32

 

Two months later…

 

Patrick and Liam stood at the top of the aisle, just before three o’clock. Patrick wasn’t sure who was the most nervous, even though he’d technically done this before. They were doubling up as groom and best man to each other. Organizing a double wedding in less than eight weeks hadn’t been as hard as he’d thought. Both Elle and Jacqui loved the idea.

The only fly in the ointment was Niamh. She’d gone into labor the day before, two weeks before her due date, and it looked like she and Jared would miss the service.

Her last words to them had been on the phone on the way to the hospital. “Don’t you dare call the wedding off now. I want pictures.”

“Hope she’s OK,” Patrick said.

“Jacqui, Elle or Niamh?” Liam said wryly.

“Niamh. I’ve got my phone in my pocket on vibrate, but nothing. Did Jared call and I missed it? How’s the pain?” It was a standing joke that Liam had also been in labor for most of the previous thirty-six hours.

“The pain stopped a while ago. Maybe she’s sleeping now. No, there’s been nothing yet from either of them.”

Patrick nodded and glanced over his shoulder. “I can see Abbie. They must be here.”

Liam nodded. “Have you got the rings?”

“Yes. Have you?”

Liam patted his pockets as if he’d forgotten, then winked. “Yes I have, but I don’t have the scrunchie.”

“Elle’s got it. A gold one she’s wearing around her wrist to start with. The original pink one is here.” He pulled his jacket sleeve up slightly to show him.

“Are you two really going to do that? Did you warn Pastor Jack?”

Patrick chuckled. “Nope, we didn’t. And yes, Elle is going to say with this ring and scrunchie I thee wed. Or whatever it is she has to say at that point.”

He glanced behind him and smiled at Luke and Sara Nemec sat on Elle’s side of the church. Their twins sat on their laps, playing with the order of service. Elle and Sara looked to becoming firm friends as both were glad to have found each other. Some good had come out of PJ—

He brought himself up short. Thank you, Lord, for taking a bad situation and working it for good.

Pastor Jack came up to them. “Elle and Jacqui are here. Shall we make a start?”

Patrick nodded and he and Liam moved to the front of the church. The music began and he risked a glance over his shoulder.

Abbie, dressed in a full length emerald dress, walked slowly up the aisle, a huge grin on her face. She carried a white Bible with a spray of yellow and purple freesias over the top.

Behind her came the two brides, escorted on each arm by their future father-in-law. Elle wore a long ivory silk gown, which swirled around her figure, trailing behind her. Jacqui had gone for white, with layers of lace and tulle. Both had matching veils, tiaras and bouquets. Each wore an identical beaming smile and, in Patrick’s somewhat biased opinion, looked like princesses.

The wedding began. Pastor Jack started speaking. Once the introduction was over, he began the legal declarations. Then he looked at the congregation. “If anyone here knows of any legal reason why these people may not be joined in matrimony, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.”

Silence. Patrick looked at Elle and smiled faintly.

The door at the back of the church opened and footsteps echoed. Clothes rustled as heads turned.

His heart sank.

A baby’s cry resounded and he, Liam, Elle and Jacqui spun around in unison.

Niamh and Jared slid into the front pew, a tiny bundle in Niamh’s arms. “Sorry,” she mouthed.

Pastor Jack smiled. “Don’t be,” he said. “I’m assuming the baby doesn’t really object?”

She smiled. “No.”

Patrick looked at her. “Well, am I an aunt or an uncle?”

Abbie burst out laughing. “You can’t be an aunt, Dad. You’re a man. That makes you an uncle by default.”

“Girl or boy,” he said wrinkling his nose at her. He turned back to his sister. “Well?”

“It’s a girl,” Niamh said. “Siobhan Caitlin. Born at eight ten this morning, weighing in at eight pounds ten ounces. We wanted it to be a surprise.”

Patrick’s grin matched Liam’s as applause broke out around the church.

When things calmed down, they resumed the wedding, exchanged vows and had the congregation in fits of laughter with the scrunchie line. Not a moment too soon, Patrick lifted Elle’s veil and kissed her. “I love you so much, Mrs. Page.”

“I love you too, Mr. Page.”

Liam grinned at him as he broke an equally passionate kiss with Jacqui. “This could get confusing. Two Mrs. Page’s at the reception. Three if you include Mum.”

Elle laughed. “Well, we won’t get you confused.” She looked at Patrick. “Let’s go sign the register. I don’t know about you, but I want a cuddle with my new niece.”

Patrick laughed. “Looks like our daughter got there before you.”

Abbie grinned at him, the baby in her arms.

“Means she’ll want a baby for Christmas,” Elle sighed. “Still, at least it’ll be a change from the puppy and the rabbit she’s been asking for the past few years.”

Patrick took her arm and followed Liam and Jacqui into the vestry. “No reason we can’t have all three, is there?”

She blushed. “I guess not.”

Jacqui nudged Liam. “Now there’s an idea.”

“Just don’t go getting any ideas about double births and double infant thanksgiving services.” Patrick pulled Elle close. “I want to spend a few months with my current family before we expand any.” He wrapped his arms around Elle and kissed her.