London, England
December 2017

The dizzy dancing way you feel

The rest of the day passes in a bit of blur. A happy, giddy blur, but a blur nonetheless. The balcony appearance with its loud fly past is followed by formal pictures in the throne room, where the photographer has some trouble getting all family members in one frame (but finally succeeds with ample assistance from Izzie and Preti). Afterwards, Ken and I are roped into greeting if not all of our guests then very many of them, all of whom are very happy for us indeed. Even Aunt Mary places a dry, cool kiss on my cheek and welcomes me to the family.

With the greeting line over and done with, there's finally lunch (yes, I know, wedding breakfast) and between courses, the speeches are scheduled.

Mark takes it upon himself to speak first, standing up right after the appetizer plates of mini PEI lobster rolls are cleared away.

"As some of you may now, my name is Mark and I'm one of Ken's supporters today and also an old friend," he begins. "I know tradition dictates that I tell you some tales to embarrass him now – and whoever wants to hear them can come to me later – but for now, I'd rather speak about my friend and how he found he woman he now calls his wife."

Briefly, he raises his glass in a toast towards Ken and me. At least half the guests follow suit.

"Ken and I have known each other for most of our lives," Mark continues. "I know him to be loyal, funny and always willing to walk the extra mile for his friends. I also still remember how, back at school and university, the boys and I sometimes wondered about the woman he'd one day end up with. After all, we reasoned, if you can have any woman in the room, who do you pick?"

Beside him, Tatty groans audibly.

Mark laughs. "And before my lovely wife stabs my hand with a fork, let me assure you that yes, we were a bunch of clueless little idiots and I'm the first to admit it."

"Nothing very little about your collective idiocy," mutters Tatty, sotto voce. In response, laughter ripples around the room.

"Probably not," agrees Mark good-naturedly. "My point, however, was that I spent many years watching Ken talk to, flirt with and even date a collection of beautiful women, without him ever showing much inclination to settle down with one of them. Imagine my surprise, then, when he returned from his year in New York and told me he'd fallen in love."

I turn my head to look at Ken in surprise. I didn't know he told his friends about me so early in our relationship! He smiles back and squeezes my hand beneath the table.

"Naturally, that admission was met with much curiosity. Who was this girl he picked, we wondered?" Mark pauses and looks around the room. "When we finally met Rilla, however, it dawned on us that we had it wrong all along. Clearly, she did at least as much of the picking as he did, because as anyone who knows her can surely attest, she very much knows her own mind – and as the husband of a woman for whom that is also very much true, I mean that as a compliment."

Tatty peers up at him. "Well, you'd better."

Mark tips his head first to her, then to me. Smiling, I nod back to show that I took the comment as intended.

"If we could have baked a perfect woman for Ken, I'm sure that in the end, we would have ended up with someone very much like Rilla," Mark continues. "I've gotten to know her as a very caring and clever person who also has humour and spunk in abundance. She makes Ken's life brighter and she brings out the best in him. As his friend, I couldn't possibly thank you enough for that, Rilla."

"Hear, hear." That's Damian, calling out loudly from halfway through the Buckingham Palace ballroom.

"You're welcome," I reply, raising laughter from our guests.

But despite the joking, I know to take Mark's remark for what it is. It might sound, on the surface, like a dig at Ken who needs a woman by his side to be a better man, but it isn't really. Instead, it's the thanks of a grateful friend who saw a positive impact my presence had on Ken's life and wants me to know that he noticed it.

Next to me, Ken leans over and kisses my cheek. "Many thanks from me, too," he whispers, so quietly only I can hear it.

"And to you," I murmur back, because God knows this works both ways and my own life is much brighter for having him in it as well.

"I'm very proud to stand here today as a friend of both Ken and Rilla and very happy to be with them as they take this next step in their life together. I think I speak for everyone here in wishing them all the possible best for the future, so please join me in raising our glass to the happy couple," concludes Mark. Once more, he raises his glass high in the air and this time, there's not one person in the entire room who doesn't mirror his actions.

