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Chapter Eighty-Three Part-Two

A/N: Here is the first part of the chapter, here is the song of Lydia and Harry's first dance and here is the second song they dance to.

Harry

There was a smile on my face that I couldn't help but widen as I led Lydia away from the congregation. Happiness was flooding through me, emanating from the grin that was fixed on my mouth. My fingers were curled around Lydia's, far too much distance between us as we made our way towards the private chapel. We were about to sign the book; we were already married.

I couldn't believe it. Married! The thought was so absurd to me, so foreign to my mind, the ring so strange on my finger, but at the same time I couldn't imagine any different. It was so natural to have Lydia beside me, to know that she was mine and I was hers. Because I loved her, and my heart had never beat as fast and as happily as it was then.

I glanced at Lydia then, my eyes roving over the beauty that radiated from her. She looked stunning, her makeup simple but perfect, her eyes shining with the jewels that sparkled on her head. My mother's tiara, so beautiful in itself, made Lydia look like a princess. And she was now. She was my princess.

She caught me watching her and a shy smile tugged up the corners of her mouth. “Just a few more steps,” she whispered, as we neared the door.

I chuckled. “And then you're all mine.”

She raised an eyebrow, evidently disagreeing with my words, worrying that the world watching could lip-read them. “You might have to wait a while,” she murmured.

First one foot over the step, then the other, and her face was reeking concentration, desperately trying to keep her dress perfect. It was beautiful, clinging to her enough to be flattering but flowing out at the waist to make it elegant. She was so beautiful in it, a divine image as she walked beside me.

“Phew,” she said, once we were inside, out of the public's gaze. “That was so scary. I'm shaking so bad.” She held her other hand out, the one now adorned with her wedding ring, which sparkled in the dim light; her fingers trembled slightly, casting shaking shadows on the skirt of her dress.

“I love you,” I said automatically, taking her outstretched hand and pressing it to my lips. “So much.”

She smiled, her eyes fixing on my. “I love you too. That was...amazing.”

I chuckled just as we were joined by our family, and I felt my face light up as Kerry gently placed Lucy's tiny feet on the floor. “Lucy!”

“Dada!” she said, her lisp as endearing as ever, and I stooped down to scoop her into my arms.

“Look at you, Lucy,” I said, pressing my lips to her temple and stroking her soft hair. “Look at your pretty little dress. You're like a little princess.”

“Pwincess,” she repeated after me, and as I tickled under her chin in encouragement, she giggled. “Ook!” Her chubby wrist pointed above me, and I glanced up at the roof of the magnificent abbey.

“Wow,” I breathed. “Beautiful, isn't it, Lucy?”

“Booti,” she babbled, her version of 'beautiful', which usually drew laughter from Lydia and I. This time it didn't. We were too ecstatic to be amused by such an immature thing.

“Well, that went well,” Pa commented, rubbing his hands together as finally we were all inside. Caitlin hovered beside William, both of them grinning in excitement, while Camilla and Kerry stood together, and Wayne was standing on his own, examining our majestic surroundings.

“It did,” Lydia said. “I didn't mess your names up.”

“I was probably more worried about that than about anything I had to say,” I said, grinning at her.

“You look beautiful, honey,” Camilla said, making her way over to Lydia and taking her hands, giving them a squeeze before gently stroking her cheek. “So beautiful.”

“With a beautiful tiara,” Pa agreed. Then he frowned. “Have I seen that tiara somewhere before...?”

We all laughed at his sarcasm. “Yes, Pa,” William said. “It was once in an exhibition at Buckingham.”

“Oh, is that so?” Pa said, answering his son's joking tone with his own. “I knew I'd seen it.”

“Ah bah goo,” Lucy suddenly squealed, squirming in my arms, and I gently set her on the floor. “Ooh werd gah.” She toddled over to where a hommage to the scientist Lavoisier was written on the tiles.

William and Caitlin watched her as Lydia and I sat down to sign the book, and once the pen had been placed back on the table I took her hands.

“Are you ready to go now?” I asked. “We can stay a few more minutes if you like.”

“Actually, you must be on your way by forty-five minutes past,” Pa said, slipping his sleeve back to glance at his watch. “And no later. Because otherwise we'll be completely off schedule.”

I scoffed. “Schedule.”

Lydia gave me a mock-stern look. “We have to do as we're told, Harry.”

“I know, I know,” I teased, before taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Okay. Deep breath. Head up. Time to go.”

She laughed lightly at me as I puffed my chest out, before leaning in and pressing her lips to my cheek. “Nervous?”

I shook my head. “Happy.”

Lydia laughed lightly, gripping onto my forearm as she got to her feet before waving at Lucy, who was stood with William. “Lucy! Time to go now!”

“Yah!” she said, clapping her hands, and I chuckled.

“She looks beautiful,” I said, stooping down to finger her dress. “As do you,” I added, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “So beautiful.”

She smiled adoringly at me, before turning to our family who were watching us, waiting. “Okay,” she finally said. “Let's go.”

We lined up behind the door, my hand wrapped around Lydia's, her dress flawless and elegantly placed around her. My heart was pounding nervously again, but I tried to act as calm as I could. There was a moment of silence, and then the music started up, the door was opened, and I led Lydia out to face the congregation once more.

She smiled over at her extended family, at her sister's that were waiting for her to arrive, at James who was practically bouncing up and down in excitement. I grinned over at my own relatives, at my cousins and aunts and uncles who had been a part of my life forever, who were all smiling back at me. In front of them all sat my grandparents, my grandmother whose smile was the widest and proudest of all. They all stood now, my grandfather murmuring something to her just as we neared, and then we came to a stop in front of them, turning to face her.

My eyes linked with hers for a split second as I bowed my head, but her gaze quickly went to Lydia, adoration on her face as she smiled at my new wife. I glanced at the woman beside me, seeing the nerves in her eyes give way to a shy smile on her mouth. I gave her hand a squeeze, and then we moved on.

