I’m standing on the piece of property that Spencer purchased in Antibes. A year has passed, but it’s still as beautiful as the day he first brought me here. The water is crystal blue and the skies are even more brilliant in color.
This past year I went to hell and back, but I’ve gained back my strength. I’ve spent my days launching my agency, my nights with Spencer, and any extra free time helping Lindsey.
Lindsey is still in recovery. She can walk now but requires the use of a cane. Thankfully, she lives close to me and I see her on a daily basis. Most days I accompany her to physical therapy.
She’s here with the rest of our friends and family. We’re all at the property, waiting for the ribbon cutting that will officially begin the groundbreaking for the newest Lancaster Hotel chain, Lancaster International. I’m so proud of Spencer. He’s made his dream a reality and has taken Lancaster Hotels into the next generation. He stands in front of us all, proud and visibly excited. He’s ready to give his speech. A hush falls over the crowd as he raises his hand to quiet everyone. He takes in a deep breath, and the first signs of nerves cross over his face.
Strange. Spencer is never nervous.
“Thank you all for coming,” he begins with a commanding tone, able to hush the last of those talking. “I’m so proud to be standing here today, ready to embark on the next chapter in my life.” He looks at me and gives me a breathtaking smile. “I wish I could take credit for this purchase, but in all honesty, it was a very special woman who showed me just how valuable this piece of property was. Olivia, would you come up here, please?”
I look around questioningly. Is he serious?
Everyone around me nods his or her head, so I stand and walk up to him. He grabs my hand in his and pulls me into his side.
“A year ago I stood on this very piece of land with Olivia by my side, and at that time I was still contemplating whether I should purchase it for the next brand of luxury hotels. It was Olivia who told me she’d never build a hotel on this land.” He chuckles, shaking his head.
“At that time I thought she was crazy. All I could see were dollar signs. Potentially, billions would be lost by not jumping on that purchase. If I didn’t snatch it up, someone would. I asked her what she’d do if she owned it, and she told me she’d make it a private residence.” He looks at me and smiles. “She said she’d build her home here so she could wake up every day to this view. At that time, I thought it was nonsense. Why waste such a valuable piece of property just to build a house on it? The past year I’ve spent with her made me understand what she was saying. The quiet solitude and the remarkable beauty that is this land shouldn’t be tainted by industry of any sort.”
I scrunch my nose in confusion at his words.
“Today we’re not here to celebrate the next generation of Lancaster Hotels, but the next generation of Lancasters.”
My head jerks to him and he smirks. “Well . . . hopefully.” He pulls a small snow globe from his pocket. It doesn’t look like any snow globe I’ve ever seen. It’s completely custom, and the words etched on the side say home. Inside is a beautiful house sitting on a mountain with the ocean as the backdrop.
What the heck is going on?
When I turn back to Spencer, he’s down on one knee. It takes me a second, but I finally know what’s going on. I gasp in shock.
“Olivia Miller, I’ve loved you since the day I saw you. I might not have known it then, but I absolutely know it now. The best decision I’ve ever made was asking you to escort me to Vence. That day changed my life.”
I begin to cry. His words are so beautiful and I see the sincerity in his eyes. He loves me as much as I love him.
“I’ve brought our friends and family here today to ask you to be my wife. Build a home right here, somewhere we can wake up every morning together and see exactly what you envisioned. Will you marry me and help make this our home?”
I fall to my knees in the sand, unable to catch my breath. Everything I’ve ever wanted in life is being thrown at my feet and the emotions are overwhelming. This man has been my rock the past year. We may have had some miscommunication issues, and we may have a long road ahead of us, but ultimately he’s what I want forever and he’s giving it to me. There’s only one thing I can possibly say in this moment.
“Yes.”
He envelops me in his arms and we fall to the sand as everyone around us cheers happily.
“I love you, Olivia. More than life itself.”
“I love you, Spencer. Always.”
Our life is chaos, constantly being hounded by the press, but in the end, nothing they say can rock us. We’ve built something strong and solid.
A foundation for the future.
The End
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