Page 31 of The Forever Match

Ash turned the ring on her finger. New weight. Good weight.

“The country is lucky you’re next in line.” She paused. “I’m simply lucky you’re mine.”

The room made a sound then: a collective happy sigh. Had Ash made them all believe in love again? She hoped so. She allowed herself one second to enjoy it, then reached for her champagne.

Her hand was shaking. She’d been right about that. She wrapped her fingers around the stem and held it tighter.

“Before I sit down, a few toasts.”

She turned first to her mum beside her; then her dad, sat beside the Queen.

Her mum had a hand pressed to her chest, her fascinator still perfectly positioned. She’d be thrilled. Her dad, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to slide under the table. Too bad.

”Mum. Dad.”

She cleared her throat. Hard.

Her mum made a small sound.

“I know this isn’t the wedding you pictured when I was seven, kicking a ball around the garden, annoying the heck out of you.”

Her dad snorted.

”It’s a little bigger than expected, with slightly more press interest. But then, I always was a big show-off.”

That got a bigger laugh.

“Thank you for loving me exactly the same through all of it. And for showing me what a good marriage looks like. I’ve had a front-row seat my whole life.” Ash’s voice thickened. She let it. “Everything I know about how to love someone, I learned from watching the two of you.”

Her mum squeezed her eyes tight shut, but she was smiling. Her dad, meanwhile, sat up a little taller.

“I love you,” Ash said, “and I hope I’ve made you as proud as you make me.”

She lifted her glass. Held it high enough that the whole room could see.

"Ladies, gentlemen, everyone in between. Please raise your glasses. To my mum and dad, Debra and Mark.”

The room rose. Chairs scraped. ”To Debra and Mark.”

Ash took a sip. The champagne was cold and delicious.

“We’ve got presents for both you and Victoria’s parents, but we’ll share them later.” She glanced out at the reception. “We didn’t forget, honest.”

Everyone laughed at that.

“Also, a huge thank you to Astrid, Victoria’s maid of honour and a huge reason we’re together today. Astrid does not take no for an answer, so thank you.” Ash raised her glass. “Could you all raise a glass to the lone bridesmaid please. To Princess Astrid!”

The crowd obeyed, then sat.

“Finally, to my beautiful wife.” Ash turned to Victoria. “You were right; that is pretty fun to say, isn’t it?”

Victoria’s smile was broad. “It’s the absolute best.”

“Your speech was masterful, and you stole all the good lines. But that’s been the story of my life ever since I met you. Me, standing beside you, in awe of you. Especially when it comes to dancing. Stick around later to see the evidence.”

The crowd who were in on the private joke laughed.

“But seriously, today is the outcome of so many obstacles we had to overcome to get here. But you know what? I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Some people take getting married for granted, but we never did. Never could. But today, we stood up for love, and I hope we’ve made you all believe in love again.”