I crossed my arms annoyed at him as he made himself comfortable on my bed. "I feel like I'm 12 again" he said grinning.
"What is it Randy? What is it that you want to tell me that you just had to come at..." my eyes flickered to my alarm clock, "1:30am to talk to me about?"
Randy chuckled. "Gosh Lea, you seem to be in the nicest of moods" he said sarcastically, "Aren't you happy to see your best friend?"
"Not when it's the night before my wedding! Look you've done this to me before and I'm not letting you do this to me again. You can't just toy with me okay... wait till I'm about to move on and then get all romantic over me. If you had done this a year ago, I would have been open to this but now... now I'm completely and utterly in love with Wade" I said bravely, "I love him so much that even spending one night away from him makes me feel... incomplete. I'm going to get married to him no matter what you've come to tell me. I love him... he makes me happy and he loves me more than anything, I want to live the rest of my life who loves me unconditionally and doesn't change their mind whenever they see fit."
Randy looked at me disappointed and then he gushed, this sly grin appearing on his face as he looked up from the ground up to my face, across from where he was sitting. "This is how you feel?"
I nodded, "Yes Randy, I love you but as my friend but I think you know that I love Wade more than anything and it's him who I want to be with."
He stood up, stroking his chin and walking across my room. "It's ironic, Lea because you've just told me what I wanted to tell you."
"What?" I said, my eyes widening.
Randy made his hand into a fist and lightly jabbed my cheek, "I wanted to come see you sooner but I was with Natalya and I didn't want to be rude so I waited for her to leave before coming here. I came here because it's the last time I can probably ever see you without your husband standing by your side, it's the last time I'll get to sit in your room and chat with you... the last time I'll get to climb that wall, the last time for many things."
I blushed and my eyes fell to the floor in embarrassment, "Oh..."
Randy chuckled and then spoke, "It's okay Lea, you have every right to be angry at me for what I did last time you were about to get married, but you have to admit that if I didn't try I would have been such a fool. But anyway... we've both moved on to better partners, I can see how happy you are with Wade, he is the complete opposite of me and he loves you so much, he'd do anything to see you happy. You're a lot happier now than you ever were with John."
"You look a lot happier now with Nattie than with Ivana" I said, "Are you?"
I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted him blushing like a six year old child when I had mentioned the Canadian doctor's name.
"Natalya is a very special woman... she's smart, independent and incredibly beautiful. I love whenever we hang out together, we've been spending a lot of time together" he said.
"I'm happy as long as you're happy" I said.
"I wanted to talk to you about it but after what happened with the baby, I just wanted to leave you alone and not bother you" he said, "You doing alright since then?"
"I'm fine" I said, "It wouldn't have been a bother."
"Still... I would have found it really miniscule compared to what you were going through."
"You're my best friend Randy, I'm always still here for you" I said.
He nodded, "I know but it's a little different now, we're not six years olds playing in Bethany's backyard. You're going to be somebody's wife and now I've learnt to be on my own and live my own life. I feel like even though we were pushed apart we're still just as close, even with obstacles like the one of us being in love with the other... we've pushed past that and even though there's a little bit of love still there, I know that my heart is now with someone else, as is yours.
"I'm glad you came here" I said hugging him tightly, "We'll still be best friends forever."
Randy kissed the top of my head, "Always."
I hugged him tighter and then he pulled away, messing my long hair with his large hand. "Alright miss bride to be... better get some sleep. That prince that you were always yapping my ear of about is coming for you tomorrow."
I grinned as I watched him wink at me before climbing down the wall, "Bye Randy" I said waving down at him.
"Bye Lea" said Randy as he walked away.
...
The sun was shining brightly across the town and the sky was a radiant and clear blue, it was perfect weather for a hopefully perfect wedding. As Adele who was dressed in a beautiful figure hugging, royal blue, and knee lengthened dress handed me my wedding dress and helped me place it on. Stephanie who wore a scarlet skirt with matching jacket; held a small laced veil and intricately weaved it through my curled locks. I looked up at the mirror and almost cried in awe of myself; I felt beautiful. I placed a hand on the mirror as I stared at the smouldering dark brown eyes of mine which had been lined finely with black eyeliner at the top and lots of false lashes. But I loved how my bright wine stained lips looked. I stared at the beautiful veil which was flipped back so it was simply covering my dark chocolate curls and then finally the incredible Giorgio Armani strapless gown with mountains of ruffled lace and silk around the bonnet and small laced train. I felt incredible. Stephanie smiled as she handed me another box, "I think this will go with your outfit perfectly."
