Taylor
“Have you heard from Chris?” Taking the towel from across my eyes I look across at Annemarie.
“Nope. I did I have a missed call at one o’clock this morning but I was flat out. I sent him a text before I went to sleep but he probably couldn’t even see it, so I'm assuming the one-am call was a drunk call probably going to tell me how much he loves me.” I tell them placing the towel back in its place as Darcy sniggers.
“I know how that goes.” Darcy laughs.
“Well when Ryan came in he was rather drunk he fell in through the door and crawled to bed. God knows what they were drinking?”
“Jagers. Adam told me. He wasn’t that bad but then I think he’s worried I’m going to go into labour being so close to having this one,” her hand rubs over belly.
My mouth pulls into a smile, seeing her glow like she does would make any woman want a baby. She does pregnant so well she looks so healthy. Some women, like the late stages with Ash she looked tired and but Darcy doesn’t. “Adam did have a text from Todd though last night I don’t know what he said I was trying to go back to sleep but Adam was rattling on.”
“That’s my boy.” Annemarie grins.
“Oh Jesus. I dread to think what Chris is going to be like he’s not a huge drinker.” Resting my head back against the lounger I enjoy the rest of the relaxation time; blanking the rest of the conversation.
The time flies by in the spa but it was so nice. We had the sauna, the pool was set in a tropical setting. Palm trees standing shadowing the beds, waterfalls, it was heaven. We’re now getting a massage. Michelle got the hunk in a tight pair of shorts, I get a woman, but her hands were gold, I feel so relaxed now. I tried to bribe him to swap, you know seeing as I’m the bride but no, Michelle was having none of it. Spoilsport.
Once our massage was finished, we showered and head off to the beauty salon ready to get beautified for the big day. Michelle was at the bridal shop at eight am this morning picking all the dresses up for us, so I left my dress hanging on the wardrobe in the bedroom airing while she took the others to Ash and Darcy.
We’re beautified, hair done and ready for a wedding. I thought I’d be nervous, but maybe with the spa and the massage and everything it’s helped, of course thanks to Chris for paying for the spa. I can’t actually believe I questioned all this, but it was just a little wobble, I’m lucky he loves me as much as he does.
My dress hangs in front of me, I’m standing in my underwear as I uncover it and smile. A contented smile. A flutter in my tummy but not from nerves but anticipation. I can’t wait.
Taking it from the hanger, I unzip it from the back, sit on the bed and step inside it then stand and begin to pull it up, smoothing it over my hips and up until I’m putting my arms through the straps until they’re sitting on my shoulders. Hearing a knock at the door I say come in. The door opens to my dad as a wide grin crosses my face.
“Hey pumpkin.” He stands before me, smiling. He turns me around and pulls up the small zip. Gently he turns me back to face him. “You look stunning.”
“Thanks Dad.”
“I’m proud of you.” He kisses my cheek. “You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met. My little girl is all grown up and getting married, I have no words at the moment.” he chuckles. “Are you ready to get married?” I nod with tears in my eyes begging them not to fall and ruin my make-up. Dad pulls a tissue from his pocket and hands it to me. He pulls me against him as I dab under my eyes. “You’ll always be my little girl no matter what. I love you.”
“I know. I love you too.” I pull away and blow out a shaky breath. “Thanks Dad.”
“I’ll give you a minute. I’ll be outside.”
Standing back in front of the mirror I make sure the black eyeliner around my eyes hasn’t run to make me look like a panda, then take a deep breath before opening the door.
Chris
Ahh, who’s banging?” I wake up on the couch, instantly my hands go to my head.
“Good morning.” Todd says as he stands over me. My eyes roll up to look at him but I can’t, it hurts.
“Don’t make me look up.”
“What’s up, bad head. Hangover?”
“Why the fuck are you shouting?” I frown at my brother.
“I’m not. Here drink this.” My hands clutch my head tighter to muffle the sound of his voice. “You need to get rid of that hangover.”
“How much did I drink last night?”
