Epilogue
Fête Day
Four Years Later – July
‘JESUS, YOU FEEL LIKE you’ve put on a stone, Mrs. Fraser,’ Kitt huffed as he gallantly lifted me over the side of the hot air balloon wicker basket, carefully setting me down before he jumped in and the staff got ready for lift off.
‘It’s all your cooking,’ I protested. ‘You’re a feeder. I swear you must think the more curves I have, the better.’
‘I wouldn’t complain,’ Quinn said as she took charge of handing out the flutes of champagne. ‘How many women get a guy who loves to cook for them?’
‘I didn’t,’ Daphne huffed from the segment to our right, then gave Jack a mock scowl.
‘Ermmm, I did,’ shouted Abbie from the opposite corner, over the sound of the blast of gas as we started to rise.
‘Me too,’ called Georgie, smiling up at Weston as he hugged her from behind. ‘You just lucked out, Quinn.’
‘I don’t know about that,’ she said, with a faint blush colouring up her cheeks that made me giggle. My self-confessed emotionally stunted best friend had finally thawed. Not only was she dating, she was madly in love, although she wouldn’t admit that fact to us all yet. But I couldn’t be happier for her.
‘Love is a great colour on you,’ I told her, knowing I was winding her up, which earned me a punch on the arm.
‘Love is in the air,’ Daphne sang. ‘Quite literally. I love this new annual balloon ride tradition of ours.’
‘Me too. Just don’t hang over the side of it and lose any more dentures, Daphne,' I warned.
‘I don’t know, there are some benefits to being gummy,’ she winked, making Georgie, Heath, Max, and Jack’s faces turn red as everyone else laughed.
‘You’re incorrigible,’ I said as I raised my flute in the air. ‘Happy anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Argent.’
‘Happy anniversary,’ everyone chorused as we gently rose higher and higher, with Dilbury Manor, the estate, and the village below us bathed in the gorgeous summer sun that seemed to bless fête day each year.
‘Joyeux anniversaire,’ Fleur added, her rich French accent still sounding so adorable. She’d settled into the village so well. Her bakery business was booming, her moreish creations selling like proverbial hot cakes, and she’d teamed up with Quinn to be her go-to cake girl for all of the Severn Manor weddings or events, which had been a lucrative partnership for them both.
‘Daddy, I can’t see,’ came Jackson’s voice, as his head appeared over the edge of his section of the basket, then disappeared repeatedly, as if he was bouncing up and down with excitement.
‘Come on then, son, but no wriggling. Mummy will get mad at me if I accidently drop you over the side,’ Miller chuckled, as he lifted their nearly four-year-old son up onto his hip.
‘Too right I will,’ Abbie scoffed as I tipped my champagne into Kitt’s flute and quickly set my empty glass down, hoping no one would notice. ‘The torture of labour pains are still too fresh in my mind to even think about replacing him.’
‘But I thought you were trying again,’ I said, confused and rather put off at her assessment. Kitt laced his fingers with mine and squeezed in a reassuring way.
‘We are,’ Miller laughed. ‘But Abbie never lets me forget that she had the rough end of the deal.’
‘Rough end? That makes it sound like a momentarily uncomfortable inconvenience. Trust me, if you tried squeezing a bowling ball out of your bottom, that would be a fraction of “the rough end” we women have to face,’ Abbie stated emphatically, making me wince at the thought of it.
‘Which is why I’m perfectly content with my fur baby, Bertie,’ Georgie said.
‘What about you, Charlie?’ asked Isla as she stood next to Lord Kirkland and Fleur in the section to our left. ‘You’ve been married for what, three years now? Any pitter-patter of little Frasers on the horizon?’
‘Well, I …’ I felt my cheeks colour up as I glanced at Kitt. He couldn’t stop the dimples from appearing on his face as he smiled and gave me a gentle nod of approval.
‘I knew it!’ yelled Quinn. ‘I said you were pregnant. There’s no way that tummy you’ve been trying to hide is from too much pizza. Even you couldn’t scoff that much!’
