Since I've just experienced my son's wedding, the next two chapters now include details of things that actually happened. Of course, I'll deny it if anyone suspects that they recognize themselves in the story. All I can say is you really should have behaved.

Ipsita gave me some valuable feedback which I took (always do) and this chapter is all the better for it. Thanks, sis!


We spend our last morning of freedom indulging in physical pleasure, and then we really have to go out and get food, paying a visit to Masen's favorite Italian deli and produce store. He has spent much of his adult life in this part of Melbourne, and while he's been very happy showing off his Sydney home, he's more in tune with the lifestyle here, knowing exactly where to go and what to buy.

While the man working behind the counter doesn't address him by name, it's obvious he recognizes him, congratulating us when Masen announces we're about to get married, here for a selection of antipasti we can offer to guests who might drop in. I'm famished just watching them choose.

Our parents arrive at eleven after taking a shuttle from the airport. Masen offered to pick them up, but Carlisle didn't want him having to unload the truck to make room for their luggage.

Masen and I are making lunch when there's a knock on the door, then loud welcoming voices, and Sue walks in with her arm linked with Esme's. She looks different from the photos taken at Christmas. Her hair is a gorgeous gray-blonde color, cut in a beautifully layered bob. The black and white frames of her glasses are really stylish. In fact, all three women look fabulous after Esme and Mom had their hair colored and cut yesterday.

Sue squeezes Masen's cheeks and kisses them both before turning her attention to me. "So, this is Bella," she declares, pulling me into a hug, then stands back, smiling at me. "I always wondered about the woman who would snag our Masen, and here you are, finally. You must be very special."

"We think so," Dad replies, coming in with Mom, and there's more greeting and hugging. Sue is not a fat woman, but she has a big set of boobs, and her hugs are enveloping. Masen says she's always good value, another term I'm starting to adopt. I'm already drawn in by her obvious warmth and charm.

"Oh, my goodness, let me see the ring!" she calls out, having noticed it on my finger. I love to show it off and relive the moment the jeweler proudly presented it to me, and now I can't wait to see it alongside its matching wedding band. It has been very tempting, but I'm traditional enough to wait until we're married to wear them together.

We talk Sue into staying for lunch, but she leaves straight after, taking Carlisle to see his mother and uncle who are staying at their place. We're going to a Greek banquet tonight, and he knows they will struggle in the din of a restaurant, even if they do wear their hearing aids, so he wants time with them, and with Harry, without the rest of the family around.

There might be only two brothers in this branch of the family, but their father was one of five—three of them still living—and their progeny are making up the bulk of the guests at the wedding.

Without my family or Esme's, this is really an Edwards event. She was extremely disappointed when only two family members accepted their invitations, even after she offered to pay for their flights, but she seems to have put it behind her now.

We plan to meet up in Cootamundra later this year to introduce me to the community, because our children will have the right to identify as Aboriginal if they choose. It was Alec who warned me never to ask if anyone was half or any other fraction Aboriginal. It's a common mistake made by whitefellas who don't understand that genetic makeup is only one part of Indigenous identity, and I must remember this while I'm focusing on DNA.

Masen drives us to the venue, and I admit I'm anxious to meet everyone for the first time and remember their names, but he assures me it's not realistic to try. Rose, Alice and Charlotte have all said the day rushes by so fast that I can't expect to spend time with every guest. Their advice is to relax and enjoy myself because the day is about more than just the bride and groom, remembering that weddings are one of the happiest reasons that families come together.

We arrive at Elwood Bathers, and it's even better than I imagined. A couple of staff are already setting up our room. I like the all-white linens, knowing the salmon rose centerpieces are really going to pop. The bay looks superb through the enormous windows, and the tables of twelve are placed diagonally, so nobody will have their back to us.

When we were leaving Sydney, the forecast was for temperatures in the mid-thirties for Saturday. The event manager assured me they could accommodate us inside if our guests were going to be inconvenienced by the weather, and while I imagined the ceremony on the beach, it wasn't something I could control. Luckily, the heat is coming a day later now, and Saturday is supposed to be twenty-one—calm and cloudy—perfect for an outdoor ceremony.

