RIP, Kian. If only this had been how it worked out...
It was late April. The weather was starting to turn warmer and the sky was staying lighter for longer, but today was looking especially bright. Today was the day that Jac and Kian would tie the knot.
Kian had made his own arrangements to get to the hotel on time for the ceremony, while Jac had stayed overnight with Emma. Sacha had arrived earlier that morning, to make sure that she got ready on time, and so that he could assist her with her daughter while she did.
"I never thought this would happen." Jac mused. She was sat on a chair at the dresser, facing the mirror, while the make-up artist finished her hair.
"What?" Sacha asked her lightly, turning to where she was sitting. She looked at him and made eye contact through the mirror.
"Getting married, like this. I didn't think I was the type." She replied, seemingly deep in thought.
"Is there a type?" Sacha asked her, furrowing his brow slightly, wondering what she was getting at.
"You must know." She dared to joke, a smirk on her face as flashed her a look of mock offense.
"Mummy..." Emma began, interrupting the conversation between the adults and walking over to her mother. "Can I put on my dress yet?" She asked. Jac knew that she was dying to put it on. Emma's flower girl dress had been the main topic of conversation in their household over the last few weeks.
"How long have we got?" Jac asked, turning to Sacha, facing him properly.
"One hour." Sacha replied, having looked down at his watch.
"Go on then." Jac relented. "Only if you promise not to get it dirty." She added, knowing that there was little chance of that happening anyway. Emma was too in love with her dress to ruin it yet.
"Okay." The little girl beamed. She was ecstatic to finally wear the dress that she had picked out. It matched the colour of her mother's - it was white. It had a light pink band around the middle, with matching lace flowers dotted around the skirt.
"Do you need any help getting ready, Emma?" Sacha asked the child, as she went into another, joining room to put it on.
"No. I'm fine." She replied, with Jac smiling and shaking her head lightly at Emma's determination to have independence. Once the child was out of earshot, Jac mouthed the words 'go and help her' to her companion, knowing that he'd be there just in case she did need a little assistance. It needed to be tied up at the back, and she didn't want Emma to struggle and rip it before the ceremony.
Jac sighed in contentment, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She didn't see herself as any different until that moment. She looked happier. Other people had said it, but she never believed them. As she took in her features, she saw an effortless smile; only a small one - but definitely there. If she was honest, she felt happier. Aside from having Emma, being in a steady relationship with Kian was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Now, Jac was less closed off, and would finally let people see her smile, which made a big difference in comparison to the way she used to be. At first, her cheerier demeanor had freaked Nicky out. To see her boss so relaxed was slightly unnerving. But, in the end, it became a familiar sight, and there was no doubt in everyone's minds - that was down to Kian making her happier than she had felt in decades.
Jac, Kian and Emma had become their own little family unit. Jac no longer found it a struggle to keep her daughter in check. She didn't have to be both parents. She didn't have to play good cop, bad cop, all by herself. It goes without saying that, more often than not, Jac would naturally assume the role of bad cop. Partly because Kian felt uncomfortable with disciplining Emma too much, but partly because she enjoyed watching her partner having fun with her daughter. It filled her with so much joy. She could finally give her little girl the life that, growing up, she could have only dreamed of.
The lady had finally finished Jac's hair, and being thanked by the blushing bride, she left the room. Jac remained where she was sat. Looking into the mirror and over her shoulder, the consultant caught a glimpse of her dress. It was hung up on a door frame so it wouldn't drape on the floor. Made of satin, it was pure white. Form fitting at the top and flowed gently at the bottom. It was simple and elegant - the perfect dress for her.
She couldn't help but picture the life she had built with Kian, and imagine all the good times they still had ahead of them.
Soon enough, there was only ten minutes to go until the start of the ceremony. Sacha took Emma downstairs to run through the instructions she had been given one last time. He wanted to make sure that she knew exactly what to do when walking down the aisle. Her mother was still in her room upstairs, declaring that she needed a few minutes before going down to the hall that she would be getting married in.
Having now slipped into her own dress, Jac sat down on the edge of the bed. She sighed nervously. She wasn't scared of the commitment, or facing the love of her life in front of all the special people in their lives. Instead, she was worried about if, in the end, her relationship didn't work.
On really bad days, which were becoming less frequent, she relied on Kian to keep her going and to boost her confidence. He would never tire of telling her how much he loved her and how beautiful she was. She wanted to grow old with him; to share the life that they had built.
Interrupting her thoughts, was a small knock on the door.
