Chapter 25:

A/N: Been waiting to write this wedding for soo long! It came down to it and I realised how little I actually knew about writing weddings, having (I think) only written one which was Gary and Sarah's in I Hate You I Love You, so I hope it is ok! Enjoy!

Trigger warning: Suicide references.

Carla

"Wakey, wakey." A beam of light is cast across my face as I hear the gentle sweep of the door, groaning sleepily at Kate's blurred appearance. "It's the day I never thought would happen."

"Cheers." I mutter, pushing myself up against the pillows, as Kate places a tray down on my bed.

"No I just mean because I never saw you two even getting together." She explains, perching on the edge of the bed and pointing to the tray she had ladened with toast, fruit and orange juice.

"This got champagne in?" I pick up the glass and she raises an eyebrow.

"It's quarter to nine." She points out. "And you're welcome by the way."

"How did you sleep?" I flash her an appreciative smile, sipping on it as I try to adjust myself, preparing for the day ahead.

"Very comfortably." I can tell she is trying to sound particularly positive, to distract the fact that both of us were missing our vital jigsaw piece of a brother. "Nervous?"

"No." I answer honestly. "Not yet anyway. Should I be?"

"You know Michelle." She reaches out to squeeze my hand. "I think this is a wedding you don't need to be worried about."

Michelle

"Oh it's all go in here!" Ryan pushes the door open, just as dad sets off a party popper, causing Liam to laugh excitedly. I nurse the cup of tea in my hands, feet propped up on the sofa as Maria works on an intricate plait in my hair.

"There you are!" Dad claps him on the back, pulling him in for a hug. "Rolling in late as ever."

"Uh, it's half past nine!" He points to the clock. "Where's grandma?"

"In the bedroom." I wave my hand towards it. "Trying to pretend this isn't happening."

"I'm doing my eyeshadow!" She calls back in a thick Irish accent.

"How late were you out?" I ask my son and he just shrugs guiltily.

"I don't exactly remember much of it... Me and Tracy necking a bottle of sambuca at the bus stop is the most recent memory. Then I woke up in some woman's house this morning. She was wearing my Ibiza t-shirt... I think she was married."

"You think she was what?" I snap, my head flying around as Maria pushes it back into place.

"Stay still." She scolds and I tut under my breath. "Liam calm down sweetheart. I don't want the flat turned into a bomb site."

I jump slightly as my phone beeps, grabbing it from the coffee table and opening the new message.

"That's not Carla is it?" Dad checks.

"No." I lie. "It's Leslie, checking last minute arrangements."

Text Message:

From: Carla

Good morning gorgeous, I hope you slept well. It's very quiet over here, but I hope you're having a more exciting morning. I love you xx

I try to keep the smile off my face, despite the fact Maria is reading it over my shoulder and I raise a finger to my lips as she starts to gush.

Text Message

To: Carla

Morning beautiful, I slept well thank you, wish you'd been here though. Keep smiling and I'll see you in a few hours. I love you too xxx

Carla

Text Message

From: Chelle

Morning beautiful, I slept well thank you, wish you'd been here though. Keep smiling and I'll see you in a few hours. I love you too xxx

"That better not be Michelle." Kate whips the phone out of my hand, clocking the smile on my face. "Cute."

"Can you not read my messages, please?" I snatch it back and she rolls her eyes, sitting back down next to me and dabbing her brush in the eyeshadow palette. "You better know what you're doing."

"I took a make-up course in Spain." She assures me. "Trust me, your make-up will look miles better than Michelle's."

"It's not a competition." I laugh, as the soft brush strokes across my eyelid calm me. We sit in silence for a moment, reluctant to open my eyes because I knew what was dwelling on both of our minds. "...We'll raise a toast to him later."

"Yeah." She just responds, which just confirms my assumptions that she was thinking the same thoughts as me.

"...Do you think I should have postponed?"

"No." Her reply is again blunt, and the hesitancy of the brush indicates her delayed addition to the sentence. "Everyone would feel worse if you did."

