Page 132 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul
Both Owen and Xander looked at George in surprise. Owen felt like saying if you think he’s stressed, what do you think I am?
The registrar took that moment to ask: ‘Can any of you gentlemen tell me if this wedding is still going ahead?’
A thunderous scowl crossed Owen’s features, and George grabbed his friend’s arm, afraid that the usually gentle Owen was about to do bodily harm to a wedding official.
Before anyone could answer the registrar, the door opened again at the end of the room. The pianist changed to an Erik Satie Gymnopedie, the pre-arranged music for the bride’s entrance, and Lexie stepped into the room.
‘Mummy,’ Emi cried out and ran to Lexie. ‘You’re late.’
‘Like mother, like daughter,’ Owen muttered, remembering the many times Margaret had used that accusing tone and phrase on him but not knowing whether to laugh or cry as he watched the entire Scott clan gather around Lexie. Then Roger Phelan entered and joined the family group.
‘What’s going on now?’ George asked.
‘I wish I knew.’
‘Do you want to go to her?’
‘Of course, I do, but I think in wedding protocol, we’re supposed to wait here for my bride.’
‘Fuck protocol. I’m going to see what’s happened and bring your bride to you since I can’t see her bloody father anywhere.’
While George strode off, bristling with outrage, Owen watched as the entire Scott family left the room. Roger glanced at him with an expression that Owen took to be an apology before he too left the room, followed a moment later by George. Then the pianist stopped playing.
Owen noticed Emily’s ribbon on the floor and scooped it up before he slumped onto his chair and palm swiped his forehead.
‘I’m sorry to say this doesn’t look too good,’ the registrar observed. ‘In my experience, this sort of scene usually means the bride has changed her mind. Any minute now, the member of the family who has drawn the short straw will come back into the room to give you the bad news.’
‘Thank you for giving me the benefit of your vast experience,’ Owen muttered without looking at the woman. He couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be happening. Lex loved him. He loved her. There had to be some reasonable explanation. She couldn’t have changed her mind.
Owen didn’t turn when the door opened once more. He tried to ignore the whispered voices behind him. Instead, he wound the blue ribbon around his fingers and stared at it. But when the pianist played again, he stood up. He wasn’t sure if it was more bridal music or just something to cover the whispering – maybe exit music for the guests to file out to – perhaps he was supposed to walk out alone.
‘Owen.’ His heart split at the sound of Lex’s voice. He wanted to look at her, but he was too scared to turn in case her next words were ‘I’m sorry, this is goodbye.’
‘I’m sorry, I’m late.’
Here it is – she’s breaking up with me.Owen closed his eyes, willing himself not to cry.
‘Dad had a heart attack.’
‘Is he…?’
‘No, he’s not dead, but he’s been taken to hospital. That’s where Xander has gone now with Mum.’
Owen decided against saying, ‘that man would do anything to stop you marrying me.’ Instead, he turned to look at Lexie. She was so beautiful, even with her hair in turmoil and grass stains on the hem of her dress. Behind her, George was standing with Kate on one side and Emi on the other. Emi was holding Lex’s bouquet of white roses.
Owen cleared his throat. ‘I thought you’d changed your mind about marrying me.’
Lexie took his arm and squeezed it. ‘That would never happen, Owen.’ Then noticing the ribbon wound tightly around Owen’s fingers, she asked. ‘What are you doing with Emi’s ribbon?’
‘It was on the floor. I picked it up.’ Owen unwound it and held the crumpled blue satin in his palm. ‘Shouldn’t the bride have something blue for luck?’ he asked.
‘She should,’ Lexie said, and took the ribbon from Owen.
THE END
