Page 93 of Winter Magic on Railway Lane

‘Because I love you.’

She went still. For a moment, she thought that she had misheard him. Then, when she stepped back to look up into his face, she realised that he she hadn’t. He really had said those words.

‘What?’ she said, wiping the tears from her face.

‘It’s always been you, Libs,’ he told her. ‘I’ve loved you since as long as I can remember. Growing up, every single day. And then I lost you at the prom and found you in Vegas. And I wanted you forever. That was why I married you. And would marry you again if you’d have me.’ He took her face in his hands. ‘I’m not leaving. I’ll never leave you again. I want to see you every day, be with you every day. I never thought I would miss anyone so much as I’ve missed you these past two days. All those years I promised myself that I wouldn’t fall for you. That I couldn’t possibly love you. But that was before I lost you. Now I realise how empty my life has been without you. It’s you, Libs. You’re the love of my life.’

The silence stretched out as she tried to take in what he was telling her.

In the end, she blurted out, ‘You’re such an idiot!’

He burst out laughing before he looked serious once more. ‘Yes, I am,’ he told her, nodding. ‘But please tell me you still feel the same way. That you haven’t changed your mind.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Of course it’s you. There’s never been anyone else anywhere near close to driving me crazy like you do. I love you. Body and soul. So very much. And I will go on loving you forever and a day. If you leave now, you’ll be taking my other half with me.’

He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid you’re stuck with me forever.’

‘Good,’ she told him, as she pulled his head down to hers. ‘That sounds like the most sensible thing you’ve said all week.’

Any tiny doubts were dispelled when his lips touched hers. It was a kiss of true love, forever love. She could feel how much it meant to them both and they were both smiling when they finally drew apart.

‘I love you,’ he told her, in a stunned voice, staring down at her. ‘You took the best bit of me when you left me in Las Vegas. But now I want to celebrate all the wedding anniversaries withyou. I want this to be it. Forever.’ She felt him take the box from her fingers and open it once more. ‘One day very soon, we’re going to take these and slip them on each other’s fingers in front of our friends and families. Because when we marry each other again, I want to do it properly. Okay?’

She nodded. ‘Yes, please.’

Then they kissed once more.

‘Mr Connolly,’ she murmured.

‘Mrs Connolly,’ he whispered back. ‘My forever bride.’

‘Bride!’ Libby gasped in horror. ‘Oh my days! The wedding!’

She pulled up her now sodden trouser bottoms away from her wellington boots and began to run with Ethan alongside her towards Cranbridge.

As they reached the church, everyone was already inside and so there was just room for them to slip in at the back. Ethan managed to get the correct ring box forwarded on to the groom and finally they could relax and enjoy the wedding ceremony.

Harriet stood at the altar, holding hands with Joe, with Paddington the dog alongside them.

‘Dearly beloved,’ began the vicar.

Standing at the back of the tiny, crowded church, Libby felt Ethan’s hand slip into hers. And as Harriet and Joe said their vows at the altar, they squeezed each other’s hand in silent renewal of their own wedding vows.

And this time she knew it would be forever.

57

Libby didn’t think she’d ever seen a happier newly-wed couple as Harriet and Joe.

She watched as Harriet beamed from ear to ear as she sipped her champagne and hung on to Joe with her other hand, staring around as if she couldn’t quite believe that it was her wedding day.

Libby had to admit that Katy had outdone herself with the decorations for the wedding reception in Platform 1, with Flora’s artistic help, of course. In the early evening, it looked magical, with fairy lights twinkling from every corner of the waiting room and sprigs of lavender dipped in silver glitter glistening from crystal vases on every table.

Relaxed conversation and laughter floated all around her as their friends and family enjoyed the happy atmosphere. The drinks were flowing and everyone had enjoyed Ryan’s delicious Italian cuisine. Libby thought it had been one of the best meals that she had ever eaten.

In fact, the ambience was so relaxed that nobody minded too much when Paddington the dog helped himself to a large chunk of the amazing wedding cake that Maggie had made,which was thankfully only Victoria sponge. He was now hiding in semi-disgrace under one of the tables, but his golden tail was thumping along to the soft music playing over the speakers.

Libby found her eyes searching out Ethan’s across the crowded room, laughing at something that Nico had just said. She sighed with contentment, still reeling from Ethan’s declaration of love. Had that really happened? Had he really, finally, told her that he loved her and that they were together for all time? The smile that she could feel on her face confirmed that he most definitely had.