“Did what exactly?”
“Blindsided you.”
“It’s becoming a habit, but I love you for it.”
“I’m sorry, I just get so caught up in how to show you just how much I love you.”
“You can stop now.” I laugh. “I believe you!”
He nods solemnly. “Do you still want to marry me?” he asks, his voice so small.
“More than anything.” I grin and look at my ring. “This is so beautiful.” It’s grey, I can see it properly now. I’ve never seen anything like it, I think that was probably the point. I never really imagined this milestone in my life, because I was nonplussed about all the usual girlie details. I couldn’t see myself picking table centres and things. But if Danny’s choice of ring is anything to go by, I think the wedding is in safe hands.
Danny runs his thumb across the ring. “I knew it was for you the minute I saw it.”
“When did you buy it?”
“In LA. I was going to give it to you at the party the night it all fell apart.”
“So I’ve left you hanging with a ring in your pocket…twice?” I sigh and touch my thumb to the tiny band on my right hand.
He regretfully nods.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, it’s done now. We made it,” he says softly. “Just marry me tomorrow and I swear we can just get on with our lives. No more drama.”
“Are you sure?” I laugh.
“Positive.”
“I love you so much,” I say touching his newly styled hair. “I like this a lot,” I tell him, leaning forward to kiss him. I pause before our lips touch. “You look lovely tonight.”
His sharp intake of breath as our lips meet fires up my insides.
“You look amazing,” he murmurs.
“You picked the dress. It’s perfect. Thank you.” I glance down at the fabric and realise with a smile that the colour matches my nails. I suspect that this was carefully orchestrated and it explains my mother’s enthusiasm for the shade when she was urging me to get my fingernails and toenails painted today.
“I’m glad you think I picked well.” He smiles. “Because I’ve picked you one out for tomorrow too.”
I giggle. “That answers one of my questions.”
“I know.” He smirks. “This must be killing you!”
I hang my head in shame.
“Do you think you could not ask me? Just trust that I’ve thought of everything.”
I take a deep breath, hoping I can do what he has asked. “I’ll try.”
“Tomorrow is going to be…just…it’s so ‘us’, Liv. I can’t wait for you to see it.” His smile is infectious.
“Where is it?” I ask, not thinking. Then I clap my hand over my mouth, realising my mistake. Danny gives me a raised eyebrow in disapproval. “Sorry,” I whisper.
He shakes his head, laughing. “Just one thing,” he asks. “I don’t know how you want to do this. I was going to stay at Max’s and have one of the girls hang here with you. You know, if you want to do the whole ‘not seeing each other before the wedding’ thing. But if that doesn’t matter to you, I could stay here. Your call.”
“I suppose, we should do this properly.”
“Really?” He chokes, trying to mask his disappointment.
“No, not really you fool!” I laugh. “Since when have I been the traditional type? Stay with me, please.”
“Wow, that would have made tonight the hardest night of my life!” He breathes a huge sigh of relief, but his desire shows through the bravado.
“I didn’t say I’d let you touch me,” I whisper, leaning in to kiss him.
“We’ll see,” he replies, grabbing the back of my neck and closing the distance. I groan as he claims what is his. Me.
Just then the door opens. “Oh! There you are!” Max exclaims. “People are looking for you. You’d better pack that in and get out here.”
I wipe my lip gloss off Danny’s mouth and smile up at Max.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“Everything is perfect,” I reply.
Chapter Twenty-one
Liv
Awkward boner.
The delicious memory of last night makes me tingle before I open my eyes. In my half-sleep state I can almost still feel Danny’s hands all over me. I shudder remembering how he took me beyond anything I’d ever experienced before. I reach out for him now and find the bed empty. That’s when I realise with a start that today is my wedding day. My eyes fly open and I scan the room, but I’m alone. A girlish giggle drifts in to me from the living room and I notice other voices too.
My bedroom door is closed, which it definitely wasn’t when I fell asleep, but it’s a good thing because under the covers, I’m naked. I sit up in a slight panic about who is out there and where Danny could be, when my foot bumps a black box at the end of my bed. I pull it onto my lap and shake my head. The box is tied with deep-purple ribbon and a card is tucked under the bow. Already I know that today will be full of surprises, so I relax and go with it. Pulling out the familiar white card, I smile with excitement at Danny’s message.
To my beautiful fiancé (This is my one and only chance to say that to you!)
Happy 30th birthday!
I’m sorry I can’t be there with you. I have things to attend to, but we will be together soon, I promise.
I know I owe you a Bachelorette Party (Hen Night I think you’d call it) but this is the best I could do…Please get up and wear what’s in the box. Your bridal birthday breakfast awaits!
You must be itching to know about today, so I’ll tell you what’s happening…You are going to become my wife!
Sorry, but that’s all you’re getting for now, except that I will see you at 2pm.
Try not to be too late, I want to start my life with you as soon as possible.
I love you,
D x
I pull the ribbon off the box and lift off the lid. Under the tissue I find a silk camisole and French knicker set edged with lace and a silk robe, in the seemingly obligatory purple that I now realise will be a feature of today. I smile at the thought of Danny choosing this and pull the covers back to put it on. I turn to look at myself in the mirror, Danny will love this, so I quickly snap myself with my phone camera and text him the shot with the message ‘Thank you x’. I put my hair up in a ponytail, then finally tying the sash on my robe, I’m ready to face whatever waits for me on the other side of the door.
I open the door and gasp. It’s a proper girlie affair – almost! Mum, Grace, Connie, Jen, Danny's mum, Pam, and, of course, Max are all milling around drinking champagne along with Ali and Carla, who are arranging a breakfast buffet on the table. I smell coffee and waffles. It all looks amazing. There are fresh flowers, like the first ones Danny gave me, which makes me smile. I cover my mouth with my hands while I take it all in. Max notices I’m up and grins stupidly as he comes towards me.
“Morning chickadee,” he says and plants a kiss on the top of my head. I slip my arms around his waist and squeeze him tight, I’m so glad he’s here. I’m overwhelmed already, but I just need to get used to it. From here on, everything that happens today is going to blow me away, I need to stop reeling from each thing and just enjoy. I’m greeted by everyone else in my little party, with birthday wishes and wedding day excitement. Then, before I’ve time to think, I’m ordered into the shower before breakfast is ready.
When I slip back into my gift from Danny, I grin and check my phone.
‘Happy birthday baby! That just made my day, but no more, I just had an awkward boner! X'
Then it buzzes again.
'I love you x'
I hug my phone, I wish he was here. With a towel wrapped around my hair, I join everyone in the living room. Since I’ve been gone breakfast is ready and I pick up a strawberry and a glass of champagne and wander around to a seat on the other side of the table. Jen is helping herself to a waffle and then she passes them to me. I feel a little shy as I realise that although I know her like she is part of Danny, I’ve never been with her without Danny. It's fine, but strange.