Revelation

Epilogue

It just goes to show, the old saying 'It's not what you know, but who you know' may not be too far off the mark.

"My name is Matthew Vaughan and I am a Judge appointed by the Registrar General for Scotland as a person authorised to solemnise civil marriages in accordance with the provisions of the Marriage Act 1977."

An old friend from Gerry's law school days, Matt had cleared his schedule for the weekend to be able to perform the ceremony for us. He'd also somehow managed to persuade the Registrar General to waive the usual twenty-nine-day minimum period of notice of marriage, once Gerry and I had faxed him the relevant documentation – not least of which was proof that I was definitely divorced from Mark the douchebag. And, what's more, he'd arranged everything to be as private as possible so we could escape the over-eager and ever-intrusive eyes of the paparazzi. My hero.

Gerry had ascertained that I was not the slightest bit interested in a big, fluffy wedding with all the bells and whistles. "Been there, done that," I'd told him, "and look where it got me. You, me and two witnesses is plenty." He'd stated his preference for marrying me as soon as possible, with which I'd happily agreed. Well, who wants to be as big as a house on their wedding day? So here we were, only two weeks later, after he'd shut down production on the movie for three days and flown us to Glasgow to be met by his mother and three sisters and then my own family who had flown up from London. We ended up with a few more than two, but very welcome, witnesses, and now stood facing each other as Matt spoke clearly and authoritatively.

"Before you, Gerry, and you, Jo, are joined in marriage, it is my duty to remind you of the binding character of the vows you are about to make. Marriage according to the laws of this country is the voluntary union of two people, entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others."

Astoundingly, and beyond all expectation, I wasn't the least bit nervous, though I'm not sure the same could be said for my about-to-be-husband. Gerry's hands were shaking ever so slightly and there was a catch in his voice that I'd never heard before.

"It's not because I have doubts, Jo; don't think that even for a second," he'd told me before the ceremony began and I'd commented on the trembling. "It's because I can't believe I'm the luckiest bastard on the planet and I'm having trouble accepting this isn't all a dream and you're going to wake me any minute and tell me to get my fat arse out of bed."

I'd squeezed his hand, kissed him on one smooth, newly-shaven and very manly-smelling cheek, and whispered close to his ear so nobody but him would hear me. "I've become rather fond of your arse, Gerry, both in and out of bed. And if this is a dream, then I'm in it with you." Seeing the need in his eyes, I smiled at him. "Always, you big lug."

He'd given a sigh of relief and murmured, "Thank fuck."

"Gerry and Jo, you are now going to exchange rings, this being the traditional way of sealing the vows you have made. The wedding ring is an unbroken circle symbolising unending and everlasting love and is the outward sign of the lifelong promises you have just made to each other."

In his dark suit and pristine white shirt, Gerry looked...well, edible...as he slid the gold band on to my ring finger. I wondered, as I repeated vows and slipped a similar band on his, whether my train of thought was entirely appropriate for our present surroundings and circumstances. Catching Gerry's eye, I winked, only to smirk at the blink of astonishment he gave me. When I saw the edges of his mouth pull up and a humorous twinkle in his eyes as he gave a subtle shake of his head, it was all I could do to contain my ebullience. My heart felt as though it were filled with helium, lighter than air and ready to float away on a cloud of happiness the likes of which I'd never experienced before.

"And now, by virtue of the declarations made by you both, in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, it is my privilege and pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife." Matt closed the book of service and smiled at us both before directing his next comment to Gerry. "Well, what are you waiting for, you great lummox: kiss your bride!"

I didn't even have time to laugh before my new husband wrapped a large hand around my neck and pulled me into his strong, warm embrace. His mouth claimed mine, stealing the air from my lungs and driving reason from my brain. At the weakening of my knees, I grasped on to his shoulders, then moved one hand to tangle in the hair at his nape, still cut military short for the film. Gerry's other arm wrapped around my waist, his hand on my lower back encouraging me closer still, until there was nothing between us but clothing. Had we been alone, I'm pretty sure the clothing wouldn't have been an issue.

When Gerry's lips left mine I followed them until laughter, cheering and wolf whistles impinged on my consciousness. Opening my eyes, I was forcibly reminded we were surrounded by about a dozen members of our immediate families and my cheeks instantly flamed, reddening even more at the deep chuckle reverberating beneath my ear as I ducked my face to Gerry's chest.

"Alright, you lot, stop teasing my wife," he growled at them.

Wife.

Holy crap on a cracker.

The next twenty minutes were a haze of hugs and congratulations and posing for our families to snap shots with their smartphones, as well as one of Gerry's brothers-in-law, who was apparently pretty decent at taking photos and had been capturing moments for us throughout the ceremony. Then at my dad's prompting, we left the Registry Office for a nearby restaurant, where we'd booked the entire place for a private reception.

"Are you happy, mo ghràdh?"

In reply, I set my glass of sparkling grape juice down on the table in front of me, reaching over to take Gerry's and put it beside mine. Then I stood and took his hand, urging him out of his chair, and dragged him to the centre of the room where tables and chairs had been cleared to provide us a small dance area. Background music played over the sound system. I took both Gerry's hands and placed them around me then put my own around his neck and swayed silently with my body until he got the message and moved with me.

"I am now," I said.

He smirked. "You're happy because you're dancing with me? That's some fucked-up reasoning, Jo."

We both chuckled then I shook my head. "Hey, dunderhead, that's no way to talk about my husband and the father of my unborn child."

He sobered and a look of such wistful uncertainty came over his face that my heart felt as if it were being squeezed in a vice. "I don't know that I'm going to be very good at either of those roles, Jo, but I promise you I'll try."

Catching my breath as my heart squeezed again, I pulled his head down to kiss him then rested my forehead against his. "Luckily for you, numpty, I have plenty of experience at keeping your sexy arse in line. We're going to be just fine."

And I truly believed we would.