After all of the posing and the plastered smiles, the wedding coordinator hustled us up a floor to the reception room where the wedding party was waiting for us. Phoebe and Celia were all smiles when Aidan and I arrived. A Uillean piper began playing traditional Irish music, indicating the arrival of the wedding party.
Walking into the room, I was again awestruck by the décor. There were walls and walls of windows that looked out into the early evening and over the water. It was a stunning backdrop to the snowball flowers, candles and ivory and sage green lace that decorated the room.
Our guests stood and clapped as we entered. Once we reached the dance floor area, the Irish Wedding song began to play and Aidan wrapped his arm around my waist. We swayed on the floor. Viola had suggested we use the song and I agreed since I had no clue which song would suit our situation.
As the song started to come to an end, Aidan spun me slowly and dipped me backwards. I jumped, not prepared for this move. He started to chuckle and I smacked his arm slightly, laughing at myself. Flashes went off around us.
Once the song ended we sat down at our table with our family. Aidan was on my right, my mother and father on my left. Viola, Liam and Maggie were to Aidan’s right. We sat in small conversation about the wedding ceremony. Viola was beaming. Traditional Irish music played quietly in the background as dinner was being served.
"Ahem," everyone turned.
James stood near the DJ table with a microphone. "It’s my duty, as the best man, to toast the new couple." James smirked at Aidan.
"Oh dear God," Aidan groaned and rolled his eyes. I couldn’t help but giggle.
"Dear cousin, we have stood next to each other throughout the years, more like brothers than cousins. I wish you the best." James raised his glass and drank.
"Wow and I thought that he would –"
"Dear, Lilli." My head snapped back to James, eyes wide with nervousness. "Lilli, Lilli, Lilli…you have had such an effect on our dear Aidan, more than you realize." James smiled mischievously, winking at Aidan. "Here’s to you! Keeping doing what you do to him or, rather, don’t do." Aidan groaned while everyone drank again.
"What –?"
"Don’t ask, please." He shook his head.
I laughed lightly. "Ok."
Once the dinner course was finished and dishes cleared, the music got louder and the bar saw more attention.
"So, Viola said you two will be going to a private island for your honeymoon, how long will you be gone?" My mother inquired while taking a drink.
I cleared my throat.
"Um…two weeks."
"When are you leaving?" Donald looked at me with guilt and tension.
I placed my hand on his.
"Not till the morning." I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Yes," Aidan cleared his throat. "We’ll take the jet part of the way and then we’ll have to take the boat to the island." He took a large drink.
Celia, Phoebe and Maggie came over and grabbed my arm, pulling me onto the dance floor with them. Reaching the middle of the crowd, we started dancing.
I plastered a smile onto my face. I couldn’t keep my thoughts from wandering back to the honeymoon. Mostly, I think I was nervous about being alone with him for so long. However, I know that wasn’t all that was bothering me. What of all the sexual tension forming between us? What if we ended up hating each other?
~
Aidan
I could feel my palms sweating and my heart racing. Standing at the altar, in front of family, friends and business colleagues, I was waiting for Lilli to walk down the aisle. This was it. After today I would be married. Part of me was relieved while the other part was nervous. Four years, four years with Lilli. She wasn’t too keen on having sex or being a married couple, which worried me. What would this be like? I was about to hyperventilate.
Lilli began walking towards me, wearing Viola’s wedding dress. She was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. My heart picked up speed. I locked onto her eyes and stared intently, in pure awe of her presence. This woman was amazing. When Donald gave her hand to me, I had to latch on tightly before she had a chance to change her mind. After my behavior at the rehearsal dinner, I was worried she would back out and run.
My worries subsided the moment there was skin to skin contact. The familiar tingling heat between our hands never seemed to dull or fade away, but this time if felt like a fire starting between our palms.
As the ceremony progressed I couldn’t help but feel different about her, about everything between us. When we kissed I felt a wave of passion overtake my body, having to pull back before I got carried away. Instead I thanked her before pulling away to face our guests.
I thanked her for doing this, going through with everything and for the feeling she created within me. The moment I put the ring on her finger, I knew I could fall for her and that I may just want to. I shook off my thoughts as we proceeded down the aisle to stand in the receiving line.
"You look beautiful, Lilli." She looked at me in surprise.