She gazed at herself in the mirror as the hairdresser put the finishing touches to her hair. She'd gone with a half up, half down, loose curls with delicate flowers dotted throughout. She kept her make up simple, he always told her she looked better without and she didn't want to show up unrecognisable to him. A slick of an eyeliner wing and a pair of fluttery but natural false eyelashes were perfect on her eyes "How long do you give it until I've cried these off?"
Bella sniggered "Who cries at their own wedding, that's just sad."
Georgie couldn't help but laugh "err who doesn't cry at their own wedding? Are you made of stone mini Dawes or what?"
"Why am I called mini Dawes when she's smaller than me?"
Georgie presented Molly with a shoe box "Not when she puts these bad boys on, go on Mol open them. I can't wait to see your face" Molly opened the box to reveal the most perfect shoes she'd ever seen. Sheer, crystal encrusted Louboutin's.
"Please tell me you didn't buy them?" Molly was shaking with delight "I did, I really wanted you to have something special from me. You came into my life randomly and you've become one of my best friends, I couldn't imagine life without you and Charles. Me and Elvis love you to death even if he didn't always show it. So, accept them, enjoy them. And let's cheers to our fabulous bride."
Georgie and Bella raised a glass "To Our Girl" they knocked back their drinks in record time "I think we need another toast" Bella poured them another glass each, She was getting a taste for the good stuff "To Charlie boy for taking you off my hands. It was touch and go there for a while I proper thought you was gonna end up a spinster."
Molly cried tears of laughter "Says you, single pringle."
Beth entered the room to the sound of hysterical laughter "May I join the party girls? I've official been banished by my son"
"Yeah course get this down ya neck" Bella thrust a glass towards her "This stuff is well nice I think I'm gonna start drinking this down the pub" all the girls sniggered "no you bloody ain't its £160 a bottle" Bella almost choked "You serious? Who even buys this stuff?"
Beth borrowed a minute of Molly's time "Charles wanted me to give you these little gifts" Molly sat down on the bed, tears prickling her eyes already. She started with the smallest box, the most beautiful diamond drop earrings she had ever seen, delicate and dainty and they would set off perfectly against her dark hair 'Your something new' the card read. She moved onto the next little parcel to reveal a delicate, topaz encrusted bracelet. So delicate she was worried she might break it as Beth fastened the clasp around her wrist 'Something blue'
"Now before you open your last gift from Charles, I'd like to give you these" She opened Molly's palm to place a beautiful lace garter "This has been in my family for god knows how long. I never felt close enough to ask Rebecca to carry on the tradition but you Molly are the daughter I always wished for and I'd be honoured if you would wear it. And even more honoured if you saw fit to pass it along to any daughters you and Charles may have. It's your something old"
Molly blinked back tears, afraid of crying her lashes off "It's my privilege to wear it. Thank you" she pulled Beth into a hug.
"And lastly my darling, this broach belonged to my mother. It's as old as the hills and another tradition I'd like to pass to you. Could I borrow your bouquet?" Beth tied a delicate ribbon around the stems of Molly's flowers, pinning the broach so it sat beautifully on display under the beautiful bloom. "Your something borrowed dear. Now you're all set, I'll leave you to your last gifts from Charles."
Molly carefully peeled back the beautifully wrapped gift to reveal a photo album. Every photo ever taken of them sat proudly on the pages, each with a quote of love underneath. She flicked through every page, god he was handsome. And today he would be all hers.
The last gift was a larger box, heavy she thought. She opened it to reveal letters. Letter upon letter all addressed to her with one on the very top marked with today's date.
My darling Molly
If you are reading this it means it's our wedding day. I'm so proud of how far we have come.
I look forward to spending the rest of my life loving you, cherishing you and making sure you always feel at home with me.
Please find enclosed 'Letters to Molly'
Each letter is dated, starting from the very first month that I met you all those years ago. Except for a few months that were out of my control, there is a letter for every month that I've loved you. I knew from day one this day would come, there was never any doubt in my mind that you would become my wife and I held on to that hope in my darkest hours.
I love you forever.
Meet me by the bandstand,
CJ X
Sobs escaped her chest. There had never been a more perfect day in her life than this one, and she hadn't even married him yet. She was brought back to reality by a knock on the door "Room for a little one?"
Molly flung herself at her nan "I didn't think you were coming you old bat"
Nan cackled "Of course I was coming. Do you think I'd let that prat Dave Dawes tell me what to do? Come off it girl. Who wants a gin?" Molly tucked away her letters, they were special and private and for her eyes only.