‘And I said I’d noticed she kept refusing alcohol, which isn’t the Charlie we’ve all come to know and love,’ laughed Georgie.
‘Hey, I’m not that bad. It’s Quinn, she’s a bad influence,’ I protested. Quinn just shrugged, knowing there was no disputing that statement.
‘How does everyone spot this stuff before me?’ Abbie huffed, her eyes darting between us all as she tried to work out if they were right.
‘Please, you had no idea you were pregnant with Jackson until Georgie and I told you. You’re rubbish at spotting the signs. I can’t believe I missed it this time. Oh, Charlie, is it true, are you really pregnant?’ Daphne exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears.
‘It’s true,’ I beamed. I laughed as everyone cheered and started clapping before bombarding us with questions. ‘We’re five months along, due in November.’
‘Five months!’ Abbie spluttered, spraying a fine mist of champagne all over the back of Lord Kirkland, then frantically rubbing the back of his tweed waistcoat to try and get it off. ‘You’re not even showing. How’s that fair? I was the size of a hippopotamus at five months.’
‘Oh, trust me, I’m showing. I’ve just been wearing loose clothes lately.’
‘It may be a small and perfectly formed bump, but she’s showing,’ Kitt agreed as he moved behind me and cradled my belly with his strong hands, stretching my floaty maxi dress tightly across it so there was no disputing the fact. ‘Look.’
‘Why did you wait so long to tell us?’ Quinn asked, the corners of her mouth downturned. The look on her face said that I’d hurt her by not sharing my news with her specifically.
‘I’m so sorry, I really wanted to tell you all, especially you, Quinn, I promise I did. But I was actually Mum’s second child. The first died soon after birth from a hereditary condition she suffered from that affects a baby’s development in the womb. I won’t go into details, but we only just had the test results back recently to say that our baby was doing fine, so we were waiting for the right time to tell you all. I didn’t want to overshadow Georgie and Weston’s special day.’
‘Please, we stole it as ours anyway,’ Georgie said with a gentle smile. ‘Officially this is Abbie’s special day. Thirteen years of kicking Lady Kirkland’s arse in the Dilbury Village Bake-off. Oh sorry, no offence meant, Max.’
‘None taken,’ he laughed, his attractive grey eyes crinkling in amusement. ‘You know our history now, you all do, and I couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out.’ He cast a soft smile across the balloon and I exhaled slowly and shook my head, so happy for them both.
‘I can’t take all of this,’ moaned Daphne, tears rolling down her face. ‘Who has tissues?’
‘Here you are, darling,’ Jack said, whipping a white handkerchief from the top pocket of his blazer. ‘I think you might need it if you’re this emotional already.’
‘What do you mean, already? Who else is pregnant?’
‘Not me!’ Quinn stated firmly.
‘Nor me, and Weston’s booked in for the snip next month, just to be sure,’ Georgie said, and the men in the balloon automatically winced, Heath cupping his groin protectively.
‘Please, feel free to share the personal details of my crown jewels with all and sundry, Mrs. Argent,’ Weston laughed.
‘Hardly all and sundry. This is our closest circle of friends in this hot air balloon, we’re all practically family.’
‘Here, here,’ Abbie said, raising her glass again.
‘Here, here,’ everyone chorused. Quinn quickly put a glass of orange juice in my hand so I wasn’t missing out. I beamed at her and kissed her cheek, knowing I was going to have to make up this small betrayal to her soon.
‘Well, if I can have your attention for a moment,’ Jack called, clearing his throat, ‘I have something to say.’
‘If it’s to announce that there’s been no addition to the hashtag turdgate series this year, I for one am happy to toast to my lack of a starring role for once,’ Abbie called, making us all chuckle.
‘Don’t speak too soon,’ I warned her. ‘There was that incident with a hot air balloon ride once before, and you‘ve scoffed down your body weight in ice cream today.’
