I GOT MARRIED to my best mate

Bree always imagined she’d nd her fairytale romance

Cheeks flushed from the wine, I suggested to my mate Nath that we made a pledge.

‘If we still haven’t met anyone by 40, let’s get married!’ 19-year-old me proposed, clinking my glass with his.

‘Done!’ he said, wrapping one arm around me as he took a swig of beer.

Besties since we were kids, Nath and I caught up as often as we could.

Aged 35, I was dumped by my boyfriend of four years, and Nath was comforting me the best way he knew how – helping me prop up a bar.

I had thought this guy was The One, but here

I was single again.

‘I just want to be a mum,’ I burst into tears.

‘You’ll be the best mum ever, Bree,’ Nath reassured me. ‘You’re amazing and any guy would be lucky to have you.’

Still worried, I had tests a few weeks later to gauge the quantity and quality of my eggs.

As the doctor looked at my results, I knew she had bad news.

‘If I were you, I’d start trying straight away,’ she urged. I guess it’s now or never,

I reasoned.

But how would I start a brood on my own? I don’t want to be a single mum, I thought. Back home, I flicked through dating apps on my phone. I messaged a few guys, but no-one replied.

I’m all alone, I groaned, sure I’d never meet a man, let alone have a child.

Then a foggy memory came back to me.

Nath had said he’d be my hubby.

Sure, I wasn’t 40 yet, but this was a special situation.

Like me, my bestie was single and wanted kids of his own one day. Could I do it with Nath?

I wondered, imagining my goofy buddy. But he was lovely, and very kind. Meet me at the local?

I texted him, hitting ‘send’ before I chickened out.

Buying him a beer, I let him take a gulp before I outlined my proposition.

Smiling, I finished with, ‘You did promise, Nath.’

After a short pause he said suddenly, ‘Let’s do it!’

What?! I panicked, not expecting him to answer quite so quickly.

‘But we’ll have to get married. Just think how much fun it will be!’ he laughed.

And he was right. Surrounded by our nearest and dearest, our big day six months later was a roaring success.

‘I always knew you two would wind up together,’ my girlfriend Maria winked.

‘You’re the perfect couple,’ my mum, Nora, chorused.

I didn’t dare tell anyone how our union had come to be. I adored Nath, but had never loved him like that. I’d wanted the fairytale, but I’d settled for friendship… And you! I smiled, stroking my belly.

No-one could tell, and I was sipping sparkling apple juice from a champagne flute. But I was already eight weeks along.

Like old times, Nath and I had had a few drinks and awkwardly made our way into the bedroom – several times – after our chat.

Amazingly, I fell pregnant really quickly.

Four years on, we have two beautiful bubs. From the outside, everyone thinks we’re the perfect couple and madly in love. They have no idea we only see each other as friends.

But I feel incredibly blessed that I truly did marry my best mate! ●

I was sure I’d never meet a man, let alone have a child