Gradually, the bridal party began to follow behind us, all the little bridesmaids and pageboys – except Lucy and George, who I knew had been taken to the doorway so they wouldn't have to walk on their own – and then came Caitlin and William, followed by Kerry and Pa and Wayne and Camilla. My grandparents brought up the rear, falling into stride behind us as Lydia and I led the way out of the Abbey.

So many people were there, many of whom I barely recognised, but those who were seated at the front, those who grinned and waved and winked and awed were all very familiar. Our closest friends, our extended families, colleagues from The Natural History Museum and from her life of studying and working. My friends made abroad, doing charity work; Seeiso's smile was one of the widest I saw. David and Victoria Beckham were there, Victoria's moody expression having given way to a surprisingly happy look. Joss Stone was there, as was Tom Jones, Elton John, all celebrities that I had been acquainted with at some point in my life. Chelsy was there, beside her fiancee, smiling at me, and as my gaze went to her, she winked.

We were gradually growing closer and closer to the doorway, closer and closer to being revealed to the world, and I felt Lydia's grip on my hand tighten. I turned to her automatically.

“Love?” I asked. “Are you alright?”

She smiled. “Fantastic,” she said breathlessly.

Finally, as we neared the archway and the glass doors, Lucy came into view, clinging onto Nanny Rose's hand as she waited for her moment to join the procession, and both Lydia and I waved to her before we could stop ourselves. She spotted us, letting out an impatient wail and struggling against her nanny's hold as she tried to get to us, causing the near guests to chuckle affectionately.

Somehow her and George remembered that they had to behave, and they certainly did, stepping behind Louise and Lily, so Caitlin and William could keep an eye on them. Then the doors were opened, the glass doors that separated us from the rest of London, and the noise roared inside.

It was ridiculous, ridiculously absurd how loud the crowds were, how excited and happy they were to see us, and as we stepped out into the warm May air they cheered louder, they shouted and screamed and applauded. I turned to Lydia, just to see her reaction, and the emotion on her face, the delight reeked from her smile. I squeezed her hand, and she turned her beam to me.

“Oh my god,” she breathed.

“I know,” I agreed, before leading her ahead, down the red carpet towards the carriage that awaited us. We had, in all sense, copied William and Kate, for our journey back to Buckingham Palace would be horse drawn, but the public didn't seem to care. They were happy just to see us, to wave their signs and their masks and their home-made wedding hats our way.

I was handed my hat and my gloves, and I hurriedly slipped them on as Lydia waited. “Very sexy,” she whispered to me playfully, and I grinned.

“You better believe it,” I answered, making her giggle, and then I climbed into the carriage.

I'd ridden in it before, but something about the nerves coursing through me and the way my legs were like jelly made me gasp out in horror as the floor wobbled beneath me. Lydia's eyes widened at my momentary panic, and then she smiled, reaching up to take my outstretched hand.

The footmen helped her fold her dress around her feet, and then she brushed her veil out of her eyes and turned to me, the widest smile I'd seen all day adorning her face. “That was amazing”

I grinned, taking her hand and pressing it to my lips, ignoring the adoring crowd. “Best day of my life,” I said.

“Mine too,” she agreed, and then she laughed. “To the palace!”

I chuckled, before glancing over my shoulder. “Where's Lucy?”

We both turned to scan the bridal party for our daughter, receiving a little wave from Kerry, before our eyes found the little toddler. She was sat in the carriage behind us, between James and Caitlin, and the little boy was talking to her animatedly, one of his hands gripping hers as, with the other, he pointed over up at the Abbey they'd just left.

“She's okay,” Lydia observed, turning back to me. Before I could answer, the carriage had been pulled into movement, and the roar of the crowds only intensified. “So many people,” she mused.

“I know,” I said. “Crazy, crazy people. Go home!” I added, as I waved to the crowd. “Go home!”

She laughed at me, before we dissolved into silence so I could salute, Lydia also ducking her head as she had been advised to do. Then we were back to waving to the crowd once more. “They're so excited,” she said.

“They love you,” I said.

“No they don't,” she answered dismissively.

“Oh, they do,” I said. “Just you wait.”

She rolled her eyes at me, a small smile tugging up the corners of her mouth, as she turned away to wave at the crowd. Her bouquet was placed in her lap, her other hand resting in mine, my fingers twiddling the engagement ring on her finger. I could feel her nerves as though they surged into me from our touching skin, but when I looked at her, all I could see was happiness. Happiness and confidence that came from the adoring crowd, the way they cheered for her. She was beautiful.

Central London passed by, as did the thousands of people that had gathered to see us and, after what felt like forever smiling and waving, the carriage turned onto the Mall. It was a marvellous sight, the union jacks fluttering in the wind, adorning the trees on either side, flying high above the crowds that bordered the road. The cavalry trotted ahead of us on their horses, with their magnificent uniforms that shone in the sunlight, and behind us rode William, Caitlin and all our little helpers. Occasionally, over the roar of the public and the clip-clop of the horses' shoes on the ground, Lucy and George's squeals could be heard.

Slowly the palace grew closer, the Victoria Memorial glistening in the light, and as we drove around it the crowds gathered around the fountain cheered and waved at us. Lydia laughed, in amusement, in disbelief at the absurdity of it all.

“Here we are,” I said, as we rode through the gates.

“I can't believe it,” she said. “I can't believe any of it.”

I chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Believe it,” I said. “Because it's all real.”

We drove into the courtyard then, out of the public's view, and she leant in to kiss my cheek. “I love you,” she murmured.

“I love you too,” I said. Then I grinned. “I suppose you're saving the actual kiss for the balcony?”

“No,” she said. “The photographs.”

I groaned. “So long.”

“Patience, dear hubby.”

I barked a laugh. “Whatever you say, wifey.”

