Spiralling Skywards: Fading (Contradictions, #2)(5)

My breath stuttered as a sob silently escaped, and I heard Liam sniff beside me.

“When the office doors close and you head home, never lose sight of what’s waiting for you. Never take for granted the person you’re heading home to, or expect them to sit and wait all night every night.”

She looked between us, but I knew she was aiming her words at Liam.

“Marriage and raising children are the hardest things you will ever do, but the rewards will make every raised voice, every slammed door, sleepless night, and shitty nappy, so very worth it.”

She stepped forward and kissed us both on our cheeks. “I love you both, now, go mingle with your guests and enjoy the night.”

***

The DJ started to play low and quiet background music, and the voices surrounding us began to hush as my grandad approached the DJ

I wasn’t sure what was about to happen. We had met and spoke to the DJ yesterday and told him what our first dance would be. We had also clued him in about the dance routine we were rehearsing.

Even though I’d walked down the aisle to “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, I’d insisted that it get played again as it’s what I consider our song.

The plan was for our slow dance to end, and then DJ would cue in the next track and our dance routine would start.

The daughter of one of the women I worked with was a dance instructor, and we’d taken a couple of lessons with her—more for Liam’s sake than mine. I reassured him constantly these past weeks that his moves were great, but he didn’t seem to believe me. Even though this had all been his idea, the closer our wedding day got, the more nervous he seemed to get about our performance. It was so bad that he hadn’t even been able to talk about it yesterday.

My grandad took the mic from the DJ and simply said, “Ladies and gentleman, I give you Sarah and Liam Delaney.”

I didn’t move for a few seconds. The music was all wrong. This wasn’t our song. I was about to go complain, but Liam pulled me across the floor, and we started to move.

It took one, two, three more beats of the song before I recognised it. Slowly, my eyes rose to his, and I wanted to cry. Never in my life had I felt so loved. If I could direct this scene, this moment in my life . . . if I could have planned every single microscopic detail, this was exactly the way it would have gone.

“I can’t believe you remembered.”

“It was the night that changed my life, it’s not like I’m ever likely to forget.”

“My heart aches with how much I love you right now.”

“Oh fuck me, pretty girl, you have no idea. I feel like—”

He shook his head and swallowed. His big hand slid down the small of my back and partially covered the top of my arse.

I had no clue what the protocol was for first dance arse touching between the bride and groom at their wedding, and I actually didn’t care. I just wanted my husband to hold me and never let me go. I wanted him to look at me the way he was right now for the rest of my days.

“I can’t get the words out, Sarah.”

His eyes shone with unshed tears while mine spilled over. He pulled me in even tighter and kissed each of my cheeks right below my eyes.

“Never let me go.”

“Never.”

“Always hold me tight.”

“Always,” he replied as he pressed his forehead against mine.

We swayed to the sound of “I knew I loved You” by Savage Garden, which was the first song we ever danced to. Both of us lost in our little bubble of love.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and turned my head to watch my brother situate a chair at the edge of the dance floor.

Will appeared next, carrying a mic on a tall stand, and right behind him was Liam’s brother-in-law, Lachlan, carrying another mic on a stand.

Sasha appeared beside me and attempted to take my hand.

“Liam?” I questioned as he let go of my hand and handed me over to Sash.

“Don’t hate me, pretty girl, it seemed like a good idea at the time.” He kissed my cheek.

“Go sit down and enjoy the show. If you hate it, just remember it was all Luke and Will’s idea.”

Sasha pulled me by the hand and sat me in the chair facing the dance floor. Without a word, she kissed my cheek and left me sitting there. All of our guests were standing around the edge of the designated dance floor. In the middle of it stood my husband, who was wearing the leather jacket he was supposed to put on for our dance routine. Slightly behind and to his left were Shain, who flew in for the wedding, and Lachy. To the right were Luke and Will. Each pair shared a mic, and they were all wearing either leather or denim jackets.

I had no idea what was going on.

And then the music started.

My hands came up and covered my mouth, but I couldn’t wipe away or hide the smile that was plastered all over it.

I stamped my feet up and down, not caring who saw the excitement building inside me. When my grandad passed Liam a grey fedora and he placed it on his head, tilted it forward, and spun around before grabbing a hold of the mic, I actually screamed and waved my arms in the air.

Our guests were videoing, taking photos, cheering, and whistling as Liam strutted towards me, tilted his hat again, and did another spin before breaking into “I’ll Be Loving You” by New Kids on the Block.

The place erupted.