Valentines Special Episode (2023)

On the 14th day of February 2023, Thomas Lynne and Avril Stock was set to tie the knot in an intimate setting of not more than forty guests comprising of their closest friends and family. A soft melody tinged the air courtesy of the live string quartet occupying a corner of the open, lush garden area cocooned by a cloud of white and gold décor with accents of blush pink. Pink petals lined the aisle. The seats were quickly being filled up while Austin was tending to his duties of being the intended groom’s best man. For the life of him he couldn’t fully focus on anything else beside his heavily pregnant wife who was on the décor community. Through the double doors, Skylar was busy with last minute settings to the banquet hall and every moment a person pushed through he’d strain his neck to get a peek through them. Every glimpse of her rushing by had only set his blood ablaze. Anticipation coursing through his veins for the next glance.

Austin had gotten a glimpse of the Hall set to house the couple’s reception. Bouquets of pink baby’s breath garnered in the centre of round tables small enough to encourage the intimacy between the guests. Chairs and tables draped in white and gold. Very soft, very romantic. So much so that he’d rued the day he agreed to be Thomas’ best man because the only thought to occupy his senses was that of his pregnant wife. He’d wanted her at his side. He wanted to feel the warmth of her hand enclosed in his own. His peace and calm.

“You’d lead the ignorant to assume you’re the one impatient to marry.” Thomas nudged him in the rib with a grin accompanied by head shake. Austin’s smirk was slow to materialize, a result of Thomas’ words being slow to register past the single unit of concentration he attributed to his wife. It was impossible to guess that Skylar and Austin was married for over a year and a half. Impossible, especially since Austin’s obsession for his wife didn’t seem to lessen. On the contrary, his affection was bursting at the seams and anyone with eyes noted it with awe.

“I’m taking the lax approach with my best man duties as I am certain you’re suffering from very little wedding jitters. If any at all.” He countered, knowing full well that Thomas had never been more sure of anything in his entire life. The wedding ceremony wasn’t scheduled to begin for another half hour but here Thomas was, ready and standing at the alter with an assurance that many men lacked at their nuptials.

Austin could not have been more pleased at his friend’s choice in a partner. Most of all, he could not have been satisfied if Thomas had felt less for Avril. The passion and commitment had been enough to convince Austin of the couple’s suitability.

The day’s preparations had done naught but remind Austin of his own wedding. Never had he thought he would have been first. Not when Thomas had fallen in love with Avril at a time where Austin had sworn off the possibly of such a mundane life. His perception had under gone some deep renovations. Obviously. Life with Skylar had been anything but mundane and he questioned his sanity during the time she’d not been a part of his life.

“I can only hope my bride is as calm and excited as I am.” Thomas exhaled the stress of that thought, releasing it to the universe for reinforcement. It was not possible to remain completely sure. He’d lost her once and ever since Avril had been a part of his life again there was always a nagging fear of him losing her again. Wondering if she was too change her mind.

“If she was smart she’d jilt you while she had the opportunity.” The men turned their attention to the last addition to their party. Draven had been late. As usual. Lucky for Thomas he’d provided a bogus time just to ensure his groomsman had made it with time to spare. Barely too.

“It’s my experience that affection dulls the senses not sharpens it.” Austin patted Draven on the back by way of greeting, noting their protégé’s wandering gaze already.

“A blessing for us,” Draven’s eyes coloured with amusement. After all, how did they all expect women to put up with their personalities. Not a single one of them was a stress free companion.

“Its ‘us’ now, is it?” Thomas mused, locking eyes with Austin. Both of them wondering just when did Draven realise his own weakness when the right woman was involved. Draven grinned while he shrugged, his eyes drinking in the surroundings.

“The officiant just arrived.” Austin caught sight of his wife. Skylar had burst out from the banquet hall, leading the officiant to where the men stood.

“Looks like you’ll be married within the hour.” Draven sucked in a cooling breath. Grateful to be a party to this momentous occasion. It was not every day someone he respected was having such endearing transitions. Although, it was difficult to ignore the sheer size of Skylar’s belly and the way it seemed to lead her while she walked. Any day now and he’d be an uncle. Progression after progression and he was proud to share in it.

“Say your last goodbye to autonomy.” Austin joked with a warmness that had been a very recent addition to his personality. A trait befitting a doting husband and soon to be father.

