Mum and Dad had noticed I haven’t been staying on the lounge suite at night, instead opting to remain in Chad’s room. They didn’t say anything, but I realised I should tell them what was happening with Danger. I filled them in about the break-up, and that Danger was keeping the house and then I asked them if I could move back in. They welcomed me back, of course, but they just needed to make sure through all this chaos that I was okay. Which I am. Dad was unusually upset about my break-up with Danger. Dad and Danger had become quite good mates, and he was actually devastated that he wouldn’t be around anymore. Considering how their relationship started out it was a big leap. But he understood, and told me not to rush into anything. I knew what he was referring to but my heart was always Chad’s, so to me, I don’t feel like I’m rushing at all. It just feels right and what I should have done a long time ago.

 

***

 

The funerals were beautiful and Chad was strong, so were Carter and Carlton. It was amazing to watch just how tough they were. I stood by Chad the whole time holding his hand while he said goodbye to both his parents. The other members of Slayed, however, were not so resolute. Uncle Hux and Dad were a real mess, and Johnny was trying hard to keep it together but failed. Slayed never played their final concert. But Dad has talked to Chad about doing a farewell concert at some stage, way into the future, and having Chad play in Dingo’s place. Chad cried and said he would be honoured. I was so happy Dad thought about it, and as far as I was concerned it was a great idea. It would be a way for the fans to say goodbye, and a way for Slayed and for Chad to honor Dingo.

We get back to Chad’s house and the boys walk inside and straight up to their rooms. They spend most of their time there now. Dad walks up to Chad and slaps him on the shoulder. “Okay, so we’ve got some talking to do. I know today has been horrific, but we need to start thinking about what the future holds and what you want to do. Lia and I need to get back to the Manor soon, but we can stay for another week or so until you’ve figured out what you’d like to do with the house and the boys. If you want to stay here and look after them yourself, we will support you in every way possible, you know that. Or if you want to move closer to us so we can help you out with the boys, we will assist you with that too. But the choice is totally yours, and it’s a decision only you can make,” he says and Chad nods taking a deep breath.

I grab his hand and squeeze letting him know I’m here for him. “Thanks, Colt. Thank you for organising the funerals, and thanks for helping with my brothers. Thank you for everything,” he says and Dad smiles.

“You’re like a son to me, Chad. I’ll be here no matter what,” Dad replies as he turns and walks into the kitchen leaving me with Chad.

Chad looks at me and I smile up at him.

“How are you doing?” I ask and he shrugs.

“I don’t know, I’m so confused. Can we go to my room and talk?” he asks.

“Of course,” I say and he tightens his grip in my hand and make our way to his room sitting down on the edge of his bed.

“Talk to me, tell me what’s confusing you?” I ask and he exhales and turns his head looking me in the eyes.

“I need to know where we go from here?” he asks and I smile and caress his cheek.

“I’m in, I’m all in. Nearly losing you on the jet made me realise that you’re a must in my life. I’m willing to go the whole hog with you when you’re feeling ready,” I say and he smiles and exhales.

“Are you sure, because I don’t want you to choose Danger again if he comes around in a year wanting you back—”

“That won’t happen, and even if he did come back, I belong to you now. I always did, I was just too stupid to realise it,” I say honestly.

“Well, that’s certainly nice to hear,” he says and leans in kissing me softly. Pulling back he looks me in the eyes. “If you really are in this with me, then I have an idea of what I’d like to do and I want to run it by you.”

“Yeah, sure,” I say.

“So, I think being in this house and being so far away from you is going to be too hard,” he says and I nod in understanding.

“Okay, so do you want me to come and stay here?” I ask and he shakes his head.

My chest tightens at the thought that maybe he doesn’t want this as much as I do.

“I think I should sell this house, and me and the boys should move to Oxfordshire. I know I’d be taking them away from their school and their friends, but they can make new friends, and anyway I think I’ll contact your old teacher Susan about home schooling them. I don’t want them out there for the paparazzi field day that will follow them everywhere now.”

“Yep, I think that’s a good idea. Home schooling and keeping them away from the cameras is definitely the right plan. So you’re going to be their guardian then?” I ask and he swallows hard and takes a deep breath and looks like he’s preparing himself, but for what I’m not sure. Then suddenly he drops to the floor on one knee and grabs my hand in his. My eyes shoot open wide and my mouth drops open.

