In the moment

The letters

10 months earlier

Sophs mum had been really quiet towards her after she had Bennett, she still hadn't been up to meet him so Soph and Jack had agreed on taking him down to meet her mum and dad between jacks games.

Something just didn't seem right to Soph ever since Christmas Day. She knew her mum could be abit blunt sometimes but she met a whole new level of rude that day.

When they arrived her dad came out to greet them, he said that her mum hadn't been well all morning and to take it easy on her.

When they entered the living room, Soph barely recognised her. She was pale, unmade, her hair shoved up in a claw grip. This wasn't her mother, her mother was always done up, presentable, not a thing out of place.

'And where's my grandson?' She croaked as Jack carried him in behind her. Jack looked at Soph and then back to her mum.

'Alright Mrs Ellis?' He said as he sat down next to her handing Bennett over for her to cuddle

'It's Caroline Jack please' he was baffled, in the last year he's always referred to her as Mrs Ellis, she'd never corrected him once. She strokes Bennett's cheek 'oh he's just beautiful isn't he'

It didn't take long for the small talk to pass, jack had gone to get Bennett's pram out the car so they could put him down for a nap. She looked up at Soph as she handed Bennett back to her 'we need to talk Soph but let the kids fall asleep first'
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The morning of her wedding Soph sat in the bridal suite window having her morning cuppa looking out over the beach.

She opened the box containing the locket with a small photo of her mum jack gave her last night. Her words replayed over and over in her head 'Sophie, there's no easy way to tell you sweetheart' Soph closes her eyes as she remembers the words that followed 'I'm dying, there's nothing else the doctors can do now'

It was the last thing she had ever imagined to come from that trip. But she had just wished she'd known what she was going through sooner.

She opened her eyes to a knock at the door, she wiped away her tears as she made her way over. 'Morning dad' she says as she finds him stood the other side of the door 'have you managed breakfast?' She giggled

Her dad told her he'd had breakfast with jack and his family, and felt surprisingly fresh from the amount he'd drank. 'He's a good lad Sophie, no one had a bad word to say about him. Some questionable stories maybe but nothing I didn't do at that age' he sits down in the seat opposite to hers in the bay window.

Soph watches him tapping an envelope on the arm of the chair 'whats that you've got dad?' She says as she nods towards his hand.

He holds the envelope out towards her, 'it's from your mum darling' she felt her tears in her eyes building again.

'Can you read it to me please dad?' She asks as she undos the envelope.

Her dad agrees, composing himself as he unfolds the paper

My darling Sophie

Today is your wedding day, one of the most special days of your life. Today my beautiful daughter, you will walk down aisle, leaning on your fathers strong arm as you walk towards the love of your life. Today my little girl, you'll be a radiant bride and I am grateful for the woman you have become, and I harbor no doubt in my mind that these qualities will help your marriage thrive.

Marriage is tough my darling and I had been wrong plenty of times in my relationship with your father, but every time I learned something new. Tell Jack how much you love him as often as you can. Be fun, but be real, be you. Appreciate him for the man he is and the man you will help him become.

I have no doubt he will make this day special for you Sophie and I will be watching you every step of the way!

Forever and always

Mum x

Soph wiped away her tears as her dad got up to hug her. 'She knew didn't she dad?' She said as her head rested on his shoulder.

'Sophie, she had absolutely 0 doubts that you would marry jack. She could have wrote that letter as universal as the next, but she saw in you two what she had with me..' He stands back handing her his hanky 'she saw real head over heels love'

Soph nods with agreement before composing herself.  'How was jack this morning?' She asks through a smile.

He smiles back at her 'an hour ago he was fine, but I can imagine him being a lot like you right now if he's read his letter aswell'

Soph stops dead in her tracks laughing 'oh tell me she didn't!'

Her dad nods a laugh spreading across his face to 'oh yes she did!' He takes her hand 'you know they talked alot before she passed away' Soph shook her head, she was aware jack knew alot about what was going on with her mum, but she'd just assumed it was from talking to her dad.

Their conversation was broke from another knock at the door. Jo and Ada were stood holding Bennett and mae, the makeup artist positioned just behind them 'right now no more crying miss Ellis, it's time to get you aisle ready!' Jo says as she shimmy's in past her.

'I'll leave you to it girls! I'll be back in a few hours okay!' He kisses Soph on the cheek as he says his goodbyes.
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5 months earlier

Caroline Ellis FaceTime incoming ...

Jack answers his phone, he'd just finished training sitting back in his car

'Alright Caroline?' He says as the camera connects.

'Hi jack' her voice was fainter than normal 'I just wanted to double check the plans for the wedding before I go to sleep'

She was laid in bed propped up by several pillows 'yeah of course! What part are you wanting to check?'

'The artist you've got to play at the end of the night?' He hears her shallow breathing as she pauses 'is it set in stone?'

'Yeah all confirmed and paid for Caz'

'Okay that's good. I've got something here that I want Sophie to have for her something borrowed. Can I post it to you?'

'You can or you could give it to me when we come see you next week?'

She goes quiet for a while before her faint voice returns 'I'm afraid that I'm running out of time jack' He hears her coughing before the camera comes back to her face 'promise me you'll look after her, that you'll love her unconditionally'

'Caz, Sophie is the only one for me. She has me whole heart yknow. Well apart from the kids, an you!'

She lets out a little laugh 'always the smooth talker. I just want her to have a day to remember'

'I promise ya caz, she ain't gonna forget it okay!' She nods in agreement before they say their goodbyes.

That was the last conversation he had with sophs mum. Her dad called the following morning to say she'd passed away in her sleep. Jack knew he had to fulfil her dying wish. Her daughters wedding was going to be one to remember.