Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Eighty Five

  26 days later.

Okay. So here it is. My big day. I bite my lip and smile nervously into the mirror as Carmen pulls away from my hair with an, 'Quite alight if i do say so myself' kind of smile.
"Like it?" She grins at my reflection in the mirror.
"Yes." I beam back. "So much, Thank you."
Both she, Enya and my sister-in-law, Tina, look stunning in their royal blue, off the shoulder bridesmaids dresses. I stand up properly so Enya can perfect my lace rimmed vial.
"Oh Libby! You look wonderful!" She grins at me. I just smile politely back, trying to keep my racing heart under control. Theres a knock at the door and Tina runs over to answer it.
"Guys!" She calls back. "Libby its your dad! The cars here!"
Carmen and Enya let out a small squeal in unison as i take a deep breath.
"Okay." I breathe, as Enya gathers up the lace train of my dress thats dragging along the floor, before she begins marching me to the door. "Showtime..."

My dad is already back in the black and cream wedding car when i finally make it to the entrance of the hotel. Although its not too warm, the sun is shining and everything seems brighter as Carmen stuffs me into the car along side my dad, before jogging off to join Enya and Tina in the car behind.
"Im glad you're here Dad." I mutter as the car begins to pull away.
"Where else would i be eh? He grins back, he looks very dapper in his black and cream suit. I have a sudden flash back to only ten months ago when he was lying in that hospital bed, barley recognisable. I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts and fidget in my seat instead, looking idly out of the window.
Before i know it, im out side the church.
"Ready?!" Tina beams as she and Enya haul me up out of the car and straighten down my dress, as Carmen hands me my bouquet, a mixture of pale blue and cream roses.
"Ready as ill ever be." I grin back as i take my dads arm and head towards the doors of the picturesque church.

I hear the muffled sound of people standing as the music begins to play and all of a sudden my heart is beating at a million miles an hour.
And then everythings a blur, everything accept Gary. Gary. Gary half turned towards me at the end of what seems a mile long aisle, i just want to run to him because he looks too perfect standing there in his black and cream tux with his pale blue cravat, wearing the biggest face spitting grin ive ever seen.
And then theres Ethan, in my mothers arms and suddenly im battling the overwhelming urge to cry. Cry but grin like a fucking idiot at the same time.
What the fuck are you doing Libby? Marrying Gary Barlow. Thats what im doing. And its pure and utter madness.
I dont even notice when Carmen takes my bouquet and my dad slips away into one of the pues. Not until Gary take my hand. And there it is again, that lump in my throat, but i cant stop grinning.

"Oh my God." Gary breaths, his lips brushing my temple through my vial. "You look magnificent."
I just grin back, because its all i can do as the tears threaten to fall.
"Dont cry." Gary breaths again, hes grinning like an idiot too. I bite my lip and nod, blinking back the tears. The vicar begins to speak, but im not really paying attention, im too busy staring up at Gary.
"You've got a garter on right?" Gary bends his knees slightly as he whispers into my ear. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip in a desperate attempt not to burst into fits of laughter.
"Gary!" I whisper back, my voice hardly audible as i subtly pinch his thigh. "We're in a church!"

                                                                      ***

"You may kiss your bride..."
They are the only words i hear as i turn to face Gary...my husband. This is crazy.Before i can register whats going on, my vial is over my head and Garys lips are on mine. Its been nearly twenty four hours and ive missed them so much. I fling my arms around his neck, oblivious to the cheering congregation.
"I missed you last night..." I smile against the corner of Garys mouth as we pull apart.
"Not as much as i missed you..." Gary grins back, gripping my hands as we turn to head back up the aisle. "...That i assure you." With that, he places yet another kiss against my cheek.

Once we're outside and covered from head to toe in confetti, Gary takes Ethan from my mom, of course, he doesnt have a clue whats going on, but i had fun choosing his outfit anyway. My stomach knots slightly as i recall the argument Gary and I had over the honeymoon.
We're going to some totally remote island in the Bahamas and naturally i wanted Ethan with us. Then there was Gary saying its suppose to be a relaxing break for the two of us, plus the head would be no good for a three month old baby. He had a point, but i didnt want to leave my baby with someone else for two weeks, so eventually we came to the agreement that we'd have the first week to ourselves, then Marjorie would bring Ethan out the second. That i could deal with.
"You okay?" Gary gives my hand a little shake as he drags me down into the car.
"Ye im fine." I grin back. "Just a little overwhelmed."
"You and me both..." Gary grins, pouring two glasses of champagne as the car begins to pull away to the reception, he passes me a glass and holds his up. "To us Mrs Barlow."
"To us, Mr Barlow." I beam back as i clink glasses, before taking a long, welcome sip of the alcohol.

                                                                    ***

The reception was perfect, more than perfect, just like the meal and the speeches. Although my eye make-up was far from perfect after the speeches, but hey, its all part of the fun right? The first dance, that was perfect too. I grin to myself as i remember the light hearted dispute Gary and i had over that aswell. I wanted A Million Love Songs, but Gary said he didnt want people to actually know he was an arrogant bastard, so we settled for Everything by Michael Buble.
"Enjoying your day Mrs B?" A more than drunk Jason, bounces over to me as i sit across Garys knees, watching everyone else dancing. I just grin and nod, worried that he wont be able to hear me over 'Dancing Queen.' Jason grins back, and half dances, half gallops over to Howard who is stood with Enya by the bar.
"Come on." Gary stands up and grabs my hand.
"Where are we going?" I shout over ABBA.
"Getting out of here." I can hear Garys grin as he strides out of the hall and into the far too quite corridor.
"Why?.." I smirk, biting my lip, even though im perfectly aware of his intentions.
"Because." Gary smirks as the doors to the lift open and we step inside. "I want to rip that garter off you, Mrs Barlow."