Everyone threw confetti as Mark and Sarah walked out of the church into their wedding car.
Ben unlocked the car and he strapped Nicole into her seat. She looked really pretty in her frilly lilac dress with ribbons in her glossy dark hair.
Heather got into the passenger seat and sat in silence as Ben drove to the hotel where the wedding reception was being held. Ben didn't say a word either. He was feeling really guilty about cheating on Heather. He'd apologised for the row when he had returned home the following day and they had made up. But he felt awkward about what he had done and hoped Heather didn't notice this.
But Heather didn't notice. She had her mind on Paul again. He was at the wedding and she would see him again in a few minutes. She was nervous about being around Paul and Ben at the same time.
They arrived at the hotel and went inside. Guests were sitting around a large oak table where delicious food was spread out.
Mark and Sarah were sat at the head of the table, looking dreamily into each others eyes.
Speeches were made and Mark ended with a toast. "To the future," he said as he raised his glass.
Heather glanced at Paul who was sitting opposite her. He returned the look, giving her a nervous smile.
"Let's go and dance, come on," Ben said as the music started.
Mark and Sarah went first, walking hand in hand. Sarah looked beautiful in her long white wedding dress, and Mark looked as handsome as ever in a dark blue silk suit.
Mark wrapped his arms around Sarah as they danced to 'Like A Rose'. "This is the best day of my life," he whispered in her ear.
"Mine too," Sarah sighed.
Lucy was also there, but not with Nick. He was doing a concert in the US so he couldn't make it. She walked across the dancefloor looking for a friend to chat with.
She saw Linda and approached her nervously. She felt awful about going off with her boyfriend.
"Hiya," Linda said. "No Nick today?".
"No, he couldn't make it," Lucy said. "What about Mark?".
"We split up," Linda announced.
"Oh," Lucy said, starting to panic. What if Linda knew about what had happened?
"I was getting bored of him so I dumped him," Linda continued. "I got a phone call from Shane this morning, he wants to get back with me,".
"Do you want to get back with him?" Lucy quizzed.
Linda smiled. "Yeah, I don't know why we split up in the first place,".
Linda went to get a drink and Lucy wandered on, stopping in her tracks when she saw Ben. He was dancing with Heather.
"I'm going to talk to Linda, I'll be back soon," Heather said as she walked away.
Ben saw Lucy standing nearby and walked over to her. "Hi," he said, feeling embarrassed.
Lucy looked at the ground. "Hi,".
"Look, you're not going to say anything to Heather about the other night are you?" Ben asked.
Lucy shook her head. "No, don't worry,". She looked up at him. "Ben, we've been good mates for a while. I don't want what happened the other night to ruin that...".
"Yeah," Ben agreed. "I don't want to ruin our friendship,".
"And I don't want to ruin my friendship with Heather either," Lucy said. "So, let's forget all about what happened,".
"OK," Ben smiled.
Meanwhile, Heather was having a private conversation with Paul in a quiet corner. "I feel really left out," Paul said. "I think I'm going to leave early,".
"Visit Helen," Heather suggested. "I'll keep an eye on the twins for you,".
"OK," Paul agreed. "After all, she is my wife, I can't forget all about her,".
So Paul said goodbye to everyone and set off towards to hospital.
As he got to Helen's room, he bumped into Dr Batney. "How is she today?" he asked.
"Not good," Dr Batney sighed. "Sit down, I need to talk to you,".
Paul sat down nervously. "What's wrong?".
"Helen still isn't responding to anyone, her condition hasn't improved through the past few weeks," Dr Batney explained. "She hasn't come out of the coma yet and if she doesn't wake up soon, I'm afraid there is little hope left for her,".
Paul gasped. "Oh no...". He jumped up and banged his fist on the wall. "She can't die!" he yelled.
"Maybe you'd like to see her," Dr Batney offered, opening the door so her could see her.
Paul crouched by Helen's bedside as Dr Batney left the room and closed the door. "Helen," he sighed, stroking her pale, limp hand. "Why did this have to happen?".
he looked around at the colourful flowers that filled the room. He was glad that so many people were thinking of Helen. "The twins are missing you," Paul said softly. "They keep asking when mummy will be home,". He wiped away a tear. "Helen, show me you can hear me. Squeeze my hand,". He held her hand and waited for a response.
Helen very slightly moved her hand, giving Paul a little hope.
"Things aren't the same without you," Paul sighed. "It's lonely...". He tried to block out thoughts of Heather, feeling guilty.
"I love you Helen, you know I do. Please..." Paul started to cry, fearing that she would die. He watched her as she lie perfectly still, breathing softly.
"Wake up Helen..." he sobbed, holding her hand even tighter. "You can't die. The twins need you. I need you,". He started softly singing 'Everytime'.
He kissed her hand lightly. "I'll always love you Helen,".
As he looked up with a tear stained face, he blinked in surprise. Helen's eyelids were fluttering. She was moving!
"Doctor!" Paul yelled excitedly. "Come quick!".
He stood over her and watched as Helen moved her head and tried to open her eyes. Before long, a team of doctors and nurses rushed in and crowded around her.
"Well done, it seems like you finally got through to her," Dr Batney congratulated. "Why don't you go home now and come back in the morning.
"But I want to stay here with Helen," he complained.
"We need to attend to her right now and run some tests, so you'd better go,".
"OK," Paul said. "I'll be here first thing tomorrow,".
Back at the wedding, the last dance had just ended. Mark took Sarah's hand and led her up the grand hotel staircase to the first floor, where the honeymoon suite was situated. "You're going to love this," he grinned, unlocking the door.
Sarah gasped as she walked inside. There was a trail of rose petals leading to the king size lace-covered bed. There were huge bouquets of wild flowers all over the room.
"Wow!" Sarah gasped. "This is lovely, Mark!".
"That's not all," he smiled, leading her out onto the balcony. They sat under the moonlit sky in the calmness of the night, until music started coming from down below.
Sarah ducked down to see an orchestra set up, playing just for them. "You set all this up?" she asked Mark in astonishment.
"Yep!" he said as he put an arm around her. "I wanted to spoil my beautiful wife,".
They snuggled up together as the band played Mark's favourite Disney songs- 'Kiss The Girl' from The Little Mermaid followed by 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' from The Lion King.
Mark and Sarah weren't the only couple having a romantic night at the hotel. Ben and Heather were in a loved-up mood.
Ben turned off the TV and lifted up the bed covers. "Bed time, Mrs Adams," he grinned.
"But Nicole's only in the next room, I'll feel embarrassed," Heather blushed.
"She's sound asleep, don't worry," Ben said.
Heather agreed and they got under the covered. Despite her experiences with Paul, she still preferred her nights with Ben. He was her husband after all.
Nicole couldn't sleep so she opened the door. "Mummy, I'm having scary dreams," she said in her quiet voice.
Heather hadn't heard Nicole. "Ooooh Ben!" she cried.
"Mummy?" Nicole said again, walking up to the bed.
Heather saw her and quickly moved away from Ben. "Are you OK honey?". She was flushing with embarrassment.
Ben started cracking up laughing.
"That wasn't funny!" Heather said when Nicole was back in bed. "I was so embarrassed!".
"Come on, you've got to laugh!" Ben giggled.
"Yeah, I suppose it was," Heather sighed with a smile. She turned to Ben and gave him a kiss. She had missed spending time with Ben.
"I'm going to end things with Paul," she whispered quietly to herself.
.