I grinned as my eyes flicked into what she had in the box, "My bracelet." I held my hand out as she clipped the diamond bracelet which Wade had given me for Christmas, around my wrist. "It's perfect."
"You look beautiful, Lea" said Adele.
"Thank you, so do you... Where's Phil?" I asked.
"He's already at the church, he must be checking in on his friend" she said winking.
I chuckled, "I can see that."
Dad walked into our conversation, he was dressed in a simple black three piece suit and his dark blonde locks were tied into a short ponytail. He looked at me and his eyes grew moist. "My baby!" he cried.
"Please don't start Dad, you'll make me upset" I said smiling up at him.
Stephanie grabbed Adele's wrist and the two left to go into the other room.
"Lea... you know how much I love you. You are the only think in this world that I'm proud of and for a person with such a big heart, I can't think of a better person to have all these joyous things happen to. Another thing I'm actually quite happy about is your choice in a husband."
My cheeks flushed in embarrassment he knew when it came to men, it wasn't always my strong point.
"But... I think you got it right in picking Wade to be your husband, he's a real gentleman and I know he'll treat you very well and keep you happy" he said, "I love the two of you very much and the world has tested the two of you, but you guys have proved that you two are destined for each other."
"Thank you Daddy for everything, I never felt the absence of a mother because you were always there for me" I said sweetly as I placed a kiss on his cheek.
His large arms took around my body as he hugged me, "You're Daddy's girl... I love you."
"I love you too" I said.
Stephanie walked into the room; she smiled happily watching us be together. "Lea? The car is here... are you ready?"
I took in a breath now feeling a thousand butterflies in my stomach but still feeling intense happiness and excitement, "I'm ready."
...
Wade stood in an empty room inside the church; he was dressed in a black tuxedo and finished off with a silver lock neck tie. His dark hair was gelled and combed to the back of his head. He stared outside to greenery outside of the church, the adrenaline surging through his body and he heard the chatter from the guests who were sitting outside. Drew stood with him, he was also wearing a tuxedo but with a forest green neck tie with his long brunette hair tied into a ponytail, one thread of hair fell to the side of his face. He slapped Wade on the shoulder and grinned, "Excited mate!"
Wade gave him a confident smile and nodded, "Of course I am."
"Well, today I guess I better stop thinking about Lea, not that she's going to be my new sister in law" said Drew.
"No jokes, Drew" he ordered.
"Who said I was joking?"
Wade shook his head and sat down on one of the chairs. Drew sat across from him, "But seriously, I'm so supportive of the two of you. Lea is a very nice girl and even though I think you may be punching above your weight, you'll two will be very happy."
"Thank you" said Wade.
Drew nodded respectfully, "I'm glad to be here for you, even if it's the second time."
They heard the door open and emerged our little daughter Adele; she looked just adorable in her white and pink laced dress that was embellished with pink crystal belt that wound around her waist. Her dark hair was pulled into a bun with glitter hairspray and fresh white roses were enclosed in. Wade grinned as she walked toward him, "Don't you look beautiful."
She was quiet and her expression looked a little worried, Wade and Drew noticed. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" Wade asked her.
"Mummy is out the front" she said bleakly.
Wade was confused, "She's here, already? No one told us to go out there."
She shook her head, "It's my real mother... she's out the front, Molly is trying to stop her."
Wade was concerned, "What would Nicole possibly want?" he asked Drew.
"I'll take care of it" said Drew, "You two sit here."
"I can handle her" said Wade.
Drew smirked, "I know you could, but today your ex wife isn't going to ruin this for you and your new wife, I'm your best man after all this is what I'm here for." Drew took off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves and walked out toward the front entrance.
He noticed Molly arguing with a petite woman who covered her face with large sunglasses. Drew furrowed his brow as he came in closer, "Nicole... How nice of you to come today, have you come to wish your ex husband well wishes for his new marriage?"
"Shut up Drew!" said Nicole pulling her sunglasses on top of her head.
Drew shook his head and then looked to an appalled Molly, "Thank you Molly, I'll handle this."
Molly nodded and went back inside. Drew then threw an angry glare at Nicole, "So what do you want, today of all days? Did you suddenly remember Wade now that he's getting married to someone else and is happy?"
"I want to speak to Wade" she said, "I need to speak to him."
"Wade?" he laughed, "You have no right to speak to him or anyone linked to him, especially Adele."
"She's still my daughter! I can get her back" she said, "I took her away from him once, I can take her again."
Drew shook his head, "I know you don't want Adele because you miss her, you want her so you get your hands on her father's money. Don't you remember Wade got you to sign Adele to him and Lea? You were a hopeless mother anyway."