After Mark sits back down to an approving hug from Tatty and vocal thanks from Ken and me, the soup is served. (I couldn't possibly say which kind of uber-fancy soup we ended up picking, but it sure is delicious!) With the soup plates cleared away a while later, my parents take their cue and get up from their own seats at our head table.

"As most of you might know, I'm a person who believes in the magic and the power of words," Mum begins. "I love nothing more than an unexpected word presenting itself at the perfect moment and I always took pride in that there were few phrases I couldn't imagine or think up myself."

"And yet," Dad takes up the thread of the speech, "among the phrase neither my wife nor I ever expected hearing, 'Mum, Dad, I'm dating the Prince of Wales', must surely count as one of the most surprising."

"I believe 'gobsmacking', is the word you're looking for," Mum corrects with a smile.

I lean closer to Ken. "It wasn't like that, in case you're wondering."

"Wasn't it?" he asks back quietly, his eyes twinkling amusedly.

"No." I shake my head. "It was much more awkward!"

He laughs, a little too loudly, which causes Leslie to playfully wag her finger at us. Ken grins at her, but then sits up straighter to signal that he's back to listening to my parents. I, of course, follow suit.

"Suffice to say, when our daughter revealed the identity of her boyfriend to us all those years ago, we felt like we'd stumbled right through a rabbit hole. If the Hatter had arrived the next moment to serve us tea, we would not have been surprised at all – though we still would have known better than to unquestioningly accept the tea." Mum's little joke has the desired effect when our guests laugh in appreciation.

"I think no-one here will be surprised to learn that Rilla meeting Ken turned the lives of everyone in the family upside down, but for no-one more so than for Rilla herself." Dad looks at me and smiles affectionately. "I also think no parent in the room will be surprised to learn that we worried for her. It's not that we don't have faith in our daughter and her ability to conquer the world, but she was facing changes so big and so far-reaching that not even my lovely wife could truly imagine them."

Now Dad is looking at Mum, standing by his side, and his gaze is equally tender. She stands on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek.

"When it comes to showing our children how marriage is done right, we lead by example," Dad tells the room conspiratorially, leading to chuckles all around.

Mum, smiling, returns to their speech. "It's true, even I had trouble imagining the changes and the new life lying ahead of Rilla when she moved to England. It was, in some ways, truly the Great Unknown. Over the past years, we've watched her navigate this Unknown and turn it into not only something familiar but something that is hers, and we couldn't have been prouder."

Awww!

Impulsively, I throw both my parents a kiss. Dad makes a great show of catching it. Mum sends a kiss back my way.

"Your life," Dad continues, speaking directly to me, "has led you over an entire ocean, Rilla, and while we would be lying if we claimed not to miss having you near us, both your mother and I are simply over the moon with happiness to watch you be as happy as you're now. As anyone can see, you've found a new home for yourself to stand alongside the home of your childhood that will always be yours."

"In addition to a second home, you also found a second family here, and as your parents, we couldn't possibly use enough words to express the gratefulness we feel at the way Owen, Leslie and their family have welcomed you." Mum nods at Ken's parents sitting at the head table with us. "You know that we'll always be there for you in every possible way, but we can't be by your side each day. They, however, are. and to know you to be surrounded by people who care for you makes your father and me feel relieved and glad."

Okay.

I will not cry.

I will not cry!

"Most importantly, you've found in Ken the man you want to share your life and your future with." Dad's eyes land on Ken as he speaks and my husband (husband!) tips his head slightly. "For every father, there's a little wistfulness attached to seeing his daughter marry, especially the youngest and last daughter, but as I can say from experience, any such feelings are easily levitated by knowing that she picked a good man."

I sneak a side-glance at Ken and see that he looks quite touched by Dad's words.

"When we first met Ken, we didn't quite know what to expect." Mum raises her voice slightly, addressing all the guests directly again. "What we didn't expect, but what struck us about the meeting, was the normalcy of it. Not, perhaps, the experience of sneaking into an empty restaurant via the back entrance and watching a sold-out concert from VIP seats, but certainly the relationship of Ken and Rilla. Despite the somewhat unusual circumstances, they were and they are, a normal couple. Now, I understand that might sound like it's not a nice thing to say, but in fact, it was this realisation that reassured me of one thing – that these two will make it."

