Chapter 6- The Party.
We had some more photos taken, some with everyone and some just of us. We took one in private where Daniel was kissing my tiny baby bump that we would keep and treasure forever. We did all this because the room was being transformed so that we could have a disco.
When the room was ready for us everyone else went in. Daniel and I had to wait for a while because they would announce us and we would cut our cake and have our first dance. This gave us an opportunity to take more photos involving the bump. We had some more where Daniel was kissing it, some where we were both caressing it, some where it was just me looking down at our growing baby and some where it was just Daniel caressing the bump. How our lives were going to change in a few months' time. Part of me was worried a little because we were barely in our twenties, just married and about to be parents. We had no idea what it was going to be like, we were living in the attic of my parent's house and the only thing we had to give it was love.
We were walking back to the reception and luckily enough, Sally and Sam were walking out to get us.
"We're ready for you." She said smiling.
"It's a good party, "said Sam, shaking Daniel's hand, "I'm sorry I missed the ceremony, but I had an important meeting at work." He smiled and kissed me on the cheek. "Congratulations guys!" he said.
"Thanks!" I said.
"And don't worry about missing the service. I understand what work can be like so does Abi." He smiled, "We're glad that you're here."
"Anyway," I interrupted, "we had better go in."
"Oh yeah," said Sally, "Cake time!"
I laughed and we all headed in, I was arm in arm with Daniel. As we walked in, everyone cheered and clapped. Amber and Phoebe rushed over and hugged our legs. Eventually, after hugs and kisses and backslaps, we made it to the table where the cake was. It was a beautiful cake, three tiers, decorated in lilac icing. A bride and groom stood at the top and little blue and pink rose petals cascaded down the sides.
"It's so beautiful, I don't want to cut into it!" I said, laughing.
John handed Daniel his sword from the army. Daniel held it over the cake, he had one hand on the sword and one arm round my waist. I did the same and put my other hand on top of his. We took a breath and plunged the sword into the cake. Again, everyone clapped and cheered. I stood on my tiptoes to kiss Daniel and his kissed me back, softly and tenderly.
After that we joined in with some of the dancing before performing our first dance to "Amazing Grace" sung by Alfie Boe. It was like magic dancing with Daniel and I just let myself be guided by him, following his every moment as if in a dream. For a moment time and space seemed to vanish and it was just Daniel and I against the world. I knew he would be going away soon and I was determined to make every moment I had with my husband last.
All too soon the music ended and I was stood with my head against Daniel's chest and he had me in a warming embrace. Distantly, we could hear everyone cheering and clapping but that didn't seem to matter. All that mattered was that we were now husband and wife and that we were together, against all odds.
The rest of the night passed smoothly. I didn't see Anthony and Karen again (my parents) and I assumed they had left. Part of me felt bad. My parents hadn't seen me in over 12 years and I had sent them packing again because of something I had caused, something I had done. But part of me was glad. It meant that I didn't have to explain to anyone what had happened and how my parents were alive. I knew that I would have to involve them in my life again as they would be grandparents but I was hoping that I would be able to keep it from them. Daniel and I danced all night. Right then, at that moment, I was 12 years old again, dancing away in my room, winding up Sherlock with the volume of music.
I went up to the DJ stand and requested a microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," I said as the music died down. "Since you have been so wonderful and generous and kind, I am giving you a once in a lifetime experience. I am a fan of the musical Les Miserables and when I first watched it, there was a song that struck me and my dad, Sherlock. It fitted our story perfectly. Many of you won't know that Dad has an amazing voice and so for one night and one night only, I have persuaded him to give you a performance."
Everyone clapped as Dad came up, took a bow and a mic.
He began to sing: "Suddenly you're here, suddenly it starts. Can two anxious hearts beat as one? Yesterday I was alone, today you are beside me. Something still unclear. Something not yet here has begun." Everyone clapped and cheered him on.
I began the next part: "Suddenly the world seems a different place, somehow full of grace, full of light. How was I to know that so much hope was held inside me? What has passed is gone, now we journey on through the night." Again, there was applause and a whoop from Daniel.
Sherlock continued: "How was I to know at last that happiness can come so fast? Trusting me the way you do, I'm so afraid of failing you." He took my hand as he sang and I turned to face him, "Just a child who cannot know that danger follows where I go. There are shadows everywhere and memories I cannot share."
We sang next part together, never losing eye contact: "Nevermore alone, nevermore apart. You have warmed my heart like the sun. You have brought the gift of life and love so long denied me. Suddenly I see what I could not see. Something suddenly has begun."
There was an eruption of cheering as we finished the song. I curtseyed and Sherlock took a bow. As I stepped down from the platform, I was greeted by Daniel, who had tears in his eyes. He kissed me and whispered in my ear, "How is it that I am so lucky to have a wife as talented as you are?" I didn't reply. I just kissed him passionately and with an urgency that he understood.