Edited: 09/04/2018
♡ Charlotte ♡
After our food, it was time for the speeches. Tobi and I both had speeches, reminiscing about the old times. We both went up on the stage with our pieces of paper, Tobi starting first.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. May I, first of all, introduce myself to those of you who don't know me, my name is Tobi. I'm absolutely honoured to be standing here today and humbled that Josh has asked me to be his best man. I know there are 3 reasons Josh has asked me to be best man. First of all, he knew I could organise a decent night out for the stag do, also, he knew the speech would be one to remember, and finally, I think he just wanted to look taller in the photos. Obviously, there are certain duties as best man I have to do. I'd like to firstly thank the bridesmaids for not only doing a great job in the church earlier today, but also for helping Freya this morning and getting her ready, calming her nerves, and I'm sure she'll be thankful of them today every time she needs the loo. It goes without saying, they all look fantastic, but obviously, not as much as Freya. Let's face it, it's her wedding day, she planned it like that. No doubt everyone here today thought the same 2 things as Freya walked in the church- firstly how beautiful she looked, and secondly, that Josh is massively punching above his weight. I'd also like to thank Simon and Cal(Freezy) the ushers, where are you, lads? I'd like to thank them for the absolutely bang up job they did of telling people where to sit in the church and here. And finally, I also want to thank Freya and Josh, for helping me find the love of my life!" Everyone awed as Tobi blew a kiss to Lauren making her blush. "So, traditionally the best man has to say some embarrassing stories about the groom and truthfully I had a bit of trouble here, not because Josh hasn't done anything embarrassing, but unfortunately 90% of it's not fit to say here today..." Everyone laughed before Tobi continued. "I should explain how I got to be standing here today, Josh and I have known each other for 16 years and let me tell you, the transformation I have witnessed has been nothing short of a miracle, seriously..." Again, everyone laughed and Josh yelled 'oi'. "Most of our teenage years were spent kicking a ball about the local tennis courts, he really loved his football but to be honest was pretty rubbish in almost every position... Hopefully, you'll have better luck tonight Freya." That caused everyone to erupt in laughter, even Josh! "On a more serious note I value Josh & Freya's friendship immensely and they have always been there whenever my family and I have needed them. Something we should bear in mind is that marriage is not about finding someone you can live with; it's about finding someone you absolutely cannot live without. I didn't really get the whole best man thing, but I think now I understand that there really isn't any person who could stand where I am now and be as proud as I am in my oldest and dearest friend. Ladies and gentlemen, I for one couldn't be happier that Josh and Freya have found real love and happiness in each other and wish them many wonderful loving years together, ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the bride and groom, Mr & Mrs Bradley!" Everyone raised their glasses as Tobi and I clapped. "Now its time for Charlotte, the Maid of Honor to speak."
Tobi and I switched places so I could speak into the microphone.
"Hi everybody! I want to start off by thanking everyone for being here to celebrate Freya and Josh's very special day. Frey, you look absolutely stunning tonight! And Josh you don't look half bad yourself! I am very honoured to be here standing by your side on the best day of your life. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Charlotte or Charlie, and I am Freya's best friend and maid of honour. Freya has always been like the older sister I've always wanted. Not only did we fight like sisters, but we most importantly loved like sisters. We've laughed, cried, laughed until we cried and know more about each other than we probably care to. We've been through some of the hardest times of our lives together and have been grateful to have each other through some of the best. I've had the opportunity to watch Freya mature, grow and evolve into the beautiful woman that sits before us today and I am honoured to call her my best friend. She is driven, intelligent, kind-hearted and the most selfless woman you will ever meet. She puts forth thought, effort and dedication into everything she does, and I know Freya will approach her new role as a wife the same exact way." I turned my page over to read more. "You are one lucky man Josh, don't you ever forget that. Thank you for making Freya so incredibly happy. It is with great comfort knowing she has a man who's caring, loving, spontaneous and supportive by her side." Everyone smiled as Josh pecked Freya's cheek. "I'll leave you two with a little advice. Love isn't perfect. It isn't a fairy-tale or a storybook and it doesn't always come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on and never letting go. I hope you can both look back on today as the moment you loved each other the least. I love you both so much." Freya blew a kiss to me, smiling. "Let's all raise our glasses to the gorgeous Mr and Mrs Bradley. Cheers to new life, new love and everything in between. Congratulations! Now lets dance before the happy couple has their first dance."
Tobi and I got off the stage, Tobi helping me down. The music began playing and everyone piled on the dance floor, while I sat down. I had to save my energy for all the singing I was going to do later. I took a sip of my water as a couple of people said they loved the speeches and I thanked them.
Simon sat down next to me. "You look absolutely beautiful today." He smiled, side hugging me as we watched everyone dancing on the dance floor.
"Thank you, Si." I smiled.
"No, I mean it. You look an eleven out of ten."
I laughed. "You're cute, especially in your suit." I sorted out his tie and he gazed into my eyes.
