Having Hannah stay over felt like a throwback to their childhood years. They sat up and watched ‘Gone with the Wind’ until the early hours of the morning then talked until they fell asleep. After their sleep in, they made sure their dresses were hanging up, grabbed coffee and went to the spa. They had a hot sauna then a massage and finally lay back and had a facial.

“This has got to be the most relaxed prewedding routine…” Hannah sighed happily.

“Mmmmmm…”

After the facial they were booked in at the beauty parlour where Hannah’s face was made dramatic with dark eyeliner and bold lips.

“Most girls want a ‘natural beauty’ look.” The beautician mused. “It’s so nice to put make up on someone who isn’t afraid of colour.”

“You should see my dress.” Hannah breathed in and out slowly. “How are you doing over there?”

“I think I’m the natural beauty look person.” Ally inspected her appearance in the mirror.

“When you’re naturally beautiful…why mess with a good thing?”

Once their hair and makeup was done they went back to Ally’s apartment where they helped each other into their dresses. Hannah had gone a little quiet.

“You okay?”

“Yeah…I guess the enormity of what we’re doing just hit me.”

“Don’t let it steal your joy.” Ally wound some dark red rose buds into Hannah’s looped hairstyle. “Just imagine Adam pulling all these bobby pins out one by one later on tonight…”

“What about you and Joshua?”

“What about me and him?” Ally huffed.

“You’ll need help getting out of that dress.” Hannah’s eyes gleamed with a wicked intent. “Are you seriously telling me you’re still not…”

“No, we’re not.” Ally remembered the sad look in his eyes and felt disquieted.

“He is still coming, isn’t he?”

“He said he would…oh...oh no…”

Hannah jolted as Ally’s face paled. “What?”

“His ex fiancé dumped him two weeks before their wedding,” Ally closed her eyes, “he might hate weddings!”

“But he said he would come.”

“I know but if he does…I’ll feel so bad. He’s already done so much for me.”

Hannah stood up and took Ally’s hands. “If he’s there, he’s there. If he’s not…be as understanding as he has been of you…”

Ally nodded, swallowing. “Shoes and the little emergency bag of touch ups…right, we’re ready.”

The gazebo in the botanical garden was not a typical round platform but rather, a hedge of flowers, trees and shrubs that made a natural barrier and backdrop. Arching over the tops of the white chairs that could seat fifty people at the most, were white petals with patterns cut out of them so that sunlight could glance through but cast plenty of shade as well. There was a small, low platform at the back of the gazebo where a violinist played and the minister waited. A photographer hovered nearby, snapping pictures of the guests, some of whom were from Commando.

“Karl and Jo are here with Samuel,” Ally said, peeking out of the secluded alcove where more petals were arranged so that the bride could hide before the ceremony started, “you invited Eric?”

“He’s set up shop in Morgan’s for those who want coffee, not booze.” Hannah tried not to pace, breathing in and out slowly. “Just tell me Adam’s there?”

“Oh, sorry…I should have started with him,” Ally giggled, “he’s there.”

“Does he look nervous?”

“A little…but he’s hardly running for the hills.”

“Can I see?” Hannah peered through the gaps in the petal. “He’s talking…not talking to the minister…oh,” she looked at Ally, “Joshua’s here.”

“He is?” They both leaned and looked together. Joshua was wearing a white on white long sleeve shirt and mid blue jeans. He shook Adam’s hand, talking to distract themselves.

“I see a double date in our future…”

“I told you…” Ally’s words were silenced as Hannah grasped her hands.

“I’m ready.” She breathed out. “Let’s do this.”

Ally signalled the violinist who stood up to gain people’s attention as the minister gestured gently for everyone to take their seats. Then the aisle melody began and Ally looked at Hannah and winked. She led the way out of the alcove, around to the single aisle and down its length, holding a dark red rose bouquet by their long, thornless, stems. She wore an off white satin shoestring gown, embroidered and sequined ballet flats peeking out with every step. Over the top of the single layer dress was a bodice in the same off white hue, embroidered and sequined in much the same way as the shoes. Two more layers of satin were attached to the bottom of the bodice so that her skirt fluttered, each layer catching the light breeze. The straps from the bodice were more satin and they were plaited to go over her shoulder and join to the top of the back of her bodice. Ally’s hair was lightly curled and arranged almost messily with off white rose buds threaded throughout.

Ally could feel everyone’s confusion.

She looked like the bride.

She concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, all the way to the low stage and turned and looked for Hannah who was anything if predictable.

