Epilogue
Aspen
"You look stunning," Bianca said as she moved around me. She'd chosen a silver dress that shimmered in the light and made me feel beautiful.
I turned to admire the back of the dress. "It's perfect."
I'd decorated the hall with tons of greenery and white and silver ornaments. There were so many trees in the hall; it felt like a forest. Cooper worked around the clock to finish the bathrooms in time for the dance.
Bianca finished her circle. "It doesn't need any more alterations."
I'd already gotten my hair and makeup done. There was nothing else for me to do except meet Cooper at the ballroom doors and supervise the event.
"Are you coming to the dance?" I asked Bianca.
"I'll be wearing that one." She pointed at an emerald-green dress that was hanging on the door of a dressing room.
"It's absolutely gorgeous."
She smiled. "I love getting dressed up for dances. I feel like a princess."
I kept my gaze on my dress as I moved this way and that, enjoying the light catching on the sparkles. "Speaking of feeling like a princess, Belle is getting married at the Hart Inn."
Bianca frowned. "Why did she choose that inn when she could have gotten married in this one?"
"Apparently, it has a huge library where she wants to have the ceremony, and it's located at the base of the mountain which is the perfect backdrop for the reception."
Bianca set strappy silvershoes on the floor in front of me, helping me slide them on. "You'd better get to the ball before you turn into a pumpkin," Bianca said, ushering me toward the door.
"I don't think that's the story line."
"Close enough," she murmured.
She was probably in a hurry to get ready for the dance herself, and I had to be there early to ensure everything was running smoothly.
At the doorway, she paused. "I texted Cooper that you were ready."
"He's going to show me the bathrooms." He hadn't allowed me to check on the progress toward the end because he wanted it to be a surprise.
"How romantic," she teased.
"Renovated bathrooms are romantic when you're dating a contractor," I said dryly, and she laughed.
Then she waved me away. "You'd better hurry. Your prince is waiting for you."
I felt a little like Cinderella as I lifted my skirt and hurried down the hallway toward the ballroom. The double doors were closed, but when I approached, one opened, and Cooper stood there in a tux.
My breath caught in my throat. He was so handsome, his black hair falling over his forehead.
His gaze slowly perused my body from head to toe. "You're gorgeous."
I curtsied. "Thank you."
He held his hand out for me. "We have the ballroom to ourselves for a bit."
I took his hand. "That sounds lovely."
We walked into the room, and the door fell closed.
White-and-silver-decorated trees were placed strategically around the room to provide ambiance.
The dance floor was on the right where the live band would set up, and there were round tables on the left with centerpieces of white candles surrounded by greenery.
I loved the winter wonderland effect. "It's better than I imagined. "
He led me over to the center of the room where the largest tree stood with gifts below the branches. They were real toys that were wrapped and ready to donate from our toy drive. "You created this."
"I followed a lot of what Eve did last year, but she said I could add a few things here and there." Mainly, I added more decorations, wanting guests to feel like they were in another world, even if it was only for a few hours.
Cooper turned to face me, holding my hand. "Aspen, I never dreamed of feeling secure financially before I got to know you better. You opened my world up to so much love and kindness. You showed me that I could have a different life if I just believed in it."
I squeezed his hand in silent support.
He took a deep breath. "I never expected to fall in love with you. I want to wake up to your beautiful face every morning and fall asleep to your soft snoring at night."
I smacked his chest lightly with my free hand. "I don't snore."
He chuckled.
It was a sweet speech, but I wasn't sure why he was giving it now. I wanted to see the bathrooms, and we had a dance to host. Eve would be arriving with Maddox and Sofia, and I was worried about what she'd think of my changes. Would she decide that I wasn't the right person for the job?
But he sank to one knee, and I covered my heart with my free hand. "Aspen, will you marry me? Will you stand by my side through the good times and the bad?" His voice was thick with emotion, and my heartbeat had slowed.
"Yes," I whispered, so shocked I couldn't process what was happening. He'd asked me to marry him, to be his wife.
He closed his eyes for a second, as if he was relieved by my answer. Then he stood, slipping a ring onto my hand. I glimpsed a square diamond before his hand cupped the back of my head and tipped my chin up so that he could kiss me.
My arms snaked around his neck, my chest pressed against his.
When he pulled back, I lifted my left hand so that I could see the diamond sparkle in the light. "It's gorgeous."
But his gaze was on me. "You're the one who's gorgeous."
"Is this real?" It felt a little like a fairy tale with the dress and the room.
A slow smile spread over his face. "I hope it's real. Otherwise, I'm going to have to wake up and do this all over again as many times as it takes for you to say yes."
I kissed him softly.
Music started playing. The sounds of strings filled the space.
I tipped my head to the side. "I thought I ordered a band."
He smiled, pulling me against him for a dance. "This is just for us."
"You ordered live music for our engagement?" I asked, surprised that he'd put so much thought into this moment.
He nodded sheepishly. "I wanted it to be special."
"I don't need a ballroom or a string quartet, but I love it. And I love you."
