A Family Affair - First Born (14 page)

“Yes.”

“I am definitely going to need a hand putting this on, I think.”

“Ooh, I’m coming,” she shrieked. “It’s time for the dress!”

After a few minutes of helping Ellen, Beth called to her husband less enthusiastically. “Garry, we might need another hand with these buttons.” The excitement in her voice was waning as the buttons were very small and intricate.

Garry came in, but unexpectedly stopped by the door, motionless.

“Come and help, Garry,” Beth called, not looking up. “Don’t just stand there. We’re running out of time here. I had no idea these buttons were going to be such a chore,” she said to Ellen quietly. “Maybe we should have started sooner.”

Ellen checked the clock. They didn’t need to panic yet, but time was definitely slipping away. She looked towards her dad who still hadn’t moved. “You okay, Dad?”

“Ellen, you look like an angel,” he said finally, while wiping a tear out of the corner of his eye. “You are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. My little girl is all grown up and getting married.”

“Ah thanks, Dad.” Ellen tried not to look directly at him, as any crying at this stage would spoil her makeup.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you than I am today,” he added.

Beth shook her head, but smiled anyway. “There’s no time for that, Garry, and don’t make her cry either. She has perfect makeup right at the moment, and I won’t be very happy if you ruin it.”

“Sorry, love,” he said, moving closer. “A father can’t help but be overwhelmed when he sees his daughter in her wedding dress. You look beautiful too, my love,” he said, kissing Beth’s cheek.

“Thank you, darling. Now come here, and I’ll show you what’s needed.”

They spent the next twenty minutes working together to close the hundreds of small, intricate buttons which led down Ellen’s back.

Once that job was finished, Ellen turned around to face both her parents and they both gasped. “Ellen, I know I said it before, but this dress is utterly unbelievable,” Beth said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Where did you find it?”

“Tom had it specially made for me.”

“Ah, I see.” Beth gave Garry a knowing look, which Ellen chose to ignore. They should be used to the way Tom lavished her with expensive gifts by now. He seemed to enjoy the act of giving as much as other people enjoyed receiving.

There was nothing left to do but wait for Robert to arrive with the wedding car. The buttons had taken much longer than expected, which only left a few minutes before he was due.

“Now Ellen, I just want to say something to you before we go,” Garry said. “Is it all right for me to say something mushy now, love?” he asked Beth.

“Yes, but if she starts crying, then you stop instantly. Understand?”

Garry nodded.

“What is it, Dad?”

“Well, you know I love you. I’ve always loved you as if you were my flesh and bone. You and your mother are the most treasured people in my life. I know it was hard on you – the way you found about your biological mother, the way you learnt that...” Garry’s eyes started to well with tears again as he remembered that day last year when Ellen had visited with the letter from Ted.

Ellen couldn’t recall seeing her father cry like this. “Dad, you don’t need to say all this. I know...”

“I do. Let me finish, my girl. It’s important to me that I tell you.”

Ellen nodded, and Beth put her arm around her husband’s shoulder to support him. They could both tell that Garry was in more danger of crying than Ellen.

“I was so worried that you wouldn’t love us the same way, once you’d discovered the truth, but I see that you do. I see the love you have for us in your eyes. I see the love you have for Tom. I am so grateful that you could forgive the mistake we made. I want you to know that Tom is now family to us too.”

Ellen’s heart was so full of love in that moment. Love for her parents, Tom and for their unborn child. She wiped a tear away too, no longer worried about her makeup. This moment with her parents was more important than looking perfect as she walked down the aisle.

“Okay, Garry. You’ve really got to stop now,” Beth said, chiding him and wiping her own tears away. “You’ll ruin my makeup too.”

When Robert arrived at the door, Ellen was amazed to see him in a tuxedo. He looked very handsome, but his face betrayed his nervousness.

“You look beautiful, Ellen,” he said, while shaking Garry’s hand. “I feel so privileged to be driving you to the ceremony.”

“We’re so happy you offered to drive us, Robert,” Ellen told him.

“Are you ready to go?”

“I think so, but first, can you take a photograph of the three of us.” Ellen looked back to her parents – she wanted to remember this time with them.

“Good idea, love,” said Garry.

“Certainly,” agreed Robert. “It would be my honour.”

When they finally left the apartment, Ellen was surprised to find Robert driving a long sleek, black limousine, rather than the normal car he drove for Tom. It was a beautiful car and decorated with a creamy ribbon at the front.

Robert opened the door for her to enter, and Ellen turned to see her mother lifting the train to make sure it didn’t get caught in the door. “Thanks, Mum.”

“That’s it,” she encouraged. “Nice and slow. We’re nearly in.”

The weather was truly perfect – warm but not too hot, no wind and a bright blue sky as far as she could see.

Robert whisked the three of them away, and within ten minutes they arrived at the front of the cathedral. To everyone’s dismay, there was a large crowd of people gathered outside, including reporters and cameramen. They started to swarm towards the car like bees around a hive.

“Oh, dear,” Beth said, suddenly worried by the sea of people. “How will we get through?”

“It will be okay,” Garry said. “Be brave everyone.”

A big public wedding suddenly seemed to be a very bad idea, and Ellen started to panic.

Robert seemed to read her mind. “Don’t worry, Ellen. The media attention was foreseen. There is a large security team here to escort you inside. I met with them this morning, and they know what they’re doing. Look, here they come now.”

The three of them watched as a group of men in dark clothing approaching the limo. They formed a circle around the car door leading towards the entrance, and one of the men opened the door.

“We’ve got you. You can step out now,” he said.

