"Your suit, sir" Hathaway's dulcet tones rang across the room and Robbie turned to greet his colleague cheerfully. "Morning, James" he answered jovially, retrieving the carrier from him. "Shouldn't there be another bag or two?" He asked and Hathaway indicated over his shoulder. "Jean has taken Laura's dress and case up to the room she's changing in," he explained and Robbie nodded. "Fair enough. Laura and I have got to meet the registrar in about half an hour, so I'd best get changed" he continued and Hathaway shrugged easily. "I'll be in the garden if you need me," he replied and then held out his hand to Robbie. "Best of luck today Robbie. You're a lucky man," he told him and Robbie laughed. "That I am," he replied, shaking James's hand firmly "and I'm glad you're with us today."
Robbie was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Laura when she came down, and the sight of her fully took his breath away. She paused on the corner and considered him for a second before continuing down the stairs, hand just touching the bannister for stability. "Hello," she said softly and Robbie shook his head in disbelief. "You look so utterly beautiful," he told her and Laura smiled. "You scrub up pretty nicely yourself," she told him happily, adjusting his tie slightly for him and smiling up at him. Robbie linked his hands behind her back and looked down at her. "So here we are, Dr. Hobson," he observed and she titled her head up at him. "Here we are indeed, Inspector Lewis," she replied, intertwining her hands behind his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. "Will I do?" she enquired and he grinned. "Aye, lass," he replied.
"Mr Lewis and Dr Hobson?" A voice drifted in from the hallway and they turned, Laura disengaging her arms from around Robbie's neck and then smoothing down her dress, over her bump. "Yes, that's us," Laura replied cheerfully. The registrar had appeared in the doorway and smiled at them warmly. "Great, a couple of formalities to undertake, and then we can get on with your wedding, if you'd like to step this way."
"You ready?" Laura turned to look at Robbie and he nodded. Laura had maintained a firm line throughout all the preparation that she was not going to be given away, and accordingly, she and Robbie decided that they would come into the room their marriage was to be held in together. As Laura's favourite piece of music began to drift through the room, she interlaced her fingers with Robbie's and tugged on them gently so that he looked down at her. Laura was vaguely aware of the photographer behind them, but would only appreciate the full significance of this later when she saw their wedding photos. "I absolutely am," Robbie replied definitely "Shall we?"
The last thing Laura expected was that she'd cry through her marriage vows. She wasn't the slightest bit nervous. She was completely convinced that marrying Robbie was what would make them both happy. She loved him wholeheartedly and had done for years. They just worked. Perhaps on paper the match might seem strange but the two of them worked beautifully. And she'd wanted to be with him for so long that sometimes she felt like pinching herself, just to confirm that this was really happening. And it was. Here she was, in her wedding finery, their baby growing within her, fingers interlaced with Robbie's, pledging to love him, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, her eyes brimming over with tears. And she was truly on top of the world. She could read his expressions like a book and the sheer happiness across his face made her heart sing.
"You may kiss your bride." The celebrant concluded, and Robbie smiled happily at Laura, slipping his hands around her waist and pulling her closer to him. "I love you," he murmured as he bent to kiss her and she smiled broadly before cupping his cheek and returning his kiss longingly. "I love you too," she replied, dashing away a tear as their friends and family cheered. Robbie chuckled and pulled her against his chest as she sniffled slightly. "Come on lass," he murmured to her, pressing a kiss to her forehead and she slipped her arm around his waist before they turned to face their nearest and dearest. Later Laura would discover that Jean had managed to capture this rather tender moment and it rapidly became amongst her most cherished photographs.
"So here we are," Laura mused, her arms around Robbie's neck as they danced together in the warmth of the evening. "Mmmm?" Robbie replied, leaning in to kiss her cheek lovingly and Laura smiled. Somehow their entire wedding reception had ended up in the garden of the house Laura and Robbie now shared. It was rather civilised. Once the ceremony had concluded, and they'd finished their celebratory meal it seemed somehow natural to return back to theirs, friends and family in tow, for idle chit chat, music, more prosecco and a bit of dancing. Laura suspected Lynne was behind this particular playlist - several of the songs had made her laugh out loud once she'd realised what the lyrics were and she'd caught Lynne's eye more than once throughout the evening. Laura's brother and his family had made their excuses and headed home while Jean's illusive husband Dominic had made an appearance. James seemed to be making quite the impression on Ellen, whilst Lynne and Patrick were deep in conversation, sat on the bench in the corner of the garden. "Today has been just perfect," Laura remarked and Robbie gazed at her happily. "It really has," he replied and they smiled at each other.
James clearing his throat brought them out of their reverie and Laura smiled as he held out his hand to her. "May I have this dance Mrs Lewis?" He enquired jovially and Laura laughed. "Lord, James. Yes, of course," she replied, slipping her hands from around Robbie's neck and kissing Robbie quickly. She took the proffered hand and went to dance with James as Robbie retired to stand with Ellen. Ellen raised her glass to Robbie in salute. "You alright Robbie?" She enquired kindly as James and Laura began to dance together. "Aye, grand" Robbie replied, starting slightly as Lynne appeared next to them and slipped her arm around her father's shoulders. "Laura doesn't suspect a thing, does she?" Lynn enquired and Robbie shook his head. "I don't think she does," he replied and Lynne grinned. "Perfect," She replied with an air of satisfaction.