Esme is in a conversation with the event manager, assessing something in a corner of the room, and Masen is testing the speaker system will bluetooth with his phone. There's a separate one outside for the ceremony which he'll try once Mrs. Cope, our celebrant, arrives to run us through the ceremony.

Once we're satisfied they've answered all our questions, we leave Sue's seating plan with the names sorted to match. I demonstrate how I want them placed on the white linen napkins, and Esme reminds me they'll be here in the morning to make sure everything is done correctly. I only mention that we are eight for the bridal table instead of the six already in place and Mom puts her arm around me. I report that Tyler and Randall are bringing the flowers, and she says I might have already mentioned it, so I guess I am showing my nerves.

I'm delighted when Alec arrives, bringing Alice and Jane with him. I haven't met Jane before, and I honestly didn't expect she'd be so big at ten months old. I don't force myself on her, but she's just as fascinating as Bree. Each time I see one of these adorable babies, I want one of my own. It might be my age or the fact that I'm so in love, but a little Masen would be … everything.

While we wait for Mrs. Cope's arrival, a waiter brings a tray of orange drinks for everyone. Masen thanks him and explains he wants to offer Aperol Spritz immediately following the ceremony, saying they'll match the color scheme of the wedding.

"And what do you know about the color scheme?" I tease him, taking a sip of the delicious drink, a mix of an orange liqueur called Aperol, Prosecco, sparkling water, and a slice of fresh orange. Following what Esme told me about surprising him, I haven't breathed a word about any of our dresses, so I wonder if Rose might have said something.

He just smiles and says, "I've been a groomsman three times now, and there's usually a reason for the color of the ties."

I move closer, blatantly flirting. "Okay. Well, I approve of this drink, and of you for suggesting it." Our eyes lock, and I picture myself tasting the tingling orange on his tongue, digging my fingers into his hair.

He's looking at my lips as if he's having similar thoughts. "Let's have a toast with one of these as soon as we're married."

"This time tomorrow."

He nods slowly. "This time tomorrow."

"I love you, Masen."

"I love you, too, Bella. So much."

-0-

The morning of the wedding is a revolving door of beverages and snacks for bridesmaids and partners, singing along with the movie, Mamma Mia! Everyone knows the lyrics, and Esme recalls what it was like when Abba toured here in the late 70's, saying they were huge in Australia.

I wish Masen didn't have to leave to get ready, and I'm sitting in his lap, waiting for Garrett to pick him up, when Mom and Dad hand me a card. Inside, is a check for twenty thousand dollars, and Masen looks as shocked as I am. My first reaction is to say I cannot accept such a gift, but they're so delighted with their surprise that we just hug them both hard.

Garrett texts to say he's outside, and I stare at Masen, not really sure how to say goodbye as I follow him to the front door.

"See you there?" he asks, seemingly as forlorn as I am.

"I'll be there," I reply, trying to smile.

"I love you," we say at the same time, and a quick hug later, he leaves, blowing me a kiss that makes my heart skip a beat.

-0-

I'm so pleased we were able to get nails, hair and make-up done at home. Mom and Esme were first so they could leave for the venue, Alice and I are finished, including the placement of my pearl pins, and we've had time for a couple of mimosas. Rose is drinking water, the only thing that's passed her lips since I met her in person. We had no problem accepting the story that she's body cleansing, but she swore me to secrecy last night, disclosing that they're trying to get pregnant. She and Emmett had planned to wait a couple more years before starting a family, but they learned in the early hours of New Year's Eve that any day could be their last, and they are both excited to take the test.

"You know, I think this is the most stress-free wedding I've ever been part of. I feel like I've done nothing." Rose declares, having her nails buffed while her curls are perfected.

Charlotte will be up next, having fallen asleep in the chair by the window. She hasn't had a proper chance to unwind, having to use a breast pump every few hours, so we're leaving her to nap for as long as we can.

