Chapter Five Hundred and Twenty One

The next morning, Bianca woke up knowing she didn't feel the way she ought to on her wedding day. But she also knew that it was too late to change her mind. The venue was booked, everything was organised and she had already committed to Vittorio. She couldn't humiliate him by walking out on him now. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. If she was going to change her mind and be with Liam then she should have done it long before now. She wished she had. But she hadn't. And now it was too late.


Liam woke up alone in his caravan, his heart no less heavy than it had been the night before. No less heavy than it had been for weeks, months really. For a moment, he had genuinely believed that things would work out with Bianca but then Vittorio had burst back onto the scene and ruined everything. He still had no idea why she was marrying a man who had cheated on her at their own engagement party. But then, looking at the whole picture, Liam couldn't help but feel realistic. Vittorio was rich and successful. He had the whole world at his feet. Liam was just a failed musician and recovering drug addict. What on earth could he offer her that Prince Vittorio couldn't? Nothing.


Vittorio woke up early, eager to enjoy the day ahead of him. Ignoring the nagging feeling of doubt in the back of his mind that warned him that Bianca might not be completely committed to their relationship, he did his one hundred daily push ups and then jumped into the shower. Today was going to be the proudest day of his life.


Charlie and Joey were up and out early, having arranged to go and get ready at Bianca's.

"So, you'll be okay to meet us at the church?" Charlie asked Ruby, downing the last of her coffee.

"Yes, no problem," Ruby said. "I'm picking Claire, Watson, Kerri and Danny up and driving them to the ceremony so we'll all meet you there. It's all arranged."

"Okay, great," Charlie said.

A car beeped outside.

"That's our cab," Joey said, grabbing their 'getting ready' bag. "See you there, Rubes."

"See you! Can't wait to see you in your dress, Jo!"

Joey scowled at her and headed for the door, followed by a chuckling Charlie.


At the Beach House, Will was still in his room. He could hear the hustle and bustle of all the wedding preparations outside and it sounded like even Lily was getting involved. He wanted to get up and going, to join in and help Lily to get ready. Bianca had very kindly asked her to be a flower girl, wanting to include and involve her in the day. He hadn't really expressed it properly, he knew, but he had been very touched by the gesture and Lily had been thrilled. And she had very much expressed it.

So now Irene was getting her ready in her pretty dress and he could hear her reassuring her over what she would need to do. He ought to be doing that. Or better still, Gypsy should be here doing it. But instead, Gypsy was goodness knows where, he was hiding in his room, ashamed of the statement he had made to Robertson last night and the repercussions it would have. And Irene was playing the role of mother and father.


"Are you going to be alright, Dad?" Roo asked yet again.

"I'll be fine, love," Alf assured her.

"I just don't like leaving you while all of this crap is going on with the police," Roo fretted.

Alf put his hands on her shoulders.

"I will be fine," he promised. "And all of this crap will be over soon."

He was pleased to sound a lot more certain than he actually felt.

"Well, as soon as I've sorted out this… business… then my plan is to come back to Summer Bay… to come… home… for good," Roo told him.

Alf looked surprised. And pleased.

"Really?" he managed.

She smiled at him.

"You and I have been apart for far too long," she said. "I don't want the next however many years to pass without seeing you and spending time with you. I don't want us to keep drifting apart."

"Nor do I," Alf said. "I've loved having this time to reconnect."

They hugged.

"Are you sure you don't want a lift to the airport?" he offered.

"You've got a wedding to get to," she reminded him.


Charlie and Joey arrived at Irene's house. It was brimming with life. Lily was prancing around in her flower girl dress. Bianca was still in her pyjamas but was sat at the table while Marilyn did her hair. April was talking rather rapidly and rather high pitched in what was obviously a rather concentrated effort to be supportive over a wedding she did not want to happen. Irene was banging loudly on Will's bedroom door in an attempt to ascertain some sign of life. Joanna was announcing some sort of itinerary from a list and nobody was really paying any attention to her.

"Hey, guys!" Bianca greeted.

She turned her head, making Marilyn wince. Bianca quickly apologised.

"Already looking lovely, Bianca," Joey said and an overenthusiastic manner.

"You still have to wear the dress, Jo," Bianca informed her.

Joey pulled a face and sat down at the table.

