Chapter 25 Happy, Happy
Happy, Happy
The day dawned crisp with the promise of sun despite her grandmother fretting about a winter wedding.
Suzie didn’t care about the weather. All she wanted was to marry Niall, and that would happen today, one way or another, since she and Niall had formulated a Plan B.
Many chaperones had limited their time together, so it was just as well they’d decided not to formalize their mating until they married.
Earlier, she had reread Niall’s letters, which brought tears to her eyes.
He had expressed regret for his behavior and promised to do much better in using his words and trying to understand her point of view.
An excellent reminder that communication was important.
He’d also mentioned his research of music courses, and since his arrival, they’d discussed this and her preference for the course at Edinburgh University.
With Niall sitting beside her, she’d enrolled yesterday.
So exciting! They’d talked a lot since becoming engaged, and although they’d probably argue again in the future, Suzie felt they were better equipped to come out the other side.
Soon, they’d become husband and wife.
And she couldn’t wait to get Niall to herself.
Alone.
Suzie hummed under her breath, still thrilled at a romantic song she and Edwina had composed last year. It was perfect for her to walk down the aisle toward Niall and the wedding celebrant.
Her father tapped on her bedroom door. “Are you ready?”
Suzie grinned, pure happiness fizzing through her and finding an outlet in that smile. “Ready!”
She wore a sleek cream dress with a matching shawl because, although it was sunny, it was still wintery. Her mother had helped her apply subtle makeup and style a casual updo. Suzie felt pretty, and yes, she was ready to embrace the future with Niall.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” her father said. Only one still-healing cut remained on his cheek. Her mother walked with a slight limp, but her rapid progress had pleased Gavin.
“Thanks. Mum helped.”
“We like your young man,” her mother said on entering the bedroom.
“Me, too,” Suzie said, her voice bubbling with laughter. “I think I might marry him.”
“Are you certain?” her father asked, his tone serious. “We can run.”
Suzie chortled, catching the lurking humor in her father’s eyes. “He’s my mate, Dad. I love him.”
“Well then,” her mother said with an emphatic nod. “We’d better hustle. We have a wedding to attend.”
Suzie was still grinning when she followed her parents outside into the sunshine. Her mother handed her a bouquet of yellow daisies, then she took her father’s arm.
“Thank you,” she said. “This is beautiful. Amazing.” Her grandmother and mother had worked miracles in the garden, and once a guitar started playing their song, her father led her up a makeshift aisle outlined with pots of yellow daisies.
Family and locals sat on both sides on garden benches.
Some elders had lap rugs. Ahead, in front of a flower arbor, Niall stood with Scott and the male celebrant.
She frowned briefly since they still hadn’t heard from Liam. Suzie hoped he was safe.
Her attention went to Niall, and their gazes connected.
She couldn’t wait for the coming evening.
Her smile started slowly, but Niall caught it and echoed the curve of lips.
Stars, she loved the big man. Her mate. She shuddered inwardly because the anticipation of the coming intimacy and the idea of marking Niall as her forever mate was heady stuff.
The slow march up the aisle took ages. Soft exclamations reached her—compliments for her dress and her hair. Relief at her parents’ state of health.
“I imagined this moment,” her father whispered. “But I didn’t realize how proud I’d feel and how excited I am to watch you embrace the next stage of your life. We’ll miss you when you travel to Scotland.”
Suzie choked up but managed a few words. “You can visit.”
“We can’t afford it, sweetheart.”
Suzie glanced at Niall. “You know the castle where they hold the gathering?”
“Yes.”
“Niall hates to boast, but he owns part of that, and his honey business does well. Niall has money, Dad. Lots of it, and he wants me to be happy. We’ll visit as often as possible but can pay for your flights to Scotland.
You’re Niall’s family now, and better, he likes and respects you. Let him help you.”
Her father blinked as they reached Niall before kissing her cheek and placing her hand in Niall’s.
“Dad?”
“I’ll think about it. A castle,” he muttered as he joined her mother. “Wow.”
Suzie grinned at Niall and handed her bouquet to her younger sister. “Hi, handsome. Want to get married?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Niall said. He kissed her cheek and turned them to face the smiling wedding celebrant. The wedding celebrant’s brown eyes twinkled beneath bushy eyebrows.