"I'm so happy I met you. I'm so happy we got close. I'm so happy you said yes to being my girlfriend. I've never been happier." He pecked my lips and we looked towards Freya and Josh who were dancing and joking around. "One day, that will be us up there. I promise." Simon smiled, and I returned the same smile of love and compassion.
***
It was now time for Freya and Josh's first dance so Lauren, Jasmine, Georgia and I all got up on stage. I was still barefoot and it felt amazing! Freya came on stage with us to introduce us. "Hello everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the night so far. For our first dance, the lovely ladies of Little Mix are singing for us. So please welcome my best friend and her band - Little Mix!" Everyone applauded as we walked on to the stage, Jasmine helping me up the stairs (Pesy ftw!). We stood there, our microphone's all in a row.
"This is for my two best friends. Congratulations." I smiled, the pair smiling at me as they got ready for their first dance, while we sorted out our microphones and the way we were going to stand. Jasmine was on the left, then me next to her, then Georgia and Lauren.
Lauren opened the song. "We keep behind closed doors, every time I see you, I die a little more. Stolen moments that we steal as the curtain falls, it'll never be enough. As you drive me to my house, I can't stop these silent tears from rolling down. You and I both have to hide on the outside, where I can't be yours and you can't be mine..." Lauren's eyes were watering, tears brimming her eyes. This song is probably my favourite, but it's always a sad song to sing. "But I know this, we got a love that is homeless. Why can't I hold you in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that, why can't it be like that? 'Cause I'm yours. Why can't I say that I'm in love? I wanna shout it from the rooftops I wish that it could be like that.. Why can't it be like that? 'Cause I'm yours..."
It was now Jasmine's turn to sing."It's obvious you're meant for me, every piece of you, it just fits perfectly. Every second, every thought, I'm in so deep but I'll never show it on my face. But we know this, we got a love that is hopeless..."
"Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that, why can't we be like that? 'Cause I'm yours..." I put my all into my part. I felt tears threatening to fall, but I held them in, trying not to ruin my makeup. "Why can't I say that I'm in love? I wanna shout it from the rooftops. I wish that it could be like that, why can't we be like that? 'Cause I'm yours..."
It was now Georgia's turn to sing her little bit. "I don't wanna live love this way, I don't wanna hide us away. I wonder if it ever will change, I'm living for that day, someday."
"When you hold me in the street and you kiss me on the dance floor. I wish that we could be like that, why can't we be like that? 'Cause I'm yours, I'm yours!" We put our all into singing this; I'd say it was our best performance.
"Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that, why can't it be like that? 'Cause I'm yours." Georgia continued from Jasmine, a tear rolling down her cheek, but she composed herself and didn't start crying, which I felt like I was going to do as I sang my part.
"Why can't I say that I'm in love? I wanna shout it from the rooftops. I wish that it could be like that, why can't we be like that? 'Cause I'm yours!" I hit the high note, everyone cheering and clapping when I did. "Why can't we be like that? Wish we could be like that..." I finished as Josh and Freya stopped dancing, to turn to us.
I noticed Frey had tears in her eyes. "That was beautiful," she mouthed to me, clapping.
We all jumped off the stage, the girls helping me as I couldn't get down. "You girls were amazing!", "that performance was astounding!", "you've got true talent". Compliments were thrown at us and we thanked everyone who gave us one.
I went over to Freya who immediately embraced me in a hug. "Thank you for making this wedding the best day of my life. It wouldn't have been perfect without you." Freya told me, a tear rolling down her face.
I wiped it away and smiled. "It has to be perfect, you deserve it Freya. I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled,
We all went our separate ways. Georgia and Jasmine stayed on the dance floor, while Lauren and Tobi were in the corner talking about something that looked important. I sat back down with an orange juice, sipping it slowly. Simon came and sat down next to me. "I'm so tired," I mumbled, putting my head on his shoulder and my hands on my bump. I felt a little kick and grabbed Simon's hand, putting it on my belly.
His eyes lit up and he looked deliriously happy. "That's my little football player. Oli Minter." He beamed. I can tell Simon is going to be an amazing dad and I can't wait for the day little Oli is brought into this world.
"Hey, you never know, he could take after me and be a singer." I laughed.
"Hey," Lewis said, coming up to us.
"Hiya," we both replied, enthusiastically.
"I know we've all had arguments and stuff, but yeah I just wanted to see if we're alright, because Simon, you're one of my best friends and Lottie, you've been there since the beginning."
"Yeah, we're good." Simon and I said in sync again.
"Also, I want to congratulate you on the baby. It's gonna be adorable." Lewis smiled and that's when it finally clicked. The thing that had been bothering me: Lewis could be the dad, too.
"Do you want to feel him kicking?" I asked.
"Is he kicking?" Lewis asked.
"Yeah,"
Lewis came around the table and put his hand on my tummy. "That's so cool. I've never felt a baby kick before." He knelt down and spoke to my tummy. "Hey Oli, it's your uncle Lewis."
I looked at Simon and smiled, to which he returned. I'm so happy all this arguing is over.