"Like you can say anything to me, you're the most low life scum I've ever met in my life! You're so selfish and egotistical; all you think about is yourself... unlikely to think that Wade still is your friend" she bickered.
"Maybe because I didn't break his heart after he left so much to be with you, I didn't take his daughter away from him for years... Nicole, everything that is coming to you is called karma. You have lost everything and now someone else who is going to make your ex husband and now your ex daughter very happy" Drew said confidently, "Now I've already called the police, so unless you want to go behind bars for well... being you. I suggest you bugger off and never come back again because I swear if I see you near my best friend's family I will take it upon myself to destroy you."
Nicole glared at him, "Don't think so highly of yourself Drew, you're still that idiotic boy that I've always hated."
Drew chuckled, "And you will always be the bitch that everyone hates." He watched her walk toward her car and drive off. He grinned and then went back to see Wade.
Wade blew a breath out in relief as he saw Drew walk toward him, "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah no need to worry, the wicked witch is long gone."
Wade nodded and placed his hand on Drew's shoulder, "Thank you for that."
"No worries mate, now come on... everyone is waiting for us" said Drew, "Its time."
Wade blew out another breath and grinned, "Let's go."
...
The car arrived in front of the church, I could hear the chatter inside the church and my stomach was still doing flips. Stephanie and Adele helped me out of the car while Dad linked his arm with mine as we walked toward the entrance. Molly was holding on my flower girl's hand, I saw Adele's eyes light up when she saw me.
"Daddy told me tell you that you look beautiful" she said innocently.
"Thank you" I said kissing her cheek.
"You look like Cinderella" she said grinning.
"So do you" I said, "I like your basket."
She blushed and then stared down at her silver basket which contained white and red rose petals.
The wedding march began and I could feel myself stuck in fright. Dad kissed my cheek and lowered my veil over my face. "You'll be alright" he whispered in my ear.
I nodded and took another breath and then I watched as the younger Adele left to walk down the aisle, she carefully sprinkled the petals as well.
The elder Adele gave me a wink before she left to walk down the aisle. I held tightly to my bouquet which Stephanie handed to me, it was a beautiful arrangement of white roses and lilies. I gave her a hug after taking the bouquet.
"You look just beautiful" said Stephanie.
"Thank you" I said, I then turned to Molly who was standing opposite to her. "I love you, Molly."
"I love you too dear" she said smiling at me, "Now go live happily ever after."
I took another breath as I took a step forward with my Dad walking along with me, the music grew louder and I felt almost at awe at the turnout of family and friends who were all standing up and smiling at me as I walked. I then looked straight ahead and Wade's face and I could feel my heart melt into my stomach. He was looking at me like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. He looked so handsome, it felt so unreal. Dad walked me up toward the alter where he gave me another hug and then placed my hand into Wade's. He gave Wade a hug and whispered in his ear, "Take good care of her, she's my baby."
Wade smiled, "I will, sir." Dad then stood next to Stephanie in the first pew. Wade led me toward the minister and he pulled the veil over my face. "You look beautiful" he said to me.
My eyes looked into his, "So do you."
Drew cleared his throat, "Ahem...what about me?" Adele rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.
Wade held onto my hands, I then felt fine as I looked up at his signature smirk. The Minister then began starting the ceremony, I wasn't really paying attention I just kept staring at my soon to be husband's eyes and how happy I was.
"Do you promise to take each other as husband and wife?" asked the Minister.
"I do" I spoke.
"I do" spoke Wade.
The Minister began asking for our vowels and the rings, I looked over to the elder Adele who was holding onto the ring I was going to give Wade while Wade looked to Drew. The minister then asked for me to go first, I had decided to not write anything down but to say what was in my heart. I could feel my eyes grow moist as I looked up at him. "Wade... not only today am I getting a beautiful and loving husband but I'm getting an adorable and sweet daughter. I'm getting to be a part of your caring family and a family is something that I've always wanted. My Dad was the only family I had and he was a great parent it's something I want to uphold with our daughter and if we may have other children, I promise to be just as great of a parent to them as he was to me. I promise to love you always, to never leave your side and to always be there for you through every obstacle we hit. You are such an incredible man, you're financially successful and highly intelligent but the quality that I find the most endearing is the love that you have for your family and most of all for me. I have never felt the amount of love that you shower on me daily, you're always wanting me to be happy and to be smiling and I've never found a person with such genuine intentions and that's why I'm so happy to be your wife. I promise to make you just as happy as you've made me. It feels surreal that we're here today but I want you to know that most of all I love you."
