Amelia

 

Amelia woke up early on Saturday morning and was a little confused by her surroundings, but as the fog of sleep cleared, she remembered where she was and why she was there.

She had spent the night at Landen’s parents’ house, and today she was going to become Mrs. Landen Murphy.

Amelia pushed herself up in bed, staring over at the wedding gown that was hanging on the closet door. It was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life, she still couldn’t believe she was going to get to wear it. She still couldn’t believe that she was actually going to marry Landen. She felt so happy, that not even Pete Reynolds, who was constantly at the back of her mind, could take away her happiness today.

The night before, when Landen was leaving to go and stay at their penthouse with Finn, who was going to be Landen’s Best Man, he wasn’t really happy about leaving her alone.

Amelia assured Landen that she wouldn’t be alone, she would be with his parents, plus Nikki was staying over too. But still, Landen wasn’t happy. In the end, Liam and Callum agreed to stay at their parent’s house too. Just to reassure Landen. Dylan went home with Landen and Finn.

She had just climbed into bed when her phone beeped on her nightstand, Amelia knew straight away that the message would be from Landen, and she was right. She pressed open on the text message and smiled when she read his words.

I miss you. I want you to come home. Lx,

Amelia could even picture his pouting face as he typed in the message.

She thought for a moment before she tapped in a reply.

I don’t think your mother would be happy if I snuck out. Ax.

She hit send and smiled once more as she waited for him to reply. She didn’t have to wait long.

You’re no fun. I could sneak into your room??

Amelia laughed out loud when she read this, quickly tapping in a response.

How did I know you were going to say that? Behave!

She hit send, waiting for Landen’s reply. He replied almost instantly.

Spoilsport!

Amelia laughed once more before she tapped in her response.

Good night, Landen x

She hit send and waited for him to reply. As she waited, she was surprised but how much she actually wanted him to insist on coming over, but she was never going to admit that to him. Her phone beeped once more with his response.

Good night beautiful. See you in the morning. Just look for the guy with the biggest smile on his face. Lx.

Amelia couldn’t have loved him anymore that she did at that very moment. She smiled as she tapped in her response.

Love you, baby. Ax.

She hit send and waited for him to reply.

Love you more, Lx.

Amelia smiled once more before she set her phone down on the nightstand, and soon she was fast asleep.

The sound of her phone beeping pulled her from her thoughts, and just like the night before, she knew it would be Landen before she even picked up the phone.

Good morning, Amelia. Hope you had sweets dreams. Make sure you have a good breakfast. You’ll need your strength today…and tonight xx

Amelia could feel her face flush, and she imagined her night with Landen, she knew he meant it when he said she would need her strength. Landen knew exactly how to make her world spin, and having spent a night apart from him; Amelia knew Landen would have some catching up to do.

She grinned to herself as she tapped in her response.

Good morning, Mr. Murphy. You’re incorrigible.

She hit send, imagining Landen’s face when he read her message. Her phone pinged with a new message moments later. Amelia quickly opened it.

But you love me!

Amelia wished more than anything he was there with her right at that moment. She missed him, which she knew was ridiculous, but she was used to waking up next to him. She tapped in her response.

Always xx

She hit send, setting her phone on the nightstand, before she pushed up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. She had a busy morning ahead of her before she got to marry the man of her dreams.

Amelia wasted no time climbing into the shower, letting the hot water pour down over her, washing away all her worries. Today was going to be the happiest day of her life.

Nell had arranged to have a hairdresser and a make-up artist come to the house, to get Amelia ready for her big day. She also had a girl coming to do her nails, so it was going to be a busy morning.

Amelia had only left the bathroom, after her shower, when there was a soft tap on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” she called out as she pulled her dressing gown tighter around her. The door opened slowly, and Liam’s head came around the door.

“Is it okay if I come in?” He asked as he gave her a big smile.

“Sure,” Amelia replied, as she smiled too.

