1 Year Later:
The church was bursting at the seams. Everyone was so excited to see the bride. Sacha was up at the front as he was best man. The hospital had come so far since last year. With the strength and guidance the staff gained from one another, the hospital was gradually healing. Everyone was quiet as the door opened.
"Please stand."
The congregation did as the priest instructed, apart from Jac. She owed Asta a huge debt. After John's arrest, Asta was the only one who could operate on her. She found out what the neoconduit was made out of and provided an antidote. The main thing was that she was alive, albeit in a wheelchair and laid off for a few months. Canon in D Major erupted from the pipes of the organ as the bride made her way down with Dom, who offered as her father wasn't here. Her mother would have been so proud.
Emma came out in her flower girl dress, dropping petals behind her. The bride was dazzling in white. Her bouquet was composed of white and pink roses. Her dress had a white corset with lace for sleeves. She had no veil as she wanted her husband – to – be to look at her as they became man and wife.
Asta was near the front, along with Darke. Seeing her coming down the aisle reminded her of her own wedding and her happiness with John. That happiness was still within her but the dark cloud of the outcome of the trial clouded it.
At the trial, the public were outraged of how he got away with it for so long. Because of the nature of his crimes, it was broadcasted live. Asta was there, along with family and friends. The judge labelled John a cold-hearted murderer with no regard for human life. The court heard how the CEO ordered a detective to investigate. John flew into a rage, calling Miss Tate a slag and that she was no better a CEO than Henrik. They also heard about Asta and how John wanted to cure her of her pain. It took them only an hour to deliberate.
They found John guilty of all charges. Asta burst into tears, saying that John only wanted to help. Darke embraced her, telling her that it would be alright.
The judge declared that, if it wasn't for compassionate reasons, she would have given him life with no chance of parole. She sentenced him to 12 years in a mental institution. John then kicked off, shouting, swearing and screaming, saying that he couldn't bear to be apart from Asta for that long. He put up violent resistance. He punched one guard in the teeth and kicked the other in the jewels. He then attempted to climb up to Asta, in order to hold one last time, but the court doctor gave him a sedative to calm him down. Asta promised that she would see him when she could.
A tear fell from her eye as the bride passed her. How beautiful she looked. The groom turned towards her and remarked on how stunning she look. As they were standing at the altar, the bride passed her bouquet to Emma, who smiled as her mother took her picture.
"You look ravishing, Roxanna."
"You look wonderful too, Henrik."
They held each other's hands as they faced the priest. Henrik was wearing a grey suit and waistcoat, blue tie and a white rose for his buttonhole.
"I see the old Doc Martens have made an appearance."
He whispered.
Roxanna thought it best to wear them as they didn't pinch like other shoes and for them to reminisce of old times.
As Henrik and Roxanna said their vows, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd. They reflected on the poignancy of the vows, about the struggles they faced and how they can look to a better future. The crowd all cheered when the priest announced them as Mr and Mrs Hanssen.
At the reception at Albie's, Henrik made a passionate of how Roxanna helped him through the tough times of his life and that, if it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be here. He made a toast to the most wonderful woman in the entire world.
The food at the reception was a mixture of traditional Swedish and English food. The cake was red velvet and Victoria sponge covered in vanilla icing and decorated with Swedish flags and pink Doc Marten decorations.
Their first dance was to 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis as it was the same song that Roxanna's parents danced to.
Dom and Lofty have too many cocktails and end up drunk kissing in the cloakroom. It would have gone further if Sacha hadn't disturbed them, saying that if they wanted to make love, they should wait until their own wedding.
Asta felt lost in a room full of couples. Fletch was holding Jac's arms and swaying with her to the music. Sacha was doing dad dancing while Essie, drunk on 3 glasses of wine, was applauding him before joining in.
"Would you like a dance, Asta?"
She turned sideways and saw Darke holding out his hand to her.
"No. I couldn't."
She didn't feel in the mood to dance with anyone so soon after the trial.
"John wouldn't have wanted you to be left out."
She conceded on that. At every opportunity, John would turn the radio up and danced with her in the kitchen. What she wouldn't give to go back to those halcyon memories.
"Alright."
Asta took Darke's hand as he escorted her to the dancefloor. He wrapped his left arm around her waist while holding her hand. They danced in a way that was fluid and beautiful to watch. It was clear to Asta that Darke had done this before.
"You look beautiful, Asta."
"Thank you."
He drew her closer to him, so that his breath was on her lips.
Asta was flattered by this, but it was too soon. She gently pushed him back.
"I'm sorry. It's just…"
"No need to explain, Asta. I understand."
"I just need some space, that's all."
"Of course."
"I'm going back home to work at a hospital in Reykjavik. I can't sit and do nothing. I promised I'd wait for him. And that's what I intend to do."
"If you need a hand with anything, you have my number."
"Yes, thank you."
"You're aware of my feelings for you?"
"I am but I'm a married woman."
"I know."
Her head was ruling her heart. She saw attractive qualities in Darke, but her heart belonged to John. She couldn't betray him. It would send him over the edge.
She didn't know what the future held for her. She would wait as long as it would take. Then, finally, her and John will be reunited.