Page 47 of Yours, Truly

“Thank you,” she smiled, tears welling in her eyes. Nate glanced over to me one more time.

“You look beautiful too, Gi,” he admired, before coughing to cover his emotion. “Right, I will see you on the other side Mrs Lawrence." He placed his hands in his pockets and left the room. The new surname Ivy was taking suited her.

After Nate left, I took a breath, watching as Ivy turned back to the mirror, smoothing down her dress and finding somewhere to pop the sentimental chip. She decided to push the lucky chip in the side of her dress under the arms, so she could have it onher at the wedding. I placed myself behind her again and slid the veil into her hair.

“I think an alien has taken my brother's place.” Ivy caught my eyes in the reflection. “He seems different, don't you think?” She eyed me suspiciously, I tried to play it cool, fiddling with the veil.

“Maybe he's just happy for you. He loves you so much Ivy.”Something in her expression made me feel like she didn’t believe the lie I just told, hell I didn’t even believe it myself.

Natehadchanged a lot over the last few months and I’d had a front row seat to the show. He was a lot calmer, a lot more vulnerable than when I first met him. He didn’t feel the need to put on a charade anymore. He was a lot more mature and was learning how to deal with his emotions; not completely but better. And I guess maybe he was able to do that around Ivy.

“Yeah maybe,” she smiled softly, looking away from me. “I want him to be happy too. He has been through a lot. Oh actually, please can you do me a favour?” Ivy asked, taking me by surprise.

“Sure,” I nodded, glad this conversation was taking a turn. Hiding my emotions wasn’t coming easy. “Can you keep an eye on Nate? I really don't want another outburst at the wedding. Mum is going to keep an eye on Dad but I'll have peace of mind knowing someone has Nate's back when it comes to Dad.”

“Maid of Honour duty, accepted,” I chuckled. I wasn’t going to let anything ruin her day. But I also was grateful it gave me an excuse to get close to Nate. I knew this would be the first time Nate and his Dad would be in the same place since theChristmas incident and that made Ivy nervous. “Now let's go get you married,” I chimed, trying to lighten themood.

34

THE WEDDING DAY

Ivy left the room and headed for the ceremony. She glanced down the spiral staircase, waiting for her Dad to walk her down the aisle. All the bridesmaids gathered around her, cooing and complimenting her as we waited for the right moment to get started.

We could hear the people in the ceremony hall and the music beginning. Her Dad came to stand beside her, he smiled at me and nodded. It was time. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle with our bouquets, a mix of snow-white peonies and roses, the same flowers that decorated this whole venue. I followed them, walking down the aisle in my silky, off the shoulder bridesmaid dress as it swept along the floor just behind me.

I was so excited to see the turn out for Ivy, so many close family and friends had come to celebrate the big day. I walked past everyone but my eyes caught Nate’s. He was my centre of gravity. He was grinning from ear to ear, looking me up and down, knowing that he had the perfect excuse to focus on me and no one would notice. He blushed, before clearing his throatsoftly and he whispered something to Jude. I stood on the stage opposite Nate, Jude and the other groomsmen.

Then it was Ivy’s turn, the music changed and everyone turned to face her. Ivy had started to make her way slowly down the aisle whilst ‘This is Beautiful by Tyrone Wells’ played on the string quartet. She radiated happiness; like the sun shone in the sky on a summer’s day. The dress sparkled in the natural light that came from the big open windows, just on either side of the guests, overlooking the acres of land decorated for the party afterwards.

We all watched Ivy, tears filled the eyes of many proud family members before filling her own. She glanced at Jude giving him the biggest smile that was humanly possible. And in that moment, I knew this was true unconditional love, the butterflies in my stomach, the joy that came in this moment. This was how I felt with Nate, and I knew he felt it too as he glanced at me at the same time, having both noticed the look on Jude and Ivy’s faces at first glance.

Ivy’s Dad kissed her cheek, shook Jude’s hand and gave Ivy to him. He was speechless, and she giggled nervously, as he helped her come up the steps and in front of the officiant. We watched them exchange vows and rings and I couldn’t help but think I couldn’t wait to have this moment someday.

The ‘kiss the bride’ moment made the whole room cheer,a romantic kiss, sealing the deal. It was as if Jude and Ivy hadn’t seen each other for months.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Lawrence.Finally, Husband and Wife.

Everyone was happy, and food and drinks circled while the couple were off taking wedding photos. Nate swung by with a tequila sunrise which they had renamed to fit with their wedding: Sweet Beginnings.

“Thank you,” I smiled as I took a sip of the cocktail. It was refreshing. “Are you trying to get me drunk?” I chuckled, raising an eyebrow at the fact that I could taste more tequila than the fruity syrup concoction that was meant to compliment it.

“It is a wedding,” he chuckled, as he took a swig from his own drink. Touché, all the more reason to get drunk. “The ceremony was amazing Gi, seeing Ivy on cloud nine today was everything.” Nate expressed being the proud big brother.

“Itwasamazing. You know, she told me the day she met Jude that she was going to marry him,” I admitted, thinking back to the memory, the way Ivy’s eyes shone after their first date.

She’d spilled all the details and confessed her feelings… he was her other half, she could feel it in her soul. I always thought she was crazy, that you couldn’tfeelsomething like that. But turns out I was wrong, you can, I felt it myself. It feels like an aching, a pull in your chest the second you are out of their orbit. I looked over in the distance at the happy couple, having their photos taken, happy in their bubble.

“She is a hopeless romantic, that one,” Nate chuckled, watching the couple too.

“She really is.” I smiled, wanting to look at Nate again. “I think you are too sometimes,” I teased, taking a sip of the cocktail, smirking up at him, flashing my doe like eyes that drive himcrazy.

“I think that tequila is getting to you,” Nate chuckled. “Maybe I can steal you a little later so I can kiss you. I need my dose of you,” he lowered his voice so only I could hear.

I coughed on my drink and quickly looked around to make sure no one was close enough to hear, I knew Nate liked to live dangerously.

“See, romantic,” I smiled; he hummed in response. He chuckled, running a hand over his jaw. “And, maybe. I’ll text you,” I teased him as I walked away, swaying my hips, leaving him speechless, signifying that I was in control of his proposal. I smirked back at him over my shoulder as his eyes trailed after me.

After we’d had our photos with the couple, I made sure Ivy was all okay, had eaten some appetisers and the guests were happy. I decided sneaking off for half an hour wouldn’t be too much trouble. I knew the itinerary of the day like the back of my hand and we had exactly that; half an hour.

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