Spiralling Skywards: Falling (Contradictions #1)(4)

“I love you a lottle more.”





When we walked back into the marquee after our bathroom excursion, the DJ was just setting up. There was a live band playing later, but we decided on a DJ to start and end the night. Liam and I had a surprise up our sleeves for our first dance, and I was a little nervous, although not as nervous as he seemed to be. He was really twitchy.

“Are the leather jackets still under the table?” I asked.

“Yeah, I checked when we first came in and sat down.”

All the other tables were being moved to create a dance floor, but the top table was staying in place.

“You okay with doing this?” His palms were sweaty as he griped my hand.

“I’m good.” He gave a small nod and a tight smile whilst watching his parents approach.

Despite the preconceived notions I’d formed of Daniel Delaney and his inability to remain married, I really liked him.

I liked Liam’s mum, Lori, even more.

“How you doing, darlings? How fabulous has the day been so far?” Lori tucked a stray hair behind my ear as she spoke, and my heart warmed at the familiarity of her gesture.

Daniel reached out and shook Liam’s hand.

“Great day, son. I couldn’t be more proud of ya.” He pulled him in for a manly cuddle and a back slap.

Liam was a little taller than his dad and his hair a lot blonder. I’d never seen photos of Dan when he was younger, but I was pretty sure he was as hot as his son back in the day. In fact, even at fifty-five, he wasn’t bad-looking, which was probably no way for a bride to be thinking about her father-in-law on her wedding day—but still . . .

This fact didn’t go unnoticed by Nan, who had flirted mercilessly since his arrival.

“You look stunning, Sarah. Though, I’m sure you’ve been hearing that all day.” Dan kissed my cheek and then stepped back to stand beside Lori.

“Stop flirting with my wife, Dad.”

“I’m not flirting, she looks bloody gorgeous. Every bride needs to hear that on her wedding day.”

“Not from you she doesn’t. What’s the go between you two anyway? You’ve not kept your hands off each other all day.” Liam asked his parents. Lori rolled her eyes, but I could see the sparkle in them as she looked at Dan, who was standing with his hand protectively on the small of her back.

“Your dad’s single again, you know he always thinks it’s a good idea for us to try again when that happens.”

“Oh come on, darl, I think that’s a good idea when I’m married too, but you won’t have a bar of it.”

“So, what makes you think I’m gonna change my mind this time?” Lori laughed as she spoke, but Dan took both her hands in his and stood in front of her. Liam slid his hand around my hip and pulled me into his body. I wanted to look up at his face and attempt to gauge his feelings, but I didn’t want to miss a moment of the scene unfolding between his parents.

“The reason I’ve never stayed married to the others is because they’re not you. Just say the word, Lor, and I promise, I’ll be the man that I should’ve been all those years ago.”

Lori shook her head whilst staring down at their joined hands.

“You let me down, Dan. I had three young children, and you let me down. Work always came first to you. Above us. Always. Every time.”

“I know, and I’m so f*cking sorry for that. I love you. Even when I knew I was ruining everything by constantly working, I never stopped loving you.”

Dan turned his head towards us.

“Don’t do what I did, son. There’s nothing more important in this life than family. Make sure that Sarah is always your priority. Don’t ever get it as monumentally wrong as I did.”

He nodded his head in our direction and then turned and headed to the bar.

Lori placed her spread palm over her chest and stared after him. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and blinked back the tears forming in my eyes. That was one of the most intense things I had ever witnessed. Liam and his dad were so much alike with the way they put everything out there.

“Don’t let him pressure you, Mum. If he’s not what you want, then don’t even consider giving things a go with him again.”

She turned and looked at both of us, shaking her head. “Oh, my sweet, young things. Promise me you’ll always love and respect each other the way you do today for the rest of your lives. Don’t get eaten up by the smaller things, always keep your eye on the bigger picture . . . that’s each other. It’s you and the family that you’ll have and the life that you’ll build and create together.”

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.”