‘Happy Christmas,’ came the response from them both.
‘Has Benny started yet?’ asked Lizzie, following them into the back rooms.
‘No, I’m waiting for you lot.’ Benny waved them over to the twinkling Christmas tree, and Alice made everyone a hot drink before she joined them.
‘I am pleased I got a new scarf,’ said Lizzie, holding up the woolly red one Luna had made her.
Luna clapped quietly, then turned to Jamie. ‘What’s that our Alice has bought you?’
He held up his new mobile phone. ‘I think I might have to do a course in how to work it.’
Benny laughed. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll show you.’
Jamie thanked him, then reached for the gift he had bought for Alice. ‘Here.’ He watched her eyes widen a touch at the ring-sized box.
Alice gasped quietly as she opened it to reveal two plain gold wedding bands.
Jamie bent to one knee. ‘Will you marry me again, Angel?’
Her lips curled. ‘Again?’
He nodded. ‘Renew our vows. Do it properly.’
Lizzie and Luna locked arms, and Benny was up on his knees.
Alice stroked the jewellery. ‘I’d love that.’ She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Jamie melted a little while telling himself to keep it together. ‘When were you thinking?’
He swallowed hard. ‘Today.’
Alice’s laugh shot right in his face. ‘Today? But it’s Christmas.’
‘People can get married on Christmas Day.’
‘But don’t we have to book it in advance?’
He bobbed his head. ‘It is booked, Alice. We have a half hour time slot with Father Stephen up at All Saints at midday. But, just in case you don’t want to, he is on standby for my call to cancel.’
Alice reached for her hair. ‘But I don’t have anything to wear.’
‘Oh, but you do, girlie,’ said Lizzie. ‘You see, Jamie here arranged everything the day after Sophie’s wedding, and just in case you agreed to today, we all got prepared.’
Alice’s mouth gaped for a moment. ‘You all knew about this?’
Jamie took her hand in his. ‘I want you to have your white wedding. I want you to have your ring. Your family and friends around you. What you’ve always wanted. What you deserve.’
‘Oh, Jamie.’ She swung her arms around him, sobbing quietly into his shoulder. ‘I love you so much.’
‘I love you too, Angel.’ He waited for her to pull away first. ‘So, what do you think? You want to do this today? Remember, this is your choice. I’ve got everything ready just in case, but we can do this any day. You are completely in control. I mean it, any day.’
‘Why did you choose Christmas Day?’
That was easy to answer. ‘Because I wanted our wedding to be as magical as you.’
Alice inhaled deeply while grinning. ‘Then what are we waiting for?’ She giggled as she jumped up. ‘I need to find something to wear.’
Lizzie quickly took her hand. ‘That’s all sorted as well, love. Come upstairs and I’ll show you how your husband has gone above and beyond.’
Jamie kissed Alice’s cheek before she was dragged away.