She rolled her eyes at me, giving my hand a squeeze, just as the carriage slowed to a stop.

Lydia

“Mama! Mama!”

I automatically turned to the sound of Lucy's babble, smiling widely as my eyes fell on her. She was running towards me, her arms thrown outwards as she prepared to jump into my hold and I, ignoring Lucas and Shannon and Bonnie who were sorting my appearance, stooped down to scoop her up. Her giggles drowned out the impatient tuts from those around me, and I laughed too, nuzzling my nose against her cheek.

“Hello, Lucy,” Harry called, from where he was sat on the other side of the room, waiting for my stylists to finish with me. Now it was the photos, then the balcony appearance, and then, finally, we would be able to eat. I felt as though I had been running on adrenaline all morning, and now that I was finally out of the limelight – for now – I could feel my stomach craving some food. And I knew that whatever the Buckingham Palace kitchens produced would be delicious.

“Dada! Ya ooneefooorm!” Lucy squealed, giggly and squirming in my arms. I gently set her tiny feet on the ground, watching affectionately as she toddled over to Harry, who picked her up and cuddled her tightly.

“Sorry,” I said to Shannon, who returned to my makeup, seemingly irritated.

“No worry,” she said. “Your royal highness,” she added with a grin.

I groaned. “God! Stop that! None of you have to call me that.”

“But it's funny,” Lucas said. “Especially your reaction.”

I scowled, pouting. “Let's just get these bloody photos over with so you two can stop teasing me!”

The other bridesmaids and pageboys arrived just as my stylists abandoned me, and James ran ahead. “Lydia! Lydia!”

I laughed lightly, carefully crouching down before hugging him gently. “Hey, James.”

“The wedding was so cool!” he said.

"You did such a good job," I told him. "You looked very handsome."

“Does this mean you're my cousin now too?”

“Oh, you bet,” I said, smiling and stroking his hair. “You gonna sit by me in the photo?”

“Yeah!” He hurried after his sister and Phoebe, who were lining up to get their hair checked by Lucas. I heard the hairdresser's excited babble even from across the room.

“How do you feel?” I turned to see Harry perched on a chair beside me, grinning as his eyes roved over my dress. Tugging on my train, I moved towards him.

“Really, really happy,” I answered, with a wide smile. “Best day of my life.”

He reached for my hand, squeezing it. “The hardest part of the day is over.”

“What? Remembering to say my name?”

“It was my name that was harder,” he said, grinning. “But you managed it.”

“I've been practicing so much that I was literally saying it in my sleep last night,” I said.

“Oh yes, blame it on the practicing.” He winked.

I rolled my eyes. “If you didn't have such a long bloody name.”

“Lydia? Harry?” We both looked up at the voice of Stephen Cooper, the photographer who we had chosen to take our wedding pictures. “Are you ready? We really have to try and keep to schedule.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Mama.” I turned to see Lucy toddling towards me, her face split into an adorable smile as she raised her arms, indicating she wanted a hug. I chuckled lightly, scooping her up and sitting her on my hip. She giggled.

“Did you like the photos?” I asked her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Photos?”

“Yah!” she said, clapping her hands together.

“Now we have to go out onto the balcony,” I said, pointing to the closed doors, and her eyes followed, widening in curiosity. “Are you going to be a good girl for mummy and daddy out there?”

Her blue eyes fixed on my face, and then she giggled. “No.”

“No!” I gasped in mock disbelief, and she giggled as she nuzzled her face into my neck. “No!” I gasped again. “Lucy! You must be a good girl! You must!”

I glanced behind me at the rest of the wedding party: Harry was sat on a chair, chatting to James and Louise, both of whom were jumping up and down in excitement; my parents were with Phoebe and Lily, checking their hair and giving my younger sister a last reminder of the rules before we headed out; William and Kate were talking to Caitlin, George sat in his father's arms, fiddling with his mini tie; Autumn had arrived to check on Savannah and Isla, as had Harry's friend Susie, whose son Christopher was one of the page boys. Charles, Camilla, Elizabeth and Philip were talking among themselves, occasionally glancing over at me and smiling.

“We're nearly going outside, Lucy,” I murmured to her. “Are you going to wave?”

“Yah.”

“Can you wave for me now. Shall we practice?”

As I rose my hand into the air and waved at the closed curtains in front of us, she copied me, her chubby hand moving back and forth as she imitated my movement, giggling all the while. I readjusted her in my arms before smiling adoringly.

“Well done!” I said. “You're so good at waving, Lucy.”

Hands on the back of my waist startled me, but I turned to see Harry there, grinning. “Hey.” He pressed his lips to my shoulder blade. “Hello Lucy!” he said, gently pinching her nose and making her giggle.

“We nearly going?” I asked.

“Yes, I think they're just checking a last few things,” he answered. “And George is quite restless, so they're trying to calm him down.”

“Poor George,” I said, glancing back at where he was squirming in his father's arms, wailing as he did so. “It's been a long day for him.”

“It really has,” he agreed. “Although Lucy's holding out.”

“She's been really good, haven't you Lucy?” Lucy's beam lit up her face as she recognised the tone I reserved for her. “Let's just see how she is at the reception.”

“Rose can always take her home, if need be,” Harry said, stroking her ginger hair. Then he shuffled slightly and took a deep breath. “God, I'm actually nervous.”

“And you weren't before?”

“Well, it was...it was different.” He grinned. “I feel like this is more...important to the public. I mean, we could totally mess up the kiss or something. That would be super embarrassing.”

“How do you mess up the kiss?” I asked skeptically.

“You could not realise I was going to kiss you,” he said. “And turn away. Oh god that would be embarrassing!”

“Maybe we need a signal?” I said. “You know, you say something and then we kiss.”

“A code word?”

“Yeah.”

“Well why don't I just say 'kiss'?”

