Meeting Mr Firth

11

Being back in London was fine for the simple reason we could say we came back home. But I was anxious to meet the boys..again. They might have accepted the relationship idea by now. But a wedding is a whole other matter. I couldn't face them. That was all I was thinking of during the day at work, right after receiving endless congratulations and good wishes from Jen and Jack.
Lunch time finally came and Colin picked me from work. He said it was better to invite the boys at home. When we got there I saw myself being greeted with handshakes and sincere smiles. I was wondering if Colin already told them..but he said he wouldn't.

-Kids, the actual reason for which we..
-Wait a second, babe. I want to say something first. And that'll be to thank you for the nice greeting. I hope we would get along just fine. I want that, but I can't and won't force you. Now you can go on, Colin.
-That being said, I can just add that I believe you'd get along. And that you seem to have already accepted us.
-Dad, can you get to the point?
-Yeah, we discussed this already. And agreed with you.
-True, we accepted your relationship.
-Then you could accept our marriage too I hope. Because I'm certain that's what I.. What we want. And we've decided upon it.
-And I promise not to be the kind of evil stepmother. Actually, nothing of this could be described as traditional.. Not even normal, perhaps.
-This kind of changes everything and we know that. We still want you both at the wedding.
-As best men if you would accept that.
-We can't say we didn't expect something like this to happen.
-So consider the invitation accepted.
-Wonderful! I just can't thank you enough for accepting me.
-Well, we guess you're part of the family now..

After lunch we had the house to ourselves again. Colin was sitting on the couch watching me walking around the room nervously.

-Would you just sit down?
-I can't. Do you realise what just happened? They did the impossible possible.. I never thought..
-I told you sooner or later they'd accept everything. They needed time.
-Yeah, I know. But so little time? And they were so friendly. I'm still in shock.
-Nobody who gets to know you could possibly not like you.
-That's not exactly true. But anyway, I'm happy they do.
-And the happiness won't allow you to calm and sit down?
-Okay.. I could try.
-Good. So, let's better get out of the house. Start the preparations if you want.
-Yeah, we should do that.

So we went to the priest to arrange the ceremony details. He willingly accepted the wedding on the hill idea..surprisingly enough. Can't say he didn't look kind of judgy at me though. But who cares? Because I certainly didn't.
Then we decided we should do the shopping the following day..

-You won't drag me into a countless number of shops in search of a dress, would you?
-That's more of the bridesmaid's duty. So Viv would happily come with me into all those shops. We could as well dress in jeans and t-shirts though.
-I thought you wanted some kind of elegant, classical ceremony..
-Not THAT elegant perhaps. Though I would go in search of a dress, something simple, not so bridal. You don't even have to go shopping with that collection of suits you have.
-True that. Maybe I would come shopping with you, if you promise not to make it a whole day long session.
-I don't like shopping that much either.

I found the most beautiful floral dress I could ever imagine. Knee-length and simple, perfect for a wedding in midsummer. Viv agreed with the idea immediately, commenting on how good it looked and how practical it was, while Colin was staring at me. He said I looked stunning in that dress so I bought it without hesitation. Then we chose a similar type of dress for Viv, while Colin went suit shopping with his boys. It was going to be great and we all felt like that.
The other little preparations we did together over the week. The invitations were perhaps the hardest.. But we agreed upon having only close relatives and friends. Only a couple of people who truly mattered and could genuinely share our happiness.
***
We set the ceremony date for Saturday. On Friday night all the emotions and anxiety for the big day were fully settled in. I was once again walking around the room nervously.

-This was not the way I pictured celebrating another beautiful, meaningful Friday night. We're here, back to the hills we left a week past. Could you stop worrying and enjoy yourself? Let's go out.
-Good idea. We can go out so I can check if everything is into place. Then I could calm down.
-That's not exactly what I meant.
-I know. But I need to do that. Then we can take a walk around the hills.

And so we did. I was much calmer when I saw everything was still going according to the plan. I was wondering if all brides are so stressed about their weddings. Probably yes, if you want everything to be perfect. But the truth is, real perfection was standing next to me.
The shinning stars above our heads once again..we started dancing slowly. I run my hands through Colin's hair while he was pulling me closer, hands around my waist. I put my hands around his neck as we continued moving slowly. Then as the dance was over we laid on the grass looking at the beautiful stars above.

-You shine brighter than all of the stars in the universe.
-My love for you reaches higher than the sky. I'm so lucky to have met you.
-So am I. I love you.
-I love you too. And I always will. Tomorrow I would tell the world how much.

He got closer and slowly kissed me. I kissed him back more hurriedly.

-Save it for tomorrow night, he laughed.
-How could I even help myself when you look at me like that. And say such beautiful words.
-The beauty of those words fade in front of yours. So maybe that's why I can't help staring.
-Then go on. But don't ask me to stop either..

The following morning I woke up calmer than I've expected to be. Colin was already up, sitting on a chair and watching me.

-Still staring?
-I shouldn't. We have to get ready.
-That won't take long. Come here..

I hugged and kissed him. Slowly but passionately. After we parted he took my hand and asked if I was ready. I was more than ready, I was willing.. To spend the rest of my days with him. To woke up next to him every morning and go to bed together every night. To  share the same home, life and name with him. He smiled as I was telling him that and said he wanted nothing less.
***
We got ready and went outside, where Viv was expecting us. Someone else trying to hide behind her as she said she had a surprise for me..someone who was supposed to walk me down the aisle. It was my mother.
I promised myself I would not cry but her support and the sweet manner she welcomed Colin into the family was too much to bear. I burst into tears and hugged her. She whipped away my tears and told me she was glad to see me happy and nothing else mattered more.
I told Colin to go ahead and talk to the priest while I had a word with mom.

-I just wanted to thank you for the support. I thought you might find everything.. inappropriate.
-You thought I would judge you? Of course I couldn't say I wasn't surprised. But I see you genuinely happy. Both of you, actually. And that is the most important thing.
-We're happy. And we shall be so for the rest of our days. I'm so glad you understood that.
-As long as everything is as you want it to be..
-It's better than I could ever imagine. These past 2weeks..and this day. This simple ceremony that is actually so meaningful. For both of us.
-If you truly are as happy as I imagine you to be by the expression in your eyes.. Then, my dear, he deserves you.

The walk down the aisle seemed so long, all the eyes upon me while I could look only at Colin who was impatiently waiting and smiling at me. When I finally got next to him he took my hand in his and we turned to the priest. We vowed our love for each other once again and said the sincerest "I do." We placed the wedding rings onto each other's hands and kissed slowly. For a minute I forgot we had so many eyes upon us. The surroundings faded in front of all the happiness and passion we felt.
***
The little party was sweet, his friends were congratulating us both and seemed so friendly toward me. Everything was perfect, just as we wanted. During our first dance we felt again as if we were alone and moved slowly around the dancefloor. Colin whispered to my ear "Our lives will be like a continuous dance from now, Mrs. Firth" and kissed me slowly.
It took me a moment to realise we were husband and wife now. And I officially shared his name. Mrs. Firth... Sounded good actually.
***
As the party ended and we parted from the last friends and relatives who were to leave, we went back to our room. Colin locked the door and came toward me, pulling me close to him and kissing me passionately. All the happiness of that perfect day burst then into rought kisses and hurried touches. We undressed each other and fell on the bed still kissing hurriedly. He was touching slowly every inch of my skin. I was kissing his neck as he was kissing my shoulders. Then sucking harder onto his neck, biting his lower lip. I was moaning as he was penetrating me. It was the most passionate night we had..