“Autonomy is overrated.” Thomas managed to fit in right before the officiant greeting the group. He’d be married within the hour, to the woman of his dreams.

***

“Fucking hell,” Thomas rasped the words beneath his breath at the sight of Avril on the arm of her father while she strolled towards the front. Austin grinned, patting Thomas on the back by way of support but his eyes were on his wife standing in the second row with Draven’s date staring back at him with a mutual wistfulness, her hand resting on her belly.

The band’s music washed over the air, adding a whimsical aura and heightening the emotions of the moment. Avril’s hair was swept up, a decision made by a one-woman committee that was Skylar who can refused to be a bridesmaid on account of her round belly and uncertainty with her labour. Skylar did however, insist on lending her aid to the décor.

The hairstyle decision was a trick to circumvent Avril’s reflexive action of hiding behind a curtain of her hair when intimidated by social settings. A marvellous decision as every emotion was wonderfully visible on her face as she stared at her soon to be husband. There had been nights where she lounged awake wondering what could have been if she’d never left him. Moments like that were heavy with longing and regret but it was the right decision to make at the time. She had needed her time and space to become the woman she was today and lucky for her, the very man she pined over was standing at the front of the altar waiting to make her his wife for the remainder of their lives.

The ceremony passed by with all the fashion, pomp and emotion befitting of a love connection. The men thought they’d even glimpsed their hardened groom shedding a tear or two. The couple cemented their vows with a kiss, long and passionate that had the crowd erupting in a chorus of ‘ohhhs’ and ‘ahhhs’.

As the newly wedded couple accepted the congratulations from their guests, Austin was now free to return to the side of his wife and she’d welcomed him with open arms.

“For a moment I’d almost forgotten I’m married to you.” His hands at her hips, pulling her towards him. Skylar’s arms automatically circled around his neck and she hummed a tune that foretold of curiosity.

“What does that mean?” the colour on her cheeks deepening.

“I am lusting after you as if I’ve never had you before.” He clarified, leaning closer to press a kiss into the side of her neck. Truth be told, it was a reoccurring theme in their marriage. There had never been a connection this all-consuming and Austin marvelled at how he was able to fall in love with Skylar more and more each day.

“As you should,” Skylar rose on her tip-toes to breathe the words against her husband’s lips before kissing him. What intended to be a tiny peck evolved into a savouring feast. Austin had drawn her close, loving the way her pregnant body felt in his arms. A reminder that this woman was carrying his children. That she was the sole reason he would be

a father.

Not soon after, the couple retired to the banquet hall with the remainder of the guests. Food being the last thing on their minds and they opted to use the dance floor. A desperate desire to be flush against each other.

“Now that the festivities are winding down,” Austin had halted, bringing Skylar’s swaying to a halt as well. She regarded him with unmasked curiosity as he grabbed hold of both her hands and peered into her eyes.

“My love,” he began, watching as a small, tentative smile spread across her lips. “it’s no secret that you’ve taken a broken man and made him whole. Even the air I breathe is fragrant because you’ve done me the honour of being mine. I want you to know that I’ll never take your presence or your love for granted. It’s with that in mind that I implore you to continue your post as my lover, my beating heart and today, my valentine.”

“Oh.” Her eyes wide, her mouth mimicking the action.

“Is that a no?” Austin felt a kick in his chest.

“Oh, no, I mean—” she inhaled to centre her thoughts, “My darling, I love you.” She cupped his cheek, “I’ll be anything you want me to be for you.” She promised with a shaky breath, “but right now, I think I’m ready to pop.” Skylar leaned close to her husband to whisper the words into his ear. To onlookers nothing was amiss. The couple was notorious for their affectionate relationship so much so that it was difficult to imagine that this was the state of them after more than a year of marriage.

“You mean…” his voice trailed off as she nodded.

“Our children are ready,” she confirmed. The couple left the wedding reception with haste and in the wee hours of the next morning Adalyn Josephine Cyner and her twin brother Soren Tyler Cyner were born.

**A/N

Thank you all for the wonderful support! I wish you a wonderful valentines day filled with love and happiness. Don’t forget to check out the third instalment in this series, and Draven’s book ‘Thorn in my side’. Reach out to me on Fb (Shivani Gopeechand or Author QueenofSarcasm18) or IG (authorqueenofsarcasm_18) for more information on where to find this book!

I sincerely hope that you all enjoy this little tid bit! Thanks again for everything <3