Page 23 of One More Time

The four of them together made their way out of the room, down the hallway of the historic building and out into the glorious day.

Strong and steady, her father walked with quiet assurance, his composure helping to settle her nerves. If Charlie turned out to be half the husband and father this man was, she’d die a very happy woman.

As they turned the corner, the seaside chapel they’d chosen to proclaim their vows came into view. The sea breeze stirred her lengthy veil to the side as they climbed the four front steps. Grace’s stomach performed a crazy summersault as she stopped at the beginning of the aisle strewn with rose petals.

A hush fell over the congregation. Her mother made her way to the front row, where she joined Josephine.

Jenny went first, and it felt like an eternity as her friend took her place at the front, where the wall of glass allowed the ocean to join them inside.

Then everyone stood and Grace took her first steady step down the aisle to the lyrics of ‘Love’ by John Lennon, feeling her past fade away, and her future unfurl before her. That broadshouldered man, with his killer smile honed in on her, was all she’d ever dreamt of, and more.

She reached her groom, and her father placed her hand into Charlie’s. ‘You make sure you stick to your promise, and take good care of her, won’t you?’

Charlie nodded. ‘I most certainly will, Mr Denver.’

The two men exchanged another nod before her father went to her mother’s side. Giddy on the moment, Grace took a few quick breaths as she passed her bouquet to Jenny. With Charlie lifting her veil, their eyes finally met and locked … and the whole world disappeared. He always had a way of making her feel like his everything.

‘You are breathtaking, Grace,’ he whispered as he took her trembling hands in his.

His touch was reassuringly tender. ‘Thank you, and you look very handsome.’ Her heart stopped beating for a moment as she drank all of him in, then took off in another wild gallop as the formalities began.

Charlie’s deep voice carried through the chapel, strong and genuine, as he pronounced his vows. Then it was her turn. There were never purer words spoken from her lips as she echoed the pastor’s – she would gladly love, honour and cherish this amazing man for the rest of her life.

Before Grace knew it, they were right where she and Charlie had longed to be …

‘You are now husband and wife.’ The pastor beamed from ear to ear. ‘Charlie, you can kiss your bride.’

His face a picture of elation, Charlie took her into his arms and lingered a kiss on her lips that spoke of the depth of his love. Her toes curled and heat flooded her – she couldn’t wait to be alone with him in their honeymoon suite.

The festivities flew by in a blur of good food, wholehearted laughter, funny toasts, heartfelt speeches, and the cutting of the cake. Between the photos and thanking each guest for coming, the afternoon had quickly rolled into the magical moment when they got to share their first dance as husband and wife.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, Grace was wandering past the blazing torches lining the pathway from the reception, her hand clutched in Charlie’s and her happy heart soaring up among the star-studded sky.

Moments later, she found herself in front of her husband, candlelight flickering over his fetching features.

As he ran a finger down her cheek, Charlie’s gaze sought hers. ‘Well, Mrs Wilson, here we are.’

‘Yes.’ The fire in his eyes told her how he wanted her as badly as she wanted him. ‘What now?’ she said, a little shyly.

‘Now, I get to really show you just how much I love you.’ Unhurriedly, Charlie pulled the pinned flowers from her hair, allowing her chignon to fall and tumble down her back.

‘I like the sound of that, very much, Mr Wilson,’ she said, her voice rasping.

A blissful hour later, spent, sated and connected beyond words, Charlie rolled to the side, taking her with him. Burying her head into his chest, she took the time to catch her breath. She was now a woman. She was now Charlie Wilson’s wife. What more could she ever want?

‘Grace.’ Charlie’s tender voice swam into her thoughts.

She tipped her head to gaze up at him, resting her chin on his chest. ‘Yes, my handsome husband?’

The lips she’d kissed with heated passion broke into a warm smile. ‘I have a surprise for you.’

Excitement skittered through her gratified heart. ‘You do?’

‘Uh-huh.’ Gently slipping her from his arms, he climbed from the bed and padded over to the dresser, opened the top drawer and plucked something out. ‘I really hope you like it.’ Joining her again, he held out his hand. A key dangled from his index finger.

‘What’s it?’ Taking the cotton sheet with her, she sat up, and gracefully took the lone key from him. ‘You know I haven’t got my driving licence yet, right?’

‘It’s not a car.’ Leaning closer to her, he brushed the hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. ‘That’s a key to your future.’