“Ella, I know this is soon. We haven’t even officially started dating. You just broke off your engagement and my parents just died. But the one thing that has kept me going is knowing that even though we’ve had a rocky relationship, my love for you has never faded. Not once, and knowing you love me too that’s all I need. Ella, I want to marry you. I’ve wanted to marry you ever since I can remember. I know this is probably sudden and too soon, but I want my life to start with you, and why wait when you know it’s right, right? I want you to move in with me and help me be a guardian to the boys. I want you to be my partner and I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?” he asks and my eyes well with tears instantly. My heart is hammering in my chest so hard I feel like it’s going to burst through my chest wall and then explode with overflowing love and adoration.

“Oh my God, Chad,” I whisper and he smiles and brings my hand up to his mouth kissing the back of it tenderly.

“I’m sorry I don’t have a ring, I’m not really prepared. I didn’t know I was going to do this, but I swear you can have any ring you want. We can pick it out together, or you can choose one or—”

“Yes,” I exclaim interrupting his ramble.

His smiles brightly. “Yes? As in yes you’ll marry me, or yes you’ll pick out your own ring, or yes to being a guardian to the boys or yes to—”

“Yes, to all of it.”

He laughs like he doesn’t quite believe what I’m saying and I smile and wrap my arms around his neck.

“You want to marry me?” he asks and I nod and smile.

“With all my heart.”

He smiles the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen in all my life and rushes forward kissing me so passionately I fall backward on the bed. I giggle as he follows me down and his chest falls on mine encasing me perfectly.

He pulls back and looks at me, his breath rushed. “But what about the boys?” he asks and I smile.

“Yes, to that too, Chad. I want to help you look after them,” I say and he frowns.

“You’re only twenty. It would be like becoming a mother, are you really prepared for all that entails?” he asks and I bring my hand down and caress his cheek to ease his concern.

“Chad, I know what it means and I’m all in. I want to be there for you and your brothers. I’m in your life now, whether you want me here or not. I’m not going anywhere, and if I have to help raise the twins then I’m going to do that because I want to, not because I have to, okay?”

He looks at me and I see his face relax, and he smiles and rests his forehead against mine. “You amaze me.”

“No, you amaze me. I’d love nothing more than to move in with you, marry you, and become a substitute mother for your brothers,” I say.

“It’s settled then, we’re getting married.”

I smile brightly and pull him closer to me. “We are getting married!”

 

***

 

Looking at myself in the mirror, I can hardly recognise the woman staring back at me. Standing in my stunning ivory floor length elegant dress is making my eyes mist up. The bodice has a sweetheart neckline with natural plain rouching gathering along the bust. A simple crystal waistband catches my eye as the light shines on it through the window, sending shards of luminous light in all directions. The bottom half of the dress is simple too, with tulle fanning out elegantly over the satin underlay. The dress is understated but simply breathtaking, perfectly princess, and exactly Ella. I slide my hands along the material and take a deep breath as noise from the room comes back into focus.

“Ella, earth to Ella,” Annie says.

“What, huh?” I ask and turn to face her.

“Do you want the something blue to be the hair pin or the broach?” she says and I smile and look at Mum, who’s looking at me and trying not to cry.

“Umm…hair pin, I think,” I say and Annie smiles and nods walking behind me and placing the small blue butterfly in my hair.

“There, something blue,” she says and I smile and nod.

“Thanks.” I turn, looking one last time in the mirror at my beautiful dress. I can’t believe today is the day. We waited eleven months after the accident and his parents’ deaths because we wanted to let the dust settle before we got married. We both wanted it to be official quickly, but we also needed to ensure that the twins were settled enough into a routine and happy with me being around and looking after them. They love having me as their ‘adopted’ mother, and I’ve taken to the job quite quickly and easily. At first it was hard having three boys in the house when I grew up living primarily with females, but the adjustment came quickly and now I wouldn’t live any other way than with my boys. Me, Chad, and the twins are like our own little family and we function well. We bought a house close to Mum and Dad, so they can help when we needed them to, which at the beginning was often but not so much anymore.

“You really do make a beautiful bride, Ella, and thank God you’re marrying the right man,” Mum says and I wince slightly thinking about Danger. We lost touch after he sold our house and moved. I know he wasn’t doing too well regarding the breakup, and when he found out I was with Chad, he lost it completely and moved back to America. I still feel bad about how things ended with him, but I’m better off. I just hope he isn’t wasting away somewhere in LA, drowning in booze and women. I hope he finds his happiness like I have.

