‘It’s too late for that, Holly.’ Penny’s usual jovial expression is serious. ‘On your front. On your knees. It’ll help, I promise.’
The pain is worse than I could ever have imagined.
But so is the reward.
Thirty minutes later, our beautiful baby daughter is placed on my chest. The rush of love that burns through my body is comparable to nothing else in the world.
With a shock of ebony hair and emerald eyes, she’s the image of her father. Her tiny fingers curl around mine as we blink back at each other through our mutual tears.
Nate’s tattooed arms envelop us. His expression is a picture of pure wonder. One I want to capture on a canvas, but not for a very long time. This little lady is going to get my undivided attention for the first few months. I’m going to smother her in love and affection. My business can wait. She’s my world and I want her to know it from her very first breath.
‘She’s perfect.’ Nate’s pupils dilate in wonder. ‘Just like her mammy.’
‘I love you.’ I press a kiss to her tiny forehead.
‘And I love you both.’ Nate’s nose nuzzles against my temple, his familiar scent surrounds me.
NATE
10 weeks later…
I glance out of the window as the wintery wind whips the Atlantic Ocean against the rocks below. We hired an entire island off the west coast of Ireland for the wedding. We had no choice if we wanted any modicum of privacy. Which is why I bought the only hotel on it, and have spent the last six months ensuring the best construction companies have been restoring it to its former glory - and then some. Everyone I’ve ever cared about is on this twelve-mile stretch of land.
Jayden crosses the oak wooden floor of the honeymoon suite and hands me a tumbler of honey-coloured whiskey. ‘Who’s the best man?’ He cocks his ear and I swear to God if he says it one more time, I’m going to punch him.
‘You are,’ I mutter, clinking my glass against his.
Niall hovers by the window, looking out over the bay. Our friendship will never be the way it was, not because I resent him, but because we’ve grown into different men from the kids who grew up together. Since he lent me the fire engine, we’ve been in touch every week. It wouldn’t have felt right not having him by my side today.
As much as I hate to admit it, Jayden really is my best man.
‘Are you nervous?’ Jayden’s usual smirk is replaced by a more serious expression as he straightens his tux.
‘No.’ It’s the truth.
Holly is everything I ever wanted, but previously afraid to pursue. And our daughter, Harriet, is the best thing that ever happened to us. I can’t wait to give Holly my name. To give her everything I have and am.
Jayden slaps my back heartily. ‘Good man. Marriage is the best thing that happened to me. If you’re even half as happy as Chloe and me, you’ll be ecstatic.’
Niall swivels round and raises his glass. ‘Trust me, you’ve done the hard part. If you can survive the labour ward together, marriage will be a walk in the park.’
The sleepless nights were tough at first. Holly refused to get a night nurse, determined to do everything herself in her quest to put our daughter, Harriet, first. At ten weeks old, she’s just started sleeping six hours through the night and I swear to God I can see the light at the end of a tired but exultant tunnel.
‘Have you got the rings?’ I adjust my crimson cravat in the mirror. The colour reminds me of the negligee Holly had on the first night we met and a grin flares on my face.
‘Yep.’ Jayden pats the pocket of his ebony jacket just as my dad enters the suite without knocking, as usual.
‘There he is. The man of the hour.’ My mam sweeps in right behind him.
‘Oh, Jayden. How lovely to see you.’ She coos and I cringe, downing the remainder of my drink.
‘Let’s go get me married.’ I slam down the crystal tumbler on the drawing board and motion for my groomsmen to do the same.
The ceremony is taking place in a tiny chapel adjacent to the church.
The holly-decked pews are packed already. My two older sisters, Faith and Stella, occupy the front rows with their husbands and kids. Natalia sits next to my nieces, playing with their hair as they hop from foot to foot impatiently.
Ava sits smugly in the second row with her date. The guy next to her isn’t her usual type, but he isn’t wearing a prison tag either! Looks like I might have to invest in her dating agency after all.