Huh? Did Mum really see us go all the way to the altar at that first meeting? (I must make a mental note to check with her later!)

"Their relationship, alas, is probably the only thing that's normal about them, because they're otherwise very, very special" Dad pauses briefly for effect. "And no, I'm not saying that because of the very fancy place we're having this lunch at, nor the very sparkly object on my daughter's head."

"That's a crown, Grandpa!" Izzie calls out loudly, her tone one of exasperation.

"A crown," repeats Dad, chuckling, as the guests laugh. "My apologies, Isabella the Great."

Izzie, not usually being addressed as such, looks taken aback for a moment, but then a wide smile spreads over her face. I have a sure feeling she will henceforth sign everything with 'Isabella the Great'. Her teachers probably won't be amused.

When the laughter has subsided again, Mum adds, "You're both of you amazing people and as someone who's had the privilege of watching your love grow these past years, I need neither glass orb nor looking glass to predict that you will live a very happy, fulfilled life together."

"Here's to Rilla and Ken and very many happy, loving years together." Dad raises his champagne glass high into the air.

The guests, all hundreds of them, follow suit. Some call out, "to Ken and Rilla" and others, "to many happy, loving years". Me, I seek Ken's eye over the rim of my own glass and find him looking back at me, his gaze sure and loving.

From loving glances shared, alas, we move right on to the mundanities of the fish course, which, while delicious, doesn't feel as romantic. The unromantic fish course out of the way, however, it's time for the next speech and this time, both Owen and Leslie rise from their chairs.

Unusually, it's Leslie who speaks first. "This is not known to many, but I pride myself in having played a small role in bringing about the beautiful relationship that we're here to celebrate today. Over seven years ago, I got a call from my son in New York, asking me where he could get a certain white dress. Not being used to either of my sons buying dresses, I asked some careful questions and he revealed that the dress was for a young woman who'd made quite the impression on him – and who had, in his words, saved him the night before. There was something in his voice that made me take note, too, so I suggested he go deliver the dress in person. He did – and today, he married her."

"With the first two years of their relationship unfolding across the pond, it took a while for us to meet Rilla," Owen tells the guests. "In fact, I must admit that I turned up unexpectedly for our first meeting. Just as she impressed my son when first meeting him, she also certainly impressed me with both humour and intelligence that day. With no time to prepare, she took my sudden appearance very much in stride!"

Ha! I might have appeared like I was taking it in my stride, but only because he couldn't see into my head. I still remember how utterly dumbstruck I was by Owen suddenly materialising before me.

"After our respective first meetings with her, we've all been lucky to have gotten to know Rilla very well." Leslie, I notice, doesn't specify anything about our first meeting and I can't blame her. "She has been a true asset to our family in the best of times and a tremendous help during the difficult moments. Today makes it official and if that ever was in any doubt, we're very honoured to welcome you into our family, Rilla, but I think we all know that you've been a part of it for a long time already."

Great. If Mum and Dad's speech didn't already make me misty-eyed, this might yet do the trick!

"Leslie and I were blessed with three amazing children and this year, we gained two more wonderful daughters." Owen makes a point to smile first at me, then at Amy. "We're very lucky to have such incredibly children and I say that both as a father and as a monarch. I don't have any doubts that Ken will one day be a more than worthy successor to me, which I say not only because he's my son but also because he's so amazingly good at what we do. I'm very proud of you, Ken, of your work and your dedication, your conduct and your choices. Your choice of wife – or, perhaps, Rilla's choice of husband – is certainly one I whole-heartedly agree with."

Squeezing Ken's hand beneath the table, I glance over at him, only to find him looking at his father, his expression thoughtful but also quietly pleased.

"In Rilla," continues Owen, "Ken gains both a wife and a partner today and I have no doubt that together, they will meet every challenge ahead. Rilla, we've gotten to know you as a very caring person with a lot of love for life and for other people. You've already shaped those around you in the best possible way and I know without a doubt that you will do wonderfully well at everything that lies ahead."

Uh-uh. Definitely getting misty-eyed here!

