A Saviour

Chapter Forty One

Johnny, Stephen, and Jack had gone on ahead to City Hall with a number of security members to ensure a smooth transition leaving the bride to be at the hotel.

Kate was sat nervously in the suite watching Belle play enthusiastically on the floor with Lily by her side. Jessie, Lucie and Gina were fussing over some last minute details, before they declared themselves ready and headed off. Carl had kindly offered to ride in the car with Kate to City Hall and although she would have loved her father to be by her side, she was touched by the gesture. After a short while of making small talk, Lily rushed off to get dressed herself and came out the bedroom shortly after, looking elder than her years and incredibly elegant. Kate smiled and hugged her "Darling you look beautiful." "Thank you... but nowhere near as beautiful as you look." Kate blushed before they both helped Belle into her little dress. The toddler was rather excited to be in a new dress and twirled repeatedly showing it off. Soon it was the Bride's turn to get dressed, she donned the soft satin gown, it was incredibly fitted and flared a little at the bottom into a small train. It felt like the most incredibly luxurious item of clothing Kate had ever own. She slipped into her new designer heels before standing in front of the large mirror in the master bedroom. A silent tear fell down her cheek, as she bit her lip attempting to conceal the emotions bubbling within her. This was it, the fairytale she had longed for, all the pain and anguish she had endured had all led to this moment, and although she couldn't be happier, she was tinged with sadness that she had no real family of her own to celebrate it with.

She slowly left the bedroom shutting the door behind her, before walking into the living area of the suite. Lily fast approached and hugged her soon to be step mother "You look like a goddess." She beamed before Belle wanted in on the action. "Thank you Lily.. and thank you for everything." "Not a problem Kate. It's been a pleasure." "Right... are we ready?" Carl asked after snapping a photo of Kate with the two girls. "I think so." The bride said nervously. "Let's get you married!" Carl said excitedly, taking her arm and leading her out the suite with the two children trailing behind.

They made their way down to a private entrance to the hotel, where Travis was waiting with a luxury car. "Miss Baxter..." he said winking holding the door open and handing her a bouquet as the group climbed in.

Meanwhile, Johnny had been shown to the grand room which he had chosen for his wedding. The registrar was making small talk with Stephen, as Johnny kept readjusting his bow tie of his tux. "She's gonna turn up isn't she?" He mumbled making his son's eyebrows furrow, "What do you mean Dad?" "I just.. what if she doesn't want this? What if she's nervous." "Dad I don't know much... hell I haven't even got a proper girlfriend yet but I do know that Kate loves you. Why else would she pick up your pants from the bedroom floor? Make you coffee every morning even though you keep her awake all night with your snoring! She loves you Dad. And you love her and that's why she will turn up." "Since when did you get so smart bud?" "You've taught me well.." Jack said smiling as Johnny ruffled his hair.

Soon Christi, Lucie, and Gina arrived, the first two sat in the vacant chairs, and Gina approached kissing Stephen's cheek. "Don't look so nervous J... everything is going to be fine." She said with a smile. "Thanks G." He said kissing his friend's cheek. "How is she doing?" "She's fine, she's happy. Stop fretting." 

A short while later, Travis arrived and walked down the aisle, he shook his boss' hand before whispering in Sean's ear. The registrar gave the nod and everyone took their positions. Carl walked into the room, and sat beside his wife smiling at Johnny. This confused the latter as he assumed Carl was going to walk his fiancé down the aisle in the absence of her father. Johnny was ushered to the alter, and he heard the double doors open, he turned and saw Lily walking down the aisle with Belle's hand in hers. The latter was smiling away and giggling as she recognised her closest friends and family. As she approached Johnny, she stopped and tugged on his trousers making everyone smirk. "Dada dada dada.." she said showing off her new dress and his eyes widened before he scooped her up onto his hip. He pulled Lily into a side hug beside him as music began to play. He was shocked, they hadn't discussed music or details like this so this was a surprise for him. It wasn't until he listened to it he recognised that it was his and Jeff's version of Let it Be Me. He smiled as Kate appeared looking angelic in the centre of the double doors. She held a small posy of festive looking flowers that stood out boldly against her ivory dress and although Johnny could tell she was nervous, she glowed and looked happy as she slowly began to walk towards him.

The groom only had eyes for his bride but could hear a few sniffles from the small audience they had. He knew this was a huge moment in both of their lives, and his bubble was only burst by the gasp from the three year old in his arms. "Princess.." she murmured staring at her mother. The three year old had fast become obsessed with fairytales in recent months and he couldn't help but agree that Kate did look like a princess. Belle shuffled in his arms as her mother approached, she smiled sweetly at Johnny as she struggled to hold the tears in her large doe like eyes, and he quietly handed Belle over to Jack who was beside him as Kate handed her bouquet to Lily who was stood to the left of her, the couple took each other's hand and stepped forward.