Seasons In The Sun

Chapter 3 :Nicky

We were two, now we are one

Valentine's day, 2005. The happiest day of my life. And also the most nerve wracking. More nerve wracking than my audition. More than the first time on stage, or even the first TV performance. I was wound up so tight I thought I'd explode with happiness. Today, Georgina would be promised to me, and I to her. I was fortunate indeed, I'd met the love of my life at age twelve, even if it did take me til I was sixteen to ask her out. I knew then that she'd be the woman I'd marry. I've watched the others stumbling around searching for their soulmate for seven years now, and it looks like Mark has found his. Shane's on his way, Gemma's a lovely girl, if only he'd realise his luck. She won't wait around forever. I've seen a light go on in Kian's eyes recently, although I've no idea who put it there. But we've all grown up so much since the beginning. I'm twenty-six now. God it sounds so ancient! I don't feel old, my life is just beginning. From today forward.

Anyway... The morning of the wedding I woke up on Mark and Nicola's sofa, an hour early. Nicola padded down the stairs about half an hour later and told me to go ahead to the shower, Mark was awake and she'd start breakfast. I wasn't sure I could eat, but I went ahead. I felt my fears wash down the drain with the water. Georgina was the woman for me, and she loved me. We belonged together, and today the world would know. I headed downstairs wrapped up in a white dressing gown of Mark's to a full breakfast in the kitchen. Mark was there, stuffing himself as usual while Nicola raced off to the shower, she had to go join Georgina soon. I couldn't wait to see my bride. I chatted to Mark about the plans, double checking every detail in our minds. Soon, Mark headed off to the shower, and I went to get ready. Setting my hair with gel, I stared into the mirror, shaving. I couldn't take this ridiculous smile from my face. I hoped I'd get it under control before the service. I slapped on a load of the after shave Georgina loved most and started to get dressed. Mark didn't take long. He seemed like the only bloke on the planet that could look good without trying much. His hair was getting just a little longer, and I remembered Nicola saying how she loved hair she could run her hands through, and smiled to myself. Just then the doorbell went, I left Mark to mess with his hair and answered it to our three ushers. "Hey, whatcha doing answering the door? Aren't you supposed to be going loudly insane?" Shane cracked. "Nah! Too sure about this. Mark's messing with his hair for once, want some of the left over breakfast?" Stupid question. Us lads have bottomless stomachs. I can't explain it. We're not always hungry, it's just that we don't ever feel full. "Good God" said Kian, surveying the kitchen table. "Nicola knows us way too well." I laughed saying it came from living with Mark. It seemed like no time at all until the limo arrived for us. Making Mark double check that he had the rings, we set off. We were half an hour early. I prayed that Georgina wouldn't be traditionally late. I was talking excitedly to Bryan about the reception when I heard the march begin. I turned around to get my first glimpse of my bride, and it's a sight I'll remember forever. She was stunning in white silk, gorgeously shaped and flattering to her figure, I could see a faint pattern of roses embossed on the fabric. The bridesmaids looked stunning in severe red, it complimented Georgina's long dark hair beautifully. Gillian and Gemma sat down, while Nicola stood slightly behind us with Mark, I knew without looking that they were holding hands. Georgina and I had written our own vows.

She said hers first. "I Georgina Aherne, take thee, Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne to be my lawfully wedded husband, to share in your glory and success, to comfort you in you misery, to embrace the love that began so long ago, now and forever." "I Nicholas Byrne, take thee, Georgina Yvonne Aherne, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to rejoice in our lives together, to encompass you forever as my soulmate, to protect you from life's cruelty in everyway that I can. And I shall up hold this joining of us two into one, for as long as the universe exists."

The priest looked satisfied with our vows. Mark stepped forward with the rings, diamond and ruby set. "With this ring, I thee wed" "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife, may I wish you a long and happy life together, you may kiss the bride" Georgina and I kissed with a passion I'd never felt before. I can truly say that it was the happiest moment of my life until then, and it almost moved me to tears. I didn't think I could ever be that happy again. Georgina's father was the first to reach me, he enveloped me in a big hug and welcomed me to the family. Mark hugged me, with tears in his eyes and a far away look, he was seeing his own wedding day far off, and no doubt it was with Nicola. She was hugging Georgina, who was by now crying tears of pure joy, which Nicola was desperately trying to suppress, fearing that G destroy her make up for the photos. The best picture that was taken was an accident. It was supposed to be a portrait of the two of us looking at the camera and smiling, but I was playing with her wedding ring and we looked into each others eyes as the picture was snapped. The end result, a gorgeous portrait in which our eternal devotion is clear. The portrait of Mark and Nicola is gorgeous too, The dress was perfectly styled to flatter her figure. I knew that someday soon, I'd stand beside Mark on his wedding day. I watched them as their portrait was taken, smiling at each other in that way that only couples in true love do, when something frightening caught my eye. Kian, off below a tree, looking at them with an expression of such yearning on his face. At first I thought he just envied what they shared, then I realised that he envied Mark, he wanted Nicola. Now I remembered him saying how beautiful he thought she was on the night they first met. I dismissed it as him simply being himself - flirty but harmless, but the more I thought back over the months, the more tiny little details I found. Kian was in love with Nicola, it was written all over his face. All I could feel was fear that it would drive a wedge between Mark and Kian, because as much as Kian cared, it was plain for the world to see who Nicola's heart belonged to. He'll get over it, I told myself. But would he?

Later, at the reception my fear worsened when I saw Kian cut in on Mark to dance with Nicola during "All my life". Mark handed her over, smiling at Kian and going to the bar to talk to Bryan, leaving Shane and Gemma on the dance floor. Georgina appeared beside me. My wife. I smiled to think of our bond. She asked me what had put the frown on my face and I nodded at Kian and Nicola. "So? They're dancing Nicky, I don't think that constitutes as cheating." I saw Mark head back to the dancefloor, as Bryan had been invited onto the dancefloor. "No, but watch this." Mark cut back in on Kian, slapped him on the back, and handed him the drink he'd bought him. Kian smiled at him, and Mark turned to kiss Nicola. Kian's expression darkened so much his skin almost turned black. I looked down at Georgina who looked puzzled. "So what Nicky, he probably said something insulting." "Mark? I don't think so, Think about it G, think back at all those times Kian has been in a mood when they're around. He's in love with her." "I don't think we've got anything to worry about. She'd never touch him. Now come on, stop spying on other people and concentrate on me! And don't let me see you frowning again on our wedding day, alright?" she said. She took my hand and took me over to the other dancing couples. Shane and Gemma were happily entwined and I wondered if Shane was beginning to realise what he could have in Gemma, I could see them lasting. Bryan was laughing and flirting with some petite blond girl, the sister of one of my football friends I believe. And then there was Kian, sitting at our table, nursing a drink with a dark expression in his blue eyes. I could only hope that he would learn to live with it.

The photographs we selected for publication came out fantastically. They were published in both of the big name celebrity magazines, and I believe it was OK! who said, "And so with one of Westlife's boys married, and two others involved, who will be next to walk down the aisle? We're mentioning no names, but we bet Davina McCall will soon be buying a new hat."

They were to be disappointed. I knew Mark and Nicola had no intention of getting married just yet.

Chapter 4

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