‘Charlotte, I promise to love you for ever. I promise to support you in everything you do, to help you chase your dreams. I promise to share your laughter and your tears. And I promise to stay by your side as your friend and your lover until we are very, very, very old.’ Ben gave a little shoulder shake as he gazed into Charlotte’s eyes. Was that okay?
Perfect, she mouthed to him and watched as his shoulder dipped in relief. It was a big deal to stand here in front of all these people and say things you didn’t usually say.
She glanced over to her bridesmaids, who were all beautiful in their stunning lavender dresses, and all beaming at her and Ben. She’d come to realise that it wasn’t pity they’d had in their eyes, it was empathy. They wanted the best for her and wanted to help her work things through.
She was blessed to have them with her. Even if Amsterdam had become a blubbering mess of tears and fierce hangovers and an awful lot of scolding and you should have told us!
Yes, she should have.
Father Lukas smiled. Nodded. ‘Your turn, Charlotte.’
Okay. She gripped Ben’s hands. Just the slightest of trembles, because this wasn’t something to be scared of. This was her solemn promise.
‘Benjamin, my very best friend, I promise to be honest and faithful and true to you. I promise to keep an endless supply of salt and vinegar crisps and marshmallows…’ A flutter of laughter and just a little bit of bemusement floated around the cool, dark church. Charlotte paused and let the words come from her heart. ‘…And to never stop loving you, whatever, whenever, however. I promise to keep you in my heart and in my thoughts and to walk hand in hand with you, wherever this journey takes us. Living and loving, together.’
There was a ripple of applause.
Music. A kiss. A slow walk down the aisle where she noticed not sixteen but close to sixty of her dance pupils sitting in her side of the church. As she glided past they cheered and her heart lifted. This was her family, right here.
And all too soon they were called to take the dance floor for the first dance. She took hold of Ben’s hand, but he shook his head. ‘Oh, come on, Ben. I know you’re allergic but it’s just one dance.’
‘Yes. This one.’ Off came his jacket. His waistcoat unbuttoned and within the first four bars of the song he was on the dance floor with Mouse and the other groomsmen. Shaking his leg. Waving his arms. All of them dancing together! A routine they’d clearly rehearsed. So funny. So… slightly out of rhythm… so brilliant.
Lissa sidled up with a secretive smile. ‘Didn’t know your man could dance.’
‘Yes, you did.’ Charlotte joined up the dots. ‘This is why you were both at the studio. Is this the overtime?’
Lissa pursed her lips. ‘Yep. He wanted to keep it secret. But I guess now everything’s completely out in the open.’
‘You… you had me worried there.’
‘Hey, really not my type.’ Lissa pointed over to a dark-haired, sleeve-tattooed, eyebrow-pierced Adonis who was tapping in time to the music and laughing as Mouse did a moonwalk across the floor as the others clapped. ‘Mr DJ, however…’
‘Hubba bubba?’
‘Exactly.’ Her chief bridesmaid wrapped her arm round Charlotte’s shoulders and drew her closer. ‘Have you decided what you’re going to do… baby or op first?’
‘No. No, I haven’t decided, but that’s okay. I think we’ll be okay. I’ll be okay, whatever happens.’
Lissa pressed a kiss on Charlotte’s cheek. ‘Of course you will, lovely. But I’ve known that all along…
Charlotte didn’t get to hear any more because Ben appeared in front of her, his hand outstretched, beckoning her to join him on the dance floor. And heck, she was the bride, a professional dancer, so who was she to resist a dance with a handsome man?
It was about this point that he began to lose his rhythm and forgot the rest of the steps. ‘Don’t think I can do this any more.’
She couldn’t control her laughter, so she let him pull her into his arms and let the warmth of their love flow over them. After a couple of minutes back to his usual rocking from side to side he asked her, ‘What did you think of the routine?’
‘Awesome! You can be the lead in the Christmas show.’
‘No way. No way at all.’
‘Actually, no. But thank you for making such an effort. It was spectacular.’ Her heart filled. ‘I’m so proud of you. Thank you for doing what you’ve done. For learning to dance and surprising me. For being my rock. And I’m sorry—’
A finger over her mouth. ‘No more apologies. I won’t go anywhere. I’m here. I choose you. Always and for ever.’ His arms tightened around her and she knew he meant it, because this kind of love just stuck. ‘Hey, you want to get away from this crowd? We could run away and eat marshmallows and salt and vinegar crisps…’
‘And drink chardonnay from the bottle. Oh yes, please.’
But as they swayed slowly round the room, she looked at her friends. Sonja had started singing – out of key – about falling in love in mysterious ways. Lissa was whispering to the enigmatic DJ, Ryan. Shelley was playing with the wedding flowers.
As she passed them by, one by one, they all stopped what they were doing and waved. Lissa made a heart shape out of her hands. Mia blew a kiss. Shelley touched her heart. And Eileen just smiled her lovely, motherly smile.
And Charlotte knew, deep in her soul, that despite everything, or maybe because of everything, she didn’t need to share anyone’s DNA to belong. She had everything she needed right here. Whatever happened to her, whatever choices she made with Ben, they’d be fine with these people by their side. Whatever life threw at her – at them – they had a deep love, a strong love that would survive anything. ‘You know what, Ben? I think we should just stay here, like this, for ever. You and me, our lovely, lovely guests, and… whoever else comes along. If they come along at all.’
He smiled his beautiful smile. ‘In that case, baby, that’s exactly what we’ll do.’