Page 76 of One More Time

When both she and Charlie had finished every morsel on their plates, he raised his coffee in salute, smiling broadly. ‘Here’s to a magnificent day, spent with my magnificent wife.’

Grace raised her cup to him. ‘I’ll drink to that,’ she replied with a warm smile. ‘And tonight is going to be magical, I just know it.’

‘Of course it will be. How could it not with Hudson and Jacob in charge of the arrangements?’

She chuckled at the thought of the loved-up pair racing around like chooks with their heads cut off, snapping orders at the hired help. ‘Lord help Hope, Ava and Bryn if they try to change anything.’

‘Ha, too right.’ He chuckled. ‘Glad it’s them and not us getting everything ready.’

Grace nodded. ‘I can’t wait to see what their place looks like, decorated to the hilt, no doubt.’

‘Don’t be wishing the day away, my love, because before we know it, we’ll be driving home, wondering where it went.’

‘So true.’ She turned her gaze toward the horizon. ‘Time flies when we’re having fun.’

Dusk was approaching as they entered Hudson and Jacob’s gated property on the other side of town. Climbing from the passenger seat of Charlie’s beloved Valiant, now fully restored to its former glory, Grace looked to where the cliffs dived down to the ocean beneath. The call of seagulls and the crash of waves could be heard above the organised chaos. A huge white marquee had been set up on the back lawn and the hired help were buzzing around long tables with starched black tablecloths and bowls filled with floating candles and rose petals. Glass diamondshaped gems were scattered along the centre, and the porcelain place settings were absolutely divine. Akin to an enchanting garden party, it had an air of elegance, and sophistication. Their four wonderful children had clearly spared no expense for the night’s celebration.

Climbing the front steps of the grandiose house, Grace and Charlie were greeted by a very snazzily dressed Jacob. ‘Hello, you two lovebirds.’ He waved them inside. ‘Please, entrez.’

Hudson, Hope and Ava were bustling about the galley-style kitchen, their chatter loud and their laughter resonating. They all paused to share hugs and kisses.

Grace looked left to right. ‘Where are Sharni and Rose?’

‘They’re out back, no doubt glued to their phones.’ Hope rolled her eyes and glanced at her watch. ‘Speaking of which, I’d better go hunt them down.’

‘Before you take off, sis.’ Ava started to pass out glasses of champagne. ‘I want to make a toast to our wonderful parents, who have made it through so much in life, and are now more in love than ever.’

‘Hurrah to that.’ Bryn raised his glass.

Hudson did the same. ‘Yes, here’s to fifty years of marriage.’

Dumping a plate of canapés on the bench, Jacob hurried to Hudson’s side. ‘Cheers to your incredible love story.’

His arm going around her waist, Charlie pulled Grace as close as he could to his side. ‘Here’s to your amazing mother, my beautiful wife, for putting up with me all these years.’ He held his crystal flute to Grace’s. ‘You’re one in a bazillion, my darling.’

‘Aw, Charlie. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. I love you so very much.’

The rest of the evening flowed smoothly, filled with so much love and so much laughter. Sitting beside her mother, Grace noted how fragile her mother looked. Taking her hand in hers, she blinked back raw emotion – it wouldn’t be long before she wouldn’t have her here. So frail and tiny, her dear mum couldn’t walk without her cane. Seeing her now, coming to the end of her long life, it was hard to believe she was the vivacious woman who’d started the four generations that were here tonight.

A tapping sound came over the speakers, and Grace looked up at the stage to see Bryn holding the microphone. ‘Ladies, gents and child-folk, now our bellies are full of delicious food, it’s time to begin the night’s festivities. So let’s all join on the dance floor for my mother and father’s favourite song.’

‘Love’ by John Lennon began to play, and Grace couldn’t help but tear up as poignant memories that had been made throughout almost fifty-one years of loving this man by her side were evoked. ‘Oh, Charlie.’ This had been the song she’d walked down the aisle to. ‘How did they know?’

‘I told them,’ Charlie said, standing and offering her his hand. ‘Can I have this dance, my love?’

Grace and her mum shared a meaningful smile before she rose. With the scatterings of silver throughout his hair giving him a regal edge, her tall, dark and handsome-as-ever husband led her to the dance floor. Taking the waltz position, Charlie’s right hand settled into the curve of her back and the fingers of his left entwined around her right ones. They fit together so wholly, so naturally, so exquisitely… just as they always had.

* * *

Charlie felt like he was floating. Everything about this amazing woman wrapped within his arms conspired to move his emotions beyond anything imaginable. ‘I only have one wing left, Grace, but when I embrace you, I can fly,’ he whispered into her ear.

‘Oh, Charlie, my darling man. You really are the sweetest.’ She rose on her tippy toes and met his lips. ‘I know I say it all the time, but I seriously love you, so much.’

‘I know you do, and I count my lucky stars every single day.’

As the night wore on and guests began to leave, Charlie pulled Hudson aside and stood with his hands plunged deep into his trouser pockets. ‘Thanks, to you and Jacob, for giving us a night to remember, son.’ His fingers clutched the handkerchief he’d already dabbed both his and Grace’s tears away with – more were on the way for him.

‘Of course, Dad. It makes us so happy to see you and Mum so happy.’