“Mum, don’t bring him up today. Today is about Ella and Chad, let’s not make it a love triangle again,” Annie says.

“Yeah, I just want to think about Chad today. He’s definitely the right choice for me. Was there ever really a choice?” I ask and they chuckle.

“No,” they both say in unison.

Dad pokes his head around the door and looks at me. “Are you read…holy shit, you look fabulous sweetheart,” he says walking in fully and looking me up and down in awe.

“Thanks, Dad,” I say and he shakes his head and brings his hand up to his mouth, and I notice his eyes watering.

“My baby girl is getting married. Both my babies are going to be married. I don’t know if I can cope with this,” he says and walks up to me embracing me tightly.

I giggle at his emotional state and hug him back as Mum rubs his back.

“Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll always be your baby. And just ‘cause I’m getting married doesn’t stop me from loving you,” I say and he pulls back.

“No, I know, just means you won’t be around as much. I’m going to miss you, that’s all,” he says and I shake my head.

“Dad, I live down the street and Staked are going to start rehearsing again soon. We’re doing that at the Manor, like always,” I say and his eyes light up.

“You are?” he asks and Annie and I laugh.

“Yeah Dad, you think we’re going to rehearse anywhere other than in the best music room in the whole of England?” Annie says and I nod in agreement.

“Seriously, you’re all coming from other houses to mine to rehearse?” he says and we laugh.

“Yes Dad, it’s always been our rehearsal room, we’re not changing a good thing,” I say and Dad actually starts to laugh-cry. That’s when you cry and laugh at the same time.

“Oh, Dad,” I say and hug him as he holds onto me tightly.

“I thought you were all going to move away and forget about us,” he says and I hold him tighter.

“We could never leave you behind, Dad. We’re going to come over all the time, you’ll be sick of us,” I say and he wipes his cheeks and nods.

“Oh God, look at me blubbering and we haven’t even gotten you down the aisle yet,” Dad says and Mum chuckles and pulls Dad close to her.

“You’re still a Rock God to me, Colter Slade, even if you cry like a sissy,” Mum says and Dad chuckles and slaps Mum on the arse. I roll my eyes and shake my head.

“Okay, can I go to my future husband now?” I ask.

“Yep, he scrubs up all right actually. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a suit before,” Dad says.

“I’ll see you out there. I love you, have fun,” Mum says and kisses my cheek.

“Thanks, Mum, love you too,” I reply as she walks out of the room at Caswell House where I’m having my wedding.

“Ready to go, sweetheart?” Dad asks.

I nod and place my arm through his.

“Good luck, Ella, you look beautiful. Chad will crack a fat when he sees you,” Annie says making me laugh and Dad scoff as he shakes his head. Annie walks out ahead of me in her pink floor length gown. It rouches in the bust and then is simple and flowing from the bust down. It almost matches my dress. She leaves my sight, and then it’s just me and Dad slowly walking toward the garden where I will say ‘I do’ to Chad.

“Are you nervous?” Dad asks.

“Were you nervous marrying Mum?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“No, I was running on pure excitement.”

“Well, that’s me right now. When it’s right, there’s no need for nerves.”

“You got it right, baby girl,” he says and walks with me toward the aisle.

We turn down the path and the seats and the archway come into view. I can see the outline of Chad and my breathing hitches.

“Remember to breathe, Ella,” Dad whispers as the music starts up and I take another step toward becoming Mrs. Ella Everly. We step onto the aisle and I finally see Chad, he looks ridiculously handsome in his suit and he’s smiling so wide I’m sure his cheeks are hurting. He looks at me and I watch his bottom lip tremble and it makes me want to cry. Sniffing, I cling onto Dad tighter needing some strength and support right now. I’m so beyond ecstatic that I feel like I could burst, and I haven’t even gotten to him yet. All the guests vanish from my sight as I walk down the aisle, all I can see is Chad. He looks at me like I’m the only thing in his world right now and I love that he’s looking at me that way. Dad steps me up to him and Chad steps to me and takes my hand from Dad. When my hand touches his a spark shoots through me so fierce, it knocks the wind from my lungs and I have to concentrate hard on just breathing.

“She’s yours now, son, take good care of my baby,” Dad says and Chad smiles.

“Always,” Chad replies and he leans in hugging my Dad, but keeping his grip firmly on my hand.

He pulls back from Dad and looks at me raising his eyebrow and then smirks.

“That’s one hell of a dress you have on there, baby. You look spectacular,” he says and I step closer grabbing his other hand needing to feel more of him.

