Millie

Bonus Chapter - One

One year later.

The birds were singing, the bells were ringing, and the wedding party was filing into the ceremony room. The whole room is glowing, it's a golden hue, coming from the candles and the fairy lights that twinkle from the Christmas trees.

I lean against Wrens arm, and she practically shivers "This is romantic... a Christmas wedding. Why didn't we think of this first" I whispered against her ear.

She smiles, her fingers slipping between mine on her thigh. "Probably because you haven't proposed to me yet Dawson"

I widen my eyes "Perhaps I'm waiting on you, Nomikos"

Veda peeks around me, having overheard "This could have been yours" she commented, soothing as ever. "But you are both waiting for the perfect time" she mocks, with hand actions and a goofy voice.

Wren and I share a look. Guilty as charged. The perfectionist and the dreamer.

She shakes her head at us "And now your romantic Christmas wedding is being stolen from under your noses" and she gestures around the room to the magical ambiance "and it's perfect"

Josie shuffled forward to the edge of her seat beside Veda "I can't believe they only met last summer. It's totally romantic, to think, that when you know you know, and to hell with the aspect of time and societal expectations"

Veda turned back to Josie and wrinkled up her nose affectionately "Why are you so cute"

Josie's lips lifted into a contented smile, and her hazel eyes twinkled in the reflection of the fairy lights. "I told you before... DNA"

Veda sat back in her seat and took Josie's arm in hers, pulling her back into a close sitting position. "Cloning you" she whispered. "The world needs more"

Wren and I share another glance as we observed them, and this time Wrens eyebrows rise up and down at the twosome. Veda and Josephine had been inseparable since the day they had met, but nowadays it seemed to be a little more like they were sweethearts. I wasn't sure if it was romantic, or just a great affection for one another, and I'm not sure they did either. We all loved to see their bond grow though. If anything, it was clearly a friendship that would go the distance.

Soon, if I got my way, we would also be family. The engagement ring I had bought for Wren this summer on our Greek vacation, it was hidden in a box of pop tarts at the back of the kitchen cupboard. Nobody ever reached for my breakfast poison of choice, Veda being a vegan, and Wren being an athlete who looked after her diet and nutrition. There wasn't much nutritious about a pop tart apparently, who knew?!

Harper and Teddy are sat the other side of us with Bastion squeezed between them in his gorgeous mini black tux with the red Bow Tie. He was matching the theme perfectly.

Harper had been listening to Vedas commentary "I did think it would be Wren having the Christmas wedding. I can't lie"

"Mama" Wren responded surprised, turning to acknowledge her "you know I'm a destination wedding kinda girl"

Teddy looked over the top of Bastion "I love the idea of that too"

Harper looked back surprised "Then why didn't we" she asked her. "I would have been totally up for a beach wedding"

Teddy laughed "Babe, I was carrying a watermelon up my dress, remember?! And we didn't organise a thing of it. My sisters did. We can have a redo though. Fancy it?!"

Harper leant over Bastion, whom squirmed beneath them as they shared a quick kiss. "Moms" he protested "embarrassing"

They laughed, and parted. Harper sitting back against her chair "I'm not getting married again Theodora...but I'll happily go on a vacation and play pretend"