Epilogue - The Wedding
Saturday 3 November, 2018
The Dal
Sunlight streamed through lace curtains, casting a warm glow on the vintage room, turned bridal suite. Bo, surrounded by her closest friends, stood before a full-length mirror, her wedding gown hanging delicately nearby. The room was abuzz with excitement and anticipation. To the side was a bucket with bottles of chilled champagne, some already open with glasses poured and drank at intervals whilst getting ready. Music was playing, and Bo had insisted on ABBA.
The same team Bo worked with on Vixens almost completed their hair and makeup. They offered to come today to make up the bridal party, and Bo happily accepted. Who better to know her face than the ones who had worked on it for five years. Bo wanted simple elegance. She had chosen to wear her hair half up, with a few loose curls. Kenzi had opted for down and perfectly straight, and Tamsin had chosen a braided bun look, with a few strands hanging by her face. They all looked beautiful, and a clink of the glass sealed when they were announced ready.
There were only ten minutes to go as Kenzi placed a lace veil in Bo's hair while Aife helped Bo slip into her dress and fastened the buttons. Nerves and joy intermingled on Bo's face.
Aife fastened the final button and turned to face her daughter, "You've grown into such a beautiful woman."
Bo hugged her mother tightly, "Thank you, Mom, for being here today. I know you may feel it is a bit rushed—"
Aife cut her off, "Well, you only got together a few months ago."
"I knew I would marry her the minute we met," Bo added proudly.
"Of course you did, dear," Aife kissed the side of her cheek, "You were always a romantic, even as a child. I will meet you downstairs."
"Thanks, Mom," Bo replied.
Aife turned and left.
"Ignore her," Kenzi smiled, "You look absolutely stunning. Lauren is going to be speechless."
Bo gazed at her reflection, her heart aflutter with emotion, "I can't believe this day is finally here. I can't wait to be her wife and her mine. I've never been so sure of anything in my life."
"We know you haven't stopped talking about it since the engagement." Tamsin stood back and admired her friend, "The most perfect engagement story ever, sorry, I forgot to add."
Kenzi laughed knowingly, "Ah yes, the most perfect day in the world."
"It was the most perfect day in the world." Bo replied, unbashful, "I thought I would make it special, but as Lauren does, she took it to another level."
"Yes, we've already heard it a hundred million times." Tamsin joked, "So, no need to go into it again."
Ruby, one of the makeup artists listening nearby while packing her kit, said, "Wow, must have been a story to tell it a hundred million times."
Bo jumped in excitement, "Tamsin is exaggerating. It was hardly a hundred million times. Only a handful."
Ruby was quickly joined by the other girls who huddled around Bo, eager for her to say more, "Please tell us. We promise not to say anything to anybody."
Bo looked around her friends, who both nodded.
"You can trust them," Kenz answered the unasked question looming between them.
"Okay, "Bo said, and everyone huddled around her, including Tamsin and Kenzi. "So it's June this year, on Lauren's birthday. And I took her for a fancy dinner down the King's Road to a restaurant she had taken me to a few months before. The restaurant was beautiful. The food was exquisite. Every mouthful was a taste sensation. I had the ring in my pocket and thought about doing it there. But I knew Lauren, like me, doesn't like public displays of affection, so I changed my mind. After our meals, we had a few drinks and then left. She thought that was all I had planned for her birthday, but I had also arranged a short helicopter ride over London. So I told her, and we made our way to the helipad in the centre of London. The ride was amazing; we could see all of London's great landmarks, which was absolutely romantic. The issue is we had headphones, and it was directly linked to the pilot. So I felt for the ring in my pocket but decided that although it was a great place, it wasn't right. By now, I was getting nervous. I was running out of places to ask. The only place left would have been back at the flat. But it wasn't really romantic. I thought about holding back and waiting for another day and whether it was right that I propose on her birthday. Too many things were going through my head to think clearly."
"You often overthink," Kenzi piped in, passing out freshly poured champagne to everyone.
"All I really knew for certain was that I wanted to propose to her," Bo blushed.
"So where did you do it?" Ruby asked.
Bo grinned and continued her story, "The last part of the evening, Lauren suggested we walk down the embankment along the Thames. Being summer, it was still light, and the day had been warm, so it was full of people. We were walking when Lauren passed a friend she knew who owned a boat. Spontaneously, she grabbed my hand and ran towards it. A quick conversation with her friend, and we jumped on board. And to my utter surprise and horror, he then jumped off. Lauren waved at him, and we were off. I never knew Lauren could drive a boat, or is that pilot a boat? Anyway, we went under the Tower Bridge and dropped anchor at St Katherine's Dock Marina."
"Oh my god, how romantic. What kind of boat was it?"