"Michelle thought it would lift people's spirits-"

"And it will." She almost snaps and I open my eyes to see the brush shaking slightly in her grip. She forces a smile as I chew my lip, my eyes gliding to the photo frame on the mantelpiece of Aidan, Kate and I from New Years Eve. The same night I broke down in the street to Roy, over my illness. It had been taken moments before twelve. My smile looked so weak, so cracked, just like Kate's did now. "It's going to be great." She follows up and I just nod as the buzzer sounds. "Who's that now?"

"I'm not expecting anyone." I reply, realising how little people I had in comparison to Michelle.

"Dad?" She sounds surprised and my eyes widen. "Yeah, come up."

"Do you know if he's coming?"

"I don't know, I guess we'll find out now." She shrugs. "Were you going to ask him to give you away?"

"Well... I was." I pause. "But I didn't know whether it was appropriate."

"Hi." Johnny slinks into the flat, shoulders slumped, Jenny accompanying him. I stand up, approaching him cautiously as he manages a smile. "You look beautiful."

"Well... My dress isn't on, my hair isn't done and I think Kate's only done one eye." I point to the lid that is partially made-up. "But thanks."

"You're going to look like an angel." He continues, and I already knew I wasn't going to be getting the news I was hoping for. "I can't wait to see the pictures."

"...Oh right." I swallow, trying to force a twinge of positivity into my tone.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, darling." He sighs apologetically. "I just can't face it."

"No, I understand." I assure him, despite the fact I'd literally felt my heart sink. He hadn't been there for my weddings for Paul, Tony or Peter, and hardly showed for my wedding to Nick, despite agreeing to walk me down the aisle. But he had a valid excuse, and it was expectable that today would be hard for all of us, let alone him. "I'll uh, make sure I take loads of photos for you."

"Promise you'll give them both a wonderful day, yeah?" He looks at Kate and she nods, rubbing his back supportively. "And any drinks today are on me."

"Johnny-"

"No, I insist." He holds a hand up. "You get a few bottles of champagne, raise a toast... Have the time of your life."

"Thank you." I whisper and he smiles before I practically run towards him, pulling him into a hug. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. I tell myself over. "I'll let Michelle know."

"No it's alright, I'm headed over there now anyway." He pulls away, kissing my cheek, before remembering something. "Oh, um... Here." He produces a gold necklace from his pocket, letting it slip into the palm of my hand. "Aidan's St. Christopher. I thought it could be your something borrowed."

"...Dad." I stare down at it in disbelief, deciding now wasn't the time to mention Michelle's gift. "Thank you, thank you so much."

"So, you'll wear it?" He asks gently and I nod through tears.

"Of course I will." I pull him in for a hug again. "And I'll give it back to you tomorrow?"

"Huh?" He looks almost dazed for a moment, his eyes distant as I pull away.

"Well it's something borrowed, so I'll give it you back tomorrow."

"Oh..." He just responds, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah. Yeah of course."

"Meanwhile, I'm here to get the party started!" Jenny holds up a bottle of fizz and I give Kate a look of distaste at the idea.

"Oh, you're staying?" Kate puts on her usual false excitement.

"Well I thought I'd come and help out." Jenny beams, as Johnny waves me off and I watch as he exits.

"There's not much to help with." I sigh, trying to shift my sunken spirits, beckoning Kate over. "Come and finish my make-up."

"Alright, your highness." She nudges me, thinking I didn't see the pain in her expression. "Let's get you looking amazing."

Michelle

"You know, you can't say every day that your two best friends are getting married." Maria clinks her glass against mine. "I mean, I haven't got much family around here, but you two feel like my sisters... If I can still say that."

"Ah." I wrap my arm around her shoulders. "Course, we're all gonna be family now anyway."

"We were already family." Ryan frowns, downing the rest of his pint as I take the glass from him. "My mum's marrying my auntie."

"Alright." I stop him. "Enough of that, I don't want you half cut during the ceremony."

"Yeah, I won't be able to make my speech." He grins and I narrow my eyes.

"You're not making a speech." I point at dad. "Dad is."

"No, he said I could do it." He informs me, and I glance at dad's guilty expression. "Said my ideas were more fresh and exciting."

"Fresh and exciting?" I stress. "What does that mean?"

"Relax." He laughs, refilling my glass. "You know I adore the pair of ya, and I have good things to say about Carla, unlike grandad."

"Hey!" Dad cuts him off. "I like the lass, why do people assume I don't?"