"Yes?" She called, turning to the entrance to the room. Opening the door gently, Elliot's face came into view. "Come in!" she ushered, getting up from where she stood and embracing her former mentor. "I didn't know whether you'd make it!" She admitted, finally pulling away after a lengthy embrace.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world." He smiled. "He's a lucky man." He commented, noting Jac's bright eyes and wide smile. It made such a change to see her content like this. His only wish was that it had happened sooner. "How are you feeling?" He asked her, as the pair sat on the edge of the bed, where Jac had been prior to his entrance.
"Honestly - nervous." She dared to admit, looking to her hands as they were clasped on top of her lap.
"Why? What have you got to be nervous about?" He quizzed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"What if this doesn't work out? What if it all goes wrong?" Jac asked him in response, looking up to the older man, searching for the answers she felt she needed.
"You clearly love each other very much. I have every faith that this will work out for the both of you. It's plain to see how happy he makes you, and I know that you make him equally happy." He reassured her, smiling softly at her.
"Are you sure?" She wondered, hoping that the professor wasn't just saying what she wanted to hear.
"I've never been so sure of anything else." He replied. Elliot's soft tone and kind words had put Jac's mind at rest. The only worries that had been playing on her mind had faded away with a simple conversation.
The pair stood up, having decided to venture downstairs. After making sure that Jac had all she needed, Elliot turned to her, to check whether she was set to go.
"I just have a small favour to ask." She announced, just as he was about to put his hand on the door handle.
"Name it." He smiled, deep down knowing what she was going to ask of him.
"Will you walk me down the aisle?" She requested, as he was humbled. He smiled, with a look of pure pride - one that only a father figure could possess.
"It would be my pleasure." He replied, taking her hand and leading her out of the room.
Having made it downstairs, the pair were greeted with Sacha and Emma. "Mummy!" Emma exclaimed, rushing over to her mother and engulfing her in a hug.
"Are you ready?" Sacha asked Jac. She nodded, smiling lightly. Sacha opened the door to the large room. He made sure that all the other guests were seated, before taking his own seat, giving a nod to the pianist, who was to play Jac in.
Having heard the opening bars to Pachelbel's Canon, Jac smiled at her daughter before crouching to her level.
"Do you know what to do?" She asked, softly.
"Of course, Mummy." She replied, holding out her wicker basket containing light pink and white petals.
"Good girl. Off you go." Jac instructed, as she was off. The mother watched her little girl from the side as she walked down the aisle. She sprinkled the petals as she went. Jac's heart could have burst with pride.
Having no bridesmaids, and no ringbearers, and with Kian's Mum being the only parent in attendance, it wasn't the typical wedding procession. But, it was perfect for the couple, who were more than happy with what they had. A small, intimate ceremony suited them well. It was perfect for them and just the environment they wanted to confess their love and proclaim their commitment to one another.
Soon enough, Emma had reached Kian. He bent down on one knee, giving her a hug of appreciation, before Sacha beckoned her to join him.
Kian was shaking with nerves. It mainly down to the fact that he wondered if he was good enough for his bride. He knew she deserved the world, he just hoped he would be enough to make her as happy as she made him. Letting out a shaky breath, he composed himself, just in time to turn around and see Jac enter the room.
As soon as Kian turned around, he felt his heart skip a beat. She was beautiful and she took his breath away. Jac smiled widely, having noticed how he'd reacted to seeing her at the other end of the aisle.
Elliot walked with Jac, eventually letting her arm go when she reached her husband to be. He placed a soft peck on her cheek before he took his place, sitting down next to Emma on the front row.
Leaning in, Kian brushed a few strands of hair behind Jac's ear. "You look beautiful." He whispered to her softly, as she blushed. The music faded out, and celebrant began to speak.
It was a lovely ceremony. There were laughs and a few tears of joy. Although, the tears were mainly shed by Kian, who couldn't believe his luck.
Of course, he had been married before, but Jac had been there for him when he was at his lowest, and he would have liked to have thought that Jac could say the same thing about him. They understood one another, and they worked well together - as partners and clinical leads. They had struck the perfect work-life balance at long last, and relied on each other when they needed help.
The reception was held in another room in the hotel, just a corridor away from the one Jac and Kian had got married in. Smartly decorated, it had only five tables, but that was enough to fit the guests on.
After sitting down, and letting the guest settle, everyone was served with champagne of the highest quality. Kian had taken the decision to make his speech (the only one of the afternoon) while the chef's finished preparing four course meals that everyone would be receiving.
