Page 138 of The Accidental Wife

Shayla

“You’re doing what?”Cole’s parents utter at the same time. They were staring at us wide-eyed.

Cole and I look at one another as we sit at the dining table at his parents’ house a few days later. I press my lips together to stifle the laugh that was bubbling up inside of me at the horrified look on his mother’s face.

“We’re getting married in Vegas, and we would love it if you could be there with us,” Cole tells them evenly, and his mother’s eyes almost bulge out of her head.

“Vegas?” She sputters, stunned, and we nod. “Like…in the chapel? With Elvis?” I mask my chuckle with a cough, and Cole looks at me, his eyes full of mischief as the corner of his lips twitch.

“Yes, mother. Vegas, the chapel, Elvis, the whole lot.” Cole tells her, and she turns her gaze to me.

“Son, just so we can prepare ourselves, how many times exactly are you planning to get married in your life?” Cole’s Dad questions, his green eyes twinkling mischievously when Cole chuckles shaking his head, and I giggle.

“This is the very last time.” He declares and laces his fingers with mine atop of the table. “To the only woman I can ever see myself being with,” I smile, holding his gaze.

“Shayla, sweetheart, do you not want your fairy-tale wedding? With the white gown and the flowers and the beautiful church service? It’s every girl’s dream, honey.” She states, and I shake my head.

“No, it really isn’t. I’m sure you’ve realised this yourself, Elaine, but I’m not like other girls. I don’t need the big fancy wedding surrounded by a ton of people that I barely know. A small, cosy, simple ceremony with my nearest and dearest has always been my dream. And Vegas is obviously where our whole journey began, so it holds great meaning for Cole and me, and we would really love our families to be there with us.” I explain and bite my lip. “My mother obviously can’t be there because she can’t leave the house, but it would mean a lot to me to have you there,” I tell her earnestly and her eyes soften, and she reaches over and takes my hand into hers.

“Of course, I will be there.” She assures me, smiling kindly, and I squeeze her hand a little. “I think it’s also time you call me Mum, don’t you?” I blink back the tears and nod.

“Thank you…Mum.” Elaine smiles, her own eyes watering as she looks at Cole, nodding at her gratefully.

“Now that’s out of the way, I must simply insist that you at least wear a white gown.” While cutting into her steak, she says, and I chuckle and lay my head on Cole’s shoulder when he wraps his arms around my shoulder.

“We can have the reception at the Bellagio after your ceremony at the chapel?” His Dad suggests, and his parents start discussing wedding details.

“You okay?” Cole whispers to me, pressing a kiss to my temple, when he notices the saddened look on my face.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, and he narrows his eyes at me, silently telling me he’s not buying it. “I’m just a little sad that my mum won’t be at my wedding.” I sigh, and he kisses my temple again, his hold tightening around me.

“I’m sure she would love to be there if she could, baby. We can facetime her, or I’ll have them set up a video conference, and she can watch the whole thing.” Cole suggests thoughtfully, and I smile lovingly up at him.

“That’s a great idea, baby. I’d still like for her to be there with my brother and me, but it’s better than nothing, I suppose.” I say, and he looks at me pensively for a long moment before he nods, and we go back to talking to his parents.

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am that my son didn’t marry that godawful witch Sophie,” Elaine tells me, casting a look at Cole, who was discussing something with his father. “I still can’t believe how devious she was, lying to him about the baby.”

I nod and sigh, “I know. I’m so thankful the truth came out before it was too late, and he made the mistake of marrying her.” I say, looking over at Cole, laughing at something his Dad said.

“I dread to think what kind of life he would have had with her.” She sighs and takes my hand in hers, and I turn my gaze to her. “I haven’t seen him this happy and content since your divorce, Shayla. You’ve brought so much love and joy into his life— into all of our lives, and I’m so thankful to you.” She states, her eyes showing her sincerity, and I smile gratefully at her.

“I said this before, and I’ll say it again, you’ve raised a wonderful son, and I am truly blessed to be loved by him.”

“And him by you, sweetheart.” She reassures me, lifting her hand and touching my cheek. “I’m just ever so sorry I treated you so horribly at the beginning.” I shrug, shaking my head.

“It’s long forgotten.” I utter, and she smiles and sits back in her chair with a content smile while watching her boys.

* * *

As Coleand I had expected, our reconciliation made the headlines once again. Aimee came running into my bedroom the next day with Jo hot on her heels. They threw themselves onto my bed, waking me up from a very peaceful slumber.

“Bish! Wake up! You’re all over the fucking internet!” Aimee shrieks bouncing up and down on my bed. I groan and pull the covers over my head, but Jo yanks it back down and flicks my nose.

“Get up, you lazy moo. You have to see this!” Jo chirps excitedly, shoving her tablet in my face. I blink and look at the photo of Cole and I kissing in the middle of the street after I jumped into his arms. I smile when my heart flutters wildly in my chest. There are various other images of me running toward the church and then Cole running out of the church. The headline at the top read:

Nations Sweethearts, Tristan Hoult and Shayla Hart have Reunited!

“Nation’s sweethearts?” I utter with a roll of my eyes, and Jo squeals, clapping her hands. Aimee takes the tablet from me and reads the article out loud.

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