Stars Shine Bright in London's Eye
Chapter 38

A/N - Thank you again for the reviews, hope you enjoy the rest of the wedding!

"I am now pleased to pronounce you, husband and wife," the registrar recited with a practiced tongue.

A large smile spread across Ivy's face as she looked into Derek's eyes, and he smiled back. They were both so happy. There was nothing but love between them, all the hurt and doubt that had previously clouded their relationship was gone. Wiped away. They couldn't forget where their relationship had been but it acted as a reminder of how much they had grown together and how much they needed one another. It was just the two of them moving forward with their beautiful baby girl.

The registrar looked at them with a side smile, everyone knew what was coming next, "you may now kiss the bride."

Without hesitation, Derek placed his hands on the back of her head, careful not to ruin her perfectly styled hair or veil, and brought her lips to his. There was the soft buzz of cheering from the congregation as they kissed each other passionately and lovingly. It was a long few moments before they broke apart and turned to their loved ones for the first time as husband and wife, fingers interlocked tightly.

"We did it," Ivy whispered into her husband's ear, she liked the fact she could now call him her husband.

Derek raised his eyebrows, the smile still hadn't left his face, "yes we did."

As was standard procedure the couple were taken to complete the formalities and sign the wedding certificate whilst they were watched upon with smiles and photographs were taken. Ivy glanced upwards having written her swirled signature, much practiced after standing at the stage door night after night signing autographs, and her eyes met with Karen Cartwright's. She was sat at the end of the row, and Ivy immediately noted it was not Jimmy Collins sat beside her but Jack Harrison. She raised her eyebrows towards her, questioning the situation, Karen responded with a slight shake of her head. Ivy knew she would get the full story later, for that moment she would enjoy completing her wedding and getting ready to enjoy celebrating with friends and family.

"Mommy!" She heard her daughter call from the other side of the room. She was sat on her grandfather's knee while Leigh was attempting to quieten her but Scarlett's frown persisted. She had been good throughout the service but now she wanted her parents.

Derek left Ivy's side momentarily and scooped his daughter into his arms. "Did you enjoy that, princess?" he asked carrying her over to her mother.

"Daddy? You an' Mommy marry now?" she asked curiously placing her hands on his stubble covered cheeks.

He kissed her on the nose lightly, "yes we are and now we're going to have a big party to celebrate, does that sound like fun?"

"Yeah!" she squealed as he bounced her happily in his arms before placing her in her mother's lap.

Ivy brushed her hand over her blonde curls which she'd pinned back with two sparkling clips, "hey baby girl, you were very good for Grandma and Grandpa while we were doing important things."

"Mommy we havin' a party!"

She laughed, "yes that's right we are! But just now we need to go to eat food first, are you hungry?"

Scarlett nodded happily as Ivy stood up and took slotted her fingers through Derek's. With her daughter in her arms and her husband by her side, Ivy walked proudly back down the aisle and out of the double doors, while showers of confetti filled the air. This was their new beginning.

Everyone was anxious for the evening celebrations to begin once all the food had been demolished. Even Leigh Conroy had suffered through the fruit parfait dessert. The best man Peter had already delivered his tales of the groom's youth. The guests laughed, Ivy rolled her eyes, she hadn't expected any less of Derek's past. Then David had spoken clearly of how proud he was of his daughter. Even relaying an anecdote of four-year-old Ivy Lynn performing in her first show, she had been chosen to play Red Riding Hood in her Kindergarten play. At the end she ran into her father's arms and revealed that she wanted to live on stage like her Mommy and she was in love with her drama teacher, Ryan Porter. Ivy's cheeks flushed at this point. But he stated his daughter had gotten what she wanted; she became a Broadway star, and she found her Broadway director. He couldn't be prouder, or love her more. This made Ivy cry, and even her mother had to blink back a tear.

