“Try and relax!” Stuart urges me as I stretch my bikini-clad body on the sun lounger. “It’s a nice hot day, you’ve got a VERY nice, VERY hot body…” I snort a laugh as Stuart takes off his loose t-shirt and sits down next to me, rubbing sunscreen into his hands. A genuine smile creeps over my face as I roll onto my front and Stuart unties the back of my bikini top, before smearing the cool liquid into my back.

“Mmm… Soft,” Stuart laughs as I remain silent. “Jamie… Please try and relax. Please? I hate seeing you stressed like this…”

“Yes, I’m trying!” I snap, before sighing. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to take it out on you… It’s just been a hell of a few months, that’s all.”

“Tell me about it,” Stuart sighs as he lies down on his sun lounger and I apply sunscreen to his slender, sexy body.

And it has been a stressful few months- and that’s putting it mildly. After my ‘adventure’ looking after Keith junior five months ago, I thought I was prepared for anything life threw at me- only for life to turn around and put that to the test.

The first ‘test’ was a literal one, as my university work suddenly went from ‘enjoyable hobby’ to ‘overwhelming chore’ as I rushed to complete my dissertation in time for the submission deadline. The thought of deferring for yet another year was not an appealing one- especially as every time I visited my parents, the space on the wall where my graduation photo should go seemed to taunt me with its emptiness.

The only relaxation I had during my intense study, the only thing I had to look forward to, was planning my upcoming wedding- but even that proved stressful as the date kept getting pushed further and further back, forcing us to constantly rearrange venues and caterers. The date kept getting changed to accommodate filming for the fourth series of The Angels, even though the show hasn’t even been renewed yet- which is yet another source of stress I don’t need right now.

Last, but not least, was the stress caused by the disappearance of someone who I considered to be a close friend, but who it turned out to be lying to my face for over a year. At the end of March, Stephanie- who it turns out was NOT transitioning, and wasn’t even living life full-time as a woman- ran away for two months, not even stopping to say goodbye or attempt to explain her actions, she just left, leaving me- and everyone else close to her- in a state of near-panic for her safety for weeks. It was only thanks to a complete fluke that she was found and returned to London to answer for her lies. I will admit to feeling some sympathy for the girl, as shortly after her return, she checked herself into a psychiatric hospital for treatment- but (and I hate myself for thinking this) I can’t shake the feeling that that was just a publicity stunt, more for mine & Joshua’s benefit than for hers. I’ve tried to keep my distance from Stephanie ever since she returned as the last thing I need right now is to get into a ‘war’- though this has served to make Stuart’s life awkward, given how closely he works with her.

Fortunately, there are plenty of positives in my life right now, more than enough to make the stress I’ve been under at the very least tolerable- and the greatest positive in my life right now is the sexy young man whose slender, hairy legs I’m currently slathering with sunscreen. It’s been ten and a half months since the first part of his SRS, and five months since his second part, and he’s had a smile on his face every second of every day since- especially first thing in the morning, when I regularly find him stood- yes, stood- in front of the toilet happily peeing into it.

“Whoa, getting a bit high, aren’t we?” Stuart giggles as I rub sunscreen under his shorts leg. “Don’t really need sunscreen under clothes…”

“I ran out of sunscreen a while ago,” I coo. “This is just my hand going up there.

“…Carry on,” Stuart says, smiling as my arms delve further and further up his shorts.

Fifteen minutes later, with our bodies glistening with sweat, the two of us head back into Charlotte’s kitchen and make a beeline straight toward the fridge.

“Told you we should have taken the cooler out there,” I say as I take several swigs out of a cool bottle of water.

“I just hope there weren’t any paparazzi lurking in the bushes,” Stuart laughs. “We are SO going to have the world’s wildest sex life once I have my final operation!”

"My vagina is tingling in anticipation," I say, making Stuart giggle- even though I'm not being entirely facetious.

Ever since my relationship with Stuart re-started, our sexual exploits have become more and more adventurous, and Stuart's SRS has only increased our 'sense of adventure' as he gains more and more sensation in his new organ. I've 'treated' his penis with both my hands and my mouth (and Stuart has of course responded in kind), but we are yet to have proper, regular intercourse. We came close a few times recently, when we bought special rigid sheaths off the internet for Stuart to wear, but as he rightly pointed out, if the sheaths are stiff, there's little point in him actually wearing them. When we do ‘do it’ for the first time, it will be unprotected, flesh against flesh... Even if the wait is becoming unbearable for both of us.

The waiting is only made worse when Stuart heads into the living room, still shirtless, and plugs his guitar into his laptop before playing a few chords.

"Seriously?" I tease. "I've just had a MASSIVE orgasm, and you're trying to turn me on again?"

"Not my fault I'm a sex AND a rock god," Stuart laughs. "Would you prefer it if I played the keyboards instead?"

"Keyboardists are less sexy than guitarists," I say, making Stuart chuckle.

"Even if I drop my shorts and play the keyboard without any hands?" My fiancé asks, making me giggle uncontrollably at the mental image.

"As if you'd dare," I snort between giggles. "You're FAR too attached to it. Besides, I sometimes practice on it without washing my hands first..."

"Are we talking about my keyboard or my penis here?" Stuart asks, making me laugh so hard I actually have to crash down into one of the sofas as thoughts of sex slowly fade away. Yeah, we may not be physically compatible just yet, but every passing day makes me more and more convinced that Stuart truly is my soulmate.

When I was 'James', the mere thought that I would someday find a soulmate was laughable- as was the thought that any girl or boy would ever find me attractive. At school, my- I won't say 'friends', but rather 'the people I hung around with', would take great delight in reminding me that at 5' 5" and nine stone, I barely qualified as a man, and certainly wasn't attractive enough to appeal to any girl in the school. As a joke, they even once set me up on a blind date with someone who turned out to be one of the 'out' gay guys in the school. Under threat of a beating, I had to go along with the date, only narrowly avoiding having to kiss the guy at the date's conclusion. Back then, I didn't think of sex at all, or have any concept of what orientation I truly was... Looking back on it, I almost wish I HAD kissed the guy, become his boyfriend, maybe even his lover- he'd certainly have got me away from the meatheads I associated with, and may even have helped me find 'Jamie' two or three years earlier than I did...

