Page 45 of Ghost Of You

Casting a glance of mild disgust at those obstructing the professional’s work, I catch my mum’s eye, and we share a smile of quiet understanding. I then focus on the guests and spotLaelia at the end of the aisle, her smile so radiant it seems to outshine the very lights above.

I look at the groom, Lloyd, and see him swaying slightly on his heels, his eyes welling up with tears as he watches my mum walk towards him. This is precisely how a bride wishes to be seen by her groom—through the lens of pure admiration and love.

The way Lloyd gazes at my mum reassures me that he is the man for her. However, a protective part of me reminds me that he better not hurt her or I'll make him regret it—an old conversation we’ve had that remains as true as ever. My mum doesn’t need to know about this, though.

Reaching the front, my mum kisses me on the cheek, and the officiant looks at me with a solemn expression.

"And who's giving this woman away today?" he asks.

"Me, her son, Killian," I reply. He nods in acknowledgement.

I turn back to Lloyd, who extends his arm to my mum. She accepts it with a smile, and I move to stand beside Laelia, who immediately wraps her arms around one of mine.

The wedding ceremony passes in a blur of joy and emotion. The couple exchanges their vows, sealing their promises with a kiss. We shower them with confetti as they exit, and then we head to the reception.

Entering the beautifully decorated ballroom, Laelia, Ethan, and I marvel at the transformation. The room is a floral wonderland—roses and baby’s breath adorn the ceiling and walls, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The tables are covered in delicate blossom leaves, with tall floral arrangements in the centre, and the chairs are tied with pink ribbons. Willa has truly outdone herself.

The three-tier cake is a masterpiece, with each layer a different flavour to cater to our varied tastes. We chose jam and sponge for the first layer, lemon cake for the second, and rich chocolate for the third—my mum’s favourite. It’s decorated withwhite icing, pink ribbon, and pink roses, embodying my mum’s favourite colour.

As everyone settles into their assigned seats, the event coordinator steps up to address the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please have your attention? Let us stand and prepare to welcome our special guests!"

Everyone rises, glasses in hand, and the coordinator announces, "Let’s raise our glasses to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Webster!"

Mum and Lloyd enter, and the room erupts in cheers. Champagne flutes are raised, and clapping and whistling fill the air as they make their way to the head table. Once seated, my mum turns to me, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Please tell me you didn’t spend a fortune? It’s incredible! You’re going to make me cry!" she says, her voice trembling as she clutches my hand.

I squeeze her hand gently. "You’re worth every penny, Mum. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for me."

Tears spill freely, and she waves her free hand to dry her face. "I’m so happy I raised a son like you. You’re my pride and joy, Killian. I love you."

"I love you too, Mum."

After three rounds of delectable food, it’s time for the speeches. Lloyd stands and speaks about the new love they’ve found in each other, the family they’re creating, and his gratitude for finally having a step-son. He talks about the adventures they’ll embark on together, vowing to support and cherish my mum through everything.

When he finishes, my mum’s gaze shifts to me. Laelia nudges me with a supportive smile. "Your turn."

I push my seat back, stand, and clear my throat as all eyes turn to me. I offer a small, nervous smile. Public speaking has neverbeen my forte, and the heat of the room makes me even more anxious.

I remove my suit jacket, and Laelia takes it, draping it over the back of my chair. She gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, understanding my nerves.

I smile at her and take a deep breath. "Hello everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m Poppy’s son, Killian. I just want to let you all know, before I mess up, that I’m terrible at speeches."

"Don’t we know it," Ethan interjects, prompting a wave of laughter.

"Thanks, Ethan," I reply with a smile.

"You're very welcome."

I shake my head, chuckling softly. "Growing up, we didn’t have it easy, but my mum did everything she could to provide for us. For that, she is, and always will be, my hero." My mum’s eyes glisten with tears as I speak.

"When I was younger, Ethan and I," I point to Ethan, who waves at everyone, "always managed to drive my mum crazy. There was the time we got into her secret wine and chocolate cupboard and consumed everything. When she came home and found out, she just laughed. We had to do chores for ages to earn back her trust and give her all our spending money to replace her wine. We were quite a handful, and she had to drink a lot to cope." The room bursts into laughter, and Mum shakes her head, smiling.

"Being here today, celebrating my mum and Lloyd, I’m surrounded by those who know how much she does for everyone. No matter who you are, she’s there for you, offering a shoulder to cry on. I’m incredibly grateful for that. What I’m most grateful for is that I get to call her my mum and that she belongs to me."

My emotions well up, making my eyes sting. I push through, trying to keep my composure. "Lloyd," I say, my voice trembling,"thank you for coming into our lives and making my mum so incredibly happy. It means the world to me to have you as my step-dad. I know you two will have a lifetime of adventures and joy, and I can’t wait to make memories with both of you. So, let’s raise our glasses to Poppy and Lloyd—Mr. and Mrs. Webster."

Everyone raises their glasses in a toast, and I quickly down mine. Mum and Lloyd come over and envelop me in a warm hug.