A/N - Hello! Haven't left any notes in quite a while so thought I'd update you.
This is the penultimate chapter and the last one from Mark's POV. The next and last chapter will be in the form of an elongated epilogue, rounding off the story for each family member. Twenty chapters is a good number to finally finish this series off.
All things, good or bad, must come to an end and ending this at twenty chapters is a nice number to round things off.
*****
"Nervous, sweetie?"
Turning back to look at my mother in the doorway, I couldn't help smiling at how beautiful she looked. Returning my eyes to the mirror, I fiddled with my tie for the millionth time. "No chance of nerves, Mum. I've wanted to marry Heidi since I was five years old."
Mum chuckled as she walked to stand next to me before moving in front to take hold of my tie. "I think we're all aware considering you both said the same thing at the time," she told me, "It was very cute how much you two loved each other from such a young age."
"I've always loved her, Mum. I know I had girlfriends but..."
"She had boyfriends. You were cousins and it's different, so you each made the decision to keep the deep love you had for each other platonic. Thing is that the rest of us knew where this relationship of yours would end."
"Think she's nervous?"
"Not at all. She's marrying her best friend, the man of her dreams, the only man she's loved unconditionally her entire life. You're going to be a mother and father soon, and once the vows are finished, husband and wife."
Mum finished toying with my tie, patting my chest. Her eyes immediately started to glisten, lower lip trembling slightly as I knew here was more than one reason why she might want to have a little cry. "It's okay, Mum," I whispered, holding her in my arms, "Heidi has promised that nothing stops. And next week, I'm putting a ring on your finger too."
"Happy tears, sweetie," she murmured into my chest, "There is that small part of me that does wish though. And I know I'm not the only one. Amy..."
"If she wasn't my sister..."
"You would still have married Heidi. But everyone in the family knows how much you love Amy too."
My friends were waiting for me out in the living room. I only had a pair of groomsmen, my two best friends, though I had invited a few other friends from work and a couple of others I'd kept in touch with from school. Heidi had her Maid of Honour and three bridesmaids, keeping things small and simple. We'd barely have a few more people coming to the reception as neither of us was interested in a large shindig.
Driving to the park where the ceremony would take place, the small hall had been decorated over the past couple of days. No sign of the bride or bridesmaids, shaking hands with the celebrant, who'd be conducting our wedding, while the guests were also starting to arrive. My two mates kept asking if I was okay, probably surprising them when admitting I couldn't wait for it to start.
"I'm marrying Heidi," I stated, "Why the hell would I be nervous? I've wanted to marry her for years."
The two of them looked at each other. "He's right, you know," Paddy said.
"Reckon we'll see him again for the next six months or so?" Chris wondered.
"Things are going to change once she gives birth," I replied, "And we're not stopping at one."
Heidi arrived only a couple of minutes late, her three bridesmaids walking down the aisle before she appeared as the music started to play. Walking her down the aisle was her mother to her right side, our grandfather to her left side. She wasn't wearing a veil so I could see her eyes and the smile on her face the entire time she walked towards me.
Rebecca kissed my cheek before Pop shook my hand. "Look after my youngest granddaughter," he said, before he winked, "Then again, you two getting married isn't a surprise to any of us."
We'd agreed to keep the ceremony simple, including our vows. No need for long winded speeches to be shared as we already knew how much we loved each other, and everyone present knew that too. We promised to love, honour and cherish each other. We left out the 'forsaking all others' as the celebrant was aware that we did share ourselves with other peoples, explaining during our first meeting that ours was a modern relationship where sex could be shared with others outside of the central union. We weren't surprised to be told we were not the first couple to tell her that.
Her hand was shaking as I slid the ring onto her finger, but I don't think anyone could have wiped the smile off her face. Sliding the ring onto my finger, I held her hands as the celebrant wrapped up the ceremony, announcing us as husband and wife, and I could now kiss the bride. It wasn't a chaste kiss, but with our grandparents watching, and extended family we never really saw outside particular events, we kept our first kiss as a married couple sensible.