"Well you didn't get off to the best start." I point out, going over to straighten his collar. "You look a mess. I'm not having you walk me down the aisle like that. Maria can you do something with his hair?"

"What's wrong with my hair?" He exclaims, as Maria laughs, checking her phone.

"Right, I'd best get over to Carla's." She announces, as the door opens and everyone turns to face Johnny.

"Hi." He waves at the sea of faces. "Your mother let me up, Michelle."

"Johnny." Barry goes over to clap him on the back and Ryan slings his arm around me as I watch them embrace. "How are you doing?"

"Uh..." He just trails off, looking at me and I know exactly what he is going to say. "I've just come to apologise, really... I won't be at the wedding."

"Oh Johnny that's ok, whatever you need." I go over to wrap him in a hug.

"You look absolutely gorgeous." He steps back to admire me. "My daughter is very lucky."

"I'm the lucky one." I assure him and he kisses my forehead gently. "Have you been to see her?"

"Yeah." He looks guilty at the thought. "...I should be there."

"No she'll understand." I tell him sincerely. "How is she?"

"She's alright." He manages a smile. "She looks beautiful."

"I bet." I bite my lip at the thought. "Ok... Take care, yeah?"

"Yeah." He lets go of me, turning to leave before pausing, meeting his eyes with mine again. "Tell her I love her. You'll always look after her?"

"I will." I promise him, and his smile fades sadly as he exits the flat. Everyone kicks back into action, as I stare at the doorway, memories flashing through my mind.

You'll always look after her?

"Mum? Mum?" Ryan's voice drills into my mind and I turn to face him. "Help him."

"Who?" I blurt out, shocked as if he'd read my mind.

"...Grandad." He points and I turn to where dad is struggling with the flower in his button hole, closing my eyes momentarily.

"I just uh..." I grab my bag, heading towards the door. "Need to..."

"Michelle, you can't go and see Carla!" I hear dad call after me.

"I'm not." I turn to tell him. "I won't be long." I pace down the steps, the humid air of the street hitting me. Sun rays were cast over the cobbles, the blue sky engraved with wisps of cloud. "Johnny?" I yell and he turns with surprise in his expression.

"What are you doing?" He approaches me, sorrow and grief making his shoulders droop. "You can't be out here after having your hair and make-up done."

"Why did you ask me to always look after her?" My voice is more accusing than expected and he just shifts his feet against the cobbles hesitantly. "Johnny? I know this is hard... I mean, I don't know, like you do. But with time it'll get easier. I know right now that's not what you want to hear and you want to rage and cry and do... Rash things." He looks up at me, noticing the fear in my eyes, communicating the insinuation we weren't going to put into words. "But please, I'm begging you to realise how many people are here for you. How many people love you. Everybody in that flat." I point to Maria's before shifting my finger to Victoria Court. "And that flat. They need you. They love you."

"I don't understand what you..." He trails off, blatantly lying and I swallow, producing a card from my bag and handing it to him. He stares down at it for a moment, his face expressionless as he reads the words on it.

Samaritans: Call: 116 123.

For everyone, 24 hours a day.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58.

For Men, 5pm to midnight every day.

"I'll cancel the wedding today, be there for you. Show you how many people care." I beg him. "If that's what it takes. Because I didn't see the signs once, I'm not letting that happen again."

"Michelle." He swallows, tears welling up in his eyes. "Go back to the flat, get ready for your wedding."

"No!" I say stubbornly and he looks shocked at how assertive I was being. "Look... It's hard. It's so hard." I take his hand in mine. "But we are all here for you to help you through. Us, them." I tap the card he is gripping so tightly. "I'll get you an appointment with a counsellor, or to see a GP. Anything it takes. Please, just realise how much we all need you. All the reasons you should battle through this because you will." I whisper, levelling my eyes with his. "You will."

"...Thank you." He bursts into tears, crying on the shoulder of my white hoodie. I hold him in the street, listening to him sob, thank me over and over for reasons I wasn't even aware of. Everything I said was a blur, a panic of emotions and desperation. "Ok..." He finally pulls away. "I'm going to go home and get a shower."

"Yeah?" I check and he nods confidently.

