Chapter 45
CHAPTER 45
Last Sail Before the Veil—What a Trip!
H ey there, dear readers!
Well, here we are—the big day has finally arrived! It’s the last chapter of this particular adventure because today, I’m trading in my single status for something even more exciting.
The Emerald Queen of the Seas has carried me through twists and turns, mysteries and mishaps, and now it’s going to be the place where I say those two magical words, I do. It’s a strange, beautiful feeling to say goodbye to one adventure while knowing an even grander one is waiting just around the corner. And don’t you worry, I have no intention of sailing off into the sunset without you all. This isn’t goodbye forever, just a pause until our next cruise together.
Here’s to new beginnings, true love, and, of course, the mysteries we’ll solve next—in life and perhaps even in murder.
Wish me luck!
XOXO Trixie
Family Group Chat
Trixie: Hello, everyone! Big day today! I’m so excited!!! No shenanigans, Stanton. Please.
Stanton: Define shenanigans.
Neelie: Stanton, the definition is you.
Abbey: Dad, I swear, if you do anything to mess this up...
Parker: Yeah, like jumping on the cruise to begin with. I bet you’ve already begged Mom to remarry you. Not your best moment.
Stanton: I consider that my warm-up act. Besides, I saw tears—tears of joy, I think.
Abbey: Tears of secondhand embarrassment.
Ransom: Don’t worry, Trixie. I’ve got my eyes on him. No antics. Just tuxedos and vows today.
Neelie: Good luck with that, Ransom. I’m bringing popcorn.
Trixie: Thanks, Ransom. And Neelie, save me some of that popcorn. I have a feeling I’ll need it.
Abbey: No matter what, it’s going to be perfect. Can’t wait to see you, Mom!
Emerson: Agreed. Today is all about love and Trixie rocking that dress.
The Emerald Theater is glowing like a blushing bride herself, and not just because of the long crimson curtains, the low mood lighting, or the soft hum of a thousand whispers from my friends and family. It’s glowing because of the sheer energy in the air—a mix of excitement, love, and maybe even a little champagne-induced joy. Wes already has the champagne fountain set up to the side, and it’s a tower of bubbling beauty.
Yes, this is the same Emerald Theater that hosts Broadway-worthy shows night after night, and for today, it’s all ours.
I’m currently in the back of the theater near the entrance, peeking out at the rows of people who are here for us. The stage up ahead is expansive, dramatic, and fitting for this moment. The curtains are drawn shut, offering a stunning crimson backdrop to an event that I will hold dear in my heart forever.
And then my eyes find him. Standing at the base of the stage, under a floral arch composed of white roses, is Ransom Courtland Baxter. He’s speaking with Wes, who has shown up in his white captain’s finery, but I can’t take my eyes off of my groom.
Ransom looks arrestingly handsome in his perfectly tailored suit, that dark scruff lining his jaw, his blue eyes sirening out like cobalt. He looks solemn yet jovial, a combination I’ve yet to see in him.
The moment my eyes land on him all of my jitters fly away like butterflies. And I know—this is where I’m meant to be.
I take a deep breath and examine the crowd once again. So many familiar faces, all of them so happy to be here.
I wish my father were here to walk me down the aisle. It’s silly, I know. But then again, it doesn’t feel so silly. It sort of feels necessary. He wasn’t there for my first wedding either, but I can’t help but feel his absence now more than ever.
A soft shimmer catches my eye, and out of nowhere, a sparkle of dark blue miniature stars gathers, twisting into shape. I give a hard blink and there he is—my father, or at least the ghostly version of him—looking dapper in a dark suit, his hair a light brown, and his eyes a soft blue and every bit as mischievous as I remember.
“Daddy?” I whisper, my heart skipping a beat as he wraps his arms around me.
He pulls back a notch and smiles that easy, charming smile of his. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. But I always knew you were— inside and out.” He glances around, squinting at the crowd. “Where’s your mother? Shouldn’t she be here for this?”
I let out a laugh, shaking my head. “Oh, she couldn’t make it. She’s on safari in Africa.”
He raises a brow and shrugs. “Well, at least one of us showed up.”
The “Wedding March” begins to play in the background, and every last part of me tingles from head to toe.
Within seconds, Parker appears beside me, looking dashing in his tuxedo, and offers me the warmest smile. “Are you ready, Mom?”
I give a deep nod. “I’m more ready for this than I’ve ever been for anything.”
Parker hooks his arm through mine, and my father does the same on my other side. Together, we step forward, slow and steady, as we move toward the altar with every friendly face lining the aisle—even Tinsley and Quinn. And yes, even Stanton himself.