After signing the official paperwork that had us recognised us as a married couple by law, it was time for photos. It was a wonderfully sunny and warm day so we knew the photos would be excellent. Heidi barely stopped smiling, her hand always holding mine. If not holding my hand, it was on my arm, my back, my chest. As for me, I couldn't tear my eyes from her. She looked as beautiful as I'd ever seen her, and knowing she was carrying our child at the same time, I found myself getting a little emotional more than once.
So that meant more time for hugs. Everyone loves a long hug.
As everyone else returned home to prepare for the reception, I was given time alone with my new wife, walking together around the park, stopping together at the lake. Wrapping my arms around my wife, we shared another soft kiss, resting her head against my chest.
"Waited a long time for this," she whispered.
"Me too," I whispered back, pulling her tight to my body, "Nothing better than marrying my best friend."
"How about your sexy cousin?" she half-joked.
"Well, there has been one or two jokes about keeping it in the family."
She giggled, squeezing me a little tighter. "At least we could marry as cousins. Imagine if I was your sister?!" Pausing, she sighed as I returned the gentle squeeze. "Amy smiled the entire time though I know she was also hurting."
"It's why I'll 'marry' her next week."
"I love her so much, Mark. I could never do anything to hurt her. I know today would have been difficult for not only her in many ways."
Arriving home for the reception, we'd agreed to keep things simple, though Heidi and I would be ending the night at a hotel in the city. No plans for any honeymoon as we didn't really see the point. The important parts were getting married and then her giving birth to our first child. Still, it was nice to spend the afternoon and evening surrounded by friends and family. We kept things casual, Pop and my two mates working the barbecue, while we had caterers provide plenty of other choices. The drinks flowed, except for the three other women also carrying my child.
I did receive a few queries as to who the father was for Amy, Kelly and Katie. Of course, I couldn't admit I was the father to my sister's children. I could have told them I was the father of Kelly's, and likely just received some curious looks and questions, but I just told whoever asked to approach them instead.
Making sure I didn't drink too much either, I did give a little speech before Heidi was ready to leave, thanking everyone for attending, but more importantly, understanding that although Heidi and I were related, they understood the fact that we were in love and did not judge us too harshly. In fact, those who were present were choosing to celebrate the love we shared.
After saying goodbye to everyone and thanking them for attending, Amy, Kelly, Katie and Mum followed us out to my car. Heidi was still wearing her dress, wanting me to carry her over the threshold of our hotel room. We were only staying the one night though I'd booked a suite. Expensive but worth it.
"Next Saturday," I told the four of them as they hugged me, "But thank you for everything you've done for us today."
"It was done with love for you both," Mum stated. Amy smiled though her eyes glistened as I knew it was difficult. Katie had support from Deborah, Kelly from Simone, the others hovering nearby.
"I love you all so much!" Heidi exclaimed, taking the lid off her emotions. Guess she didn't have to worry about her make-up any longer. Everyone shared long hugs before I helped Heidi into my car before getting behind the wheel.
Parking up an hour later at the hotel, we only had to roll in a small suitcase each. After checking in, we rode the lift to the suite level. After opening the door, I easily picked up Heidi and carried her inside, all the way to the bedroom. Sitting her down, she lay back and giggled. "You know I'll need help getting out of his dress," she told me.
"And that's a bad thing because?"
"Still going to love me when I'm eight months along and a lot bigger?"
"Definitely."
After grabbing our suitcases from the hall, I helped her up so we could walk out to the balcony. Placing an order for some snacks and drinks from downstairs, I waited until they arrived before I started to help Heidi off with her dress. In the end, it wasn't all that difficult, making sure to hang it up. In her white bra, panties, suspenders, stockings and heels, I did my best not to drool as I looked her up and down.