For some unknown reason, Ellen thought of Ted as she stepped out of the limousine into the sunshine. Her eyes scanned the crowd nervously. Could he be here among all the faces watching her every move? His determination to punish Tom and end her relationship had been so strong when they’d last seen each other. Until this point, Ellen had trusted in the police to find Ted and hold him accountable for kidnapping her last year. But they hadn’t found him yet – he hadn’t been charged. For all she knew, he could be here. Thank goodness for the tight security!

Ellen’s parents were right behind her, giving her the courage and determination to keep moving. Beth lifted and managed the train to ensure it didn’t drag, and Garry gave his daughter step by step guidance.

Ellen took a deep breath and continued to walk with the ring of security guards surrounding her. They pushed the crowd back so that she could walk freely, although the cameras and lights which flashed around her made it a daunting experience. Unexpectedly her fear changed to elation, and she smiled for all to see. A cheer of well-wishing rang out. It was amazing that complete strangers were gathered here, just to wish her and Tom well.

After being ushered successfully through the crowd and then into the cathedral, she realised the noise had suddenly faded to quiet as the large oak doors were shut behind them. The cathedral was packed with what seemed like hundreds of people, and they all stood up as the music started playing.

“Here we go,” Beth said, holding her firmly.

With a parent on each arm, Ellen began the long walk towards Tom, whom she could just make out in the distance. She had wanted both her parents to walk her down the aisle, given their equal importance in her life. It was not traditional, but it was one of the few things she had insisted on. The aisle was longer than she imagined it would be, bordered on the pews with white Singaporean orchids and white freesias – the latter filling the air with the most wonderful fragrance. The occasion started to overwhelm her in a way she had not expected. All of these people, all of this extravagance was for her and Tom. She tightened her hold on both parents, and tried to find calmness in their presence.

The crowd was filled with familiar faces, and Ellen smiled generously at everyone she recognised. Estella and her son were here, as well as Cameron and Ryan from the office. Ryan gave her a beaming smile, before taking a photograph. It was nice to see him so elated, and it made her giggle. Elizabeth and her boyfriend were also here, seated next to the aisle. Ellen whispered a little hello to her when she passed, and Elizabeth gave her an inconspicuous thumbs up. If Tom had asked her to, Elizabeth would have made a perfectly lovely bridesmaid. To her surprise, a few of the staff she used to know from the hotel were also here, and Ellen nodded to them. Suddenly a face caught her attention, and she paused in her steps.

“Elle, what’s wrong?” her father whispered, caught off guard by his daughter’s temporary halt.

The intensity of Kane’s stare momentarily shocked her. His mouth widened when their eyes met, and his eyes dropped to absorb the full length of her gown, pausing briefly on the small bump which was obvious to him. His eyes pleaded with her not to walk one step further but to run away with him.

Ellen felt foolish for stopping, but quickly regained her composure. Her brain forced her legs to walk. From now on, her attention would remain firmly on Tom, and she fixed her sights forward down the aisle, trying to block out the camera flashes and smiling faces. Kane shouldn’t affect her like that – she mustn’t let him.

After another few minutes, Tom’s face became closer, and she could appreciate how handsome he looked in his new suit. Jack and Hayden stood by Tom’s side, and even Hayden seemed particularly pleased with himself. Was her biological father beginning to feel some sort of paternal pride at last? Ellen didn’t want to read too much into his expression, but couldn’t help feeling, if only for today, a burst of happiness to have her two fathers next to her on this amazing day.

Tom’s eyes lit up when Ellen finally reached him. He shook his head and his lips mouthed the word ‘wow’. Mr Jackson passed Ellen’s hand to Tom, and he kissed his daughter on the cheek.

The overwhelming happiness in Tom’s face reminded Ellen of the moment she had told him about her pregnancy. Her mind jumped backwards in time to remember all of the details. With Estella’s help she had prepared a candlelight dinner for two at his house. Ellen had decorated the room with flowers and lit more than one hundred candles. It had been a magical experience. He had asked over and over what the special occasion was, but she hadn’t told him until the main course had been eaten.

When Tom had finished the last bite of his main course, Ellen had looked at him, and said solemnly. “I have something to tell you.” Her face had given nothing away of the joy and excitement inside.

He had looked worried but not surprised. “I thought something must be going on here.”

She counted slowly to five in her head for dramatic effect, before smiling to break the solemn moment. “We’re going to have a baby,” she told him quickly. They were the words she had wanted to say for six weeks and it felt good to announce them.

Tom’s jaw had dropped and his face had lit up with joy.

Suddenly the minister’s words brought Ellen’s attention back to the present. “Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the wedding of Tom Bradley and Ellen Jackson. Please be seated.” There was a pause while everyone took their seats. “Before we start, I’d like to acknowledge all of you here today. You are here to witness this special event. I can’t remember the last time I saw the cathedral so full, so that tells me that the love shared by this couple, about to be bound together in God’s eyes and in your presence today, is special and unique. It is my privilege to be conducting the ceremony, and I thank you for being here.”

As the wedding ceremony progressed, Ellen had to focus to hear the words being spoken. Her nervousness had completely gone, as she savoured each moment. She would be Ellen Bradley within the hour. Tom’s eyes and broad smile were so distracting, and his little mannerisms made her giggle. It was a serious occasion, but also a joyous one too. The ceremony’s vows were straight from the heart, and their smiles promised each other years of laughter and happiness.

After they exchanged vows and rings, and signed their wedding certificate, reality hit home! It was over. She was Mrs Bradley, and nobody could change that. Both she and Tom were besieged by congratulatory pats on the back, kisses and hugs from guests who were seated near the front. Tom held Ellen’s hand and started to steer her back down the aisle towards the waiting security team and cars.

Ellen’s parents and Hayden were close behind.  She could see Robert and the security team readying themselves for their safe passage from the cathedral to the cars. The cheers and congratulations were obviously heartfelt and lovely, but Ellen couldn’t wait until they were safely out of the crowd.