A/N: Sorry for the wait, I've been really busy lately! Anyway, thank you for all the reviews and favourites etc so far and I hope you enjoy this next chapter :D bits of Ray's Best Man speech were taken from online sources (therefore I don't own) as I have no idea what a Best Man would say haha! Also, I don't own the song lyrics :D I only own my plot and new characters! Heehee love Roxannaaaax
What with having a baby, solving crimes at work, fending off her senior officer's advances and juggling her complicated relationship with the father of her child, Alex couldn't wait to get away from it all, even for just one day.
Chris and Shaz's wedding was creating a beautiful little fairytale bubble that Alex could throw herself into and forget about the real world, and she couldn't wait to celebrate their special day with them. It was now the night before, and emotions were running high.
In the two weeks running up to the wedding, Shaz had been extremely excited. Alex accompanied her shopping for the last minute bits and they talked for hours about the details of her wedding dress. Chris was even starting to get into it as he bought a new suit, and a decent one as Shaz wanted. The weather was beginning to look up as well as the first hints of summer sun began to creep through the day before Chris and Shaz's late May wedding.
Alex had just left Shaz's hen party down at Luigi's and thanked Debbie for looking after Zac. After seeing her childminder out and kissing her sleeping baby boy's forehead, Alex laid out her dress for the wedding. She wanted everything to be perfect for Shaz tomorrow. Gene had promised Alex that he wouldn't let Chris do anything stupid at his stag do, and he'd also promised to keep Ray in line too. Alex didn't want anything to go wrong for Shaz. Her friend deserved the perfect wedding. Chris and Shaz had been engaged for nineteen months, since before Operation Rose and Alex's shooting. They had supported the team through many extremely difficult events, mainly circling Alex, and now the time had come to celebrate their happiness.
Debbie was babysitting Zachary all day tomorrow. Alex wanted her son to be part of the wedding, but he was at that stage where he was crying loudly at random times and Alex didn't want to be the embarrassed woman escorting her baby out just as the vows were about to be uttered. Plus, she new Zac would grab a lot of attention, and this was Shaz's day.
Alex's dress was tight-fitted and a beautiful turquoise colour. It had ruffles on the shoulders with a deep V showing enough cleavage without bounding on disrespectful in the church. The dress finished mid-thigh, and Alex was pairing it with black heels. Shaz was having her younger sister and her niece as bridesmaids with her older sister as Maid of Honour. Chris' Best Man was Ray, and his nephews were pageboys. Alex thought they looked wonderful at the rehearsal.
When Gene asked her to be his date at the wedding, Alex couldn't possibly say no. She made it clear however that this did not mean they were back together or seeing each other and it did not give him license to make a move on her. They were going as each other's dates, but as friends. As a man and a woman who cared about each other, who shared a child, but were friends.
Checking on Zac one last time before she got into bed, Alex smiled to herself. There was so much shit in the world, but things like her baby Zac and Chris and Shaz's wedding just made everything all right again.
-xx-
"God Bolls, they haven't even said 'I do' yet and yer already bloody bawling," Gene teased Alex fondly the next day. Alex nudged him playfully, gratefully wiping her eyes on the handkerchief that he passed to her.
Shaz had just walked up to the altar to stand with Chris, a beautiful vision of white. The vicar was going through their vows and Alex was welling up already from her seat in the third row next to Gene.
Chris looked smart, and as did Ray. They had really made an effort. Haircuts, washed hair, clean fingernails, smart suits…and in Alex's opinion, it couldn't be more perfect for Shaz as everyone in the church listened intently to the couple's vows.
Gene slipped his hand down and found Alex's, squeezing supportively. She squeezed back, trying not to smudge her makeup from her tears.
As Ray handed Chris the rings, Alex felt herself welling up again. She had always loved weddings. There didn't seem to be a dry eye in the church as Chris and Shaz tied the knot, and everyone stood up to applaud the happy couple as they kissed. Alex could've sworn there were tears in Gene's eyes too.
The reception was being held in a fancy hotel, paid for by Chris' parents as a wedding gift. It was magnificent, with grand pillars holding up the wondrous ceiling and a golden chandelier sparkling above. In the main hall, the chairs were white with dark pink silk bows around them, giving it that perfect touch. The tables were round with a cream table cloth coating in, topped with a beautiful bouquet of pink and white flowers in the middle of each one. The buffet was across from the dance floor, as was the wedding cake and the small 80s music system and its DJ. Outside, thanks to the May sunshine, there were tables under the protection of those giant, decorated umbrellas and a bar for the alcohol. Wooden steps led into the main hall with the tables, and there was a huge fancy scroll which allocated the tables for the reception plan.
Alex, of course, was sitting next to Gene. She didn't mind this at all as they had been getting on better than ever, but she really didn't want one thing to lead to another. She just hoped Gene would continue to respect her decision to separate and keep his hands to himself.