I spend the rest of the evening wrapped in Stuart's cosy embrace on the sofa, enjoying the rare feeling of having the house all to ourselves. Charlotte and both Keiths (senior and junior) are on holiday until Thursday, as, technically, am I. Joshua has given all the Angels a few free weeks over the summer to relax, which is an invitation all six of us eagerly snapped up, and whilst I'd have loved to have gone away somewhere nice and warm, Stuart's upcoming operation- and the fact he has a lot of work still to catch up on- does put a crimp in those plans. Our 'staycation' hasn't been too bad, though, and it has most definitely been relaxing- especially as there are precisely zero babies in the house!

Stuart and I opt for an early night, quickly falling asleep as the afternoon has left us all 'sexed out', and we both wake up the following morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead- which for me, as it's a Wednesday, involves stretching a pair of baby pink tights up my legs, followed by a skimpy black spaghetti-strapped leotard. For Stuart, of course, it's business as usual in a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt, though once he's dressed, he makes a beeline straight for my lycra-covered body and wraps it in a tight hug.

"Mmm," Stuart moans in my ear, "all nice and wrapped up..."

"Well you can unwrap me AFTER class," I say, playfully slapping Stuart's hand away as it makes its way over my crotch.

"Okay, okay," Stuart sighs, before burying his mouth in the side of my neck and peppering me with kisses- something I obviously do nothing to prevent!

Thirty minutes later, I stride into Krystie's dance studio with a smile on my face, a smile that only widens as I see Nikki sat on one of the reception area's comfortable chairs wearing a loose, knee-length skirt and a smile even wider than mine.

"Hey, girlie!" I squeak, giving Nikki a gentle hug. "Hope you're not actually planning on dancing today, MISS Thomas?"

"No, no, just here to watch my favourite girl," Nikki sighs. "And all my joint second-favourite girls, of course!" I laugh as Nikki sits down and her knees automatically press tightly together- a tell-tale sign that Nikki no longer has between her legs that with which she was born.

Nikki's SRS was six weeks ago, and whilst I was expecting it to be yet another source of stress, the nineteen year old girl handled it with incredible grace and maturity, largely thanks to her fiancée and their own Angel-like circle of close friends.

The smile that Nikki put on my face fades, however, when the studio door opens and another brown-haired transwoman- one who DOESN'T have any maturity- enters the room, scowling as she sees me.

"Jamie," Stephanie mumbles as she walks past me to where Stuart's sister is sat with her best friend.

"Steph," I whisper, barely containing my anger at the sight of the deceitful young woman.

"Ugh," Stuart spits after witnessing the encounter. "Will you two PLEASE bury the hatchet already? It's awkward enough I have to work with her day in, day out..."

"Well I'm very sorry my being betrayed is awkward for you," I say, before sighing at my unnecessary cattiness. "I'm sorry, Stu, it's just- she really gets on my nerves, you know? It's like- you know what? I don't even want to THINK about her right now."

"Then don't," Stuart says, giving me a soft hug. "Go on, you've got dancing to do." I smile as I head into the dance studio ahead of the other girls, taking my place at the barre ready for Krystie and her friend Zoe to begin the lesson.

Just over an hour later, with my feet aching from the pointe work we've done, I (and the other girls) return to the reception area, though rather than get changed into our street clothes, we stick around for another half an hour, awaiting the arrival of a very special guest.

"Soo..." Krystie teases as she sits down next to me. "How's the wedding planning going? I'm only asking because, you know, me and Mikey are behind you in the queue and all that."

"It sucks," I moan. "I want the biggest, fanciest, most elaborate wedding of all time. I mean, okay, when I was sixteen, weddings were the last thing on my mind, but-"

"You don't need to explain!" Krystie giggles. "You're obsessed with the perfect wedding. I don't know a single woman who isn't. Myself included! I already know which church it'll be at, what hymns we'll sing..."

"...Aren't you and Mikey both atheists?" I ask the blonde woman, who giggles bashfully.

"So what if we are?" Krystie shrugs. "I want a big church wedding. Doesn't mean I have to suddenly become a bible basher, right?"

"If you say so," I laugh. "The one good thing is that with the wedding in December, Mary will have had the time to lose the baby weight to fit into her bridesmaid's dress, heh."

"She'll have shifted that weight within a month," Krystie snorts. "I swear that babies aside, that woman is incapable of gaining weight."

"...Says the 5' 8" woman who's been size 8 her whole life," I retort, making Krystie laugh.

"Thanks to my shitty digestive system!" Krystie retorts, before her smile widens as a familiar silver car pulls up outside the studio. "Ooh, speak of the devil..."

"What, your digestive system?" I ask with a cheeky grin on my face.

"Oh shut up," Krystie snorts, before addressing the entire assembled crowd. "Okay, they're here, just remember everyone, don't make TOO much of a fuss, we don't want to scare her!" Everyone nods, but once the door opens, everyone- myself included- lets out a happy coo as the eight months pregnant Mary walks in, accompanied by her husband and, most importantly, her two year old daughter- who melts the hearts of everyone in the room in her tiny pink leotard, pink tights and fluffy pink tutu.

"Hey there, sweetie!" Krystie coos as the bends down in front of the toddler. "Are you ready for your first proper BALLET lesson today?" Everyone coos yet again as Kristina-Leigh shyly shakes her head and grips her father's hand even tighter.

"Sure, it's all she's talked about for weeks," Mary laughs. "Every other word seemed to be 'ballet this' or 'dance that', and now that she's here, she's terrified, the poor little thing..."

"It's okay, honey," Dan- Mary's husband- says softly. "You know Auntie Krystie, she won't hurt you. And you DO want to be a beautiful ballerina, don't you?" Once again, everyone coos as Kristina-Leigh nervously nods her head. "Do you want daddy to come into the lesson with you?" Another nod of the head, another coo.

