“I can’t believe this is really happening.”
I look at Jo and words fail me. She looks absolutely stunning. Rachel sighs and I watch the tears form in her eyes. “You all look gorgeous.”
I smile at her happily. “So do you. You’ve always suited blue, it brings out the colour of your eyes.”
Rachel blushes and Jenny laughs. “Now your pink cheeks match my dress.”
Laughing, I look over at Jenny who looks absolutely amazing in the pale pink creation that hugs her curves like a second skin.
Jo’s eyes mist over and she says quietly.
“I think we all look amazing. I can’t believe it’s really happening though. I mean, only one year ago today I couldn’t stand Pete. I would have thought you were mad if you told me where I would be in a years’ time. The way I was feeling I would have thrown myself off of that cliff with the divers we never got to see.”
Jenny laughs. “Poor Pete. Did you ever find out who Margaret was?”
Jo grins. “No, we didn’t. Although I know who she is now.”
Rachel giggles. “Where is the little terror?”
“With our neighbour, Mrs Mathewson. She couldn’t come today because she has visitors, so she offered to babysit.”
Jenny smiles sadly. “I always wanted a little puppy. There’s no way that will happen with all the travelling we do. Maybe one day when we settle down.”
Jo snorts. “I’d like to see that day. You’re both having way too much fun to think about settling down in one place.”
I look at Jenny with interest. “If you did where would it be?”
She shrugs. “Possibly Australia. Flynn’s family are there, and it was always expected that he would take over his father’s company one day. He is just sowing his wild oats, as his father calls it, before he has to take his rightful position.”
We all look surprised and Rachel says what we’re all dying to know.
“What business is it?”
Jenny looks annoyed. “Oh, some boring corporation that employs about a million people worldwide. It’s no wonder Flynn got out when he could.”
Jo looks as stunned as I feel. “Goodness me, Jenny. Are you saying that Flynn’s family are wealthy?”
She shrugs. “You could say that. I think they have a home in every country that they have a business. His father has a Private Jet that he uses to keep track of them all and they own half of Sydney. Flynn hates it all though and wants the simple life. The trouble is, he’s an only child so will have to head back some time or another. We’re thinking of heading back at Christmas to say hi.”
Rachel looks at me and bursts out laughing. “Only you could land a billionaire, Jenny. The funniest thing about it is you don’t give a damn.”
Jenny shakes her head.
“I'm just happy when it’s just Flynn and I. This last year has been the best of my life because I‘ve got to spend it with him. We’re not into material possessions and just want to experience everything while we still can."
She looks excited. “After the wedding, we are going to Africa to help build an Orphanage. I can’t wait because apparently, we will have to live in tents and eat army rations. I’ve always wanted to go to Africa and now’s my chance.”
Jo shakes her head in bewilderment.
“I’ll never understand you, Jenny. Flynn could pay for you to see the world in five-star luxury and you just want to backpack your way around it. I always thought it but now I know you’re mad.”
We all grin at her and Jenny smiles. “Like I said, I only want Flynn. I have a feeling that the money would just complicate things. When we do head back there, the business would take him away from me and that isn’t worth any amount of money. At the moment he’s all mine and mine alone. This is the most special time of my life and I intend on guarding it for as long as possible.”
My eyes fill up and I move across and hug her tightly.
“You’re right, honey. You take every moment you can get and hold onto it and never let it go. What you and Flynn have is precious and no amount of money could buy it. Good for you, you do things your own way or not at all.”
As I stand hugging Jenny, the others join us. We all stand huddled together - well as close as we can get given that we’re all dressed in meringues.
Jo says in an emotional voice.
“Promise that we will never change. We will always be friends and here for each other through thick and thin.”
We all nod with a firm resolve and echo her words. “Through thick and thin.”
“Ladies, ladies, I can’t leave you alone for five minutes. Just look at the mess you’re making of those fantastic creations.”
We pull back as Crispin clicks his fingers and his team rushes forth to smooth us down and repair our makeup. Jo looks across at me and smiles brightly. It’s time.
Twenty minutes later we are standing outside the room where the wedding is taking place. We stand nervously waiting and I feel my heart fluttering wildly. Jo is silent beside me. I hear her taking deep breaths as she tries to contain the emotion that threatens to ruin the immaculate makeup that has transformed her into a blushing bride. Jenny smiles at me and I think how pretty she looks. Love has certainly agreed with her and her eyes sparkle as she gazes at me with excitement. “Are you ok, Becca?”
I swallow hard and smile nervously. “I think so.”
Jo and Rachel smile at us and I think how lucky I am. If I had one good friend, I would count myself lucky. But I have always been greedy and have four who I can’t love more than I do.
We hear the music start and Crispin appears looking anxious. He starts to talk softly into his headset and then looks at us with pride.
“Positions everyone. The show’s about to start.”
I take one look at Jo and we share a smile. She grabs my hand and says softly.
“You look beautiful, Becca.”
I grin. “Right back at you.”
I watch as she turns to take her father’s outstretched arm and I see the pride in his face. It’s a beautiful moment and I don’t want to miss a thing. Then, as the doors open I turn to my left and see the same look on my father’s face as I take his arm. He says huskily, “You look beautiful baby girl.”