‘That incident wasn’t me,’ she huffed. ‘Or anything to do with me at all,’ she added quickly, her cheeks turning scarlet as she blatantly lied.
‘What is it, what’s wrong, Jack? Your eye is twitching and you look like you’re about to fill your pants,’ Daphne said bluntly.
‘You’re a feisty and mouthy one, Daphne Jones,’ he chuckled. ‘Many a man would run scared from a woman like you, but after seeing action in The Falklands, I’m confident that I can handle anything you have to throw at me. I know I’ll never replace David, that he was the great love of your life, but I hope that I’ve come to live in a small part of your heart, as you do in mine.’
‘Jack, what are you trying to say?’ Daphne asked as we all listened just as eagerly. ‘Spit it out. Patience was never one of my virtues.’
‘You’re not kidding,’ I muttered under my breath, but with her sonar hearing she shot me a disapproving look that made me cringe.
‘I never thought I’d find love again after my May passed away. I thought I was old and past it, that the next big milestone would be me knocking on heaven’s door, which I almost feel as if I am,’ Jack said with a quick look over the edge of the balloon, which sent a ripple of laughter around it. I guessed as a former Navy Captain, he was more used to the ocean than the skies. ‘You’re an incredible woman, Daphne. You’ve given me back the love of life that I thought I’d lost when May died. Every day with you, and these young friends and family of yours, brings me joy.’
‘You’re buttering me up like a hot potato, what’s going on? Are you after some action tonight? A bit of the horizontal mumbo jumbo, as Charlie says?’
‘Horizontal mambo,’ I giggled. ‘Though if you’re saying jumbo, is that a Freudian slip?’
‘Now that would be telling, Charlie Fraser,’ she chortled, her cheeks turning pink.
‘Honestly, woman, just shut up and let a man speak, will you?’ Jack ordered. He was braver than we were with her, he deserved another medal just for that. And how come he didn’t get one of her infamous stern teacher looks? Instead he got her soft doe-eyed look that was reserved for when she was feeling extra emotional with her loved ones. ‘Some may say at our age there’s no point in marriage, but I disagree. I feel like a young teenager with the best parts of his life ahead of him whenever I’m with you. Sadly, my knees are past me getting down on a bended one, so Heath will be my proxy,’ he said. Heath immediately dropped to one bended knee as he opened a black velvet Havershams’ box to show off a stunning retro square halo diamond ring, which sparkled in the sunlight. ‘Daphne Jones, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’ Jack asked as we all gasped.
My eyes darted around, and other than a small giveaway smile on Abbie’s lips, it was obvious that everyone except her and Heath had all been kept out of this loop. The Dilbury rumour mill had well and truly failed us here.
‘You’re proposing?’ Daphne asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
‘Yes,’ he chuckled. ‘Wasn’t I clear enough?’
‘Whatever for?’
‘Because I love you, woman.’
‘And I love you, but we’re nearly ninety.’
‘So? I feel nineteen when I’m with you.’
‘And you touch me up like a nineteen-year-old as well.’
‘You’d complain if I didn’t,’ he quickly replied.
‘Are you just after me for my view? I know you were always envious that I got the best apartment in the building.’
‘It is the best, but I’m not after you for the view,’ he smiled.
‘I think it’s your body, Daphne,’ I teased.
‘Well, all the men over seventy in the village are after me for that,’ she retorted, ‘I was quite a looker in my day, I’ll have you know.’
‘You’re still a looker now, and it’s not just your body I’m after. Or your money, before you bring that up,’ Jack said. ‘I just want to make an honest woman of you. Nothing would make me happier in my last few years of life than to be your husband. Are you telling me you don’t want me?’
‘Get away with you,’ she giggled, pushing his chest. ‘You know I’m only playing with you. I love to tease. Of course I’ll marry you. I’d be so proud to be Mrs. Jack Bentley. David couldn’t have chosen a more suitable successor himself, I know he’d be happy for us. Oh, you’ve made an old lady so ecstatic, you silly fool,’ she moaned as she started crying again, setting me off.
