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They’d agreed they wouldn’t have bridesmaids or a best man. Dani got the job of walking Caz down the aisle.

“Right, catch ya breath. Let them all get seated, and then—” Dani wiped a bit of dirt from Caz’s face. “Honestly, can’t take you anywhere. You cleaned your nails, right?”

Caz held her hands up. “I’m not completely grim.”

“You bloody are when you get under those cars.”

The organ piped up, and all further conversation was done. “Let’s do this,” Caz said, linking arms with Dani. She glanced around at what should be her family’s side of the church. It was filled with friends—no family. She didn’t think it would bother her, and she was right—it didn’t.

Growing up in care had meant she’d gotten used to family being people you chose, not people you were lumbered with by blood. And she had Grace and Grace’s family, didn’t she? She grinned. That was all she needed. All she’d ever needed.

“You alright?” Dani asked, noticing Caz drift off somewhere other than right there.

“Yeah, just thinking about family, and how mine is the one I created.” She grinned again. “The future’s so bright…”

“Gotta wear shades!” Dani joined in.

Graceful Grace—that was what they all said whenever she did anything, dance classes, gymnastics, yoga. Today would be no exception when she stepped out of the Rolls, made her way up to the church, and swept her way down the aisle.

Her white dress had been stitched to fit at great expense, but it was worth it. This one day in her life, she’d get to live out the fantasy of being a real-life princess.

And yeah, it might be a little unexpected to those who knew her, that it wouldn’t be aPrinceCharming standing at the alter waiting, but for Grace, it was someone much better.

Her best friend.

Caz was her person. Through thick and thin, they’d been there for each other.

It didn’t seem crazy to them at all.

“Are you ready, Sweetpea?” her dad asked, using a nickname he’d used since she was old enough to remember. She was probably a bit old for it now, but still, it was comforting and helped settle the nerves.

She’d stopped to take a breath and look up at the blue sky, clear of clouds and warm from the sun. It was just the perfect day to get married and turn her life into the one she wanted to live—one with Caroline Madden.

“I am.” She smiled and took the hand he held out for her. Tucking her arm through his, they listened to the bells for a moment.

“It’s not too late to back out,” he said quietly as they began to walk.

She turned to him, all smart in his navy suit, hair combed. “I don’t want to, Dad. I know Caz will be the perfect partner.”

He nodded. “We like Caz, you know that. I’m just saying, whatever you choose today, it doesn’t change anything for us.”

“I know.” She frowned for a second.Why couldn’t everyone just be happy for them?

Before she had the chance to dwell on that thought, they were there at the steps. The bells stopped ringing and the organ began to play for the second time.

“I just want to be Mrs Madden-Hart.” She smiled confidently, and although they hadn’t actually agreed on a double-barrelled name option, she thought it had a nice ring to it.

“Alright, then.” He beamed. “Gotta admit, I didn’t think I’d see the day when I walked my little girl down the aisle—thought we’d missed that boat.”

“So did I,” she grinned, “but here I am, and yeah, I know it’s not what everyone expected, but—”

“Honestly, I don’t think anyone could deny you and Caz are special together.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked him as he adjusted her veil.

“Yeah, the way you both look at each other when you think nobody else is looking? We’ve all seen it, but you had to find your way there by yourselves.”

Grace smiled.Had they been like that the entire time, without noticing themselves?