The tears spring to my eyes as I look at the proud man about to finally give his daughter away. I laugh softly. “About time, hey dad?”
He raises my hand to his lips and kisses it and then clasps it tightly.
“You will always be my baby girl, married or not.”
We share the look of one chapter ending and one beginning before I turn to face the man who claimed my heart. As the doors open my eyes look at nothing else but the sight of my future waiting for me at the end of a flower-festooned aisle. Luke, my husband, my soul mate and my incredibly sexy merman. Whoever thought I would be so lucky?
Seeing him standing there watching me, my mind returns to that day. Three months were up and I was due to meet him from his flight. I was about to leave when there was a knock at the door. I felt irritated because I was running late and didn’t want to tarnish his homecoming by making him wait around.
I flung the door open with a frown and my world stopped still.
Filling the doorway was the most fantastic sight in the world. Luke.
The months just fell away as we drank in the sight of each other like someone who had just had their sight restored. Just for a second, we stood - just looking. Then with one step, we were in each other’s arms and I hung on for grim death. As Luke kissed me like a man possessed, I kissed him back like a starving woman, deprived for so long. It was as if the doubts and worries faded away and we knew. This was real, and we were home.
The happy memories accompany me down the aisle. I notice nobody but him. His gorgeous eyes are trained on me and me alone. He pulls me towards him like a gravitational force and I remember how everything just fell into place.
Luke never returned to sea. He told me that he had just endured the worst three months of his life and had handed in his flippers, or whatever they have to hand back. He took a position at the Head Office in Admiralty house. Far from being a desk job though, he travels around the country doing whatever a landlubber submariner does.
We live in my flat and I am still with Jet Air. This suits us for now. Once we are married, we may tread a different path, but this year has been a whirlwind and I think we need to let life settle down first.
I am conscious of my best friend as she walks to her future alongside me. It was her suggestion to combine our big days.
Luke asked me to marry him exactly one week after he returned. He took me for a romantic meal and hid the ring in the dessert like they do on the films. Luckily for me, I had the wet wipes handy which saved me from an anxiety attack at the thought of slipping a cream encrusted diamond on my clinically clean finger.
I was more than happy to join forces with Jo and Pete because it saved us an absolute fortune and meant that we didn’t have to wait too long. I have waited long enough to find Luke. It doesn’t matter that we are sharing the best day of our life because we are sharing it with two amazing people who I love.
As I draw near Luke smiles the same smile that sets my soul on fire and makes my toes curl. He nods to my father with the respect he deserves and takes my hand, clasping it tightly like a precious stone that he needs to keep safe. His eyes throw little sparkles of love into mine and I melt inside.
Jo and Pete start the ball rolling and we await our turn patiently. I listen to my friend declare her love for the man who idolises her and then it is our turn.
As Luke and I declare our love and commitment to each other I feel complete. I think I knew from the moment I set eyes on him that we would arrive at this point. Don’t ask me how, I just knew. How we got here was unconventional but all that matters is we did.
Then we seal the deal as the registrar utters those immortal words.
“You may now kiss your brides.”
~*~*~*~*~
One Year Later
I giggle and try to loosen Luke’s grip around me. “We’ll be late and they will know.”
He grins. “Know what?”
I blush. “You know, that we...um ... you know.”
He rolls over and pulls me on top of him, his arms gripping me to him like a vice.
“Who cares if they know. We’re married after all. It’s what married people do.”
I kiss him softly and groan. He laughs.
“Was that a groan, Becca? You know, you really should learn to control your groaning ways.”
I giggle into his chest as he tightens his grip if that’s at all possible.
“I wonder if you can hear my groans on that porno we made. Maybe they just edited out my groaning ways.”
Luke laughs. “I’d pay to see that film. I wonder whether it ever made the large screen, or did it go straight to DVD?”
Laughing, I roll my eyes. “Probably just made the internet. It was pretty bad if I remember rightly.”
Luke growls huskily.
“All of this talk of pornos is giving me ideas.”
Pulling back, I wink at him sexily.
“Hold that thought, handsome. Like I said, we’ll be late and they will know.”
Luckily, he releases me and we reluctantly get ready for the party tonight.
As we clean our teeth side by side in front of the ‘his and hers’ sinks, I catch his eye in the mirror. Grinning, I look around and mumble.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
He answers with the same toothbrush filled mumble.
“You can say that again.”
I grin as I finish brushing my teeth and look around me in awe.
“I never thought Jenny would end up in a place like this. If it was me, I would never want to leave.”
Luke nods.
“Me too. This bathroom alone is bigger than our flat and there are ten more of them. Do you think she cares though?”
Laughing, I throw him a towel.
“Not one bit. Jenny would be happy in a tent as long as it was with Flynn. They only agreed to move back because of their situation.”
Luke follows me back into the huge bedroom that we have been given for the duration of our trip. We are staying with Jenny and Flynn along with the others. She invited us out to stay and even paid for our tickets to Sydney. We are here for two weeks and I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my friends.
