The Ballad of Flavia and Sarah

This is part 6/6 of "The Ballad of Flavia and Sarah".

Many thanks toDawnDuckiefor editing it, and the entire series. It would have been a lot worse without your feedback.

With a last chord stab, Georgina finished the song. Sarah looked about the recording studio at the rest of the band.

"That was far better than our first recording. I like this engineer a lot more too."

Kira looked up from packing away her keyboards. "It helps that we're playing together. It felt so inorganic when we recorded one by one. I've got a good feeling about this."

Bethany nodded. "The lyrics are superb. Who wrote them?"

"I did," said Georgina.

"Did you?" said Kira.

"Well, I wrote the first versions."

Daniella said, "So who finished them off?"

Kira pointed at Sarah. "She pretty much rewrote them. I love ya, Georgina, but Sarah's the one who made our songs what they are today."

"Whatever," said Bethany. "We've got some cracking recordings now. Much better than the one we released last year. Come on, let's get out of here and get Sarah's hen night kicked off."

🎤

Sarah coughed as the cocktail burned her throat. "What drink is that?" she shouted over the nightclub's booming dance music, slamming the glass onto the table.

Sitting beside her on the vinyl seat, Dorothy, Daniella's heavy-set girlfriend, shrugged. "A cocktail. Does it matter which one? They all taste horrible and get you drunk quickly."

Sarah pulled the veil decorated with 'L' plates off her head.

Daniella leaned across and put it back on. "You know the rules. You have to wear it all night."

With a sigh, Sarah adjusted it. Along with her short white dress, it made it clear who the bride-to-be was.

Daniella and Dorothy began kissing. Meanwhile, Georgina arrived at the table, wearing a slutty red dress, and Sarah accidently saw down her low-cut top when she placed a tray of drinks on the table. Kira followed Georgina and picked up a shot glass from the tray and offered it to Sarah, holding it awkwardly in her left hand.

"I just had one," Sarah shouted over the music.

"You're about to have another," said Kira, holding the green drink before her.

Sarah reached for it, but Kira moved her hand away. The same thing happened on her second attempt.

"I can't drink it if you won't..." Her eyes fixed on the ring glittering on Kira's finger. "Is that what I think it is?"

Kira let out a yip of excitement. "Georgina asked me yesterday; I think all this talk of your marriage encouraged her. It took you long enough to see it."

Sarah brought Kira's hand closer to her face and admired the large sapphire surrounded by diamonds. "It's beautiful."

Georgina said, "We got a pair." She placed her hand beside Kira's, and Sarah saw an identical-looking ring on her hand.

Sarah smiled up at them. "I'm so happy for you both. Have you picked a date?"

"No," said Georgina, sitting beside her and placing an arm around her shoulders. "Probably not for a couple of years. And no more talk about our engagement -- this is your hen night. Though would you be my maid of honour?"

"Of course--"

"What?" Kira glared down at them. "I thought we agreed Sarah would be my maid of honour."

Sarah held out her hands. "I'm sure we can work out something. Later. For tonight, we're celebrating my upcoming nuptials with Flavia."

"Good point," said Kira, holding out the shot glass again.

Sarah took it, smelling a liquorice scent. She swallowed it in one gulp, grimacing at the aniseed taste. "That's foul."

"Deal with it," said Georgina. "We got you another four of those. Some boys tried flirting with us and offered to pay for the drinks. I don't think they realised our tastes don't run that way."

Sarah groaned and picked up another glass. "To Georgina and Kira." It tasted no better than the first one.

Daniella stopped kissing Dorothy and looked up. "What about Georgina and Kira?"

The two showed her their ring-hands. "We're engaged."

"Congrats." Daniella leaned back. "You got together after Dorothy and me, but you're engaged. Flavia and Sarah met after we started dating and they're getting married in a week. When do I get a ring?"

All eyes turned to Dorothy, who looked stunned for a moment. "Let's discuss that later." She reached forward and offered a glass of the brown drink to Daniella. "Have a drink."

"Try it," said Sarah. "It's delicious."

A shriek came from her side. There was Bethany, along with her very well dressed girlfriend.

"I hope you don't mind me bringing Maisy? You remember her from the interview?"

