Room for Two

Once Upon a Wedding

The soft hum of violin’s greeted her as she stepped through the chapel doors. Diamante’s glistening under the beam of golden light; the satin dress clung to her curves before falling softly to the floor. With a deep breath and butterflies in her stomach, walking slowly and unseeing of those in the pews either side of her, she made her way down the aisle, towards the man of her dreams.

Her heart stilled when their eyes met, making her miss a step; this is really happening. His eyes never leaving hers. Her breath caught in her throat as his slow lopsided grin was overtaken by a beaming halo of pleasure. The smile only for her. Pausing momentarily to drink it all in; this was the wedding she’d always imagined. Walking with wobbly knees, she pushed her shoulders back and stood up straighter, placing her winning smile on her face as she headed to the front of the church to stand with the groom to be.

Matt stepped away from the priest and groomsmen as she approached and she placed her petite hand inside his larger work worn but clean hand. As she stepped in closer, he suddenly twirled her around, producing a sweet sounding shock of laughter, before he pulled her in for a hug. His smile so big it split his face. This man made her heart swell with love.

“Congratulations, Mattie”, Bianca whispered huskily. My god woman, get a hold of yourself. This may be the wedding of your dreams, and the man of your dreams, but reality is a b***h. Her Mattie is about to marry Kadence, and while she loved Kadie as a person, she wasn’t her. And it was taking everything in her power to not throw herself at him and beg him to stop and reconsider. She was the one, and always has been.

Bianca took a deep breath, gave her biggest smile and punched Matt’s arm,

“You scrub up well, Mattie. I’ve never seen you so excited and nervous.”

Matt held his shaking hands out in front of them, then wiped his sweaty hands on his slacks.

“Guess I should’ve had that last beer after all.” He replied looking to the ground shaking his head. He kicked the toe of his shoe along the ground, like he always did when he was nervous, “I guess I’m nervous she’ll realise she can do better than marrying a farmer.”

“Get real Mattie!” Bianca all but shouted, rolling her eyes. “You’re the biggest catch there is, she’d be nuts to let you pass by.” Although I’d probably fit in her dress if she did, she couldn’t help thinking. Fat chance, her luck’s not that great, and Kadie’s not that stupid to walk away from love.

Matt looked past her and a heart melting grin split his face in recognition of a mate heading their way. She sighed and turned to greet their intruder.

“Mason!” she squealed, launching herself at him almost knocking him off balance. “You’re back! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? When did you get here?” Bianca bombarded him, relief washing over her at having her best mate to help keep her grounded in her chair throughout the crushing disappointment of the ceremony to come.

“Just got in from the airport,” Mason replied as he released her from the bear hug to shake Matt’s hand. “Congratulations mate. Thankfully the roads were clear since everyone was already here. You look like you could use a beer right about now.” Mason grinned as he made a show of wiping his hands on his pants.

Matt blew a breath between his lips, “Nah, mate. Just need to see her walking down that aisle.” Matt looked down at Mason’s thongs and raised an eyebrow smirking.

Mason grinned. “Don’t worry, Dearne has a suit waiting for me, I just have to track her down.

Matt slapped him on the back and nodded towards the side door, “speak of the devil. Sometimes I swear she’s psychic. Well, I best get back to the front and continue to suffer in silence waiting.” With that he was gone.

Immediately Bianca turned on him but Dee was almost by their side, so she bit her tongue. Since when did he call Dee? I could’ve got him a suit…

“Ah, Mason, just in time. Come and let’s get you dressed and spiffy.” She winked. “Oh and Bi, could you grab the sewing kit out of my car please? One of the diamante’s on Kadie’s dress has come loose and it’s bothering me,” Dee asked throwing her keys to Bianca before turning to head back out the side door.

Mason made to follow Dee but Bianca snagged his arms and slowed his pace.

“How long has Dee known you were coming?” Bianca whispered conspiratorially.

“Mmm.. about a week or so,” he shrugged, not daring to look at her. If she saw he was smirking she’d kick his butt to the end of next week; she hates being the last to know.

“Why did you call Dee and not me?” she pouted, “I could’ve got you a suit.”

He loved it when she pouted; heck he loved everything she did. Hopefully tonight might help her see him more than a mate, because in that dress, it would take all his strength to not rip it off her and take her out to his car. She may have spent her life loving Matt, but he’d spent his life loving her.

“We wanted it to be a surprise”, he shrugged. “I knew today would be hard enough for you and Dee said a space opened up at your table. So I booked some RnR and here I am,” he threw his around her shoulders as they walked and gave her a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

Bianca sighed, Dearne obviously told him about Rick; yet another failed attempt at finding love. Guys only seemed to want one thing from her, then poof it was over so they could carry on to find their ‘true loves’ not long after. She was starting to get a reputation for being a ‘luck charm’ for the single men of Scarlett Rock and surrounding towns. As they went their separate ways outside the side door, she silently made a pact to herself, from this point forward; I will no longer give up the goods until I see a big ass ring on my left hand!