Page 103 of Loved By You

“Ri, you look perfect,” Gabby sniffs, smoothing her hand down my veil.

“Me? Look at you two beauties” They both twirl on the spot, looking like models in their satin sage bridesmaid dresses. Their hair in a similar style to mine. It’s a spring wedding, and I wanted everything sage and white, plain and simple.

The flowers are a mix of white roses and calla lilies for our bouquets, and the same flowers will fill the ceremony hall and the tables at our reception. Jack told me no expense would be spared on our dream day and while that may be music to most bride’s ears, I just wanted the day to be about us and our love and celebrating it with our nearest and dearest. It breaks my heart that I don’t have parents to share this day with, but I have all the love I need around me. The one person I wish could be here is Noah. He's deployed again, and while I hoped he would be back to walk me down the aisle, he couldn't be released. I’m just grateful we got to spend this past Christmas with him.

“Okay, I think we need to leave. The car is waiting to take us to the church. Let's get this show on the road,” Ali says, ushering the girls towards the door. I turn to look at myself one last timebefore I walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Lawson. I reach for my flowers just as a knock at the door startles us all.

“Quick, quick,” Gabby panics. It’s probably the driver. Ali opens the door and as I adjust my dress, I hear Noah’s name . I whip my head round so fast I’m sure I give myself whiplash. But there he is, my big brother, all tanned, dressed in his military blues with his white cap, looking as handsome as ever.

Tears pool in my eyes and I blink away so they don't fall and ruin my makeup.

“Uncle Noah,” the girls’ screech. He bends to hug them both and now I’m really fighting back the tears.

“Okay, girls, let's get in the car,” Ali instructs, giving me a nod, knowing I need a few minutes alone with my brother.

“You came,” I say, my words shaky.

“Did you think I was going to miss walking my baby sister down the aisle on her wedding day to one of my best friends?”

We’ve FaceTimed countless times since me and Jack got together and I found out not long ago that Jack called Noah before he proposed to check it was okay; ask his permission or just give him a heads up I don't know, but the fact he did that meant everything to me. My brother, aside from Jack, has been the only man to be there for me. He’s been my constant and even though his job makes him leave a lot, he never truly leaves me.

“I hoped you wouldn't,” I reply, reaching to hug him and he squeezes me in that protective big brother way.

“You look beautiful. You look happy. It suits you.”

“He makes me happy,” I tell him.

“I know he does, and you, more than anyone, deserve all the happiness life has to offer and I couldn't think of a better man for you to be happy with.”

Bending his arm and offering it to me, I link mine with his.

“Now, let’s go get my baby sister and my best friend hitched.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Jack

“Uurrghhhh, it's wrong again,” I growl, yanking my bow tie off and throwing it to the ground in frustration.

Fuck, I’m sweating.

“It was fine the first sixteen times you did it. Stop stressing. It's your wedding day. Have a whiskey and calm the fuck down,” Harry says, scooping up the bow tie and turning me to face him as he starts to tie it for me.

“Why am I so nervous? This is ridiculous,” I huff, running a frustrated hand through my hair.

“It is ridiculous. Pull yourself together. What do you think’s gonna happen? She walks in the church, realize she could do better and walk back out?” Brad says casually from the chair in the corner of our hotel room.

I glare over at him. “Don’t even fucking joke.”

“Ignore Mr. doomsday over there. Ria isn’t going to walk out. She loves you, and you love her, so quit your stressing, and breathe because I don’t fancy giving you the kiss of life today.”

I wrinkle my nose.

“Now that’s perfect, don’t fucking touch it,” he says, tapping my face and walking away.

I reach for my tux jacket and pin the white rose to it. I smile because in the next hour, Ria’s going to become my wife and I will officially become a stepdad. I’ve been as good as over the past two years but today makes it official and knowing that not only Ria will have my last name, but the girls’ last name will be double-barreled with the blessing of Alex’s parents floods me with emotion.

It’s been a hard year, particularly for Anne and Steve, but they are good people. It wasn't their fault how their son turned out and they have welcomed me into their lives with open arms and they will always have my unwavering respect and appreciation for the way they are for the girls and for Ria and I’m happy they were able to make today. Being with Ria has shown me that family doesn’t mean blood. It’s people who show up for one another and love one another despite everything and anything and that's what we are, one big blended, chaotic, messy, perfectly unperfect family.

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