In this life

Chapter 31

"...Finally, I would like you to join me in a toast to my beautiful Emily" Johnny looked at her in awe, "My best friend, my Wife..., my absolute world!" he raised his glass "To Emily!"
We all raised our glasses "To Emily"
She stood to kiss him and we clapped as they took their seats.

Liam and Harry were next to stand. They waited until they had everyone's attention before speaking.
"Now, I'm not saying my brother is gay..." Harry started and we laughed.
"But there have been some questionable moments. Like the time we caught him playing princesses with Rosie and he flounced around in his dress..."
Johnny looked at me smiling and shrugged, I blew him a kiss.
"And the time he cried at The Neverending Story..." Liam stated.
"He still can't watch it without skipping past the sadness of the swamps!"
Emily rubbed Johnny's shoulder. We all laughed.
"There was the time he wanted to learn embroidery" Liam listed.
"And don't forget that time he French kissed Dave for a bet!" Said Harry as people started to laugh and whisper their shock to each other. Dave, Johnny's best mate shouted "Easiest fifty quid ever!" And blew Johnny a kiss with a cheeky little wave. Johnny pretended to catch his kiss and put it in his pocket. As the laughter died down, Liam continued; "So no one was more surprised than us when he turned up one Sunday lunch time with an unbelievably gorgeous girl on his arm"
Harry added; "Their relationship didn't last long and then he met Emily"
Emily feigned offence and Johnny kissed her shoulder with a smile.
"Now, as you can see by his physique, Johnny is very athletic. Preferring activities such as basketball and swimming. You'd be forgiven for thinking he was good at all things sporty"
"However" said Liam "Johnny's weakness is, surprisingly, football. He loved the game and tried out for several teams when we were younger. But always ended up on the bench. He was rubbish in almost every position"
"Hopefully" said Harry to Emily "You'll have better luck tonight" We all laughed.
"When Johnny asked us to be his best men, we were both honoured. Knowing we'd have to do this speech, we got together a few times to think of things to say. We started searching the Internet and found some good stuff, then after a while we found some really good stuff" explained Harry. "But then we remembered the speech and had to delete our internet history before Claire and Sophie got home" We all laughed again.
"On a serious note", Liam spoke "Our one piece of advice would be the age old saying; never go to bed on an argument, stay up and resolve it. Because studies show that-" he paused and looked directly at me,
"-You're more likely to be murdered by the person you share your bed with!" I stared back at him, anger instantly building inside. A few people laughed as Emily pretended to strangle Johnny.
"So, with that" Harry piped up again, looking at Emily, "We would just like to keep the bride sweet, for our brother's sake, by telling her that we have honestly never seen Johnny more happy than he is with you. You look truly stunning today, and it is a sad day, I'm sure, for all the single men out there, that you are now officially off the market"
"Please be upstanding and raise your glasses once more to the happy couple in wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness" Liam said raising his glass, still staring at me.
"Johnny and Emily" we all chorused.
As I took a sip of my drink I turned to Daniel to see if he'd noticed Liam's subtle dig at us. Daniel gave me a tight smile to say that he had and held my hand.

