Chapter Forty-Nine
Fallon
“Where the hell are my curling tongs?” Blair shouts from the living room. “Someone has moved them, and I know it wasn’t me!”
“They’re plugged in near the dressing table,” Gracie calls back.
“Why are you always robbing my shit?”
“Because sharing is caring. And when you want your tongs tomorrow and are too hungover to come here to get them, you’ll be happy I left mine at home,” Gracie adds smugly.
You can hear Blair's angry stomping as she comes into the room and finds them exactly where Gracie said. God, I have missed this. To anyone else, a house full of over dramatic girls with powerful personalities would be hell, but to us, it’s a dream.
There is nothing I love more than times like this with my friends.
Well, other than Luke. And maybe chocolate.
“How are we feeling?” I ask Maya as I add the finishing touches to her hair.
“Honestly? Excited, but a little bit sad. I never thought this day would come, and now that it's here, I can’t help but feel a little bit disheartened.”
“Why babes?” Gracie asks, kneeling on the floor in front of her.
“I have everything I could have ever wanted. Marrying Tommy is the most magical of them all. I can’t help but feel sad that I don’t have any family here to watch me do it,” her face dropping as she looks out of the window.
“You can’t choose your family, Maymay, but you can choose your friends. And we would choose you every day,” I say, wrapping her up in a hug.
Gracie leans in, leaning her head on Maya's legs, and Blair huffs from behind us.
“For fucks sake,” she complains, stomping over. “I guess I have to touch you all now, too?”
This makes Maya snort a chuckle, but I don’t miss the lone tear that escapes her eye. She has been alone for most of her life, so this day means more to her than anyone would ever know. Using my thumb, I push away the tear and she smiles up at me.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’d be where I am today without you girls,” she admits, sniffling but still showing us her beautiful smile.
“Piss off, Maya. I look way too sexy right now to be emotional, and so do you. Pull up your big girl knickers and let's get you down that aisle,” Blair demands. She may act all tough, but there's no hiding the shine in her eyes.
“One last group hug before we send our girl off to get hitched?” Gracie says, bouncing with excitement.
Blair rolls her eyes, but doesn’t back away. The four of us huddle, our heads bent in close as we wrap our arms around each other.
“The sooner this shows on the road, the sooner we can all have a wine,” I tell them, pulling away. “I still can't believe Maya is the first of us to get married. I was convinced it would be Gracie.”
“I’m going to be a spinster. I have already started to look at cats.”
“You better not have. I’m not living with no flea-ridden fluff ball,” Blair grimaces.
“You are so mean.”
“I know. It’s why you all love me.”
Maya's meadow is like something out of a fantasy novel.
I made sure to pop down this morning to check everything is in order, but seeing it right now with the sun low in the sky, is like stepping foot into a dream world.
On one side is a marquee filled with warm lights, tables and beautiful blush flowers.
But the other side, oh my days, has the most spectacular view.
Close to the river, there is an archway made with flowers that float down like the stream of a waterfall.
Leading to it is a long beige carpet that runs down the middle of antique golden chairs.
Blair, Gracie and Lucy have already been dropped off by their car at the top of the aisle and are making their way down, but Maya and I are a minute behind. Not only do I get to be her maid of honour today, but I also have the privilege of walking beside her and giving her over to my brother.
From inside the car, I can just make out Tommy's stern face as he taps his foot impatiently. It's actually quite funny. One thing I have loved to witness since they’ve admitted their feelings is how his expression completely changes whenever he sets his eyes on my best friend.
When we pull up, the driver comes around to open the door on my side first. Looking back at Maya, we smile at each other, and when she gives me a small nod, I attempt to get out as graciously as I possibly can.
Smoothing down my dress quickly, I turn and hold out my hand.
Without a word, she slides her hand into mine.
She looks so beautiful. Her dress is simple, floaty, elegant and totally her.
She looks exactly like she belongs in this magical fairy-style meadow.
Once she’s out and I’ve arranged her train, we entwine our arms and walk towards the man of her dreams.
But, he isn’t the man I'm looking for.
I scan the seats as we make our way. The anticipation of seeing Luke is killing me, and when I do, my whole body turns to goo.
He looks hot as sin, wearing an all-black suit, white shirt and no tie.
Standing with his legs spread slightly and his hands in his pockets, it takes everything in me not to ditch Maya and jump him.
He gives me a wicked grin, as if he can hear exactly what I'm thinking.
The moment we get to the end, Maya turns to me and rests her forehead against mine.
“I love you, Fal,” she whispers.
“I love you too, Maymay.” Then, turning to my brother, I kiss him on the cheek. “You look after our girl.”
“You know I will,” he says seriously, but his eyes only flick to me before landing straight back on her.
Smiling, I shake my head and step away, taking my place beside the girls.
I try, I really do, to watch the whole ceremony, but my eyes have a mind of their own.
All they want to do is find Luke, and every single time, I find him looking right back at me.
I don’t know what it is about weddings, but they bring out these warm, fuzzy feelings for everyone.
Especially for me today. Will I ever do this?
Is it even something I want? I know I want a life with him.
He is my forever. What would a ring on my finger do to change it?
We listen to the vows, watch them take each other's hands, and have their first kiss as husband and wife.
By the time they do, I'm crying my eyes out.
Sniffling from behind me catches my attention, and it seems I'm not the only one overcome with emotion.
The girls, including Blair, are a wreck.
The married couple look so in love, it melts my heart.
Looking back at Luke, his eyes are soft as he mouths three little words just for me.
“I love you.”