"Others have spoken today about the strength of your love and it is something I've also observed time and again," Leslie tells us, looking directly at Ken and me. "You both brighten up many peoples' lives and I know you will continue to do so. You didn't, perhaps, always take the most direct path, but the obstacles you overcame just made you stronger as a couple. Today, your happiness shines very brightly and we who we love you couldn't be happier about that ourselves."

Both Owen and Leslie raise their glasses for a toast and so does everyone in the room, while I'm actually already busy blinking away tears. Ken, noticing it, smiles affectionately and smooths down a wayward strand of hair by my ear.

"I agree with everything said today," he murmurs while everyone else drinks to our health and happiness.

"So do I," I reply, smiling despite my treacherously watery eyes.

All those loving, wonderful speeches also make me curious to hear what Ken has to say and I'm a little impatient as the meat course is served. By the time the plates are finally cleared away, I'm even a bit jittery.

Ken stands and a hush of silence falls over the room.

"Please allow me to express my gratefulness," he begins. "I want to thank my parents, my parents-in-law and my old friend for their beautiful speeches. I want to thank all of you for coming to celebrate this special day with us. I want to thank everyone who worked hard to make sure that our wedding would be such a wonderful event. I want to thank all those who supported us on our path to get here, both together and individually. Most of all, though, I want to thank my wife."

He looks down at me, a note of pensiveness in his otherwise tender expression.

"The first draft of my speech had me call her 'my beautiful wife' here," he relates to the guests after a moment of pause. "That's the truth, of course, because she's never not beautiful. You can see for yourself how radiant she is today, but that's not the finery, nor the crown on her head. She's always a sight to behold, be it in her wedding dress, a pair of sweatpants or a purple minidress."

The purples minidress was, of course, added for my benefit, just like the crown was added for Izzie's. No-one else quite gets the joke, but when my eyes meet Ken's, we both grin widely, remembering our shared moment this morning. (Has it really only been a few hours? It feels like a lifetime.)

"Why then, you might wonder, did I choose not to call her 'my beautiful wife'," Ken continues. "The reason is simple – the description doesn't do her justice. I look at her in all her radiance and yet I know that her looks are really the least of her. She is funny, loving, brave, joyful, clever, practical, kind, selfless, gutsy, whimsical and above all others, she's the most caring person I know. She loves life and she embraces it to the fullest, enjoying the good moments with her entire heart and tackling the difficult ones with everything she can give. Though with her by my side, nothing about life ever feels truly difficult anymore."

Now, I'm crying in earnest.

Ken, however, still looks at me like he really thinks me the most beautiful vision to behold, nevermind that I'm about to turn into a blubbering mess. "Rilla, my incredible, admirable, wonderful wife. I love you. I could repeat those words until they lose their meaning and I wouldn't have said them enough. When you, quite literally, stumbled into my life, you lit it up from the inside and ever since, it has been so much brighter and more joyful than before. As we embark together on this next step in our journey, I can't wait to see what awaits us, because I know that when you're with me, in the end, there can only be happiness."

Impulsively, I get up from my chair, throw my arms around his neck and hold him tight. His own arms wrap around my body equally tightly and I feel him gently kiss my temple. Vaguely, I'm aware of the people around us applauding, but in this moment, they have no place. This moment belongs to the two of us.

It takes several seconds until I'm willing to step out of Ken's embrace again. As I do, I spot a handkerchief from the corner of my eye and gratefully accept it from a smiling Owen. Dabbing at my eyes (and hopefully not smudging my make-up beyond all reason), I turn to look at the sea of friendly faces.

"I haven't prepared any remarks and I also don't want to delay dessert for much longer, so I'll keep this brief, but I still want to say a few words," I begin, though without really knowing where I'm going with this. "I want to join Ken in saying thank you to everyone who's here today and to everyone who gave us support in the past, present and, hopefully, the future. Like him, I also want to extend my special thanks to all the people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this day perfect." My eyes seek out Dame Eileen and Pinkham standing by one of the doors and I give them a quick but heartfelt nod of gratefulness, meant for them as much as the rest of the staff.

