The whole room was bathed in a warm, golden light. The few golden chairs were taken by guests, set up on either side of a thin, white carpet, that ended under an illuminated, floral archway. Ivy entwined candelabras hung from the ceiling, and lanterns and candles lined the white, wooden beamed walls. The scent of vanilla mixed with the florals in the room making a sweet and light fragrance that filled the air. The beautiful vineyard interior was practically glowing with the love of those seated within it.
"How do I look?" Came a soft voice from behind me.
I stopped straightening my bow tie and turned around, my jaw nearly hit the floor at the sight in front of me. Her dark hair was pulled back in an elegant updo. Thin, curled strands fell to her shoulders, and framed her face. Her makeup was soft, complimenting her natural beauty. My eyes drifted over her dress. The simple, yet stunning, fitted white gown clung to her curves then flared out, pooling at her feet. The most beautiful thing of all though was the beaming, happy smile on her face.
"You look amazing, Rox." I smiled, taking a step nearer to her.
"Thanks Ev." She said softly, before blowing out a breath.
"Are you ready?" I asked her, taking my place at her side and holding out my arm.
She nodded, looping her own through mine and resting her hand on my forearm. We turned towards the entrance to the room and the music started up. As the guests rose to their feet, we took our first step forward, Roxy's eyes fixed on the man waiting for her at the end. He turned around, his own gaze falling on his soon to be wife, love and adoration glowed in his eyes. I was filled with happiness and satisfaction as I handed my best friend to the man she loved, and stepped back, watching them begin their vows in front of their small gathering of friends and family.
"Do you, Sean Ryan Campbell, take Roxanne Melinda Parks, to be your lawful wedded wife?"
"I do."
"And do you, Roxanne Melinda Parks, take Sean Ryan Campbell to be your lawful wedded husband?"
"I do."
As they were pronounced husband and wife, and a cheer erupted through the room, I saw my best friend's face alight with happiness. I clapped my hands together and joined in, delighted that she'd finally got everything that she deserved. When they turned and walked back down the aisle, hand in hand, I stopped at the side, where Sean's mother Isabella held a tiny, bubbly and giggling bundle of joy. Sean and Roxy's, now five month old, baby daughter, Everly Katara Campbell. I held out my hands, Isabella nodded and adjusted her grip, passing her over. I felt her weight as she was laid in my arms and looked into the cute little face that had made my heart melt since the day she was born.
"Hey there angel, wanna come with Uncle Evan?"
She let out a small giggle again as I tickled her tummy and pulled funny faces at her, making my way up the aisle with the other guests.
"You know, I think she laughs more at your normal face."
I turned to my left, Katarina, Sean's younger sister, had caught up and was looking over my arm at Everly. Her dark hair was straightened, flicked back from her face and shining bright in the light. The lavender, one shoulder dress that she was wearing worked easily for her and her frame.
"Well at least she doesn't cry at mine." I replied smugly.
"You two, can you make it five minutes without the jibes?" Julian, Sean and Kat's father, interjected, stepping past us, and continuing after his son.
"It's your brother's wedding day Kat, tone it down darling." Isabella added, taking her husband's arm and walking forward.
When we entered the next room, everyone gathered around, a few moments later Sean and Roxy entered, holding hands, with bright smiles. Everyone cheered and clapped, then began moving forwards, taking turns to hug and congratulate them, and offering their best wishes. When it was my turn, I approached, jostling baby Evie, ready to pass her to her mother's waiting arms.
"Hello baby, has Evan been behaving himself?" Roxy cooed, bouncing Everly in her arms, whilst Sean kissed her cheek and smiled down at them both.
"I always behave myself."
Sean and Roxy both gave me identical, disbelieving looks and I shrugged. I pulled Roxy to one side whilst Sean and Kat stood talking.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks, and thank you for walking me down the aisle."
I'd been honoured and proud, when she asked me to do it. She still hadn't spoken to her family since the day that her and Sean got together. They still didn't know about Everly, or the wedding. That was the way that Roxy wanted it kept, and everyone respected that after what she'd been through with them. I'd gladly stepped up to the father of the bride duties, and I'd loved every single moment.
