18 months later

‘Georgie, I’m so nervous. My stomach feels like it’s trying to swallow me whole!’ ‘Karen, you’ll be fine. I felt exactly the same when Nicky and I got married. Just think - by the end of today, you and Shane will be husband and wife.’

Karen sighed happily. ‘I know. I can’t wait. Have you seen the news? Apparently there are loads of fans waiting outside the gates for us. They’ve all got banners wishing us good luck. It’s so sweet.’

Ever since she and Shane had gone public, the response they had had from Shane’s fans was amazing. Total strangers came up to her in the street and congratulated her. And for Shane things were going amazingly well too. The rest of the Westlife guys had sacked Louis after the way he had treated Shane and he rejoined the band, under Ronan’s management. In the past year they had sold over 8 million records. They had finally broken the US, and things couldn’t be better.

And now they were getting married. Karen looked over at her dress hanging from the wardrobe door. Georgie had helped her pick it. It really was beautiful. It was made from an ivory silk, with a fitted, off the shoulder bodice, and a full skirt. Georgina’s bridesmaid dress had the same style top, but a straight skirt, and it was a deep blue colour. Together, they looked stunning.

‘Karen? Karen?’ Georgie’s hand was waving in front of her face. ‘Earth calling!’ ‘Sorry, I was miles away.’ ‘I noticed. It’s time to start getting dressed. The cars will be here in about an hour and a half.’ ‘Okay.’ Karen took a deep breath. She couldn’t quite believe that after over a year of planning that her big day was already here. ‘Where’s Nicky?’ He was going to give her away. Both he and Georgie had been great friends to them, so they were repaying them. Nicky was going to give her away, and Georgie was her matron of honour. Shane had chosen Mark as his best man. They’d become really close friends. Kian, Bryan and Ronan were ushers. As well as that, Ronan and the rest of the Westlife guys were going to sing something for them during the service. They’d kept the song a secret from Shane and Karen, and both of them were looking forward to here it.

‘Nicky’s gone up to the church, but he should be back soon. They were having a rehearsal for the song.’ Georgie smiled. She knew what they were planning, and she was sure that the happy couple were going to love it.

Less than two hours later, the car arrived at the outside set of gates. Shane and Karen had decided to make the church known, but keep the reception venue a secret. There were fans all the way up the side of the road on the way to the church.

‘Stop the car!’ Karen said suddenly. Georgie and Nicky looked at each other in horror. ‘I want to walk. The fans have come out here to see us, and I want to speak to them.’ ‘Are you sure?’ Nicky wasn’t sure this was such a good idea. ‘Positive.’ Karen nodded. Once the car had got through the gates, the driver stopped and got out to open the door for her. As soon as the crowd realised that Karen was getting out of the car they all started cheering. Karen went over to one girl who she was sure she recognised.

‘Karen, you look beautiful. I love your dress.’ ‘Thanks. This will sound really weird, but have I met you before?’ ‘You remember? Wow. It was the night of Ronan’s album launch. We saw you as you were coming out of Shane’s flat and we came across to say congratulations.’ ‘Of course. I remember now. Y’know, you were the first fan to come and speak to us. It meant so much to know that you supported us. Thank you.’ ‘You’re welcome. At first I was jealous, but I saw how happy you were making Shane, and that’s all that counts. I really hope it works out for you guys.’ ‘Thanks. I’ve got to go. I’ve got a wedding to get to!’

Karen, Nicky and Georgina walked up the road, stopping to talk to some of the fans on the way. They all cheered and wished Karen good luck. Nicky realised it was a really good idea after all.

Eventually, they arrived at the church. After turning round to wave to everyone behind them, Nicky went into the church to tell them they’d arrived. Georgina turned to Karen, ‘You look radiant. Absolutely gorgeous. Shane’s going to be blown away.’

‘Really? I’m so scared. I just want to get it over with.’ ‘You’ll be fine.’ ‘Thanks so much for everything George. If it wasn’t for you, I’d never have met Shane. You’re such a good friend.’ Karen hugged her and sniffed. ‘Hey, hey, don’t cry - your mascara’ll run! I’m sure Shane isn’t too keen to marry a panda!’ They laughed together. Then Nicky came back out. ‘They’re ready for us. Good luck.’

Karen took a deep breath, put her arm through Nicky’s and entered the church. As they walked down the aisle Karen saw familiar smiling faces all around her. Then Shane turned around to look at her. Shane. The man she was about to marry. He looked amazing in his morning suit.

They reached the altar and Nicky kissed her on the cheek and whispered ‘Shane’s a lucky man. Good luck.’ As Karen and Shane walked forwards together, he leant over and said quietly into her ear ‘You look so beautiful. I love you.’ Karen smiled, and the service began.

Most of it passed over them in awe. They were too intent on each other to notice anyone else. The only time they took their eyes off each other was to watch Ronan and the boys sing. They did the song from Beauty and the Beast when Belle and the Beast dance together. It brought lumps to the throat of the bride and groom. Their song.

‘And I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.’ Shane turned to Karen, and gently lifted her veil up from her face. He kissed her and said ‘Thank you for making me the happiest man alive. You’ll never know how much you mean to me.’

They walked out of the church together, and went to the top of the road so that the fans that had waited patiently through the service could take pictures. But they never took their eyes off each other. After a minute or so they went round the back and climbed into the car that was waiting, and it whisked them off to the reception.