"'Auntie Krystie'," Krystie laughs as Dan slowly leads his daughter into the vast and no doubt imposing studio. "I am SO having a baby just so you get called 'Auntie Mary'!"

"I already have ten nieces and nephews," Mary retorts. "The oldest of them's thirteen so give it ten years and I'll probably be 'Great Auntie Mary'!" The whole room laughs, while I watch Stuart's face as he watches Dan lead his daughter out of the reception area.

"We are making the right choice by waiting," I whisper.

"Yeah, I know," Stuart wistfully sighs. "Let someone else have the babies, we can settle for being the best honorary aunt and uncle for now!" I giggle, but before I can compose myself, the entire room falls silent as Viks stands up and clears her throat.

"If I could have everyone's attention, please," Viks says, linking her fingers with those of her recently-arrived husband. "Jon and I, we- we kinda have something we need to tell you all..."

"We don't even need to guess, do we?" Krystie asks with a fake tired smile, making Viks- and just about everyone else in the room- giggle excitedly.

"Indeed you do not," Viks says smugly. "Roughly six months from now, the world will be welcoming yet another Benedict!"

"Oh my god!" Hannah squeaks, giving Viks a big- but not tight- hug. "This is so awesome!"

"This is so cool!" Adeola- Jonathan's cousin- also squeaks. "Dibs on godmother!"

"So cool!" I squeak, outwardly smiling whilst inwardly thinking that if Viks is due in March, it's not going to matter whether or not Mary can fit into her bridesmaid's dress...

As I get into Stuart's car, ready to head home, I let out a long, frustrated sigh.

"Am- am I being selfish?" I ask. "Wishing that Viks wasn't pregnant just because it threatens to ruin our wedding?"

"No, you're not being selfish at all," Stuart replies.

"Are you just saying that because you're my fiancé?" I ask.

"...Yes," Stuart sighs, making me groan.

"Okay, yes, I'm happy for Viks," I sigh. "Of course I am. She's so level-headed, she'll make an amazing mother. And you know Jon will be a great dad too."

"But you want the perfect wedding," Stuart says. "And that won't happen if one of your bridesmaids is the size of the house."

"And I'm not going to simply fire Viks," I sigh. "And I sure as hell don't want to put the wedding even further back..."

"Dunno," Stuart shrugs. "Could have it in March, same time as my birthday, double celebration..."

"Don't you fucking dare," I say, making Stuart giggle. "We'll work something out, we always do. I mean, I want to marry YOU. I want a big wedding, sure, but the most important thing is that it's you stood opposite me."

"I feel the same way," Stuart sighs. "When I was a little girl, me and my sisters would spend ages planning our dream weddings. Emma's was pretty close to what she'd had in mind since she was eight, heh. With one slight difference, of course."

"Let me guess," I say. "She always thought that 'Claire' would be her maid of honour?"

"Got it in one," Stuart laughs. "Also I'm pretty sure I was the only one of us who, when planning our weddings, wondered about the kind of person I'd marry."

"Gender-neutral pronoun, I like it," I say, making Stuart roll his eyes.

"We are talking about when I was, like, seven," Stuart retorts. "Didn't even know what sex was back then."

"Well, I'm just glad you figured it out in the meantime," I giggle as we pull back into Charlotte's driveway. "Ooh, looks like we've got company!" I grin as I exit Stuart's car and give the middle-aged couple stood on Charlotte's doorstep a long, loving hug.

"Hi mum!" I squeak happily. "Hi dad! Sorry if we kept you waiting, we were kinda late getting away from ballet today."

"That's okay," mum laughs as I unlock the front door. "Hope you're still enjoying your dance lessons?"

"Yeah," I say. "Though these days it's really more about just hanging out with friends than actually learning any new dance moves."

"Well, it IS your birthday next month," mum says. "You haven't selected a theme for your party yet."

"And it's a pretty big birthday too," dad says. "Twenty-five, a quarter of a century..."

"Yes, thank you dad," I sigh. "Though we're kinda busy with another 'party' in the meantime."

"Oh yes," mum says, fidgeting excitedly. "Gosh, I'm welling up already, thinking about my little girl getting married..."

"Think my mum feels the same way, heh," Stuart says, making my parents laugh as I let out a long sigh.

"Is something wrong, Jamie?" Mum asks.

"No," I say, before sighing yet again. "Yes..."

"More trouble with that Stephanie girl?" Dad asks.

"No," I say. "One of- ugh. You know Viks, one of the Angels? Turns out she's pregnant."

"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Mum coos. "Another little niece or nephew for your extended family..."

"And a bridesmaid who'll be the size of a weather balloon by the wedding in December," I moan.

"Jamie-Lee Travis," mum snaps, her tone of voice (and use of my birth surname) filling me with a sense of utter dread. "You stop feeling sorry for yourself right now!"

"...Sorry," I mumble.

"Your wedding will be perfect even if one of your potential bridesmaids will be with child," mum continues in her firm voice. "Worrying about it won't help anyone, and sulking about it certainly won't!"

"I think you've been hanging out with your celebrity friends for far too long!" Dad says, making me blush even harder. "Need bringing back down to Earth for a few days, I think."

"Thank you," I hastily say, groaning as my parents chuckle at my embarrassment. "Can we change the topic please?"

"Of course, of course," mum says between giggles. "When's Charlotte coming back with that gorgeous little boy of hers?"

"And the boy's father," Stuart interjects. "They should be back tomorrow afternoon. Was their first ever proper holiday as a proper family."

"Ah, I remember ours well," dad laughs. "Summer 1996, went to Cornwall for a week. Tried to teach Jamie- well, James, I suppose- to swim. Poor kid cried every time their feet went in the water, heh."

"I eventually learned, didn't I?" I ask, my cheeks once again flushing as Stuart barely suppresses his giggles.

"If we knew then what we know now, we'd have got you a one-piece swimsuit rather than the trunks you wore on that holiday," dad says. "Might have helped you learn faster."

"It probably would have," I say with a giggle.

