Charming Mr Stewart

9c. Something Borrowed, Something Blue

All the excited talk about the mysterious Stewie had even Elle excited. By midday, all the ladies were looking ravishing, and Bianca was simply divine. Elle excused herself and walked around the chapel, shooting guests who were seating.

She spotted Bonnie by the doorway and motioned to her.

"What's up, Elle?"

"I want you to stay in the chapel now, capture guests and everyone else. I'll cover the bride's entry, then the bridal party." Elle turned to leave but stopped. She slipped Maya's hand into Bonnie's. "Could you please find her a seat?"

Bonnie nodded and headed inside and up the aisle, popping Maya on one of the few cushioned chairs lining the wall. Elle looked at the guests filing in, on the lookout for this elusive Stewie all the ladies had gone gaga over. In the rush of events, Elle saw no man she could say was drop-dead gorgeous. Maybe he wasn't coming, she thought as she positioned herself near the entry.

The ceremony proceeded at quarter past twelve. Conrad stood at the head of the aisle with Jeremy and another young man beside him. Jerry spied Elle skirting the walls, heading up to a perch for the bridal party's entry. He winked, and she smiled back. Perhaps she hadn't made a complete fool of herself the night before.

The music swelled, and she rushed into the aisle and squeezed in next to some guests. She knew Bonnie was at the head, ready to cover the groom and his men and capture the couple, giving Elle enough time to find her next perch. There was a certain zing in the air and Elle knew it was going to be a beautiful ceremony, followed by some heavy partying. She was going to be on the lookout for Kim, whom she thought was a character bound to head into entertaining situations. Bianca might appreciate having evidence of the merry-making. Besides, sticking with Kim may ultimately get her to see this Stewie herself, whoever he was.

As the bride and the groom exchanged vows, Elle fought back tears, remembering her own wedding day. It wasn't long before the crowd swept her away to the marquee with them. Champagne flowed and glasses clinked as they made toasts.

Elle's phone kept vibrating in her pocket, and she finally succumbed. She left Bonnie to handle the floor. Maya was occupied, now playing with two children at the children's table. She slipped out into the garden, wanting a moment to just breathe...

"I'm in the middle of something, Mum. Make it quick."

Inside the marquee, two seats away from the groom, a tall figure with lagoon blue eyes rose to his feet. He raised his glass and smiled at the newlyweds. The guests all hushed, some in awe, some as a courtesy, since he was about to speak.

"Conrad, to think I could have been sitting where you are," he said. "You're a lucky man. And Bianca, darling, you've always wondered why. Why I set you up with Con? Well, I think this is the best place for that. If I had a heart and knew how to use it, I would have snapped you up long ago. But someone else needed you more, who suited you more. I mean, you saved the poor bugger's life. You had him tied so badly," he said and Conrad nodded.

Stewie looked around the room at the listening guests. "In all honesty, darling, you've made my mate the happiest man on Earth, for tonight anyway."

The room burst into laughter. "Love you, Stewie!" yelled someone, and the laughter rolled out again.

"And I couldn't be happier to wish you both a loving, memorable journey ahead. To Conrad and Bianca!" He raised his flute one last time before chugging the rest of his champagne.

"To Conrad and Bianca!" the guests chorused.

Elle snuck back into the marquee and received a flute of champagne from a waitress. She walked up to Bonnie, who was busily snapping away at the dance floor.