Barbara and John married in early summer. They flew to Boston for a ceremony in a 1920s weatherboard Catholic Church with mostly Barbara’s family and friends. Annie, Hank, and the kids, John’s mother, Rob and Jill, Mac, and Michael and Sarah all flew over. Barbara had a long-time friend from Boston and Rebecca, her girlfriend from New York, as her bridesmaids. John had Rob and Mac as his groomsmen. John’s mother had asked if Barbara’s family were also Presbyterian. John purposefully said he would find out, rather than tell his mother straight away; he considered it ridiculous of her to care in this day and age.

John had also invited Liam, who had Scarlett for the weekend and couldn’t come. Standing at the altar and seeing how large Barbara’s family was in comparison to his, he wished he’d invited more people. He felt the perspiration on his forehead and tried to discretely wipe it away.

“How are you doing?” asked Rob.

“Fine,” said John, fake smiling.

“You look a little white,” sad Mac.

This wasn’t what he needed to hear as he tried his best to suppress his fears and present himself as a confident, happy groom. But as the groomsmen stood there in their tuxedos in front of the 60-odd guests, he felt queasy in the pit of his stomach. She’s the one, he told himself. He’d been repeating it to himself all morning; whenever he’d stood still for a second and his thoughts caught up with him.

“Let’s get a glass of water,” suggested Rob.

John raised an eyebrow, as if to say Really? Do I look that bad?

Pint-sized Joshua stood next to him dressed in his mini-tux, looking up at the three men. He held the ring in its box tightly, having lost it in his pocket during rehearsal, and been instructed by his mother afterwards on the seriousness of the job and how he had to stand perfectly still.

“Joshua, we are just going to get a glass of water,” John explained. “Do you want to go and sit with mom?”

Joshua looked back at him blankly, unsure. The three stared at Joshua waiting for an answer.

“Come on,” said Rob, taking his hand. Joshua looked ready to cry, as if he’d done something wrong.

John knew exactly how he felt. “Everything’s alright Josh, we’re just getting a drink of water. We’ll be back in a minute. Do you want to stand here or wait with mom?”

“Mom,” murmured Joshua and Rob took him over.

John gave a smile to his mother, Annie and the guests as he and Mac walked off stage to the anteroom to the right of the chapel.

“John, its game time,” said Mac. “You alright?”

John was momentarily doubtful of the right answer. “Sure,” he answered, unsure.

“You want to go ahead with this?”

John was taken aback at Mac’s question.

“Don’t be stupid,” said Rob, walking in. “You’ll be fine, Sport,” he said getting John a glass of water.

John looked at them each in turn and then himself in the mirror and saw just how white his face was.

“Who doesn’t get nervous on their big day?” added Rob.

That’s right, I’m just nervous, John told himself. And that’s natural. She’s the one. I’ll be fine. She’s the one! He slapped himself lightly with his clammy hands trying to get some color back into his cheeks. Rob put his hand on his back and started patting him. He took a few deep breaths.

“I feel like a dog needing to be coaxed to a new owner,” said John.

The guys laughed and the tension was broken.

John though still felt stressed. She’s the one.

The organ started playing, queuing Barbara’s entrance.

“We’re on,” said Mac.

“You’ll be fine,” added Rob.

He grabbed some tissues and wiped his brow, the back of his neck and hands.

There was a knock at the door and Mac and John followed John back out on stage, ready for his performance. John beamed a faux smile at Joshua who rejoined them, who smiled back, genuinely relieved.

Then Barbara entered the church, looking breathtaking in a long white and flowing silk gown that accentuated her curves, except for the puffy shoulders. She was glowing in happiness. Her mother started crying audibly as she walked down the aisle, escorted by her father, with Christina following, holding a bouquet of pink and red roses.

It all happened in a blur for John. He calmed himself by focusing on his breathing and the stained glass windows, which added contrast to the mostly plain white walls of the church. Vows were miraculously spoken without a hitch and after signing the wedding certificate, they walked down the aisle together to applause. A small choir sang an a-cappella version of Power of Love by Luther Vandross. Confetti then greeted them when they stepped outside to a waiting white Rolls Royce. As they drove to the reception, John sat in the back with Barbara, holding her hand, thankful the hard part wasbehind them. “We did it, Babe,” he said relieved. They kissed tenderly.

“We did,” said Barbara, radiating joy. “I’m so happy. I’ve been looking forward to this day since I was a girl.”

