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‘Absolutely sure,’ Abby said. ‘This is the wedding we should have had, the first time round—and this time it’s for keeps.’
The first part of their wedding was a very small register office do, with just their immediate family attending; and then Brad kissed Abby. ‘I love you,’ he said. ‘And this time our marriage is for keeps.’
‘For keeps,’ she agreed.
And then they headed to the church for the blessing, where the rest of their family and friends were waiting.
* * *
Brad waited at the top of the aisle. He turned round as the organist began to play the traditional ‘Wedding March’, to see Abby walking towards him. She was even more beautiful now than she’d been ten years ago when they had first married; and as she walked towards him he felt as if his whole body was bubbling with sheer happiness.
Although the blessing didn’t involve an exchange of rings or giving away of the bride, they’d discussed the service with the vicar to make it feel as much like a wedding as possible, with Stuart and Rosie reading Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett Browning respectively, hymns, flowers and the church bell pealing as they walked back down the aisle after the service.
Everyone threw the bird-friendly confetti at them, and then while the photographer was organising some of the group shots they went to James’s grave and poured a glass of champagne next to his headstone.
‘I know you’re here with us today in spirit, Jim,’ Abby said. ‘And I promise you I’ll love your son for ever.’
‘Sorry we eloped, the first time round,’ Brad said. ‘We’re doing it right, this time. Sharing with our family and friends, the way we should’ve done last time.’
After the photographs had finished, they headed for the hotel—the one where they’d gone to the prom together and kissed for the very first time, because they’d both agreed that was the right place to hold their wedding breakfast.
And Brad felt happier than he’d ever thought possible as he sat at the table with his four-month-old daughter asleep on his lap, the love of his life next to him, and their family and friends surrounding them.
This time, they were doing it right.
Stuart kicked off the speeches after the meal, as the father of the bride. ‘Welcome, everyone,’ he said. ‘I’m pleased to say that this time Abigail and Bradley didn’t run off to Gretna Green—but I guess that’s harder to do when you have a baby.’ Everyone laughed. ‘I’m going to keep this short, and say I’m delighted to welcome Brad back into the family, where he’s always belonged,’ Stuart said. ‘Please raise your glasses to the bride and groom, Abby and Brad.’
‘Abby and Brad,’ everyone chorused.
Brad couldn’t quite bear to wake Jessica by transferring her to his wife’s arms, so he stood up and gave his speech with his daughter in his arms. ‘I’d like to thank everyone for coming, and as Stuart said this time we didn’t run off to Gretna Green. Actually, it wasn’t so much because of Jessica, because she’s happy to go anywhere, but we didn’t think you’d forgive us for depriving you of a party for the second time.’
There were claps and hoots and cheers.
‘Ten years on, we’re both older and wiser—at least, I think we are,’ Brad continued. ‘I would like to thank Stuart, Annie, Mum and George for all their help over the wedding arrangements and for being wonderful grandparents; and I’d like to thank my twin Ruby for being the best bridesmaid ever. And I’d like you all to raise a glass to my gorgeous bride, Mrs Abby Powell—I’m so proud of her. For most people, moving house or having a baby or opening a new branch of the family business in a different town would be quite enough to do in a year. Not for my new wife, because she’s done all three—and she was named local businesswoman of the year, last week. She’s brilliant. And I’m very lucky she agreed to marry me again.’ He lifted his glass. ‘To Abby.’
‘To Abby,’ everyone echoed.
Colin stood up next. ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that my brother-in-law chose me as best man. I knew he actually wanted his sister as his best woman, but his bride called first dibs on her, so he was pretty much stuck with me. So I’m going to keep it short and sweet—please raise your glasses to the bride and groom, Abby and Brad.’