By the time we are ready I’m feeling hungry. Tonight, we are eating in. Apparently, Flynn is the ‘King of the Barby’ and is looking forward to demonstrating his skills.
We are soon ready and head off to find the others.
“Over here, Becca, Luke.”
I look over the huge patio area and see Rachel and Mark sitting side by side in a very comfortable looking seat. Grinning, we rush over. I look around me, exclaiming, “This is amazing, isn’t it?”
Rachel smiles.
“It certainly is. Who would have thought Jenny would do so well for herself?”
As if on cue, Jenny races out closely followed by Flynn.
I smile as I see the happiness in her face as she clings to Flynn’s hand like the newlyweds they are.
As she sits down, Flynn smiles at us.
“Can I get anyone a beer, or anything else that you want come to think of it?”
Luke smiles and jumps up.
“Here, we’ll come and give you a hand.”
He turns to Mark
“Let’s leave the girls to talk.”
He kisses me gently on the lips and walks away with the guys. The others laugh as they see my expression. I grin. “What, can’t a wife enjoy a kiss from her husband in public now?”
Jenny laughs. “Kiss away. I do all the time. In fact, we are known as the kissing couple around here. Nobody can believe that we still can’t keep our hands off each other, despite the fact we have been inseparable for two years now.”
I smile, but notice the light in Jenny’s eyes suddenly fade a little.
“Are you ok about all of this, Jenny?”
She sighs and tucks her feet underneath her on the couch.
“I will have to be. I suppose we couldn’t keep on travelling. Especially now.”
She looks down and pats her tummy with contentment.”
Rachel smiles happily.
“How long have you got?”
“Three months and they will be here. We call them Tom and Jerry or Mickey and Minnie, depending on what mood we’re in.”
I smile at her with excitement.
“You beat us all to it. I still can’t get my head around the fact it’s twins though. That’s madness.”
Jenny giggles. “Luckily, the news distracted his parents from the disappointment that we got married in Vegas. They were so upset that Flynn didn’t have the big family wedding they wanted.”
Rachel looks interested.
“Would you have liked that?”
Jenny shakes her head vehemently.
“I couldn’t think of anything worse. No, it was perfect the way it was. Just Flynn, me, the Elvis impersonator and his boyfriend. Perfect.”
We laugh as Jo heads over with Marcus in tow.
He squeals when he sees us.
“Ladies, ladies, I can’t believe this piece of heaven I’m in. Jenny, you may never see the back of me. I will take up childcare and be your Manny.”
Jenny giggles. “Stay as long as you like but I thought you were a wedding planner now?”
Marcus looks over at Crispin who is balancing a couple of bright exotic looking cocktails on a silver tray as he wobbles across to us.
“I am, but you know me, I could change direction. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Crispin arrives and hands the very gay drink to his boyfriend. As it turned out Marcus got his guy, and they have been inseparable ever since. He gave up flying to become Crispin’s partner in more ways than one. They are extremely popular on the wedding scene and are booked solid for the next three years.
Marcus blows him a kiss as Crispin says shrilly.
“Now, I make a mean margarita and my mojitos are to die for. Any takers?”
Jo says eagerly.
“We’ll take everything you’ve got, Crispin. I want to try them all.”
Looking ecstatic at the thought of playing cocktail maker, Crispin hurries off. Jo looks around and smiles at Jenny.
“You know what, Jenny, your mum would be so proud of you. She would never believe what an amazing girl you turned out to be.”
Jenny smiles sadly.
“I wish she could be here to share all of this with me. She would have loved to be a grandmother and will miss out on so much, as will we.”
Leaning over we all reach for her hands. Rachel says softly.
“Remember she is in your heart, Jenny. Your memories will keep her alive and you will share them with Bart and Lisa when they arrive.”
Jo giggles. “I think of them as Pinky and Perky.”
Marcus grins. “My favourite is Tinky-Winky and Gaga.”
I snort. “Don’t you mean, Lala?”
He grins. “No, I mean what I say.”
Rolling my eyes, I turn to her.
“Have you thought of names for them?”
Jenny smiles. “Well, if one is a girl then Jacqueline after my mum. If a boy, then Tom after my Dad.”
Jo looks interested.
“What if you have two girls or two boys?”
Jenny grins. “Well, that’s obvious isn’t it?”
We look confused as she laughs.
“It would have to be Elvis for a boy and Margaret for a girl. I had thought of Ernesto but Flynn overruled me.”
Jo looks horrified. “Good God, Jenny, have you gone mad? Why on earth would you inflict such awful names on two sweet little babies?”
Jenny giggles. “As if we would. Gosh, you should have seen your face. No, we haven’t decided past those names. We will wait until they arrive before we make any firm decisions.”
We are interrupted as the men head back and I smile at Luke as he sits beside me and pulls me close. As he kisses the top of my head I snuggle in beside him and look around at the people I call my Framily. Friends and family combined, they are special in so many ways. I actually think we now have it all. Who would have thought that one week away would have changed so many lives forever? What happened in Mexico certainly didn’t stay in Mexico and nobody is happier about that than me.
The End