“That might look kind of demanding,” I said, completely serious. “How about...buttercups?”

“Buttercups?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh well sooorry, what would you rather the code word be?”

“What about...Arsenal?”

I stared at him, completely unamused.

“No? Okay then.” He grinned. “Chocolate.”

I felt my face light up. “Yes! Because I love you nearly as much as I love chocolate!”

“I'm honoured.”

“You honestly should be.”

He barked a laugh. “Maybe we should, I don't know...practice?”

I rolled my eyes. “What? Practice kissing? I doubt we're that out of practice-”

Before I could finish talking, his lips had found mine, one of his hands cupping my cheek as he pulled my mouth harder to his, and I completely surrendered under him, my eyes fluttering closed as I let the sweet sensation take over me.

“Ew.” Lucy squirmed in my arms, pushing me away, trying to escape.

Harry laughed as I set her on the floor, and both of us watched as she frowned up at us, her nose wrinkled, before crossing her arms and toddling away. “Papa,” she babbled, heading over to where Charles was stood. Harry and I looked at each other before we both dissolved into laughter.

“Lucy didn't seem to approve,” he said, grinning.

“That's because we did it wrong,” I said. “You were meant to say chocolate first.”

“Oh dear,” he said, acting annoyed. Then he sighed. “Well, I guess we'll just have to do it again.”

“Give the signal,” I said, fighting a smile.

“Chocolate,” he said, his mouth splitting into a grin, and then he leant down and captured my mouth with his own, his lips gentle and loving, his tongue soft and caressing, ravishing my own. After a few moments, he pulled back.

“I think we're good,” I said, with a little laugh.

“We're going to blow their minds,” he agreed, before pecking my cheek and turning to the room. “Claire? Are we ready?”

Debbie and Claire were both standing a few feet away, checking things on their iPads and discussing other schedules as they did so. Claire looked up. “Yes, we're ready. Just waiting on you and Lydia.”

He turned to me. “You ready now?”

“Oh god,” I said, my insides fluttering in fear. “Oh god, okay. Okay.”

He took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “You sure?”

“Oh please, I've done Trooping the Colour,” I said dismissively, trying to summon all the courage I could to banish the sick feeling within me. I gave him a small smile. “Really, I'm okay.”

It took us a few minutes to line everyone up, Lucy sat on Harry's hip, babbling away to Lily who was stood beside them. In Harry's other hand was mine, his warmth and skin ever a reassurance that he was there, and he occasionally squeezed my fingers, trying to calm me as much as he could.

“Be good, Lucy,” he murmured to her. “Don't cry, okay? They don't want to see you crying.”

I reached up and stroked a strand of her hair into place. “Smile and wave, yes?”

“Yah,” she said, smiling and trying to grab my hand as I pulled away. “Mama, ah loo tee pa.”

I smiled affectionately, gently pinching her cheek, before turning to Harry. “Now?”

“Now.”

The room was filled with an enormous roar as, simultaneously, thousands of people shouted and cried and cheered and screamed to the sight of the doors opening, and I was momentarily stunned by the noise. It hit my ears and deafened me, I was completely overcome by the sound of their jubilance. As we carefully walked out onto the balcony, the flags and hands and heads moved as one, like a sea of people that echoed their delight. It was non-stop, the entire roundabout flooded with the public, the Mall beyond that crammed too, all of them jumping and waving and singing and applauding. There were so many people, so many people, I couldn't believe it. I stared at them for a moment, in disbelief, in surprise.

“Oh my goodness,” I breathed, unable to stop myself.

Harry chuckled beside me, his hand giving mine a squeeze. “Is this too much for you?”

I turned to him, tearing my gaze away from the adoring crowds, and smiled. “No way.”

“Ooh.” Lucy attracted both of our attentions then with her little gasp, and then she giggled, clapping her hands. “Unm peeeplee!”

We both laughed lightly, Harry bouncing her up and down, before I turned to the public, lifting my hand and waving for the first time. The reaction was instantaneous: they all cheered and waved back.

I laughed. “Unbelievable.”

Behind us, our families and friends were filing out, spreading themselves along the balcony, and I knew I should check how my parents were but I couldn't bring myself to. The adoration from the crowds below was enough to capture my attention completely. I smiled and waved and laughed at some of their signs and giggled at what some people shouted, at how some people were dancing. It looked like a marvellously fun party, of which I was the host, or the star guest, and they were all delighted to see me, which was the strangest feeling. I turned to Harry, amazed, ecstatic.

“This is...” I shook my head, lost for words. “Amazing.”

He grinned, then raised an eyebrow. “Chocolate?”

I smiled too, before both of us moved, our mouths searching for each other as the crowds erupted before us, their previous cheers and cries pathetic compared to the roar that came from them then, as our lips met and eyes closed and our love was presented for the world to see. On Harry's hip, Lucy was too busy giggling at the guards directly below us to care about our kiss. On my right, James was clapping and smiling. And perched on the fountain, hundreds of cameras captured our romantic moment, ready to send it all over the planet.

“No!” I suddenly felt Lucy's hand on my cheek, pushing, and my lips broke apart from Harry's as I gasped in surprise. Lucy was frowning, not enjoying the sight of us kissing.

“Lucy!” I said, grabbing my hand in mine and pressing it to my mouth as Harry chuckled at her cheekiness. Laughter seemed to come from the crowds.

“Ah gaah!” Lucy pushed at Harry's chest, writhing slightly, her eyes on Elizabeth, and he gently placed her on the floor. “Gannie!”

“Hello, Lucy,” Elizabeth said, crouching down and stroking the top of Lucy's ginger head. “Did you not like Mummy and Daddy kissing, hmm?”

Lucy giggled, pointing up at Elizabeth's hat and saying something incomprehensible, and then she toddled away, heading over to Charles. “Papa,” she babbled. “Papa.”

I turned back to Harry. “Chocolate?” I asked, looking hopeful.

