Page 124 of One Touch

It sounds stupid to admit this, but I couldn’t help imagining Ava walking down the aisle as a bride one day. She looked so grown-up already, and it struck me that in another eight years, technically, with my permission, she’d be able to marry herself.

Oh god. My darling. Gone.

I wanted to rush down there and tell her how much I loved her, that I never wanted to let her go, but I held fast. Not least because I wasn’t trying to trap my own daughter. I wanted her to grow up and find love, just like everyone else in this world. I was just acutely aware of how lonely I would feel the day she finally moved out of our home.

More figures appeared. There was a gasp, and all eyes were on the bride.

All eyes except mine.

Mine were stuck on Lily.

The soft, pale blue, flowing fabric of her bridesmaid’s dress hugged her slim body, the color bringing out the sapphire of her eyes. Her copper hair was styled in loose waves that caught the sunlight, creating a halo effect around her face.

Our eyes met and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Lily quickly averted her gaze, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she continued her measured walk down the aisle.

I turned to the bride. Elara looked great. Her dress was understated and tasteful. White and silky, tight over her baby bump and then flaring out at the bottom, reminiscent of a mermaid’s tail. She held a bouquet of blue wildflowers and white roses, and her lips were trembling as she smiled.

The bridesmaids—Jenna and Ida—walked to one side, standing beside the flower girls, while Lily stayed up front beside Elara. She wasn’t just Elara’s Maid of Honor—she was also giving her away. I could feel the emotion between the two of them as Lily lifted El’s veil. And then, Elara walked up to Cole, and it began.

My brother looked happier than I’d ever seen him.

I was pleased for him. Really I was. A tiny bit jealous of his contentment, yes, but pleased. Still, I found it almost impossible to focus on the ceremony. There was so much adrenalinepumping through my system, so muchLilypumping through my system, that I couldn’t concentrate.

I vaguely recall the celebrant recounting the story of Cole and Elara getting together. Something about boozy chocolate breasts. I just about remember Anthony padding up the aisle with the rings strapped to his back, and then picking up the box and passing the rings to my brother.

But the rest. . . .

It was all Lily Lane.

The joy in her smile. The grace in her movements. The hope in her eyes.

She deserved a day like this of her own one day. I couldn’t stand in the way of that.

Finally, Cole and Elara shared a kiss as husband and wife.

Lily looked over at me and smiled.

And it stirred something in me I thought had died with Marie.

***

Hours later, the reception was in full swing. The soft glow of string lights cast a romantic ambiance over the beachfront wedding marquee. Against my better judgment, I was nursing a whiskey, trying to get some liquid courage before delivering my speech.

Cole and Elara were doing the rounds, warmly shaking hands and kissing cheeks. Ava was with her grandma, who seemed to be showing her a couple of jujitsu moves. I surveyed the room as I thought about what I was going to say.

Obviously, when Cole had told me he wanted me to make a speech, I’d cautioned him against it. “I’m not exactly the romantic type,” I’d said. Even so, he’d insisted.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it. I just wished I was the kind of person who could do a good job with something like this. Needa car fixing? No problem. Need someone to run into a burning building? I’m your man. Need someone to speak in front of an audience?

Probably best you look elsewhere.

“Hey, brother,” Cole said, finally making his way round to me. His eyes were bright with happiness, and there was a rare softness to his usually gruff features.

“Congratulations, man!” I said, hugging him tight.

“Can you believe it? I’m a married man.”

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