Marliave, one of Boston’s oldest French restaurants, hosted their function upstairs. Polished wooden floors, original art deco fixtures, and floor to ceiling windows looked onto the Granary Burial Ground, making it a vibrant function space with brilliant light on the beautiful sunny day. They mingled with their friends and family, enjoying prawn cocktail. Once everyone took their seats, Mac stood to speak.

“When John asked me to be best man, a number of questions came to mind. Firstly, had Rob, his boss, Hank his brother-in-law, and other close friends all refused?”

The crowd laughed.

“More importantly, could I turn it down and still expect to get paired with a beautiful bridesmaid? I wasn’t willing to take the risk. Because as awkward as this is to admit, despite knowing John for a long time, there’s not a lot I can say about him. He really hasn’t done a lot with his life prior to now. Except of course start a 200 million dollar fund.”

John blushed.

“But John and Barbara are now on a journey where they will certainly experience a great life together. And knowing John as well as I do, I can guarantee Barbara that he will provide you with absolutely nothing …”

Mac stood in front of the John and Barbara’s friends and family, straight faced and silent.

Awkwardness filled the room.

He eventually continued, “… but happiness, loyalty, and love.”

The crowd recovered from their shock and laughed. Mac eventually sat down to wide applause.

Barbara had decided to make a speech, which she had worked on for weeks. After main course of either beef wellington or salmon, she started in an eloquent voice. “Friends and family—thank you so much for being here today, especially those who have flown in from other parts of the country. I need to especially thank my mom for being the bedrock in my foundations, on which this whole day has been built. I would not be where I am today without your encouragement and support. I’m so happy to have had a fairytale move to New York: securing the job of my dreams, meeting great friends, and to have been swept off my feet by this amazing man. While I gather he may not always be like this at work, John is so caring, charming and modest, as well as successful.”

John squirmed a little.

“While I was attracted to his ambition, drive, and determination, they say you don’t marry the person you can live with, but the man you can’t live without.”

The guests murmured their approval.

“I also want to thank all of John’s family and friends who have embraced me so warmly. So if I may steal Mac’s thunder and make a toast?”

Mac nodded in agreement.

“To love, laughter, and family.”

The guests repeated.

Barbara sat down triumphant and John leaned in for another kiss. “Well done, Babe” he said.

“Was it alright?”

“Yeah, it was great.”

They sat through Barbara’s father’s speech as their four-storey wedding cake was cut up and served.

John then stood, much more at ease now after a few drinks, although tired from the day and looking forward to having all of his responsibilities over with.

“Friends and family, I’ll make this short given there is cake to be eaten.” The guests chuckled. “Thank you all for coming and especially to those who have flown in. If you could join me in toasting three groups in particular: the Bridesmaids for a job well done and looking beautiful, Mac and Rob for their support today and Joshua and Christina, who make the cutest page boy and flower girl.”

John lifted his glass, “To close friends, nieces and nephews.”

“Sweet touch,” said Barbara afterwards, referring to Joshua and Christina, who were now in bed, fast asleep at their hotel.

“Thanks.” John had thrown it in, ad lib.

The party carried on past midnight with dancing and a never-ending supply of champagne. When John and Barbara finally made it to the bridal suite, they cleaned their teeth and crawled into bed. They kissed and then fell fast asleep in each other’s arms, emotionally exhausted.

* * *

John and Barbara flew to Rome and Tuscany for their honeymoon. They spent four days in Rome on a gastronomic and historical tour of the capital. They then moved on to a villa in a small town in Tuscany for seven days of rest and recuperation, fine wine and more food. While John was happy to just unwind and relax, Barbara couldn’t keep still. She did yoga each morning and would then drag John out of bed for a walk through the nearby hills and lush green fields of yellow sunflowers or onto a nearby town to see some local landmark.

A farmer’s market held permanent residence in the town’s main piazza and they trawled through it most days, buying fruits, salami or ham, salad, and bread. They’d sit in front of the marble fountain and nibble their snacks. Two-storeyed stone buildings with wooden shutters surrounded the square, which was big enough for the warm, ample sun to come in. Vendors sold produce from carts, which explained the absence of many shops. Old men played cards outside the trattoria, drinking coffee. On the weekend, the whole town was there; nuns, girls in figure-hugging jeans, and young men with open shirts. The older generation wore their Sunday best. Everyone was brought together by the smell of the food and bells of the church. Two policemen, wearing black uniforms with red stripes down their pant legs and white leather holsters that went around their waist but also over their shoulders, milled around. John and Barbara would start each day with an espresso and finish it with a gelato. They were never alone in enjoying their decadent ice-creams. Taking from the example set by Italian lovers, they walked around arm in arm.

It was hard to leave.