He grinned, already leaning in to meet me half way.

Our second kiss had the exact same effect on the crowd, except this time it lasted longer, and he reached up to cradle my cheek and send the public wild.

“That was long,” I said, smiling once we'd pulled apart.

“I honestly couldn't help myself,” he said, with a grin.

Before long, once Charles had scooped Lucy into his arms so she could see out and wave to the crowds, James had jumped around in excitement and George had began to cry, tired of all the noise, Elizabeth headed back inside.

“Enough now, I think,” she said to us, with a smile.

We waited until we were the last to disappear, Harry sitting Lucy on his hip once more, and as a family we waved down to the people that had gathered to see us.

“Wave bye bye, Lucy,” Harry murmured to her, waving himself, and her hand waved flimsily too. “Bye bye.”

“Bye bye,” she repeated, before giggling.

After a last minute enjoying the cheers, we followed our families and headed back inside.

Harry

“Can I come in yet?” I called, pressing my ear up against the door as my hand found the handle.

“No!” A chorus of several voices answered me in a hurried cry, and then Caitlin's head appeared, adorned with rollers, one of her eyes outlined and the other bare.. “Go away.”

“Hey,” I said, frowning. “You better not be kidnapping my wife.”

Giggles sounded from behind her, but Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Don't worry. She'll be ready soon.”

“Soon?” I quoted. “How soon?”

“Just bugger off and you'll soon find out!” she shot. Then, after a grin, she slammed the door in my face.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered. “Unbelievable!”

I turned away from the door, sighing and impatiently fidgeting with my tie. After an afternoon spent in the dining room of Buckingham Palace, listening to endless speeches from countless heads of state, and then an hour watching the BBC headlights of our wedding, collapsed on our bed with Lucy playing with her teddy between us, I was finally ready for our reception. My tux was new, and Lydia had insisted on me going to a different tailor, so it fit perfectly. Now all I had to do was wait for her to bed ready too. And god knew how long that would take.

“Dada!”

Lucy's lisp sounded from the end of the corridor, and I turned to see her standing there, a cheeky smile on her face as she gripped onto the wall.

“Hey, Lucy,” I said, making my way towards her. Her ginger hair had been combed and fixed with a bow, and her white dress and white shoes mirrored the attire she had worn for the rest of the day. “Don't you look pretty?”

Just as I was about to reach her, she disappeared, running off down the hallway, her giggles echoing back to me. I frowned slightly in surprise, turning the corner, only to find the next corridor empty.

“Lucy?” I asked, heading towards the nearest open door and peering inside. The room was empty, until-

“Ah ahah ahah!” Lucy's delighted squeals startled me as she darted between my legs, having hidden by the door, and she sped off down the corridor, as fast as her legs would carry her. I chuckled at her cheekiness, running after her. Just as I was about to reach her, she fell onto her knees, her chubby hands stopping her fall. And then she began to cry.

“Oh no!” I gasped, scooping her into my arms and sitting her on my hip. “Lucy, don't cry, don't cry. Daddy's here.”

She wailed as she buried her face into my neck. “Mama!” I managed to make out.

“It's okay, Lucy,” I murmured, crouching down and setting her in my lap. “Where does it hurt? Is it your hands? Did you hurt your hands?” I lifted her tiny wrist and pressed my lips to her palm.

“No,” she said, her tears still falling.

“What about your knees? Do you knees hurt?” I gently tapped her knees, and she nodded. “Oh dear, I'll have to kiss them better, won't I?” I leant down and kissed both of them, her wails finally subsiding. “There? Feel better?”

She was now silent, but her tear-stained face and pout showed her upset as she snuggled into my chest.

“Don't cry, darling,” I whispered to her, wiping the drops from her cheeks. “Don't cry. Daddy's made it all better now.”

After a few minutes of just sitting there, hearing her sniffles and stroking her hair to try and soothe her, I gently set her on her feet, taking her hand.

“Let's go and watch In The Night Garden while we wait for mummy to get ready, yeah?” I suggested.

“Yah,” she murmured, sniffling.

“Oh, Lucy.” I scooped her into my arms and sat her on my hip. “Don't cry, baby. Let's go and play with Felix. Let's give him a cuddle.”

“Fee-yis!” she said, finally smiling, and I chuckled at her change of mood.

Half an hour later, after Lucy and I had been sat in the living room playing with Felix and watching the news reports on the wedding – I sat with Lucy by the television and pointed us out, causing her to frown and tip her head to the side and reach out to try and touch us – there was a knock on the door.

“Hey, Mr Hayes,” William said. He was dressed in a tux and a broad grin, George in his arms in his own shirt and shorts. Kate stood a few feet behind, stunning in a long, purple dress.

“You know that's not how it works,” I said to him, rolling my eyes. “Kate, you look amazing.”

She smiled gratefully, knowing that my compliment was in case William hadn't acknowledged her appearance. “Thanks, Harry. So I've been told.” She glanced at her husband. “We thought we'd just come round and keep you company before we all leave.”

“Lydia ready?” William asked.

“You really think so?”

“She's a woman, I don't know what I expected.”

“Hey!” Kate said, hitting him with her clutch. “I was ready before you, actually.”

“Yes but you had a shower like two hours before I had mine, and you were only ready five minutes before me. And I had to dress George.”

Kate scowled at him. “I don't think you understand the hate I would get if I turned up in jeans and a t-shirt.”

“Screw the public,” William said, as we made our way back inside.

“Not the public, Lydia!” she answered, with a laugh. “Speaking of Lydia, I'm going to go and see how she is.”

William and I were left alone with our children. He set George on the floor before collapsing onto the sofa.

“What a day,” he said, sighing. “What. A. Day.”

“You're telling me,” I said, with a grin, as Lucy and George began chasing each other around the room.

