J & P Book 5 - Never Let Me Go

Prologue - One year ago - February 2012

The wedding car pulled up outside the hotel, on a wet Tuesday in February. Jenny wasn't bothered about the rain. It didn't really matter to her, nothing really mattered other than the fact that by the end of today she would be a married woman again, and everything would be how it should be.

"Here we go again, Eddie," quipped Jenny's best friend, Lucia, as she slowly and carefully got out of the front of the wedding car, once again being driven by a friend of the Dunral family, who'd certainly had his fair share of custom from them over the last few years.

Jenny's stepfather, Mike, and her eight year old son, Andrew, were sitting in the back of the car with her. Jenny's wedding dress wasn't anywhere as elaborate as the one she'd worn seven years previously, so she didn't take up the whole of the back seat this time on her own, and there was room for both of them to accompany her. Although not so full, the dress was elegant, and fully appropriate for a second-time-around bride. Lucia held the door open for her.

"Is it okay if I just have a quick word with Andrew before we go in?" Jenny asked her matron of honour. "Just a little mother-son chat?"

Lucia smiled. "We have a minute or two. I'll go in and check Ryan's not completely destroying the room."

"Your flowers are here, Auntie 'Cia," called Andrew, passing them to her from the back parcel shelf.

"Oh thank you, Andrew," Lucia said, as she placed her purple and white bouquet in front of her prominent baby bump. "See you in a minute."

Jenny took her son's hands in her own. "Listen, Andrew, I know the last few years have been a bit up and down and confusing for you at times," she said. "And I'm so sorry. I never wanted it to be like that for you. You do know that, don't you?"

"Don't worry, Mum," Andrew said, gazing back at her through his thick glasses. "I know how happy you are now. And if you're happy, and Dad's happy, then I'm happy."

"You and your dad are the most important people in my life, you know that," Jenny said, with her hand on her tummy. Earlier she'd thought about telling Andrew her news now, but she had changed her mind now, as she felt she needed to tell the man waiting for her inside the hotel first. She would tell him tonight, after the bustle of the day.

"I know, Mum, I know..."

"And, I'm so honoured that you're going to be giving me away today. I know your grandad agrees with me. Best man for the job."

"I thought the best man was Uncle..."

"You know what I mean, Andrew. I'm so glad you're here."

"Well, I can't remember the last time you got married," Andrew said lovingly.

"Well, you were there," Jenny giggled. "But you were just a baby. This time, you're the main man."

"No I'm not," Andrew said. "The main man's inside, waiting for us. Come on, let's go."

They got out of the car, and the photographers took some more shots of the group, now that Lucia and Mike had returned.

"Hattie's doing a great job of looking after Ryan," Lucia commented.

Jenny giggled, and looked across at Andrew, who looked down at the floor awkwardly. "Is she now?"

"She's pretty much got her own crèche in there," Lucia added.

"There's definitely more kids about at this wedding than your last one," Mike commented, looking a little harassed. "Anyway, you're late."

"Don't keep him waiting any longer," Lucia teased.

Jenny beamed. She didn't intend to. "Let's go."

They headed through the hotel automatic doors, where more photographs were taken, and the cue was then given to indicate they were going to enter the room where the wedding was to take place. All the guests were already waiting inside. Jenny took a deep breath, made sure her hair was in place, and let Lucia lead the way.

Flanked by Mike and Andrew, she could feel a tear running down her cheek as they followed her matron of honour into the room.

There were probably just as many people here today as there were at her first wedding, seven years ago. Many of them were the same people. Including the man she'd married last time. It did feel a little bit like history repeating, it felt familiar, it felt right. She didn't really look too closely at the people either side of her, though. It was the man at the front who she looked for, and once eye contact was made, she couldn't take her eyes off him.

She knew she was crying now, and she was suddenly glad she'd decided on the waterproof make up option. He looked back at her with a perfect smile, his blue eyes sparkling behind his glasses, and she smiled back, gazing up at him, standing beside him at last.

"You look so beautiful, Jen," he whispered to her, as the song they had chosen, Sonnet, the song that had been playing the first time they'd kissed, started to fade out. She could see he was welling up too. "Is this really happening?"

She beamed at him, taking his hand. "Yes it is. And it's the best day of my life."

"Mine too," Paul murmured. "Compliment for a compliment."

"Shhhh.." she giggled, as she was aware that the registrar was waiting for them to finish their exchange before starting the ceremony. They'd both waited far too long for this moment. Life had always had a funny way of pulling them apart over the years, but after today, nothing was ever going to separate them again.