The door opened further, and Liam walked into the room, carrying a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

“This came for you a few minutes ago,” Liam said as he walked across the bedroom, setting the flowers down on the chest of drawers across from the bed.

Amelia walked towards where Liam had set them down and slipped the card from the flowers. Slipping the card from the tiny white envelope, Amelia smiled as she read the message.

Love you today, and always. Lx.

“From the smile on your face, I’d say my brother is being his cheesy self,” Liam said with a laugh.

“He’s perfect,” Amelia replied with a smile as she looked up at Liam. “So you leave him alone.”

“Okay, Sis,” Liam said, kissing Amelia on the cheek. “You know, that sounds nice. It will be good to have a sister for a change, instead of idiot brothers.”

“Well I will love being your sister,” Amelia said as she walked to the bed, and sat down. “I’m not sure I would call your brothers, idiots.”

“No, I guess not,” Liam chuckled, as he too walked to the bed and sat down. “But enough about them. How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine,” Amelia replied, giving him another smile.

“You know,” Liam said, his face suddenly looking a little more serious. “It’s okay not to be fine. Everyone understands that this is a scary thing that is happening to you. But I just wanted you to know that today is your day; forget about that asshole. We have an army of people here to protect you, so you really have nothing to worry about.”

“I know,” Amelia replied, grateful for his reassurance. “And I’m so grateful.”

“You’re family now, Amelia,” Liam replied, smiling once more. “And Landen is a very lucky man.”

He leaned forward and softly kissed her on the cheek once more before he stood up.

“I will leave you to get ready,” Liam said, as he walked towards the door. “Today is going to be amazing.”

Amelia smile, nodding, knowing that if nothing else were true, that was. This was going to be the best day of her life.

The next few hours passed by in a blur of make-up, curling tongs, and champagne. Amelia somehow remained relatively calm despite having Nikki and Eloise there, squealing like two teenage girls at every little thing.

“How are you doing, Sweetheart,” Nell said as she sat down next to Amelia while she was having her nails done. “You’ve been very quiet today.”

“I’m good,” Amelia replied as she gave the woman a reassuring smile. “Looking forward to seeing Landen.”

“I bet he is feeling exactly the same,” Nell replied with a giggle. “I was talking to Finn, he said it was everything he could do to stop him from coming straight here first thing this morning.”

“That really doesn’t surprise me,” Amelia laughed as she imagined Finn trying to stop Landen from leaving to come and see her.

“I think part of him still can’t believe that he actually has you,” Nell sighed and smiled. “He loves you so much.”

“I love him too,” Amelia replied. “So much sometimes it’s scary.”

“Why is it scary?” Nell asked, and Amelia knew she was surprised by her comment.

“Because for the first time since I lost my dad,” Amelia explained. “I feel like I belong to something once more. For the first time since all this crap with Pete, I feel like I really have something to lose.”

“You know that you’re never going to lose Landen,” Nell said as she gave her forearm a squeeze. “And you have a family full of big, strong men who will make sure that will never happen. You are part of this family now, Sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Nell,” Amelia replied, as she gave her a grateful smile.

“Oh, Sweetie!” Nikki exclaimed as Amelia stared at herself in the long mirror Nell had brought into the bedroom. “You look simply breathtaking.”

Amelia didn’t reply. All she could do was stare at her reflection; she could barely recognise herself.

She had chosen a simple dress. It was a strapless dress, with a full tulle skirt, the only real detail was the Swarovski crystals waistband that was hand stitched to the dress. Her hair was swept up into a bun at the back of her head, with some tiny white flowers at the side, and a floor length veil at the back. It was simple but elegant.

“You’re Beautiful,” Eloise said as she too stood, staring at her friend.

“You think so?” She asked as she turned, looking at her two friends.

“Landen is going to die when he sees you,” Nikki replied, giving her a reassuring smile.

“Then I guess we should get this show on the road,” Amelia said, now longing to see Landen.