All eyes then fell on Derek Wills. He was no stranger to controlling large crowds, or delivering speeches. What he was unfamiliar with was vocalising his emotions. That wasn't how he worked. He was straight to the point, took the uncomplicated route, without considering how he felt. That was until he met Ivy. Then, in time, he realised he wasn't the only person he cared about anymore. After everything he had point her through, she deserved a decent speech from him, she needed to know how she'd changed his life, changed him as a person. She was his everything. And somehow he would express this, no matter how difficult it was.

He rose to his feet; he had cue cards in his pocket but he didn't want to use them. His ego made him want to be in control and not show his nerves. He gave a short cough; Ivy could tell he was hiding his fear of vulnerability. She wanted to tell him he didn't need to make a speech, it was just another stupid formality, but she knew that would make things worse. Their eyes met. The bright blue looked upwards, encouragingly. She gave him his hand and squeezed it. In that moment they quite forgot of the room of people sharing their time.

Derek straightened his suit jacket and shifted into his form of professionalism, "first off, thanks for coming, we really appreciate it. I guess over half the people in this room never thought they would see the day I would be saying 'I do.' If I'm honest, if you'd told me four or five years ago that I'd be standing here right now, I would've laughed in your face... But here we are..."

The witty introduction was over; this was the part he was dreading. Ivy held her breath for longer than necessary, she found herself nervous for him.

"We were just director and actress when we first met. Many shook their heads disapprovingly, others whispered amongst themselves," Ivy exhaled slowly, she didn't know where his speech was headed but divulging that she basically slept with her boss was not what she had envisioned. "We did not fit society's conventional relationship. The world believed we had something to gain. We knew it was more than that. I believed I couldn't be changed. I was selfish and content in the fact. Then comes along this blonde haired, blue eyed actress with hopes of being a Broadway star, and she gives my sad existence a purpose. She gave me someone to love, someone to care about more than my work or my own interests, she gave me our precious daughter, and she gave me a future outside of workshops, and tech, and opening nights. Ivy Lynn, I love you very much and I still can't understand why you chose to stay with me despite my many flaws, but I am so glad you did. So please will everyone join me in raising a glass to my beautiful wife."

"To Ivy," the room called in unison.

Now there were more tears in her eyes. She knew she would have to take a trip to the bathroom to amend her makeup, but at that moment she didn't care. It wasn't overly mushy and sentimental, but if it had been, it wouldn't have been him, and it wouldn't have been them. Derek Wills had opened up his heart a little, just as he had all those years ago at the Tonys, and vocalised his love for her. There would never be a time when Ivy's heart didn't swell at the thought.

Ivy took her husband's hand and pulled him back into his seat so to make it easier to kiss him. She could practically feel the stares of their guests, aside from her Guys of Honour beside her who she was certain were rolling their eyes.

Derek kept his hand in hers as they broke apart, "that was satisfactory?"

"Very much so," she answered kissing him once more.

The scene did not take long to transform from that of a formal meal to an energetic evening reception. It wasn't long before the DJ that the bride and groom had hired was calling them up for their first dance. As a Tony-winning choreographer and a trained dancer, there was little doubt that their skills would be much more advanced than the usual couple.

Leigh smiled fondly from the edge of the room as she watched her daughter and her son-in-law glide gracefully across the dance floor. They both looked radiant. A happiness she hadn't seen in Ivy for a long time. She remembered when that was her moment, when her husband held her in his arms and whispered-

"-The stars are shining for us tonight Leice." Leigh whipped around to see David stood behind her, a little closer than she believed to be necessary. She merely stared at him, he was the only person who could make her speechless. "That's what I said on our wedding day, you remember don't you?"

She brushed her red hair out of her face, hoping her flustered demeanour wasn't too noticeable, "of course I do"

He looked out at the dance floor and smiled, "they really are in love. That was us once."

Leigh nodded as David took another step towards her. What was happening? Warning sirens were sounding in her mind. Did she mind though? It had been so long since her breath had been taken away by a man's words, by his presence. She had the theatre but she was ever so lonely. Would she really be lucky enough to have a second chance with the only man she ever loved?

