Chapter 77
Nic finished the dress and took it out form the sowing machine. She stood back and looked at it on the tailor's dummy. The long gauzy material was beautiful. She was so proud of it especially the fact that she had designed and sown it in less than two days.
She picked up her phone and looked at the messages from Ruby and Annie. Grinning she texted them back walking down the stairs and out of the house. She didn't see Geoff pull up in his car and park a little way off.
Geoff saw Nic grinning as she looked at her phone and tried to stop the flood of jealousy that went through him at the thought that maybe she was texting some guy. He groaned and climbed out of the car to look at the house. Taking a deep breath and looking round to make sure that Nic wasn't on her way beck he used his key to open he door. He stepped inside feeling strangely at home and at the same time an intruder.
He took in the blue walls, and white woodwork. The long blue curtains and the throw cushions she had made. He looked on the sofa and saw even more cushions and groaned. He saw that she had the TV set up and a brand new DVD player. It looked like she was planing to spend more time in the house and a sudden image of someone other than him sitting beside her on the sofa was crippling. He went through to the kitchen and looked at the coloured canisters on the worktop the kettle and cups. This should have been his home.
It was at that moment that he looked out of the window and into the garden. Even that had been tamed. He did a double take when he saw the tree. Barely 3ft high he recognised it immediately. He groaned again unable to believe what he saw, what he'd thrown away. She'd kept it growing even after they broke up. Even after they had gone to separate colleges for a while. He shook his head and turned around and walked slowly out of the house.
He drove over to the beach house lost deep in thought. Wondering if there was some way he could salvage their relationship.
"Hello." He called out.
Ruby and Annie were sitting on the sofa.
"Geoff." Annie exclaimed. "Welcome home." She cried cheerily.
She stood and put her arms around him.
"Yuk" she said, "You need a shower." She told him.
He found himself bundled into the bathroom without knowing quite how it happened. Still he had time for a long shower before he met with Nic on the beach.
Ruby grinned at Annie.
"Good Job." She said to her.
"Ok Rubes go get the dress and the shoes from Nic's." Annie said detailing the next stage of the plan.
Ruby grinned as she left.
Irene and Leah put the finishing touches to the food, Colleen's cake was pride of place, and put up the closed sign before letting themselves out. They walked down to the Surf Club meeting up with Rachel and Tony on the way.
Miles and Ollie stood next to Harry and listened as he told stories about Ella to anyone who listened. Miles had the feeling that if Ella were there she would definitely be a little annoyed. Miles grinned.
Mike paced nervously. He had a speech to say later and could remember it despite the fact he had a photographic memory. He straightened his shirt up and groaned. Aden walked over to him.
"Alright little bruv?" Aden asked.
"No, I'm gonna puke." Mike confessed. "Why did Nic get me to do this?" he asked.
"Because you can." Aden said. "Just think how happy Ella and Roman will be."
"Thanks Aden like I didn't need the extra pressure." Mike groaned.
Aden chuckled.
"Mike you will do fine." He put his hand on his 'brothers' shoulder.
Nic came out of the surf club. She had curled her hair and left it loose. The make up was minimal. She was wearing jeans and a white smock top. She had on the choker that Geoff had given her and a couple of blue flowers in her hair. She was barefoot.
Aden and Mike had to do a double take. She had never looked so beautiful.
She walked to the archway where Pastor Frank was waiting. She grinned at something he said and then held her hand out for Amy-belle to join her.
Aden grinned at his daughter. She had worn jeans like Nic but had teamed it with her Princess dress. She looked over and saw him and waved. He and Mike waved back.
They saw everyone taking seats. Aden moved over to where Belle and Brett were sitting and sat on the seat they have saved for him. He caught hold of Belle's hand and smiled at her.
Mike went and sat near Ella. He looked at her and turned pale.
Ruby stood at the back and gave Nic the signal. She grinned at her.
Feeling her phone vibrate she opened it and saw the text form Annie to say they were on their way.
She smiled and turned to face everyone.
"He is on his way." She said.
The gathering laughed and some of them clapped.
They waited and after a few minutes. Geoff and Annie turned up.
"Annie what is this?" Geoff asked his sister.
"You need to go stand down there." Annie said and gave her brother a push.
Irene laughed.
He walked nervously down to join Nic.
"Geoff, I got you here under false pretences. I don't want to talk about the house. I stand before you today in jeans and almost make up free." She paused as a few people chuckled. "and barefoot because I want you to know that nothing matters to me except you."
She knelt down on one knee and looked up at him.
"Geoffrey Campbell, will you marry me?" she asked him presenting him with a thin silver band.
He grinned.
"Are you joking of course I will." He said and blushed when everyone laughed.
She stood up and placed the ring on his finger.
"Now?" she asked gesturing to the waiting pastor.
Geoff grinned and picked Nic up holding her full length against his body as he kissed her long and hard.
"I think that is a yes." Aden shouted out.
Frank coughed and Geoff reluctantly let her go.
Aden came and stood next to Geoff.
"Dearly Beloved." Frank began. "We have been kidnapped you all here today, especially the groom to witness the marriage of Nicole and Geoffrey. We hope that we can get Geoff to commit before he disappears again."
Geoff groaned.
"Ok Aden you wrote these didn't you." Geoff said to him.
"I may have done Bible boy." Aden smiled.
A smattering of laughter went through the crowd.