"Then I'm going to... Look this up." He taps one of the numbers on the card. "Or at least, find help on the computer."

"You'll go and see Liz or someone?" I suggest. "So you're not alone today?"

"Ok, ok."

"I'll text her and check, you know?"

"You don't need to check up on me."

"I'm not." I assure him. "I just care about you."

"...Alright." He gazes at me meaningfully. "Ok."

"Johnny?" I call after him, as he begins to walk off and he turns. "If you need anything, you message me."

"I know." He manages a smile. "Thank you, Michelle."

Carla

"How is she?" I ask Maria before she can even get through the door and she arches her brow, setting her case down on the kitchen unit. "I mean, hello, thanks for coming over."

"More like it." She folds her arms. "She's fine. She looks amazing."

"Yeah?" I relax slightly. "Well then, you best get cracking on this." I point to my hair. "I don't want to be getting upstaged now, do I?"

Michelle

"Right." I just mutter down the phone, leaning my head back against the brick of the salon. "Well there's nothing you can do, I suppose. If anything it's just confirming my suspicions already. Yeah, we'll be in touch Leslie, bye."

"Michelle? Are you alright?" I hear a familiar voice, turning my head against the wall slightly so my eyes meet Robert's.

"No." I just respond and he looks surprised at my honesty.

"Today's supposed to be the happiest day of your life." He nudges me, forcing a smile even though I knew the words must ache to release. "You're getting married."

"I'm not." I respond shortly, staring at the gold lettering of The Rovers sign, the peeling green paint. "Not anymore."

"Huh?" He narrows his eyes, trying to work out my bombshell. "What? Did one of you get cold feet? Is it Carla? Because I'm telling you now, she doesn't realise how lucky she is-"

"Nobody got cold feet." I tell him, before raising my phone weakly. "That was Leslie, from the venue. They've had flooding overnight and can't open today."

"...Oh." He just swallows. "...What? And they've only told you now?"

"Apparently they thought they could recover it." I shrug. "But then they've uncovered all the decorations and chair covers from the cellar and it's all ruined, and they can't drain the excess water from the ceremonial room... I don't know, anyway... I've got to somehow break it to Carla."

"Hold on." He grabs my hand as I start to walk off and it stops me in my tracks. "Don't do that yet."

"Robert, there's no other way!" I argue. "Nowhere will be able to cater for us this last minute."

"Well, there is somewhere." He points to the Bistro and I follow his gesture for a moment, contemplating the idea.

"That wouldn't work."

"Why?"

"Think of how much business you'll lose." I sigh. "We've got three hours, it'd never get set up in time."

"I'll get Daniel to help me, the other waiting staff." He tries to convince me. "We'll manage. We've still got the decorations from Carla's... Last wedding... In the cellar."

"Great." I nod sarcastically.

"You've got the flowers, the dresses." He reminds me. "It's do-able."

"And what about music? Hey? Entertainment?" I remind him. "The venue was supplying all of that."

"Ryan can DJ!" He clicks his fingers and I stop a laugh escaping my lips. "You used to tell me he did it in Ibiza."

"Ryan?" I repeat. "Height of sophistication that. I'm sure Carla will be really pleased walking down the aisle to some teenage hip-hop club anthem."

"We've got a CD player for the ceremony." He continues. "Or a Bluetooth speaker. I'm sure you'll find something you can work with."

"...Why are you doing this?" I try to figure out. "I thought you'd be elated the wedding couldn't go ahead."

"What's the point?" He shrugs. "Like I said, all I want is for you to be happy. Carla makes you happy. You've been through enough pain and heartache, both of you. You deserve a bit of luck."

"...Alright." I agree, giving into him and not questioning his kindness further. "If you think you can do it."

"You just go and finish getting ready." He pats my shoulder and I smile appreciatively. "Relax, enjoy it. I'll sort everything. It's all going to be fine."

Carla

"You know, we're not supposed to do this." I fold my arms as I lean back against Victoria Court, watching Michelle head towards me. I'm about to move in for a kiss, as she holds her hand up to stop me.

"Uh, no. This isn't a romantic bunk up." She informs me and I take her in for a moment.

"You look gorgeous." I admit.

"Yes, well, pretend you haven't seen me." She replies, a hint of worry and sadness in her tone which instantly sets me on edge.

