Chapter 31 William
William
William pulled Juniper against him as they watched Billy’s attempt at a somersault. “Wow, that’s amazing!” He said enthusiastically. “It’s all amazing,” he said softly, turning to Juniper and pressing a lingering kiss to her lips. “I love you.”
Her smile radiant, she replied, “I love you, too.”
He took her hand and walked to the car, calling for Billy to come.
As he helped the little boy into his seat and did the belt up, he wondered how long it would take for the buzz to wear off.
Here he was, with the woman of his dreams and her beautiful child – his family.
He got in the front seat and pressed the start button, glancing over at Juniper.
She was still smiling at him with that sense of wonder that pulled at his heart because he felt the exact same way.
“Tell me what happened in Sydney,” she said as he turned the car around and headed down the gravel road.
“Well, as I said, Mum saw how I was, guessed what was behind it, and sprang into action. By the time they told me about it, it was a done deal. Cassie’s fiancée, James, is going to step into my role.
Things haven’t been right at his company for a long while, so he was already looking for a change.
We know he can do the work as it’s not too different from what he’s done before.
I’ll be responsible for development planning – budgeting for property purchases and renovations, meeting with Cassie on a monthly basis to discuss the performance of existing properties.
It’s what Dad does, mostly, so I’ll be there as backup.
I’ll be able to do most of it via video link.
Other than that, my main role is developing Locke Industries’ first ever artist’s colony.
” It still amazed him how neatly it had all fallen into place.
“Are you sure it’s all okay?”
He smiled at her. “I’m sure. Once Dad said that the business was meant to be their legacy to me and Cassie, not a prison, that cemented it for me, because it had started to feel exactly like a prison.
” He pulled the car to the curb in front of the shop, pausing to look at her again, just to bask in the wonder of being with her. “Let’s go celebrate your birthday.”
As they walked through the gate at the top of the drive, it was obvious that Mikayla had told everyone he was back, as they weren’t at all surprised to see him.
They weren’t surprised, but they were definitely pleased.
Mikayla threw herself at him as he walked down the drive, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing tight. “Welcome home,” she said quietly.
“Thank you.”
She kissed his cheek before moving aside so that Nora could step in and give him an exuberant hug.
After that, it was back slaps and handshakes from John, Callum and Rafe, then Leah stepped up, surprising him with a shy kiss on the cheek, saying softly, “We missed you,” quickly stepping away before he had a chance to reply.
He sat down next to Juniper on the long bench, in the shade of the old oak tree, watching as she slowly, deliberately, brushed her hair off her forehead with her left hand.
She laughed uproariously as Mikayla squealed at the sight of the engagement ring, skipping over to grab Juniper’s hand and examine the ring minutely.
William glanced around, catching sight of Rafe, watching Mikayla with a look of such raw longing on his face that William hastily looked away.
“Wow, you sure move fast!” Mikayla said after everyone had offered hugs and congratulations.
William grinned at her. “Why wait?”
“Oooh, quick wedding then?”
They both looked at Juniper, William feeling his heart soar at her enthusiastic nod. He leaned back, putting his arm around Juniper’s shoulders, looking out over the yard, observing everyone as they mingled, still amazed that this much happiness was possible.
From not wanting to celebrate her birthday at all, Juniper now wanted it to go forever, so once they’d finished their food and sat around for a while, she got to her feet. “I want to go for a walk,” she announced.
“Excellent idea.” Mikayla, ever active, bounced to her feet and headed up the drive. “Let’s go to the beach. I’ll grab a footy from the car.”
“I’m not kicking the footy,” Juniper stated, following her.
“Spoil sport. Rafe’ll kick with me.”
“Of course,” Rafe replied, throwing Billy up on his shoulders as they headed down the footpath.
Juniper fell into step beside William, linking her fingers with his. He surprised her when he tugged on her hand, slowing them down so that the rest of the group ambled ahead. “What do you think about Rafe and Mikayla?”
“In what way?” She asked with a confused frown.
“In a getting together kind of way.”
She watched them for a long moment, walking by all the shop fronts, Mikayla chatting animatedly while Rafe bent his head in her direction to listen.
He laughed at something she’d said and she grinned up at him impishly.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. There’s energy between them.
They have a beautiful friendship, but…I don’t know.
People keep assuming they’re in a relationship, but they keep insisting that they’re just friends. ”
“Right.”
They reached the beach and the group spread out to play kick to kick, in the soft light of the setting sun.
After standing around watching for a little while, Juniper slipped her sandals off and wandered away to walk along the shoreline.
She smiled as William joined her, putting his arm around her shoulders.
The din from the football game faded away as they walked, the sound of the waves lapping gently at the hem of Juniper’s dress the only sound.
She came to a stop, turning into William, resting her head on his shoulder, smiling when he kissed the top of her head.
Such a beautiful sense of peace and wellbeing washed through her, healing all the agony of the previous weeks.
“You know what?”
“What?” She asked, lifting her head to look at him.
“The best things in life really are free.”
She sighed happily. “They sure are. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”