"Right Mol we'd better get you dressed" Georgie unzipped the dress bag. Molly's nerves started to unsettle her.
"Beth, he has left already, hasn't he?"
"Yes, dear don't worry. Sam and Elvis are keeping him in line" she practiced some of the breathing techniques she had taught Charles to deal with his anxiety, she very much appreciated them at this moment "and how did he get on with the physio this morning? Is he walking?" She stepped into her dress.
"Stop worrying dear and get dressed" Bella did the honours of buttoning up the barely there buttons down her back. The sheer back highlighted just how petite she was. The rest of the dress was simple and elegant; classy she thought as she gazed into the mirror "I look perfect" she whispered.
-OG-
"Calm down Dad. You know she'll be here and gran said that the bride is always late" Sam did his best to reassure his dad, he was on edge and sweating bullets despite the pleasant spring temperatures.
"Sam is right Charlie boy. She'll be here" Elvis reiterated. Charles nodded; it had been a long morning with an early morning dash to the barracks to get his leg checked. He'd finally been cleared to start walking and it was one of the best moments of his life. He still had a pronounced limp but they were sure it would subside with continued physio. He'd had a few moments where he'd needed to stop and hold onto Sam for support but he'd done it. "Sit down Charlie, you'll peak too soon. You're only just back on your feet" even Elvis was nervous, pacing back and forth picking flowers from the side of the lake whilst receiving filthy looks from a nervous Charles.
His heart pounded as he watched the bridesmaid make their way towards him. Elvis was choked at the sight of Georgie, she was beautiful in a pastel pink floaty gown with her hair wrapped neatly into an up do, perfect he thought, she would most definitely be next he promised himself.
She was a vision in white as she strolled down the aisle in front of him. She'd chosen to walk herself, it was fitting of her story and to her it showed how strong she was and how far she had come without her family. He fought back tears as she gazed at him in awe of his beauty as he was in awe of hers. They'd always had secret conversations with their eyes, today was no exception. He held his hand out to her, squeezing her gently as she placed her tiny hand into his.
"You are breath taking Molly Dawes" he whispered as the ceremony begun around them. He couldn't hear a word; he could only see her, his perfect vision of beauty with her hair blowing round her shoulders as it had in his dream. This was the vision that had kept him going, it was finally coming true.
She knew he'd be handsome but she had no idea just how beautiful he would look in his dress uniform. She swallowed back tears as he beamed at her from the alter, Sam and Elvis by his side equally happy. His eyes were glassy with emotion, if he started crying now, she would too and she was afraid she'd never stop. She never knew tears of happiness until she met him. Pride filled her chest when she saw him standing there, he'd finally done it.
Beth had been so sad for her, sad that she was walking herself down the aisle and sad that her family wouldn't be there to share in her magical day but the girl standing before had everything she needed. She sobbed as they took their vowels, they couldn't take their eyes off each other.
The bandstand had exceeded her vision and expectations. Delicate flowers and voiles decorated the flower arch that had been created around the bandstand, the white aisle scattered with delicate petals as mason jars with candles hung enchantingly from trees around them.
"I now pronounce you; husband and wife" Molly entwined her fingers into his curls as she pulled his head towards her. She wanted to devour him, her husband. They had waited so long for this moment. Applause, cheers and just a few tears erupted around them as they held each other, neither moving from their position at the altar, enjoying every second of their first kiss as man and wife. He pulled away for air, only for her to pull him back in again, their hands entwined together.
"I'm the happiest man in the world Mrs James."
She giggled at him "Ditto Mr James, I'm the happiest and the luckiest woman on the planet."
He took her by the hand "ready for it?" she nodded as they turned to face their loved ones, confetti, cheers, wolf whistles and heckles from 2 section showered them as they made their way hand in hand down the aisle in the waiting car "After you Mrs."
Belinda Dawes wept from a tree in the distance; her girl had really grown up. She regretted every argument and every time she had taken Dave's side. She'd have given anything to be part of her day, but stubbornness and pride wouldn't allow.
"Now ladies and gents, as most of you already know, I'm Elvis, the man, the myth, the legend that is Charlie boy's best mate. I want to thank the happy couple for letting me speak today, although Charlie has already tried to sensor the dummy speech I hid in my pocket, I'm going to speak to you straight from the heart. Now I've known this man a hell of a long time, over 10 years god help me I still stick around despite the nagging and that's just from Molly. I'd like to think that he loves me as much as I love him and I'm not ashamed to say that, because he is a fucking top bloke. Sam cover your ears or your mother will string me up. He really is a top bloke and we've been to hell and back, quite literally, so it's an honour to stand here today as part of the fabulous duo of best men he picked, little Samuel here being the better, more sober half of this team" Charles couldn't take his eyes off her as Elvis whittled on, she was stunning and she was happier than he'd ever seen her.