Dinner was a choice between a chicken and mushroom concoction or a beef stew, with the option of a vegetarian dish instead. Both choosing the chicken, Alex and Gene chatted away to Viv and the other detectives of CID that they had been allocated a table with.
Alex looked up to the top table and smiled as she caught Shaz's eye. The young WPC looked beautiful, as did her new husband and their families.
Music was playing as the reception hall was full with chatter as everyone talked and ate. The excitement and happiness was electrifying, something which Gene and Alex had not felt for a long time.
"Debs got Zac then?" Gene asked Alex through mouthfuls of food. Alex nodded.
"I'm paying her extra for the night," she explained, "he's only seven weeks old, so I didn't think Chris and Shaz would appreciate him crying."
Gene pouted. "Fair enough. Getting on for two months now, 'ey? My little lad. He's growing up."
"He is," Alex smiled, "I love him so much."
Gene looked directly into her eyes. "Me too, Bolly."
Alex beamed, her eyes connecting with his. Suddenly, she wrinkled her nose.
"Mushrooms," Alex said quietly, not wanting to attract attention, "I'm not very keen on them. But I don't want to leave it."
Gene looked round quickly. "Want me to 'ave it? I'll sneak it off yer plate, Bolls, don't you worry."
Alex giggled. Biting her lip, she nodded. "Yeah…please. Here…"
Gene quickly scooped up the mushrooms and stuffed them in his mouth, sauce threatening to spill from his lips.
"Mucky pup," Alex teased him, grabbing a napkin and dabbing at Gene's lips. Gene sniggered as Alex shuffled towards him, placing one hand on his shoulder as the other wiped the sauce from his mouth.
"There," Alex grinned, satisfied, but not moving the hand that was resting on Gene's shoulder. They stared into each other's eyes, neither one wanting to break the connection. Gene moved his hand to place it on top of Alex's on his shoulder, lightly rubbing the smooth skin.
"Bolly…" he murmured, only for the moment to be shattered by the tinkling of glasses. Gene and Alex jumped, tearing their gazes away from each other as Ray stood up to give his Best Man's speech and toast to the bride and groom.
Alex snatched a look at Gene, smiling awkwardly as she turned back to face Ray. Gene smiled at the back of her head, wishing that he could just lean over and kiss her. Sighing, Gene turned his attention to Ray and prayed to God that he wouldn't make a tit out of himself in front of all these people at Chris and Shaz's wedding reception.
Ray stood up, shuffling nervously as all eyes were on him. Looking out to the tables, he caught Alex's eye and she gave him a huge, Hollywood smile, making his confidence soar. Returning the smile, the DI cleared his throat.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen - my name is Raymond Carling and I'm the Best Man," Ray began, "now it's said that being asked ter be the Best Man is like being asked to make love to the Queen – it's a great honour but nobody really wants ter do it!"
Ray paused for the laughter to die down as he grinned in confidence. Gene snorted, resulting in Alex elbowing him with a smirk.
"But, even so, I still agreed to be Chris' Best Man and I'm sure you'll agree that my first duty - that of getting Chris to the church, sober, on time and eventually married - was a complete success. But I wouldn't 'ave it any other way, because as well as being a bit of a twonk, Chris is a damn good police officer and me best mate."
Gene led the claps as the reception began to applaud, smiling slightly as Shaz beamed at Ray and then kissed Chris on the cheek.
"I must say, how this div managed ter get Shaz, I will never know," Ray continued, "she's funny, ballsy, friendly, fun and pretty, and I know they'll make each other very happy. Chris and Shaz share the same core values and I'm sure their relationship will continue to grow. Chris told me that he thinks of Shaz often when he's away from her…especially on police duty when he handcuffs somebody. I'm not sure what that means but I know that no other woman has ever made such an impression."
Gene snorted once more as Alex giggled, lightly resting her arm on his. Gene had to fully concentrate on Ray to stop the blood flowing south as this infuriatingly sexy woman got closer to him.
"The only quality Chris slightly lacks is intelligence. For example, when Shaz came back off holiday once we were due to pick her up from Gatwick Airport. So, as yer do, you ring the airport first to make sure that the flight is going to be on time, but as we didn't 'ave the number I told Chris ter phone directory enquiries, which he did. As we all know when you ring directory enquiries the person answers and says 'DIRECTORY ENQURIES WHAT NAME IS IT PLEASE'. Now, we're all intelligent people in this room, so what would yer say if you were ringing directory enquiries to find the telephone number for Gatwick Airport and the woman at the other end says 'what name is it please?'. If we're on the same wavelength you would say 'Gatwick Airport'. So what does Chris say? 'IT'S CHRIS!'."
The reception erupted with laughter as Chris blushed, joining in with the chuckling in embarrassment.
Ray grinned. "But as much of a div Chris may be, I know he's going ter make Shaz very happy, and she'll do right by 'im. And I can say its an honour to be their colleague and their friend. Now, if you'll please be upstanding for the happy couple, the bride and groom, Christopher and Sharon Skelton!"