She wore a dark red sleeveless dress with a large, ruffled skirt that was slightly higher at the front than at the back. She stepped out with her usual confidence in her stilettos and the bouquet she clutched was the same as Ally’s only with white roses. Her hair was looped into dramatic ringlets and arranged on her hair with about a hundred bobby pins and dotted with rose buds. Her make up was as dramatic as her gown.

Ally looked at Adam, curious as to his reaction.

He was beaming with pride, not a drop of hesitation or disappointment in his expression. He held out his hand whispered to her. Hannah blushed and stood with him as the minster began to speak.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The words faded into the background for Ally. She couldn’t stop looking at Hannah and Adam who were completely entranced with each other. Their hands held the bouquet of roses together and she wondered if they were listening to the minister speak at all.

As he began to recite the vows, Ally felt a nudge in her heart. She risked a glance to the crowd and saw Joshua staring at the intended couple as Hannah vowed to love in all circumstances. Ally’s heart swelled, her chest tightening like it was trying to keep it in. She gazed at his face, his profile…the pale blueness of his eyes and the tension in his expression.

Then, when Adam began to repeat the vows, Joshua looked down and swallowed, his lips pressing together. Ally held her breath as he remained that way for a moment then, hesitantly, he looked up…directly at her.

The air in her lungs evacuated in a single soft gasp.

Ally looked away immediately, her full heart now hammering out of control.

She was sure she was red from the heat of her blush. She breathed in her nose and out of her mouth to calm herself by the time the minister announced Hannah and Adam were husband and wife.

Photos were hastily snapped in the silky soft shadows of dusk as storm clouds began to roll in before they walked along the botanical garden path and into the CBD where it was a short stroll to Morgan’s. A sign saying ‘closed for private function’ hung across the door. Hannah had to squash her dress a little to get it up the stairs. There was music playing and someone immediately set up the pool table for a game. Hannah and Adam urged everyone to make use of the tab at the bar and the guests began to circulate.

“Ally, you look really beautiful.” Karl gushed, holding onto Samual dressed in a tiny baby suit.

“He’s right,” Jo nodded, “for a moment I thought you were the bride!”

“That’s Hannah for you.”

“I should have realised it straight away.” Jo looked at Karl. “Would you get me a drink?”

“Sure.”

Jo turned to Ally and stepped closer. “I’m really glad to see how well you are. Karl told me about Farrows behaviour and how Simons just…scraped you out of Commando…we’ve been so worried.”

“Not without good reason.” Ally admitted. “But I’m a lot better now.”

“Still…what they did…” Jo huffed. “I wish I could bang their heads together…or stomp on their feet…or let them have Samuel for a night. That’s punishment enough.”

“Still not sleeping through?”

“Actually he’s a lot better. Karl’s not nodding off anywhere near as much at work. Which is good seeing as you’re not there to supply coffee.”

The evening passed with the guests becoming more and more social the more they drank. No one was plastered but there was a distinct amount of social lubricant being applied. Ally spied Joshua at the pool table. He caught sight of her gaze down the long cue. Ally wasn’t sure if she was happy or disappointed that he missed the shot. He laughed and admitted defeat then walked to where she was standing.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come.” She said before he could speak.

Joshua nodded. “To be honest…neither was I.”

“I’m sorry I put you in that position.” She insisted. “After what you went through…”

“Just because I had a bad experience with my own wedding, or lack thereof, doesn’t make weddings evil.” He drank his glass of cider and smiled. “It was good for me to see that firsthand. And a beautiful wedding to do so at.”

“I just feel so selfish.”

“What on earth for?” They stood by the windows that faced the street. They could only just hear the rumble of thunder and a few sporadic spots of rain struck the glass.

“All this time you’ve been looking after me,” Ally shook her head, “helping me, redirecting me…it never occurred to me that you might need someone to lean on.”

He gave a small laugh. “My being uncomfortable attending a wedding doesn’t even come close to where you were on that balcony.”

Ally stared at him. “But I’m not there anymore…” She said softly.

He nodded. “I know.” His voice was quiet. Ally tilted her head to catch his eye.

“Are you sure? I thought the only reason you were okay about my not being in your apartment last night was because I was with Hannah.”

He shook his head, folding his arms. “No…I’ve known you were you again for nearly two weeks now.” He looked at the cider and sighed. “I…I’ve been selfish. I got used to you being in my life,” he lifted his head and met her eyes, “the truth is, you don’t need me anymore.”

Ally opened her mouth to speak but Hannah and Adam descended upon them, slightly tipsy and unaware they’d interrupted anything.

