17th December 2022

The day of the wedding dawns clear and cold. We are there early, guiding everyone placing the decorations and helping set up the hall for a sit down meal. The florist balances precariously on a step ladder as she wraps glittering ivy around every railing and column. 

The baker precariously wheels a six tier black and gold masterpiece of a cake through and not for the first time I am so glad Tommy said we should install a lift because I'm pretty sure I would cry if we have to work out how to carry it up two flights of stairs.

Tommy helps him roll it into the lift and I check the time. It isn't long until the guests will start arriving but I know I have the queen bee to please. Making sure she is happy is absolutely essential to the success of the day.

The doors open and I see the Winthorpe family enter. Mr Winthorpe, who has never once told me his first name,  is the first through the doors. He gives the room a cursory glance before ambling towards the nearest seating and checking his phone. 

He is followed by various couples - some of which I am familiar with from their own weddings - and they all greet me like a close friend. Jonny follows, looking oddly shy and fiddling with the cuffs of his shirt. As he looks around and sees it all a relief and happiness settles over him. Like he wasn't sure he could handle the day until he saw the building and it reassured him.

I swear the Astoria has that affect on people. It wins everyone over in the end.

Next comes was is potentially one of the most nerve-wracking moments of my life. Carrie Winthorpe and her entourage of society ladies. She looks effortlessly chic as she pauses in the doorway and surveys the trailing ivy and deep burgundy roses with a critical eye. I'm holding my breath in anticipation, praying she doesn't hate it.

"Oh darling, it's gorgeous." She laughs and then darts forward and presses a kiss to Jonny's cheek, "Oh my baby boy did so well planning his perfect day, didn't he!" 

The family members around them all hurriedly agree and I feel my breath leave me in a rush. Jonny meets my gaze across the room and rolls his eyes mouthing an apology.

I shake my head and smile. I am only too happy for him to get the credit for the day so long as everyone is happy and I stay in Carrie Winthorpe's good books. A happy Winthorpe means a good pay day and great PR. Both of which are much needed for our new venture here.

Tommy reappears and uses his charming TV personality to win over each of the guests as he leads the family through to the main theatre.

The Astoria is alive again as more and more guests filter in. I can almost feel the building sigh in happiness as crazy as that might sound. I check the theatre to confirm everyone is safely installed and Tommy gives me a thumbs up confirmation before I retreat back to the reception area and take out my phone, "Ariana, we are ready for you." I explain and from the number of squeals I think her bridal party are as excited as I am.

Now the initial nerves have faded I'm just buzzing to see how the wedding turns out. The building may be mine but it's a wedding like any other and I love seeing how they turn out. 

The doors open slowly and it's the photographer I see first, backing through them and snapping away.  I dart forwards to hold the door for her and prop it open.

"Thanks," She says quickly, without glancing away from the view finder. 

Then Ariana steps in looking as though she were perfectly designed to match the art deco aesthetic here. The dress is even more stunning than the pictures she sent appeared. Swirls of sequins and beads embroider the entire thing. A soft waistline and draped cowl back reminiscent of the 1920's and the images I saw of Astoria in the past. She almost appears to float in, the loose fishtail hem gliding out prettily behind her.

"Oh Azzy, it's even more beautiful than I imagined." She gushes as she takes in the entryway. 

Her happiness is the icing on the cake, "I just hope you have the most magical day." I smile as her golden sequin clad bridesmaid's surround her giggling and squealing to each other.

"Where's her Father?" The photographer asks, finally meeting my eye.

"Just over in the waiting area here." I say gesturing for them to all follow me through.

Her Father isn't initially facing us, his attention on one of the old framed pictures and hands wringing each other as a sign of his nerves.

Ariana clears her throat and he jump and turns to us, eyes instantly filling with tears as he focuses on his little girl and I find myself welling up as well despite myself. 

"Ma fille." He chokes out in a heavy French accent before pulling her into a tight hug.

I discreetly step out and attempt to give them a moment to collect themselves. 

When they emerge absolutely glowing I lead them up a small staircase to the theatre doors.

"Are you ready to marry the love of your life?" I ask Ariana and she positively beams.

"I have never been more ready for anything in all my life." She breathes.

I line each of the girls up and then sent the signal for the sound to begin. 

The music starts and I count twenty beats before opening the door slightly and sending in the first bridesmaid. The next follows five beats behind and then the final one. Slowly making their way down the aisle as I peek through. Everyone's attention is on the door and the photographer slips through the staff door to be ready to capture the moment. After a brief lull in the music we open both doors as wide as they will go and watch Ariana and her Father begin their walk to where Jonny and the officiant are waiting.

Jonny looks overcome with emotion and happiness and I want to do a little victory dance as it all comes together. The screen behind then shows a scrolling reel of photos of the happy couple. 

"It's incredible." Tommy's voice whispers in my ear and I spin, moving away from my spot by the door I was watching them from.

"It's going really well isn't it!" I sigh contentedly.

"How could it be anything but perfect with you in charge." He teases, pressing a kiss to my forehead. 

I take his hand and tug him towards the balcony so we can look down on it all, "I still can't quite believe we did it."

He backs me up against the wall and stares into my eyes, "I never doubted it for a minute."

"Yes, but you always believe the best in everyone and that everything works out in the end."

"The power of positive thinking!" He laughs and then claims my lips. 

My hands slide up to wrap around his neck and pull him down into me. My love and my eternal optimist. He is the yin to my yang. The other half of me I didn't know I needed until he was there. We balance each other out and I know he makes me a better person. A happier person.

"You take my fucking breath away Astoria Wendall-Jones." He whispers when we finally break apart.

"You can't swear at a wedding." I hiss, looking around as though someone might have overheard.

He laughs, "Why? It's not a church and there's no one here but us."

"I don't know, it's probably bad luck or something for the wedding gods though." I mutter, completely making it up on the spot.

"Oh no, not the wedding gods." He teases, "How about I give them an apology in the form of another kiss between us?" 

I pretend to ponder that thought for a moment, "I suppose it's worth a try to appease them." 

"Oh such a hardship." He chuckles and then kisses me again. 

His lips are more demanding this time. Kissing and coaxing my lips to part under them so our tongues can dance. His hands explore my body and I am dimly aware that the spot we have chosen is not particularly hidden so anyone in the entrance or coming up the stairs would see us. 

Thankfully the music is playing and I know we have time before anyone is due to emerge.

His hands roam my skin and I let out a small whimper of need, which he responds to with a moan of his own.

We break apart, breathing heavily. "I am continuing what we started here as soon as I get you back to mine." He promises with a shaky voice that confirms he is just as affected as I am.

I laugh, "Well I'm pretty sure the wedding gods were impressed and totally understand now."

We push away from the wall and move to look down on the view. After a moment of quiet my mind drifts back to the importance of the day, "Do you think Aunt Addie and William would like what we've done?"

"I didn't know William but Adaline was always a big fan of a wedding. I think they will just be happy the old building is loved, cared for and making people happy again." He says softly, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

I lean back into the comforting warmth of his body and glance at the photo of my beloved Aunt. Now immortalised and her story remembered, forever at the side of her one true love. I smile and feel a peace settle over me, "She always was the type to love a good happily ever after."