"It is a time of celebration, for two people have come together and found mutual joy. They have shared their lives and decided to create a covenant between themselves, a partnership guided by spirit and support by our community here in Summer Bay. Geoffrey and Nicole ask all you in attendance in body and spirit to pledge your support and encouragement for them to keep true to their vows." Frank said softly. "You have the rings?"
Aden chuckled as he checked his pockets. After a moment, Brett walked up to him and handed him the jewellery box.
He looked over at Nic and grinned.
Frank turned to Nicole and she took the ring from the bible and placed it on Geoff's finger.
"I. Nicole Harris take you Geoffrey Campbell to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." She paused. "See I've been practising." She said to Geoff with a smile.
"Only like ever night!" Mike shouted out.
Geoff grinned and picked up the platinum band and slid it on her finger as he recited his vows.
"I. Geoffrey Campbell take you Nicole Harris to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer and no I won't give you a credit card, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." He vowed.
Nic laughed.
She turned to look at her dad and saw the Ella was grinning at him. He looked at her proudly. She wiped a tear from her face and mouthed the words that she loved him.
Frank looked at them again and smiled before beginning to speak again.
"And you begin your journey of life shared, separate beings that have come together into one light, one love. Many are the years you will share if you keep your vows, your sacred trust. May you take delight in each other for all your days. You are forever changed from this day forward. May you grow old together and share a happy home. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You can kiss the bride again."
Geoff grinned and took Nic into his arms and kissed her once more lifting her off the sand below their feet.
"You can stop kissing the bride now." Aden said after a moment.
Geoff gently lowered her and she chuckled.
The congregation stood up and applauded.
Nic smiled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." She began taking hold of Geoff's hand and squeezing it. "Some of you know that the past few weeks we have been dealing with a few things. Well can I ask my Mum and Dad to stand up. And I do mean you Ella."
Roman stood and dragged Ella to her feet.
"I've arranged a little surprise for you. Ella if you'll go with Ruby please and Dad if you'll go with Aden. Oh, and we need your wedding rings."
"Nic." Ella protested but Annie and Ruby came and fetched her. Roman went with Aden.
Nic turned to Geoff.
"Was that romantic enough for you? I mean do you feel loved now? Because I do, Geoff. I don't want anyone else but you from today until Death do us part."
"I love you Nic. I am sorry I let my doubts hurt us. I just thought that you could do better than me. I never climbed into your window or braved your Dad in a bad mood or…"
"Only save me from Elliot, thumped Darren, never left me alone when I was hurting, was always someone I could talk to even though I must have hurt you with some of the things I was telling you. I love you Geoff. You are my hero."
He smiled at her and took her in his arms.
She looked up and saw Ruby making frantic signals and grinned.
Aden led out Roman out after he'd changed into the suit that Nic had picked out for him. He frowned at her and she smiled in response. Aden leaned over and said something and Roman removed his wedding ring and gave it to him.
He looked up as he heard the wedding music begin to play and saw Ella start walking toward him with Mike escorting her down the aisle. She was wearing a long flowing gown in a pale cream colour. Her hair was curled and left loose around her face. His breath caught in his throat as he looked at her.
She arrived at his side.
"I love you." He blurted out.
She grinned and handed Aden her wedding ring as she had been instructed to.
"Dearly beloved, On a solemn occasion such as a wedding I have never had to be sworn to secrecy not once but twice. We are here today because it is obvious these two love each other and they didn't have the wedding they should have done." Pastor Frank began. "Roman Harris do you take Ella, I'm not allowed to say her full name, as your wedded wife still?"
Roman grinned.
"Can I take a moment to think about it?" he asked.
Ella glared at him.
"Yes, I do, I most certainly do." He said looking at her.
"Do you Ella, I'm not allowed to say your full name, take Roman as your husband still?"
"Yes." She said softly.
"Normally we let you exchange vows at this point but I understand that Nicole and Mike have prepared something."
Roman looked over at them.
Nic and Mike stood together.
"Mum and Dad, we love you. We have done this today to show you what you mean to us and how much your support has meant." They said together.
Mike looked over at Ella and grinned.
"Mum you took me in and looked after me. You never complained and I want you to know how much I value you even though I may not always say it." Mike said. "And now you have given me a wonderful Dad and new family. Thank you."
He looked at Nic and grinned.
She placed her hand on his shoulder and nodded at him.
"Dad, when I came to Summer Bay you were my protector and my mentor. Then I gave you a chance and you became my Dad. I can't tell you how much you have guided me. Now you've given me something precious, I have a Mum. Well, another one, anyway. She has cared for me and shown me how to be compassionate even when something hurts her. She held me when I fell apart, just when I knew she needed us most but as my new brother said she never complained. Thank you both for the wonderful family you have both given me."
Nic finished and looked over to see Ella having to wipe tears from her face.
"You may say something now as you exchange rings."
Roman looked at Ella.
"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." He said and saw her smile. He picked up her ring and slid it onto her finger.
Ella picked up his ring.
"I give you this ring to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." She murmured.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Still." Frank said softly. "You may kiss the bride."
Roman looked at her.
"I love you." He said and kissed her gently on the lips.
She grinned.
"I love you too."
They turned and looked at the standing ovation they had from everyone there.
Nic came over to them.
"You aren't mad are you?" she asked.
Ella grinned.
"No." she said.
"Congratulations Mrs Campbell." Roman said to her.
Nic blushed.
She turned to everyone.
"Ladies and Gents. If you would like to go back to the Diner there is some food and drinks laid on." She said.
They began walking toward the diner.