My parents stick around for another three hours, entertaining us with stories of dad's retirement and attempts to find a part-time job, whilst Stuart entertains my parents by playing on his keyboard (thankfully using his hands, rather than what he implied yesterday).

"Well, that was a hell of a day," I sigh as I sit down at my dresser to remove my make-up and jewellery.

"Eh, we were probably due one," Stuart sighs as he strips to his boxer shorts and brushes his teeth- his entire night time ritual- before getting into bed.

"Do you think Viks would be offended if I, you know, 'fired' her?" I ask.

"Nah, you know her," Stuart says. "She's probably still amazed she's as famous as she is, heh. Back when I was dating Krys, she'd constantly go on about how Viks was taking ages to come out of her shell."

"You'd have thought she wouldn't have that problem, knowing who- or rather, what- I was," I muse. "Now look at her, famous, in demand, married and with a baby on the way... 20 year old Viks wouldn't even have thought that a guy like Jon would even have looked twice at her."

"Fortunately, 23 year old Viks know just how gorgeous she really is," Stuart says. "Maybe even the second most gorgeous of all the Angels."

"And do I need to ask who's first?" I ask as I brush my hair.

"Indeed you do not," Stuart laughs, getting off the bed to gently pepper my neck with kisses.

"If you say 'Hannah' I swear I'll smack you," I say, making Stuart crease with laughter.

"Nah," Stuart chuckles. "It's simple- if a person ISN'T the most beautiful Angel- or, for that matter- woman- in the world, I wouldn't have asked her to marry me." I smile as Stuart resumes his 'treatment' of my neck, though when his hand slips under the front of my nightie to gently cup my breast, I fidget, causing Stuart to suddenly withdraw.

"Ugh, I- I'm sorry," I sigh. "Just kinda not in the mood for sex right now. Sorry, Stu."

"It's okay," Stuart says, climbing back into bed. "Like you said, a hell of a day. And contrary to popular belief, even though I am the proud owner of a penis, it doesn't mean I can't go without sex for one day!"

"Need I remind you that I used to have one of those myself?" I ask Stuart with a cheeky grin on my face. "Just because you have a penis, it doesn't make you a sex maniac. It's the stupid amounts of testosterone flooding your body that does that!"

"You know you love it," Stuart laughs, tickling my cheek with the dark wiry hairs on his arm and causing me to squirm.

"Stop that!" I sigh, slapping Stuart's arm away. "You know how ticklish I am."

"Sorry," Stuart mumbles. "Try to get some sleep, and for the love of everything. Don’t lay awake worrying about this damned wedding all night!"

"I'll try," I sigh as I switch off my bedside lamp and try to get to sleep- though contrary to Stuart's suggestion, I only manage a few hours of rest before my alarm wakes me just after 8am.

After showering, applying my make-up and performing my weekly dilation, I dress for the day in a very soft, very comfortable grey short-sleeved bodysuit and floaty black miniskirt, before heading down to the kitchen for breakfast.

Once I've eaten, however, I don't get much of a chance to relax, as less than fifteen minutes later, the front door opens and I hear the unmistakable sound of a baby's laughter- and the unmistakable sounds of the baby's parents laughing as well.

"Welcome home!" I coo, giving my BFF a long, tight hug. "God, you look so tanned... How was California?"

"Oh, just AMAZING!" Charlotte giggles. "Best holiday ever. Though that's more thanks to my two favourite guys, who'd make any holiday perfect, hehe!"

"Heh," I laugh as I give Keith senior a quick hug, before bending down and giving my godson a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Good to see the house is still in one piece," Charlotte laughs as she helps Keith (senior) unload her suitcases from the car. "I trust you didn't throw any wild, extravagant parties whilst I was gone, Miss Burke?"

"No more than you'd have done," I retort, sticking my tongue out at my BFF.

"So... One every night?" Charlotte asks, causing the two of us to crease up in fits of giggles as Stuart and Keith look on in bemusement.

"No, just the usual one on Saturday," I say. "Though that wasn't all that well attended. This Saturday's party, on the other hand, should be, given yesterday's news..."

"Oh?" Charlotte asks. "Do spill, I've been on a plane for ten hours and catching up on sleep for about 24 beforehand to try to stave off jetlag... Has Mary gone into labour early or something?"

"Nope," I say. "Not Mary, and quite the opposite."

"Umm..." Charlotte says. "Help me out here?"

"Viks is pregnant," Stuart bluntly says as he piles Charlotte's luggage in the entrance hall.

"No way!" Charlotte gasps. "There's going to be yet another Little Angel running around in nine months' time?"

"Well, more like six," I sigh.

"This is so awesome!" Charlotte squeaks.

"Yep!" I say with forced enthusiasm.

"That sounds... Sincere," Charlotte says, making me sigh. "Oh... With Viks due in... February?"

"Yep," I say with zero enthusiasm in my voice.

"That'll make her roughly the size of a bus by the time of your wedding," Charlotte says, before giving me a gentle hug. "How many times do I have to say it, Jamie? Your. Wedding. Will. Be. Awesome."

"My. Wedding. Is being. A HEADACHE," I retort as I crash on the living room sofa with my BFF. "It's already been put back twice thanks to the damned show-"

"-The damned show that's paid your bills for the last two years," Charlotte says. "Go on."

"Ugh," I sigh. "When Stuart got down on one knee, I thought it was the most amazing, most romantic gesture humanly possible-"

"-And it is," Charlotte says.

"Booking and rebooking hotels and venues and caterers isn't my idea of 'romantic'," I sigh.

"So hire a planner, like Mary and Viks did!" Charlotte laughs.

"I don't want some generic-" I say, stopping abruptly as my BFF finishes my sentence for me.

"-Some generic ceremony everyone else has, you want it to be unique for you and Stuart," Charlotte says, letting out a long sigh. "You've got to be prepared to put in the work for that, Jamie. But it will be worth it, it will be a memory you cherish for the rest of your life." I smile sadly as Charlotte gets a wistful, faraway look in her eyes- a look that's become very familiar to me.

