Page 28 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

Gemma

Two and a half months later

I t is my wedding day today. I didn’t want to wait, and Alex agreed. I’m giddy with excitement. Yesterday, Fern, Eden, my mother, Jill, and I went to get our nails done and have our hair coloured and cut. Now, we're all gathered in the hotel suite, getting ready for my big day.

My big day.

I'm going to marry the man I love and become mother to the two children who I adore.

Jill helps Eden into her sage green flower girl dress. She looks beautiful with her hair in curls cascading down her back. She gets a little tiara because she's my princess.

Fern is my bridesmaid and her dress is the same colour as Eden’s. She looks stunning as well with her hair in an elegant low bun.

Jill smiles and fusses over Eden, as does my mother, who insists that Eden calls her Nanny Cara.

We have music playing, and I know our guests are arriving in the hall below us as we get ready. Alex will be there with Ace: my two handsome boys. I can't wait to see them in the suits I picked out for them.

I take a look at my engagement ring, I can’t believe I’ll soon be Mrs Gemma Cara Whitlock.

Mum helps me into my dress. It's a white ball gown.

I had wanted to feel like a princess when I got married, and now I do.

She fastens up the corset, and we put the veil on, though it doesn't cover my face. It trails behind me in a stunning train with my dress. Fern brings my flowers to me as I’m helped into my white heels.

There's a knock at the door.

“Gemma, are you ready?” my father asks, standing just outside.

My stomach flutters. Mum opens the door, and I see his eyes light up.

“Yes, Dad,” I say. My stomach is playing havoc with me.

"You look exquisite.” He’s almost crying.

He takes my arm, leading me to the grand hall, where I see my future husband and son. Nobody else in the room matters apart from them. My beautiful daughter, son, and husband. They are mine. My love for them is something I never thought would be possible.

Alex

Everyone stands as the door opens, and I turn to look down the aisle.

Gemma is breathtaking, but I need to pay attention first to Eden, who is walking, just like we practised, and scattering roses down the aisle.

But it wasn’t gentle, she’s halfway down and they were all gone.

Eden puts her head in the basket looking for more.

I shake my head and Ace groans, embarrassed by his little sister.

“Eden.” I call.

She pops her head out the basket noticing she has an audience, she smiles and takes a bow, making everyone laugh. She’s not budging, so I have to run down and take her hand, bringing her to the front.

Fern, who looks a vision in her dress, comes next, but it’s my soon-to-be wife that has my full attention. My bride. My perfection. A part of me can't get over how emotional I feel, and the other part of me wants to rip the dress off her as soon as we're alone.

Ace stands beside me and whispers, "She looks good, right? That's what I should say."

"Beautiful, mate. You tell her she looks beautiful."

Gemma reaches me, and her father gives me her hand. "I expect you to take care of her, Alex," he grumbles. "She's my only daughter."

"I promise I will make her the happiest woman in the world for the rest of our lives."

He nods and goes to sit beside her mother.

I take Gemma's hand, and we stand in front of the officiant, who gives his speech about love, acceptance, and being faithful to each other. When it's time to say our vows, we turn to face each other. Gemma’s smile is so big, it fills my heart.

"Alex, I know we met under strange and confusing circumstances, especially on my part.

You weren't what I was looking for, but you are what I need.

You taught me the value of things, of people, and you taught me what it feels like to love people outside of myself.

You make me a better person. I'm sorry I'm a terrible cook, and I promise I'll figure out how to do the laundry one day.

Thank you for having the patience to let me work things out, and for loving me just as I am. "

Everyone chuckles as she continues, "Eden and Ace, you are part of this as well.

I'm going to be the best mummy to you guys.

I will always love you and put you first. I promise never to leave you.

I promise to hold your hands through everything and always be there.

" She tears up and sniffs. "I promise to love your dad with everything I have, saving extra for both of you.

We have been a family for a while already, and today, we make it official. I love you all."

I smile, and I'm tempted to kiss her. I clear my throat, but before I can say anything, Gemma quickly adds, "Oh, and Alex... Woof."

I snort and burst out laughing. No one seems to get the joke, which is probably for the best. I look at her with loving eyes.

"Gemma, when you first came to me, I thought you were the worst person for a nannying job ever. And I was right. You messed up the laundry, sucked at doing dishes, and always left a mess. You let the kids eat chocolate before school, and let's not discuss your cooking capabilities.

“But what you lack in a homemaker, you make up for in so many other ways.

You are generous and kind. You stand up for the little guy and are always ready to square off for your kids.

You keep me in my place, and you always fight for what you believe in, even if it means you don't get what you want. I am proud to call you the mother of my children, and I know they will love having you in their lives because they already do.”

Gemma wipes a tear from the corner of her eye and squeezes my hand.

I turn to my son. “Ace?"

Ace steps forward and holds a piece of paper.

"First, I want you to know you look beautiful.

" He grins up at me. "Second, Eden and I want you to know that we promise not to tell Dad when you give us ice cream after school, and we will always tidy up the paint before he gets home.

We promise to bath when you tell us to and. .."

"And to play dolls with you when you are feeling sad," Eden chimes in.

Ace shoots her a look. "When our mum left, I thought that I never wanted one again until you came. I love you."

Gemma now has tears streaming down her face .

I smile at his speech in front of everyone, clearing my throat. "We promise to love you and keep you, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

Gemma nods as Fern passes her a tissue, and she dabs at her eyes.

We exchange rings, and Gemma squeezes my hands again.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife… and kids,” the officiant says, earning another chuckle from the guests. “You may kiss your bride."

I grab Gemma and dip her down as I kiss her deep before I bring her back up again.

She is giggling at my movement. When I bring her back up, I see that Eden has her eyes covered and Ace nudges her. I let go, Ace and Eden run to her and hug her tight.

As we leave, I take Ace's and Gemma's hand, while she takes mine and Eden's, and together we walk down the aisle as a family while everyone cheers on.

Gemma

The reception is in full swing, I can't help but notice that I can't find Brody and Fern. They've been missing for a while. Fern said she was going to get a drink, and Brody said he would go with her.

I keep it to myself for a while before I turn to Alex. "I'm just going to check that my brother hasn’t murdered my best friend."

Alex grins. "Sure, love. Come back soon." He leans forward and gives me a series of small kisses on the lips.

I get up and move from table to table, stopping to chat to everyone along the way, which takes me longer than intended. I get to the bar, but they're not there.

I go into the hallway, and I hear raised voices. I walk down there, listening to what is being said. The door is partly open; they’re in the other bar room.

“You can’t do this to me,” Fern says.

“We agreed to six months. We only have five and a half to go,” I hear Brody say.

“You promised. Are you going to tell Gemma?”

“No, it’s her wedding day. I’ll leave it until they come back from their honeymoon.”

I frown and open the door. “Tell me what?”