I slid the gold band around his finger and wiped the tear that trailed down my cheek.
The minister then asked Wade for his vowels. He held the diamond encrusted band in his hand, "The moment I looked at you I knew you were something special. This beautiful woman comes to ask me for a job, how could I say no to your perfect face? Now years later I'd never imagine that you are now standing across from me about to become my wife. While you may never see this, you are a very strong woman with a very big heart. All I've ever wanted was for someone like you to love someone like me and then here you are standing in front of me. I was living for a long time alone with nobody to really call my own, but if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have found my beautiful daughter, yet my family was still missing something. We needed you to become a part of us, we needed you to hold us together and most of all I needed you. Since you've entered my life, that darkness was gone and every time I saw your face, I began to see those little traces of light. Now my life has completely changed and all I want to do as your husband is promise to keep you happy until we grow old together. I just want to wake up next to you every day and go to sleep next to you every night. I promise to always love you until I breathe my last breath on this Earth, I will love you forever Lea."
I was still emotional after hearing his speak his beautiful vowels. He slid the ring onto my finger and we both grinned at each other happily.
"Now, if there anyone who thinks that these two should not be together... speak now or forever hold your peace" spoke the minister.
I could see Drew looking around at the guest almost as if someone might say something. I could even feel a bit of unease from Wade. But as I looked out at everybody they were all smiling at me. John had his arm around his wife while Randy and Natalya were looking very chummy.
"Well then... I now give to you, Mr and Mrs Wade Barrett" said the Minister.
Everyone screamed with joy and began standing up to give us a round of applause.
"You may kiss the bride" said the Minister. Wade winked at me before one hand moved to the small of my back and the other grabbed a scoop of my hair, he leaned in and kissed me passionately. My hands moved past his large arms and around his neck. He then pulled away and then pecked at my lips before we walked back down the aisle and Wade picked up Adele in his arms and we walked toward a limousine which was waiting for us. Wade opened the door and let Adele in and then helped me to sit inside and then he slid in next to me, the window dropped down and we waved at to the crowd outside. The car drove off and we kept waving until they were out of sight.
Adele became preoccupied by the television that was playing. Wade took my hand and kissed it gently, "We are now officially husband and wife, how does it feel?"
"It feels... right" I said stealing a kiss from him, "This is the happiest day of my life."
...
The reception was held at our home; by the time we arrived home our large home was decorated beautifully and filled with waiters who were serving all of the guests.
"It was a great ceremony, really beautiful" said Adele as she stood next to her fiancé.
"Those two are just great together" said Phil, "But I'm sure our wedding will top theirs." He kissed her forehead, before noticing her glass was empty. "Let me get you another drink, beautiful."
"I feel rude drinking in front of you" she said.
"You don't need to feel bad, anyway I like to take care of you when you get a little tipsy" he said kindly.
She pulled onto his shirt and laid a kiss on his lips. Phil grinned happily, "That makes me a little tipsy."
Adele chuckled, "Come back soon."
He nodded before leaving her. Adele felt someone else walk toward her, she felt herself want to throw up at the sight of him. She frowned and ignored him.
"Hello Adele" said the Scotsman considerately.
She continued to think he wasn't there.
"Look, I can see why you don't want to talk to me, but please let me apologize for being such a dick to you. I guess I never realised how lucky I was in having a girl like you until I let myself lose you. I regret that very much. But I thought we could at least get along for Wade and Lea" he said, "Brooks is a lucky guy and I know you're very happy with him but I just want you to know that I'd like it very much to be your friend."
She still didn't say anything.
"Alright, I was leaving to back to the UK anyway. I just stayed because I wanted to be there for my best friend's wedding. I have nothing to stay here for anyway" he said, "It was real pleasure to have met you Adele and I am truly sorry for making you feel any sorrow. I really made a huge mistake."
Adele sighed and then turned to him, "Wait Drew, you shouldn't leave... as much as I'd hate to admit it I'd miss you."
"You would?"
"Of course, everybody would besides I heard about Nicole and how you took care of her for Wade, that's what a real friend does. But that doesn't mean with one thing you're going to win everyone over especially Phil. You have to give him a reason to like you; you can't keep being this arrogant dick around him at work. Make him see your better side, one that keeps you friends with Wade" she said.
"I can do that" he said confidently, "I promise I'll start to act better with everyone."
Adele could see Phil standing a few metres away from them holding her wine and his can of soft drink. "Anyway, I have to get back to my fiancé, see you later Drew" Adele flashed him a smile before leaving him alone to be with Phil.