"So anyway folks, now that I've warmed up you, here is the big man himself" he climbed to his feet, grateful that Elvis covered the distance between them to pass him the mic "Ladies and gents first of all, thanks for sharing today with us, even if we are in a tent of all places."
"It's a tepee dickhead" Fingers heckled from the table as far away as Molly could seat them.
"Thanks for that Fingers, strike one by the way. It may be my wedding, but always remember – I'm the boss. Now back to the reason why we are here, and that's my beautiful wife. Where do I start with Miss Molly? My darling Molly is wise beyond her years, much wiser than I am and she taught me early on that with every battle, every fight we faced, it was okay to lose sometimes as long as you won the war, and I can win anything with her by my side. She is my best friend; my confidant and she has taken care of me through the darkest of days. There aren't any words worthy of her or my love for her, its limitless and I look forward to spending the rest of my life letting her know exactly what she means to me. I am a better man just for knowing her."
Tears soaked her cheeks at his declaration of love for her, how do you ever go back to real life after your wedding day she thought to herself.
The sight of Dave and Belinda loitering in the opening of the tepee stalled him, he gave a sideways glance to his new wife, he'd allow nothing and no one to upset her today. She nodded; she was okay. Nan rose from her seat to have a hushed conversation with the Dawes, the commotion going unnoticed amongst their guests.
"You Molly deserve all the good the world has to offer and as your proud husband, I promise to forever give you the world and more, you deserve absolute happiness and I promise to always try my best to give you that. So please, raise a glass for Mrs Molly James."
The arrival of the Dawes had unsettled her a little "Didn't expect to see either of you here."
Belinda pulled her into her arms "Molly you look so beautiful, your dad felt guilty that I was missing the party and the free bar."
Molly sighed "Is that all you came for? The party? Not to see your eldest daughter marry the love of her life?"
Dave rolled his eyes "Look we're 'ere ain't we, you should be more grateful. You can chuck us a few bob for the train fare and all, cost a bleedin' fortune."
Charles saw the agony in her face "Everything okay Molly?" He placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back "Yeah, they were just going" Dave went to speak but Belinda nodded knowingly. They had lost her; it was too late."
He kissed away the tears the threatened "Not today Mrs James, today is our day remember" he led her to the dance.
"Did I ever tell you how cute you look with a limp?"
He chuckled "Possibly a few times cheeky. Dance with me" the opening cords of Elvis' 'Can't help falling in love' cleared the floor as they started to dance.
"This is the song you chose?" he nodded his head "I couldn't find anything more perfect to describe how I feel about you. Do you like it?" She choked back tears "Love it, it's perfect. It will forever be my favourite song" they swayed to the music, everything else fading away in that precious moment.
The night passed in a blur of champagne, happy tears, and love. The girls gathered round ready for the bouquet; Bella desperate to avoid it. She flung the bloom into the air behind her and turned to find Georgie the proud new owner. Charles gave Elvis a nod, he knew just by the look on his face and he knew that Molly wouldn't mind being temporarily upstaged.
Elvis dropped to one knee in front of her "Georgie Lane, do me a favour will ya and be my wife?" Screams of delight filled the air around them, Molly once again crying tears of happiness for the most perfect day.
"I hope you've had an amazing day Mrs James" he'd insisted on carrying her across the threshold of the bridal suit.
"It has been so perfect; I don't think I'll ever be able to use the word perfect again without thinking of today."
He giggled as he almost dropped her "Sorry, Sorry Molly" he laughed "my leg doesn't like it."
She pushed him against the wall "I am so proud of you husband, sexiest limpy peg leg ever" she pushed her tongue into his mouth, enjoying the height the shoes gave her.
"Did I mention how stunning you are?" he panted "Because I've had to behave myself all day, and I can't for a minute longer" he unzipped her dress, wowed by the sight of her in her barely there lingerie.
"Special purchase for my husband" she whispered as she slide off his jacket, it took no time at all for them both to appreciate the naked sight of each other's bodies "So. Beautiful" he punctuated with a kiss, licking his lips.
She led him to the bed "Make love to me Charles" he devoured her neck, whilst his hand moved between her legs, he didn't know how long he'd be able to last with foreplay, he needed her now and she was equally ready "I need you now Charles" she pleaded with him, the sight of his naked body too much for her. She wanted him more than she ever had, her husband, her soulmate, her partner for life. She wanted to stay wrapped in him forever.