Epilogue
The wedding of the season went off without a hitch.
Rodrigo and Charity’s exclusive beach wedding was the talk of the D.C.
elite. The beautiful weekend in June brought crystal-blue skies and turquoise waves.
The air was warm and filled with the heady scent of roses, peonies, and freshly cut ferns.
Gigi’s craftsmanship for the bouquets and centerpieces was exquisite, and Vivianne could hardly keep up with all the tagged photos on the shop’s social media accounts.
Already, Coastal Vows had booked clear through the rest of the wedding season and into the upcoming fall.
Adrienne was in her element, ushering the bride and groom into the most serene positions with gorgeous backdrops.
The beach was stunning on its own, but walking through Coastal Vows was like living, breathing magic.
Juliette completely remodeled the interior with a focus on bringing the outdoors inside.
Lush greens, soft blues and sandy tans blended beautifully with the bohemian furnishings, while the kitchen was fully outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances fit for a catering staff.
Once the reception was under way and the happy couple was cutting a seven-tiered cake, Juliette slipped out to the beach to meet Brock with a flute of champagne in each hand.
“Hey.” He accepted the champagne and kissed her soundly on the mouth. “What’s this for?”
“To the start of future happily ever afters.” She raised her glass and he softly clinked them together. “Cheers.”
“Cheers, indeed.”
Juliette took a sip, enjoying the way the sparkling bubbles filled her mouth. Being out on the sand was like walking on clouds. Her heart was light. Her soul was happy, and she was in love with a man who cherished her every hour of every day.
“You know, I was thinking we could get away this autumn.” She swirled the fizzy golden liquid in her glass. “Maybe go on a weeklong vacation to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The leaves will be changing colors, and it could be a nice break. Just the two of us.”
She nudged him playfully and winked.
Brock grimaced. “I’m not sure that’s going to work.”
Juliette’s face fell. There was no way to disguise her disappointment. “What? Why not? Do we have a project? I could’ve sworn I left two weeks open in October on the schedule.”
“You did.” Brock set his glass of champagne down on the sand. “But we have a wedding.”
She shook her head. No, she would’ve remembered seeing it on the calendar. “Who?”
Brock dropped to one knee, and Juliette’s pulse leapt inside her chest. He pulled a black velvet box from his pocket and flipped it open. Nestled inside a cushion of red velvet was a solitaire diamond ring surrounded by a halo of tiny sapphires.
“I love you, Juliette. I’ve loved you since the first day I met you.
I should’ve asked you this years ago.” He held the ring box up to her.
“There is nothing I want more in this world than to spend the rest of my days with you. Every celebration. Every hardship. I want all of it with all of you. Will you marry me?”
The prickle of tears stung her eyes and her nose burned, but she already knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from crying. From laughing. From wanting everything he offered her. She lurched forward, tossing her champagne flute, tumbling into his waiting arms.
“Yes!” She captured his face with both of her hands and dragged his mouth to hers. She didn’t care if sand was clinging to their clothing and hair, and she didn’t care if champagne had spilled over them both.
“Yes,” she repeated when he pulled her into his lap. “I love you.”
Brock kissed her lips, her jaw, her neck.
“For how long?” he asked, sliding the ring onto her finger.
Juliette whispered the words against his mouth. “Until forever.”