Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
MERRY
A fter Marley’s speech, I rise to toast the bride and groom. I take a deep breath and stand before a crowd of unfamiliar faces. The only people I know here are the wedding party and then I spot Blanche at a table, waving at me with a bright smile, telling me all is well.
“Good evening, everyone.” I smooth a palm down my sea-green floaty chiffon dress. “I’d like to thank you all for being here today to celebrate this beautiful moment. As Finn’s mother, it fills my heart with so much joy to see so many loved ones gathered together to celebrate his marriage to Shelly.” I give everyone my best fake smile, even though my heart is filled with sadness as I look out at the crowd, knowing there’s one person who should be here.
Memories flood my head of the last time I was left looking out at a crowd without him. I was standing on a podium giving a speech. It should have been a happy occasion. A turning point in my career as I won a seat in parliament. But with no one to share in the moment, it didn’t seem as joyful as it should have.
The mic trembles in my hand. “Standing here today, I can’t help but reflect on the boy who grew into the incredible man sitting before me. From the moment I held him in my arms, I knew he would grow up to be someone special. Finn, you’ve always had a kind heart, an adventurous spirit, and a determination that has never wavered, no matter the challenges life threw your way.
“But what stands out to me most about you is the way you love. You love deeply, with all of your heart, and seeing the way you look at Shelly tells me you’ve found someone who understands and returns that love in the most beautiful way.
“To both of you, marriage is a journey, not always an easy one, but a beautiful one when shared with the right person.” My voice cracks, emotions getting the better of me.
“You’ll have your ups and downs, but never forget the love you feel today. Be patient with each other, support one another’s dreams, and always remember?—”
My mouth parts as Alex enters the marquee. Our eyes connect across the space.
He takes long strides as he navigates the large round tables, straightening his tie.
The pulse in my neck quickens as he reaches the head table, taking the mic from my hand. It could only have been seconds, but it feels like I’ve been standing here for minutes.
Alex brings the mic to his lips, and says, “I think what my wife was about to say is, always remember that family comes first.” He places a hand on Finn’s shoulder while standing behind him.
“I’m sorry I’m a little late for the speeches, ladies and gentlemen, but I’m sure Merry here can deliver a far better speech than me. However, I do want to raise a glass to the happy couple.” He looks around for a drink. “Even though I don’t appear to have a glass myself.”
I reach for the spare glass of water in front of me and hand it to Alex.
“Thank you.” He lifts the glass. “To the bride and groom.”
Everyone mirrors Alex’s movements and echoes his words.
He takes a long pull on the water, then clears his throat. “I can’t tell you how proud I am to call you both family. You complement each other perfectly. How does that saying go?” He looks over at me with a smile. “Behind every great man is an even greater woman.”
My heart swells as my eyes pool with emotion.
Alex turns and looks back down at Finn. “I know you’ll take good care of your wife, because if I’ve taught you anything, it’s how not to do things.”
“Dad—”
Alex raises his hand and faces the crowd. “I made the biggest mistake of my life twenty years ago.” He looks back at me.
Everything blurs as if looking through a watery lens.
“And tonight I almost made the same mistake.” He takes my hand in his. “Almost. But I’m here now and I won’t be making the same mistake again.”
My smile pushes my cheeks up, forcing my tears to drip onto my cheeks.
Alex reaches into his pocket and hands me a handkerchief. “Can you forgive me?”
I nod through a stream of happy tears as I dab at my eyes, careful not to smudge my makeup.
Alex lifts the mic to his mouth. “Let’s get this party started. Drinks are on me.”
The crowd cheers, and the band plays “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” A laugh bursts through my tears as Marley and Celeste are the first ones on the dance floor.
“Great speech, Dad.” Finn pats Alex on the back. “I’m surprised you sorted the deal out so quickly. Well done.”
“Yeah. It was easy, really.” Alex doesn’t take his eyes from me as he gazes down with a huge grin on his face, as if he’s just won the lottery.
“I’m glad you made it back,” I say, fisting his shirt, not sure whether I should hug him for making it back here, or punch him for leaving in the first place.
“Want to dance?” He gently holds my elbow, guiding me to the dance floor.
