Short Kings Anthem

Part 40

"Okay that's perfect now can we have siblings as well," the photographer asked as Chris and Lauren's siblings joined them and Chris's parents for the photo. The other guests were standing around the beach, eating some canapes and drinking cocktails, chatting about what had just unfolded, some still in an element of shock.

"So how long have you known?" Josh asked Arthur, poor Arthur had already had this question from Chip, George Clarke and Callux.

"They told me last night, as well as the bridesmaids. Honestly I didn't see it coming, he even secretly got a suit for me," Arthur explained.

"So you've had less than twenty four hours to write a speech?" Simon asked.

"No I'm not doing a speech,"

"See now that I can get on board with," Harry mused as he stuffed a small pastry in his mouth, he hated speeches and one of the things that put him off getting married was making one.

Photos took a little while longer as people swapped in and out and also while people waited they took their own photos on their phones, no one posting anything yet awaiting for the go ahead from the newly married couple. Once the photos were finished Chris and Lauren finally had a little bit of time to relax and face their guests properly for the first time. During some photos there were a few comments from people such as I can't believe this, and how did you pull it off but there was no outright anger from anybody.

Chris was swept away by one of his aunts leaving Lauren to wander over to her right where she bumped into some of her friends.

"You look absolutely beautiful, congratulations darling," Talia gushed as she gave Lauren a hug.

"Thank you," she blushed, despite her job she was still weary of being the centre of attention at times.

"How did you pull all of this off?" Simon asked, hugging Lauren once his wife had finished.

"It was very stressful," Lauren laughed.

"So do you have a wedding and party planned back home?" JJ asked also giving Lauren a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"No this is it, everyone we really wanted to be here made it which is amazing."

"Wait so this is proper legal? Like you genuinely got married in secret?" JJ asked in shock.

"Pretty much,"

"How the hell did you pull it off is what I wanna know. For a small man Chris has a big mouth." Harry added in giving Lauren a hug as she laughed.

"When I tell you it's been the most stressful couple of months of our lives"

"Worth it though?" Talia asked and Lauren nodded.

"Absolutely now we're here it's amazing." She truly did mean it, she had never felt so happy.

"Come here right now! Congratulations," Cal shouted as he walked over and gave Lauren a hug.

"Thank you," Lauren gushed as she moved her flowers so they wouldn't get crushed.

"So tell me Mrs Dixon, how long has this been organised?" Cal asked when they finally broke free.

"Okay Chris has been calling me that for a little while as a little joke but hearing someone else say it is fucking mental. Anyway we booked it all like two months ago? Like with most things we do it started off with oh let's have a look which turned into oh this looks nice and the next thing we knew we were doing it," Lauren laughed a little.

"I told you two you'd be married," Harry said smugly.

"Actually you said we'd be married and having a baby within a year, the first happened after a year and the second hasn't happened at all," Lauren replied even more smugly. Harry went to open his mouth to protest when Ethan got in there first.