The next day…
The trouble with weddings, Danny mused as he watched the bride walk sedately up the makeshift sandy aisle of mistletoe and white roses tied onto the backs of white wooden chairs…was the expectation.
Expectation that the Best Man’s speech would be hilarious. He hoped it would be—but he hadn’t even looked over it for a day or so. He’d been a little…distracted.
That the bridesmaids would be beautiful…he craned his neck to look past Megan and there she was. In a billowing pale blue dress, following the bride. Her shoulders were bare, her hair in lose curls. She was smiling at him and his heart did a somersault. Again. He just couldn’t believe he’d gotten a second chance. This time he would show her how much he loved her.
That the Best Man would have to take his eyes off his wife to play his role. To give the damned speech. To dance. When all he wanted to do was take her back to bed.
“We are gathered here today…” the celebrant started the service. Bas and Megan slotted next to each other at the front. No signs of nerves, just a confidence that Daniel knew would see them both through any rocky times they may face ahead.
The service went without a hitch or a dry eye, and Dan focused on their special day because he owed his friends so much; they’d kept him hopeful and alive. They’d brought his wife back home.
But much later, after the first dance had happened and the last guest had gone, he found her outside the wedding venue, sitting on a bench looking up at the stars. Instead of sitting down next to her, he took up his rightful place; on one knee, in front of her. “Emma, I have something to ask you.”
“Oh.” She looked at his position and frowned. “Are you…? Surely…no? Really? But Danny, we’re already married.”
There was a thrum inside him that felt as if his whole body was smiling. How could he be this lucky? “I know. We’ve spent a lot of time discussing went wrong for us, but I think it’s time for us to start looking forward. I want to begin by marrying you. A fresh start. Renew our vows? Will you please, do me the honor of being my wife all over again?”
“Oh, …oh, yes. Yes, what a fantastic idea. That’s…amazing! Yes. Yes, please.” She cupped his face and kissed him. “So, these grand gestures are coming thick and fast.”
“I have a lot of making up to do.” He brushed a rogue tear from her cheek and studied her face. “Now…timing. I always thought Christmas Day was a most excellent choice for a wedding. What about you?”
She looked like she was sorely tempted to push him over, but instead she just shook her head and laughed. “But you hate Christmas.”
“I know. But I love you.”
“Oh, Danny, I love you too. But I don’t want to wait that long.”
“Then we’ll do it tomorrow. Or next week. Just, let’s make sure we do it. Soon.” Then her perfect lips were on his and he didn’t care when they got married again, just as long as they spent the rest of their lives together. “Now come on, wife. We have a lot more making up to do.”
“Absolutely, my love.” She stood, pulling him up with a teasing and knowing smile. Because making up was something they were very good at. Then she wrapped her arm around his waist and lay her head on his shoulder. “Okay, husband of mine, take me home.”