"You WILL get there with Keith," I whisper, giving Charlotte's hand a gentle squeeze. "He clearly adores you just as much as he did five years ago, he realises that you're more mature now, you're not going to make the mistakes of the past."

"Oh believe me," Charlotte snorts. "Those lessons are WELL learned."

"I know," I whisper. "I was in the same 'class', remember?" Charlotte and I briefly avoid each other's gaze as painful memories of our past indiscretions come flooding back. "The point is that you and Keith will tie the knot soon, I know it. I'm half surprised you didn't elope to Las Vegas whilst you were in California..." My voice trails off as an idea forms in my head.

"Oh, I very nearly suggested it," Charlotte laughs. "Even looked it up online, you don't have to be an American citizen to get a marriage license in Las Vegas. I doubt Keith would've- Jamie? Hello, Earth to Jamie?"

"Hmm?" I mumble as Charlotte brings me back to reality. "Yes, I was listening."

"You were also THINKING," Charlotte says. "And I know you more than well enough to know WHAT you were thinking."

"...It's not like we can't have another, proper, big ceremony at some point in the future," I say. "I don't want me and Stuart to be one of those couples who spends their whole lives engaged without getting married. Ten months is long enough."

"It really isn't," Charlotte says. "And you have to think about everyone else, especially your parents- you're their only child, I'm sure they'd be devastated if you eloped without telling them."

"Only child who they abandoned for three years," I snort.

"Whoa, just- whoa," Charlotte says firmly. "Yes, they abandoned you for three years, but for the past five they've given you nothing but unconditional support. And then Stuart would have to agree to it too-"

"What would I have to agree to?" My fiancé asks as he enters the lounge and sits down next to me, giving me a long kiss on my cheek.

"We've just been discussing your wedding," Charlotte says smugly.

"Including the vast amounts of stress the wedding's been causing for the bride?" Stuart asks.

"Mostly, yes," Charlotte says as I shoot a look of pure fury at her. "In fact, the bride seems to think that the best solution would be for the two of you-"

"Don't," I growl, which only makes Charlotte's smile even wider.

"-To get on a plane to Las Vegas and get married immediately," Charlotte giggles as I roll my eyes in embarrassment and frustration.

"...Let's do it," Stuart says, making my jaw drop.

"Wh- what?" I ask. "You- are you serious?"

"Yeah," Stuart nods. "When I asked you to marry me, I wasn't thinking about a big, fancy wedding, I was thinking about the rest of my life, which I'll spend with the woman I adore."

"Oh my god," I whisper as tears form in the corners of my eyes. "But- but what about my parents?"

"They'll understand," Stuart says, before letting out a long sigh. "...We'll call them tonight, see what they say. Do you reckon, you know, your dad would be disappointed not to get the chance to walk you down the aisle?"

"For the first twenty years of my life, he didn't even know he'd ever get that opportunity," I shrug.

"And he can always walk ME down the aisle instead," Charlotte says. "Not like anyone else will..."

"Ugh, and I'm gonna deny you the chance to be a maid of honour too," I sigh. "Actually, you know what? Stupid idea, let's just forget it."

"No," Charlotte says firmly. "Your wedding should be what you both want. And if you both want this, then you should go for it! Besides, I'm still technically on holiday for another few days, I've been careful with my money these last few months, careful enough to afford a short-notice return ticket to Vegas..."

"What about Keith?" I ask.

"Which one?" Charlotte laughs.

"Either," I say.

"They can both come too," Charlotte shrugs.

"Another ten hour nonstop flight for a one year old?" I ask.

"He can stop with his grandparents for a couple of days, then," Charlotte says. "Jamie... You need to do what you want to do. Don't let me, or your parents, or my son tell you otherwise."

"...Okay," I say as my heart starts to beat faster. "Stu... Fancy a weekend in Vegas?"

"I do," Stuart says, making me laugh nervously.

Less than three hours later, Stuart and I have placed two full overnight cases in the entrance hall (mine is more full than his, obviously), and have printed out boarding passes for our flights- one leaving tomorrow, the other returning on Sunday.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Stuart whispers as he stares at his passport.

"You- you do still want to, don't you?" I ask.

"Of course," Stuart whispers. "It's just- it's just a bit sudden, heh."

"Think that's the whole point to eloping," I mumble. "Should- should we call my parents now, or wait until we're in America?"

"Better get it over and done with," Stuart says, handing me my phone. I take a deep breath as I hit the speed dial number for my parents' house and put the phone on speaker.

"Hello?" My mum's voice asks as she answers the phone.

"Hi mum!" I say, my voice nervous but happy.

"Hello Jamie!" Mum coos. "To what do we owe this rare honour of a phone call from our daughter?"

"Ha ha," I sarcastically reply. "I'm just calling because... Stuart and I, we- we're going away for the weekend."

"A weekend break?" Mum asks. "Good, I'm glad the two of you are getting a holiday this year, even if it is just a weekend! Going anywhere nice?"

"Actually... Yes," I say hesitantly.

"We- we're going to Las Vegas," Stuart says.

"Oh- okay," mum says. "Odd choice for a romantic getaway, but I suppose you could always have fun at the casinos..."

"...And go to one of the wedding chapels," I say, silencing my mother. "Mum, we- we're going to elope."

"Oh," mum says in a quiet, clipped voice. "I see. Mark!"

"What is it?" Dad asks in the background as I grimace.

"Looks like I won't have to get a new dress for Jamie's wedding after all!" Mum says, making me frown despite Stuart's comforting hug.

"Mum, it's not like that," I sigh. "We- the wedding's causing so much stress, it's constantly being put back, we're having to factor in the TV cameras, we- that is, Stuart and I... We just want the wedding to be about ourselves."

"Weddings usually are about the couple who are getting married," mum retorts.

"Yes, yes, I know..." I sigh. "I- I knew this was a bad idea."

"Jamie," dad says softly. "The day you get married is the most special, most magical day of your life. It's a memory you'll carry with you forever, and you need to make it a happy one. Do you really believe you'll get that in some chapel in Las Vegas?"

"...If Stuart's there with me, then yes," I reply after a pause.

