“Here, drink up, ease that bride’s nerves,” she says, shoving the bottle of champagne in my hands. “I’ll bring the glasses.”
I walk back out with Camryn behind me as she hands out the glasses, and I pour us each a glass.
“Just wanted to say a quick toast. Today’s your wedding day, Stacey, and we are so excited that you have found your person. Your family is smiling down on you today, at peace, knowing Oscar’s got you.”
“Bloody hell, D.” Sienna sniffles as she dabs at her eyes.
“Sorry. Anyway, congratulations,” I say, raising my glass.
“Makeup,” Camryn calls out, and the makeup girl runs in and touches up Sienna’s eyes.
We all take a sip and let the bubbles ease our nerves.
“Are you ready?” Camryn asks Stacey.
“I didn’t think I’d be this nervous,” she confesses.
“Totally natural. The boys are already down there, so they won’t see you. Charlotte wants to take some last-minute photos of you before you get into the carriage.”
I’ll leave the girls to it as I’m the celebrant and I’m going to be marrying Stacey to her Viking love, so I need to head on over to the ceremony, which is happening at dusk. We must keep to a strict timeline, otherwise, the sun will set at the wrong time.
Stacey and the girls arrive on time in the carriage pulled by a gorgeous Clydesdale horse. The wedding is set underneath the weeping willow tree where we scattered her family’s ashes, she felt like they would be there. I help Stacey out of the carriage, and the hairdresser fixes everyone up before they head down the aisle.
“Look.” Jennifer points out the four kangaroos on the horizon. “It’s Mum and Dad.” She squeals with delight. My heart aches for these kids.
“And Gran and Pop,” Becca adds excitedly, and she gives them a wave.
“They’re here.” Amelia gives Stacey a sad smile. That is a gut punch as I try to hold my emotions in check.
Then Hunter walks over in his navy suit, he is walking Stacey down the aisle.
“You look beautiful, Stacey,” he says, giving her a kiss.
“You’re so handsome, Hunter.” She gasps, seeing him for the first time, which makes him blush. Kimberly, Camryn’s business partner, brings the pageboys over.
“Shacey.” Lockie runs toward her, burying his little face into her dress. He looks so cute in his dress clothes as does Ryder, who tootles over to Sienna, and she gives him the once-over. They put Ryder on his little ride-on-tractor with Ruby, Sadie, Levi, and Easton in the back of the cart, and there’s a Here Comes the Bride sign on the back. They have been practicing it all week, and fingers crossed, Ryder makes it to the end without losing one of the babies out the back. As I am on double duty as bridesmaid and celebrant, I will be going last and slotting myself into position at the end. It’s what Stacey wanted, and I’m not about to argue with the bride.
“Ready to send the little ones down?” Kimberly asks.
“The Gypsy Sisters in place?” Camryn questions her, and Kimberly nods.
Oscar had asked the girls to sing the song he wrote for Stacey, called ‘Forever’. Is that not the most romantic thing? Kimberly gives the band the thumbs-up, and they start playing. Ryder eagerly starts his ride-on-tractor as the first strings begin, and slowly pedals the little ones down the aisle made of Persian rugs. You can hear the crowd cooing at the sight before them. Then it’s Lockie’s turn, holding the wedding rings in a little glass treasure box. We watch as he slowly and carefully walks down the aisle, followed by Becca with Jennifer close behind. Next, it’s Amelia’s turn, then the bridesmaids, and last but not least, me. I walk along the aisle and look out into the crowd of our friends andfamily, and see Charlie in the audience. His eyes are very much on me, and he looks so handsome in his suit. I can’t wait to get him out of it, and as if he understood exactly what my mind was thinking he sends me a flirty wink.
Once I’ve passed Charlie, my eyes land on a nervous-looking Oscar and the rest of the boys, dressed in their navy suits and Oscar in his green suit, matching Stacey. I make it to the end of the aisle and give Oscar a big hug.
“She looks beautiful. Breathe. It’s going to be okay,” I tell him. He nods and sucks in a deep breath to calm himself. I take a step up onto the platform and stand in my position, and that’s when Stacey and Hunter take their first steps down the aisle, and instantly, I see a tear slip down Oscar’s cheek.
70
DERRICK
“Inow pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride, Ragnar,” I say, marrying Oscar and Stacey. He tenderly grabs her face and kisses her. “That was hot.” I chuckle. “Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Eriksen,” I announce, introducing the married couple to their guests. They look so happy walking back down the aisle as the blazing orange sunset starts to disappear over the eucalypt trees, and there on the horizon are those four kangaroos. They watch Stacey and Oscar walk down the aisle, and then they turn and hop away as if they had stayed and watched the entire ceremony, and now they know Stacey and the kids are safe, their job is done, and they bounce away toward the sunset.
“You were amazing up there.” Charlie steps out of his seat and finds me on the aisle.
“Yeah? I was so nervous I didn’t want to mess anything up for them.”
“You were perfect. The entire ceremony was perfect.” He smiles before kissing me.
