‘That was beautiful,’ Lydia gasps. ‘Just beautiful.’
I step away from the altar, heading towards Sam. I did it. I faced my fear of weddings. I faced my heartache. I did it.
‘I’ve never been to a gay wedding before,’ Jemima says. ‘I want to go to some more.’
‘Maybe our lads here will be next,’ Tim says, looking at Sam and me.
Sam breaks out into laughter. And maybe I should have been offended, but I’m not.
‘Not just yet,’ I say. ‘I’ve already said no to two proposals. Don’t want to say no to another.’
‘Damn,’ Sam jokes. ‘I better return the ring, then.’
We’re the last ones to leave, letting Lydia, Tim and Jemima go on without us.
As we stand in the empty amphitheatre, looking at the remnants of Ollie’s wedding, doves land at our feet.
‘Can you believe I ever thought of stopping this?’ I ask.
‘I can,’ Sam says. ‘You’re an overdramatic romantic.’
My head tilts. ‘I like that.’
Sam kisses me, right where the happy couple got married.
‘I like you.’
‘I like you, too,’ I say. ‘Really like you.’
‘Okay, Carly Rae,’ Sam jokes.
The band play another song. I pause.
The opening notes remind me of something.
‘Sam…’
It’s the ‘Pokémon Theme’.
Sam beams, laughter bubbling out of his joyful face.
Blubbering, I run to Sam, engulfing him as the slowed-down theme tune continues to play. The piano player winks, and Sam winks back.
‘You did this?’
‘I did,’ Sam admits. ‘Couldn’t resist.’
‘Sam,’ I say, laughing. ‘Oh, Sam.’
We sway to the theme, his hands on my waist, mine on his shoulders. Our own little groom moment.
‘What do you say we go back to my hotel ever so quickly and profess our own love to one another?’
‘Does that mean get naked?’
‘Yes, Sam,’ I say. ‘It means get naked.’
Sam kisses my lips.