"Chelle?" I narrow my eyes. "...You're calling it off, aren't you?"

"No-"

"I knew this would happen." I stress, putting my head in my hands and trying not to ruin my makeup in the process. "It's ok, I understand-"

"Will you shut your grid for a moment?" She grabs my hands and I try to prevent tears from sliding down my cheeks. "Don't cry, you'll ruin your face."

"Charming." I frown, stubbornly.

"Listen, sweetheart." She links our fingers. "Leslie called, from the venue. There's been flooding and they can't go ahead with the wedding."

"What?" My eyes widen.

"So, I said listen." She stops me again. "So Robert's offered to hold it at the Bistro instead."

"Robert?" I repeat, the word sour tasting on my tongue. "Why would he even want to help us out?"

"Said he wants us to be happy." She shrugs. "So they're all rallying around there to get things sorted... Trust me, I wasn't keen at first either, especially considering all the signs screaming at me to postpone."

"Huh?" I lose her trail of thought, as she looks back up at me. "Signs?"

"Just... Little things today... Johnny, you know, I feel like I should have postponed until he's ready."

"Johnny wouldn't want us to." I assure her, tilting her chin up to face me. "Hey... If you're having doubts?"

"I'm not. Not doubts about us, this." She closes her eyes momentarily. "I just have this feeling that something's going to go wrong."

"Nothing's going to go wrong." I assure her, before sliding the gold necklace out of the pocket of my hoodie, handing it to her. She stares at it for a moment, confused. "Aidan's St. Christopher." I explain. "Johnny gave it me to borrow but I want you to wear it."

"Carla, I can't do that-"

"No, please." I cup my hand over hers. "You made me that beautiful corsage. I want you to have something of his. And it'll bring you luck, you know, show you that everything is going to be fine. I promise."

"...I love you." She whispers, moving in the kiss me and I move my head away playfully. "What?"

"Uh, uh." I wave my finger in her face. "No kissing until we're at that altar, your rules."

"Well that's just mean." She responds sourly and I let out a quiet laugh. "Ok, have it your way."

"It's not exactly my way." I lightly smack her bum as she turns to walk off, looking back at me with an excited smile on her face. "See you in a few hours."

"See you." She waves me off and I watch her go before my eyes drift to where the door of the café is opening, as Roy steps out onto the street, broom in hand. "Roy?" I call and he immediately turns his head in my direction.

"Ah, hello." He manages a weak smile as I approach him, continuing to scrape the loose debris from around the doorstep of his shop. "You are looking very appealing."

"...Thanks." I frown at his choice of words. "You're not."

"Excuse me?" He raises his head, as I eye up his striped apron and scuffed shoes.

"Well... You're not exactly dressed for a wedding." I point out. "Are you?"

"...I was under the impression I wasn't invited to the wedding."

"What?" I almost splutter. "Why?"

"Well... Because I wasn't invited." He responds bluntly and I narrow my eyes, confused.

"Yes you were!"

"I didn't receive an invitation." He makes it a little clearer and I search my mind for any recollection of giving it to him.

"Oh God..." I suddenly stress, clenching my hand into a fist briefly. "Roy, I'm so sorry. You know what? It's in the drawer in Underworld. I meant to give it you and then I had this urgent meeting... I'm so sorry."

"Well it's understandable." He reassures me. "You've been under a lot of pressure... Everything has come about very quickly."

"Yeah." I just swallow. "I uh... Haven't really got my head around it all myself."

"The last thing you need right now is more stress." He gazes down at the pile he had swept around his feet.

"...It's a bit late for this lecture, don't you think?" I try not to sound bitter. "I mean... I'm getting married in two hours."

"Indeed." He nods. "But there hasn't been much opportunity for it beforehand, either."

"I know it's been a rush." I begin. "But, Roy, I'm struggling enough as it is. Johnny can't make it today, I've got to walk myself down the aisle. I can't ask either of my brothers to do it because... Look... I..." I sigh, leaning back against the wall, giving up and noticing his gaze on me. "I know I have no right to ask. Especially as I messed up the invite... And, I haven't had much chance to catch up with you recently because of everything going on, the factory, the wedding, the baby... Aidan."