"Of course not," said Sarah, rising on unsteady legs. She hugged Bethany. "I mean, of course I don't mind you bringing her. I remember her." She hugged Maisy next. "Thanks for that wonderful review you wrote. And for converting Bethany. She's so much happier now."

With Sarah still hugging her, Maisy said, "Where's the other bride?"

"We decided to have separate hen dos. She's at a restaurant with her friends tonight. But we get to dance and drink and--"

She stopped talking as she backed into the table, spilling drinks. It took Bethany to peel her off Maisy, then help her sit down heavily.

Sarah didn't recognise the hand that held another glass before her. "Have another drink."

🎤

Ughh.

Sarah's head pounded, and she didn't dare open her eyes and risk exposing them to sunlight. With a groan, she rose from bed and staggered to the en-suite, registering that she was naked. For a moment she debated whether to throw up, but her bladder won the contest for the body part with the most urgent needs. Feeling sorry for herself, she crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up.

Flavia came into the bedroom, wearing a pink dressing gown and holding a large glass of iced water. "I thought I heard you up. How do you feel?"

Sarah groaned.

Flavia placed the glass on the side. "Drink that; it'll help. So I take it you had fun last night?"

Sarah watched a drop run down the side of the glass, but couldn't summon the strength to move. "I don't remember. How was yours?"

Flavia sat on the bed and ran her fingers through Sarah's hair. "It was very nice. A meal at that new place in town with the Lucys and Marie."

"You didn't drink then?"

"I had two red wines, and a Baileys after the meal. How much did you have?"

Sarah tried to sit up, but gave up. "I think I drank my bodyweight in cheap cocktails. Next time we get married, can I come to your hen do instead of my own."

Flavia laughed. "When did you get the tattoo?"

"Tattoo?" Sarah did struggle up this time, looking frantically over her body but seeing nothing. When she looked up, Flavia was smiling her wickedest smile. Sarah lay back down. "Not funny. You're lucky I love you."

"I know."

Sarah looked at the glass again. It did look refreshing, but she still couldn't bear sitting up for it. At least her gazes at it were getting longer; that was progress. "How did I get to bed?"

"Your friends dropped you off in a taxi very late. Or should that be very early? The neighbours will give me an earful; you weren't exactly quiet. I managed to get you up here and take you clothes off."

"You didn't bother putting anything else back on me?"

Flavia smiled. "It seemed like a lot of work to cover up something I never like to have covered up."

"If you wanted to see my tits, you just had to ask."

Flavia picked up the glass. "I take it you're not going to sit up to drink this?"

Sarah shook her head, then regretted the movement.

Flavia removed her dressing gown, revealing a blue nightgown beneath. She slipped one of the straps off, allowing a breast to hang free. After picking up the glass, she pulled Sarah up against the headboard, before manoeuvring her breast into Sarah's face.

Instinctively, Sarah fixed her mouth around Flavia's breast, running her tongue over the nipple, which hardened. A dribble of ice-cold water touched Sarah's lips, and she looked up to see that Flavia had run some water down her breast. Opening her mouth, Sarah let the water in, her parched mouth feeling instantly better, while goosebumps stood out on the flesh under her tongue. Flavia tipped more water and Sarah drank it happily, enjoying the contrast of hot flesh to cold liquid.

🎤

"Ready?"

Sarah looked out across the sun-drenched lawns to the country house, its white walls almost impossible to look at in the bright light. "I'm ready."

Her father helped her from the carriage, the horses whinnying. When she was down, he helped her straighten out her white Chantilly lace wedding dress. She put her arm through his, then they walked toward the door.

"Sarah, just so you know, I'm so proud of you. You found a woman you loved, and you wouldn't listen to anyone who told you she wasn't right for you, not even me. I've grown to respect her, and I don't doubt she's the right person for you."

She smiled when she glimpsed Bethany and Maisy dashing through ahead of them, only just in time. Reaching the door, she recognised the usher, Flavia's son Jonathan. Immaculate in a grey suit that matched her father's, he opened the door, revealing a large hall with dark wood panelling and row after row of seated guests.Here Comes the Bridebegan playing.

