‘EXCUSE me.’ Brenton tapped the side of his champagne glass. ‘Quiet, please.’
Everyone at the long table in Eloise’s and Mike’s back garden stopped their conversations to listen. Kelly and Matt sat with their children, along with Natasha and the rest of the Worthington clan.
Hayden’s sisters and their families were smiling happily at their new sister-in-law. Eloise and Mike had welcomed her warmly the instant they’d learned of her engagement to their son. Annie’s ‘family’ was almost complete.
All that was missing were children of her own, but who knew what would happen during their planned honeymoon at the Great Barrier Reef?
They’d decided to wait until Annie had finished her orthopaedic rotation and qualified before getting married. Both she and Hayden had honoured her transfer to Melbourne General for three months, and although the commute had been stressful at times, it was now over.
‘As the person who has known the bride the longest, it’s only fair that I get to toast her first,’ Brenton said. ‘To the woman who saved my reputation in high school by putting herself…and her nose…on the line.’
They all laughed and Annie shook her finger at him.
‘She is an amazing woman and I’m honoured to call her one of my dearest friends for over twenty years. Thank you for your friendship. It’s a precious gift and one I, my wife and our children will always treasure.’ He inclined his glass towards Hayden. ‘And to the groom—thank goodness you came to your senses!’
Hayden laughed as everyone else chorused their approval.
Annie didn’t even try to stop the tears that twinkled on the edges of her lashes, knowing Hayden would always be there to tenderly wipe them away.
Her husband rose to his feet, his glass also raised. ‘Thank you, Brenton. As the husband of the bride, I would also like to propose a toast to my wife.’ He gazed down at her, his eyes filled with the unconditional love that would always make her heart race.
‘Annie, you gave me a second chance at happiness, at love and, more importantly, at life. You are truly a special person and I’m honoured that you’re my wife.’ He glanced around the table at their family. ‘I’m sure everyone here agrees just how special you are because in some unique way you’ve touched us all. Each and every one of us at some point has been privileged by your inner strength, your spirit and your natural ability to give so selflessly.
‘I love you, Annie, and I always will.’ Hayden bent his head and claimed her lips possessively, tenderly wiping away her tears of sheer joy.
Everyone stood and raised their glasses to the blushing bride. Annie’s heart filled up with love and bubbled over. She had never, in her wildest dreams, thought she could be so happy—yet she was.
‘To the bride and groom.’ They all chorused.
‘To Annie,’ Hayden said softly beside her. ‘My love. My soul mate. My wife.’