Suddenly there was a soft tap on the door, and Nikki hurried over to open it.

“Wow!” Sean said when he saw Nikki. The bridesmaid’s dresses were simple too. They were lavender satin, floor-length dress, with a simpler version of Amelia’s waistband, but like Amelia dress, they were very elegant. “Look at you!”

“You like?” Nikki asked as she posed for him.

“You’re beautiful,” Sean said with a smile. “Um… Can I talk to Amelia for a moment?”

“Sure,” Nikki said, giving him a worried look as she stepped back, letting him into the room. “Is everything okay?

“Of course,” Sean said as he stepped through the door, but the moment he saw Amelia he stopped and smiled, as his smile widened. “Wow! You’re simply stunning, Amelia.”

“Thank you,” Amelia replied, as her face blushed a little. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, as he looked from Amelia to Nikki and Eloise. “But I was wondering if I could have a word?”

“Sure!” Amelia said as she took looked at Nikki and Eloise expectantly.

The two girls walked towards the door, leaving Amelia and Sean alone.

“Do you want to sit down?” Sean asked as he pointed towards the bed, as he walked across the room, sitting down himself.

“Sure,” Amelia said feeling a little unsure about what it was he was going to say. “Are you sure everything okay?”

“Yes! Sorry, yes it is,” Sean quickly replied. “It’s just; I’ve been thinking. I know that you and your father were very close before you lost him, but I know if he were here today, he would tell you how incredibly proud he was of you, and the beautiful young lady you’ve become. I’m sure nothing would have given him more pleasure than to walk you down the aisle.”

“Thank you,” Amelia replied, touched by his words. She blinked back the tears that were suddenly stinging her eyes. She missed her father more than anything else in the world, she would have loved to have him there with her. She wished that for just a moment, she could talk to him and have him tell her everything was going to be okay.

“Amelia,” Sean continued nervously. “I know I can’t replace your father, nor would I ever want to. But I would like to think that I could be someone you could learn to love and trust like a daughter loves and trusts her dad. So I was thinking, and if you say no, then that’s perfectly okay, but I was wondering; well, hoping actually that you would allow me the honour of walking you down the aisle?”

“Sean,” Amelia said with a smile, as tears trickled down her face. “There is nothing I’d love more in this world than to have you walk me down the aisle.”

“Really?” He asked as his smile grew bigger.

“Really,” she replied as she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Sean beamed as he patted her hand before he stood up. He coughed to clear his voice before he continued. “Then I guess we should get out there. I know Landen is fit to burst.”

“Can I just have a few minutes?” Amelia asked as she gently wiped the tears from her face, taking great care not to destroy her make-up. “I just want to fix my face.”

“Of course,” Sean replied with a smile. “I’ll just go make sure everyone is ready to go.”

“Thank you, Sean,” Amelia said, smiling once more before Sean vanished out through the door.

When Amelia was alone, she smiled to herself as she thought of Sean’s words. They had meant more to her than even he knew. She missed her father, and the relationship she had with him.

She knew no one could replace her father, but she liked the idea that maybe she and Sean could have a version of a father/daughter relationship.

She walked to the dressing table and sat down. She was grateful that the make-up artist had used waterproof mascara. All Amelia needed to do was dab a little powder on her cheeks, and she was ready to go.

Amelia looked at her reflection in the mirror, as her eyes fell to her mother’s locket hanging around her neck. She reached up softly touching it, as she prayed that her parents were watching over her right at that moment. Her father had bought it for her mother, and now she was honoured to wear it on her wedding day.

Landen had wanted to buy her something new, but she explained that wearing the locket would be like having a little bit of them with her.

There was another soft tap on the door, and Amelia stood up. She was ready to do this; she was ready to become Mrs. Murphy.

When she opened the door, she expected to see Sean standing there, instead, she froze, her heart slammed against her chest to see Pete Reynolds standing there.

“Hello, Millie,” he said before he pushed her back into the room and slammed the door behind them.