"Then I hope you get a video we can watch when you get home," dad says. "You take care, Jamie. I- we, um, we love you. Both of you."

"Thanks, Mark," Stuart awkwardly whispers.

"I love you too, mum, dad," I say. "We kinda have to get an early night, our flight leaves at 6am..."

"You rest up," mum says. "We'll see you when you get back. And don't forget that video!"

"We won't!" I laugh, my heart fluttering as the call ends.

"We're really doing this then?" Stuart giggles, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

"We are, yeah!" I nervously laugh. "We, um, we should probably get some rest, we do have to be up early-" I'm abruptly cut off mid-sentence as Stuart surprises me with a deep, passionate kiss- a kiss I'm all too happy to reciprocate, especially as Stuart lowers my skirt and begins to peel my bodysuit off of my hot, perspiring body...

My body is still tingling as my alarm wakes me at 3:30am, the excitement over the trip more than compensating for my tiredness at being up at such an early hour. I take a quick shower and try to disguise my lack of sleep with a full face of make-up, before pulling on a comfortable bra and thong set, a loose, knee-length summer dress and a pair of well-worn cork wedges. After Stuart's had his chance to shower and dress (in a loose pair of jeans and a t-shirt, naturally), the two of us grab our cases and head downstairs, where we find Charlotte and Keith waiting for us with expectant looks on their faces.

"And what time do you call this?" My BFF asks. "Our plane leaves in a couple of hours, you know!"

"What- 'our' plane?" I retort. "Who- why-"

"You really think I'm going to let my BFF get married and NOT be there for her?" Charlotte asks.

"But- but what about Keith junior-" I babble, my emotions overwhelmed by Charlotte's gesture.

"With his grandparents," Keith senior chuckles. "Where he was going to be this weekend anyway. Come on, we've not got all day."

"Oh my god," I sniffle, barely holding back tears as I give my BFF a tight hug.

"Now come on!" Charlotte urges me. "Plane!"

"Right!" I laugh, drying my eyes and following Charlotte and Keith out to his car.

Less than two hours later, the four of us are sat in our cramped economy seats, almost breathless with anticipation as the aeroplane thunders along the runway before bearing us westward toward the United States.

"Ugh," Charlotte says as she heads toward us, stretching her tired limbs. "These seats were NOT worth what we paid for them! I wish Soixante-Trois did transatlantic flights, THEY know how to pamper their passengers..."

"Trust me, it's worse for me," Stuart sighs as he fidgets in his seat. "Hoped I'd get some sleep, but I don't think I'm ever going to get used to flying with- well, 'with'."

"Hopefully 'with' will be fine when we land," I tease. "It does have an upcoming wedding night to look forward to..."

"It will perform to the best of its abilities," Stuart reassures me. "Though, obviously..."

"Hey, you didn't hear me complaining last night, did you?" I ask my fiancé, making him giggle.

"I could barely hear anything, what with all the shouting," Stuart whispers, making me blush.

"Ooh, is little Jamie still a screamer?" Charlotte asks, making my cheeks even redder.

"I'll let you know once I get my hearing aid installed," Stuart laughs, earning a playful punch in the ribs from me.

"Try and get some sleep," I hiss. "When we land it'll still only be 8am."

"Perfect," Charlotte giggles. "Plenty of time to pick out a dress!" I smile as Charlotte returns to her seat and the view outside the plane changes from being the uniform blue of the Atlantic Ocean to the multi-coloured hues of the continent of North America.

Before long, our landing gear lowers and the four of us step out into the warm morning air, taking several deep breaths to clear our minds.

"So, how many times have you been to America now?" Charlotte asks me as the boys load our luggage into the waiting taxi.

"Umm, this'll be my fourth," I say. "Heh, all four times have been post-op... How about you?"

"Ninth," Charlotte says proudly. "Used to come here a lot with dad- well, New York, usually, not Vegas... This'll actually only be the third time I've been here since he died."

"And the second time was only last week," I whisper, sighing as Charlotte solemnly nods.

"Hey, boys!" Charlotte yells, instantly perking up. "How many times have you two been to America now?"

"Four," Stuart replies.

"Seven, including last week," Keith says. "We always said, well, 'we' meaning the guys, that we wanted to come to Vegas one time for a stag do..."

"Make sure you bring him back in one piece," I say, sticking my tongue out at the boys as I slide onto the back seat of the taxi alongside Charlotte.

After checking into our hotel and dropping off our luggage, the four of us head toward the marriage bureau we'd located earlier on Google maps. To save time, Stuart and I had filled in a marriage pre-application form online, meaning we get sped through the process to get our license- though as the process only costs $77, and there's not much of a queue (or, as they say in America, a line), Charlotte and Keith also take the opportunity to get a license, which they pose with for a selfie once the four of us leave the bureau.

"Okay," Charlotte giggles. "We're only in Vegas for two days. Tomorrow is the wedding. That means we only have one day to get your dress! Eee, this is so exciting! And boys, you need to get shopping too, you are NOT getting married looking like that!"

"...Yes ma'am," Stuart sighs as Charlotte and I giggle even louder. Stuart's never been a fan of clothes shopping, and neither has Keith, which makes the looks on their faces as they head toward the nearest clothes store all the funnier!

"I hope you've left room in your suitcase to bring this back!" Charlotte giggles a little later as I do a twirl in a very fancy gown. The dress is strapless, has a laced-in bodice, a slender, long skirt and intricate lace detailing all throughout its length... And is absolutely PERFECT.

"I'll make room," I sigh happily. "This one. Definitely this one."

"Whoa, no rush, Jamie!" Charlotte giggles. "Yeah, I ordered the boys to rush, but that's because they're BOYS. And we have dozens more dresses to try on!"

"'We'?" I ask my BFF, who smiles coyly.

"Maid of honour dresses?" Charlotte asks.

"Tell you what," I say. "As we're the exact same size, WE can try on twice as many maid of honour dresses if I pick out my bridal gown now, right?"

"No," Charlotte retorts, "Because it wouldn't be ME trying them on!"

"Exactly," I say with a smug grin. "So the sooner I pick my dress, the sooner you get to pick yours!"