"That is so not true, Rose," I reply. "If you'd been there yesterday when I walked into Elwood Bathers, I would have kissed you, lady. Plus, Mom and I fell in love when we saw the finished cake, so you were responsible for two of the most important things on my list. You've all contributed to this wedding, including your mom's great taste in suggesting the gorgeous wooden place names."

"I really haven't done anything," Alice remarks.

"Hey, you made my day twice, Ali. Firstly, by agreeing to be my bridesmaid and choosing a dress online, then seeing you so thrilled this morning when you fit into the small size."

Alice twirls a hand in the air just like when she was dancing around earlier, twisting and admiring herself in the mirror.

Rose laughs. "True, that was pretty awesome."

"I know what Rose means, though," Alice responds. "I've been one of six bridesmaids when two of them tried to take control of the wedding, and we spent a lot of time resolving arguments. This has been a totally different experience."

Rose continues. "One of my best friends got married young on a tight budget, and we were still decorating the hall at one in the morning. Then we started the day with a list of things we had to complete before we could even think about making ourselves pretty. We agreed it was a satisfactory wedding, but I know she didn't enjoy it."

"Since Esme is paying for the reception, we haven't really had to stick to a budget," I state.

"But that's just one part of it. What I'm trying to say is you find ways to resolve things efficiently. You're the only person I've ever known who bought a pre-loved wedding dress and actually loved it."

"I don't feel like I had to compromise, Rose. It's like the dress was made for me."

"I agree," Charlotte comments, sitting up and stretching. "It's a total stunner."

It is a stunner. I love my dress so much that I doubt I could have been swayed by anyone's negative opinion. Today, I feel like I got everything I wanted, and Masen has let me do things my way.

"You asked for what you needed, then trusted us to deliver," Rose claims. "You've been clear and flexible about everything, and I think you're going to be great at leading a team this year. I only hope you realize how happy you've made Masen by having his three friends as groomsmen."

"I'm happy too. It's been such a bonus having you three to share this with."

My phone pings with a message. "Your deliveries are complete." It's from Tyler, and I grin, seeing a picture of the buttonholes on their dining room table. There are even stray petals in a lighter color, so he's opened the bag I bought for him. I smile for the twentieth time at the four bouquets on our counter, sitting in their little vases and filling the whole house with a most glorious scent.

"Thanks a million!" I text back, knowing we're only waiting on the cake's delivery now, and Mom will call them if it hasn't arrived by eleven. It really is an incredible feeling, just hours away from marrying Masen.

-0-

"Come on, Renee!" Sue sings out to my teary mother, who is becoming more emotional by the minute. Even though we have not lived together for years, this feels the same as when I first went away to college.

"What's wrong, Mom?" I ask, wishing I could do more than just keep her supplied with Kleenex. She hasn't been the same since we FaceTimed with Serena last night. I wanted Serena to know we'd spent the eve of our wedding enjoying delicious Greek food, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to introduce her while we were all together.

"I don't know. I'm worried about what the girl said," she says between sniffles.

"Stay less than one-forty," were the words Serena used, and Masen and I looked at each other, knowing we had a new riddle to solve. We'd grown used to Serena's ways now, finding her intriguing rather than spooky, but Mom feared she'd made an ominous premonition.

"It's never anything bad, Mom. In fact, it has always been the opposite, so please don't worry. We'll talk with Makenna before you go home and work out what it means."

"All right." She brightens a little, blowing her nose. "But this is not how I pictured this moment. It feels like I'm losing you."

"Renee!" This time it's Esme, desperate to hurry Mom along. "Their car will be here any minute. We need to leave now!"

I look at Dad, who's been watching, smart enough to keep quiet and not give credence to Mom's fears, and I inquire, "Is there any reason Mom can't walk down the aisle with us?"

He shakes his head and smiles. "I believe that would be entirely up to the bride."

"Is that okay with you?" I ask Mom, whose face lights up and she laughs, pulling me into a hug.

