Kilarney..
With family and friends mingling and chatting Alex stands nervously beside his brothers and Dave ,Riley and Nat.
"What time is it Nick?" Alex asks.
Nick glances at his watch and quips" Hmmm I think she's forgotten."
" You're not helping!" Alex states sounding tense.
"Yeah I know . I just thought I'd return the favour." Nick chuckles referring to Alex's teases at his own wedding.
Alex looks at the ground and says." I'm sorry mate there is nothing funny about how this feels."
Nick's smile fades and he replies." No it was great Alex you took my mind off the wait and before I knew it she was here."
...
Marcus takes a few steps towards Alex and comments." Here they come."
Everyone watches as a convoy of vintage cars pull up on the drive one by one.
The girls in gowns in a variety of shades of pinks and purples spill out around one car.
Ben runs over to Alex and the boys as Tom helps Stevie out of the car.
...
" Are you alright Mum?" Rose asks.
Stevie smiles at her and replies." No but I will be soon."
Rose stands before her Mother in the softest lilac dress and says." Breath! Remember Alex said breath."
Stevie reaches up to touch her daughter's face and says." Do realise how much I love you and that I'm so very glad you can share the day with us?"
Rose rushes at her and hugs her waist.
The moment is poignant and several of the girls hold back tears.
Jodi and Tess encourage Rose to follow them as they all walk over the bridge leaving Tom and Stevie waiting.
...
"Thanks for this Tom." Stevie says.
He smiles at her and replies." My absolute honour and pleasure Stevie. Are you ready?"
With a smile and nod she replies. "Yes."
...
Walking towards the bridge Alex and all of his groomsmen form a line while Tess and all the bridesmaids stand opposite them each with two or three flowers in their hands.
As Tom and Stevie cross the bridge Alex meets them.
" Hi." Stevie calls to him.
His smile is wide but he doesn't speak instead her shakes Tom's hand and then just hugs her.
Beyond the line of attendants wait the rest of the party goers.
...
The string quartet starts to play a different sound.
A bluesy melody wafts across those congregated.
Dave nudges Nick and asks . 'I think things are about to change."
...
Pushing back Stevie asks." Well? "
Smiling down at her Alex replies." I couldn't breath when I saw you Stevie you took my breath away."
She giggles and pushes." I thought you'd be surprised."
" You're beautiful." He states.
"You look pretty good yourself." She replies cupping his face in her hands.
He begins to move towards her.
"Hey you're not married yet?" Marcus quips.
The bridal party laugh.
...
Liz Ryan is standing beside Bryce and comments. " She looks quite pretty doesn't she."
He looks at her and quips. " Elizabeth you need to get your eyes tested she's stunning."
She looks at him.
He leans sideways and whispers." With a Mother as gorgeous as her we are going to get really good looking grandchildren."
Liz elbows him but smiles.
...
The music shifts up and becomes louder as a woman begins to sing Bonnie Raitts, "Aint gunna let you go."
Offering his arm Alex asks." Ready?"
Taking it she replies. " I can't wait."
The voice sings.
Love came and hit me
Straight on the lips
Nobody kisses
The better it gets, and baby that's all right
You got me standing beside myself
You know it ain't like me
It's like I'm somebody else
But baby that's all right
The bridal party raise their arms up and as Alex guides Stevie under and through the guard of honour their friends offer congratulations and each girl gives Stevie several flowers they'd chosen earlier from the garden .
By the time they reach the end Stevie's bouquet is full.
Tess wraps a soft mauve cloth around the base and hands it back to Stevie.
"They're almost as beautiful as you." Alex remarks nodding at the flowers held in her hands.
"Thank you for choosing me for today." She says softly.
"Come on Mrs Ryan lets make this official." He suggests.
Slowly arm in arm they walk towards the gathered crowd.
Their attendants follow.
The song continues..
...
You're not the man I was lookin' for
You're every bit of him plus a whole lot more
Now that I got you, it feels so good
I don't wanna let you go
..
Coming to a standstill the bridal party get into position.
Stevie starts moving around to the music.
Alex grins at her then glances over at Rose and winks.
She dances on the spot.
He laughs and looks back at Stevie.
..
I pled guilty, baby, of this terrible crime
You been lovin' me all of this time
And I must have been blind
What's gonna happen?
What'll I do?
Whatever it is, I wanna do it with you
I feel just fine
You're not the man I was lookin' for
You're every bit of him plus a whole lot more
Now that I got you baby, it feels so good
I don't wanna let you go
Ain't it peculiar how loves comes about?
When you're not lookin', you'd better look out!
The bridal party join in with Stevie and Rose and now Alex.
Everyone dances on the spot but has a great time.
Several from the crowd clap and call out.
Many join the dance.
You're not the man I was lookin' for
You're every bit of him plus a whole lot more
Feels so good
Now that I got you to myself
I'm gonna keep you for myself
Now that I got you
I don't wanna let you go
You're not the man I was looking for
You're every bit of him plus a whole lot more
Now that I got you baby, it feels so good
I don't wanna let you go
Now that I got you baby, I don't wanna let you go .
...
Laughter and chatter fill the air as everyone relaxes back to the job at hand.
Tess chuckles. " That was awesome Stevie."
"I wanted our arrival to be fun and relaxing and different." Stevie replies breathlessly.
"It was perfect." Alex exclaims ." I don't feel nervous anymore."
"Me either." Stevie replies.
Beth Martin calls for quiet.
...
The ceremony is simple and touching.
Stevie struggles to convey what she feels in her heart.
Alex stands trying to calm his heart.
Stevie squeezes his hand.
Inhaling he begins. "Before we walked over here you thanked me for choosing you today. It wasn't a hard decision Stevie. You're my best mate , my sounding board, my voice of reason and my soft place to fall. You know how to love me and keep me in line and you do it all without fuss or fanfare. I love you gets banded around so easily these days but I want you to know I love you ...I mean I really love you. I promise that I will do all that I can to make you happy and keep you safe and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am to have you as my very own Mrs Ryan."
Although her eyes are glassy she grins at him and quips. " I'm not Mrs Ryan yet!"
He smile is sweet and without taking his eyes off her says ." Come on Beth hurry it up I want to kiss my wife."
Everyone laughs.
...
"By the power invested in me I pronounce you Husband and wife. Wife and husband . You may kiss your bride." Beth states.
Still looking at his new wife Alex says loudly. " Finally! Come on get yourself over here so I can kiss you."
She laughs as he draws her close.
Reaching her arms up around his neck she closes her eyes and feels her husbands lips brush over her own.
The kiss is smooth, soft and sweet.
...
His arms pull her in tightly as the kiss builds.
One hand slides up her back.
They both forget time and place instantly.
"Hey we're all still here!" Nick calls.
They part and he hugs her as she leans her head on his chest.
...
"Bugger off Nick I deserve this." Alex calls.
Stevie hears his booming voice and melodic laugh resonate around his chest.
Music to her ears.
He looks down at her, his face bright.
She smiles back up at him.
Again they hug each other.
...
"Time to party Mrs Ryan." He tells her.
"Bring it on Mr Ryan." She retorts.
Their friends and family wait patiently ,joyfully, chatting and laughing amongst themselves as the newly weds sign the register.
Tess and Nick sign for them.
Finally Beth announces. " Please join me in congratulating Alex and Stevie as I introduce you all to Mr and Mrs Alexander Ryan."
The congregation surge forward.
...