"Jamie..." Charlotte sighs. "I- I just want you to enjoy this moment while it lasts. Think about it- you'll never have to pick another wedding dress again. If you pick that dress, it'll be the last wedding dress you ever wear. It's an important decision, Jamie. You can't take it lightly."

"I'm not," I say, though deep down, I know that what Charlotte says is true. I've spent ten long months looking forward to my wedding, and now it's upon me, it feels almost anticlimactic. I've tried on dozens of wedding dresses over the last year, but only five in the bridal boutique we're in now- and yet, the dress I'm wearing, much like my relationship with Stuart, just feels so right...

"I'll take it," I say to the happy sales assistant, who grins and prepares the dress for transport back to the hotel whilst Charlotte flashes me a sad smile.

"Decision made," my BFF whispers.

"Not for you," I giggle, directing Charlotte toward the vast selection of bridesmaids dresses. After several hours, she eventually selects a dress that similar in style to mine- strapless, and with a laced-in bodice- only in a deep burgundy colour.

Charlotte and I meet up with Keith and Stuart back at our hotel at just after 8pm, but despite the early hour, all four of us are exhausted, having been awake almost constantly for 24 hours.

We all opt for an early night, though Charlotte insists on keeping alive the tradition that a groom must not see the bride on the night before the wedding, so Charlotte and I end up sharing a bed, whilst Keith and Stuart presumably do the same- a thought that Charlotte and I share several giggles about as we try to get to sleep.

The following morning, I'm awake for hours before my alarm goes off at 6am, and as I swing my bare legs out of bed, I feel my breathing get faster and faster, until I'm eventually having a full-blown panic attack.

"Whoa, whoa, Jamie," Charlotte says, instantly springing to my side and giving me a tight hug. "Take deep breaths, deep breaths..."

"I- I'm sorry," I gasp between breaths. "I- I don't know- don't know what-"

"Just calm down first," Charlotte says as my breathing returns to normal. "It's your wedding day, obviously you're going to be anxious, any girl would be."

"Even girls like me?" I ask.

"What 'girls like you'?" Charlotte asks. "After five years you should realise what I've realised- there's no 'girls like you' or 'girls like me'... There's just, you know, girls. Get showered, I'll make us some coffee, then we'll get your make-up on, get you into your dress... When are you booked into your chapel?"

"Eleven," I say. "That'll be 7pm at home, give people a chance to watch along on the internet..."

"It's not the same as attending in person, but I suppose it's something," Charlotte laughs. "Doesn't give us a lot of time, though. Get showered!" I nod as I head into the hotel room's small en-suite to cleanse myself of my stress, but as I dry myself and step into the special lacy lingerie (consisting of a tight strapless bustier, a skimpy thong, a garter belt and stockings) that Charlotte and I bought yesterday, I just feel my stress levels increasing further and further.

"Ooh, you are going to get some action tonight!" Charlotte giggles. "Assuming Stuart can wait until tonight, that is!"

"Well, we're not having a reception, I guess," I say. "So no first dance, no speeches, no meal- well, unless you count a drive-through, anyway..."

"Skip to the important bits," Charlotte says with a wicked grin as she expertly applies a full layer of make-up to my face. "You are going to be the most beautiful bride ever, Stuart is SO lucky."

"No, believe me, I'm the lucky one," I laugh. "After what I did, I'm so lucky Stuart took me back, let alone proposed..."

"As long as you've learned from your mistakes, that's the important thing," Charlotte whispers. "And how long have you been back with Stuart now, a year and eight months?"

"More or less," I say. "I just- I just feel like I'm letting people down, running away like this..."

"They'll understand," Charlotte says. "You have to do what you have to do. Well, you and Stuart, anyway. Come on, most important part of the morning now!" I giggle as I step into the dress Charlotte is holding open for me, quivering nervously as she laces it shut at the back.

"...Well?" I ask, doing a slow turn for my BFF.

"The most beautiful bride in the history of the world," Charlotte whispers, clearly getting emotional herself. "Hold on, I'll get a photo, we'll send it to your parents..." I force a smile on my face as I think of my parents' reaction when they see the photo, and realise that it's something they'll never get to see in person. Almost immediately as Charlotte sends her text, her phone beeps to inform her that she's received a new message.

"They texted back already?" I ask. "I suppose it's mid-afternoon in England so they'll definitely be up and about..."

"No, it's from Keith," Charlotte laughs. "Ehh... He may or may not have handcuffed your fiancé to the bed last night."

"Oh for god's sake," I sigh.

"You'll just have to think of something different to do to himself yourself, then!" Charlotte giggles. "Wait right there, I'll be right back." I smile as I sit down on the bed, taking care not to wrinkle my dress, though inside, I'm more nervous than ever, and when I pick up my phone to idly browse through Facebook, I suddenly realise why I'm so nervous.

For the past two months, I've criticised Stephanie for trying to solve her problems by running away from them. Now here I am, sat in a hotel room in Las Vegas, doing the exact same thing... Only I've run even further away than she did. If I marry Stuart today, I'll still have the same problems waiting for me when I return- anxiety over my university grade, worry over the future of the Angels' show... The only difference is that I'll be Stuart's wife, rather than his fiancée- meaning no more worry about wedding planning, but also no wedding to look forward to, no hen night, no reception, no first dance...

I shake my head in frustration, trying to clear away the doubt, but as hard as I try, I can't help but feel that getting married today, right now, would only add to my problems rather than help to solve them. I let out a long, tired sigh before reaching for my phone and dialling the speed dial number for Stuart.

"Hello?" Stuart asks as he answers the phone. "Jamie? Why are you calling, you don't believe that stupid superstition about seeing the bride in her dress, do you?"

"No," I tease. "Though I do prefer not to see my fiancé handcuffed to the bed..."

"Ugh, you heard about that," Stuart sighs as I giggle. "Keith's gone to get something to pick the lock... We'll be at the chapel by eleven, I promise."

"You don't sound so sure about that," I say, noting the tell-tale way my fiancé is forcing himself to sound enthusiastic.