He lowered his forehead to mine as we swayed to the music. "I love you too."
I hadn't realized the love of my life was standing in front of me the whole time. It took being forced to work together for us to get to know each other and fall in love.
"This is perfect. Thank you."
"The best part is that this is just the beginning."
Whether he was talking about the evening, the dance, or our lives, he was right. I'd never felt more content, safe, and protected than when I was with him. And he was going to be my husband. I couldn't wait.
Cooper drove down the long driveway lined with evergreen trees with branches draped in twinkling white lights. The mountains loomed large behind the historic inn, even in the waning light.
Belle chose to have an evening wedding. She wanted candles flickering in the library and an outdoor reception with views of the mountains.
"This place is beautiful."
He pulled up to the stairs, and a valet opened my door. I got out and waited for Cooper to come around the vehicle and offer me his arm.
He leaned in close. "We'll be getting married soon."
"I can't wait," I said with a smile.
We ascended the stairs, and my heart rate picked up.
One of the resort's wedding planners, I think her name was Erica, stepped forward. "I'll take you to where the other attendants are getting ready."
When we reached the top of the stairs, she gestured, "Men are through this door, and the women are in here." Then she disappeared downstairs.
Cooper tugged on my hand, pulling me close. His other hand threaded through the strands of my hair. "I don't think I can wait until after the wedding to see you again."
I smiled, gazing up at this man who I loved with all my heart. "The anticipation will make everything more pleasurable."
"I'll hold you to that." He kissed me then, a promise of what was to come later tonight when we were tucked in the room we'd reserved for the night.
When he finally pulled away, my cheeks were warm, and I was more than ready to duck into an empty room and have my way with him.
"Until later," he growled as he knocked, then opened the door.
I took a steadying breath before I opened my door. The room for the bride's attendants was filled with a flutter of activity.
Belle stood in front of the three-way mirror with Bianca fussing with her dress. Maria sat in an armchair by the window.
And everyone else was in various states of undress or sitting on a cushioned ottoman while someone worked on their hair and makeup.
Reina approached Belle. "This resort is absolutely gorgeous. How did you find this gem?"
"My parents have been here for a wedding before. They mentioned that it had a library, and I had to check it out."
Clara sat on one of the white-cushioned ottomans while a woman applied mascara to her lashes. "This place has been in my family for generations."
The conversation in the room quieted.
"This is your family's inn?" Belle turned to ask Clara.
She smoothed her skirt. "Yeah, but I'm not involved in the family business. My brothers run it."
Belle's forehead creased. "This place has a restaurant, vineyards, and outdoor activities. It seems like a lot to operate."
"I have five brothers. I'm sure they do an amazing job running the place," Clara said with a stiff smile. "When my grandmother on my mother’s side died, I took over her store and moved into her home. The inn was my brothers' responsibility."
Clara said it matter-of-factly, as if it didn't matter, but I sensed a sadness about her.
As if she was uncomfortable being here. Was she estranged from her family?
She'd certainly never mentioned any of this to us.
We knew about her grandmother, but that was the extent of the personal information she'd shared, and I wondered if that was by design.
Whatever was going on here with her family wasn't something she was happy about. But I didn't want the revelation to upset Belle. This was her wedding day after all.
I stood and moved to her side. "You're exquisite in this dress. Maverick is going to lose his mind when he sees you."
Belle turned her attention to the mirror again and smiled. "You think so?"
"There won't be a dry eye in the library. You're a vision," Maria said from her place on the stuffed arm chair by the window.
Everyone took turns talking to her, and Clara's declaration was quickly forgotten. When we began to line up for the procession, I stood behind Clara. "Are you okay being here?"
She smiled politely at me. "Of course."
I wasn't so sure she was telling me the truth. But there wasn't time to take a deep dive into her family's history.
The music began, and we walked down the stairs, careful not to trip on the edges of our dresses. As we'd practiced, we paused when we got to the entrance to the library.
There was a rustling when the guests realized we'd arrived, and a few heads turned our way, but my gaze snagged on Cooper, who stood next to the Sterling brothers. My heart fluttered when his gaze met mine.
When Clara moved, I followed her down the aisle, clutching my flowers as we walked, careful not to let it block the bodice of my dress.
Cooper winked at me.
One day, we'd be the ones getting married.
I just couldn't see it being like this, with all the people, the planning, and a wedding planner.
Cooper had joked about eloping. But it seemed fitting, given the beginning of our relationship when we'd kept everything a secret.
I wasn't sure my family would like it, but I couldn't be predictable.
I still needed to keep them on their toes.
And what better way to do that than to announce we were already married?
Plus, I loved the idea of doing this by ourselves without the crowd and fanfare.
The library wedding was perfect for Belle and Maverick, but I wanted something a bit more adventurous. Maybe a destination wedding where we just happened to get married would be the right choice for us.
My heart raced with excitement at the prospect. All that mattered was that I got to spend the rest of my life with Cooper, showing him how amazing life could be.
I hope you loved Aspen and Cooper’s romance!