Scream at the drunken moon

Chapter 31

The girls shout up to me that the car is here. They organised it all so I have no idea what's just pulled up. I quickly add some more lipstick and put in my mams diamond earrings before heading for the stairs. I open the bedroom door to Mike standing there. His mouth drops open as he sees me and I feel my stomach churn. I shake my head very softly. It's Alysha he loves, not me and I'm not sure I can cope with him doing this to me. He links his arm with mine anyway and we walk down the stairs. The girls all gasp when they see me. This is the first time since I bought the dress that I've actually put it on, and with my hair and make up done, it looks even better than it did in the shop. We only picked them up yesterday anyway, so that Tony wouldn't see it before hand. I smile nervously and grab my bag off the side. I still need to take my pills with me so I bought a little ivory coloured bag to keep them in.
I open the door and see a huge limo there. And James stood by the drivers door, a huge grin on his face. I scream as I run towards him, a huge smile on my face. I haven't seen him since leaving Wales and although I invited him, he said he couldn't come.
"What are you doing here? You said you couldn't come" I shout.
"I lied. Did you seriously think I'd let you get wed without me to supervise?" he says laughing. I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight, some relief overtaking the nerves that are making me feel so queasy. Mike opens the door and I carefully climb in, Alysha and Jess arranging my dress as I do, so that it doesn't get squashed. It's a stretch limo and next the bridesmaids pile in, with James, sitting opposite me and then Mike, next to me. I see Alysha smile at him and my stomach turns. I'm so sorry I mentally shout but I try to remain composed as the engine starts up. I close my eyes for a second and think of Tony, waiting there for me.
It feels like only seconds before we pull up and I'm being helped out of the car. We take a few seconds to make sure all our dresses are neat and tidy and flowers are handed out. I adjust my dress and take a deep breath. I can't see Tony at this precise moment but I can sense him. Mike links his arm with mine once again and James takes the other, for now, and we start our walk down the specially laid out aisle. James lets go to sit down and as soon as he does I hear Mike mutter something.
"What?" I hiss.
"I said I'm sorry" he mumbles quietly so no-one else can hear. I squeeze his hand gently and turn my head slightly so I can see him and smile.
I see Tony. He looks amazing in his suit and my stomach flips again. I am so excited and nervous right now but this is what I've wanted for so long. I feel the smile on my face growing as he turns towards me and I see nothing but love in his eyes. I want to run into his arms but it'll only be a few more seconds before I'm at his side. I haven't really paid any attention to the guests, my only focus being the man waiting for me.
The registrar starts the service and we exchange our vows. When it comes to the part where he asks if anyone objects, my heart is in my mouth. I think if Mike really wanted to he would say something. But thank God he keeps his mouth closed. I'm a little surprised his mam didn't object too, to be honest, but there's not a sound from anywhere. We take the rings off the little cushion and I gasp as I see them. Tony picked them and wouldn't let me have a sneaky look before now. They're engraved with the words 'always' and 'forever' and I feel a tear of happiness and love about to fall. I look up at Tony as I slide the ring on his finger and he then does the same for me.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife" declares the registrar and Tony kisses me with a new sort of love. We walk back up the aisle as confetti and rose petals shower over us and within seconds the team of wedding planners are getting the seating rearranged and the dance floor ready for the reception. Tony wraps his arms around me from behind as we pose for photos and the smile on my face is the biggest I've ever felt it. I see Mike out of the corner of my eye staring at us. He looks almost wistful and I want to scream at him to snap out of it. It was a mistake.
We pose for so many photos - informal as well as formal. One of the bridesmaids with me. One of them with their boyfriends. Tony's mam and sister with him and then with both of us. One of Mike and myself, seeing as he was the one giving me away. I catch a glimpse of Lisa with an older woman in the crowd and she's glaring right at me. I give her a cold look and she shrinks back as she sees the expression on my face. I turn to Tony once again and we hear Jaime shouting that it's time for the reception, so Tony takes my hand and leads me to the tables which have been set up.