Love isn't something that weak people do

The Evening Party

The evening party was just getting started as Aled returned to the function room. So far it was only some of Charlie's aunties on the dance floor dancing to a medley of Abba hits.
He noticed Tara and Katie sat together, the latter with her bare feet resting on another chair taking the weight off her slightly swollen ankles. They were looking at something on Tara's phone and giggling. Aled had always been jealous of Tara and Darcy's ability to stay in each other’s lives and remain friends, even when Darcy had begun to see Katie very soon after they broke up. Tara had been down to stay with them, and they had even all gone on holiday together with Tara's ex.
Aled and Daniel had tried to remain civil after they ended things, but it proved impossible. Now Aled had no idea where Daniel was, or what he was doing, and even 9 months later his heart still ached when he thought about it.
Katie spotted Aled and called him over to join them. "Where are the others?" He asked, as hung his suit jacket on the back of a chair and sat down.
"Bar." Tara replied
"Darcy is on a mission to get you all on the shots before the dancing starts" Katie rolled her eyes while rubbing a hand across her baby bump.
"How long do you have to go?" Aled asked gesturing towards Katie's belly
"6 weeks. This is the last trip we're doing. Darcy insisted we stay close to home and the hospital from now on. She even looked up directions to the local maternity ward, just in case something happened while we were here!" Katie shifted slightly in her seat "although the rate she's drinking I'd be driving myself to the hospital!"
As if on que, Darcy danced into the room carrying a little round tray full of drinks, including several shots. She had discarded her suit jacket and swapped the heels she had been wearing earlier for a pair of black trainers. "Shots! Shots! Shots!" She sang as she headed  towards them. "Don't worry babe" she told Katie "you've got a shot of lemonade" she kissed Katie on the cheek. Katie rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.
Tao and Elle joined them carrying 2 bottles of wine and a few glasses, followed by Sahar and Amit.
The Abba medley had ended and now it was Earth Wind and Fire.
Elle was swaying in her seat singing along "do you remember, the 21st night of September..." She turned to Tao "I want to dance! Come with me!"
"Oh no." Said Tao, pouring himself a large glass of wine "I haven't drunk nearly enough yet!"
Darcy handed him one of her shots "say no more my friend, say no more."
Tao and Darcy clinked glasses and knocked back their drinks in one go, both wincing at the sharp taste.
"Radio?" Darcy held a glass to Aled, who shook his head and held up the bottle of beer he was drinking. "Wuss!" Darcy pouted.

Clearly tired of waiting for Tao to join her, Elle was now dancing by herself on the edge of the dancefloor, hands in the air, singing along loudly "BA-DEE-YA, SAY DO YOU REMEMBER!!"

As the song came to an end the DJ spoke over the microphone "Ladies and gentlemen. Before we continue tonight's entertainment, gather around, as one of the Grooms would like to say a few words" He passed the microphone to Charlie, who was stood by a small projector screen. "Hi everyone. Thanks for coming. Nick and I aren't having a first dance. But I still have a surprise for my husband. Now that his lovely colleagues have arrived" Charlie gestured to the back of the room where a group of ladies (other teachers at Nick's school, Aled assumed) all gave a cheer and a wave "they have brought with them a very special message, from some very special people who couldnt be here today."
Charlie put the microphone down and took Nick's hand, leading him to a position where he could easily see the screen, which had now lit up to show a young girl and boy who looked about 6 years old. They were both wearing a blue school uniform and were stood in front of a white board that had 'HAPPY WEDDING DAY MR NELSON' written on it in rainbow colours. "That's Sophia and Tobias!" Said Nick breaking out into a grin.

"Hello Mr Nelson." The little girl said "we hope you are having a nice wedding day"
("Awww" said the wedding guests.)
"Year Two wanted to send you a message" added the little boy, who was missing his front teeth so had a very cute lisp.
The camera spun around to show 30 children stood in, what Aled assumed to be, Nick's classroom.
A voice from behind the camera said "ready? 1, 2, 3"
The children began to sing "going to the Chapel and we're gonna get married, going to the Chapel and we're gonna get married..." complete with actions.
Aled looked at Nick's reaction. He looked so proud watching his students, and occasionally pointed and said thing like "look at Finley!" and "Ava is such a star" He had his arm wrapped around Charlie, who seemed delighted with the reaction his surprise had got.
The children finished singing, and the voice from behind the camera said "and, Year Two, what do we say to Mr Nelson and his new husband?"
"HAPPY WEDDING DAY SIR!" Shouted the children.