"A luxury small yacht. It had a large bedroom downstairs, which we discovered later that night, and a living room with a small kitchen and a large outside seating area with a hot tub." Bo added, "It was bigger than my suite at the hotel, and that is some size."
"So what happened next?" the hair stylist Mel asked.
"So I now have decided that this is the perfect place. It is just us. We wouldn't be overlooked by anyone due to the boat's privacy screen. The only way for us to be seen would be from the water and another boat, but then they would have to get relatively close. The night was warm and still light, and the backdrop was the Tower Bridge. Perfect. So Lauren says chilled drinks are in the cooler and goes inside to grab some. When she returns with two glasses, I drop to one knee. She places the drinks down and just looks at me and smiles. I pull out the ring and ask her to marry me. Then, she asks me to wait."
"What? Why?" Ruby asked.
"I had no idea either, but I just knelt there. Seconds later, Lauren drops to her knee, pulls out a ring, and asks me to marry her. I cried. Lauren sprung it on me then that the boat wasn't a coincidence and that she had planned this. We would stay overnight on the boat as she planned to propose to me."
"ahhh," all the ladies in the room were emotional and hugged Bo. "How perfect."
"So that's my, or rather our proposal story. It was the perfect day with the most romantic night of my life." Bo gushed, stood and rechecked her makeup in the mirror. "I must get ready to go now as the love of my life is downstairs, and I really can't wait a minute longer to marry her."
The team gave a quick round of hugs before they left.
Kenzi walked over and pulled a few curls of Bo's hair back in place, "Lauren is the luckiest person in the world to have you."
"We have each other," Bo answered, "we're both lucky."
The Room Down The Hall
Meanwhile, Lauren was preparing for the wedding in another room. Vex helped her adjust her tie, and her best friend, Dyson, fastened the cufflinks. Lauren's face reflected a mix of excitement and anticipation.
"You scrub up pretty good. Swapping a suit for a suit, still not bad, sis," Vex cited as the tie was done.
Lauren lightly slapped Vex's arm, "I tried on the dresses, but I feel more like me in this." Lauren had chosen an ivory three-piece pantsuit with a contrasting gold waistcoat.
"Well, everything is beautiful, including you," Vex smiled. "The place looks magnificent. I hardly recognised it when I walked in."
"Bo deserves nothing but the best today," Lauren answered, "Do you really think it looks okay?"
"It's perfect and exactly what you both wanted and planned. But sis, when you see it, it looks magical. Trick really did pull a blinder."
Dyson fixes the boutonniere to Lauren's jacket. Delicate flowers perfectly match Bo's wildflower bouquet. "All done, Lewis. Let's go downstairs and wait for your girl."
"Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without you."
"You could. You're Lauren Lewis, and you literally do everything on your own. But we are glad that you chose us to be with you today to help you." Dyson pulled Lauren into a tight embrace, and Vex joined in. "And we hope old Lauren has gone, and you know you will never be alone. You'll always have us, and more importantly, you have your wife."
"That sounds good, doesn't it?" Lauren gushed, "Bo, my wife. I can't believe someone like Bo even exists, let alone has agreed to marry me."
"Believe it, sis, because you are amazing too and deserve this." Vex added, "You both deserve this happiness."
A silence fell upon the three as Vex's words sunk in. Short-lived when Vex announced that he had to do a quick, nervous poo, causing a hysteria of laughter. Minutes later, laughter had settled between Lauren and Dyson, and the three of them walked downstairs.
As soon as they entered, they immediately gasped. The cosy, dimly lit old pub looked terrific. What once was a sanctuary filled with historical character was now a place of warmth and love. Wooden beams lined the ceiling with soft light hanging down, making a makeshift aisle. At one end, the soft glow of vintage chandeliers created an intimate atmosphere. Friends and family gathered, mingling with anticipation. Lauren greeted a few before standing at her spot before an antique wooden bar turned makeshift altar.
Lauren, in a tailored suit, stood nervously at the altar. Her heart raced as she awaited her bride. Music began, and Lauren couldn't take her eyes off the doorway. The one where Bo will walk through any moment. There was no doubt in her mind that Bo would be on time, and if she felt like she was now, she would be early. Lauren glanced at the wall clock: two minutes till midday. Only another two minutes to wait.
They had chosen one singer who would sing a medley of three songs, starting with A Thousand Years by Christina Perry, in acapella with only a simple pianist accompanying her. The last two songs would be after the ceremony. The first few beats played. They had agreed that Bo would walk down during the second and third verse interlude. Lauren smiled when she saw Bo after the first chorus was sung.
Bo stepped out from the doorway, equally stunning and radiant in her elegant white wedding gown. Her eyes locked onto Lauren's, and a smile bloomed. The first few steps, Bo gracefully strolled down the aisle with a bouquet of vibrant wildflowers held by her chest, with Kenzi and Tamsin on either side. Lauren hadn't wanted anyone to give her away, and neither did Bo.