"Just so we're clear, this is true love between us, okay? I haven't worn a dress since my old school uniform. Not for any occasion, no matter how fancy, have I worn a dress. For you and only for you."

"And I love you for it," Bianca said.

Charlie and Marilyn both exchanged amused grins.


The church was packed and Vittorio was nervous, waiting at the altar for his bride. His best man was trying to keep him calm but time was ticking on. He knew it was traditional for the bride to be late but he just wanted to get the ceremony to be done and then he could relax and they could be happy together. One thing he was not happy about was that Liam Murphy had decided to attend the wedding. He was pretty sure he had not been invited. But there he was, sat quietly in the back row. He looked up sharply when the music started.


"Are we all ready?" Colleen asked.

She had been quite happily selling 'royal memorabilia' outside the church, cashing in on the idea that Summer Bay was enjoying its own royal wedding. Now, with Joanna, Lily, Charlie, Joey and Bianca having arrived, she fussed around them for a moment and then took her seat in the church, followed by Joanna.

The music was playing in the church. Charlie, Joey and Bianca had a group hug.

"You look beautiful, by the way," Joey said.

"Back at ya," Bianca said, grinning at Joey, in her turquoise, one shouldered bridesmaid dress.

Charlie and Joey smiled at each other and then sent Lily off down the aisle. Charlie followed her, followed by Joey. Then, in her beautiful, white wedding gown, Bianca followed last of all.


In his seat, VJ's eyes widened as he watched Joey pass. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. This was most definitely love. He knew that she loved Charlie but he didn't think there was any harm in looking.


Colleen was horrified to realise that the only seat free was beside Marilyn, Sid, Indi and Dex. Grumpily, she sat down beside Marilyn who immediately leant into her.

"Colleen, I'm so, so sorry about the DVD," she whispered. "I'm so sorry about what I did."

"I don't care," Colleen snapped back, sticking her nose in the air.

She didn't want to listen to her. She just wanted to enjoy the wedding.


"Hey, mate," Alf said, settling down beside Will. "I've hardly seen you all day today. You okay?"

Will shifted uncomfortably. His heart was pounding.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he lied. "Just been busy. You know, with Lily and everything."

Alf nodded.

"She did well."

Will smiled. His daughter had done him proud. He just wished he could stop letting her and everyone else down all the time.


Charlie and Joey got to the end of the aisle and took their seats on the front row. They smiled at Bianca as she reached the front. Holding hands, they watched the ceremony begin. They just hoped their friend was doing the right thing.


The pastor welcomed everyone to Vittorio and Bianca's wedding and the service began. There came the awkward moment of objections but nobody, not even Liam said anything. There was a poem and a reading. Then came their vows. Vittorio, ever the professional, was flawless with his delivery. Bianca froze. She looked around the church, fixing her gaze on her two best friends, her sister, her mother and then on Liam, who was suddenly sat forward and very straight in the last pew.

"Bianca?" Vittorio nudged worriedly.

She looked back at him, searching his face. She looked back at Liam and then back at Vittorio.

"I'm sorry," she eventually said. "I'm so sorry. I can't. I just can't."

"What do you mean, you can't?" her husband to be demanded.

His tone was furious. She could feel angry heat radiating from him.

"I can't marry you," she admitted. "I'm so sorry."

She looked back at Liam who had stood up. Several other people were looking at him too.

"Bianca, don't do this!" Vittorio snapped.

"I have to," Bianca said. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry to do this now. But I… I have to."

She just wished she had forced herself to confront the truth before now. She wished she had been brave enough. She turned to walk away from him. He grabbed her wrist, hard. Charlie jumped up quickly and calmly extracted her friend's hand, looking at Vittorio with warning. He let go, aware that she was a police officer, freeing Bianca to run swiftly up the aisle into Liam's arms. They kissed. The members of the congregation that weren't in shock, cheered. Vittorio and Joanna were both livid.

Without another word, Liam took Bianca's hand and hurried her out of the church. The next thing everyone heard was the sound of Liam's motorbike setting off. Joey caught sight of April looking extremely pleased. April caught her looking. Joey grinned back at her. Vittorio stormed out of the church.


Next time… Another wedding takes place in place of Bianca and Vittorio, someone is arrested for Penn Graham's murder and Ruby has a new crush…