Kaylah admired her reflection as she looked at the pretty 1920s-styled vintage dress she’d found in the thrift shop. The length and casual style suited her slim figure and she smiled, happy that the predicted warm Autumn weather had eventuated for their special day.

Knock, knock. She turned at the sound of someone coming into the room and her eyes widened as Jonah strolled in.

“What are you doing,” she hissed. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before we marry.”

With a casual lift of his eyebrow, he walked over and kissed her cheek. “You look stunning, and did you notice, I didn’t mess your lipstick?”

“You’re so thoughtful. No wonder I want to marry you,” she cooed. “But seriously, you’re not supposed to be here.”

“Apart from Mum and Dad, Elaine and Colin, everyone thinks it’s our engagement party and since engaged couples should be together kissing, I saw no reason not to be with you.” He took a step back and gazed at her face, before looking downward at her dress. “You look…incredible.” Lifting her hand, he kissed each knuckle.

Tears filled her eyes and she brushed them away. “Jonah, I’m so in love with you. I know we will have ups and downs, and this last year and a half has been challenging with your brother and parents, but we did it together.”

“We did. We’re a team, you and me.”

“I’m so excited we’re going away tomorrow,” she said.

“You, me and two airline tickets.” He kissed her cheek. “We’ll be away for six weeks travelling.” His eyes glowed with joy.

“I’ve never been to Europe, UK or even America. We’re going to have the best time.” Her heart was bursting with excitement at seeing all the tourist sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Big Ben and the Statue of Liberty.

“We sure are.” He smacked her bottom playfully. “But we need to get married first. Are you ready?”

Fiddling with the pearls around her neck, she confessed, “I am. In February last year I was supposed to marry Felix, and now it’s April, well over a year later, but…”

“What did we say about others?”

“We don’t care,” she mimicked him in a parrot-fashion while looking at him with such love and adoration that she thought her heart would burst.

“That’s right,” he said before kissing and licking the skin behind her ear. “Do you think people would notice if we left and I took you home and made love to you,” he asked with such innocence that she started giggling.

“I think so,” she said with a dramatic sigh. She took his face between her palms and said, “You’ve organised the best wedding day for me. A simple garden event at your parents’ home. It’s not overly done; it’s tasteful and we’re with the people that matter.”

“I would’ve married you underwater in a scuba suit, if that’s what you wanted.”

“Really, now that’s an idea,” she said tapping the side of her nose.

Her hands came up and ran along the muscles of his shoulder blades. “But you look divinely handsome, as always,” she said taking in his cotton shirt tucked into dress pants. Those shoulders, those arms, those abs. Her skin prickled in anticipation of touching him tonight.

Jonah had maintained a healthy regime of running, Pilates and swimming. That glorious, well-toned bod, was hers and hers alone, to enjoy. His kisses could make her knees tremble but when they made love and they became one, it was like their souls joined. She treasured every day since he’d come to her in Palm Cove. He was hers, and she was his. The perfect combination. The nerve endings along her back tingled and she couldn’t wait till tonight, when she could run her hands over his flat belly and make love to him with her fingers and lips. She shuddered with delight, thinking about how amazing their sex life was. He pleasured her in ways that left her breathless, tingling all over and feeling very much loved and special.

He broke her thoughts as he tongued her ear, just the way she liked it. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to strip you naked right now and show you how much I love you.”

Her breathing hitched. “I don’t think I should walk outside looking totally ravished,” she said in a low voice. Catching his gaze, she stood on tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. “Thank you for the most beautiful day of my life.”

“It’s still the morning. You haven’t had the day yet,” he said with a quizzical look in his eyes.

She pulled him towards her and hugged him tightly. “I know you’ve made this the day that I wanted. You spoke to your mum ensuring it was what we wanted, not what they wanted.”

“But this is your day,” he insisted.

“But you’re the groom. It’s your day, too.”

“Of course, but us coming together is more than a day. I get to spend today, tomorrow and the rest of our lives together. We’ll grow old together and that’s more than just a wedding day.” His hand came up and caressed the curve of her hip before moving lower. “I get to make love to you, kiss you and hold you every night.”

“You’re such a romantic,” she said with a smile. “I’m so lucky.”

“I’m the lucky one,” he said before he cleared his throat, the skin along his jaw tightened. “Just so you know, Felix just arrived.”

Her breath hitched in her throat. Initially, she’d avoided him as much as she could over the past few months, but she couldn’t avoid him totally. An easy truce had settled between them and there were times she struggled to imagine that she’d been engaged to him. Felix seemed so wrong for her compared with Jonah, and she was grateful every day that she’d had the courage to break her engagement. It hadn’t been easy. It had caused a rift between the brothers and also their parents that had taken months to heal.

“Felix is here with Megan. He brought her as his date. You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. My feelings for Felix are brotherly. I would love for him to find someone special and be as happy as we are.” She brushed her lips across his, careful not to mess her lipstick.

“You two have been amazing. I know Mum and Dad have been so appreciative of how you’ve behaved when we’re all together.”

“It was easier for me. I had you to support me and hold my hand,” she trailed her fingers down his face. “Felix is your brother, I didn’t want to come between you two.”

“You haven’t, at all, my sweet. It took time but Felix realises you and he weren’t meant to be together long term.” He paused. “He still wants a family and to create a home life like what we had with Mum and Dad.”

“Do you think he’ll find it with Megan?” she asked, sincere concern filling her eyes.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. But I hope he finds someone who’ll understand him. He’s my brother, and I want him to be happy, too.”

“I know you do. He’s a good guy, just not the guy for me.”

Jonah pinched her bottom and she squealed. “You’d better believe it. You’re mine and in an hour, we’ll be married. Best day of my life.”

“I’m so thankful,” she added.

“I know. It’s been a bit rocky these past few months, but now everything has worked out. We live by the beach, you’re the queen of hacks and…”

“You develop apps.” She cooed. “You’re so clever. The wedding app is brilliant.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” His fingers skimmed her jawline.

“My clever husband…to-be,” she added with a breathless voice. “My love.”

Noises of people talking filled the air. “Our guests are arriving. Shall we go?” He pointed to the door.

“Sure,” she beamed at him.

They started walking and he turned to her. “You look exquisite.”

She felt her cheeks warm. “Thank you. But I know I’m not that beautiful.”

His searing look told her that he didn’t agree with her. “You are, and you are looking so beautiful that I don’t know how I’m going to get through today without kissing you, properly.”

She grinned at his eagerness. “After the formal photos, I’ll remove my lipstick and we’ll have plenty of kissing. Deal?”

“Deal.” His face lit up, and his fingers curled around hers. “Let’s go and get married.”

“Yes, let’s,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” he said, before brushing his lips against her cheek. “I’m the luckiest guy in the whole world. I got a second chance at life and a second chance at the girl. We’re going to have a wonderful life together.”

“Indeed, we will,” she said. With Jonah by her side, she knew that her life was complete. She’d found the man she loved without reservations and without restrictions. They were equal partners and she knew in the next year, when they hoped to start trying for a baby, that he would be a wonderful father. She. Could. Not. Wait. Her life was now brighter and happier. She’d found true happiness with Jonah. It no longer mattered that she was marrying into his family. She loved them a lot, but she loved Jonah more and the family they would create.

Hand in hand, out they walked to spend the day declaring their love and devotion not just to each other, but in front of their friends and family.

Their dreams had been fulfilled. How lucky were they?