Drew stood there watching the engaged couple becoming quite close, Phil wrapped his arm around Adele's waist and went into kissing her neck. He watched them feeling this jealous urge, he then felt someone place their large hand on his back. Drew turned around and noticed Wade with an exotic looking woman, someone he was yet to meet.
"Wade! What happen to Lea?" asked Drew in lust over this gorgeous woman.
Wade laughed, "Drew, this is Ivana she's Italian and single... Ivana this is my friend Drew, he's Scottish and single. You can thank me later."
Ivana looked at Drew very enticed by the sight of him as Drew had obvious attraction to her. Wade grinned and left the two alone.
I was with Randy and Natalya; Randy had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. She was going nowhere.
"You look so beautiful Lea and Wade... wow what a fox!" said Natalya.
I laughed looking at Randy's reaction. "What?" he cried.
"I'm just saying he looked very handsome" said Natalya, "It's alright babe... you look great too."
Randy shook his head, "Barrett will be the end of me."
"Well... I'm officially a Barrett too so... yes I will be the end of you" I said grinning.
I felt someone wrap the arm around my waist and kiss my cheek, "My dear wife..."
"Yes my dear husband?" I said smiling at him.
"They're asking for everyone to be seated so they can make the toasts" said Wade as he grabbed my hand and led me to the table.
Drew and Adele were standing together, each of them holding a microphone. "Hello everyone" said Adele, "As you know I am the maid of honour and Drew here is the best man."
"Yes well I decided to go first, since Adele's speech is much better than mine anyway" said Drew, "Anyway, Wade and I go back a long time... He's a very loyal and caring friend, the best I've ever had. He's always there for me even if sometimes I always get myself in trouble; he's always there to dig me out. I'm very happy for him today; he seems to have found his Cinderella and is now going to live happily ever after. While it kills me to now that we can't have single guy nights out anymore, I know that he is much happier with Lea then he would going out looking for girls with me. So to Wade and Lea, I wish you lots of happiness in your marriage...I know it will be one of those marriages that I hope to have myself."
Everyone raised their glass at Drew's toast. "Thanks mate" said Wade nodding to him.
Drew respectfully nodded and then looked at Ivana who was sitting in the crowd; he then turned to Wade and gave him a thumbs up. Wade only took this as a positive sign that he was happy to have been introduced to Ivana.
Adele cleared her throat before giving her speech, "Lea is one of those girls that you always root for to win against all the odds and tonight it seems that she's finally won. She's got everything that she's wanted and rightfully so... I still remember when I had first met this lovely woman, we bonded over confectionary. But getting to call her my best friend was something that I was proud to do, I mean she taught me to have courage and that is how I am now engaged to my own fiancé. You've definitely met with Prince Charming and he is going to do everything he can in his power to make you his princess which you are tonight. I love you darling and I wish you and Wade all the happiness and love with your marriage. Cheers!"
"Cheers" everyone chimed.
"Thank you Adele" I said as I stood up to hug her, "That was so lovely."
"You're welcome" she said, "I hope for something like that at my wedding."
I smiled, "You got it."
...
It was 11:55pm and everyone was dancing together to the soft romantic music that was playing, I guess everyone had forgotten that is was New Years Eve. I clasped onto Wade as we moved together on the dance floor.
I looked out to the crowd around me, Adele was dancing with Phillip, Randy was with Natalya, Bethany was with her husband James, John was dancing with his wife Elizabeth, Molly was dancing with Peter, Drew was dancing with Ivana, Dad was dancing with Stephanie... even our daughter Adele had found herself dancing with Bethany's son Henry.
It was weird how time can change relationships, but I was only thinking about my new relationship. I had become Mrs Barrett, a title that I held highly and lovingly. I stared at my wedding band and then laid my head on Wade's shoulder.
I could feel Wade kiss my shoulder and then he slid his lips across my neck, against my jaw and then met my lips. "Today was one of the happiest days of my life" he said.
We could see a large TV screen being shown and a countdown was being shown. Everyone stopped dancing and looked at the screen, "10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone yelled.
Above us were clusters of coloured fireworks booming through the midnight sky. I looked at Wade and then felt his lips engulf mine powerfully. We had been kissing for what felt like minutes.
"Happy New Year Mrs Barrett" he said grinning at me after he pulled away.
"Happy New Year, Mr Barrett."
...
HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! LEA AND WADE FINALLY GOT MARRIED! Hope you liked this chapter, sorry you had to wait but was busy with actual New Year lol I hope all of you had a great New Year and please keep the reviews coming.