“Still okay?” Ash looked concerned.
“Very emotional. But I’m fine. Honestly.”
Ash kissed her, then sat back. She pressed her hand against Carmen’s thigh, letting her know she was there if she needed her.
Carmen’s tears fell as soon as she saw Tamsyn and Maggie walk down the aisle. Gizmo was on a lead between them, his head held high, a cream bow tie around his neck. Both women looked stunning in matching cream suits that had clearly been tailored for each of them. They carried a single orange rose each but handed those off to Maggie’s nieces once they reached the front. The two young girls looked up at their auntie in awe, clutching the flowers in their small hands. Gizmo was placed in the care of Maggie’s sister.
Tamsyn and Maggie stepped forward to stand before the official, a grey-haired woman in a flowing, deep blue smock dress, who smiled warmly at them.
Carmen’s heart thumped wildly. She and Ash had front-row seats on Tamsyn’s side of the aisle; Tamsyn’s father was too ill to attend, and she had no siblings, so her side of the tent was filled with friends and colleagues from the industry. Maggie’s side was filled with family and close friends, and a hush descended on everyone as the official raised her head to speak.
“Honoured guests, welcome.” She smiled. “We’re here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Tamsyn and Maggie.”
Oh shit, more bloody tears . Carmen thought she’d just about got them under control but no such luck. Another tissue was pressed into her hand from her right, and she turned to give Ash a grateful smile.
The official’s melodious voice recited the few paragraphs that outlined, in lovely terms, the obligations Tamsyn and Maggie were committing to. The two women held hands tightly throughout, gazing into each other’s eyes. Carmen was quite sure they had no awareness of any other person in the marquee.
The official inclined her head towards Tamsyn. “Do you, Tamsyn, take Maggie to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Tamsyn nodded slowly. “I do.” Her voice rang out loud and clear.
The official turned to Maggie. “And do you, Maggie, take Tamsyn to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” Maggie’s voice wobbled, but her smile was huge.
“Then I now declare you married.” The official beamed at them. “You may kiss the bride.”
Tamsyn’s smile lit up the room. She wrapped her arms around a tearful Maggie and kissed her, softly and slowly.
Ash also dabbed a tissue to her eyes, which made Carmen feel infinitely better, as she was a complete mess.
Everyone applauded and stood; some guests stepped forward to hug and kiss the brides. Tamsyn gently pushed past all of them and strode to the first row, where Carmen and Ash sat.
“You,” Tamsyn said, her voice choked. “You helped make this come true. Thank you so much.” She pulled Carmen into a hug and held her tightly.
“You are very welcome, my friend.” Carmen looked at Tamsyn through watery eyes. “You deserve it.”
Tamsyn ran her fingertips underneath her eyes. “Don’t make me cry! This mascara’s supposed to be waterproof, but I’m not so sure.”
Carmen laughed and watched as Ash gave Tamsyn a quick hug of congratulations, her eyes wide as she probably realised just who she held in her arms.
Maggie walked over, also holding out her arms to Carmen. “Thank you. For everything.”
“My pleasure.”
“And now,” Tamsyn said loudly, using all that acting training to project her voice to the far end of the marquee, “it’s time to party!”
Chapter 40
Carmen stumbled off the dance floor and collapsed into her chair. “Oh, my poor feet!” She rubbed at her heels and sighed. She’d known it was a mistake the first time she stepped onto the dance floor, but dancing with Ash, to hold her close as they moved to the music, had been her paramount thought.
Ash chuckled. “I did try to warn you about those heels.”
“I know, I know.” She kissed Ash. “What time is it?”
“Just after eleven.”
“Bloody hell, we’ve been here for hours!”
Laughing, Ash nodded. “I have no idea where the time has gone.”
“Are you tired?”
“A little, to be honest. It was a pretty early start this morning.”
“It was. How would you feel about calling it a night? The next shuttle bus must be leaving soon.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Ash held out a hand. “Here, lean on me. In fact, you could take the shoes off. I’m sure these boardwalks would be okay with bare feet.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve been in them all day, another fifteen minutes won’t kill me.”
They wandered through the marquee, the one that had originally been set up for the ceremony but now housed the dance floor, and found Tamsyn and Maggie. They sat quietly in a corner, arms around each other, watching everyone else enjoying themselves.
“Are you two off?” Maggie stood.
“We are.” Carmen hugged her, then Tamsyn. “Too tired.”
“So are we.” Tamsyn frowned. “But apparently, we have to stay to the end. Something about this being where we live and having nowhere else to go.”
“Nah, just sneak off into the house,” Ash said. “No one will notice.”
“This one is so good for my ego.” Tamsyn thumbed in Ash’s direction.
Ash made a choked sound. “Oh God, no! That’s not what I meant. It’s just that—”
“She’s teasing, Ash.” Maggie nudged Tamsyn in the arm. “Ignore her. But I do like your sneaking idea.” She tapped her chin in thought.
“What’s the point, though?” Tamsyn asked. “With this bunch partying in our back garden?”
“Ah. Yes.” Maggie slumped. “Okay, I guess we have to stay.”
“Thanks for a wonderful day,” Carmen said.
“Thank you for being here.”
All four of them shared hugs and cheek kisses goodbye.
Ash helped Carmen walk gingerly out to the lane where the shuttle bus stood waiting.
Twenty minutes later, they walked into the hotel and headed up the stairs. At the top, Carmen turned to Ash. “As much as we’ve spent the day together, I almost feel like we haven’t had much time where