***

After the meal, evening guests begun to arrive, the music started and everyone was in good spirits.
Daniel and I were chatting with Harry up at the portable bar, set up near the dance floor in the marquee.
"So what do you do for a living?" Harry asked Daniel.
"Currently nothing. I'm financially lucky enough to be able to enjoy the perks of not having to work" He was honest in his reply.
"Oh really? That bodes well for Rosie. Dad doesn't call her a Princess for nothing y'know" he teased me.
"Oi!" I playfully nudged him "Knowing I like the finer things in life does not make me spoilt, so don't imply that"
"Of course, Princess" He rubbed my arm.
"Anyway, Daniel used to work in stocks" I explained.
"Ah, Ok. Obviously you were good at it. But, well I don't know anything about that. That's Liam's domain I'm afraid" Harry answered.
Daniel and I gave each other a brief glance.
"Yeah..." said Harry, noticing our hostility at the mention of Liam's name, "...I'm aware of the tension"
I inspected his expression to try and work out how much he knew. I couldn't tell.
"What has he said?" I asked curiously, subconsciously moving closer to Daniel, sliding my arm around his waist, defensively. Daniel automatically draped his arm around my shoulders.
Harry watched us and smiled, "It doesn't matter. We don't share the same opinion".
"Opinion on what?" I assumed he knew about Daniel but wanted to be sure.
Harry subtly looked around us to ensure no one was listening before speaking, "The way I see it... who better to protect my little sister from the dangerous men at night, than a dangerous man of the night who loves her" he shrugged "She's probably safer with you than without you" he looked at Daniel.
Daniel gave Harry a tight lipped smile and an agreeable nod "I'll keep her safe" he assured Harry.
"I believe you will".
I couldn't help myself, I reached over and hugged Harry tightly. His words in acceptance of Daniel were exactly what I needed to hear. I hadn't realised quite how much, until I'd heard them. I felt like any doubts I'd had about whether Daniel and I could really stay together, were gone.
"Thank you Harry" I spoke with gratitude.
"Hey, no problem. You forget, I grew up in a world of comics and fantasy. This to me is normal" he grinned and I laughed.
"Can I have your attention please!" The DJ spoke into his microphone "Please would you all gather and welcome the newlyweds to the dance floor as they have their first dance as Mr and Mrs Porter"
"Come on" said Harry, "We'd best go watch our nice brother and his wife do their thing" he gestured for us to follow as he found a good place to stand. Daniel and I shared a look of mutual appreciation for Harry and followed behind, hand in hand.
We clapped as Johnny led Emily to the centre of the dance floor and they shared a sweet little kiss before their song started to play.
As we watched them gently sway to the music in a loving embrace, Daniel stood behind me with one hand on my shoulder, the other was still holding my hand as he stroked my thumb with his.
I rested my head against him, remembering the night he'd first walked me home and we'd danced in my living room. I knew there was something special about him them, but hadn't banked on just how much. He'd came into my life, totally and utterly steeling my heart. Two months ago I didn't even know of his existence and now... Now, I couldn't bare the thought of being without him.
Half way through the song, the DJ announced that Johnny and Emily had requested we all join them on the dance floor.
Daniel held out my hand in his "May I have this dance?"
"Yes you may" I giggled and he led the way, as other couples also made their way over.
Once on the dance floor, Daniel stopped and pulled me close to him, still not letting go of my hand. I reached my arm to his shoulder and placed my palm on the top of his back. We slowly stepped in time to the music, keeping soft eye contact as we danced.
"I wish I knew what you are thinking" Daniel titled his head slightly.
"It's strange" I answered "I was wondering how many slow dances you have had over the last century" I paused "I mean, weren't they all the rage in the forties or something? Coming home from war and dancing with the ladies or whatever?"
He smiled. "Yep. You'd have loved me in uniform" he's eyes were seductive.
"I certainly would have!"
"And with your looks and fine arse, I bet you'd have had your pick of the soldiers"
"Thank you" I blushed "Have you always been a smooth talker with the ladies or is it special cheesiness just for me?" I teased.
"Nope, it's a gift that has served me well" he teased me back.
"Just how well has it served you? I can't imagine you've ever really been without... Y'know, a lady on your arm, or...in your bed?"
He shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"Probably not, no. I know you've not been celibate for a hundred years, so I was just curious" I gave him a small smile to reassure him I wasn't being jealous.
We carried on dancing and as the song finished and a new one started, I looked over Daniel's shoulder, Emily's Dad stepped in to dance with his daughter. Johnny danced with our Mum. I smiled again watching them all happily swaying to the music.
"Daniel" I looked back at him "does today make you think that this could have been us?"
"Yes" his expression was unreadable, "but it wouldn't have been like this" he smiled "We'd have got married on a shoe string, you'd have made your dress, Mrs Bird would have made pork pies and sandwiches. Then later we'd have danced to whatever was on the wireless while Mr Bird sparingly shared his rum and we'd have been happy"
"It sounds... perfect" I played with the hair at the back of his neck as I imagined every word he'd said.
"And then later" he stepped back slightly and spun me around, under his arm, replacing his hand on the small of my back, "we'd have walked, arm in arm, to the river and I'd have made love to you, my wife, right under the stars"
I kissed him hard. Holding him as close to me as I could. I didn't care who could see us, or if anyone was actually looking. Daniel slid his hands up my back and matched my kiss.