Caitlin squeezed her friend even tighter. ‘You are so wonderful. Thank you!’
Jules pulled away. ‘Well, we can’t have you not celebrating properly, can we?’ she replied with a knowing smile. Caitlin realised she’d had no need to worry about upsetting Jules and Reid ahead of their big day because they were true friends, and she was incredibly fortunate to have them in her life. She really did have everything she needed right here in Glentorrin.
‘We owe you, big time,’ Archie told her with a kiss to her cheek.
Kenneth’s voice came, loud and clear, over the speakers. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I think you’ll all agree that it’s tradition for the groom to say a few words!’
The room erupted with chants of ‘Speech!’ and a blushing Archie took to the stage.
‘Evening, everyone. And thank you so much for doing this for us. We didn’t want to make a fuss and we certainly didn’t want to steal the spotlight from Jules and Reid who are getting married at the end of the year.’ Applause and a chorus of ‘awwws’ rang out. ‘Anyway, I’m sure I can speak for my beautiful wife and I…’ His eyes widened and he smacked his own cheek. ‘Jeez-o, I have a wife! And she is beautiful!’ Laughter erupted around the space. He shook his head. ‘As I was saying, we’re so grateful to have all of you in our lives and we love you all.’ More applause. ‘I was thrilled and shocked when I asked Cait to marry me, and she said yes. As you all know, our relationship has been somewhat of a whirlwind. A ridiculously fast whirlwind. But when you know,’ He shrugged, his gaze fixed on Caitlin. ‘You just know. And I knew a long time ago that I adored her. I just had to convince her that she felt the same.’ Laughter travelled the room. ‘And now that she does… I truly am the luckiest man on the planet. In the space of a few crazy, rollercoaster months, I’ve gained a wife and two beautiful daughters. What more could any man possibly want? Here’s to my wife and girls.’
The whole gathered crowd held up their glasses and toasted them and Caitlin’s throat tightened with emotion at his words.
When everyone was quiet again, Archie continued. ‘Now, there’s something I want to ask a certain young lady here tonight. I hope she doesn’t mind me doing this in front of everyone. But it’s an important question.’ He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. ‘I know you’re a strong girl, Grace, and you and your mum have always been a team. I know you certainly don’t need a dad…’ His chin trembled. ‘But I had a secret chat with your mum, and I have her permission. I’m kind of hoping you’d like a dad because I’d love to make things official and to be able to call you my daughter and really mean it. So… Grace Fraser… please would you let me adopt you?’ His voice broke and the room fell silent.
Even though Caitlin and Archie had had a long discussion about the situation, and Caitlin had been more than touched when Archie had suggested making things official with Grace, she was now a little worried that being asked here, in front of everyone they knew, she may feel coerced.
Standing beside her mum, Grace gave an audible gasp, and her hands covered her face.
Unsure what to make of the reaction, Caitlin gulped and put her arm around her daughter. ‘Grace, sweetheart, there’s absolutely no pressure,’ Caitlin whispered. But as she finished speaking, Grace lurched forward and ran to the stage.
Archie picked her up and the girl sobbed in his arms. Caitlin waited with bated breath, a lump of raw emotion trapped in her throat, until Grace pulled away and took the microphone from Archie.
She sniffed and wiped at her eyes and with a wavering voice she said, ‘I was really hoping you’d say that. Does this mean I can call you dad?’
Tears streamed down Caitlin’s face and when she glanced around, she realised she wasn’t alone.
Archie laughed out loud and nodded. ‘Absolutely, sweetheart, abso-flippin-lutely!’ he replied and once again pulled her into his arms as the gathered guests cheered.
Caitlin and Sophie walked onto the stage to join the hug and the room erupted as the new little family embraced once more.
* * *
Greg McBradden was a popular performer based over on the mainland and had known Stella and Joren from the Coxswain for many years. He was a firm favourite with everyone and seemed to be roped into performing at every major village event, not that he seemed to mind.
He took to the stage when the party was in full swing. ‘Evening, yous lot! You cannae seem to get enough o’ me, eh?’ Laughter travelled the room. ‘I just want to say a massive congratulations to Caitlin, who, I have it on good authority, is my number one fan.’ Caitlin blushed and buried her head in Archie’s shoulder. ‘Archie, you’re a very lucky man, but I don’t need to tell you that. This one is dedicated to the bride and groom! It’s a favourite of mine by the inimitable Proclaimers and it’s called “Let’s Get Married”!’ A loud raucous cheer rang out. ‘And even though I’m wasting my bloody breath, what do I always, always say?’
The crowd yelled in unison, ‘Don’t sing along!’ And as he started to sing, of course, his number one rule was immediately broken.
The whole crowd linked arms in a huge circle and swayed as Caitlin and Archie danced in the centre.
As the song came to a close, Archie whispered, ‘That night, at the camp, when we saw the shooting star, this is exactly what I wished for.’
Caitlin gazed up into his chocolate-brown eyes and smiled tenderly. ‘Me too, Archie. Me too.’
Epilogue
Two months later
Caitlin and her friends were sitting around Morag’s kitchen table when she made her announcement.
‘Triplets?’ Jules asked with raised eyebrows. ‘That’s amazing, but what on earth are you going to do?’
Caitlin sighed. ‘I honestly don’t know that there’s anything we can do really. It was totally unexpected though. I’m just glad we asked for the extra scan, or it would’ve been a complete shock on delivery day. I had a feeling it was more than two. I think Archie is stunned, poor guy.’
‘No flipping wonder,’ Ruby said.
‘I’d initially thought it was just weight gain,’ Caitlin said with a sigh. ‘But nope. More babies.’