“We'll all sleep well tonight,” William agreed, then he grinned cheekily. “Although you and Lydia probably won't be doing much sleeping.”

“Not if I can help it,” I said, and we both chuckled. “Lucy will though.”

“She's been so good,” he said. “And she looked like a little fairy princess today.”

“Talking of princesses,” I said. “You heard about my dukedom?”

“Sussex?”

“You guessed it,” I said, with a grin. “Duke of Sussex.”

“Wasn't it Ross?”

“When Lydia and I got engaged it was going to be, but now with the Scottish Referendum and all that shit, Granny decided to choose somewhere in England.”

“Well, Duke and Duchess of Sussex has a nice ring to it,” William said. “Although I was hoping for Princess Henry of Wales for Lydia, you know.”

“She'd divorce me.”

We both laughed. “And Lucy is...?”

“Lucy Diana Elizabeth Alexandra of Sussex.”

“Sweet. Shame she's not a princess.”

“She couldn't be. She was born out of wedlock.”

“Yeah, that's a pain, that,” he said. “But you've never been one to work by the rules.”

I chuckled. “Today has been amazing though.”

“It has. I enjoyed it so much. So proud of you, you know.”

“Don't say that,” I said, with a sad laugh. “Otherwise the tears will come and we won't even be drunk yet.”

“Okay, okay.” He chuckled. “What was your favourite bit?”

“When she said 'I do',” I said. “And when Lucy interrupted our kiss.”

“That was hilarious!” he cried. “God, that shot is going to be brought up forever. She's such a little monkey.”

“She is,” I agreed.

“Will there be another little monkey any time soon?” he asked lightly, raising an eyebrow.

“You mean...another baby?!” I stared at him incredulously, then sighed. “I don't know. We haven't discussed it yet.”

“Well, you know...honeymoon.”

“Don't get your hopes up,” I told him, with a grin. “We can barely handle Lucy, let alone another baby.”

“Okaaay,” William said. “But-Hey, poppet.”

Kate had appeared in the doorway, smiling widely. “Lydia's ready now, if you want to go see her.”

She was looking at me, but William answered. “Yeah, I'll go see her. Sure.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not you!”

I left them teasing each other, taking a moment to smooth my tux outside of the dressing room, before letting myself in. Lydia looked up from the mirror, breaking into a smile.

“Hi,” she said.

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words fell as all of my breath had been stolen by the sight of the woman in front of me. Her hair was pulled up into the sweetest updo, her eyes lightly outlined, surprisingly simple, but beautiful none the less, her cheeks slightly pink, her hazel eyes shining. But her dress...it was simple and soft and seemed to fall down her body like waves, clinging to her waist before flowing lightly out into layers of silky petticoats. It fluttered with her every movement, shimmering and falling into place with every step, and it came together with her creamy skin and thin frame to stun me into silence.

“Everything okay?” she asked nervously.

“You look...” I shook my head to try and regain some control as I took a step towards her. “Beyond beautiful.”

She laughed lightly, reaching up to fold her hands at the back of my neck as my own went to her waist, pulling her body to mine. “You look amazing yourself,” she said. “Although I doubt you'd appreciate me calling you beautiful.”

I chuckled. “You like my suit?”

“I liked it when you tried it on at the tailor's.”

“You practically orgasmed at the sight of me.”

She scowled at me. “No, I didn't!” She pushed me away, turning back to the mirror and fingering her dress. “Do you like my dress?”

“Like it? I love it,” I said. “Although it would look better on the floor.”

“Save it for later,” she said, with a light giggle. I moved forward, wrapping my arms around her stomach and pressing a kiss to the back of her neck.

“Later?” I asked against her skin. “Not now?”

“Harry, I just took over an hour to get ready,” she said slowly. “I'm not letting you mess me up any time soon.”

“Oh, what a shame,” I murmured, running a hand down her arm to entwine our fingers. “I was so looking forward to 'messing you up', as you put it.”

“Harry, where's Lucy?”

“Not in our way.”

She rolled her eyes, turning around in my hold and, to my surprise, grabbing my mouth and tugging it down to hers. Her lips were forceful and loving and, just as I had reached up to cradle her cheek and grip her chin, she pulled back.

“That's to keep you going,” she said, with a giggle.

“What?!” I cried, as she moved away from me. “You could've warned me! Lydia, I didn't even prepare myself-”

“Tough,” she said, fighting laughter. “We should really be going now, shouldn't we? We'll be late for our own reception.”

I shook my head slightly at her, my eyes narrowed, as her cheeky grin lit up her face. Then, raising an eyebrow, she walked straight past me and out of the room.

Lydia

“Lucy, stop squirming,” Harry murmured to her, stopping her from getting off her chair and pulling her back to her seat. “Stay there.” She let out a wail, struggling against his hands as she focussed on Dad, who was sat beside me. “You can see Granddad in a minute,” I told her.

She pouted, looking as though she was about to cry, but Caitlin flourished her favourite teddy, and her face lit up immediately. “Peenkee!”

Lucy was bored. After two hours of dining and listening to speeches, she was now tired and wanted to wander around. Harry somehow managed to keep her from playing up, but she had interrupted my father's speech and Charles' by letting out an impatient wail. George wanted to run around, too, but Kate was stroking his hair, and he was curled on her lap, watching the guests lazily, occasionally catching his mother's attention to babble to her or point something out.

William got to his feet, tapping his glass with his spoon, and everyone turned to look, a few of Harry's friends chuckling in anticipation, desperate to hear the best man's speech. I glanced at Harry, who took my hand and squeezed it, before we both turned to his older brother.

“Hello,” he said to the room. “I'm the groom's big brother, the best man. I'm not used to doing speeches like this where I'm not allowed to make fun of Harry, but I'll give it a go.” He laughed lightly as we had all chuckled. “Harry is certainly one of a kind, and I have lost many bets after presuming he'd do something and then he ended up doing the complete opposite, because he's completely unpredictable. And that's good. He makes life fun and unexpected and exciting, especially if you go out for a night with him.”