"I'll go tell them there's a change in plans," Dad announces. "You two get yourselves one hundred percent ready to go. It's showtime, girls."

It really is showtime, and I've never been more ready for anything in my life.

-0-

"Howdy, stranger. Long time no see," I greet Alec as he takes photos of me getting out of the car. He's been incredible today, switching between Tyler's place and ours, swapping cameras for video and stills. Jasper was right—I should have never doubted Alec could handle a wedding.

"How are the boys?" I ask him, dying to see them dressed up.

"Tyler has been entertaining everyone, flamboyantly flinging handfuls of petals into the air. He's a crack-up."

"And Masen?"

He smiles at my question. "Masen is ready to get married."

That answer could mean many things, so I hope it's just that he's eager, like me. Surprised I've been so calm today, I know I'm going to enjoy this.

"Mom and Dad by the car," Alec requests, not questioning why Mom is here. After taking shots of my bridesmaids perfecting my overskirt, he says it's time to leave us to ensure everything is set to record the ceremony.

Just as Masen has no best man, I don't have a maid of honor, so when our song starts to play, the girls proceed in order of their first names, and I link arms with my parents, eagerly awaiting our turn to round the corner. Without a sea breeze, I hear Dad humming his favorite song and then see how the white fabric drapes so beautifully over the archway. My big arrangements of roses have been placed on either side and there are petals all over the ground, the fragrance evoking memories of Masen's proposal and the miracle that we were part of in Finland. It will be an amazing story for our children one day.

I gasp when I see Masen step into the archway, stunningly handsome in his tux, and we smile at each other until he looks at Tyler who squeezes his shoulder before handing him a handkerchief. Dabbing at his eyes, he's crying while I'm bursting with joy, ready to promise my life to him.

The girls were right about time racing by. I had imagined our arrival, the procession down the aisle, and seeing our guests would take ages, but I only have eyes for my groom, and it seems like mere seconds have passed when Mom and Dad are hugging and kissing us.

"Look at you," Masen says, touching my overskirt. "I need to kiss you to make sure you're real."

"Settle down, Masen." Mrs. Cope smirks, winking at me. "I'll tell you when." Her smug expression shows she's met grooms like him before, and I giggle when she beckons Charlotte to take my flowers and then links our arms together. She did warn us there could be no delays since she has another wedding at three.

She starts with a beautiful introduction about the strength of true love conquering isolation and distance, and I take in the view of the water, amazed I'm only just noticing it now. I glance up at Masen to add the sight of him to this incredible memory, and he looks down without a sign of the tears he was shedding just minutes before.

Tailoring her words to the answers we provided, she makes us sound like she knows us well, and I'm impressed that this feels so intimate when we only met yesterday.

We've written personal commitments plus a communal one for the giving of rings, following her advice to keep our personal vows short enough to write on a card. Masen goes first.

"I don't believe opposites attract, and although we come from very different places, I think we turned out just the same. I knew you were the one when you were both nurturing and challenging me, showing me worlds I never knew existed, and I was enjoying things I never thought to try. I am empty when we're apart, now, and you know I would have followed you anywhere, my darling, just to see your smile, so I'm overjoyed you loved me enough to come to me."

Knowing we still have a little way to go before I can kiss him, I take a big breath, because it's now my turn.

"You and I have a unique connection that existed long before we met, and I see the energy I put into us coming back tenfold. I want to begin and end each day with you, because everything's better with your love in my life, and no one could ever be more important to me. You're my rock, my sounding board, my best friend, and the man of my dreams. You're my everything."

We smile at each other, relieved that neither of us faltered with our words.

"Who has the rings?" Mrs. Cope asks quietly, and Masen puts a hand in his pocket, retrieving the silk coin purse we bought in Singapore Airport. He takes mine out and holds it in place, ready to slide on my finger, and I'm suddenly aware of the significance that Esme spoke about. Our guests remain silent while we pledge our lives to one another with solemn vows and wedding rings, and it's far more surreal than I could have ever imagined.