"Leice…" he breathed, his hand brushed across her soft skin. He let his arm extend around her back, drawing them together. She didn't object. He cupped her cheek in hand, she closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable, only the sound of her heart could be heard pulsing through her ears. Then gently their lips met in a familiar dance, one which had remained dormant for twenty years. Their hearts were ignited. Relived that they had found each other once again. They hardly realised that their daughter's dance had since finished and they were now being watched.

"I can't say I'm surprised," Derek stated as he led his wife off the dance floor. She simply shook her head in disbelief, for two decades they had lived hating one another and then after five days of being in each other's company they were all over each other again. Ivy was glad, her parents deserved love, and if they could find it in each other, then even better.

The couple were soon distracted by the sound of the microphone being tapped. They frowned at the sight of Karen Cartwright stood address the wedding guests. "Hello. I'm Karen, and me and Ivy have never been the best of friends to say the least but to celebrate her and Derek's big day their Broadway friends have a little surprise for them…"

The black sheet covering the raised platform was removed to reveal Tom Levitt sitting at a grand piano surrounded by Sam, Julia, Michael, and even Eileen. Karen joined them on stage before beckoning Jack to join them, he shook his head firmly but as she kept her eyebrows raised in his direction he knew he had no choice in the matter.

"I'm not one of their Broadway friends," he claimed joining her beside the microphone stand.

"True, but you can sing, and I can guarantee you know this song…" she smiled as Tom began to play the introductory notes. "When you are born with sex appeal, in the forest called Hollywood. You find more wolves at your backdoor, than that little red riding hood. Now she and her little old grandma, could have learned from the men I dated. But a wolf can be quite a devotee, once he's domesticated! "

Ivy pursed her lips as Derek gave a short laugh. There was a sweet irony about Karen Cartwright singing a Bombshell song at her wedding, surely she must have known that. With a purpose, the bride hitched up her dress and walked towards the stage with purpose while the musical interlude occurred, her husband folded his arms and watched the show in amusement.

"Step aside Iowa, Marilyn has arrived," declared Ivy, eliciting a cheer from the guests. Karen laughed and stepped aside to join the others as backing singers. That was their plan all along so to have them all perform together once again.

Derek's family didn't quite know what to expect as they experienced a performance from Broadway's greats. Having not ventured far outside London their entire lives it was something completely out of their usual routine. Ivy moved effortlessly around the stage, singing impeccably, it had always been one of the more fun Bombshell songs to perform. Behind her Tom excitedly play his melody while Julia and Michael, and Jack and Karen laughed and danced while singing – or in this case howling – in the background. It was not unlike the first time they had performed it at Lyle West's birthday party some years earlier.

When the music ended they all took hands and bowed politely to their cheering audience. Ivy gave Karen a smile, she was thankful for her organising that moment. If there was something she loved more than performing, it was performing with her friends, and she was glad she got to experience that on her wedding day.

Throughout the evening bride and groom attempted to split their time to socialise with all their guests, whilst their daughter was the first on dance floor with her Uncle Tom and Uncle Sam. They both held the little girl's hands while she twirled in her cream and purple dress. Tom looked up and saw the joy on his boyfriend's face and he smiled. He leant over and kissed him softly on the lips. Sam laughed, Scarlett was still in her own world on the floor, jumping up and down to Taylor Swift.

"What was that for?" he asked.

Tom shrugged, "oh nothing, I just remembered how lucky I am to have you."

"Well I guess I'm kinda lucky too," Sam answered returning the kiss.

At the back of the room, away from the busyness of the party, two West End directors were lingering. They had been avoiding each other all evening but as their mother had called them over there was little they could do to stop it.

"Nice wedding," Ethan smirked, he leant against the wall, his eyes bored looking out to the guests who were split between the buffet, the bar, and the dance floor.

"I think so," replied Derek, arms folded, the last thing he wanted was a fight with his arrogant half-brother on his wedding day.

