I’ll leave her a review, although I won’t need to in the slightest. Her Wedding Bliss staff page is jammed up with them. Every one of them saying how fantastic she is.
“You ready to go?” she asks.
I take a breath. “Yep. I’m very ready to go.”
Sarah and Michelle are along with us, and Tommy and Harry are too, playing together and ready to be little page boys. I have my roses in my hands, and my dad at my side, and hear the organ start playing loud as I prepare to make my journey.
Dad’s eyes say so much as I put my arm through his. He’s so proud.
“Here we go,” he says. “Time to be Mrs Rhodes, and I’m really glad you will be.”
My smile is bright when we step inside, and the whole room turns to face us. Pews of people smiling right back. Uncles, and aunties and cousins on my side of the aisle. School friends, family friends, and one of my old teachers, and neighbours from when I was a little girl.
And Jack and Susie, too. It’s funny how exes can sometimes be friends once you are truly over each other. Even Sarah doesn’t scowl when his name is mentioned anymore. He’s been too nice to me this past twelve months for that, and so has Susie.
I’m not actually surprised he left me to be with her. They have so much in common it’s insane.
Just like Gerwyn and I do.
I’m pleased he was able to move past the hurt of his ex, like I moved past mine.
It’s not just Jack and Susie who are here for our big day. Jo is on Gerwyn’s side of the aisle, with her husband at her side. She’s nice. Funny. Everything he said she was, and a really genuine person. I like her husband too, and so does Gerwyn. I’m sure they’ll be sharing a beer later when the party is in the flow.
Gerwyn’s side of the aisle is full to bursting with the G.A.T.A. team, and so many people he’s helped over the years. Ant may have said people didn’t get on all that well with the crusader, but he was full of crap.
People love Gerwyn, especially the people he’s been the crusader for. He’s made a difference to so many people’s lives it’s untrue.
Proud doesn’t even come close to describing what I feel for him as I head up the aisle.
The lurch in my stomach is like a rollercoaster when I first see him standing at the altar.
His tux looks incredible, and his stance is so strong, and his eyes are as intense as ever in comparison to the beautiful lightness of his smile.
I adore this man so much the tears well up on sight of him, and when I see our daughter in my mum’s arms in the front pew, they flow. She’s almost twelve months old now. It’s gone so quickly, it’s insane.
I’m already dabbing the tears from my eyes when I reach Gerwyn’s side.
The pang in my chest is just beautiful as my dad gives me away.
Richard Wells is Gerwyn’s best man. He’s ready with the ring box as we prepare to say our vows, both of us speaking right from the heart.
“I promise you, Cass…” Gerwyn begins and his intense blue stare has my heart pounding. I know his vows – our vows – off by heart. “…to always hold you tight… To always honour your choices… To love you – and our amazing daughter – the way you want to be loved – the way you deserve to be loved. I promise you, Cass… I’ll always catch you.”
I know what it means now, when they talk of the heart singing. I can feel the buzz, as if my heart truly is vibrating with love, blooming in my chest. It’s the most amazing feeling.
“It’s your turn,” Ger whispers.
Someone sighs. It’s Mum, wiping a tear, Rosaleigh wide awake and looking our way.
I take a breath, ignore the tear rolling down my cheek.
“I promise you, Ger, to always hold you tight right back. To always honour your choices. To love you, and our beautiful daughter, the way you want to be loved – the way you deserve to be loved. Thank you, Ger… for catching me.”
Gerwyn gasps at my thank you, not expecting the change in the words we’d so carefully chosen.
“Sod,” he says with a grin as he positions the ring on my fingertip.
My voice breaks as I say I do to the man I love, and he says it back in return.
My body is already on fire as my husband kisses his bride.
It’s real.
I’m Mrs Gerwyn Rhodes.
The cheers outside have my heart singing all over again as we’re greeted by confetti and applause.
But Gerwyn is looking for our little girl, even before I am.
“Here she is,” Mum says and hands her over to him. “Here you go, sweetheart, go to Daddy.”