"No, Keith reckons he'll have the cuffs off in no time," Stuart says.

"I mean... You don't sound so sure about wanting to go to the chapel at all," I say solemnly.

"...I will admit, this isn't how I imagined I'd spend my wedding day," Stuart says. "And I don't mean handcuffed to a bed, I mean... I thought I'd be surrounded by my friends, my family, my dad... Haven't even got my first choice best man here, Mikey doesn't even know we've come to Vegas."

"I know what you mean," I sigh.

"I mean," Stuart continues, "I should be thinking about my vows, thinking about enjoying the ceremony, but all I can think about is not oversleeping tomorrow and missing our flight, and then, when we get home, we'll have to find a place of our own, we won't even get a proper honeymoon as you have to be back at work on Monday."

"...Do you want- do you want to call the wedding off?" I ask, my voice a hushed whisper.

"THE wedding?" Stuart asks. "Not a chance. THIS wedding? ...Probably. I mean, I want to marry you. I NEED to marry you. Just- not like this."

"I know what you mean," I whisper.

"Hang on," Stuart whispers, taking his phone away from his ear and- judging by the clicking noises- opening an app.

"Stu?" I ask.

"There," Stuart says determinedly. "May 13th next year. It's a Saturday, it's far enough from anyone's birthday that it won't clash with anything."

"What about it?" I ask.

"That's the day we get married," Stuart says confidently. "No matter which of our friends are pregnant, or on holiday, or ill, and no matter what the TV crew are doing, that's the date on which we get married. And if anyone has a problem with that, it's their problem, not ours."

"I believe we said the same thing about August 6th this year," I snort. "Which, in case you haven't noticed, is actually today."

"And we should have stuck to our guns," Stuart says. "We should've said 'no, we're not putting it back, we're getting married today, you work around us, Joshua'. Then we'd be in that church you loved, surrounded by the people we love, rather than in a crappy hotel in Las Vegas."

"...You're right," I whisper.

"Keith's just come back," Stuart says. "I'll let him know what we decided, and I'll see in a bit, okay?"

"Okay," I say. "I love you, Stuart."

"I love you, Jamie," Stuart whispers, before ending the call. I lay back on the bed as a wave of relief washes over me, even despite the knowledge that I've just wasted thousands of pounds on flights to Vegas, on the wedding dress, the wedding lingerie, the marriage license...

"Here comes the bride...smaid!" Charlotte giggles as she re-enters our room. "Hey, do you reckon Stuart will be able to carry you across the threshold with his groin the way it is? I mean, I know you weigh virtually nothing, but still-"

"The wedding's off," I say, halting Charlotte in her tracks. "Not permanently, obviously, but Stuart and I- we've talked, and we agreed that this- this isn't really the way we want to get married."

"Oh," Charlotte says stoically. "I see."

"I'm really sorry, Charlie," I sigh. "I- we'll reimburse you for the flights, you and Keith. I'll find some way of making it up to you for keeping you away from your son, too-"

"Take off your dress," Charlotte suddenly orders.

"Umm, what?" I ask.

"Dress. Off. Now," Charlotte demands. With a confused look on my face, I obey, standing before my BFF in just my lacy white lingerie as a determined smile creeps across her face.

Twenty minutes later, I descend the stairs into the hotel lobby wearing a determined smile of my own- as well as the same burgundy dress Charlotte had picked out yesterday. I giggle as Keith comes over to me with a lustful look in his eye, only to be confused when he sees my hair.

"Char- Jamie?" Keith asks, making me nod as I giggle bashfully. "Wondered why your hair had grown a foot overnight... Why are you wearing Charlotte's dress?"

"Ooh, I think I might know why," Stuart giggles as he gives me a tender kiss. As one, the three of us stare back up the staircase I've just descended, at the top of which is a vision of pure beauty- my BFF, in the same strapless gown I was wearing less than an hour ago, clutching a beautiful pink bouquet of flowers.

"Ch- Charlotte?" Keith asks, a look of utter terror filling his eyes.

"What do you say?" Charlotte shrugs. "We DO have that license, after all..."

Exactly one hour later, I find myself literally jumping for joy as Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' plays and Keith walks down the aisle of the small chapel we'd booked, hand in hand with his new wife.

"Oh my god oh my god!" I squeak as Charlotte and Keith give myself and Stuart- the maid of honour and best man respectively- big hugs. "Hello, Mrs Charlotte Hartley!"

"This is- this is a dream!" Charlotte laughs.

"It's no dream," Keith laughs, giving his new wife a long kiss. "If it is... I don't want to wake up.

"Nor do I," Stuart whispers in my ear, before giving me a soft kiss on my bare neck. And in truth, I wouldn't want to wake up either.

"Hey Jamie," Charlotte yells. "Catch!" I giggle as Charlotte throws her bouquet through the air, landing neatly in my outstretched hand.

"May 13th," I laugh as I wave the bouquet in Stuart's face, before taking his hand, leading him out of the chapel and toward the future...

Needless to say, when we returned to England unmarried, our parents were somewhat disappointed, though when they realised that it meant that they could properly attend our wedding, they were more than happy with our decision, and immediately freed their calendars for the whole of the middle of May next year! Dad was particularly pleased- he'd got very used to the idea of walking me down the aisle.

Likewise, our friends were all happy to learn that we hadn't eloped at all- but they were ecstatic when they discovered that Keith and Charlotte had, to the extent that Viks insisted on sharing her 'pregnancy party' with the happy couple as a double celebration. All our friends also, naturally, cleared their calendars for May, even though it's a long, long way away, and there's no guarantee that nine months from now, we'll still be Angels, still be living in London- or that we'll still even be friends.

Anything can happen over the next nine months, but I know that no matter what, I'll always love Stuart- and I'll always, always love Charlotte. She truly is the sister I never had, just as I am to her. I'll always have her back, just as she'll always have mine- the only difference is that now, I have a brand-new brother-in-law to watch my back too!

Whatever the future has in store, no matter how challenging it is... I'm ready. Or should I say: WE'RE ready.