Turning back to the guests, but picking up Ken's hand as I do, I continue, "I would love to tell you about the amazing man I married today, about his humour, his cleverness, his dedication, his caring nature, his surprisingly romantic streak… I could go on for while, actually, but we don't want dessert to melt." Laughter ripples through the room and I pause briefly, gathering myself. "I sometimes think I'm both the happiest and luckiest woman in the world, because I truly have it all. Two wonderful families, the most incredible group of friends and now, the most amazing husband I could possibly wish for."

Taking a deep breath, I turn to Ken. He looks back at me and smiles one of the brilliant smiles that always make my heart skip. "I love you," I tell him. "I have no words to say how much, but I know I love you so ridiculously that if I were someone else, I'd probably tease myself about it. I wouldn't even mind the teasing though, because I couldn't be prouder and happier to be your wife. Today truly marks the first of the happiest days of my life and you're the reason why."

I hear the guests react by cooing and clapping and even some whistles, but I don't see them, because Ken is already pulling me towards him again. He holds me close for a long moment and gives me a sweet, gentle kiss.

When we pull apart again, he grins widely at the guests, not embarrassed by the open affection at all. "Thanks for listening to us, now enjoy dessert," he remarks, clearly amused.

"But leave some space for the cake," I add quickly. "The cake is amazing!"

And it is. With a very delicious dessert eaten, we proceed to cut the cake (in style, of course, with Ken's fancy ceremonial sword) and not only is it possibly the most delicious cake I've ever tasted, there's not a whiff of lamb stew to it. Carrying our cake plates around the room, Ken and I spend a while mingling, but I don't think I've spoken to even a tenth of the guests before I'm summoned back into the care of Rhea and Pip, the better for them to prepare me for the evening party.

My second wedding dress is very different from the first. It has neither lace nor embroidery, instead being deceptively simple at first glance and only revealing itself to be a design masterpiece upon closer look. (Its neckline even recalls the dress I wore to the UN party all those years ago!) To go with the sleek style, Rhea places Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara on my head and simple diamond studs in my ears. There's another cloak to go with this dress, white and hooded with discreet silver embroidery along the border.

I didn't actually expect to wear the cloak, to be honest, until Seraphina excitedly suggests that Ken and I go take some more pictures in the now snowy grounds of the palace. It's dark outside by then, light snow still falling and the moon shining down. With Ken's black tuxedo and my white dress and cloak, with the tiara sparkling under the hood and with the snow contrasting against the night sky, I already know these photos will be my favourite set.

By the time we come back inside from this impromptu photoshoot, the party is in full swing.

Ken's friend Damian is the first to notice us enter. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he calls out loudly. "I present to you, The Prince and Princess of Wales!"

The Princess of Wales.

That's me, isn't it?

I'm a princess now.

(No wonder Izzie is extra pleased with me today.)

"Thanks Damian," that's Teddy, taking over. "Before my brother and new sister dance their first dance as a married couple, the bride's siblings want to entertain us with a dance of their own. Please welcome The Blythe Siblings and their version of the classic Canadian wedding tradition – the Silly Sock Dance!"

Uh-uh!

This can't be good.

In fact, this sounds like something only Jem could have cooked up and sure enough, he's the first one bouncing into the middle of the quickly cleared dancefloor. He's shoeless, revealing a pair of novelty socks showing –

Is that Monday?

Following Jem and all of them wearing silly socks of their own, are the rest of my siblings and their spouses. Not all of them look as excited as Jem, but they appear to be good sports about it. I don't see Jake, but Izzie is right by Jem's side, her own socks showing a ginger cat that is obviously meant to be George.

The music that comes on moments later is, naturally, The Log Driver's Waltz (because how could it be anything else?) and under the guidance of Jem and Izzie, everyone proceeds to start dancing – or hopping rather, because this is clearly meant to be as ridiculous as possible. It certainly delights the guest, who cheerfully clap along, with some even joining in after figuring out the choreography. (Seriously, there's a choreography!)

Me, I don't know whether to laugh or murder them, but since murder would be decidedly messy, I just settle on laughing instead. By my side, Ken is also laughing loudly, cheering and clapping along with everyone else.

(Just for the record, that I didn't murder Jem now doesn't mean I won't murder him later!)

