Mallory
Waking up with Jason’s arms wrapped around me feels like a dream. Glancing down at the ring on my finger, the early morning sunlight glinting off the diamond, reminds me it was real. Last night could not have been more perfect. I tear up a little just thinking about how much effort he had to put into making the night special. The spectacular sunset, the picnic…it was the most romantic thing I had ever seen. And when I saw him down on one knee with that box in his hand, everything was right in my world.
We stayed out there on that blanket talking and kissing until long after the sun went down.
After we left the beach, we ran into Derek and Kristen, then Isaac and Camryn, before heading back to our hut. When we arrived, I thought we would be staying in a luxurious hotel on the island. What we got was so my much more. Our huts, which don’t even begin to describe the luxuriousness of the place, are on stilts in the clear, turquoise waters. There is a wooden bridge that spans from the white, crystalline beach to each hut. Our party occupies three of the huts while the rest of our family is in the main hotel.
Luckily, they are spaced far apart, because I’m sure two were rather loud last night. I chuckle, the thought bringing a smile to my face. Whoever decided Isaac and Camryn should share a cabin was either a genius or certifiably crazy. It was rather convenient that Camryn’s room was not available due to a maintenance issue and there were no other rooms for her to stay in.
At least Isaac will get to do what he’s been wanting to do: spend uninterrupted time with Camryn. She’s been avoiding him like the plague since this summer, and her feelings for him, but maybe it’s time for her to face her fears.
“What are you smiling about?” the sleep-roughened voice asks from behind me.
“Everything. Are you sure this is real? I’m not dreaming?”
“I can pinch you to make sure.” The sting on my ass makes me yelp in surprise before he places a kiss on the back of my shoulder.
“How about we go get some breakfast?”
“I can think of something else I'd rather eat for breakfast,” he says as he starts to take playful bites of my skin.
“I need real food before you feed any more of your carnal appetites.”
“Fine,” he huffs out.” You want room service?”
“Can we go sit at one of the tables overlooking the ocean?” I ask, fluttering my lashes.
“Of course. Now, hurry up. If you’re going to deny me what I want to eat, I need real food too.” With one last kiss on my shoulder, he climbs out of bed before shimmying a pair of shorts up over that magnificent ass.
After jumping in a quick shower, I braid my hair again, and put on my royal blue sleeveless maxi dress and the Gladiator sandals I wore last night after shaking out half the beach I brought back.
Jason comes out wearing a pair of jeans that mold to his ass and thighs and a tight, dark red t-shirt.
“Jeans, really?”
“I’ll change before we head out this afternoon. What time are you and the girls supposed to meet?”
“Our appointment with the spa is at two. We’re meeting for an early lunch and a swim around eleven.”
“Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen. You don’t want to be a lobster the rest of the trip and be miserable.”
“You be careful too. Y’all are the ones who are going to sitting on a boat in the middle of the ocean for hours.”
Lying on the chase lounger, sipping a fruit drink and soaking up the sun’s warm rays, can life get any better?
Camryn is lying on one side of me, and Kristen on the other. The waiter comes back by to deliver another round of drinks and some snacks. He told us earlier we needed to stay hydrated and had been making sure we have been drinking water in between the drinks. I think he just wants to check out all the sun-kissed skin.
“Are we ready to get in the ocean? It’ll be a shame if we let all of this beautiful water go to waste,” I point out before sipping my drink.
“Hell yeah. We have about an hour before we need to head up to the spa for our makeovers,” Kris replies as she stands up, removing her hat and throwing it on the lounger.
“Makeovers? I thought we were doing massages and facials?” I ask as we walk into the water. I glance back to see Camryn is still sitting in the same spot. “Camryn, are you coming?”
“Uh yeah. Just give me a second,” she replies, fidgeting with her cover-up.
“The fish won't bite! What exactly are we having done today?”
“Massages, facials. Also, we’re getting our hair and makeup done.”
“No mani-pedi? And why hair and makeup?” I ask as we wade into the warm, salty water.
