The Shelby secretary

C H A P T E R S E V E N T E E N

The next weeks were bliss. Everyone was working harder than ever. The business was booming and it was a lot harder to run a legal racetrack than an illegal one. Thomas had been acting a little strange. He didn't want to let it off, but the Grace situation caught him harder than he wanted to believe. Franny felt for him and she was helping around as much as she could. But handling four kids now on a daily basis. And a man. Was a lot harder than she had expected.

Their wedding day was getting closer and closer. And Franny couldn't help but be terribly excited about it. Now that there was a little bit more money than there used to be. Thomas had given them more money to spend on the day. John wanted it to be at least a little traditional like they're used to. So Franny needed to let in a few (actually quite a lot) gypsy traditions.

Today was the day. Franny had woken up in Ada's old room. Her dress was hanging on a coat hanger staring at her. Polly opened the door just a few minutes after she had woken up. 'Today is the day Fran.. Come down quickly I need to do your hair.' she was almost as excited as not more than she was. After a few minutes, Franny came downstairs.

Where Ada was sitting with Karl.  'Ada?!' Franny said with a huge smile on her face. She hugged her. ' I didn't know you were going to be here this early..' 'Me neither but Freddie was in a great mood so here we are! Let's get you some food and aunt Pol will start on your hair.' Ada ordered standing up and getting her breakfast. 

Ada gave her a cup of tea and baked her an egg. Polly stood up and took her hair down. 'It's so long. What do you want with it?' 'I think I want it down with those Finger waves that Ada does all the time' Franny said with a smile.

'John usually sees me with my hair up in a ponytail, bun or a braid. Might be fun to have it down for once.' Ada put down a plate of eggs and a cup of tea before looking at her with a smirk on her face.' Good. I want you to look good as a future Shelby.' Ada said as the both of them started on her hair and her makeup.

Almost two hours later..

'We need to go now!' Esme yelled through the hallway. 'Yes yes yes.' Polly said coming from behind. They were all putting their coats on. 'I do think I need some help with my veil though.' Franny said as she stood on the top of the stairs. 'It will be my pleasure.' The warm voice of her father sounded through the hallway. 'Dad!' Franny said with a smile she appeared on the front of the stairs.

Her father stood there for a second before telling her how beautiful she looked. Polly patted him on the back. 'She's gorgeous isn't she.' Polly said wiping a tear of her cheek. 'John's the luckiest.' Ada said as she almost pushed everyone out of the door. 'But hurry the fuck up before he thinks you got cold feet.' she added helping Franny inside her dad's car. Polly insisted they marry in a church because they were catholic.

And the both of them had rolled their eyes but agreed. But now she was actually happy that they chose the church. Everyone could come and the party after that was just outside the city on the Lee property. Thomas stood outside of the church waiting for her. When they all had arrived he gave her a genuine smile which made Franny smile even brighter. He told her that she looked amazing and took the women with him inside. So it was just Franny and her dad.

'Franciss.' Her father started. She turned to him to see him tear up a little. 'Your mother and I dreamed of this day.. And even though you are marrying in this family.. Which to be honest I wasn't sure if I was a fan of that. But John showed me the other side. You will always be the most save with them by your side.' he told her with a smile and he kissed her forehead. Franny couldn't help but a tear ran down her cheek. She didn't know how her dad thought about everything. Especially because well the boys do what they do. And her father was a rather known writer.

'Are you ready?' he asked her. And she nodded. The two Lee men nodded at her before opening the big doors. Which was completely stacked with people. But the most important person was standing out. It was John and he was beaming. The music started playing and her father nudged her. They walked slowly towards the altar. She could hear voices around her whispering that she looked stunning. And Franny couldn't help but smirk.

When she had reached the front row. Their babysitter couldn't handle 4 of John's kids and they all ran towards Franny and her father. Katie stood before her in a cute dress telling her she looked stunning. Dotty ran to her and hugged her legs. Oliver stood next to Katie being a little shy. The whole church was letting out ooh and ah's and saying blessings of the children acting cute. Franny bowed down to them giving them a hug. Telling them they needed to sit tight so they could eat cake later with them.

After thirty seconds John was walking towards them. Sitting on one knee and whispering to Katie. She nodded and took her siblings back to Anna their babysitter. It was a bit different then normal. Normally Franny's dad would have given her away to John at the altar but they were doing it here. 'John take good care of her for me. She's a special one.' He told John.

Who smirked. 'Thankyou Mr. Corbynn. I noticed, she's perfect.' he told him. And Franny's dad kissed her cheek before handing her over to John. He hooked her arm with his and they walked forward to the altar. It was a beautiful ceremony.

There were a few tears but lots of laughter before the both of them walked out of the church. And into the car. Everyone was waving at them as they rode off. Scudboat was driving them towards the Lee property. And everyone was following. Franny had pushed herself against John. It was a rather cold October day. Thomas had fetched her coat from the house and she had pulled it over her dress. John had an arm around her and Franny was looking at the ring on her finger.

'Can't believe it.' John said. 'I told Tommy and Arthur when I had met you, I'd make you my wife someday. It was a drunken promise but I still managed.' he said with a smirk. 

'Ass.' Franny said giving him a little push. They had arrived at the party. And after cutting cake, and sharing it with everyone. The beer and whiskey was starting to flow. It was thankfully dry and so all the grass they were dancing and drinking on wasn't muddy. And Franny could keep her dress clean. She was dancing with her cousins and with Ada. John had been drinking quite some with Arthur and Tommy. Franny had quite something to drink as had Ada. Freddie had started to pull Ada towards him. She was black out drunk and she was spinning around. Normally Franny would have been ok with Freddie putting Ada in her place. But now being drunk herself she was pouting and pulling John up to dance with her.

John never danced so Franny thought it would be the most sad and awkward dance. But because of the booze he had inside him it was actually great. He was spinning her around and dancing with her. Franny pulled Esme onto the dancefloor and John pushed Arthur on it too. And in just a few minutes all the Shelby's except Thomas were dancing around with whiskey and beer. Franny was dancing with Esme and Polly spinning around and cheering. After dancing for what felt like minutes. John came standing behind her.

'It's time to go home luf.' he told her with a thick double tongue. 'Is that so?' She said turning around. 'I'm having way to much fun.' she told him. 'I know luf, but everyone is going home and you are so drunk.' he told her while putting a hand on her hip. She made a pirouette and ended up in his arms. She booped his nose. 'Okay Mr. Shelby.' she said with a smirk. 

'Come on, Mrs. Shelby.' he said with an even bigger smirk and pulled her towards the car.