The Log Driver's Waltz segues right into the The Little Black Fly Song, but with that over, the Silly Sock Dance winds to a merciful close. My siblings take their bows to rousing applause before yielding the dance floor to Teddy, who's still chuckling to himself. "Everyone, let's thank The Blythe Siblings for their energetic performance and the dedication they showed in embarrassing their sister."

I smile wryly as laughs ripple around the room.

"And now," continues Teddy, "for the first dance of the bride and groom."

Taking a deep breath, I allow Ken to lead me on to the dance floor as everyone else forms a loose circle around us. We practiced the dance beforehand, of course, though Ken created a lot of secrecy around the song he chose for us.

Thus, I wait curiously for the beginning of the song and –

Is that – ?

Did he really – ?

As I stand, dumbstruck, in the middle of the dance floor and listen to the band play the first notes of Johnny Logan's Hold Me Now, my mind flashes back to that day months ago when Ken threatened to set out first dance to a medley of the most awful 80s love songs he could find.

"You didn't," I choke out.

Ken just grins smugly. "Will you do me the honour of this dance, Your Royal Highness?"

Not giving me a chance to answer – and ignoring me opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water – he takes me into his arms and starts whirling us around the dancefloor. My body matches his movements instinctively as my mind still races to catch up. As it does though, I feel laughter bubbling up within me and finally spilling over. Ken beams at me, clearly more than pleased.

I guess it doesn't make for a very dignified or elegant sight as we dance to what does, indeed, turn out to be a medley of terrible and terribly cheesy 80s music, with me giggling uncontrollably and Ken dramatically mouthing the lyrics at me when he himself isn't overcome with laughter.

And yet… I don't care at all. This, after all, is us and as such, it couldn't be more perfect.

Because really, what better way is there to start married life than to do it laughingly?


The title of this chapter is taken from the song 'Both Sides Now' (written by Joni Mitchell, released by her in 1969).


To DogMonday:
I'm glad you're having a fun time with your family! Both summer and Christmastime do seem to have a habit of bringing families together, don't they? But yes, fun as it is, it can also be a bit exhausting at times. I hope you still have enough Me-time to recuperate between visits so you can fully enjoy them when they happen!
Yes, I actually don't think I can write weddings ;). Or perhaps it's just that I don't much like writing them? I just feel that there aren't very many ways to write them and it all starts sounding a bit same-y after all while - though I guess I escaped that by simply not writing any wedding in this story until now? Either way, I did decide to add humour to keep things interesting and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I also wanted the wedding to feel natural and not stiff, despite having to follow royal traditions up to a certain extent. After all, the bridal couple
should be able to enjoy themselves, right?
How does Rilla sign the marriage register? That's a good question, actually. Royals don't have surnames, so they just sign with their given name. Ken would therefore sign simply "Kenneth". For Rilla to sign as "Marilla" would be odd though, because of Grandmother Marilla. She could go even more formal and use "Bertha Marilla", but do you know, I see her just signing her name as it is - "Rilla". I mean, so what if it's technically a nickname? It's the name she's used all her life and the one she feels is
hers (despite the bishop going formal on her during the ceremony). For future formal occasions, she'll be The Princess of Wales and, later, The Queen, but I really see her just going by Rilla whenever she can.
Ken's outfit did get a bit of a description already, but it was before he put it on. When he takes Rilla back to Clarence House in the morning, he jokes about putting on his Red Disney Prince uniform (or something to that effect). I put that in as a nod to Prince William, who indeed wore a "snazzy" red uniform for his wedding. You may picture Ken wearing the same, as it seems to be the most formal one that the royals like wearing for the most important occasions.
I think I promised a meeting of the Blythe family and the royal family and as I'm not in the habit of breaking my promises (at least not knowingly), please be assured that it will happen. Not at the wedding (or, rather, we won't see it happen at the wedding, even though there's sure to be intermingling), but there are three more chapters to come after this one, so there's space to fill yet ;). And after that, there'll soon be more writing for me as well, because I'm already five chapters deep into my next story. The thing is, I'm honestly not sure how
not to write, so I suppose I will just keep going?