"It would be an honour, yet again." He inserts, cutting me off and I look up at him, debating whether I'd actually asked the question without realising. "If what you are insinuating is that you would like me to give you away?"

"...I haven't had that many weddings." I mumble childishly, an impact of the way I dropped my barrier when I was around him. "You make it sound like you have to do it annually."

"Well, I should hope I won't have to do it again after today."

"Is it that much of a chore?"

"No, it'd just be pleasing to see you settle down." He doesn't pander to my stubbornness. "I have every faith in you doing so with Michelle."

"...Have you got a suit?"

"Yes." He hesitates. "I can wear one that I wore for your last two weddings."

"Alright." I ignore his dig, flashing him a small smile. "Thank you."

"Shouldn't you be retiring to your preparations." Roy waves his hand at Victoria Court and I bite my lip, trying to hold back an excited smile.

"Yeah." I glance behind me, before leaning forwards to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you, Roy."

"I'm not sure what you're thanking me for." He embraces me awkwardly. He pulls away, studying me for a moment as if debating whether to say something. "I think... Aidan would be very proud of you."

"I hope so." I manage a smile, fanning my face so I don't cry. "You're gonna ruin my makeup now." My phone begins to vibrate in my pocket. "Oh, I've got to get back. Maria's halfway through my hair as you can tell." I kiss his cheek again. "Mwah, love you."

Michelle

"I don't even know how this is supposed to work." I enter the Bistro, setting my eyes upon the scene before me.

"Well I don't think you're supposed to turn up before the guests." Robert points out, fixating on my dress for a moment. "You uh, you look really beautiful."

"Thank you." I smile appreciatively. "So..."

"So, I thought you could come from the kitchen, Carla could come from the back doors and then you meet here to walk down the aisle." He explains, snapping out of his trance. "Or, I don't know what you had planned."

"To be honest Robert, I don't know what I had planned either." I sigh. "I'm new to this whole... Two bride thing."

"Well, you'll hopefully only do it once." He points out, as the door opens and Maria enters.

"Robert, there's people waiting outside. Can I let them in?"

"Uh, yeah." He waves me off towards the kitchen. "Make yourself scarce."

"Alright, it's not hide and seek." I grin, heading behind the bar. "Send my dad in?"

"Course." He gives me a wave and I slip into the kitchen, pacing up and down nervously, as I hear the chatter build from outside. Why was I nervous? I knew Carla loved me. I knew this would go smoothly, despite the rockiness of the day.

"Sweetheart, you look as if you've got a gun held to your head." I hear dad's voice, spinning around to face him. "You're sure you want to do this?"

"Yeah." I nod confidently. "I'm just nervous."

"You look like a princess." He wraps me in a hug and I cling onto him for a moment, jumping as the door opens again.

"Mum?" I stare past him, to where she is stood watching us. "If you're here to 'talk some sense' into me, it's a bit late."

"No, of course not." She faffs, taking a step closer. "I just came to say, before you go out there, that I love you. I know Carla makes you happy, I can see that. I'm sorry for ever seeming like I didn't accept you, this. You're in love and that's a beautiful thing."

"I am." I assure her, tears stinging in my eyes. "Oh great you're both going to make me cry."

"Your brothers will be watching." She squeezes my hand.

"Probably reminiscing over their own romances with your future wife, but-"

"Barry!" Mum scolds but the thought makes me smile. I embrace the hug she offers me, allowing her to sway me for a moment, before letting go and watching her return to the rabble out front. Music becomes prominent in my ears and I try to compose myself as the lyrics start to play out.

I've waited a hundred years and I'd wait a million more for you.

"Ready?" Dad asks and I nod, as the door opens and Ryan steps in, giving us a thumbs up.

"Love ya." He winks and I pull a face before he disappears, linking an arm with dad.

Nothing prepared me for what the privilege of being yours could do.

I allow him to guide me through the door, my eyes falling straight to Carla, at the other side of the room. She has Roy by her side, Kate flashing me a smile before she heads down the centre of the room.

If I had only felt the warmth within your touch.

She looked like an angel. Loose curls hung around her shoulders, a small plait woven into it, fixed with a floral hair pin. I bite my lip, as she does hers, my eyes drifting to the beaded corset and flowing gown that co-ordinated so perfectly with mine.

