Arabella’s eyebrows shoot to the ceiling of my bedroom where she’s been helping me get ready for the last hour or so. “But it’s your wedding day!”
“Exactly. My feelings about marriage and weddings haven’t changed. I want to be with Loncey. I’m doing this so we can be together. I’m doing this because I believe in my soul that our happiest days are still to come and this way we get to spend them all together.”
Arabella’s face softens as she slowly smiles. “I am going to get a headache from how much I’m going to smile today.”
I grin back at her, so happy she’s going to be my bridesmaid today, wearing a beautiful deep purple silk dress with angel sleeves.
“Thank you for being here today,” I say, feeling my eyes get hot and moist.
“Like I’d miss it? Shall we go downstairs? I think your ma is worried you’re having second thoughts.”
I light up my phone screen. “I’ve got ages before I need to be at City Hall.”
“But your ma wants to take a few photos and so do I. I want everyone to admire this work of art we created.” Arabella gestures to my face.
“We got plenty when the professional photographer was here earlier,” I say, momentarily wondering what Julia is taking photos of now she’s with Loncey and the others.
“She wants to take them herself,” Bella explains. “Wants them for her book club.”
“Fine, let’s go downstairs,” I say, giving my room a quick glance and grabbing the clutch bag that has my lip gloss and a small compact inside.
Downstairs, I’m met with not just my mother’s exclamations of joy but with similar praise from Jessica, Taylor and Jenna who is holding Pattie. It’s seeing Jess and Taylor sat on my sofa, both wearing masks that match their outfits, that really drives it home how real today is. Loncey and I are really getting married.
“You look absolutely breathtaking.” Jenna comes up to me and kisses my cheek. Pattie stretches her body towards mine and I happily take her in my arms after I quickly throw my phone and bag onto an empty armchair.
“Are you sure?” Jenna asks. “That’s a very white suit you’re wearing.”
“Ivory, actually,” I say with a smug wink. “And yes, I’m sure.”
Patience settles comfortably on my hip and I walk towards Ma, who ridiculously is already dabbing at her eyes with a scrunched-up tissue.
“Ah, come on now, Ma, not yet. You’ll ruin your mascara,” I tell her.
She bats my forearm which is holding Patience as I extend my other arm and give her a tight side hug. “I’m wearing falsies, of course. Do you think my daughter has taught me nothing?”
“Not as much as her ma has taught her,” I whisper into her hair. “You look amazing, by the way.”
She really does, in an elegant teal shift dress with a matching cropped jacket which has a pastel pink floral pattern. “Well, I won’t be upstaging you, that’s for sure. Would you look at you!” She pulls back while holding my hand up and does her best to twirl me around despite how much shorter she is than me and I’m a little clumsy with Patience in my arms. But it’s worth it when we both hear my niece’s little giggles of delight.
“She’s so adorable,” Taylor says, and I look over at her holding Jessica’s hand on the sofa. They’re both wearing pastel blue, but while Jessica’s dress is a big poofball of tulle and lace, Taylor’s pencil skirt and blazer both contrasts with and compliments her girlfriend’s outfit. I am so pleased they are here today. It was not easy convincing Loncey that Jessica would be safe to fly over here, even after she’d gotten her doctor’s approval. But we took all the possible precautions we could – extra oxygen on board, several rest days before and after the flight, an upgrade for thethree of them to Business Class, and support from the airport and airline so Jessica could avoid crowds as much as possible – and so far, it’s all gone very smoothly. As happy as I am for Loncey that she’s here, I think I’m happier for Jessica herself. It must feel amazing to have made it here.
“Look at you two!” I declare.
“Er, no, Maeve. Look at you!” Jess points a finger at me. “You look like fire! Loncey is going to have an aneurysm.”
“I bloody hope not. I’ve paid a lot of money for a private chef to make their favourite meal today.”
Jessica’s eyes widen. “Not a chicken kale salad?”
“A much fancier version of it, yes,” I say with a bob of my eyebrows.
“They’re so marrying the right person,” Jessica says half to herself.
I bend down a little so only she can hear me while I hear my mother and Jenna talk to each other and Patience starts babbling to herself in my arms. “How are you feeling? Not missing Prince too much?” I ask. But of course, I’m really asking a very different question.
“I’m good, Maeve. Please don’t worry.”
“Oh, I’m not worried. I know you’re going to be the last on the dancefloor tonight,” I say, straightening up.