“It’s for tonight,” she answers cryptically.
“Spill it, Kris. Whatever is going on tonight, you need to let us in on.”
“Okay, as soon as Cam moves her ass!” she yells back at the beach when we realize Cam has made no moves toward the water. “And take off the cover-up. You won’t have anything dry to put back on.
“Fine,” Cam huffs out before pulling the white top over her head.
As we watch the top clear her head, all I can think is that her already big boobs are humongous in her tankini. She slowly makes her way to us in the water.
“Camryn, is there something you want to tell us?” I ask, unable to look away from her chest.
“Why would you say that?” she asks, avoiding eye contact.
“Because your boobs are huge!” Kris blurts out.
“Subtle, Kris. Yea, Cam, we have noticed you’re a little bustier than usual.”
Looking away from us, Camryn mumbles something, but I can’t make it out over the noise of the sea.
“Cam, look at us. What's going on with you?”
“I’m pregnant!” she wails, and the tears start flowing. Kristen and I stand there in shock for a second before we wrap her in a hug.
“Camryn, it will be okay. We'll get through this together. Have you told Isaac?”
“Why would I tell him?”
“Because he’s the father?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, she cries harder.
“And then what? Huh?” she asks through her tears. “He runs in the other direction. That’s what.”
“You can’t keep this from him,” I try to reason with her. “And if he does puss out, we’ll still be here.” Placing my hand on the slight swell of her belly, I say, “I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
“Me either, Cam. That baby is going to be spoiled rotten. As for Isaac, he may surprise you. You just have to give him a chance,” Kristen pipes in.
“After the trip, I’ll tell him,” she agrees, wiping the tears from her check, which is pointless since her hand is wet with sea water.
“Why wait? Tell him this weekend. That way y'all can talk without everyday life getting in the way,” I encourage.
“I don't want to take away from Kristen's weekend,” she says, looking at Kristen, “since I’m pretty sure we aren’t just here for a vacation.”
I spin toward Kristen, taking in the blinding smile lighting up her face.
“Spill. It.” I point my finger at her for emphasis.
“Derek and I are getting married!” she squeals, light dancing in her eyes.
Looking over at Camryn, I’m sure I have the same shocked expression of my face, mouth hanging wide open. Camryn is the first to react.
“Congratulations! So, this whole trip is to celebrate?” Camryn asks.
“No, we’re getting married here. Tonight. That’s why we’re getting makeovers.”
“Holy shit, Kris. That’s awesome,” I respond.
“Now that it’s out of the bag, let’s talk about that rock on your finger, Mallory.”
“Jason asked me to marry him last night!”
“Oh. My. God!” Camryn calls out.
“It was so perfect. He did it at sunset on the beach. There were candles everywhere and champagne. I’ve never been so happy. But I think it freaked him out when I started to cry.”
“I would have loved to see the look on his face before you put him out of his misery,” laughs Kristen.
Laughing back, I tell her, “Damn, you’re mean.”
I could not imagine a more romantic setting for a wedding. This puts what Jason threw together last night to shame. And it should. My best friend is about to pledge her life to the man she loves.
We spent most of the afternoon getting dolled up for tonight. Kristen had picked out tea-length peach colored chiffon dresses for us to wear with delicate spaghetti straps. They had to do some last-minute alterations to Camryn's dress to accommodate her new…um, assets. We decided to go barefoot since the wedding is on the beach. No one wants sand in their shoes. We make our way down. Camryn goes first, and I swear Isaac’s eyes are about to pop out of his head when he lays eyes on her.
Watching them walk halfway down the makeshift aisle, I turn to Jason. He looks so good in his khaki pants and white button-up shirt. I thread my arm through his as we begin to walk. Leaning down toward me, he whispers, “You look beautiful.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself. I’ll show you just how much I like it later,” I say with a wink, licking my bottom lip.
Reaching the end of the aisle, we go to our respective sides and wait for Kristen to appear. And when she does, I hear Derek’s indrawn breath. Or was it Brett's? I don’t turn to look.
