[COMPLETED BUT WONT LET ME PRESS THE COMPLETED BUTTON AHAHHA]
Aurora Lockheart was once the sunshine girl-bright, kind, and full of life. But one night changed everything, leaving her a shadow of who she used to be.
A year later, just as she's be...
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August 16, 2010
Today was our actual wedding day. Our second one, to be precise. And still, after all this time, no one knew that Gerard and I had secretly been married for four years. We'd kept it close to our hearts, a shared little rebellion that somehow made this day feel both new and perfectly right.
Gibsie had just made the Ireland rugby team along with Johnny, and I couldn't help but think back to that unforgettable night in July of 2009 when he proposed a second time. It was his first time back in months, having been away traveling with Johnny as they chased their rugby dreams, so he'd planned something special for us. We found a quiet hill overlooking Dublin, with a view so breathtaking it didn't feel real. Determined to make the evening perfect, Gibsie had packed us a picnic, complete with a tub of my favorite ice cream.
As I dug into the ice cream eagerly, I suddenly felt something hard in my mouth and froze, nearly choking. I pulled it out to find a ring! I laughed in disbelief as he dropped to one knee, his face full of love and anticipation. The surprise on my face turned to joy as he looked up and asked me to be his forever.
As I slipped into my wedding dress that morning, I finally understood Aiden's near-breakdown at his own wedding. Stress was apparently part of the process, no matter how many times you walked down an aisle. The dress was everything I'd dreamed of as a girl, inspired by my favorite princess. It was classic and elegant, with lace detailing that reminded me of something timeless, delicate. I could practically feel Gerard's awe already, picturing him standing at the altar. My bridesmaids looked stunning too, all dressed in crème gowns that matched the romantic, ethereal theme I'd always envisioned.
Katie, my maid of honor, kept whispering last-minute words of encouragement as we waited. My lineup of bridesmaids was perfection, from Shannon and Claire to Aofie and Casey, each one there with a smile and a tissue hidden in a pocket, just in case.
Gerard's side, though? They were a whole different scene. Johnny, his best man, looked like he'd spent the night rallying the groomsmen instead of sleeping. With Patrick, Aiden, Declan, Joey, and—well, unfortunately—Hughie in the lineup, there was never a dull moment. Even this morning, they'd somehow managed to nearly forget the rings at least twice, causing Gerard to look both frantic and amused.
AJ, our little ring bearer, took his job very seriously, and Mallory, my niece and our flower girl, practically skipped down the aisle tossing petals with the carefulness of a true artist. Then, as "I Will Always Love You" floated through the air, Joey held out his arm to walk me down the aisle. His pride was evident as he squeezed my hand, whispering, "Gussie's a lucky lad, Rora."
"Don't be going soft now, Joey," I whispered as I held onto his arm, my voice wavering slightly but filled with warmth. We were just about to step onto the aisle, the moment we had both been waiting for.
Joey gave me a sidelong smile, his eyes glistening as he took a deep breath. The music had started, soft and slow, and all eyes turned toward us. My brothers—Tadhg, Ollie, and Sean—sat in the front row, watching with pride in their eyes. Edel and John were next to them, already dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs, while Darren sat on the other side with Alex, both of them grinning widely. The sight of them all there, dressed so impeccably, made my heart swell.
Friends and family filled every row, each face a reminder of the love and support that had been with us through every moment, every challenge. The aisle was beautifully lined with flowers, delicate blooms in shades of cream and blush, leading us toward the altar where my future awaited. With each step I took, holding onto Joey's arm, I could feel the gravity of the moment, but also the lightness that came with knowing I wasn't walking this path alone.
Joey squeezed my hand gently, offering silent reassurance, and in that moment, I knew—no matter what the future held, I would always have this love, these people, and this memory to hold onto.
I felt my heart racing as I reached the altar and looked up at Gerard. He was beaming, a mix of love, awe, and that signature hint of mischief in his eyes. Here we were, ready to make our love official all over again, this time with all our friends and family watching.
The vows were heartfelt, with both of us fighting off tears as we promised forever again. Just before the "I do's," Father Michael leaned in, glancing around the guests with a smile that had a touch of playfulness in it. He took a dramatic pause, and Gerard and I exchanged knowing glances, barely holding back our laughter.
"Usually," Father Michael began, looking out at the crowd with mock gravity, "this is the moment I'd pronounce you husband and wife... but it seems we have a little situation here."
I looked up at him with a faux-clueless expression, and Gerard mimicked my confusion. A few guests shifted in their seats, whispering to each other, eyebrows raised. A smile played at the corner of Father Michael's mouth as he continued, "It seems that, on August 16, 2006—exactly four years ago—Gerard and Aurora legally got married."
The silence was broken by a collective gasp, and I heard Katie let out a shocked laugh behind me. "No way!" she gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. Aiden stared at me, eyes wide and blinking, as if he couldn't process what he'd just heard.
"How did we not know?" Johnny demanded, looking scandalized. He gave Gerard a look that was equal parts impressed and annoyed. "You can't keep anything to yourself!"
