I was getting married. Married. Me. Beatrice.

Even as Thea, Tori, and Penelope threw their arms around me to congratulate me, it was difficult to wrap my head around. I had specifically come to the States to get married. It was the biggest mistake of my life, I thought.

But now, as a coat of warmth enveloped me, I realized that everything I went through with Stan was worth it. Because in the end, I was marrying the man of my dreams. This time, I wasn’t going to be left alone without some semblance of goodbye. I had the love and support of his daughter. And, while I didn’t know Megyn, I hoped she was looking down at us with her own personal blessing. I couldn’t marry him unless I knew for sure he had healed as much as he could from her. I could understand loss and sadness, but I didn’t want to compete with a memory, with history. Megyn’s memory would always win.

“Well?” Max asked, coming up behind us. “What are you waiting for? Go get your marriage license! I would offer you some champagne, but I think marriage is more important than alcohol. I’ll make sure to drink one for you both.”

Tori slapped his arm playfully and I couldn’t help but grin.

Will offered me his hand and I took it. He hailed a cab and we were on our way to the courthouse.

“Oh,” I mumbled, a thought springing to my mind. “I know I already said yes…”

Will whipped his head to look at me, his pale green eyes wide. “You cannot possibly be taking back your acceptance of my proposal,” he grumbled. “No taksie-backsies.”

I laughed. “No.” I reached out in an effort to reassure him. “I just...” I fiddled with my skirt. “I know you have Thea, and you know I adore her, but I would like to have my own children as well. I don’t want this to blow up in our faces if you’re okay with just Thea.”

Will paused, thinking. Some of the tension left him as he considered my words.

“We were lucky to have Thea,” Will admitted. “For the longest time, I thought she would be my only child and I accepted that. But to know we could have more...” He shook his head, smiling. “I would like that. I would like that very much.”

I let out a little squeal and pulled him into a kiss.

By the time we returned to the yacht, everything was already set up for us. There was a makeshift aisle with two sides of plastic chairs and somehow an alter was made with flowers and a podium that should not have surprised me. Naturally, Max had everything.

Everyone was dressed up. Thea had on her flower girl dress, Tori had a simple black strappy dress, and Max was in a suit. Even Penelope had a cute purple dress on.

“And Bodhi?” I asked when I noticed he was missing.

“Driving the car back,” Max explained. “Too much to drink already? Can the captain even legally marry you?” He joked, and then looked at both of us. “Now, you guys need to change. Get me your certificate and get dolled up.”

Thea stepped forward and offered me her hand. I felt tears spring into my eyes as she led me to the room I shared with her father. We stepped in and she immediately went over to the closet and started looking through my clothes. I didn’t have much so it didn’t take her long until she found a white summer dress with a thin blue belt that wrapped around my waist. I wasn’t sure what the weather was going to be like so I packed it just in case. Looking at it now, I realized this was the perfect dress for today.

“Thea,” I murmured, taking the dress from her. “Before we do this, I want to make sure you’re okay with it. I know you like me, but liking me and me being part of your life forever are two different things. If this is going too fast for you, just let me know and I can call it off. I won’t even tell anyone the reason why.”

Thea looked up at me with big eyes. “I want you to marry my daddy.” She shifted nervously. “You make him smile. Last time he smiled like that was with my mommy.”

I felt my eyes water up with tears as I pulled her into a hug. When I finally released her, I took a few deep breaths. “Okay, so let’s go get married.”

Thea made a face. “I’m not getting married.”

With a laugh, I nodded. “Of course you are. I’m not just tying my life your father, I’m going to be part of your life too.”

She threw her arms around my neck. “Then let’s get married.”

We all held hands during the ceremony. I swear I saw Will tear up a little during our vows. And when we finally kissed, we barely kept it rated PG.

When he pulled back, Will whispered in my ear, “I’m so sorry. I think I was getting a little carried away.”

I laughed. “Let’s get carried away together after we eat.”

“Must we wait that long?” He waggled his eyebrows at me.

“You can’t possibly think I’m going to skip out on the cake.” I smirked. “Let’s make a deal.”

“We’re married. Isn’t that the biggest deal of all?” Will chuckled.

“Maybe, but a happy marriage is punctuated with a bunch of teeny tiny deals. This can be our first.” I clasped my hands under my chin and grinned like a fool while his hands wrapped around my waist. He pulled me against him and his head came closer to mine. I found myself staring at his lips, completely mesmerized. Shaking my head, I moaned. “Stop. Please. I can’t think when you’re touching me like that.”

Will smiled before changing directions and moving to murmur in my ear. His words tickled my skin and had shivers of longing racing up and down my spine. “I want you, Bea. And you clearly want me too. Still, I’m willing to wait to make tonight special.”

I didn’t want him to think I was ungrateful. “Every bit of this has been special.”

“Here’s my deal. We have a toast. We eat some cake. And then we sneak off together, but I want you to give me a five-minute head start.” He drew back and cupped my cheek. “Deal?”

My heart raced and I tried to imagine a time when I’d ever deny him anything. I nodded absently. “How will I know?”

“You’ll know.” Will grinned.

More than an hour passed, yet my desire didn’t wane. In fact, as we exchanged looks over the rims of our flutes, or fed each other cake, I swear it intensified. I was about ready to give in. I practically prayed he’d throw me over his shoulder and carry me to our cabin. Finally, he stood behind me while I stared out over the railing and watched the sun sink over the horizon. “Five minutes,” he whispered in my ear. Then he kissed his way down my neck.

“Mmhm,” I moaned. By the time I turned around, he’d disappeared. Instead, I found myself studying the scene unfolding on the deck. Thea and Penelope were sitting on opposite loungers laughing and eating cake. Victoria and Max were swaying to some music I didn’t hear. All this while the yacht made its way back to Westport. Instantly, I knew I had made the right decision, tying my life to Will, Thea, and, by proxy, our friends. Slowly, I wandered to our cabin. When I reached the door, I tapped on it.

“I hope it’s my wife,” Will called out.

I pushed the door open and leaned in the doorway. “Guilty.” Then I saw him, standing there in all his nearly-naked glory, wearing nothing but a towel. With a shy giggle, I quickly closed the door behind me.