Chapter Twenty-four
The Wedding
Bon Jovi –
Sophie
So here I am.Fucking hell. I touch my hand to my neck. I can't believe that my dad kept it—my mum's necklace. I was sure he’d pawned everything, so when Dec came to my room while I was getting ready and gave me this, I almost broke down.
When Mum was getting ready for a rare night out, she always wore this necklace. It’s a white gold chain with a square pendant and a diamond in the middle. It was the most expensive thing she owned - passed down from her mum, my nanna. I’m in shock that he kept it. It makes me think there is hope for my dad yet. I'm going to get him better, if it kills me, I am.
He gave Dec his blessing to marry me. Even though Dec knows all the shit I go through with Dad, he still asked for his permission. God, I love my Dec.
So back to the moment. The moment when I walk through these doors and down the aisle to the man I love. I am going to be his wife.His wife. This trip has been the most unexpected thing. I’m in a dream.
The chapel is so beautiful, not at all like I imagined a Vegas Chapel to be like. It’s a little out of the strip - a limo picked us up and is taking us back to the strip afterwards. It’s a white small American style chapel, so pretty. Everyone else is already here and Mia is at the side of me.
She looks down at me. “Got to say, babe, I have fucking amazing taste. That dress was made for you.”
I smooth down the pale blue floor-length satin gown. It is breathtakingly beautiful and fits perfectly. The satin of the gown trails up and merges with lace for the top bodice part, and then the back blunges down, so it is backless. It is the badass of all wedding dresses, classy (and probably very expensive), but sexy as hell - very fitting for where we are.
“Mia, it’s bloody perfect. I love it. Where did you get it?”
“Ah, I had lots of fun shopping but ended up at Harrods. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was you. I know he calls you Blue, so I thought I’d go with it.”
Tears start to form, and I have to swallow to make them go away.
Mia sees what’s happening. “Don’t you dare cry, your make up will smudge.”
“You are thebestfriend - you know that?”
She shrugs. “I know.” She grins.
“I've been a nightmare these past few weeks.”
“No, babe, you’ve been heartbroken. There's a difference and besides, you'd do the same for me, wouldn’t you.”
I nod. She knows I would.
She links me. “Come on, let's do this.”
I pat my hand on my necklace. “I know you’re here, Mum.You would love him.” I whisper.
I take a deep breath and take my first step onto the aisle.
I don’t see anything around me. I just see him—my man. A feeling of home, of comfort, and total contentment washes over me.
He smiles at me. It's just for me - no one else.
The music starts up, and my heart skips a beat. It's our song. I've suddenly decided that it's our song and I feel like it’s my mum's way of being there, of approving of Dec. Bon Jovi,I’ll be there,starts to play. Okay, no way I can stop the tears now as the first of many runs down my cheek. He remembered when we danced at the pub.
I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. He has done everything in his power to make this perfect for me. It’s all about me, he's made it that way. Thought of every little detail to make me happy. If I had any doubt that it was too fast, that we should wait, that has just dissipated, I have never been so sure of anything in all my life. We are going to be happy. We are going to have our happily ever after.
I walk up and reach him. He holds his hand out for me to take, and he leans into me. “So fucking beautiful.” He whispers in my ear and kisses my cheek as though I'm made of porcelain.
