New families

Make every moment count

That night Jac and Fletch were lying in bed talking quietly.
"I'm going to have to tell the kids about Emily. They're going to be devastated "
"They are but we'll help them through it"
"It's so unfair Jac. There are some right shits in this world who live long and healthy lives and then there's beautiful, kind, funny, lovely people like Em who get stupid brain tumours"
"And good people like Jasmine get shot. Life's not fair Fletch but it's up to those of us left behind to help each other through"
Jac was so thankful that she had people around her now when, for most of her life it had been Jac against the world and she was glad to be someone there for others. She had finally found a place where she belonged.
"I love you so much Jac" Fletch held her tightly as silent tears again fell down his face
She kissed him softly "I love you too and I'm there for you"
"I know sweetheart. I'm so glad we got over ourselves and gave this thing a chance"
"Oh shut up you soppy git" Jac smiled. She yawned "I think we should wait until after the wedding to tell the kids"
"Yeah let them enjoy things whilst it lasts"
The next morning Jac decided to go dress shopping with Emily. Ella and Emma were furious that they had to go to school. After they were told about the wedding happening very soon, all they could talk about was bridesmaid dresses
"It's grown up dresses today" Jac said plaiting Emma's hair
"I want to come Mummy"
"Me you, Evie and Ella will have a special shopping trip"
"Ok" Emma said begrudgingly
The boys were massively underwhelmed at the earlier than planned wedding.
Emily and Jac set off promising to meet Fletch for lunch
"You do realise that by making Emily your maid of honour, you've stolen my best man"
"I could do both couldn't I?"
"I suppose so" Jac said uncertainly
"You really don't want to miss out on any speech that I could make about young Adrian here"
"Oi less of the Adrian you. Anyway I might have changed my mind"
"Too late Adrian we'll see you at lunch" Jac kissed him as they left
"Why did I open my big mouth" he said to himself
Jac and Emily's first stop was a small independent bridal shop. There wasn't time to get one made so off the rack and having alterations done was the only option.
Emily sat drinking Prosecco whilst Jac  tried on  dress after dress.
"Urgh none of them are right" Jac complained
"Are you set on having white dear?" The shop owner asked
"Hadn't really thought of anything else"
"I think I have a couple of dresses in the back for you to try"
"Ok but don't hold your breath. Maybe jeans and a t shirt will have to do"
The next dress that Jac tried on was pale grey, full skirt, strapless with delicate dark grey and black flowers trailing down the skirt. She exited the changing room smiling
"I think this is it" announced Jac
"Oh my god" Emily exclaimed it's stunning "you're stunning"
"It's beautiful" she told the shop owner
"I knew it" the shop owner beamed. "This is obviously the sample dress but if we ordered this size I'm not sure you would need much, if any alteration. I can have it here in a week"
"Great. I'll take it"
Whilst Jac was getting changed Emily struck up a conversation with the shop owner
"Sorry we're on such a short time scale. It's my fault" she laughed "I have an incurable brain tumour and I bullied them into having the wedding sooner than planned so I can see it and be in it"
"Oh luv that's terrible. Are you the maid of honour?"
Emily chuckled "maid of honour and best man. Her fella is my best mate"
The shop owner was now dabbing her eyes trying not to let her mascara run
"My friend has a shop in the shopping centre, I think she could fit you out with a dress that compliments the bride. You took a photo didn't you?"
"Yes" Emily waved her phone
"I'm going to text her now. Tell her Maggie sent you"
She wrote down the name of the shop
They met Fletch for lunch and despite his incessant questioning they would give nothing away.
"Oh come on just a hint"
"No it's bad luck" said Jac
"I'm going to the loo whilst you two argue about this" Emily said. She suddenly felt dizzy and faint as she stood up. Fletch managed to catch her before she fell
"Woah there missy"
"Sorry, that sometimes happens. I'm fine now" she got up and made her way to the toilet
Jac covered Fletch's hand with hers and squeezed gently
"I haven't seen any symptoms before that" he said
"I know" Jac agreed "when you're with her and she's so bubbly it's easy to forget she's ill"
"This is really crap"
"It certainly is" Jac 's heart ached for him but she was also surprised how much Emily had come to mean to her in such a small space of time.
Emily and Jac arrived at the next shop. Neither mentioned Emily's dizziness
"Hi" Emily smiled "Maggie sent us"
"Oh yes come in. i'm Annie. She said you had a photo"
Emily showed the photo on her phone
"Ah So you're the bride" she addressed Jac "beautiful. I have just the thing for this young lady. Any more bridesmaids?"
"Well yes there's a 15yr old , a 7yr old and a 5 yr old. My daughters"
Emily smiled at Jac referring to Evie and Ella as her daughters"
"They've got 3 sons between them too" Emily laughed
"That sounds like a handful" said Annie  "I'm sure we have something for them too but now we need to sort out this young lady" Annie picked out a couple of dresses that would complement Jac's dress.
As Emily was getting changed, Annie sat with Jac.
"Maggie at the shop where you got the dress told me about the sad situation and how quickly you need the dresses"
"Do you think that will be a problem?"
Jac asked
"Oh no darling it will be fine. I wanted to give you her dress" she gestured to the changing room "and the others you can have half price. My husband is a photographer so if he's available on the date he's your man"
Jac was overwhelmed by her kindness and felt tears welling up
"Thank you so much"
"My daughter died a few years ago from a similar condition and i know how important last memories are"
"I'm sorry about your daughter"
"Life goes on pet" she patted Jac's arm
Just then Emily made a dramatic entrance.
She was wearing a silk straight evening gown in a dark grey that matched the flowers on Jac's dress. She looked amazing
"No way" laughed  Jac "no one is going to be looking at me when you rock up looking like that"
"Oh behave woman. I do love it though" Emily grinned
"It's lovely on you" said Annie " I'll put the order in and you must bring your daughters in at the weekend"
Jac and Emily went straight home as Emily was getting tired. When Fletch came in Emily was asleep on the sofa, Jac had placed a blanket over her.
In the kitchen Fletch placed a sleeping Luc on the floor in his car seat and then wrapped his arms around Jac
"You've tired her out" he observed
"I think she's hiding symptoms" Jac said pulling on his shirt until he was near enough for her to kiss him
Fletch responded hungrily and soon they were kissing passionately and he slipped his hand under her top and gently stroked her over her bra, Jac was caressing his backside.
He moaned softly then pulled away
"Not that I 'm complaining but what was that about"
"Fragility of life, making every moment count, reminding myself that we're so lucky to have each other, but mainly Fletch, you look fucking sexy in old faded jeans and I couldn't resist"
He laughed softly
"You're something else Naylor"