Caleb cradles April’s face in his hands before drawing her towards him. Their lips touch, and my stomach flips as their kiss deepens.
I break out in a hot flush. Is this what drives Mum to read her romance novels? Is this the love, passion, and soul-mates she always talks about? I turn my head to where she’s sitting next to me, her cheeks damp. I smile and place my free hand over hers, giving it a squeeze. She turns her head and looks at me, her eyes glistening, before being drawn back to the happy couple. The marquee erupts in whoops and cheers. That’s what happens when your guest list is made up of close friends and family.
By the time they break apart, smiles have replaced most tears. I doubt anyone watching questions their love for one another.
Kris hands me his handkerchief, which I accept, dabbing at the corner of each eye.
“Thanks,” I say, smiling at him. “I think I got something in my eye.”
“Love does that to people,” he says, smiling across at me. “It was an emotional ceremony. Caleb is a lucky man.”
I wonder, for the first time, if his wedding to his first wife, Annie, was like this. Full of love and excitement for the future. A future that was ripped from them both.
“He is,” I say, squeezing his hand. “He’s spent a long time looking for his person, and I’m so happy he’s finally found her.”
“You’re going to miss them,” Kris says.
I smile at him.
“I will, but it’s not like I’m leaving the planet. I’ll be travelling back and forth with work. We can catch up then.”
We stand up, and I slide my arm through his, stepping into his side.
An excited voice comes from nearby. “Aunty Pen, Kris!”
We turn to face an eager Lottie walking towards us.
“What do you think?” she says, stopping in front of us and giving us a twirl, showing off her dress and new shoes.
“You look beautiful and so grown up. I almost didn’t recognise you,” I say, earning myself a grin.
I can’t believe she’ll be turning fifteen in a few months. Gone is the little girl, replaced by a beautiful young woman. A sense of sadness descends as I know once I move, I’ll no longer be her first port of call as I have been over the years.
How time flies.
I pull her in for a hug.
“How is my favourite goddaughter?” I ask, shaking off my melancholy. “Are you all set for your trip to Italy?”
Lottie laughs. “I’m currently your only goddaughter. And I’m good.” She rolls her eyes. “Dad has had me check everything twenty times to ensure I haven’t forgotten anything.”
“That’s what Dads are for,” I tell her.
“I better go. Dad and Granny need my help. Granny has given us all a list of jobs to do,” she says before turning tail and leaving us as quickly as she appeared.
My eyes drift to Elijah, who is deep in conversation with his mother.
“She’s a lovely girl,” Kris says.
“She is. She’s had a tough time with her parents’ divorce. But she’s coming through it,” I say, watching as she joins Elijah, his arm snaking around her shoulders.
“She’s got an amazing network of people around her,” Kris says, his eyes following mine.
I watch Lottie’s face light up as Franny says something to her.
“That she does.”
I move towards the exit, feeling the need to get some air, the marquee becoming claustrophobic.
