Knight In Shining Armour (The Wedding Series #1.5)

Epilogue

One year later

Butterflies erupted in my stomach as the doors to the church crashed open and in walked my bride. My Felicity.

This was perhaps a little later than I would've liked to have seen Felicity walk down the aisle, but after my hasty proposal on her last wedding day, she told me it was too soon, and of course, she was right.

I didn't know what came over me when I proposed. All I heard was that she loved me back, and I wanted to cement it and make the most of it before someone else came and pulled the rug from under us.

But as Felicity explained — and I realised deep down — that wasn't a valid enough reason to get married.

We started off slow in our relationship, as this was the first time we had been in one together. We didn't even move in together straight away. Felicity insisted that we got to know one another properly. As adults. There was the worry that we would realise we made a huge mistake, but thankfully, we fell into a loving, healthy relationship almost immediately.

Tears sprung to my eyes as I saw the vision in white walk down the aisle. I tore my eyes away for a second to compose myself. We hadn't even started the ceremony yet and if I couldn't keep it together now, there was no way I would make it to the vows.

To somewhat distract myself, I looked out over the crowd of well-wishers and spotted many familiar faces. Despite the way things ended between Felicity and James — although I do believe she neglected to tell him exactly what transpired between us last night — we came to a place where we were able to be friends.

Almost.

James and I would never be best buds. Not even if we weren't in love with the same girl at one point. Our personalities just didn't naturally bond. But we were able to be civil in group settings, and everyone seemed comfortable with the arrangement.

Gloria — who remained one of Felicity's bridesmaids — seemed enthralled by our love story, claiming it was incredibly romantic. She always had her nose in a book, so our journey was right up her alley.

Surprising me, Jennifer also took up the mantle of a bridesmaid with ease. Of course, I hurt her a little by leading her on, and I completely owned and apologised for that. That was all I could do. Eventually, she forgave me, probably down to the fact that she now had a jet-setting, influencer lifestyle. I imagined she met people much more suited to her through that line of work.

And there was Layla — who had taken up the much preferred mantle of maid of honour — standing at the altar, watching her best friend walk down the aisle, with tears in her eyes. She was wonderful when everything broke down, sorting out the rest of the day without so much as batting an eyelid. Then she was there for Felicity every step afterwards, although no-one expected anything different from her.

When the dust settled and Felicity and I were in a firm relationship, I spoke to Layla, hoping that it wouldn't feel weird for her. But she reminded me she'd resigned herself to knowing we would somehow end up together back when we were children. Felicity and Layla always joked and told people they were family. Now that would be true.

Layla even took it upon herself to orchestrate this entire day, as if she was obliged to make up for the fact that she hadn't been there for the last fortnight of Felicity's first wedding. She had been excellent, however, and had found a true calling in wedding planning. James even employed her help for his wedding next month.

Eventually, I composed myself, and my bride joined me at the altar. She squeezed her father's hand as he kissed her on the cheek. His chin wobbled as he took his place on the front pew next to his wife.

Felicity and James' break up hadn't affected the business in the slightest. From what Felicity told me — and I knew even less than she did — her parents finally accepted that she wanted nothing to do with the business and supported her decision to step away. James had now taken on more responsibilities and was thriving in his new position.

My future wife faced me and her eyes took me in, as mine did her. I held out my hand to Felicity, and she grabbed it. Winking, I gave her hand a squeeze, and I rubbed a soothing thumb against the back of it, knowing that she would be a little nervous. And if I could do anything to ease those nerves — now and in the future — I would endeavour to do so.

In another attempt to calm her down — and purely because I couldn't resist, not even on our wedding day — I leant forward and whispered in her ear, "I'm so glad you're here. I must admit, I was a little worried you would leave me at the altar."

She rolled her eyes and choked on a laugh. "Shut up. I still have time to go, you know."

Felicity turned her body and pointed in the door's direction, as if she would make a swift exit.

"But you won't, though." I said, pointedly.

"No, I won't." She said with a smile, in all seriousness, as she stood next to me.

"Though I must confess," I said, my voice low, knowing the ceremony was about to start. "I did hate the fact that I was no longer your maid of honour."

Her eyes lit up with a laugh. Although we both knew my sister was much more suited to that role than I ever was.

"Well, unfortunately, you'll have to settle with only being my husband, won't you?" She had a bright twinkle in her eye.

Husband.

Now it felt real.

"I guess I am," I smiled, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I can't wait."