The wedding was small, so they decided that their friends would stand with them at the front, with the rest of the guests standing just behind. No one to pick a side or a bride, just wherever they wanted. Trick was standing to the right, along with Stella, who had been hired for the decorating. They looked comfortable together, suggesting the long planning days had led to other things happening. Mark had been invited and lingered behind Vex with an occasional glance in his direction. Nothing official, but Mark had recently helped Vex with Carpe Diem security despite Lauren volunteering to help. Dyson had purposely stood to the other side, knowing that Tamsin was walking to the left of Bo and could easily slip in beside him.
All eyes were on Bo, and reaching Lauren felt like an eternity. Finally caving in and handing the flowers to Kenzi, Bo ran toward her love. Lauren scooped her up and swung around as kisses reigned down on her. They continued this way of kissing and loving gazes until the song finished.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't wait a second longer," Bo admitted as Lauren lowered her and her feet touched the ground.
The room around them was alive with laughter and wolf whistles.
When the minister coughed, the crowd quietened down. "That normally happens at the end."
Another laughter erupted but soon settled down.
"You look beautiful," Lauren gushed to Bo.
"So do you," Bo replied.
Lauren held tightly to Bo's hand, "Ready?"
"Yes." Bo beamed a smile back.
"You know we're both crazy." Lauren joked.
"I know that I'm crazy in love with you." Bo pulled in and stole another quick kiss, "Now, stop stalling and marry me, woman."
"Yes, ma'am." Lauren straightened herself and faced the minister, keeping one hand in Bo's.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today, we gather in this historic pub to celebrate the union of Lauren and Bo, whose love has stood the test of time and transcends all boundaries."
Bo's eyes shimmered with emotion as she gazed at Lauren, who stood beside her, equally enamoured.
The minister continued, "Do you, Lauren, take Isabeau Bishop to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?
Lauren's voice filled with conviction, replied, "I do."
"And do you, Bo, take Lauren Lewis to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
Bo smiled broadly, "I do."
"Thank you. Lauren and Bo have asked that they read their own vows. Over to Bo first."
Bo turned to face Lauren and took her hands in her own. "For a living, I say perfect words. Words that have been written and rewritten again to make them perfect. I considered getting one of the writers I know to write something for me, but I realised I didn't want that. I wanted more. I wanted the truth. The truth is simple, Lauren, I love you. I promise to stand by your side, love you fiercely and unconditionally, cherish every moment we share, and be your rock in times of need. I promise never to leave and to be by your side forever." Bo's eyes glistened with tears of happiness as she kissed Lauren's hand. "And finally, I promise that I am yours in every sense of the word."
Lauren mouthed that she was hers too and leant in for a quick kiss, much to the minister's irritation, to whom she gave an apologetic look.
"Words are not easy for me. So, instead, I thought I would tell you a myth I heard as a child. My mother loved all myths and would read me many stories. This one reminds me of you, of us." Lauren smiled. "According to Greek mythology, humans were created with four arms, four legs, and two faces. They were so powerful that the gods grew jealous and split them in two, scattering them across the earth. Since then, humans have been on an eternal quest to find their lost halves, their soulmates. This illustrates the profound belief that each person is born with a soulmate, and the ultimate purpose in life is to seek and reunite with them. I feel that is what happened with me, with us. We found each other, our other half and forever soulmate. And today, on our wedding day, I promise to never lose you again."
Bo gently squeezed Lauren's hand, "You are my soulmate. I believe that too, bubba."
Their vows were met with heartfelt applause and smiles from their loved ones, reaffirming the love that has brought them together on this beautiful day.
The minister smiled at them, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife."
The room cheered.
"Before you kiss the bride, not that you need to be asked." The minister winked at them, causing another laugh, "Can we please have the rings."
Lauren and Bo exchange vintage rings, symbols of their enduring commitment. Then, waited eagerly.
The minister smiled, "Okay, okay, now you can kiss the bride."
"About time." Lauren joked, pulling Bo towards her.
They leaned in for a passionate kiss, and the pub erupted in cheers and applause. The timeless old pub echoed with the jubilant celebration of their love.
Lauren and Bo, hand in hand, as a married couple, turned and walked back down the aisle. Their love story, written in the history of this old pub, will forever live in the foundations. Friends and family threw confetti at the happy couple, and the singer began their next wedding song, which they had chosen as When You Say Nothing at All, by Ronan Keating.
Reaching the end, Lauren spun Bo around, "Will you dance with me Mrs, erm. What did we decide on?"
Pulling Lauren close and swaying to the lyrics, Bo whispered, "We didn't. But we have a five-week Honeymoon before we decide what name to change by deed poll. Neither of us wants Dennis, so it's a choice of mine, yours, or we double barrel."
