SKIP

August 2023

Ashton clings to my dusty rose pink dress and cautiously looks around the church. Between the unfamiliar faces and chattering guests, he's doing well. Noah straightens his bowtie and kisses his forehead. I smooth his wild brown hair and nuzzle him closer to my chest.

Noah cups my cheek and strokes it with his thumb. His green eyes are filled with happiness and so much adoration for both of us. He draws closer and presses his lips against mine. Butterflies erupt in my stomach as his lips move against mine.

He rests his forehead against mine and smiles.

"You look beautiful, Charlie." He beams.

"And don't you two look handsome?" I kiss Ashton's cheek which kinda makes him smile. He nuzzles his face back into my boobs.

Noah hooks his arm around my waist and gazes between us.

"I can't believe he's eleven months today!" I gasp. "He's growing up too fast but I love watching him learn new things."

"He'll be running around the house soon enough." Noah chuckles. "In a couple of years, your father will want to take him camping."

"I'm not sure I want to send him off into the wilderness."

"Our camping adventures have always been fun." He smirks.

"Another reason I'm not sure about sending him off."

"I doubt snagging the ladies is high up on the agenda." Noah laughs.

"Hm, I suppose."

He strokes Ashton's cheek and smiles.

"Besides, I think it should be Percy and I who reach him how to find a good lady."

I cuddle Ashton to my chest and kiss his cheek.

"Don't say that, I'm not ready for him to grow up that fast."

"I'm not ready either, but I'm loving every minute of raising Ashton, dirty diapers included."

"So you're on nappy duty today?" I wink.

"Yes." He nods. "I would jump back in time and do this all over again."

"Or we could always have another baby?" I smile. "Ashton's eleven months now, so the perfect age to have another."

"Do you actually want to start trying for another baby?" His eyes pop open.

"Do you?"

"Yes." He eagerly nods. "Let's go right now."

Noah tugs on my waist, but I bat his hand away and shake my head.

"Percy's about to get married and you're his best man."

"I suppose we'll have plenty of time tonight." He grins.

"You should head down now, the wedding will be starting soon."

"Mm, I suppose I should."

Noah pecks my lips and I nudge him to the aisle. He takes a couple of steps before racing back and stealing another kiss. He wanders down the aisle and chats to a couple of guests before standing beside Percy.

He whispers something and claps his back, which has them both laughing.

I wander to the group and smile. Her two bridesmaids are fluffing and touching up her makeup while she's fanning her face.

"The wedding starts in five minutes," the assistant calls.

The bridesmaids buzz with excitement while the colour drains from Nicole's face. The assistants rustle up the flower girls and hand them their basket of petals.

"I don't know if I can do this." She bites her lip.

"You can, Nicole, you love him," her bridesmaid says.

She continues to fan her face but her eyes brim with tears.

"I can't breath and I feel like I'm going to be sick."

"Let's take a deep breathe together, okay," the other bridesmaid pipes in. "Percy is an amazing man who truly loves you. You're so lucky to have him in your life."

"Do I want to spend the rest of my life with him? We just met and everything has gone so quickly. I don't know."

"You're overreacting, Nicole." Her mother rolls her eyes. "I'm going to sit down and I better see you walking down the aisle as your father and I have paid a lot of money for this wedding."

Her mother storms out of the room and Nicole is left gapping.

"Breath with me, okay," I say.

We take a couple of deep breaths and this seems to settle some of her nerves.

"I was so nervous before I married Noah. I thought I could have thrown up as well." I chuckle. "But the second I saw Noah standing at the alter, everything else melted away and it felt perfect."

"Oh okay." She nods.

"Plus it's all your family and friends and they can't wait to share this celebration with you."

Nicole nods and a small smile appears on her lips.

"I'm ready, let's do this!"

I round up the flower girls and wait for the assistant to give me the cue. The girls walk in front and one sort of tosses petals while the other chucks the basket on the carpet and wanders away. I hand the basket to someone and continue down.

Noah's green eyes sparkle with love, and his expression almost mirrors our wedding day. I take a seat with the flower girls and attempt to amuse Ashton.

The bridesmaids come down the aisle and then the music changes. The doors open and Nicole and her father enter the church. Percy gasps and a small tear trickles down his cheek.

Nicole stops midway and turns back. The bridesmaids glance at each other, then one hurries down the aisle. Noah whispers something to Percy, but the longer she's gone, the restless he gets.

Noach approaches me and I bite my lip.

"Do you know what's happening?"

"She was having second thoughts," I whisper. "But I thought I talked her around."

"I'll take Ashton and you check on Nicole."

Noah remains calm while I hurry down the aisle. Nicole is a sobbing mess, and her bridesmaid is completely lost on what to do.

"Hey, Nicole."

"I tried to but the world didn't melt away."

"The experience is different for everyone. Just focus on the fact you love Percy and the life you'll build together."

"I can't do it. Please tell him I'm sorry."

"Would you like me to grab Percy so you can talk about it?"

"I can't see him, not after what I've done." She shakes her head.

She tosses her veil onto the floor along with the flowers, then hands me her engagement ring.

"Please, Nicole."

She bolts out of the church and I let her go.

"I can't believe she left."

"Percy is going to be devastated." I sigh.

Noah enters the room and looks around.

"She's gone."

"Shit," he mutters. "I'll grab Percy and we can tell him down here."

My heart races and I twiddle with my fingers while I wait for Percy. He walks in after Noah and looks around. His shoulders drop and the excitement fizzles out.

"What can we do?"

"Can we get drunk?"

I look at Noah and he nods.

"Go with Percy and I'll deal with the family. Lea will be furious when she finds out."

"Will you be okay with Ashton?"

"Yes." Noah nods. "Don't worry about us."

"Call me if you need help."

"We'll manage." He laughs.

Noah steals a kiss before Percy and I head out of the church. He orders a car and we go to the closest bar.