Another chorus of cheers and toasts went up as Heath put Jack’s ring onto her hand, then held Daphne steady as she gripped Jack’s arms and he took her face in his hands and kissed her. I suspected that she knew it was coming, as up until yesterday, she’d still worn her old engagement and wedding rings on her left hand, and they were suspiciously absent today. Nothing got past Daphne, except my pregnancy, it seemed.
‘You never told them we were having a baby girl,’ Kitt murmured quietly in my ear, before laying a trail of soft kisses down my neck.
‘It can wait,’ I replied, spinning around to face him. ‘Any more happy news and I think everyone will explode.’
‘I could explode,’ he said, his soft green eyes holding mine captive. ‘I’m so happy, baby.’
‘Me too. Each year I think life can’t get better with you, and it does.’
‘Do I get to hug my best friend now and offer my congratulations?’ Quinn asked.
‘Of course you do. The godmother should always get one of the first celebratory hugs,’ I confirmed.
‘I’m going to be its godmother?’ she gasped, her brown eyes dilating as her mouth formed a perfect circle of surprise.
‘Of course, who else would be my first choice?’ I said, wrapping my arms tightly around her. ‘I’m so sorry for not telling you sooner. If it helps, I’ve been riddled with guilt.’
‘Good, I should hope so,’ she teased, hugging me back firmly. ‘Please tell me you’re not moving away?’
‘Why would we move?’ I asked, giving her a curious look as we parted.
‘You have a two-bedroom cottage. You’re going to share your writing cave with a screaming baby?’
‘Actually, Kitt’s already drawn up plans to add on some extra rooms upstairs and downstairs, and the work will start next summer. But he’s having a garden studio built for me in the meantime, which will go up next month, somewhere I can go and write in peace for a few hours a day, with magnificent views down the valley to inspire me.’
‘You really thought we’d leave Dilbury?’ Kitt asked. ‘I can’t imagine anyone who moves in, gets to know the villagers, and settles in to the Dilbury way of life, ever wants to leave.’
‘I know what you mean, New York was just a place to live,’ Quinn agreed. ‘Dilbury is home.’
‘It sure is,’ I nodded as we turned to look down at the village we all loved so much. It was easy to forget just how stunning it was when you didn’t see the green and yellow fields, orchards, deer, meandering river, or thatched and tiled old buildings all at once.
‘Was that you?’ Kitt laughed as a loud stomach grumble cut through the peaceful silence up here.
‘Of course, I’m eating for two, I’m always hungry. And you know what I’m craving right now?’
‘Pepperoni pizza,’ everyone in the balloon shouted at once.
‘Am I that predictable?’ I complained, practically salivating at the thought of my favourite treat once we landed.
‘Never, baby. You do something to surprise me every day,’ Kitt smiled. ‘Not least a whole month of no visits to the A&E department.’
‘Oh no,’ I cried, clutching my stomach dramatically. ‘You had to go and jinx it, didn’t you?’
‘What, what’s wrong?’ he asked, his concerned gaze darting across my face.
‘Haha, got you!’ I teased.
‘Charlie Fraser,’ he scolded with a laugh as he gently tugged me against him. ‘Don’t do that to me, I nearly had heart failure.’
‘Me too, you just scared me to death,’ Quinn stated with a disapproving look.
‘I’ll always be fine. I married Pizzaman, the kindest, gentlest, and most caring superhero in the universe. He always looks after me,’ I said softly as I put my arms around his neck.
‘And I always will look after you, Charlie, always,’ he breathed, before buckling my knees with an explosive and passionate kiss that sent my heart soaring higher than the hot air balloon. I’d spent years writing the perfect alpha males with the perfect careers, so who’d have imagined that after months of pining after Dr. Fitton, Mr. Perfect on paper if not in the flesh, I’d fall for the down-to-earth, sweet and humble pizza delivery guy.
Maybe I’d been right all along, pizza really was the best medicine.