“Shall we get this party started? Dear friends and family. I welcome you here to witness the exchange of vows between Suzie and Niall.”
Suzie’s childhood wedding daydreams had been grander than this low-key reality, but the simplicity didn’t matter.
Her nearest and dearest were here, and she was marrying the man she loved.
Her only regret was Edwina’s absence, but she’d finally spoken to her friend.
They’d made plans to catch up online once Suzie returned to Scotland.
The ceremony went amazingly fast, and her heart sang with joy.
“You may now kiss your bride,” the wedding celebrant said.
Niall turned to her, his happiness blazing in his features as his gaze dropped to her lips.
It was time for their first kiss as a married couple.
And what a kiss. It started slowly and gradually ramped up until her knees weakened, and she had to clutch Niall’s shoulders.
When they finally parted, everyone clapped and cheered.
“I love you, Mr. Sinclair.”
“You make me so happy, Mrs. Sinclair,” Niall returned. “You are the light of my life. Shall we celebrate?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
The wedding breakfast at the cafe was full of happiness, good food, and friendship. The party went late into the night until it was time for them to depart.
“Wait,” her youngest sister cried. “You need to throw your bouquet. It’s tradition.”
Suzie shared a laughing glance with Niall. “All right. You organize everyone, and I’ll prepare to throw.”
Her sister snapped orders at her friends, and they ran off to gather the Middlemarch singles.
“I can’t wait to get you on your own,” Niall murmured.
“Same page,” Suzie said. “It feels as if the last time we were alone was weeks ago.”
“It was,” Niall growled.
“Everyone is ready outside,” her sister said, beaming with satisfaction. “We collected all the singles.” She leaned closer. “Wolves, felines, and a few humans.” She rubbed her tiny hands together, patches of excitement glowing on her cheeks. “I can’t wait to see who gets your bouquet. Come on!”
Bemused, Suzie followed her sister outside, and Niall trailed them.
Suzie blinked at the crowd. She’d assumed her sister and her friends would collect the unmarried women, but no.
Confused males shuffled their feet amongst dozens of single women.
Her sister and young friends ringed the entire group, resembling sentries holding a crowd at bay.
“Ready?” Suzie asked, and everyone fell silent.
“To catch the bouquet?” Henry, a single wolf, asked disgustedly. “Really? I’m out!”
Suzie grinned and turned without another word. As the bouquet left her hands, several voices cried out in dismay.
“No!” came an irate male voice.
Suzie stifled a giggle, satisfied with her true aim, while Henry glared at the daisy bouquet in his hands and shook his head.
He glanced in Suzie and Niall’s direction, and when he found them grinning at him, he glowered.
He thrust the bouquet at the nearest woman.
“You take it,” he snapped and stomped away.
“You can run but can’t hide,” Niall murmured.
“Yeah,” Suzie said. “I believe in the bouquet’s power. I caught one at my cousin’s wedding six months ago.”
“We’re fated mates,” Niall said with satisfaction.
“I can’t wait to get to the good stuff and claim you.”
“Me, too,” Niall agreed while they gave their thanks and made their goodbyes.
Their farewells were lengthy, and she thought Niall might’ve been impatient.
Relief filled her on checking his expression, along with a touch of awe.
Niall radiated happiness. Her friends and family had taken to him immediately, and he was blooming under the acceptance.
Her friends were the best. Scott had introduced Niall to those he hadn’t met during the days before their wedding, and he and Scott had gone for a run with the Mitchell brothers.
He’d toured their vineyard and mixed with tigers, leopards, and wolves without missing a blink.
Niall opened the door of his rental car for her and closed it again once she’d settled in the passenger seat.
He hurried around to the driver’s side and climbed inside.
Before he started the vehicle, he said, “I’ve had a lovely day.
Everyone has made me so welcome because I was smart enough to fall in love with you.
But I must admit. I’m pleased we’re alone now. ”
“Me too,” Suzie said.
Niall drove the quick trip to the country resort where he’d been staying. Suzie had popped by to pick up Niall several times but hadn’t set foot inside. Butterflies danced around her belly, but they were the good kind.
Niall jumped from the vehicle and was around it before she moved. He opened the door. “I’m going to miss your friends and your family, even your siblings,” he said with a grin. “Saber asked if he could bring Emily to visit. He’s planning a surprise trip for her.”