“So glad you could come, Joshua.” Hannah insisted. “Thank you for everything.”

“Well…I…”

“No, really,” Hannah eyeballed him, “thank you.”

He chuckled and nodded. “It was a lovely ceremony and I like this place,” he looked around the bar, “I didn’t know it was here.”

“My own glow worn cave.” Ally raised her eyebrows.

“Glow worm?” Adam was more than a little confused.

“Trade secret.”

“Doesn’t Ally look beautiful?” Hannah gushed.

“I’ve been told I looked like the bride so often…”

“Hang onto it and use it for your own wedding.” Adam suggested then caught sight of Hannah and Ally’s expressions. “Oh right…what was I thinking…gotta have a new dress.”

“You both looked stunning,” Joshua looked between them, “I loved the uniqueness of it. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to head home.”

“Already?”

“I’ve got shifts at the gym tomorrow,” Joshua shook Adam’s hand and Hannah kissed his cheek, “thank you so much for inviting me.”

Ally watched him head to the bar, put his half drunk glass of cider on the counter and left through the door. She stared for a moment then looked down at the floorboards.

“Ally?”

“He said I don’t need him anymore…” Ally whispered, rain splattering the glass, blurring the lights of the street. “He said I’m me again. I don’t need him…”

“Did he say he didn’t need you?” Adam asked and she looked at him, surprised.

“No…”

“Ugh, Ally!” Hannah grasped her shoulders. “The man is head over heels in love with you.”

“I…” Ally’s skin flushed with a thrill as she remembered his eyes on her as the minister said the vows.

“And he’s giving you the space to choose.” Adam added. “Even I, a dim witted male, could see that.”

Ally glanced back and forth between them. “Are…are you sure?”

“Yes!” They both chorused. “And if you hurry, you can still catch him!” Hannah added.

Ally looked around, her body flooded with adrenalin. “What about you? I’m your bridesmaid. I’m supposed to…”

“Oh jeez…here!” Hannah thrust her bouquet at Ally. “Look, you caught the bouquet! Now get out of here!” She grasped Adam’s hand. “I think we can take care of ourselves.”

Ally beamed and kissed her cheek before turning and sprinting through the club, out the door, down the stairs and out into the street. It was pouring! The rain was coming straight down, streaking the colours like water spilt on a paint palette. Car lights reflected off the wet road and splashed through puddles.

Ally ran as fast as she could down the road, hunting desperately for Joshua’s familiar form in the street. She spied him on the angular island, having crossed one road and was waiting for a break in the traffic for him to reach the other side.

“Joshua!” She cried, unable to cross because of the traffic. “Joshua!”

He heard his name and looked around, spying her as she ran across into the rain, the cars caught by the traffic lights long enough for her to reach him.

“Ally?” He grasped her hands and drew her fully onto the traffic island, rain soaking their shoulders and saturating their hair. “What are you…”

“I need you!” She blurted then held her breath.

Joshua gazed at her sadly and shook his head. “No, you don’t.” He smiled. “You’re you again. You can live your life perfectly well without me in it.” He stepped back and gestured to her. “You’re not a damsel in distress anymore. You don’t need a knight…or Knightly…to rescue you.”

Ally closed the gap between them, unwilling to let him go. “You don’t understand. I need you to tell me what you want.”

He blinked, shaking the rain out of his eyes. “What I want? I’m not sure…”

“Joshua,” Ally took his hands and held them, the rain veiling them from everything else until it was dull and blurred beyond their bubble, “I’m not afraid anymore.”

He stared at her, his blue eyes uncertain. “Maybe not,” he licked his lips, “but I’m terrified.”

For some reason his confession reassured her. Ally stepped closer again, looking up at him. “Please…” She whispered.

His chin trembled and he swallowed down the emotion. “What I want…” he licked his lips and tried again. “When…when the minister had Hannah and Adam repeat the vows…all I could think was…how much I wanted to say those things to you.”

A rush of joy streaked through Ally. “You do?”

He nodded. “I do.” He chuckled sadly, the irony of the words not lost on him.

“To have, to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and for better or worse?”

“Until only death would be able to part us.” Joshua ended then shook his head, looking down at their hands. “There…now you know how foolish it is that which I want…I mean…we’re not…”

Ally pulled his hands apart and stepped into the gap. She went up on her toes and kissed him, her arms threading around his neck, feeling his warmth mingle with hers as his arms circled her waist and held her close. Horns from cars beeped and passersby might have cheered but they were deaf to all of it, so wrapped up were they in each other.

Ally gently drew back, stroking his cheek. “Now you know that what you want, I want.”