CHAPTER TWO
The country club had been decked out for the wedding. Guests were gathering and Dan and his party were at the front. Ethan, Officer Harry and Ben stood with him. The latter had been surprised but pleased to be asked.
Emma hovered near the back in her bridesmaid's dress. Ethan looked back at her and she offered him a smile but he wasn't who she was there for. She moved to one of the back rows where Lexi was sitting. "How are you feeling?"
"Out of place,"Lexi admitted.
"No-one blames you for what happened."
"I know. But I can't help thinking maybe I could have done something different, stopped him."
"I've been there,"Emma recalled. "But we can't think like that. People made the choices they did. We just have to accept we couldn't save them."
Not too far away, Char was in the entrance area, also changed into her bridesmaid's dress. She saw Mads arriving with Eduardo and went over to her old friend. "Hi,"she greeted her awkwardly.
"Hi,"Mads returned. She hesitated. "I can leave if that makes things better…"
"No, no,"Char assured her. "I mean, we've both lost our mothers and twisted though it is, it was one of each other's families that killed them. But that wasn't down to us. It shouldn't change the way we feel about each other."
Mads gave her a hug. "Thanks for that."
Sutton was getting ready in one of the upstairs rooms. Laurel was the only one of her bridesmaids currently with her, trying to put her dress straight. "I'm sure we used to have dreams about this when we were young. Or possibly nightmares."
Sutton took a deep breath. "They say this is the happiest day of my life. That's got to mean something."
Laurel glanced over at the page boy. "Eddie, don't make a mess!"
"I won't, Auntie Laurel!"came the reply.
Sutton smiled. "I know I'm not one for the mushy stuff but…I'm really glad you're here."
"Me too."
Kristen came in and paused at the sight of Sutton, overcome with emotion. "Look at you."
"Don't go all sentimental on me now, Mum!"Sutton protested. Emma and Char joined them and Sutton took a deep breath. "Well. I can remember when I felt like I didn't have a family. Who'd have thought I'd end up with all this?"
"It's about to get bigger,"Emma pointed out.
Sutton nodded. "Let's do this then."
"Stay calm,"Ethan told Dan.
Dan glared at him. "I am calm until you say things like that."
"Sorry." Ethan glanced over his shoulder. "You sure about that?"
Dan followed his gaze and they saw Sutton and her party coming down the aisle. Dan waited until Sutton reached them before noting,"You look amazing."
Sutton smiled. "Thank you. So do you."
Everyone stood in rapt attention as the couple exchanged their vows. "By the power invested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife!"the priest announced.
Emma smiled as Dan and Sutton kissed. They'd done it. Their family and friends had weathered another storm and come out the other side like this: Strong and together. And she knew it was happiness that lay ahead for them now.
End of The Lying Game Season 7
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