"Does Little Miss Ivy know where you were this morning?" He turned his head, an evil grin forming on his face. He really had no regard for anyone other than himself.

Derek did not rise to his taunts, "not yet, but she will. We don't keep secrets. You can do what you want to try and break us Ethan but the truth is I have something you'll never have, the love of my family and you cannot stand that," he answered calmly before walking away leaving his brother alone and rather speechless.

The groom tried to make it back to his wife and more pleasant company, he could see she was dancing with her father, happily spinning her under his arm, when he saw the image of Charles Wills emerge from the shadows to block his path. Derek sighed, he was the last person he wanted to see.

"What are you doing here? I distinctly remember telling you not to come."

Charles shrugged, "I had to be at my son's wedding… Your mother is avoiding me you know?"

"I can't imagine why," answered Derek sarcastically raising his eyebrows.

His father took a large breath and shook his head sadly, perhaps he did have feelings after all, "I guess not. It was a nice ceremony son, congratulations. I'm sorry for what I said about your girl, she seems very nice and she obviously makes you happy. I had the pleasure of being introduced to that daughter of yours too, Leigh Conroy let me say hello. Whoever thought we'd be sharing a granddaughter?" he chuckled softly to himself, "anyway, I'm leaving now, I have a concert tomorrow afternoon. I just wanted to say good luck with your show Derek and I hope you and Ivy are very happy." He stuck his hand out towards him.

Hesitantly, Derek agreed that if his father was willing to apologise – and he knew how difficult that was for him as he had inherited the same stubborn trait – then he could meet him halfway. He shook his hand firmly and nodded at him. There would never be a relationship between him and his father, in many ways they were too similar, in other ways they were too different. But, he could be civil and that was all that mattered.

On the other side of the dance floor he spied his wife, she was sat talking to Nick and Eileen with what must have been her third glass of free champagne in her hand. Derek placed his hands on her shoulders to announce his presence, she beamed up at him, and he kissed her softly on the top of her perfectly styled blonde hair. He still couldn't believe how beautiful she looked.

"So Derek, Ivy was just telling us about Paris," Eileen smiled, she was leaning into her partner who had his arm tightly around her shoulder.

The groom placed his hands on the back of his wife's chair and nodded, "yeah we're leaving in a couple of hours."

"Where are you staying? I'm been to Paris several times, lovely city," Nick asked. "I plan to take Eileen for a few days while we are here."

"I can guarantee it'll be a better experience than the last time I went there. Jerry left me in the hotel while he went to dinner with clients, who I'm pretty sure was actually a burlesque dancer called Saison. I however, went and had dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower, with his credit card," laughed the producer.

Ivy looked up at Derek, "yeah where are we staying?" This had been the one part of their wedding which he had insisted on organising himself. Aside from knowing she would be visiting France for the first time, the rest of the weekend was a mystery.

"You'll have to wait and see…"

"I don't like surprises," she huffed, finishing the contents of her champagne glass.

Derek took her by the hand and helped her to her feet, "yes you do, darling. Now come on, we're going to get some fresh air"

Ivy linked her arm through her husband's as the cool evening air hit her skin. It was as if someone had thrown water over her, but it was refreshing. She felt she could breathe. She was thankful for time away from the claustrophobic atmosphere inside the hall, and she was thankful for time just with the man she loved.

"Has today been everything you hoped?" Derek asked quietly as they reached a wooden bench in the gardens surrounded by well maintained flowers.

There was a sigh of relief as Ivy sat down. She kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes in the grass. It was very soothing. She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded, "and so much more."

He kissed her forehead gently, "good."

Ivy closed her eyes, just for a moment, as alcohol and tiredness attempted to overwhelm her, "I love you Derek."

He held his wife tightly, arms wrapped around silky skin and layers of white material. She was practically lying over him, but he didn't care. He was spending the rest of his life with that woman and he couldn't wait for her to curl up into him for years to come. "And I love you Ivy, so much."

And in that moment, as the stars sparkled in the sky above them, that was all that mattered.