It was so damn sweet.
A band of twelve musicians began to play a romantic song that she instantly recognised as a slowed-down version of Liam’s first Oscar-winning action film’s theme song. And… was that Hans Zimmer conducting them?
Considering it had been an action film, the instrumental version was surprisingly poignant. The tender notes swept around them, building up the anticipation of the bride’s arrival, until the wedding guests were swaying to the melody.
At the celebrant’s gesture, the guests rose in their seats. With a brotherly slap to Liam’s bicep, Alex returned to Ellie’s side.
They all turned to watch the bridal party emerge from the garden path. Caitlyn and Keira catwalked down the aisle with the sure-footed gait of women who weren’t strangers to modelling.
Then came Holly in a frothy dress that was meant to resemble the head of a peony flower, which on anyone other than Holly would have looked like they’d fallen into a candyfloss machine. She was carrying the surprise gift from Liam to his bride, which had arrived with another guest that morning: a fluffy Pomeranian puppy, its fur dyed baby pink. Ellie couldn’t help but ‘awww’ with the rest of the guests as it wagged its tail cheerfully in Holly’s arms. Holly didn’t seem entirely pleased about carrying the excited bundle of fur, especially when its collar kept blinding her with the sun’s reflection. Unlike the dog, the collar had arrived with its own security guard – according to Joseph – as it was made with real diamonds.
Jesus, they’re so extra.She couldn’t help but smile about it. Savannah and Liam were as mad as a box of frogs, but they were also loving and sweet. She could only admire and respect their honest and open devotion to one another.
Ellie had to subtly brush away a tear as Savannah walked down the aisle. A modern-day princess, the ivory column dress fitted tightly over her slim frame. It wasn’t as fussy as the bridesmaid dresses, or even the dress she’d worn at the rehearsal dinner. This gown oozed class and sophistication. A fine layer of lace and crystals embellished the simple low v-neck cut of the gown. Ellie gave her an excited wave as she passed, and Savannah responded with an elegant wave of her own.
Then the sadness hit her hard, as she realised Savannah had walked down the aisle alone. Ellie was glad more than ever that she’d helped with her bouquet, so Savannah wouldn’t feel so alone as she walked to meet her husband-to-be, carrying the memory of her mother with her. The waterproof mascara was working overtime as she dabbed at her eyes for the second time.
The ceremony, like most non-religious weddings, was surprisingly short. The couple had written their own vows, which were more than a little bit soppy. But somehow, on a beautiful beach in the Bahamas, the words fitted perfectly. By the time they walked back towards the house hand in hand, their puppy yapping on its lead in front of them, everyone was wiping away tears, and Ellie was grateful for the pocket handkerchief Alex had pressed into her palm.
‘Are you okay?’ Alex chuckled as he stood and offered her his arm.
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Weddings usually set her off; the combination of love, families and her own hopes always made her emotional. She didn’t have a chance in hell at a super-romantic wedding like this.
They walked back to the garden, where the tables and chef stations were set up a lot like the rehearsal dinner barbecue, Savannah and Liam having chosen a more casual set-up over a formal sit-down dinner. Instead of a hog roast, though, it was steak, lobster and delicious vegan kebabs on the menu tonight.The decorations and entertainment were also more formal and elegant, fairy lights glittered in the trees, and the silver service gleamed in the light of the large candelabras placed on each table.
Music from the band played from the beach – although this time they weren’t being led by a famous composer.
‘You okay now?’ asked Alex, as they took their seats at the top table.
‘I’m not sure, am I? Has my mascara run? I should probably go up to the room to fix it.’ She offered up her face for his inspection.
To her surprise, he ran a finger lightly over her cheek. ‘Perfect.’
Her heart stuttered and then ran full pelt. Confused and disorientated, she tried to focus on reality and pull her head out of the clouds. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions and drama, but back at home in London this fairytale would inevitably end, and Alex would realise that Ellie didn’t suit this life, or him. ‘Don’t say that. I’m far from perfect.’
His father began tapping a knife against a champagne flute to announce the upcoming speeches, but Alex didn’t look away.
‘You are to me,’ he said, and then turned to watch his father give his speech.
‘We always wanted a bigWaltons-style family, but it wasn’t meant to be.’ Robert paused to look lovingly at his wife, who gave a sad smile in return. ‘However, we have always considered ourselves very lucky and grateful to have Liam and Alex. They have both exceeded our hopes for them, and have turned into fine young men who we are extremely proud of. Both in their careers and in their private lives. And now, we are so pleased to welcome Savannah officially into our family, who we already know and love as a daughter. But I’m sure she won’t be our onlydaughter for long…’ Everyone’s eyes flickered to Ellie, and she wondered if she’d spontaneously combust with embarrassment.
‘Is no one going to mention me? I’m actually family, after all,’ grumbled Holly, and Savannah shot her a glare.
Robert continued smoothly, as if he hadn’t heard her. ‘And, of course, we’d also happily adopt Holly and Tony, who’ve both done amazing jobs as maid of honour and best man. So now, we are delighted to say we have the big family we always wanted. Dreams can come true and we wish you all the happiness and joy for the future. May your dreams, like ours, come true, even if it’s not in the way you first imagined. We love you. Everyone, please raise a glass… to Liam and Savannah King!’
‘Liam and Savannah!’ repeated everyone with a cheer.
Liam gave his dad a hug, and then took the mic for his own speech. ‘Thanks, Dad. We love you too.So, you may have noticed a running theme with our wedding, the peonies and roses hidden amongst all the beautiful decorations. Earlier today we thought all was lost, but luckily we were saved in the end, by one person’s ingenuity – thank you, Ellie.’ She gave him a dismissive wave, hoping he’d quickly move on. ‘Well,my wife and I…’ – Liam paused at the rapturous applause – ‘thank you from the bottom of our hearts. These flowers mean the world to us. They were Savannah’s mom’s favourites. Savannah once told me that it would always feel a little wrong to get married without her here.’ Liam turned to his bride, who looked to be on the verge of tears. ‘I hope you’ll agree with me when I say that I believe sheiswith us today. And I’m certain that she loves you, is proud of you, and thinks you are the most beautiful bride she’s ever seen, because that’s how I feel. Savannah, I love you with all my heart. The only thing that could ever be wrong for me would be to be without you.’
Savannah, unable to control her emotions a moment longer, sobbed prettily, clutching her little puppy to her chest and staring up at Liam with wide adoring eyes.
‘Oh man, right in the feels,’ whispered Ellie, wiping away her own fresh tears.
Next was a joint speech from Holly and Tony, which was jam-packed with light but embarrassing stories about Liam and Savannah, right from childhood up until last week – she suspected Alex might have helped Tony with some of them. At the end, everyone was smiling, and stood up to cheer the happy couple with raised champagne flutes.
Alex’s mum turned to Ellie and gave her a warm smile of approval that she would take to her grave. ‘I’ve been meaning to say all day, I love your dress, Ellie. Who’s the designer?’
‘Ellie. She made it herself – as you saw with the flowers, she’s a natural artist,’ said Alex, draping his arm around her in a way that was both possessive and proud. A thrill of excitement ran up and down her spine on a wave of heated longing.
