Unforgettable Embrace (40 page)

"If you want to be browner then we can come in for another session tomorrow," Jen said.

"Let's just see how this turns out on me," Rachel laughed.

Chapter 55

"Oh, Jen, I didn't think it was possible for you to be any more stunning, but you have never looked more beautiful," Liz sighed, looking at her friend in awe.

"I've never seen a more serene bride, not even in magazines," Rachel smiled at Jen, who blushed slightly at her friends' compliments.

Jen did indeed look absolutely gorgeous. She glowed with happiness and her skin looked radiant. Of course, her fake tan helped with her glow, but her beauty came from something deeper than mere makeup and body products. Her veil cascaded down her back all the way to the floor, making her look like a fairytale princess.

She'd spent ages agonising over the tiara to hold her veil and had eventually settled on a Swarovski crystal embedded piece. The crystals sparkled in the sunlight and caught the pretty crystal detail which embroidered the bodice of her dress. The bodice emphasised her narrow shoulders and the delicate pink bow accentuated her slim waist.

Liz had styled her hair in a simple chignon and a few loose tendrils hung around her face. There were a few dainty pink rosebuds interweaved in her hair which matched the soft pink of her sash. Her makeup was simple, just a light touch of foundation, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. Jen didn't need to wear much makeup anyway, and certainly not today. She had never looked more stunning.

"You are a vision of loveliness," Holly said, coming into the bedroom where Liz and Rachel were helping their friend with some last minute adjustments to her ensemble.

"Thank you, Holly," Jen smiled, admiring herself in the mirror.

"Amazing what a bucket load of fake tan and makeup can do for a girl," Jo
e said irreverently, suddenly barging into the room.

"Oi, cheeky!" Rachel said, elbowing her brother.

"Ow! That really hurt," Jo
e said laughing. Joe was doubling up as chauffeur and he was also giving the bride away. "Well, everything's ready on my side," he said, "the car's outside ready to rock'n'roll. Don't you think you ladies should be getting a move on?"

"It's the bride's prerogative to be late," Liz said, spraying Jen in a fine mist of Vera Wang's "Princess" perfume.

"Besides, it's traditional for the bride to be a little late," Rachel chimed in, "just go and watch television for a while, Jo
e, please, we'll let you know when we're ready for you." She dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

"Yes, sir, Rachel, sir!" Jo saluted dramatically, whilst standing to attention.

"I'm starting to feel a bit nervous," Jen said, looking around at her friends. "I can't believe I'm actually vaguely beginning to wonder if Vic will even turn up at the church."

"What?!" Holly exclaimed, "of course he'll be there. I bet he can't wait to marry you. Hell, I'd marry you myself."

"Weirdo," Rachel looked at her sister as if she had lost her marbles.

"I meant because she looks so stunning, and of course I'd have to be a lesbian, which obviously I'm not," Holly tried to explain herself.

"Have you started on the champagne already?" Liz asked her quizzically.

"No," Holly laughed, "speaking of champagne, don't you think we should all have one glass before we set off for the church. I'm sure Jen could do with a swig to steady her nerves." "Excellent idea," Rachel said, "I wouldn't mind some champagne myself."

"Alcoholic," Holly teased her sister.

"Yes and proud of it," Rachel grinned, "now hurry up and get the champagne."

Holly trotted off to the kitchen in search of some champagne flutes. The champagne was chilling perfectly in the refrigerator. Holly, Liz and Rachel had descended on Jen's house the previous night so they could all get ready for the big day together.

"What's that you're watching?" Holly asked her brother, as she made her way back to the bedroom, flutes and champagne balanced rather precariously on a tray in front of her.

"There's just been a newsflash about some guy who's wanted for the murder of those three women who went missing a while ago," Jo
e said, not taking his eyes off the television, “apparently he's gone on the run. He hasn't been seen in a few days and the police have reason to believe he's heading to Ireland.”

