It was a small wedding.
Only our eight came. Jessica’s seven has now become eight with the addition of my mother.
Mira and Lorelei wore pink dresses as Jessica’s bridesmaids.
Olivia and Hazel wore a different shade of pink as her flower girls.
Ashton and Will wore dark, three-piece suits that matched mine except for the black dress shirt I wore to their white.
Jessica filled the ballroom with flowers, and twinkling lights, and pinks and golds.
She also filled it with our favourite food, served around the room by our favourite Sydney restaurants and cafés. Like a street market, all decorated with those flowers and lights. She told me I’ve missed out on six years of this food; we have a lot of eating to do. I told her I’m ready to work on that ass of hers. She told me she’ll be sure to cover the cost of looking after my back in my old age.
“Thank you, darling,” Mum says when we reach her room.
“Ashton said to tell you he’s leaving here at ten tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll be ready to leave with him then.” She smiles up at me. “You and Jessica have a wonderful honeymoon and don’t think of me once.”
“We’ll see you in a month.”
Our first stop is Positano where I originally intended on getting my wife pregnant. She put an end to those plans when she told me she wants us to have at least a year together without a child. She pointed out that we need this time to rediscover each other and build us strong. I told her I was fucking grateful to be marrying a smart woman because I’m still an impulsive fucker who would get myself into all sorts of trouble without her. She smiled and kissed me, and said, “I never want you to change, Jack.”
As I walk away from Mum’s room, Axe falls into line next to me. He agreed to head security for our wedding. The timing was perfect; he arrived home from his mission in the US three days ago. “My next job fell through. Zane’s sending me to Italy to head your security for the honeymoon,” he says.
I grin at him. “I’ve had some good fucking moments today, Axe. This one ranks right up there.” The guys Zane’s assigned to Jessica and me are good, but none come close to Axe. Him being assigned to our honeymoon makes me a happy fucker.
I walk back down to the ballroom, thinking about how much I like having a hotel to just us. I’ve stayed in too many hotels to remember during my life and am not a fan. I miss my own bed too much, and I dislike the whole fucking ordeal of dealing with people who think it’s okay to touch me and get in my space without a thought for the fact I’m a human being like them, just trying to get through my days in peace and fucking quiet. If a man’s going to stay in a hotel, this is the way to do it.
A text comes through just as I reach the ballroom.
Josephine: Congratulations, Jack!!! Jessica just texted me some photos. I’m so happy for you two. I’m sad I couldn’t make it, but can’t wait to see you guys in a few months.
Jack: Do me a favour and stay inside in the lead up to your trip. I’m not accepting the broken bone excuse again.
Josephine: God, I miss you. Love you. Have a great time in Italy xx
Josephine should have been here today, but she broke her leg four days ago. She’s decided to fly out to visit us in a few months. Even Jessica is looking forward to her visit. That was something I didn’t see coming. Jessica hasn’t always been Josephine’s biggest fan, but after I proposed, she started messaging Josephine, trying to build a relationship. She told me that if I loved Jo, she could too. They seem to have bonded over baking of all things. I’m living in hope that when Jo visits, the two of them spend their days baking me all the cakes under the sun. Sugar and me have become good fucking friends.
Jessica’s talking with Doris and Paul when I get back to the ballroom. They made her favourite croissants for tonight. Fucking world class croissants. I’ve never tasted anything like them, and I’ve eaten some croissants in my time.
“I’ve never been to a dry wedding. It wasn’t bad,” Will says, joining me at the bar where I’m getting a Sex on the Beach mocktail. It’s one of Jessica’s favourites that she insisted on having tonight. She told me to think about getting my dick out in Positano every time I drank one. To say I’ve been hard most of the night is a fucking understatement.
I look at him. “I’ve never been to one either.”
His lips twitch. It’s not quite a smile, but we’re close. Yeah, Will and I are working on our bromance again, Jessica’s words, not mine.
Mira comes our way, smiling at me as she hooks her hand around her husband’s neck. “Jack, why is Jessica still in this room? She’s dying for you to use that vibe.”
“Why am I not surprised you know this?” I say while Will looks on as unaffected by that announcement as he is over everything our women come out with.
“There are no secrets in this family,” Will says. “I’m aware of far too many things I wish I wasn’t.”
Mira laughs. “You wouldn’t have it any other way, Will Johnson.”
“Oh, I think I might,” he says. “You should try me.”
A text hits my phone.
Jessica: I’ve changed my mind. I can’t wait to get you up to our room.
I turn to look at her.
Jack: Get your ass in that bathroom now.
Jessica: I see you’re wearing your bossy pants today.
Jack: Yes, and I’m ready for you to do something useful with them.
Jessica: I see the last month has been productive for both of us.
Jack: How?
Jessica: You’ve taught me how to be fussed over. I’ve taught you how to be useful.
I start walking.
Jack: I’m giving you one minute.
Jessica doesn’t begin walking.
Jessica: Steady, tiger. I see Ashton coming your way.
Ashton comes into view. “Lorelei and I are going up to our room. She’ll be here in a moment to say goodnight, but I wanted a minute first.”
I eye him, a slight frown settling across my face. “This is all very formal.” Ashton is my oldest friend. We’ve been through all kinds of shit together, but right now, he’s stiff as fuck.
“Yeah, I’m trying to say something to you,” he says gruffly, and I realise he’s choked with emotions. Ashton doesn’t usually struggle to say anything to me, so this catches all of my attention. “That day I got the call that you were in the hospital, I wasn’t sure where you’d end up. I know that likely doesn’t feel good to hear, but it’s the truth. You scared the absolute shit out of me that time, and that’s saying something because you always scared the shit out of me when you weren’t well. That I stood at your wedding today, watching you experience something I’ve wanted for you for a long time, sober and healthy, is something I will never forget. I’m happy for you, Jack.”
So many thoughts flood my mind. Things I’ve thought too many times to count over the past nine months. That I couldn’t have done any of this without him. That he fucking saved me by not giving up on me. That his friendship is one of the best things in my life. I don’t say any of these things, though. I don’t need to. Ashton knows how I feel. Instead, I say, “I scared the shit out of myself that time too.” Then, I say, “Start planning for Jessica’s maternity leave now, my friend. She’ll be pregnant in a year.”