Chapter 35

The next morning rolled around slowly and Connie woke up peacefully beside Jacob. It took a few minutes to adjust to the heat and sunlight surrounding them before she remembered. The wedding is today! Connie moved suddenly and fell out of the bed with a small, quiet scream not realising how close to the edge she was.

Jacob sat upright and looked across as she sat up. "What the-" "Hey" she said nonchalantly as if she wasn't sitting on the floor. He laughed as Connie smiled across at him. "Do I want to ask why you're on the floor sweet cheeks, especially when the bed is bigger than anything else we've ever slept in!?" She stood up smiling still before kneeling on the bed beside Jacob.

"We're getting married this afternoon…" The same smile that was on Connie's face now spread to his before she kissed him. More carefully than before, she moved her legs to rest either side of his with her lips still attached to his.

Rita and Iain woke up entwined with one another. They'd been put into separate rooms but during the night Rita had moved across to Iain's room. It was obvious that things were going on between the pair but they hadn't come out with it to anyone yet. "Morning, when did you get here?"

She smiled as Iain's arms remained around her body. "I came in last night, I couldn't sleep and thought I'd come and see you but you were already out." Iain smiled looking across at Rita. "Well I'm glad you did…"

Ethan was sitting outside at the table with Elisha, Charlie, Tess, Robyn and Lofty. Charlie was beginning to feel some nerves to make sure Connie's day went as smoothly as it could. Everyone was talking about the afternoon ahead with excitement and joy.

Inside Grace and Charlotte had met Anya and Jessica. "So, we're like cousins now?" Grace shrugged nodding. "I think so…" Before the girls could think anything else they went running out to the table where Brianna and Ethan had finished serving up some breakfast.

Alicia wandered downstairs in her pyjama shorts and a vest top smiling not realising how many people were already awake. "Morning Alicia-" "Hey." Ethan hugged her after admiring her for a little while. They sat down with the others as she apologised. "Sorry, I didn't realise everyone was up already-" "Not everyone…" Robyn pointed up to the balcony where they could hear someone laughing.

"Jacob! No… No… Please, don't… Jacob!" He had hold of her waist and had been trying to get information out of her from last night. Jacob began to tickle her and she burst out in laughter, struggling for breath and attempting to wriggle from his grasp. "If I tell you will you let me go?"

"Promise?" "Promise." Jacob let her sit up and she smiled leaning in to kiss him. "Your Aunt…" "Yeah-" "She told me…" Jacob looked at her waiting for her to speak before she jumped up from the bed and ran from the room. "Connie!" He got up and ran after her down the stairs.

"Good morning to you too!" Charlie smiled as Connie ran straight past everyone at the table as Jacob emerged through the doors. "Hey guys, how's the food?" Charlie smiled his eyes still resting on Connie. "Yeah it's good-" "Good."

Jacob walked towards Connie who ran around the side of the pool. People began talking again and eating breakfast while watching what the couple were doing. Jacob almost caught up to Connie but slipped on the side meaning she got away. "You never could keep up with me Jacob!" He rolled his eyes running after her back through the house.

Elliot came down the stairs to see Connie run by him, shortly followed by Jacob. "And the house has gone insane." He stepped outside to see everyone else and sat down beside Grace who hugged into him. "Uncle Elliot, is Mum going crazy?" He laughed along with Charlie and Tess who were sitting opposite them. "No she's just in love Grace, it can make you do some weird things sometimes-" "And she's always been crazy Grace, we both know that."

Connie came back outside again with Jacob only inches behind her. He reached a hand forwards and caught her wrist but she pulled it forwards meaning Jacob caught up to her before slipping over the edge of the pool. He didn't let go of Connie's hand so she fell in straight after him.

There were gasps from the table expecting a shouting Connie to come out of the water. Charlie, Rita and Elliot were trying to suppress their smiles while Grace, Charlotte, Jessica and Anya were all laughing.

"What was that for!?" Jacob laughed as Connie came up from under the water. "You deserved it Jakey-" "Aunt Elisha why did you tell her that!?" Connie laughed as she kept herself afloat in the water. Jacob turned to Connie and moved his arms around her waist, helping keep her head above the water. "Girls got to know about her husband before saying I do Jacob."

"I love you-" "I love you too." Connie smiled as Jacob kissed her again. People returned to the table and were sat chatting while the other two remained in the pool. Connie began to swim to the edge of the pool and lifted herself up onto the side. Jacob did the same before offering her his hands and pulling her to a standing position. "Breakfast?" She shook her head smiling as he went and sat down.

Connie stood by the pool squeezing the water from her t-shirt and hair before tying it up. "We've got a few hours before we need to be down at the reception so take your time." She leant against the wall beside Elliot and Grace smiling.

Soon enough everyone was finished with breakfast and began to move about the house. The kids sat inside watching TV and talking while everyone else began to get ready for the wedding. In a matter of hours they'd no longer be engaged, but married and somehow all nerves that Connie once had were gone. All she wanted was to be in his arms at the end of the day knowing he was always going to be hers.