As she walks down the aisle on the arm of her father, she looks gorgeous. She decided to have her hair in a partial updo with long blonde ringlets in the back, the setting sun causing a halo effect, making her look like an angel. Her strapless, ankle length dress curves to her shapely body, the slight breeze making the hem flutter around her feet. Chancing a glance at Derek, I can see how shiny his eyes are when he sees her. Once she makes it to his side, she kisses her dad on the cheek.
As the officiant begins the ceremony, I feel the tears start to roll and discreetly wipe my eyes with a tissue. As they repeat their vows to one another, their love shines through with each word.
And when they are pronounced man and wife, the amount of love shown in the kiss they share takes my breath away.
I can’t wait for that to be us, I think as I look over at Jason. Instead of watching the happy couple, he’s staring at me.
The reception is held in an outdoor pavilion closer to the hotel. The seafood dinner is superb, and the drinks flow freely.
Standing up during dinner, Brett delivers his best man speech. Catching my breath, I wait impatiently to hear what he will say, nervous with how hard he’s been hitting the bar tonight.
Tapping his knife to get everyone’s attention, he clears his throat.
“Tonight, we celebrate the marriage of my best friend to a woman who will always hold a special place in my heart.” He pauses to clear his throat. “I have known Derek since high school. He is the closest thing I have to a brother. His family is my family…” As he trails off, he looks over to Kristen. “Kristen has been in my life for six or so years. And for the most part, it was the happiest time of my life. But I screwed up and lost that happiness. Fortunately, that happiness was again found by Derek and Kristen. I wish you both years of happiness and love. If I had to relinquish her heart to someone, I could not think of a man more deserving than my brother. I know the past few months have been rough between us, but we will always be brothers. Always,” he directs at Derek. “Now, raise your glasses and let’s toast to this happy occasion. To Derek and Kristen.”
“To Derek and Kristen,” the crowd intones, glasses raised.
Slow dancing in Jason’s arms as the night wears on, I’ve never been more content in my life. Resting my head against his chest, I breathe out a sigh—a sigh of relief that my life is where I want it to be. Beside the man I love, surrounded by family and friends. The only sad note is my parents aren’t here to celebrate this life too.
“What is it?”
“I’m just happy,” I say, placing a kiss on his chest. “Thank you.”
“For what?” He looks down at me, his eyebrow arched.
“Making my dreams come true.”
“Anytime, darlin’. Anytime.” His smile when he gazes at me rivals the sun.
“Because I’m pregnant, you dipshit!” Camryn yells out, startling me from my moment of comfort. Turning, I see her stomp out of the pavilion, leaving a dumbfounded Isaac just staring at her retreating form, jaw practically on the floor.
Slipping out of Jason’s arms, I hurry over to him, and whisper, “Go after her!”
“Did she say what I think she said?” he asks, gaze not moving from where Camryn exited.
“Yes. You’re going to be a daddy. Now, man the fuck up and get out there. Her biggest fear is you would run. If you want to be with her, don’t prove her right.”
And at that, he’s running off after a fast-moving redhead.
Jason comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me as I watch his pursuit onto the moonlit beach.
“Did she just announce to the whole room she’s pregnant?” he whispers in my ear, the breath tickling.
“Yes, she did,” I answer with a smile.
“I was not expecting that.”
Chuckling, I say, “She didn’t either. She was going to tell him after we got back home.”
“And just how long have you known this little secret?” he asks, giving my hip a squeeze.
“Since this morning.”
“Isaac being a dad. Who could have pictured that? What did you say to him?”
“That if he wanted her, he needed to go after her.”
“We told him the same thing. Some things are worth the chase.”
“Now that you’ve caught me, what are you going to so with me?” I ask, turning in his arms, breasts pushing against his lower chest.
“Hold on tight and never let go.”
Leaning down, he presses his lips to mine for a brief kiss.
“If you do, I may just have to kick your ass.” I smile up at him.
Laughing, he leads me back to the party so we can celebrate the next step in our friend's lives.
Love can overcome all.