The crowd turned to look at her. Sarah looked over the sea of faces, recognising some: here were the Sallys, there Daniella and Dorothy. Even for someone used to playing in front of an audience, it was a strange sensation to be watched by so many people while she walked. She began to second-guess herself; was she walking correctly? Pushing her doubts away, she looked ahead to see the photographer and videographer. And there, at the end, was Flavia, looking proudly back at her, wearing a tight navy blue dress. They'd avoided seeing each others' dresses, and Sarah smiled to see the older woman's beautiful and confident demeaner. How well the dress hugged her curves.

When they reached the altar, her father stepped back and the brides smiled at each other. Was that a tear in Flavia's eye? Sarah had never seen her cry before.

The registrar, a grey-haired woman, stepped forward. "Welcome. Thank you all for coming here today, to witness the marriage of Flavia and Sarah. This is a joyful day, where we celebrate their love and commitment to each other. But it is also a serious day, where two people join their lives together permanently.

"They have been planning this day for a year, and have loved each other for longer. But things won't always be as they are in the beginning. There will be sad days too, as there are in every life. Flavia and Sarah must draw on the strength of their love and devotion to help each other through such trials, to emerge stronger. They have picked each other as their partners, to help one another through all tribulations, trusting implicitly.

"The brides have chosen to write their own vows. Please face each other and hold hands. We'll begin with Sarah."

Heart thudding, Sarah took a deep breath. She was aware of everybody watching and listening to her, but she concentrated on Flavia, smiling at her. Her vows were based on the traditional ones, and she hoped Flavia wouldn't be disappointed. She'd memorised them as a song, but tried to say them as normal speech.

"I, Sarah, do take thee, Flavia, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death us do part. I love you, Flavia, and can only be happy at your side."

That was definitely a tear in Flavia's eyes! With a sense of triumph, Sarah waited for the registrar to give Flavia the go-ahead for her vows. What would they be?

"Sarah, I stand here today expressing my love for you to our friends and families. Never could I have imagined, when we first met, what you would come to mean to me, as my confidante, friend, and lover. My first marriage ended, and my children have grown up, but now I get to start all over again, and I can't wait to do it with you.

"I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you happy, to encourage you, honour you, protect you, provide for you, and assist you in any way you need. You've filled by heart with happiness, laughter and youthfulness; know that your name is etched upon it.

"Sarah, you are my soulmate. I will never let anyone or anything come between us."

Flavia may have had a tear in her eye; Sarah couldn't hold her own back. Her make-up would be ruined! Fortunately, her father was there with a handkerchief, and he dabbed at the tears while the audience chuckled.

Called upon by the registrar, Marie stepped up to the brides, wearing a light-blue dress which complemented her mother's. She held out a velvet cushion on which lay two plain gold rings.

Sarah picked up the larger, and following directions from the registrar, said, "With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow." She slipped the ring onto Flavia's finger.

The process was repeated, and this time Flavia put the other ring on Sarah's finger. Looking at it, feeling the extra weight, Sarah knew it meant she was locked into matrimony with the woman opposite her. Her face hurt from smiling so much.

The registrar called out, "I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss."

Flavia wrapped her arms around Sarah and tipped her back. Their lips locked in a magical moment while everybody else cheered. But Sarah's attention was fixed on the older woman holding her, the woman who was now her wife.

After they'd signed the register, Flavia held out an arm out to Sarah. "Shall we, Mrs. Pagano?"

Sarah smiled to hear her new name for the first time and hooked her arm through Flavia's. "Let's, Mrs. Pagano."

As they made their way past their friends and family, there was an explosion of noise and light as people took pictures of the newlyweds walking out to their new married life.

🎤

After numerous photos taken with family and friends, Flavia and Sarah climbed into the horse-drawn carriage. Holding hands, they were driven through quiet country roads to the Queen Elizabeth, where their reception was going to be the first event in the newly-extended pub.

Flavia helped Sarah down, and they walked in holding hands. The new venue looked fantastic, with heart-shaped balloons tied to the Greek-style columns that ringed the large venue. It would be great to play there another time, but today wasn't about the band.

Flavia and Sarah spoke to many guests at the reception, sometimes as a couple and sometimes individually. There were a number of people from Flavia's life who Sarah met for the first time. Sadly, Ofelia was too unwell to travel, but she'd watched the ceremony by web link.

At one point, Sarah's father and his boyfriend came up to the couple. It was the first time Flavia had met Sarah's father in person, and Sarah was only too aware he was about the same age as her wife. Would she ever grow tired of thinking of Flavia as her wife?

