yes.”
There’s a glint of something that might be light but exuberant exasperation. I’m putting her on the spot in front of all these people. I’m forcing her hand, almost, like I’ve done before. And for a fleeting second, my heart skips a beat because what if she says no?
I’ll die. I’ll chase after her. I’ll—
“Yes.” She’s smiling at me and I am so in love with her.
I take her hand and slide the ring onto her finger. Then I stand and pick her up and twirl her around slowly as she kisses me.
Everyone cheers.
A champagne bottle pops.
But the only thing I’m aware of is the taste of her lips and the beauty of this moment and this stunning, perfect girl.
She said yes.
The grand opening of Luna’s was a magical night. Gage hired an army of security and the Tucker Brothers Band played under a full moon on New Year’s Eve. We danced and laughed and sang along.
Since then, the businesses have been going exceptionally well. The hotel and spa are booked months in advance and the restaurant is packed every night. We have a full events calendar and the yacht has been a popular party venue.
The house is more than I could have dreamed of. It has huge double-glazed windows rimmed with steel, Dade pine ceilings and lots of open, light-filled, airy spaces. It’s decorated with colorful art and leafy, tropical plants. I absolutely adore it.
Gage and I got married at his summer “cottage” on the beach on Lake Michigan. It’s a beautiful place and I’ve fallen in love with it. It’s a rambling old house with modern updates. It has views from every window, a dock and we even have a fishing boat. We spend weeks at a time there and it has become our second home.
We’ve started a tradition with Bo and Millie and Caleb and Violet to spend Christmases there with our growing families. Even Gage, who hates the holidays, is starting to get into the spirit of our festive get-togethers.
Josie and Noah and their children come out and stay with us for long weekends, either at the lake or in Key West. Their one night stand ended up creating a beautiful, thriving family. They’ve had two more babies, girls this time. Also twins. They live in Big Sur, in the house Noah designed, with views of the ocean. Funny how things work out sometimes.
For our honeymoon, Gage took me to Europe for a month. We went to London, Paris, Rome, Venice and spent a week at a villa in Tuscany. We ate good food, visited the sights and museums, and spent lazy afternoons in bed. Our lovemaking has a beauty and a bond that awes me. I can no longer imagine a life without my husband. I love him more than I knew I could love. He’s a part of me that feels as real and as important as my own body and soul.
It’s a beautiful thing, to love like we do. We don’t take it for granted. We treat it like the treasure it is.
I went off the pill just before our honeymoon and I was pregnant by the time we got home.
I cried, for all the right reasons. For the past and most of all for the future.
Gage has stayed true to his word. He’s careful with me when I need him to be. His love for me takes away my fears and doesn’t leave room for sadness. With him, I’m too happy for sadness. Just like he promised.
Our baby girl’s name is Isla. She has dark blond hair and turquoise eyes, exactly the same color as her daddy’s. Her hair has a jaunty curl to it that won’t straighten no matter what we do to it, just like mine.
Two years later we had our son, Elias. He has black hair and eyes that change color with his moods, from green to aqua, even to gold. He’s a gorgeous little boy with the same innate self-assurance as his father, who he follows around like an adoring puppy. But when he’s tired, he only wants me.
It’s evening and I’ve just finished a yoga class. I’ve found that I love teaching. Yoga and meditation can change your life and it’s fun and rewarding to watch people experience that. Some of my students have become good friends.
Once everyone has left, I turn off the lights of my studio and lock up. I go downstairs to the busy restaurant. I wave to Rico, who’s run off his feet