"I could do the whole 'I'm not good at speeches' thing, but that would be a lie. I'd like to think that I give the best motivational speeches on Darwin." He began, as Jac chuckled, rolling her eyes ever so slightly.
"I'm not going to talk for too long, because I know that the food is on it's way and I don't know about you lot, but I'm starving!" Kian exclaimed, gaining a few laughs.
"First of all, thank you all for coming and sharing the day with us. It means a lot that so many of you sacrificed a day of your holiday!" He joked, knowing that more than a few of their friends and relatives had taken days off work to attend the wedding.
"Now, of course, today's about the future, but we wouldn't be here without our pasts. I'm sure you'll agree," He commented, looking to Jac. "getting to this point hasn't been without loss and trauma. So while we celebrate; we remember the people that can't be here today." Kian raised his glass, with everyone following his lead.
"Jasmine, Vanessa... this one's for you. To absent friends." Kian
"To absent friends." The attendees chorused, lifting their glasses up and toasting, Jac was touched at the mention of her late sister, and that her new husband had been so thoughtful.
"This day has been really special, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." He confessed to the whole room, while gazing softly into Jac's eyes. "It's going to be an adventure, but the best one yet." He smiled, as if there was no one else present in that moment.
"See, as soon as I knew I had a chance to work with the magnificent Jac Naylor again, I knew that if I ever had the chance to make a move, I would be stupid to pass up on it. I don't want to be too sure of my own ability, but I thought it'd be easy to charm her. To be honest though, I was starting to lose faith because, ever the professional, Jac was always more focused on the task in hand. Despite that, I never gave up, because I knew that she was worth fighting for - and my god, was I right!" He exclaimed, with a few chuckles coming from the wedding guests.
"Now, before I let you all go, I need to thank a few people." Kian announced. He could feel his stomach grumbling. Now all his nerves had subsided, his infamous appetite had returned and couldn't wait to tuck in to the food that was being prepared as he spoke.
"First of all, Sacha." He began, turning to the older man, who was sitting virtually opposite where he was standing. "Thank you for the encouragement, and for gently persuading my gorgeous wife to make an honest man out of me." He added, with a wide smile.
Kian had discussed the idea of marriage with Jac's best friend and confidant before proposing and had given him the encouragement to do so. He'd also warmed Jac up to the idea.
She'd initially been totally against the idea of committing to Kian. She didn't want the relationship to fail, but if it did, she didn't want the fall out to be any greater than the one that would affect Darwin. However, Sacha had managed to persuade her that her and Kian's relationship was for keeps, and that if he made her happy, she should take him up on the offer - which she then did.
"Thank you, Elliot: for being here today." Kian continued. "It really made our day complete. We're grateful to you, truly." He knew that as he was speaking to him, he was thanking him for more than turning up and walking Jac down the aisle. He was thanking him for looking after her for all these years, and being there for her when she needed him the most.
Smiling softy, Kian turned to his new wife, taking a soft deep breath, composing himself before addressing her.
"Thank you, Jac." He told her. "For making me a better man." Kian reasoned, his chest heavy - overwhelmed with love for her. She responded by tilting her head slightly and smiling softly.
"It's not been easy, and I'm so proud of you for everything. Ever since you came in to my life again, you've changed it for the better. Without you, I'd be lost." He admitted, as Jac let a silent tear roll down her face. "You're my work mate, my best mate and my soul mate, and you've made me the happiest man alive." He added, smiling widely.
"And finally, thank you to our beautiful little flower girl, Emma! Thank you for letting me marry your Mummy." He told her, looking down at his step-daughter. "I promise to be the best step-dad ever, because that's the very least you deserve." Kian smiled, as Emma reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck. He reached down to hug the child back, as the guests in attendance smiled at the sight. It took just a few seconds for Kian to stand up properly once more and address the crowd.
"So, now that just leaves the toast." He announced, turning to face Emma. "Emma, over to you." Kian added, taking the little girl's hand, and helping her to stand up on her seat. Handing the youngster a champagne glass filled with orange juice, she held it high above her head.
"To mummy and Kian." She smiled, turning to look at her new step-father. He nodded to her in approval, beaming with pride as she made the declaration.
"Jac and Kian." The crowd repeated, as Kian sat down, after helping Emma to get down off of the chair - all to a rapturous applause.
After Emma had sat back down, Jac embraced her little girl in a massive hug, before softly kissing Kian on the lips. 'This is it.' She thought. Her happily ever after.
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