Page 76 of Game Changer

Epilogue

Zara

Never in my life did I imagine I’d get married in secret. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking my wedding would be a huge celebration of love. But as I stand in front of the full-length mirror in the small hotel room in Gretna Green, I know this is how it was always meant to be. My wedding dress is simple but practical and my long blonde hair is tied back in a wavy messy bun. When Buckie made his case for an elopement to me a few weeks ago, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Weddings are stressful enough. I know. I’ve hosted a few at Gemini and most of the brides look like they could use a good cry by the end. The wedding of an A list celebrity would be torturous. I couldn’t have handled all the public intrusion and scrutiny.

My phone vibrates on the bed and as I lift it my smile widens. It’s Buckie.

Ready for you beautiful. Get down here so we can make this official. XX

I tell him I’m on my way and stow my phone in my tiny white leather bag, along with my lip gloss. I wrote a note for Buckie last night as we each spent the night in separate rooms, and I tuck that in there too. I pull on my black leather biker jacket, grab my small pink bouquet of roses and head down to the car park. After a greeting and congratulations from a few of the staff in the foyer, I emerge out into the warm July sunshine. I find my husband to be waiting for me in the carpark. I could hear his Harley engine rumbling from inside. I smile as I see him sitting on the bike in his beautiful Buchanan blue kilt. He has on a black leather biker jacket to match mine. Aside from the kilt his outfit is very casual, and I love the rugged Scotsman look on him. His white T-shirt and black biker boots are a far cry from the usual wedding attire.

His eyes crinkle at the corners when he sees me, and his smile lights up his face. “Come on beautiful. Let’s get this show on the road.”

“Abso-bloody-lutely,” I call to him and head over to the bike.

I’ve foregone heels for the occasion and have decided on a pair of white Doc Martens with pink ribbon laces. I figure they’ll be more practical for a bike ride, and I don’t care what I look like. The most important thing to me right now is making the man sitting on that bike my husband.

I hitch up the skirts of my dress and get on the back of the bike, tucking all the lace and tulle in between myself and Buckie. As slowly as I can, I put my helmet on, careful not to pull my bun out. As he revs the engine, I see a small crowd gathered outside the hotel cheering us. We take off out of the hotel carpark and head for The Old Blacksmiths Shop.

When we decided to elope, both of us knew exactly where we should go. Vegas is great if you live in the States but since we are both back in Scotland it had to be Gretna Green. It’s a special place for weddings. Back in the eighteenth century you couldn’t get married in England and Wales if you were under twenty-one without the permission of your parents. However, in Scotland there was no such law. And since Gretna Green is the first place you come to as you cross the England-Scotland border, that’s where young lovers would get married. The blacksmiths used to marry people at the anvil, and they still marry couples over an anvil in all the wedding venues in the town.

Buckie stops outside the old white building and puts his kickstand down to steady the machine. After a delicate dismount of the bike, we head for the door, bike helmets in hand.

“Hey,” Buckie says stopping us short of the entrance.

“Yeah,” I answer, tilting my head and smiling at him.

“You sure about this?”

“About what? Marrying you?”

“No doing it in secret. Our parents are going to kill us. I don’t want you to look back on this in years to come and regret not having your mum here.”

Sighing, I cup his face in my hand. “This is what we agreed. My parents won’t be the least bit concerned about this and I know yours won’t either. They’ll be happy that we’re happy. Come on look at this place.” I nod at the people milling around, going about their business, and doing the touristy thing. “These people don’t care about us. They’re not running after us for photos or autographs. And best of all, there’s not a pap in sight. We can have a small family celebration at home. It’s big enough after all.”

He smiles at me and places a soft kiss on my lips. “I love you Zara,” he whispers against my lips. “Let’s get hitched. But first we need some witnesses.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You mean you didn’t organise that with them?”

“Nope. I have a better idea. How much fun will it be to ask a couple of tourists or locals to do it for us?” He winks at me and smiles cheekily.

“You, sir, are a bloody crackpot, but I love you and I love that idea.”

“Now to find us some willing participants,” he says laughing like an evil scientist.

I spot a young couple sitting on a low wall outside the building housing the wedding rooms. I nudge Buckie and motion towards them, and he nods. We head over and I decide to do the talking hoping that they won’t notice who Buckie is right away before they have a chance to run for the hills.

“Excuse us. Would you guys have a spare half hour right now? We are getting married today and need a couple of witnesses.”

“Oh, um yeah sure,” the red headed female says, a look of happy surprise on her face. “Could be fun eh Jim?” She turns to talk to her partner and finds him looking at Buckie with his jaw almost on the floor. When she follows his gaze and finally sees who is in front of her, she looks as though she’s about to pass out.

“Jesus, you’re—”

“Listen please don’t feel obliged. We don’t want you to pose for photos or anything we only need witnesses.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” she squeals, jumping up from her perch on the wall and hauling her shocked other half to his feet. “I don’t mind the photos. In fact, therehasto be photos because no one is ever going to believe this. I’m Shona and this is Jim. We got married here a year ago today. Had to come back down from Inverness for our anniversary. This is cool.”

We shake Shona and Jim’s hands, and we all make our way into the building. We’re met at the front door by the female registrar and a couple of members of staff. I’ve always envisioned a huge celebration for my wedding with hundreds of guests and a big party. But now — standing here with the man I love knowing that our future is going to be one big party — I couldn’t wish for a more perfect day.

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