After they'd shaken hands, Sarah's father said, "I've looked after Sarah as best I could for the last nineteen years. Will you look after her now?"

Flavia kissed Sarah before she answered. "I love your daughter. I'll do everything I can to make her happy and successful in life."

Sarah said, "You're not losing me, Dad. Think of it as getting a second daughter."

"A second daughter my own age? That sounds wrong. How about a sister?"

Flavia smiled and hugged him. "It would be my pleasure to be your sister."

Sarah's father hugged her back. "That's good news, because I'm too young to have a daughter-in-law in her forties."

Flavia sighed. "I wish people would stop reminding me of my age. Can't I be judged on my wife's age instead?"

🎤

Soon afterwards, Flavia's son, Jonathan, and his wife, Jenny, appeared to congratulate them. There was a pronounced bump to her moss-green dress.

Flavia said, "Are you...?"

"Yes," said Jenny. "We were going to tell you after the wedding; we didn't want to steal your thunder. But I guess we underestimated how much I'd be showing."

There were more congratulatory hugs between them.

Sarah smiled at Flavia. "You're going to be a grandmother."

Flavia's face dropped as she consider that, then smiled. "And you're going to be married to a grandmother."

It was time for Sarah's face to drop, but Flavia hugged and kissed her. "You'll love it. We get to spend time with the baby, but don't have to change its nappy all day or get up in the night."

"But we'll have some of our own, right?"

"Absolutely. Think of your -- grandchild-in-law? -- as a dry run."

"No nappies?"

"Believe me, it won't be a dry run if there are nappy changes involved."

🎤

The last person in the line was a surprise.

"Mum!" said Sarah.

Her mother looked uncertainly between the brides.

Flavia wrapped her arm around Sarah. "It's alright, you're welcome here."

Sarah's mother considered that for a moment. "Thank you. I didn't want to miss my only child's wedding, even if it is to another woman."

"Mum, please don't--"

"I may have spoken hastily when we met before, Flavia. I -- I did speak hastily." She squared her shoulders. "I forgive you for seducing my daughter. After all, forgiveness is a Christian virtue. Will you forgive me?"

Flavia tensed beside Sarah, but through a forced smile, she said, "Yes. Will you stay for the meal? I'd like to be friends, or at least cordial, with my new mother-in-law."

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"We wouldn't have invited you if we didn't want you here."

"As long as I'm sat nowhere near Sarah's father."

Flavia smiled. "I know that feeling. My ex and I don't get along either. You'll be most welcome here."

She held out her hand and Sarah's mother shook it.

🎤

The afternoon passed in a whirl. Sarah gloried in sitting at the centre of the head table beside her new wife. They spoke with the guests to either side, but throughout, they entwined their fingers when they weren't eating the sumptuous feast.

The speeches were a mixture of happy, funny and bitter-sweet. Sarah's father started things off, expressing his admiration and pride for both brides. Marie, as their shared best 'man' / maid of honour, told a few jokes about Flavia from when she was younger; Sarah guessed that the Sallys had provided her with dirt on their friend. She ended by saying how glad she was to welcome Sarah to the family.

Finally, Flavia took the microphone and stood. "I'd like to thank you all for coming to be with us today. But I'd especially like to thank Sarah, for becoming my wife. Many people have asked me why I'm marrying someone so much younger. There are many reasons why I might choose to do that. Most obviously, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever set eyes upon. But that's only skin deep. When you get to know her, you find the most caring and kind person you could hope for, yet fiercely proud and determined to succeed on her own terms. But even that's not the reason I married her. I promise, the next reason is the real one; this speech isn't going to run all day."

The crowd laughed while Flavia took hold of Sarah's hand. "My life hasn't always gone smoothly, and that's left emotional scars. But with Sarah, rather than picking at the scabs, she heals them." She looked down into Sarah's eyes. "Sarah, I love you. You make me a better person."

🎤

After the meal there was more mixing with guests. The Sallys were congratulating themselves, on helping get Flavia and Sarah back together in the early days. From behind Sarah, a woman spoke. She looked familiar, but Sarah couldn't place her.

Flavia said, "You remember Lydia, don't you, Sarah? You met her at a party ages ago. She works for a record label."