Every face is smiling, glowing with happiness—Bess and Nettie, both wearing huge grins. Elodie, her protégé Neelie, Lottie, her friend Noah—Everett, Ransom’s look-alike cousin, Bizzy and her husband Jasper, Hattie and her boyfriend Killion.
Next to Bess and Nettie, I see Lottie’s biological mother Carlotta—a mischief maven if ever there was one—along with Peggy and Clarabelle. I see Bess’ granddaughter Kelsey, and Wes’ sons Owen and Carter, along with their mother, Ransom’s sister, Scarlett. And I can feel the love exuding from every one of these people.
I look straight ahead, and waiting for me at the base of that arch are Abbey and Emerson, looking as gorgeous as can be in their short light pink dresses. I let them pick whatever they wanted, and they coordinated like twins—like the sisters they’re becoming today.
And then, there’s Ransom, the man who makes my heart feel at home. He stands tall at the end of the aisle, waiting, his eyes fixed on me. The world narrows to just the two of us as I take each step closer.
Parker releases me at the end, and my father’s ghost gives me one last kiss and a smile before he fades away with a tear in his eye as he does. I blink back my own tears and turn toward Ransom, who happens to be looking at me like I’m the only person in the entire universe.
His chest expands and he takes a deep breath. His eyes widen my way as if trying to take it all in.
“You look resplendent,” he says, his voice low, almost a whisper.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I tease, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart is racing. “You look perfect.” Because he is perfect.
Wes takes his place before us as the officiant—which he cleared all of the paperwork so that he could marry us on land or at sea—and he clears his throat.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the union of two of the most… stubborn people I’ve ever met.” A few laughs ripple through the crowd.
I exchange a look with Ransom.
“He had to get a dig in,” Ransom mutters, and I bite back a grin.
“It’s Wes,” I say with a shrug. “You know he can’t help himself.”
Wes continues, “Trixie and Ransom have faced more than their fair share of—let’s call them adventures. And yet, here they stand, together, ready to take on whatever comes next. If that’s not love, folks, I don’t know what is.”
The vows come next, and Ransom takes my hands in his with his eyes locked on mine.
“Trixie, I promise to love you in every storm, in every calm, and in every moment between. I promise to be your partner, your confidant, and your biggest fan. And most importantly, I promise to never, ever let Stanton crash on our couch.”
Laughter ripples through the theater, and I shake my head, trying not to tear up. “Thank you,” I whisper as my voice cracks.
It’s my turn, and I take a deep breath and steady my gaze on his. “Ransom, I promise to love you with everything I have. I promise to support your dreams, even when they’re unpredictable—because let’s be honest, we’re both a little unpredictable. I promise to always keep our life filled with adventure, laughter, and maybe just a hint of danger—as long as you’re holding my hand. And I promise that no matter what, you’ll never have to eat my cooking.”
“He wouldn’t last long if he did,” Stanton calls out and everyone is back to cackling.
Ransom’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he squeezes my hands and mouths, I love you.
We exchange rings. Stronger than steel for him, and an emerald cut diamond swimming in a sea of smaller diamonds for me.
Wes clears his throat again. “By the power vested in me, and the cruise line that hasn’t fired me yet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ransom, you may kiss your bride—if she lets you.”
Ransom grins, pulling me in, his lips brushing mine, then deepening that kiss, and it feels as if he’s kissing me all the way down to my very soul.
The crowd cheers, and I hear Nettie shout something about getting a room. The moment is a whirlwind of clapping, whistling, and pure, unfiltered joy.
We pull away, breathless, and Ransom looks down at me, his eyes shining. “Mrs. Troublefield Baxter, are you ready for the next adventure?”
I smile, feeling the warmth of his hands around mine as the cheers of our friends and family echo around us. “I was born ready.”
Wes steps closer, winking at both of us. “And now, folks, let’s party like there’s no tomorrow!”
The music kicks in, a jazz rendition of an upbeat love song, and the entire theater erupts into celebration. Bess and Nettie are the first on their feet, dragging Quinn and Tinsley to the dance floor. I see Stanton leaning against the wall with a begrudging smile on his face, while Neelie tries to pull him into the mix.
Ransom takes my hand, spinning me around, and I laugh, my dress twirling with the movement. I’m suddenly very aware of how alive I feel—how free, how full of love.
This is it .
This is everything.
This magical day is ours; the ship is alive with music, laughter, and love. And as I look into Ransom’s eyes, I know—this is just the beginning. We’ve got a whole lifetime of mysteries, adventures, and possibly a few more ghosts ahead of us, too.
And I can’t wait.