If I had only seen how you smile when you blush.

I reach out to take her hand as I approach her at the top of the aisle, dad nodding at Roy briefly, as I lean in to whisper in her ear.

"You look breathtaking." I murmur, and the way her eyes deepen, the soft browns that grace her eyelid, the blush that flushed her cheeks ever so slightly at the sound of my words, fitting with the lyrics to the song. It all made me fall in love the tiniest bit more.

Or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough.

"Yeah well, I've never seen anybody so beautiful in my life." She admits, quietly and I gaze at her for a moment, realising dad and Roy were trying to shift us on down the aisle, extracting me from my daze.

I would have known what I've been living for all along.

"Can I ask you a question?" Carla mumbles and I turn my head subtly to face her, forgetting there were a sea of faces watching us. "...Are these mine and Nick's wedding decorations?"

"...Uh, yeah." I cough slightly. "Let's forget about that."

"Ok." She pauses, fixating at a point on the wall. "Who made that 'S' out of napkins and stuck it next to the first 'R'?"

"I don't know, shush." I nudge her, trying to hold back laughter.

"Will you two stop having a chat?" Kate hisses as we reach the front of the aisle.

What I've been living for.

Carla

"And now Carla is going to say a few words." The registrar prompts me, and there is an element of surprise in Michelle's expression, as I take the paper Kate offers me, my hand shaking slightly as I unfold it.

"Yeah uh... I just wanted to say something... For my brother." I swallow, trying to steady my voice as the words swim on the page in front of me. "Although we can't see you we know you are here... Smiling..." I pause, taking a deep breath, my eyes darting momentarily to Michelle's emotional reaction. She reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Smiling down, watching over us..." My throat aches as tears get caught in it, and she carefully takes the sheet from me, taking a step closer and slipping her arm around my waist as she faces the congregation.

"Although we can't see you, we know you are here. Smiling down, watching over us, as we say 'I do'." Her tone is so brave and strong, and I watch her read from the paper, her fingers brushing comfortingly against the waistline of my dress. "Forever in our hearts, forever in our lives. So we say our vows, in loving memory of you. Aidan." She hands the paper back to Kate, who's eyes are glistened over at the words. "Ok?" She whispers to me, quickly grazing her finger along my cheeks to clear the tears that have fallen.

"Yeah." I nod, my voice only loud enough for her to hear. "Thank you."

"Ok." She gives me a comforting smile, taking both my hands in hers as she takes in my face.

"Michelle, you have something to say to Carla?" The registrar asks her and she takes a piece of paper from Maria.

"Oh, yeah." She remembers and I laugh softly, waiting as she unfolds the paper, her eyes gliding up to meet mine. "Um... You know what? I don't actually need this." She scrunches the paper into a ball. "So, a few months ago, after being drenched in cheap beer from the Rovers, on a night I didn't realise would be the most important night of my life... You told me there was a reason you came back here. Somebody you came back here for. I guess, I know... Or I hope I know, who that is now." There's a small laugh from the guests and I tilt my head to the side, unable to keep the smile off my face. "And despite the... Craziness of that night. The tears and the arguments and the kisses... It's so special, because from that moment, until now, you've shown me what love is. The little girl who once scribbled all over my Geography book is now the love of my life, and I couldn't be more grateful. The last few months, you've demonstrated what strength is. I've been in awe of you, every step of the way, all the hospital visits, the bravery, the way you've held your family together... I'm honoured that somebody so amazing, so beautiful, is in love with me. It's been... An emotional start to the year, a rollercoaster... But, we've got many more years to come now, and I'll continue to be there, by your side, no matter what life throws at us." She swallows, her eyes filling with tears herself and I take my turn to brush them from her cheeks affectionately. "Trust me, I never pictured this happening in a million years." She glances around the room. "But I've fallen in love with my best friend and I'll care for you, I'll love you, for as long as I live. I promise."

"Chelle for God's sake." I whisper, fanning my face and she laughs, squeezing my hand again. "Are you trying to make me look awful?"

"I don't think that's possible." She bites her lip gently and I gaze at her lovingly for a moment, before the registrar snaps us back to reality.

"And now the rings." He introduces and Michelle glances at Kate.