“Yeah!” Skippy shouted, and I giggled.

“But not just when it comes to spur-of-the-moment actions. With all of his ex-girlfriends he had shown them so much love and affection that with nearly every one I had thought, 'hey, looks like she is the one'. But then I saw him with Lydia, and I knew that this time was different.

“Of course, their relationship started off a bit differently, as you all know. I picked up the phone one day while he was in Afghanistan and he said 'I got a girl pregnant' and my first thought was 'can we sue Durex?'. And as he explained that it had been a one night stand and that he hadn't seen Lydia since I was getting very worried. I mean, this was his biggest cock-up ever. But when I met Lydia for the first time, I knew that it was all going to be okay.

“Because Lydia is very strong and determined, and her first thought was always for the baby. Every decision she made in those first few months before Harry came back was with the baby first. And ever since then she has held her ground when people tried to tell her what to do. I knew straight away that she wouldn't need Harry to survive in our family.

“And then, when Harry came back and they were just friends in case a relationship affected the baby some how...Well, Harry's eyes didn't lie and all I could see when he looked at her was how deep he cared and loved her. And those feelings have just gotten more and more intense until today, so intense that you can sense it around them even when they're just holding hands. Because I have never seen Harry care for a woman the way he cares for you, Lydia. And I have never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you. So you look after him.” He winked at me.

I, and the rest of the guests, laughed. “I plan to,” I said, receiving a grin from Harry.

“You look after Harry because the rest of us will look after you,” William continued. “No matter what bad experiences you've had with the family and however you feel about some of us, we will care for you forever, because if you're part of Harry's heart, you're part of ours.”

I fought back a tear that had prickled in the corner of my eye, smiling enormously and gratefully as William's speech ended to tumultuous applause. Harry gave my hand a squeeze, just as his brother raised his glass and added, “Congratulations Harry and Lydia!”

All our guests repeated his words, and I turned to Harry, unable to keep the smile off my face.

“That was lovely,” I said, sniffling slightly.

“You haven't seen anything,” he said, with a wink.

Passing Lucy to me, he got to his feet and cleared his throat, and the bubble of conversation ended instantly as a hundred faces turned to look at him.

“I'd introduce myself but I think you all know who I am,” he said, with a grin. “I'm a tad more popular than William, so...”

He chuckled lightly at William's narrowed eyes.

“Basically I'm not going to go all into the past and bring up all the mistakes I've ever made – nor my ex-girlfriends, thanks William – I'm just going to focus on the present, and the future, because that's all that matters now that I have you, Lydia. You know that I'm not one for romantic words and that I practically retch when I hear love poems, but I think today, right now, is a good time to tell you just how important you are to me.”

I took a deep breath. I could already feel tears coming, and he'd hardly started yet.

“The first time I saw you I was blinded desire and lust that was a mere result of the time I'd spent on my own, and I hate myself for not being able to say that my first time with you was one full of love and passion. But all I know is that that first time was one of the most important nights of my life, because if it hadn't happened, then I would not be standing here today, with a ring on my finger and with you as my wife.

“I have to admit that, initially, the dreading thought of being a parent couldn't even be helped by the knowledge that the child would have you as its mother, but it didn't take me long to realise how lucky I was to have you on this journey with me. You were funny, you were quick and witty and you were never scared to say what you thought, even if it made me furious. And you did. I was enraged by the mere sight of you, because I could feel myself falling quicker and deeper than I'd ever let myself fall before and why were you able to have such control over me? It angered me in a way that I couldn't even understand, but then you would look at me and smile or laugh at some stupid joke I'd said and all that anger would go away. Because, after a while, I wanted you to have that control over me. You were so beautiful and so caring and compassionate that I didn't want to turn you away.

“And then, miraculously, you felt the same way about me. I have never desired requited love with someone more than I desired it with you. I will never be able to put into words the relief I felt once I realised that I had made the right decision, that choosing you hadn't been in vain, for you had chosen me too.

“A few months later we were blessed with a little addition to our family of two.” I smiled lightly as both of our gazes went to Lucy, hugging her closed to me and kissing the back of her head. “And although she was beautiful and perfect and had the best hair colour in the world-” He paused as the guests chuckled. “Things began to get difficult from there. We were both getting tired, and we were both finding it harder to love each other when both of us wanted to lavish all our love on the little baby girl that had suddenly been thrust upon us. But I'm not blaming those hard months on that, because it was I that found it too hard to cope. And it was I that made stupid, stupid mistakes and took your love for granted. And I want you to know that I will never take your love fro granted again, because I've experienced how it feels to think I'd lost it. And I never want to feel that way again.

“So we had a little wobble, and then we were going strong again, and Lucy smiled, and she sat up, and she laughed, and she was adored by everyone who met her, and then we reached another hurdle that was, once more, my fault. I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am that you stood by me while I was in Afghanistan, and that you waited for me to return, because I know how hard it was for you. You went through some terrible things that I will never forgive myself for leaving you on your own to deal with, you went through the stress of looking after a little baby on your own and you had to deal with my family – to this day, I still have no idea how you managed that. But before long I had returned, and now Lucy crawled, and then Lucy walked, and spoke, and ran, and began saying more than two words. And I am so honoured to have shared all those surreal and unforgettable moments with you, because it was you who made them unforgettable with your smile and your laugh and the excitement that shone in your eyes.

“I can't wait to go through all those amazing things again with you. To experience all those wonderful feelings and to have you by my side while it all happens. Because my life is like a story, and the public are the readers and I am the writer, the only person who can make it such a better book, and I know that it's so much better now that you're a character. And I will love you every day and want you with me in every chapter, right until the last page.