"Oh, gosh, who wants to be listening to such morbid things, especially on their wedding day," Holly said. "I'll leave you to it," and with that she flounced out of the kitchen and back upstairs to the other girls.

"Cheers, ladies," Jen said, raising her glass to her friends.

"Cheers to the most beautiful bride ever," Liz said, holding her glass in a toast to Jen.

"Cheers," everyone sang in unison, taking a big gulp of champagne.

"Just the one glass for everyone," Liz said, looking pointedly at Holly, "we don't want any of the bridesmaids tripping over themselves on their way up the aisle."

"That's for sure," Holly agreed, "I'm finding it difficult enough to keep myself steady in these heels already. I don't particularly want to make a spectacle of myself by falling flat on my face in the church."

"Imagine," Rachel grinned at the thought of her sister sprawled out on the ground, "I have to say I'd laugh my tits off if I you did trip."

"I wouldn't," Jen said emphatically, "I want everything to go perfectly today."

"Don't worry, Jen, I'm only joking, everything will be perfect," Rachel soothed her friend.

"I'll keep a close eye on everyone's alcohol consumption before the wedding," Liz said, "after all we'll have plenty of time to get tipsy at the reception."

"How are your nerves?" Holly asked Jen.

"Easing now that's I've had a few swigs of champagne," Jen smiled, starting to look slightly calmer.

"Ok, it's time we made tracks to the church," Liz said, taking charge and putting everyone's champagne flutes carefully on the table.

"We don't want to be too late altogether, no need to worry the poor groom too much," Rachel agreed.

"Ok, last minute check," Liz said, surveying the bride carefully. "I've got all the essentials for hair and makeup touch ups in my bag," Liz reassured Jen. "Has everyone turned off their mobile phones? We don't really need any ringtones interfering with the choir now do we?"

"Definitely not," Jen agreed, twirling in front of the mirror
.

“
Scott's just texted me again,” Rachel sighed as she was just about to switch off her mobile phone.

“
When is he going to get the message that you're just not interested?” Liz said in exasperation. “He says he wants to come and visit me,” Rachel read.

“
Look, Rach, you really need to set this guy straight,” Holly said forcefully.

“
Yeah, you're right, I've tried the nice approach, I'll have to be a little more adamant,” she said as she began texting him. “What shall I say?” she asked.

“
I'd tell him that it just can't work. He's too far away. You spent a few fun hours together one evening and that's all it will ever be between you,” Liz advised.

Rachel whisked off the text and turned off her mobile phone.

"Oh my goodness!" Jen suddenly exclaimed, clapping her hand to her mouth. "I almost forgot." She dashed over to her wardrobe and reached up, standing on her tip-toes. She pulled a fancily wrapped bag down from the top shelf and placed it on the bed.

"What's up?" Rachel asked, intrigued by Jen's outburst.

"I bought you all a little something as a thank you for being the best bridesmaids ever," she smiled, handing an exquisitely wrapped box to Liz and Rachel.

"Thank you," Liz said, "but you really didn't have to get us anything."

"Thanks girl," Rachel said, unceremoniously ripping the wrapping paper.

"Wow!" Liz whispered, holding her breath as she removed a stunning charm bracelet from its box.

"This is so thoughtful of you, Jen," Rachel said, admiring the little charms which hung from the bracelet and twinkled in the light.

"You are both very welcome," Jen smiled, "now you can add charms to your bracelets for every important occasion, like a memento."

"I love that idea," Liz smiled, fastening the bracelet on her wrist.

"I bought them on the internet," Jen continued, "it's a fabulous website. They have charms for every possible occasion that you could imagine; birthday, Christmas, wedding, new baby, birthstone and lots of fun charms too."

"It's nice that the bracelet means something," Rachel said, "we can look at the charm and know they stand for something, there's a special meaning behind each charm."