Alex beamed with pride as the reception toasted to Chris and Shaz, cheers and claps filling the place. Ray's speech was perfect. She almost felt herself welling up again.
"Tears coming again, Lady B?" Gene smirked at her, placing a hand delicately on Alex's waist.
Alex nudged him. "Oh shush," she muttered with a grin.
Gene put his arm around Alex as they watched Chris and Shaz cut their cake a little while later. Neither of them were drunk, but neither wanted to fully make a move either. Alex didn't want this and Gene respected her too much to try it on. Squeezing her in a friendly gesture, they both applauded the bride and groom as they fed each other bits of the glorious cake.
"And now," the DJ's voice echoed, "the bride and groom would like to share their first dance."
Alex's heart melted as Chris led Shaz onto the dance floor. She smiled as Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart began to play, watching as Chris tried his hardest to dance well enough for Shaz. Shaz giggled when he missed a step, and then kissed him tenderly on the lips. It was so romantic in Alex's opinion.
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
A tear dropped from Alex's eye as Shaz was wrapped into Chris' arms as their parents joined the dance floor hand-in-hand. That was one thing that was missing from her own wedding. Her father never walked her down the aisle. Her mother and father never danced. And Pete didn't even really love her.
Wiping her tears, Alex cleared her throat and touched Gene's arm. "I'm just going to get a drink," she said, trying to sound happy.
Gene picked up on her sadness straight away. "Alex, are you okay, sweetheart?" he worried, rubbing her arm soothingly.
Alex nodded. "I'm fine. I'll be back in a minute."
"Are yer sure yer don't want me ter –"
"No, its fine. I'll just be a sec."
But Alex resigned herself to the corner on her own, sipping her wine delicately as she looked on at the wedding from the side. David Bowie's Let's Dance had just played as everyone got up on the dance floor to have a good time, but now everyone was folding into the arms of someone from the opposite sex. Alex realised why as a loving slow song began to play.
Bah-bah-bah-baaaaah-bah…
Alex closed her eyes and smiled slightly. She loved this song. Spandau Ballet – True.
Watching the couples get closer, Alex's heartstrings were tugged. She missed this. Intimate contact. Romance. Love.
So true
Funny how it seems
Always in time, but never in line for dreams
Head over heels, when toe to toe
This is the sound of my soul
This is the sound
I bought a ticket to the world
"Bolly?"
Alex looked up. "Gene?"
But now I've come back again
Why do I find it hard to write the next line
Oh I want the truth to be said
Gene shuffled closer to her. "How are yer, Bolls?"
Alex smiled weakly. "I'm all right. Thank you."
I know this much is true…bah-bah-bah-baaaaah-bah…
Gene looked up from underneath his eyelashes, appearing nervous. "Do you…er…"
Alex tilted her head. "Yes, Mr Hunt?"
With a thrill in my head and a pill on my tongue
Dissolve the nerves that have just begun
Listening to Marvin all night long
Gene swallowed. "Do yer…want ter dance, Bolls?"
Alex smiled, offering her hand out to him. "I would love to Gene," she beamed. Gene grinned back, taking her hand carefully and threading his fingers through hers. Leading Alex to the centre of the dance floor, he winked at Ray as his DI gave him the thumbs-up in encouragement. Shaz grinned when she saw Gene and Alex together. Gene beamed down at Alex, gently placing his hands on her hips as she wrapped her arms around his neck, their bodies extremely close. Alex tilted her head to rest it on Gene's shoulder as he kissed her hair, rubbing circles on her waist.
Always slipping from my hands
Sand's a time of its own
Take your seaside arms and write the next line
Oh I want the truth to be known
I know this much is true
This is the sound of my soul
This is the sound...
I know this much is true
Alex brought her head up, eyes meeting Gene's. There seemed to be an energy, pulling them closer and closer together. Alex let one hand move from his shoulders to caress his cheek, still staring into his eyes.
I bought a ticket to the world
But now I've come back again
Why do I find it hard to write the next line
Oh I want the truth to be said
Gene knew he wanted this. Her wanted her. He always had done, and these months had been absolute agony without Alex. There had been no-one else. No casual shags, no one night stands, no revisiting his poisonous bitch of an ex-wife for round two. Alex was the woman he wanted, but up until this moment, he was convinced that she did not want him.
Alex was not drunk. She was in control. She knew what she was doing, yet why couldn't she stop herself? It seemed like an age before Gene and Alex finally closed the gap, their lips mutually meeting as they tasted the wine on each other's tongues, their mouths moving in time with one another's. The kiss was gentle, passionate and loving. It seemed to go on forever as Gene's hands found Alex's arse and she ran her fingers through his hair.
I know this much is true
I know this much is true
This much is true
I know this much is true
Alex and Gene broke apart, gazing up at each other. Gene smiled, his eyes never breaking that connection. Biting her lip, Alex couldn't control it. She smiled back.