26. Make You Feel My Love - Adele
27. The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
28. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
Listen on Spotify
the bridal table seating chart
As prepared by Bronson
Maxipad (Grumpy. Put him on the end)
Cassidy (Bubbly. Put her next to Kaya)
Kaya (Newest to the group)
Xander (Clay misses him, wants him close)
Clay (Groom)
Fawn (Bride)
Bronson (Gorgeous. Made the seating chart)
Shoshanna (Perfection. made me a father)
Blesk (Next to Konnor)
Konnor (Needs to be far from Maxipad)
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
fawn
The reception
The jazz bandplaysI do it for youby Bryan Adams. At the long straight bridal table—covered in Juliet Roses and tiny gilded butterflies—sit Max, Cassidy, Kaya, Xander, Clay, me, Bronson, Shoshanna, Blesk and then Konnor.
My gaze travels the length of our bridal table. At the far end, Konnor and Blesk exchange words that don't quite reach my ears. Shoshanna's champagne flute has a perfect crimson crescent to mark each sip. Bronson is leaning back, relaxed, his jacket parted, revealing black suspenders underneath.
Down at the opposite end, Max can't tear his eyes from Cassidy, who has already kicked off her white stilettos beneath the tablecloth. Beside them, Kaya and Xander share secrets, foreheads nearly touching.
And beside me...
Clay Blutcher, Sir—my husband—takes every opportunity to touch me, my hair, my arm, fingers.Me.
His wife.
The fifty tables before us are beautifully set, with ten thousand Juliet Roses divided across them in huge vases, arranged to resemble lollipop trees. The other ten thousand are in our ceremony bouquets, woven through the garlands running down the marble staircase, and arranged into arches at cardinal points around the ballroom. Above us, at least fifteen gold and bronze crystal chandeliers glisten. The linens are ivory and cream, exactly as I envisioned. The plates are white; the cutlery is gold.
And I’m spoilt!
I catch Bolton's reflection in the vintage mirror ornament set between the table garlands. He stands guard behind the bridal table with Carter and Henri, Cassidy’s and Shoshanna’s henchmen. I begged him to sit with the family in the front row of guest tables, but he'd squeezed my hand and said, ‘Protecting you is my greatest honour, Mrs Butcher.’
As the appetisers are served, Jasmine floats around the main floor with my twins, showing them off to the Family, swatting away the hands eager to pinch those beautiful rosy cheeks. The nanny for the wedding, Grace, trails closely behind her, unable to do her assigned job.
Two are better than one.
