“You’re all mine, you know that? Every piece of you is mine. I love that I am the only one that branded you, every inch of you belongs to me.” He grinned before kissing me again.
“Well, until this little sleep thief comes along and wants you all to themselves,” he said against my lips, letting me go before falling to his knees, his large hands on my belly before he kissed it softly.
“I’m only joking, I love you so much already, little one,” he said before standing up and pulling me into an embrace.
DARCEY
I sat in my bedroom, by the window, looking out at the beach where we were due to be married. We managed to get this all booked and set up in six weeks. We decided on a small intimate wedding, Conor wanted to invite Carter, James and Taron with all of their families and James’ wife Julia.
Everything was being set up in the little cove where Conor took me when he came back from the army. It holds special memories for us both, and we couldn’t think of anywhere else to be married.
Robyn walked into the room, wearing a figure-hugging red dress, her red hair pulled into a messy bun. She looked so beautiful.
I finished my make-up and looked at myself in the mirror, my long, golden blonde hair was pulled off of my face and cascaded down my back in beach waves. I had minimal make-up on, my lips covered in a matte red lipstick.
My mum walked into the room with the help of my dad, carrying my wedding dress. She hung it on the back of the door before unzipping it. My hands flew to my face, it was truly stunning.
Robyn and my mum placed it on the floor, letting it pool before I stepped into it. Robyn held my hand, trying to steady my shaky legs, helping me balance as I stood into it. Robyn and my mum shimmied it up my body. I pulled the thin, lace straps over my shoulders, then smoothed my hands down the dress, smiling at myself in the mirror. I loved this dress so much.
The A-line skirt came out from my waist in a stunning ivory satin. The neck-line plunged down into a V, the lace design covering my chest and my straps with a nude chiffon covering my skin.
Robyn appeared in front of me, holding my battered, old Doc Martens. I saw my mum roll her eyes.
“You have got to be kidding.” She sighed. “Darling, why can’t you just wear a pretty pair of heels or little pumps? Why the clumpy boots? Please, please tell me that you’re doing this as a wind up?” She dropped her hand down onto her thigh as she shook her head, a little smile creeping onto her face.
“Nope.” I shook my head, a massive smile gracing my face, my white, straight teeth showing. “I couldn’t think of any other shoes more perfect.” I giggled.
It was late September, the days were still warm but the evenings were cooler. We went for a four o’clock wedding, so it was still warm but not overly, it was pleasant.
My dad stood there, looking at me, his crystal blue eyes glistening as he walked towards me. “Darcey, my darling. You are breath taking. You’re such a beautiful woman, you have grown into such an inspiration. I am so proud of you,” he said quietly before he pulled me into an embrace. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Daddy. Thank you for everything, really, everything,” I replied, him still holding my hands as he took a step back.
I heard someone approaching, my heart singing when I saw Chase walking into my bedroom. “You scrub up well.” I heard him laugh as he walked through the door.
My eyes darted to him, lighting up when I looked at him. “Thank you.” I winked at him.
Today was a good day, which made this day even more perfect. He was struggling, he really was. But he was putting on a brave face, and I couldn’t love him anymore.
He walked towards me, cuddling me and kissing me on the cheek. “Conor is a lucky man, yet the bastard still didn’t listen to me. I warned him off.” He laughed. “Told him he couldn’t have you, now look at you. You’re both getting married.” His smile faded. “And I couldn’t be more proud to be your brother, and his best friend. The fact that I get to stand by his side, watching you legally become his wife, honestly, Darcey, I am so happy and so proud. I’m glad the stubborn bastard didn’t listen.” He winked at me.
“I’m going to go and see him, he is a bag of nerves.” He poked his tongue out before disappearing.
“It’s time,” Robyn said.
“Let’s do this, it’s time to become Mrs Royce.” I smiled, my breath vibrating as the nerves kicked in. But they weren’t bad nerves, no, they were nerves of excitement.
I looked at myself one more time before walking down towards the beach.
I stood at the end of the aisle, my dad linking his arm through mine as I held a bouquet of yellow roses, smiling at the memory of when Conor left the ones on my bed. Robyn was holding ivory roses as she walked down first, her eyes fixated on Chase as she walked towards him before sitting to the left.
The music started playing out the large speakers, “Kissing You.” I smiled, the images of Romeo & Juliet flashing through my mind.
I lifted my eyes up from my feet, looking at Conor. My heart swelled instantly. He was wearing a white fitted shirt, black braces and a long, skinny black tie. His shirt was tucked into his black suit trousers with his black converse on. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He was just breath-taking.
I watched as he pulled his lip between his teeth, a stupid grin on his face. My dad kissed me on the cheek, placing my hand into Conor’s before taking his seat next to my mum, who was a blubbering mess.
I stood in front of him, smiling.
“You look breath-taking, absolutely stunning. You are so beautiful, baby girl,” he cooed.
I let go of one of his hands as I lifted the front of my dress up and twisted my foot into the sand. His eyes focussed on my battered boots before his eyes flicked back up to mine as he broke into a laugh, his head tipping back. “Always my little grunge.”
My heart started thumping as the vicar started talking. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...”
We decided against writing our own vows. I’ll be honest, I don’t think I would have been able to get through them if I had. I was an emotional wreck as it was.
I watched as Conor took the rings from Chase, placing a plain platinum band onto my finger, my heart singing. I took the ring, hovering it over Conor’s finger, pushing the solid platinum band onto his finger.
He was legally mine, all mine. Forever.
“By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs. Royce. You may kiss your bride.” He smiled at Conor.
“About fucking time,” he groaned, his large hands cradling my face before pulling me in to kiss him.
If anyone was to have told me four years ago I would have been marrying Conor king Royce, I would have told them to go to hell. Because four years ago, I hated him. Four years ago, he hated me. But that hate was laced with a whole lot of love.
I was pulled from my flashback when I felt him beside me, the hairs on the back of my neck standing, the goose-bumps smothering across my skin. A silly smile appeared on my face at the presence of my husband near me.
Conor pulled me up from the table, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me close as Second Hand Serenade, “Fall For You,” started playing for our first dance. My lips curled into a smile, my head tipping back as a small laugh came out, his lips on my neck.