“Sir,” Janice shouts over the music as she rushes towards us with her mobile in hand. “Sir, I have Max on the phone. He’s asking what time you’re arriving in Candy Cane Key. I don’t know what to tell him.”
“Tell him I’m dancing with my wife, then I’ll be spending Christmas with my family. If he wants to talk business, I’ll be free next Monday. I can probably set up a Zoom call from England.”
Janice stares at him, her mouth agape. “Sir?”
Alex doesn’t acknowledge her as he continues to lead me onto the dance floor with a goofy smile on his face. He signals to the band and they slow things down with a Bing Crosby tribute.
“You’re going to England?” I swallow the bauble in my throat.
“I’ll be wherever you are, Merry. If you’ll have me?” His hands slide over my arms and down to my waist as we sway together to the music.
“You didn’t sort out the deal, did you?” My eyes grow wide as I realise what he’s given up to be here now.
He shakes his head, but his smile doesn’t falter.
“What about the million-dollar deal? You could lose it.” My hands glide over his grey suit and rest on his shoulders for support.
He swipes a stray hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear. “No deal is worth more to me than the deal I made thirty years ago when I made you my wife and vowed to love and to cherish you till death do us part.”
My pulse quickens. “That’s not the first time you’ve called me wife tonight.” I hold my breath, wondering if he even realised he said it in his speech and when he was talking to Janice. “Was that wishful thinking or were you just having a senior moment?”
He chuckles, his chest shaking against mine as he pulls me close. “I like the way it feels on my tongue.”
Gazing into his eyes, we sway to the Christmas music. Bells ring in my heart. This man chose me over a million-dollar deal.
“How about it? Want to be Mrs. Fitzpatrick again?” He reaches into his trouser pocket and pulls out a green Tiffany box.
My hands fly to my mouth with a gasp. “You kept hold of my wedding band?”
He opens the box and takes out my ring. “Like I kept hold of the hope that maybe one day, you’d wear it again.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he kisses my knuckles, then holds the ring at the tip of my finger, waiting for me to give him the green light.
Unable to speak, I nod as he slides the band towards my knuckle. With my fat fingers, I say a silent prayer, hoping it will still fit after all this time.
“A little snug, isn’t it?” Alex says, but he’s determined to get this ring on my finger.
I let out a sigh of relief when it reaches the base. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get it off again without medical intervention, but I’m not sure I ever want to remove it. My thumb runs along the shiny metal surface, remembering the familiarity of it like it’s always been there.
Alex’s fingers curl under my chin, lifting my head to look up into his eyes. His lips press against mine in a searing kiss with a promise of our future. Breaking the kiss, but still touching my lips, he says, “I love you, Merry.”
The bells in my heart are in full chorus. The magic of Christmas is all around us as my head spins. Lights twinkle above us like stars and I’m swept away with all the love this man’s held for me since we’ve been apart.
“I love you, Alex.” The words come out rushed as a tidal wave of emotion pours out of me. I wrap my arms around his neck and our lips lock again, taking my breath away.
“This has turned into one hell of a Christmas reunion.”
“A kissmas reunion,” I say against his mouth, needing more of him.
“How much longer do we need to stay at the reception? I need to be inside my wife.” His raspy tone makes my core clench.
I quirk my lips. “Seeing as you’re paying for the drinks, we might need to stay for a little while longer, but maybe your driver Gary can lend us the blacked-out SUV for half an hour.” My teeth sink into my lower lip, hoping he has his driver on standby.
Alex opens his jacket, retrieving his mobile, and sends a text message. His phone pings, causing a smile to stretch across his face. “We have the car for an hour.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Alex, you’re spoiling me. Are you sure you can last an hour?”
His smouldering gaze is everything I crave. “With you as my wife, probably not, but I’m gonna give it my best shot.” He places his hand on the lower dent of my back, guiding me off the dance floor.
Tingles cascade down my spine. “In that case, let’s make every second count.” Stepping into the night, the glow of twinkling lights fades behind us, but the fire between us burns brighter than ever. This is more than just a kissmas reunion—this is the start of forever.