"Lauren Lewis-Bishop sounds good."
"So would Lauren Bishop-Lewis." Bo laughed.
"I really don't mind. I would change it to Lauren BosBitch if you wanted." Lauren swayed them effortlessly around the small dance floor. Others were invited to join them, and they did.
"But then I would be Bo BosBitch," Bo argued, causing Lauren to laugh.
"Still not sorted out your name yet," Dyson asked, he and Tamsin dancing alongside.
"Not yet." Lauren answered, "We'll discuss it on our honeymoon."
"That's not a honeymoon," Kenzi joined in. She had managed to convince young Mark to dance. Lauren was still mentoring him, and he had become somewhat closer to the group lately. Kenzi was confident that he and Vex had a 'thing' but were being tightlipped if they did.
"What would you call a holiday after a wedding then?" Bo asked.
"It's five weeks travelling to Maldives, Morzine, Lake Como and Toronto. That's more like a tour." Kenzi joked.
"We couldn't decide, so we decided not to and instead go to them all." Lauren gleamed. "I don't start work until January because who starts a new job at Christmas."
"Yeah, who?" Dyson jumped in. "But don't forget you have a couple of induction shadowing days you'll need to attend, so no going rogue and staying longer."
"I don't know how you two will cope being apart for even a few hours." Tamsin added, "You haven't been apart since April, following each other about like lost puppies."
It was true; they hadn't spent more than an hour away from each other since March. Bo shrugged, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, I want to dance with my wife and enjoy my wedding with my best friends."
The song had changed to The Story by Brandi Carlile.
"Now, if you'd excuse us," Lauren winked, "I need to impress my wife with my dancing skills."
They danced away, never breaking their eye contact. It was the start of a new adventure. They would begin a new life together and savour every moment of their wedding day.
Dyson, Mark, Kenzi and Tamsin watched as they danced in unison as if they were the only ones in the room. Vex joined and placed a loose arm around Mark and Kenzi.
"Don't you just love them?" It didn't matter who said it as they all nodded along.
The rest of the day went without a hitch. Lunch was followed by a few heartfelt speeches from Aife, Vex, Dyson, Tamsin and Kenzi. Each one was unique to them, making the audience laugh with stories of them individually or as a couple. As the night wore on, the dance floor was once again packed. Drinks at the bar had been flowing all day, but neither Bo nor Lauren drank more than a celebratory cheer. They had both said they wanted to remember every second of the day.
It was getting late. Bo returned to the floor, gathered all the eligible bachelorettes, and threw her bouquet. Tamsin, who reluctantly joined the group of women, was standing to the side. Without much warning, it landed on her chest, spilling her drink. Tamsin went to protest but then smiled when she saw Dyson grinning hard.
Bo kissed Tamsin's cheek, "Looks like it will be you next."
Lauren joined and said their goodbyes. The car was waiting at the end of the alleyway, ready to take them to the Hotel, where they would stay in the suite before jetting off on their honeymoon.
The night sky was painted with a tapestry of stars as Lauren and Bo stepped out of The Dal, their hands entwined and hearts overflowing with happiness. Their wedding was beautiful, filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt toasts.
As they walked hand in hand, the old pub's door swung shut behind them, sealing the memories of their special day inside. Their journey together had taken them through highs and lows, but they had always emerged stronger, hand in hand, ready to face the world together.
Lauren's eyes sparkled as she looked at Bo, her wife, partner, and soulmate. "I can't believe we're married," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Bo grinned, her eyes reflecting the same sentiment. "It's been quite a journey, but getting here was worth every moment."
They walked down the cobblestone path, their footsteps echoing through the quiet night. The world felt still as if it were holding its breath, allowing them to savour this precious moment.
The journey ahead was uncertain, but they were ready to face it together, just as they had faced everything else. They knew that life would bring challenges, but they also knew that they could overcome anything with love as their guide.
They reached their car, and as Lauren opened the door for Bo, she whispered, "To new beginnings."
Bo smiled and kissed Lauren softly. "To forever."
As they drove away, their hands remained firmly clasped, and their hearts beat in perfect harmony.
The headlights illuminated the road ahead, and the future was filled with endless possibilities.
Together, they embarked on a new chapter of their love story, eager to write it one moment at a time, side by side, for the rest of their lives.
The Real End
Dearest Reader,
Thank you very much for sharing this journey with me. I appreciate all the reviews, follows and favourites you gave me for this publication. And would appreciate your final thoughts, even if it is just a line or two. It is always good to read how you feel about the story, the characters or even the writing. It makes what I do worthwhile and inspires me to continue.
I have decided that if enough people are interested, I will write and publish a sequel. I have ideas already running around my head and boundaries to push. Also, a few raunchy ideas for steamy sex scenes.
May we meet again...
Much love, CC x
