Big Uncle Save Me!!
The ceremony was beautiful. Claire looked like she’d stepped right out of a fairy tale, and I couldn’t help but smile as I adjusted her veil, smoothing out every last wrinkle in her dress. She was glowing, practically buzzing with excitement, and I felt a familiar warmth fill my chest.
“You look perfect,” I murmured, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze as the bridal train gathered, ready to walk down the aisle.
She grinned at me, squeezing my hand back. “I’d be lost without you, Remi. I mean, I’d probably be halfway to falling over right now.”
I laughed. “Not on my watch. This is your day, Claire. We’re going to make sure it’s perfect.”
She took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with happy tears. “Can you believe it? I’m actually getting married.”
“Hard to believe,” I teased, nudging her gently. “But you couldn’t have picked a better man.”
She shot me a knowing look. “One day, it’ll be your turn, you know. You’ll be standing here in white, and I’ll be the one smoothing out your dress.”
I chuckled softly, though something twisted inside me. “Maybe. Someday.”
As she turned back to face the aisle, I felt a pang of memories, flashing back to my own disastrous wedding. The one that barely even counted, considering how quickly it had all gone downhill. I swallowed hard, the image of Rowan, carefree and unbothered, came to mind—right there in the chapel, with not one, not two, but three women wrapped around him like he’d forgotten he’d even said “I do.”
“Idiot,” I muttered to myself, quickly shaking off the thought.
“What was that?” Claire asked, glancing at me curiously.
“Nothing,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just… happy for you. And a little jealous, if I’m honest.”
She laughed, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Don’t worry. Love finds us all, in its own weird, twisted way.”
I returned her smile, though my mind was still tugging me back to places I didn’t want to revisit. Instead, I focused on the man she was marrying, a solid, good-looking guy with a genuine smile and a way of looking at Claire like she was his entire world. They deserve this, I thought. They looked happy, and it was the kind of happiness I’d never known.
---
The reception was in full swing by the time the newlyweds made their grand entrance. The room buzzed with excitement as everyone cheered and raised their glasses. Claire looked radiant, her hand entwined with her husband’s as they moved through the crowd, accepting congratulations from family and friends.
I hung back with the bridal train, making sure everything went smoothly, directing the servers, and keeping an eye on Claire to make sure she had everything she needed.
“Remi!” Claire called, motioning me over. “Come meet some of Charles’s friends!”
I took a breath, plastering on a smile as I walked over, grateful for the distraction. As I stepped closer, though, my gaze caught a familiar face in the crowd, someone who stood out among the well-dressed guests, his presence impossible to ignore.
Rowan.
My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively looked around, wondering if he was here alone. But then, right by his side, I saw Laura. My daughter was clutching his hand, her eyes wide and curious as she looked around the room, clearly taken with the glamour of it all.
Before I could process what I was seeing, Laura spotted me, her eyes lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. I waved back, managing a small smile, but my mind was racing. What was Rowan doing here? And with Laura, of all people?
“Remi, come on!” Claire called again, snapping me out of my daze.
“Sorry!” I replied, turning my attention back to her. “Who’s this?” I asked, gesturing toward a tall, elegant woman in a flowing blue gown.
“This is Marianne, Charles’s sister,” Claire explained, beaming as she introduced me. “And she’s been dying to meet you.”
Marianne smiled warmly, holding out her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you, Remi. Claire says you’re her rock.”
I shook her hand, feeling a bit more at ease. “Well, someone has to keep her from tripping over herself,” I teased, earning a laugh from both of them.
The moment felt light, normal, and for a while, I was able to let go of the tension in my chest. I busied myself with helping guests, making sure everything was in order, enjoying the glow on Claire’s face as she moved through the crowd.
But then, just as I was starting to relax, I heard a commotion near the entrance. My heart sank as I turned, my eyes widening at the sight of Laura running through the crowd, her little face red with panic.
She headed straight for Rowan, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his shirt. “Big Uncle!” she cried, her voice shrill with fear. “Save me from the dog!”
Heads turned, and whispers started rippling through the crowd as everyone watched the scene unfold. Rowan looked momentarily startled, then knelt down, patting Laura’s back with a reassuring smile.
“What dog, sweetheart?” he asked, his tone gentle.
She pointed toward the back of the room, her face scrunched in distress. “It was big and scary!”
I felt my heart drop, embarrassment flooding through me as the guests exchanged curious glances, several of them recognizing Rowan. This was a high-profile event, and seeing Rowan Vaughn on his knees, comforting a little girl in front of all these people, was making quite the impression.
“Laura,” I said, rushing over, trying to keep my voice calm. “Honey, it’s okay. There’s no dog. I think it was just someone’s little pet outside.”
She looked up at me, still clutching Rowan’s shirt, her eyes wide and innocent. “But it looked huge, Mummy!”
I knelt down beside her, brushing a stray hair from her face. “It’s okay now. I’m here, alright?”
Rowan stood, glancing down at me with a raised eyebrow. “Seems like someone’s had an eventful evening,” he murmured, his tone laced with amusement.
“Don’t,” I muttered back, barely looking at him as I gathered Laura into my arms.
He tilted his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “What? I was just saying she seems... attached.”
I shot him a glare, ignoring the curious looks from the guests around us. “She’s just... confused,” I said quietly, my voice tense.
Claire walked over, her expression concerned but amused. “Is everything alright, Remi?”
I forced a smile, nodding. “Yes, it’s fine. Just a small... misunderstanding.”
Laura, still clinging to me, looked up at Rowan with a hopeful smile. “Can you stay with us, Big Uncle?”
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