Ever Since New York [H.S]

Epilogue

Ivy would be lying if she were to tell you that she felt no nerves at all. If you had cared enough to ask, she might even have explained that the nerves she felt were the good kind. Everything with Harry was always good.

"Ivy?" The bride heard Gemma speak softly causing her to glance over her shoulder and towards the doorway, where Gemma, Harry's older sister, stood with an unfamiliar man standing before her with a boquet of flowers.

This caught Ivy’s attention. Who would be sending her flowers at a time like this? Especially on her wedding day.

"Alright, I'll be there in just a moment," Ivy promised them; even going to the effort of sending a warm smile in their direction.

Her attention had returned to the large white mirror dressing table, and she caught sight of her reflection. She had selected a dress which wasn’t something she ever imagined she’d be comfortable wearing; but she supposed that all had to do with how Harry treated her and made her feel. It was a trumpet style mermaid off-the-shoulder dress with a court train. It was made from gorgeous flowing chiffon and delicate white lace; and featured beading and sequin details. A concealed zipper ran up the back of the stunning dress, which also contained a built in bra. She looked over and admired her appearance once more before she spun carefully on her heels and made her way over towards the door, stopping by Gemma's side as she accepted the flowers and thanked the delivery man. The smell of fresh flowers filled the space as the only door out of the room had been closed behind the unexpected guest. Ivy couldn't help but smile at the fact that she had received her favourite type of flowers on her wedding day - a pure blessing.

It was the note that caught her eye more than anything. She reached out to retrieve the card that had been tied in place around the flowers, and flipped it open, allowing her eyes to glance over the words: 'Hey, beautiful. Can't wait to see you, I thought you might need a husband, and some flowers.'

Harry. The only person who would send Ivy flowers. Had Harry not told her that he were the one who sent her those texts the day they got engaged exactly two years ago today - this would have been the perfect puzzle piece.

Ivy was pulled from her thoughts as she felt a hand rest on her exposed shoulder. It had slipped her mind she was standing so close to Gemma, and when Ivy realised her soon to be sister-in-law had attempted to get her attention, she relaxed.

“Mum’s on her way down to see you, love;” she explained.

Ivy smiled and nodded, a lump forming in her throat at the thought of actually having a mother figure to attend her wedding. God only knows what a mess Angela had caused when Ivy and Patrick were to be wed what felt like a lifetime ago now.

“I’ll go make sure Harry has the children ready, shall I?” Gemma suggested as Anne let herself into the room.

“That would be really helpful,” Ivy admitted. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” In answer to Ivy’s question, Gemma walked towards the door, reaching for its handle and pausing to look back at Ivy.

“No crying!” She instructed.

“Go on, Gemma,” Anne chuckled. “I dare say Harry will need your help getting ready more than the twins,” she added.

Ivy breathed deeply as the door shut behind Gemma. In just half an hour, she’d be walking down the aisle towards the love of her life. And still, despite her best efforts to ignore them, Ivy’s nerves were getting the better of her now.

“Ivy, love,” Anne said gently. “Are you okay?” Ivy nodded, smiling at the older woman.

“Just a little more affected by my past today than I was expecting to be,” she sighed, finally admitting out loud the issues she’d been doing her best to sort through for the last week. “I so didn’t want today to be like this,” she went on. “Today was just meant to be about Harry and I and our wonderful life together.”