"You lost him too" I remind her softly. It wasn't just Amelia who lost a dad, Claudia lost a husband. She nods slowly."And he broke me, I let him break me. I still have that anger in me about that, that he took a piece of me when he left that completely tore me apart" Claudia replies slowly. "I'm n
"What if I trip?" Amelia asks nervously as she re-emerges from the closet, a gorgeous knee length yellow dress draped over her figure and a pair of white converse on her feet."You won't trip, that's why you're in flats. If you don't feel like you can do it without your cane then you take it up with
"Are you guys seated upstairs or downstairs?" Amelia asks as we walk up the path together, her hand in mine and her other arm threaded through her mum's."Upstairs but we're near the front so it should be a good view" I assure her. Amelia looks up at the entrance way as we file in behind everyone el
"Sorry sorry I know I'm late but this guy makes me a lot slower these days" Poppy announces loudly to the row as she walks over to us, gesturing to Benjamin strapped to her chest in some kind of wrap."Good to see you Poppy " I greet her with a small grin and give her a side hug as to not crush the
"And how're you feeling? A big day for her means a big day for you" Bianca takes her phone out of her bag and puts it onto silent mode."I'm excited for her, she's worked so damn hard and I'm happy for her to be finally done with it" I say with a grin. This degree has taken up so much of her time an
It's a long wait before they start reading out any names, a lot of different speeches from quite boring people about 'how the world is your oyster now' and 'go and make your mark on the world' or 'how proud you should all be of what you've achieved here today'. And although it's all awfully cliché,
Once the ceremony concludes, we are directed down a series of hallways to a grand open hall fitted with bright lights, two fully functioning bars and waiters wandering around with trays of Canapés.It doesn't take long to spot her in the crowd, she's wrapped up in conversation with one of those girl
"No thanks" I raise an eyebrow at it and hold it out to her, gesturing for her to take it back. She smile and gestures to Amelia."For your girl, I don't want to butt into her conversation but you can" She instructs me. Thank fuck for Bianca's occasional social awkwardness, this is the perfect 'in'
"Wanna give one a go?" I suggest to her with a small grin."Might be a bit premature, don't think Max is the marriage type quiet yet" She responds with a quiet giggle, then catches herself as we all stop and gape at her. She hasn't mentioned Max in that context in a very long time. Behind Poppy, Fra
"It's stunning sweetheart, absolutely stunning" My mum comments excitedly as I allow my hands to rest at my sides, my reflection making my heart race quickly. I'm wearing a wedding dress. Maybe not the wedding dress, but a wedding dress none the less. It all seems insane to think that I had spent th
Fran, Bianca and now Sarah are at the racks, perhaps browsing for me or for Fran, who recently moved to London and is flat hunting with her boyfriend Zayn."They have wedding dresses at charity shops? I can't tell if that's bleak or romantic" Poppy comments quietly to me as I sit down beside her."
"You are referred to as exactly what you are, a man, while I am referred to as my relationship to you, a wife. Like the only identifiable thing about me is that now I am your wife but you still get to be a man in your own right" I explain. It's something that's always irked me while watching TV show
"You forget we had sex in a bookstore?" Rhode leans in close and murmurs to me, heat rising on my cheeks instantly. One of my wilder moments I would say."Did not forget that, but I'd rather not have to explain that story to, well anyone" I say with an embarrassed giggle. I definitely told at least
"Please, take it" He states in a soft tone that makes butterflies flit around my stomach. "When?" He adds with a little more urgency."How about, before the years end?" I suggest. It's early October now so going into the colder England months, it's not exactly going to be extraordinary weather but t
"Thank you" I mumble against his lips, brushing my nose against his. His hand lingers on my hip as I come down off of my tiptoes, the wind blowing some of my hair into my face."I'll support you either way, it's up to you" He softly states, his eyes never leaving mine as his hand leaves my hip and t
"Hey, you remember yesterday when we had the family over for lunch?" I say just as we approach the small coffee stand near the fountain at the centre of the park. It's run by a father and son out of a truck that normally attracts a large crowd of locals but today seems a little isolated, supposed we
"To be honest, I feel anxious about taking her out on my own" Rhode states honestly as we wait at the corner for our crosswalk light to turn green. It's a surprising admission that immediately gets my attention."You've never mentioned anything like that" I express as I put a hand on his arm while h