I start to feel emotion in my throat. We're holding hands, almost married, and Masen's gentle eyes take all my attention. Mrs. Cope is speaking, but it's not until I hear her say it's time to kiss that I let go of the breath I've been holding.

He cradles my jaw and places a delicate kiss on my lips, then another and another. I wrap my arms around him, hearing cheers from our guests, and I'm so ecstatic when I look around and see them applauding that I kiss him again, inciting a loud wave of laughter.

"Happy?" he asks, and I nod, knowing his niggling insecurities have no reason to stick around anymore. They'll never return if I have anything to do with it.

"Deliriously," I declare, sighing now the ceremony is over. Esme fist pumps when our eyes meet, and I know it's partly because she got the ceremony she wanted, but she must surely know by now how devoted I am to her son.

Masen Edwards is my husband, so I'm the one who should be fist pumping!

Since Dad selected the song for our arrival, we gave Carlise the choice for our return down the aisle, and the Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun" has a lovely feeling of optimism to end the ceremony, promising a bright and happy future. While I've been aware of Alec taking photos, he's given us the right amount of space to enjoy our important moments, and he's here in the aisle, recording the look of exhilaration Masen and I share as we take our first steps as a married couple.

We go inside to sign our marriage certificates, and my heart might burst when Carlisle hugs Masen and kisses his cheek. As promised, we toast our marriage with glasses of Aperol Spritz.

As soon as we come outside again, Esme brings over her two second cousins, Laurie and Jimmy, along with Jimmy's partner, Mary, to meet me. They are extremely shy folks and softly spoken—hard to understand, really—as dark as anyone I've ever encountered. I barely get a chance to thank them for making the trip from Cootamundra before they excuse themselves when others are waiting.

Introductions and congratulations eat into the time we've allocated for photography, and Jasper steps in to help, so I feel extra special having two National Geographic photographers capturing my wedding. Alec launches the drone just enough to get a bird's-eye view of the wedding party enjoying the sand.

We wait outside the reception room for the acknowledgement of the Yalukit Willam clan of the Boon Wurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land. Then, without a big fanfare, we're welcomed to the wedding, and the first thing I notice is the drop sheet and artist working on a canvas. Since Esme was with the event manager in that spot yesterday, it's clear this was her doing, and while I'm not really angry, I'd like to know why it was kept secret.

Everything in our room is sparkly and gorgeous, exactly as I pictured, and the scent of roses is everywhere. I can see myself relaxing as soon as our wedding dance is out of the way. Garrett gives us time to get situated on the dance floor before he hits play, and the start of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is so iconic that no one could mistake it. It still amazes me how well it fits with our waltz.

With everyone clapping along and whistling, I'm laughing, elated and grateful that my husband had patience and confidence in me. The actual waltz has become second nature, and since we've done plenty of clowning-around dancing for weeks, my informal style has turned out much like his, and that's okay, too.

We finish with a dip and a kiss, and he tells me he's proud of me. It means so much that this thing I'd blown up so negatively in my head has turned into something wonderful I'll remember forever, and the pressure to perform is now completely over.

Our two names look sweet placed together on the napkin between us, and we're served warm baguettes and shared charcuterie boards as soon as we sit down. Since we've had nothing to eat since breakfast, the quick service is welcome, and we take the advice of our waiter, pairing the food with a sparkling white from Victoria's alpine region.

I stand to remove my overskirt, and Masen is quickly on his feet, expertly undoing the tiny hooks that secure the belt. I raise a quizzical brow at the skills the man possesses, and he states, "I can usually work these things out."

Pulling on the lapels of his jacket, I declare, "Mr. Edwards, I just love your hidden talents."

Grinning, he says, "Anything for my beautiful wife."

"Gimme me that, Masen." Rose tugs on the overskirt he's still clutching, and we laugh at her shaking her head, lovingly pressing the tulle into the box brought along to protect it.

Thanks for reading xo