“Way too much considering you’re getting married in four hours.”
“Oh fuck!” Once my vision clears I can see the mug he’s holding out in front of him. Lifting the black coffee to my nose makes my stomach churn.
A door shuts somewhere in the lodge but my head is so heavy I can’t turn it to see. Putting down my coffee I rest my head in my hands and close my eyes.
“You think you’d learn by now.” The voice at the side of me says. My eyes open to a squint as I see Aidan sitting next to me.
“Am I still pissed? I didn’t think you could make it?”
“Let’s just say, a certain family member had way too much to say.” He smacks me on the back, smiles, heads towards the shower room and leaves me to nurse my hangover. Watching him walk away, just knowing he’s here - makes my day complete.
The door opens banging off the wall. Why the fuck is everyone so loud? “What’s up bitches? You ready to get married?” Adam’s voice in my ears sounds like a megaphone. He taps my head laughing.
“Don’t touch my head you little fucker!” Placing the coffee on the table I hang my head in my hands again. “Let me just have another half an hour and I’ll be okay.”
“No, you need to drink that coffee and have a shower.
“Do you need anything from your cabin?” Todd asks.
“Just aftershave and shit.” I whisper. I fall back against the cushions and look to Adam. “Why are you not hungover?”
“I’m not a pussy like you!” My middle finger makes an appearance as it springs up at Adam’s insult.
“Fuck you!” I pull my phone from down the side of the cushion and pull up my messages. The one I must’ve sent last night has been seen but not answered. Shit.
Me: Good morning, sunshine.
Placing it on the arm of the couch I wait for her to answer me. My eyes close automatically hoping it’ll help my head. It doesn’t. Adam is flicking through the telly annoying the fuck out of me. “ADAM! Will you stop doing that?”
“Someone has his boxers in a twist.”
Sitting back up I drink the coffee that Todd made me and hope it helps to stop the washing machine in my stomach to settle. Todd comes back in the room with two paracetamols and puts them in my hand with a glass of water. I drink them down and go back to my coffee.
Aidan walks into the room, I look between Adam and Aidan, wait for the showdown but it doesn’t come. Adam gives him a chin lift and Aidan just smirks. What alternative time zone have I been catapulted into. Maybe he was the one to give him the talking to...
Twenty minutes later the tablets have eased the ten-man band that’s been playing in my head and I’m feeling a little bit more human. By the time that happens it’s one in the afternoon and time is pressing on. Adam walks to with an outfit in hand. “Here, I got the size I thought you was…” Aidan takes it from him and holds it up in front of him.
“A kilt? Really?”
“Suck it up big boy. The rest had to!” Adam smirks and walks away.
I look at my watch for the hundredth time maybe, I don’t know if it’s nerves rattling around in my stomach or the remnants of stale alcohol and getting shitfaced. My hand rests on my stomach hoping it’ll ease as Ryan walks in with a bottle in his hand. “No fucking way!”
“What? It’s just a toast to my best buddy for signing his life away, that’s all.” He laughs at the raised eyebrow I’m giving him right now. “I’m only kidding bud. You’re a lucky bastard, Taylor is great - just a handful.”
“You talking about my daughter?” David says as he walks in.
“How did you know?” Ryan laughs.
“There’s only one handful that I know!” I smirk, I know he’s right.
“Right, get some glasses.” Just the thought of that shit hitting my stomach is making me nauseous already. Adam brings some short tumblers over and give each of us one as Ryan opens the JD and pours a shot in each.
We’re standing in a circle all dressed the same all in kilts. While we were choosing colours, a little birdie told me the Ash and Darcy were wearing red, so I chose red tartan to match. I may have a little surprise for Taylor too…
The smell of the whisky makes me gag, I turn my face away so the smell can’t waft up my nose. “To Chris and Taylor.” Ryan shouts.
Everyone raises their glasses in a toast to us, taking a deep breath I knock it to the back of my throat and wait for it to hit my stomach. When my stomach doesn’t reject it, then I know I’m ready for this shit.