Even the beautiful song my cousin Milah sings for us becomes one more awesome moment crammed into a breathtaking day, even though my hands burn in screaming applause and she wipes a rare tear from her eye with congratulations.
By the time it’s over, people swirl around us on the balcony like restless crows.
While dinner’s being plated out, I drag Ward around to each table to thank our guests personally.
Eventually, we reach the Whinthropes’ table.
“Thank you for coming,” I say.
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Ross Winthrope says. He looks at Ward. “She’s a beauty. Keep her happy, and let her keep you honest.”
“Glad as hell we could work things out, and it’s all thanks to her,” he tells Winthrope, his arm around me tightening.
“Aww. I love you,” I whisper, pecking irresistibly at his cheek.
“Love you too, sweetheart.” He kisses my forehead.
“Paige, I don’t know what’s more beautiful—the ceremony or the reception. The lake outlined by the night skyline is hard to beat.” Mrs. Winthrope taps her husband on the shoulder and points into the distance. “Look, you can even see the new hotel site from here.”
Ross follows his wife’s finger with his eyes. “You can. How about that. Once again, I’m thankful cooler heads prevailed.”
“That makes two of us. Now we’re ahead of schedule.” Ward grins.
No sooner do we turn and step away politely than there’s another tall figure waiting. The silver tiara perched on her head catches the light and flings it back so it’s almost blinding.
“There you are! You’re a hard lady to catch.” Beatrice walks up and hugs me. “Welcome to the family. You’re the daughter I always wanted.”
Mom appears behind her. “Careful, she’s my daughter.”
“She’s a Brandt now,” Beatrice says intently.
“Maybe so, but I brought her into this world to join your lovely family.”
“Ladies, there’s plenty of me to go around! I love you, Mom,” I say. “And I love you too, Beatrice.”
“Take a page from Ward and call me Grandma. You’re family now.” Beatrice stares at Mom. “Surely, I’m allowed to call her family, right?”
Mom smiles.
“I suppose. It’s just...it’s hard losing my baby.”
Ward’s arm around me drops. He steps forward and hugs my mother.
“You’re not losing a daughter. You’re basically a Brandt now too, and I’m grateful for making my family bigger and better,” he says, his words so heavy in my ears.
After everything they’ve been through, I’m glad too. There’s something special about becoming the thread that joins Ward, Beatrice, and Nick more tightly.
Mom laughs. “Hopefully, you’ll stay out of trouble?”
“I think I have to. Your daughter gets mean when she’s mad,” he says with a wink.
Brina comes up and hugs me. “Congratulations! For the hundredth time.”
Ward extends his hand to her.
She shakes it warily.
“We’re hitched. Are we cool now?” he asks.
She cocks her head. “I’m convinced you plan to stick around, so sure, for now. But try something stupid and I’ll come at you with a fork, dude.”
Mag comes up behind her, chuckles, and slips an arm around her waist. He looks at Ward. “I’d apologize, but I think I’m doing you a favor with a glimpse of your future.”
Ward gives a shrug that says a screaming meteor impact couldn’t ruin this night.
“No problem. At least she didn’t pie me.”
One Week Later
Somewhere in Fiji, we stop to rest on a soaring cliff overlooking a mess of fairy-tale rocks surrounded by translucent waters.
It’s almost sunset, and the way the orange light stabs into the sea turns it into a perfect match for my husband’s ever electric—yes, I got it right this time—greenish-blue eyes.
Which I’m a little lost in as Ward pulls me close, slinging my legs over his lap, gingerly rubbing my foot with one hand.
“Seriously. If you don’t stop, I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to call you a Wardhole again,” I tell him, running my hands across his face.
“Damn, what then? For your information, I never stopped being your Warden.” He grabs my hand, brings it to his lips, and lights me on fire the second they meet my skin.
“You know this is forever, right?” I say with a sugary smile. “You’re going to get the worst of me, Ward. My venting, my bad hair days, my less than perfect skin after I eat my weight in cheese...you’re going to get my freakouts when our kids scrape their knees, and my questions about Nick’s sanity every time he does something majorly dumb.”
“Majorly dumb is what Nick does, so I’m with you,” he throws back with a laugh.