The music started up and Roxy handed Everly back to me as she and Sean took to the floor for their first dance.
"Want me to take her?" Kat asked, holding her hands out to me.
"What do you think Evie? Wanna go to mean auntie Kitty Kat?"
"I told you not to call me that." She snapped.
"Right, sorry," I replied, before turning back to Everly and playfully repeating the question, "Wanna go to mean Kitty Kat?"
I heard Kat's sigh and knew she was getting irritable. I laughed under my breath, enjoying the moment. It was always fun to wind her up. She plucked Everly from my arms and cradled her against her body.
"You're such an idiot." She muttered under her breath, rocking her hips, Evie beginning to soothe and calm in her arms.
"Let's face it, you like me really. These last couple of years have been the best of your life." I clapped a hand on her shoulder, smirking at her.
She rolled her eyes and moved away from my grip.
"Keep trying to wind me up, and they will be the last of yours." Her threatening tone was laced with sarcasm as she grinned wickedly back at me, then joined her parents.
I scanned the guests, my eyes resting on a pretty redhead that I knew worked with Rox. She was standing alone by the bar, the bright scarlet dress she wore clung to her hourglass figure, like a second skin, and ending just above the knee, and the high black heels gave her legs an even longer appearance. She looked my way, a blush tinting her cheeks with a rosy pink tinge. I watched her nervously twirl a strand of her hair around her finger, then take a sip from her glass of champagne. Why not? I thought to myself, walking across the room and stopping in front of her.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to chat you up or anything." I started, holding my hands up as I approached, before leaning against the bar, and looking out to where Roxy and Sean were twirling around the floor, among a number of other guests.
"You're not?" She asked surprised.
"No, of course not. I just saw you on your own over here, and thought I'd keep you company. No one should be alone at weddings."
She smiled happily, taking another sip of champagne, her blue eyes travelled over me, clearly checking me out.
"What about you then?" She asked softly, placing her glass on the bar.
"Ah, I'm honorary father of the bride, she was my date."
I watched her brighten, clearly impressed and touched by the sentiment. She leant in closer, a flirtatious glint in her blue eyes.
"But what about the rest of the night? Now that she's taken?"
"Well I suppose I'll just have to resort to being solo this evening." I sighed, giving a small shrug.
She reached out, laying a hand on my forearm as she continued.
"Maybe I could take her place? Neither of us would be alone then."
I laughed internally, that was too easy. I kept a straight face, pretending to think it over, then nodded slowly.
"That could work," I replied. Her face instantly brightened and I gave her a sweet smile, holding out my hand. "I almost forgot, Evan Daniels."
She took my hand, giving it a little shake, and flicking her head to throw her hair back over her shoulder.
"Amalia Saunders."
"Well Amalia," I pushed off from the bar, not letting go of her hand. "Would you like to dance?"
She looked slightly hesitant, biting her lip and side-eyeing the dance floor.
"Come on, it would be a shame not to show off that incredible dress of yours," I leaned in, whispering in her ear, "And it just so happens, that I am a great dancer."
She giggled, then allowed me to lead her out onto the dance floor, just in time for a slow song to start up. I twirled her under my arm, then brought her in towards me, wrapping one arm around her waist, and holding the other clasped inside my own. As I steered her into a dance, she grew more comfortable with me. Before long we were sharing a laugh and dancing wilder as she began to let loose.
The rest of the wedding seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye, and soon enough, we were waving Sean and Roxy off to their hotel. Isabella and Julian were taking Everly for the evening, so that they could enjoy their wedding night alone, their honeymoon having previously been turned into a baby moon, taken during her pregnancy. As we all said our goodbyes, Amalia wandered over, stopping at my side, her confidence had been on the rise throughout the evening as she had a few more glasses of drink and we flirted more and more.
"I was wondering if you fancied a nightcap?" She said seductively, her blue eyes looking up at me from under her lashes as she closed the distance between us. "And maybe something a little... more." She whispered in my ear, her lips brushing over my cheek.
