this is the worst wedding speech ever. My eyes flick to Mum who gives me a wink and smiles broadly while I put my hand over my mouth in horror and laugh.
• “I can’t wait to teach you to ride horses.” He raises his brow sarcastically.
• My mouth drops open again and I slap his thigh. “Joshua.” I laugh.
• “And make you wear Jodhpurs.” The table’s laughter gets louder.
• Oh, this is beyond pale.
• “Not happening.” I smirk, as I shake my head.
• He holds his hands up to quieten everyone back down again. “No, no. On a serious note.”