"Ryan's got them." She holds her hands up.

"Have I?" Ryan suddenly stars patting his pockets down.

"Oh great, who gave him that job?" Michelle groans, which makes everybody laugh.

"Relax, I've got them." Ali produces two silk bags from his pocket, with our initials on.

"Oh ok." Kate remembers, nodding. "I knew it was one of them."

"Well thank God it was the sensible one." Michelle takes them from him, handing the correct one to me, as I tip it out onto my palm.

"Carla, repeat after me." The registrar returns to the ceremony, and I try to pretend I don't know this part off by heart. "I, Carla Connor, take you, Michelle Sinead Connor, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

"I, Carla Connor, take you, Michelle Sinead Connor, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

"For better for worse. For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part." He continues.

"For better for worse. For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part."

"I give you this ring." He points to it. "As a daily reminder of my love for you, and a symbol of our marriage."

"I give you this ring." I elegantly slide it onto her finger. "As a daily reminder of my love for you, and a symbol of our marriage."

"Michelle." The registrar hands her the ring. "I, Michelle Sinead Connor, take you, Carla Connor, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

"I, Michelle Sinead Connor, take you, Carla Connor, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

"For better for worse. For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part."

"For better for worse. For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part."

"I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love for you, and a symbol of our marriage."

I give you this ring." She raises her hand to mine, and I notice how much her hand is shaking, as I steady it with my own "As a daily reminder of my love for you, and a symbol of our marriage."

"...Are you sure?" I check and she raises an eyebrow.

"Yes I'm sure." She hisses, a playful smile on her face. "Shut up."

"Carla, do you take Michelle to be yours?" The registrar asks me, as I look into her bright eyes, the beauty and depth of them. The same way I had the night we first kissed. The same way I had the day I first met her on the estate. "Do you promise to care for her, love her and be faithful to her, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." I respond without even having to think about it and she bites her lip again, giggling softly at the word, which makes my heart flutter.

"And do you, Michelle, take Carla to be yours?" He turns to her. "Do you promise to care for her, love her and be faithful to her, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Hmm..." She teases me, tilting her head to the side and I narrow my eyes, trying not to reveal how much the pause was scaring me, but she notices all the same. "Yes, I do." She confirms and I exhale, allowing her to stick her tongue out briefly.

"Stop that." I tap her lightly on the arm, completely forgetting for a moment where we were and what we were doing. I kept getting lost in her, in us. In the kids we used to be.

"By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you both wife and wife." He bows curtly, as tears suddenly spill down my smiling cheeks. "You may now kiss."

"Finally." Michelle rolls her eyes playfully as I pull her in, wrapping my hands in her hair, feeling her own tears staining mine. I taste the sweetness of the kiss, what I had been craving all day, the distant sound of applause and cheer repeating in the background. "I love you. I love you." She whispers, kissing my nose, moving back down to my lips before letting me go.

"Woo, ok, can I throw this on you now?" Ryan holds up his box of confetti.

"If you're clearing it up." Robert inserts, and Ryan shrugs before tossing the glitter over our heads, allowing other guests to follow suit.

"I love you." I realise I haven't returned, kissing her again as we are drenched in red and white tissue and glitter.

"Ryan, that doesn't fit with the colour scheme!" Michelle suddenly argues and I laugh into her shoulder. I try to pin point a time I have been happier than in this moment. Being so completely in love, sharing that with the people who mattered most. This is what happiness felt like.

But happiness never lasted long.

I suppose it was me, I was cursed.

Perhaps it was Michelle's predictions that something would go wrong.

The smiles on our faces turn to horror.

The blood in my veins runs cold.

"Everybody down on the floor!" Pat Phelan screams at us, a gun firmly secured in his grip, as he points it directly at Michelle, a body lifeless over his other shoulder. "Down on the ground. Now! Get down!" He screams, and I push myself in front of her, wrapping my arms around Michelle's panicking frame protectively. "I said, get down!"

A/N: The song referenced as they walk down the aisle is Turning Page by Sleeping At Last. I made a Carchelle edit to the song (as it's so them) a few months back, so check that out on TheCorrieClub on YouTube if you'd like to!

Hope you like the twist at the end, drama to come!