Stanton Bliss(6)

Natasha and I face each other and she giggles loudly.

“Holy crap. We are getting married!” she exclaims excitedly as she lifts her flower bouquet in the air. Everyone bursts into laughter and I melt as my eyes hold hers. That is such a Natasha thing to say.

And then I’m transfixed.

I watch my beautiful Natasha declare her love with her sacred wedding vows and I watch as she slides the gold band on my finger. I, in return declare mine vows to her and slide the gold band onto her finger.

She slowly leans forward and tenderly places her hand on my cheek and kisses me, sweeter than anything I have ever experienced, longed for with all of my heart. I feel myself well up and blink to stop myself from crying. The love on the ledge, both between us and from our families, is so strong that I’m sure it could be felt from another galaxy, it’s such a tangible force. I pull out of her kiss and glance around to see everyone seems to be feeling the same way, all of them wiping their eyes, overcome with emotion. Even Ben has a tear in his eye. Nothing has ever felt so right and so damn well f*cking deserved. This is a fight the whole family has fought.

Fought and won.

The victors.

The victor is love.

I desperately wish I could bottle this perfect moment in time so I could replay it again and again throughout my life.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Through teary eyes Natasha laughs, leans closer, and tenderly cups my face.

“Kiss me, my husband.”

Our lips touch and I am lost.

Natasha

The weather has been flawless, just like the night. It’s still and just coming on to eight o’clock. Joshua and I have been married for approximately three fabulous hours and I can’t wipe the stupid smile from my face. A large, long table sits underneath the tree, covered in white linen tablecloths. Overhead branches are adorned with fairy lights, while candles and beautiful flowers embellish the table. We are drinking the most ridiculously expensive champagne known to man and everyone is laughing and chatting loudly. Large lanterns are lit around the perimeter, and music is being piped out to the entire space. It’s magical, to say the least. Never, in my wildest of wild dreams, could I have imagined that I would get married in such a heavenly place. We have just eaten a beautiful meal and now we’re all mingling and laughing. This is the most relaxed we have both been for a very long time, and I feel a deep, sated happiness, relieved that we have finally done it.

We are legally married.

I keep catching Joshua looking at the ring on his hand while talking as if not believing it has actually happened. I know how he feels. I can hardly believe it myself.

The waitresses pour everyone another champagne and Joshua stands at the table. Cameron taps the side of his glass with his fork and everyone takes their seat back at their designated spaces. I sit next to Joshua and he places his hand on my shoulder affectionately.

The table falls silent as they wait for his speech, and he seemingly pulls himself together, as if preparing to be serious.

He smiles and swallows nervously. “I would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate with us.” He raises his glass as if finished and everyone laughs. Oh, he’s nervous. My heart melts for my beautiful man and I grab his hand in a reassuring gesture.

He hesitates as his face falls solemn and he drops his head. He looks to the empty place next to my mum and the candle that’s burning there. My dad’s empty place at the table. My eyes instantly cloud over.

“John.” He hesitates again and the table falls deathly silent. “There.” His voice cracks and he stops. A tear falls onto my cheek and I squeeze his hand just that little bit harder.

“There isn’t a day goes by when you are not in my thoughts.”

Mum drops her head in sadness but Bridget grabs her hand.

“I go over it again and again. Wondering if I did things differently, would you still be here with us?”

He hesitates and my blurry eyes stare up at him.

Brock drops his head in sadness, too, and I hear Bridget sniff loudly.

“The only relief I have is the hope that you will rest in peace knowing that I will spend the rest of my life ensuring your daughter’s happiness. Nobody could ever love her more than I do.”

The bittersweet tears run down my face before I quickly wipe them away.

I will not be sad today. I will not be sad today. I will not be sad today.

“More than any other day, I wish you were here today, celebrating our love with us.”

Joshua raises his glass. “To John.”

Everyone raises their glasses. “To John.” They repeat sadly.

He regains his composure and he raises his glass to our guests. “To you lot.” He smiles broadly and everyone chuckles. “You have had to endure more in the last few months than any friendship should ever have to endure.”

Cameron interjects. “Amen to that!”

Everyone laughs out loud.

Joshua smirks at his beloved brother and continues his speech. “And yet you have all been so loyal and so committed to us.” He hesitates and I know he is becoming emotional. “We will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have done and the tears you have shed for us.” He raises his glass happily. “To you lot.”

Everyone smiles, nods and raises their glass in agreement. “To us lot.” They all laugh.

He turns his attention to me, and I smile as I hold my breath.