"Exactly," Liz smiled. "I think I'm ready to go," Jen said, doing a final twirl in front of the mirror.

"Finally," Jo
e said, getting to his feet and switching off the television, to which he'd been glued for the last forty minutes, "at long last you're ready. Poor old Vic will be wondering if you've decided to dump him at the altar."

"Hardly," Jen said disparagingly, flouncing past him to the car. Rachel and Liz hurried after her, and carefully helped her into the car, trying their utmost not to wrinkle her dress. Then they poured themselves and their own dresses in delicately. Jo
e had ordered the car for them as his treat to the bride and appointed himself as official chauffeur.

He had hired a 1928 Brenchley convertible in ivory and bronze. The interior had leather seats and was just big enough for the bride and her bridesmaids.

"Thank goodness the weather seems to be on our side," Jen said.

"I know, it's like a day in summer," Liz smiled, "there isn't a cloud in the sky for once." "Thanks so much for sorting out the car," Jen said to Jo
e who looked very professional in a black tuxedo with a driver's cap.

"My pleasure," Jo
e said, looking like he was deep in concentration, "it's not the easiest car to drive."

"It looks amazing," Jen said, "very sophisticated."

"Well, I had to make sure you got to the church in style," Jo
e grinned.

"I like vintage clothes," Rachel piped up, "but as much as I like the look of this vintage car, it's not the most comfortable ride."

"You can feel every bump," Liz agreed.

"I love it," Jen said determinedly.

Chapter 56
********************************

"Here we are ladies," Jo said, stepping out of the driver's seat and holding the car door open for Jen and her bridesmaids. He'd even brought a small mat for Jen to stand on so that her dress wouldn't get damp or dirty from the ground. "You are very sweet sometimes," Jen said, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "I do my best," Jo replied, smiling at Jen as the girls fussed around her, making sure that her dress was sitting correctly after the drive. "Enough fussing ladies," Jen said, taking a deep breath, "it's time for me to become Mrs. Victor Cotter." "Come on then, girl," Jo said, offering her his arm. She tucked her hand into his arm and he gave her hand a little squeeze. "You look beautiful," he said kindly as they began their slow walk up the aisle. The orchestra started the procession music and little Simon, who was flower boy, started to sprinkle rose petals as Jen and Jo made their way up the aisle.

The congregation turned to look at the bride as she entered the church and the procession music began. All eyes were focused on the beautiful bride, everyone smiling at her. Rachel could feel the love in the air. It was such a peaceful, happy moment, full of joy and promise for the future. Rachel's heart was filled with love for her friend and she said a silent prayer that Jen's married life would be everything her friend and new husband could ever dream. She thought of Batt and briefly imagined herself walking up the aisle with him.

The thought of marrying him didn't scare her any longer. She knew there and then that marriage was something she definitely wanted in her future, to be joined with the man she loved with all her heart in matrimony and she knew that man was Batt. She knew that marriage in itself wouldn't actually make her love Batt any more than she already loved him, but it would be wonderful to make that lifelong commitment in front of their family and friends. Marriage is a celebration, she realised, a wonderful celebration of love and promise for the future. Suddenly her gaze fell on Batt, who was looking at her with a thoughtful expression on his handsome face. She smiled when she saw him and he returned her smile. She desperately wanted to run over to him, fling her arms around him and ask him to marry her right there and then. Obviously, this was an indulgent fantasy for now, but she hoped one day marriage would be her reality too.

Simon looked so cute with a look of deep concentration on his little face as he very carefully sprinkled Jen's pathway with rose petals. Holly smiled proudly at her son, with baby Mia calling her brother's name and waving at him. They arrived at the top of the aisle and Jo passed Jen's hand to Victor. Victor's face shone with love and pride for his bride. He couldn't stop smiling and Jen smiled back, both looking deep into each other's eyes, knowing the magnitude of the promises they were about to make, and excited for the future that they would share together as man and wife, when they left the church.