“So here's to the future and, more importantly, all the times that I can't wait to spend with you.” His eyes fixed on mine, on the tears and the love and happiness that I could feel swirling within them, and then he winked. “You're stuck with me now.”

I laughed just as he proposed a toast, wiping the corners of my eyes. “Mama, no cwy,” Lucy babbled, turning to look up at me and pressing her palm to my eye, trying to stop my tears.

“Daddy's speech was lovely, wasn't it?” I asked her. “He mentioned you a lot. Do you love Daddy?”

“Yah!”

“Me too,” I said, kissing her temple just as Harry sat down, taking my hands.

“You okay?” he asked.

“That was beautiful,” I said, reaching up to hold his face. “I love you so much.” I leant forward and pressed my lips to his, just as applause ran out throughout the room, and I smiled against his mouth as our guests cheered and toasted our love once more.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Lydia!”

I turned at the sound of my name from where I was talking to Harry's aunt Sarah to see Caitlin hurrying towards me.

“What's up?”

“We're ready for the first dance,” she said. “Ed's just waiting in the next room. He's wondering if you're ready.”

“Um, yeah, I'm ready,” I said, my stomach fluttering slightly in nervous anticipation. “Um, I'll talk to you later, Sarah.”

“Of course, of course,” she said, with a smile. “Have fun.” She waggled her eyebrows.

I followed Caitlin to where Harry was waiting, and he took my hand. “This is where all those dancing lessons paid off,” he said, with a grin.

“You took dancing lessons?!” I asked, incredulous.

“Yeah, when I was about six.” He barked a laugh. “Why? Should I have taken some now?”

I laughed lightly. “No, no. I was just worrying because I didn't take any and I thought you would be really good and I'd be really shit.”

“Don't worry,” he said. “I lead, anyway.”

“Hello everyone,” Caitlin said into the microphone, and her voice echoed around the ballroom. “Harry and Lydia are going to take to the floor now, for their first dance, so please, you know, give them a lot of space.”

Harry scoffed at her as a few people chuckled. “Honestly,” he said, mock disgusted.

“Come on,” I said, taking his hand and pulling him after me. A hundred familiar faces were watching us, encircling us, most of them smiling. I turned to Harry as he pulled my waist to his. “Shit, there's so many people watching.”

He chuckled, pulling my hand up as his other went to rest at the small of my back. I curled my other arm up and around the back of his neck, feeling nervous. “Just ignore them,” he murmured.

After a few moments, the gentle sound of the strum of a guitar sounded, and I knew this was it, this was where we started dancing. Somebody whooped, evidently at the sight of Ed Sheeran – he had been the only artist that we had both liked, and when we had asked him to sing at our reception, he'd been more than eager – and then Harry's hands began to sway me.

“See?” he breathed, just as Ed Sheeran's heavenly voice filled the room. “Easy.”

“We've only been dancing for a total of five seconds,” I said, with a light laugh. “Give it time.”

He chuckled as he pulled me closer to him, and I rested my head on his chest, letting my body move with his. “I love you,” he murmured.

“I know,” I said quietly, with a smile. “You're speech said as much.”

“Did you like it?”

“No, I loved it,” I said, making him laugh. “I loved it so much. I thought I'd cried enough at William's, but yours...I will never forget it. Every single word was perfect.”

“I wrote it myself,” he said. “All my other speeches have something changed by someone else, but I didn't show anyone else this one. I wanted it to just be me.”

“Well, it was so very definitely you,” I answered, sighing into him. “You're not too bad a dancer, Wales.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I am. Very.”

“Aw, it's nice to see you have faith in me.”

“Where's Lucy?” I asked suddenly, too content to lift my head up.

“Somewhere,” he said. “Let's not worry about her now. This is just us.”

“Today and tonight and all next week,” I agreed. “Are you going to tell me where we're going yet?”

“Not yet,” he said, with a grin. “But somewhere nice.”

“Good, I didn't want you to take me to the pits of hell.”

He chuckled, kissing my temple. “It doesn't matter where we go. As long as I can love you every single day.”

I closed my eyes as my insides fluttered deliciously. “You can love me every single day wherever you like.”

He didn't answer, just kissed my forehead in response, and then we fell into silence as we swayed to the slow, sweet melody and Ed's soft, lovely words. I moulded into Harry so easily, so content in his arms, feeling so safe and so loved that if we had been lying on the floor, I would've been able to fall asleep with him holding me. No time spent like this would be enough.

But the song soon ended, and we were brought back to reality by the moment of silence before applause rang out. I opened my eyes, staring up at him, slightly dazed, as he leant down to kiss me.

“I love you,” he said, leaning his forehead against mine for a moment.

“I love you too,” I murmured, smiling.

Another song started then, quicker with a better melody, and, frowning as I recognised the tune, I looked up to see Pharrell standing beside Ed Sheeran.

“You got Pharrell?” I asked incredulously.

“I can get anyone I want,” he said, with a grin. “Besides, I kind of like Pharrell.”

“Dada! Mama!” Lucy's squeals rose above the music as she ran to us, and Harry grinned, kneeling down to scoop her into a hug.

“Shall we dance, Lucy?!” he asked. “Time to dance?”

“Yah!”

Harry grabbed one of Lucy's hands and one of mine just as our guests joined us on the dancefloor, and he twirled us around at the same time, drawing laughter from me and adoring giggles from her. I took a step back, letting him stand her on his toes and dancing her around, laughing at the beam on her face.

Her tiny feet ran around Harry as he danced with her, before he grabbed me by my waist and pulled me to him.

“This song's a bit faster,” he said, with a grin.

“That means it's more likely we'll fall over,” I said matter-of-factly.

“I'll catch you,” he said, winking. “Come on, Lucy! Let's dance with Mummy!”

And Lucy squealed in delight as he sat her on his hip, before holding my waist and twirling me around. No matter how much I hated dancing, dancing with Harry as my husband was the best feeling in the world.

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