“You look pretty dapper yourself there, mister,” I say and he smiles and shakes his head.

“God, I want to kiss you right now,” he whispers as the celebrant starts to talk and a slight giggle escapes me. I’m lost in Chad’s eyes thinking about him backing me up against the wall of this archway and kissing me hard when the celebrant clears his throat.

“Chad, your vows,” he says breaking our stare.

I smile at Chad as he swallows and looks right at me.

Chad clears his throat. “I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I’ve seen your kindness and your strength. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are. You’re a hell of a woman. You’re the one. You are my inspiration and my soul’s fire. You are the magic in my days. You help me laugh, you teach me love. You provide a safe place for me, unlike anything I’ve ever known. You’re more of an amazement to me and each day I rediscover you. I love you, Ella Slade, and that’s why I’m here, marrying you today,” he says and I bite my bottom lip to stop it from trembling. I’ve been holding myself back for so long, I can’t any longer and I step forward and press my lips to Chad’s.

The guests all chuckle as Chad kisses me back and the celebrant clears his throat again.

“Ahem. Ella, your vows, if you’re quite finished?” he says and I break free from Chad and he smirks and I giggle.

“Sorry, I’ve needed to do that for the whole ceremony,” I say and everyone laughs and Chad winks at me.

“My turn, okay. You know that there are some things I don’t believe in. But today, I want to tell you about some things I do believe in. I believe in sunrises and sunsets. I believe in great music and walks in the garden. I believe in all the beauty, the mystery and the wonder of life. And I believe that these joys, like all joys, are multiplied when you have someone to share them with. And I’m here because I know that you are that person. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with. I love your shy smile, your sweet laugh, your crazy sense of humor, and your adventurousness. And most of all, I love the way you make me happier than I thought anyone ever could. That’s why I’m here, marrying you today,” I say and smile so brightly because every single word was said truthfully. I can’t help it as tears start to form in my eyes as Chad smiles at me, and it’s the most beautiful thing to witness.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you, too,” I say and the celebrant calls on Caleb to bring over the rings.

Caleb hands Chad my wedding ring, and I smile as Chad takes my left hand and turns to face me.

“I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring,

“So that my word and my love,

“Will always be with you,

“Close to your heart,” Chad says sliding my ring on my finger. My heart is galloping and I feel nothing but pure contented bliss.

Annie hands me Chad’s ring and he puts out his left hand for me. My hand is shaking as I place the ring at the edge of his ring finger.

“I offer my vow to you in the form of this ring,

“So that my word and my love,

“Will always be with you,

“Close to your heart,” I say and my tears don’t fail me this time as they slide down my cheeks as I place the ring on his finger. He smiles and then brings his hand up to wipe away my tears.

“Happy tears?” he asks and I nod and smile.

“Ecstatic tears,” I reply and he caresses my cheek.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the celebrant says and Chad grabs me by the waist and pulls me close to him. I giggle as our bodies connect, making me flame red hot for him. He leans in kissing me passionately in front of everyone. I don’t even care, I want to kiss him so badly right now that I have little concern that my grandparents are in the crowd. I open my mouth and let Chad kiss the hell out of me as the guests all laugh and cheer.

“You may now kiss your bride…Why does this always happen with the rock stars?” I hear the celebrant say. I giggle against Chad’s lips and he dips me down as we continue to kiss putting on a show for everyone.

“Get a room,” Caleb calls out, and everyone laughs as Chad pulls me back upright. He pulls back and looks into my eyes still remarkably close and I smile widely.

“I love you, wife,” he says.

“I love you, husband,” I say and he leans back in kissing me again. Everyone groans and I kiss him back with everything I can muster.

“Jesus Christ kids, break it up and save it for the honeymoon,” Dad says. I laugh breaking the kiss. Chad pulls back and he looks at me with that twinkle in his eyes.

This is exactly right.

We’re right where we’re meant to be.

We walk over to the registry table and Dad intercepts us.

“Your parents would’ve been proud of you today, just know they’re here with you, son,” Dad says to Chad, and my chest tightens. I look at Chad and see his eyes well with tears as he looks at Dad and nods, not able to reply to him. I cuddle into his side and know that Dingo and Sia are here with us today, looking down at the masterpiece that their son has become. And I know they’re proud that he’s stepped up and taken care of his brothers, and I just hope that they’re happy that he chose me to spend his life with. Because I sure am glad that we get to spend the rest of our lives together.