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Dolly, who had become my closest friend, and who had recently become engaged to Owen, was my maid of honour, while Harper, Ellie, and Mercy had all agreed to be my bridesmaids. They had been wonderful helping to organise our special day. Owen was Hudson’s best man, and Devon, Lewis, and Tony were his groomsmen.
Our circle had also welcomed new additions and Hudson was godfather to all three. Lewis and Tony’s girls—Collette and Natalie had just celebrated their first birthday and both my husband, and I were besotted. Owen had also been chosen to be their godfather, and a friend they had both known for years was their godmother.
Devon and Mercy’s baby boy, Lyndon, had arrived safely and he was now almost seven months old. Hudson and I were the godparents, and we adored the little man. All three were present at our wedding and our parents had been tasked with looking after them while their parents stood up for us. There hadn’t been any objection, I had a feeling both sets of parents were hoping for a grandchild of their own very soon.
Since neither of us attended church, we’d decided to marry at the station that Hudson had come to love. We’d taken every opportunity to visit, and also had been regular visitors to North Queensland where Hudson’s parents—Christopher and Taytum, had retired.
Hudson had hired a private plane to fly all of us up and Mum and Dad had gotten creative with accommodating everyone. Hudson’s parents had flown down from Cairns to Darwin and my brothers had picked them up and brought them from there.
We could have had a huge wedding down in Sydney with friends, employees, and media interference, for some reason they were obsessed with us being a couple, but it hadn’t been what either of us wanted.
I turned to look at my bridesmaids who all wore knee-length, pink dresses, buckskin-coloured cowboy boots, and buckskin Akubras. We all had long hair and Mum and Taytum had used curling irons to create waves that hung down our backs.
At a Sydney boutique, I’d indulged and had a gorgeous white silk and lace knee-length dress made, commissioned white boots, and a white Akubra-type hat. I had no idea what Hudson and the groomsmen were wearing but my soon-to-be husband assured me their dress would be appropriate.
Dad kissed my cheek before stepping back. “You look beautiful. You will knock Hudson’s socks off.”
My attendants all agreed, causing my face to flush at the compliment.
Mathew and Lucas knocked on the open door.
“Wow, Sis, you’re beautiful.”
“You don’t need to sound so surprised, Mathew.”
“You really do clean up well, Liz.”
“Thank you, Lucas.”
“We came up to see if you’re ready because Hudson is getting impatient.”
“I’m ready, let’s get me married.”
I slipped a hand into Dad’s elbow and took the bouquet Dolly offered. We followed my brothers and the ladies out, heading towards one of the French doors that had been left open for us to pass through to enter the yard.
Dad had hired a large marquee for the reception, and we’d all had a hand in cooking the food and decorating the tables that had also been hired. At Mum’s suggestion, a very good one, I bought dried flower arrangements for both the tables and bouquets. Fresh would have wilted in the heat in minutes.
A red carpet had been laid between two rows of white plastic chairs and a white-painted metal arbor would be the backdrop to us saying our vows.
My brothers had qualified as celebrants and were marrying us, which thrilled me to pieces. They wore new stone-washed jeans, blue long-sleeved shirts with the top two buttons open, polished boots, and new Akubra hats. They certainly looked handsome, and I missed the way Ellie and Harper looked with interest at the pair. Looks that were returned.
Ellie stepped out first, walking in time toAve Verum Corpusby Mozart. Harper was next, then Mercy, and Dolly followed.
“Ready?”
I nodded at Dad, he squeezed my hand, and whenPerfectby Ed Sheeran began playing, we started towards where Hudson and our attendants stood waiting.
All eyes were on me, but I had eyes only for my man. I smiled and he grinned back. The groomsmen all wore the same as my brothers while Hudson wore buckskin pants, a black shirt, black boots, and black Akubra. I’d always thought him drop-dead handsome, but dressed in outback gear, he was mouth-wateringly handsome.
When we reached where he stood, Dad lifted my hand, placed a kiss to the knuckles, and after the two men shook, he slipped my hand into Hudson’s. He then took a seat beside mum who held a sleeping Lyndon in her arms. Christopher and Taytum were wrangling Collette and Natalie who, although quiet, were busting to get down on the ground.
With the sun setting beyond the horizon, and streaks of purples, salmon-pinks, and peach lighting up the sky in a spectacular show of nature only seen in the top end, Mathew started the ceremony by welcoming everyone and then handed over to me to say the vows I’d memorised. I spoke about how I’d met Hudson, fallen in love, and our hopes for the future.
Lucas then spoke fondly of us, retelling the story of when they’d first met, and then handed it over to Hudson. Tears burned my eyes as the man I loved talked about losing his heart to me from our very first meeting. He promised to be my forever and asked me to take care of his heart that I’d stolen. We sneaked a kiss once he was done.
Rings were exchanged, and Mathew and Lucas jointly announced that we were now husband and wife, permitting us to kiss.
Hudson gathered me in his arms, kissing me deeply before turning me to face our family and friends. Standing on tiptoe, I whispered into his ear. He let out a whoop worthy of any cowboy, swung me around in his arms, and everyone looked at us with puzzled expressions.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I present my wife. The lady I love more than life itself, and the soon-to-be mother of my child. While everyone went wild, Hudson gazed into my eyes. “My wife. My beautiful outback gal.”
We were then smothered in hugs, kisses, and congratulations from those we both loved.
