More Than a Soldier

Chapter 45 - Reception

Scarlet's POV:

Whilst we've been having our photos taken, the guests have been enjoying the drinks and canapes whilst the venue get the dining room ready for dinner. Once we're back inside, our moms both appear with a bottle of water each that Y/n and I are very grateful for. But there's no time to rest as we're being ushered to the doorway of the dining area.

We're doing a receiving line to make sure that we've had the chance to see all the guests before dinner. We take our places, and we hug everyone as they come through to take their seats. When Missy and Harry reach us, Missy is quick to pull Y/n into a tight hug. She then steps back and holds her by her shoulders, looking directly into her eyes. "You know Jimmy would always tell people that he was the reason you two were together." She says and Y/n laughs whilst I look on a little confused. "He would say if he hadn't made you go to the charity dinner and set you up with the Marvel table then this never would have been." She explains and I smile, remembering how great that night was and how true that probably is. "But once you were together, he was sure that was it for you. That you would get married. He would have been so proud of you. I can also guarantee he would have been a blubbering mess just like me. I wish he could have been here with you but know that he was here." She expresses, placing her finger to Y/n's chest.

I reach out to take Y/n's empty hand as her head drops and I see a couple of tears fall. I manage to get Lizzie's attention and ask for a tissue which she hands over, giving a sympathetic look as she does. I subtly place it into Y/n's hand, and she is quick to dab at her face. "I wish he was here more than anything. But I'm glad that he got to meet the woman I'm going to spend my life with and I'm so happy that the two of you came out to share in the celebration." Y/n responds when she composes herself. "We wouldn't have missed it for the world Y/n/n." Harry responds, pulling her into his own tight hug whilst Missy moves on to me.

"Thank you for being there for her and making her so happy." She whispers into my ear. "She makes it easy when I'm the happiest I've been." I smile, glancing over to Y/n who's now joking with Harry. Missy gives my hand a squeeze and moves on into the dining area.

Once all the guests are greeted and taken their seats at their allocated table, I reach out to Y/n who instantly takes my hand. "Shall we?" I ask her and she nods with a dopy smile on her face. "Let's go Mrs Johansson." She smirks, leading us into the dining area.

Y/n being the gentlewoman she always is, pulls my chair out for me and makes sure I'm in comfortably before going to take her own seat, but Tom is quickly up to do the same for her. "Thanks Tommy." She smiles, as he places a kiss to her head.

I look down the table and smile at our friends and family surrounding us. To Y/n's left is Ava, Sophie, and Tom. To my right is Lizzie, Hunter, and Chris. Our parents are on the table opposite us so we can see and talk to them easily. As soon as the starters come out, the mummer of talking dies down as everyone tucks into their food. It's delicious and I can't wait until we get to the main.

We can smell the barbeque already going and it's making me even hungrier. When our plates are placed in front of us, my mouth begins to salivate. "This was the best choice bubs." I say to Ava, grateful that she made the suggestion of having a barbeque. Conversation flows easily whilst we eat. It seems that everyone else is enjoying our choice of food as much as we are.

After the waiters have cleaned up our plates and everyone has had a chance to get a refill of their drinks, Robert stands up and starts to clink his glass to get everyone's attention. "Good afternoon, everyone. Despite my shy and quiet nature, I agreed to kick off proceedings for the speeches today." He starts, earning a laugh from everyone and an eyeroll from Y/n. "Firstly, I'd just like to say how beautiful both of the brides are today. It's been a wonderful day so far with a lovely ceremony." He shares, which makes Y/n and I both blush. Neither of us very good at taking compliments.