Chapter Twelve

 

*** Epilogue – Three Months Later ***

 

* ZACH *

 

I wasn’t used to being nervous or stressed out, especially since the sale on the resort chain had finalized two weeks ago. But I couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous as I stood under a makeshift flower arch on Barnacle Beach and waited for my bride to appear from the other side of the rock quarry. How else should one feel when they were on the verge of marrying the most beautiful woman in the world?

I glanced over at my brother Logan, and he smiled reassuringly at me. He was, of course, my best man. He was dressed similarly to me in khaki shorts and a white button down shirt. The whole bridal party was dressed casually, as a matter of fact. Abby had wanted it that way. On my other side, Kelsey stood wearing a bright red sundress. She would be serving as Abby’s maid of honor. We had all brought jackets with us just in case, but the island’s winter weather was even warmer than usual. It was too cold to go for a swim, but warm enough that standing on the beach in the sunshine was quite pleasant.

Of course, also in attendance was Julia, holding my sweet niece Maisie in her arms. Maisie was the honorary flower girl, and looked adorable in her little red dress. She was still too young to actually walk and throw petals, but that was okay. This whole ceremony was a bit non-traditional anyway.

The only other guests were Megan, now six months pregnant, and her fiancé Trent. I’d teased both Trent and Logan about the fact that I was beating them down the aisle, but it had all been up to Abby and what she wanted. And, oddly enough, the wedding planner herself had wanted a short, simple wedding, with only her closest friends. She didn’t want her own wedding to feel like “work.” We had decorated a small spot on the beach with local driftwood and flowers, just like the wedding three months ago that had made her famous. That was enough decorations for Abby. She was quite happy with the way things had turned out.

Joe the bartender would officiate the service. I found it hilarious that Joe was a licensed minister on the side, but I was glad. I liked the guy, and was happy to have him conduct our wedding. He told me he’d gotten licensed as a joke, but that now he was the go-to guy on the island for local weddings.

After the wedding, we’d be heading to Joe’s Sandbar for a reception with whichever locals wanted to show up. I figured most of them would come. They all loved a good party, and they were finally accepting me into their crowd. Selling the resort had helped, but so had the enormous donation I’d made to the town library. I’d also already volunteered dozens of hours to community service here on Driftwood Island. This place was my home now, and its locals were my family. I had found a renewed purpose in devoting my time and resources to making the Island a better place for everyone in the community.

Of course, my favorite person in the community was Abby. I fidgeted nervously as I waited for her to appear. After the article in Vogue had praised her wedding planning skills, her business had really taken off. She deserved the recognition and so did Julia. The last-minute wedding cake Julia had made had been featured in the Vogue article, and now the Conch Shell Café was a more popular destination than ever for resort guests. Life was good. Families were growing, businesses were thriving, and love was blossoming.

And I was losing my breath as Abby finally appeared. She was a vision to behold in a sleeveless, knee-length sundress of pure white. Her eyes, accented by simple makeup, shone as she met my gaze. Her hair hung around her shoulders in loose, crazy curls. My beautiful, beautiful mess. Oh how I loved her.

When she finally made it to stand beside me at the altar, all I could say was, “Wow.”

She grinned at me and blushed, the color on her cheeks only making her more beautiful. There, on the most beautiful beach on Driftwood Island, we promised to love each other forever. At the end of the short, sweet ceremony, our friends cheered, and Joe pulled out a surprise bottle of bubbly and popped the cork. He’d even thought to bring along a little apple juice box for Maisie. Everyone toasted our marriage, and then we all headed back to the parking lot to get in our cars and go to Joe’s Sandbar.

I would be riding with Abby in her car, which had been decorated to the max with white streamers, bells, and window paint. Abby laughed when she saw it. “Who did this? And how did they manage to do so much in the short time I was away for the ceremony?”

I laughed. “You know how sneaky the local rascals can be. I’m sure they’ll be waiting at Joe’s to laugh at your car. But this reminds me…I have a wedding present for you.”

“Zach! We agreed we weren’t going to exchange gifts. The rings are enough of a present.”

“I know, but I couldn’t resist. Here.” I reached into the pocket of the jacket I’d brought, and I pulled out a glossy new bumper sticker. I handed the sticker to Abby, and she looked down at it, then back up at me.

“‘Just Married’, huh? Trying to let everyone know that I’m already claimed.”

I shrugged. “Of course. I want everyone to know you’re mine. Besides, I do think it’s a nice addition to the mess of stickers, don’t you?”

Abby smiled. “I do. I’ll put it right next to the Wedding Crashers sticker. And now, you’re not ever allowed to complain about the bumper stickers on my car again.”

I laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it. They’re ridiculous. But they’re very you. At first I couldn’t understand why you refused to let me buy you a new car, but now I understand. You’ve taught me that it’s okay to be a little wild, and it’s okay to be a little bit of a mess. I wouldn’t change a thing about you, Abby. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I nuzzled her nose with mine, then leaned in for a kiss. I could hardly believe I was kissing my wife. I was happy she’d wanted to get married so quickly. Knowing she was officially mine filled me with the deepest happiness I’d ever known.

“Hey, you two lovebirds,” Logan called out. “Are you gonna come to the reception, or are you just gonna make out on the beach all evening.”

Abby giggled, and I grinned at her.

“Come on, Love. Give me your car keys. Time for me to drive us off into the sunset in your fabulous stickermobile.”

“You know you love it,” she teased.

“I love you, and that’s all that matters,” I replied.

And it was true. Everything else had come together perfectly, but that was all just a bonus—Abby was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and nothing could top the joy that came from knowing she was mine. She’d shown me how wonderful paradise could truly be.

 

* * *

 

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