Chapter 27
Surely this day has to be a dream, Jenny thought as she exchanged vows with Alex on the wide veranda behind the Chesterfield.
Because nothing could ever be this perfect and still be real.
Even though this ceremony was a mere formality, that didn’t stop a tight knot of emotion from forming in her throat as Alex whispered, “Told ya so, it’s all good” as promised, and once again pledged to love and cherish her forever.
She would never get tired of hearing those words or the way his fierce brown eyes went soft with love when he said them.
They lit the third candle for Toby, sharing a meaningful private smile as they paid tribute to the man she’d loved and lost, which only made her love Alex more than she already did.
Her family, Toby’s family, Alex’s friends and their Gansett Island family were all there to watch this time, which somehow made it that much more official.
With Sydney and Erin standing by her side, this wedding bore little resemblance to the one she’d planned so long ago.
Then, her sisters would have been her attendants, but life and years had changed the dynamic between the three of them, and when it came time to choose attendants this time, there’d been no doubt about who she wanted standing with her today.
Sydney had been the first to reach out to her when she arrived on Gansett, hoping for a fresh start.
They had bonded initially over their shared experience with tragedy and loss, but their relationship had become a friendship Jenny treasured.
They’d moved past that early common ground, with both of them finding a second chance at happily ever after while continuing to honor the ones they’d loved and lost.
And Erin… In the years since Toby’s death, Erin had become a sister of Jenny’s heart. She was thrilled to have Erin here on Gansett, especially today.
Having Toby’s parents here had also made the day extra special. Knowing they were happy for her and that she had their love and support meant the world to her.
As the day unfolded with military precision thanks to Lizzie’s unwavering attention to detail, Jenny thought of the secret she and Alex had decided to keep to themselves for the time being, until they were through the critical first trimester.
But knowing their baby was part of the wedding made the day that much sweeter.
And when Alex gathered her into his arms to dance to the song they’d chosen to summarize their love, Jenny knew a moment of pure bliss as she danced to “At Last” with her gorgeous new husband.
“Happy?” he asked.
“That’s not a big enough word to describe how I feel today. You?”
“Same. There are no words.”
“I’m sorry your mom couldn’t be here.”
“I am, too, but it’s for the best. She’s getting what she needs, and we’ll see her tomorrow.” They were spending tonight in the honeymoon suite at the Beachcomber before heading for the mainland to see Marion on their way to a honeymoon in Hawaii.
He had, at some point in the last few days, come around to accepting the fact that it truly was in Marion’s best interest to move her into the facility where she could receive more intense care.
It pained them, however, that Marion’s move had put Hope out of a job.
They’d come to care for her and Ethan tremendously, and it would be hard to say good-bye to them when they left the island.
“I feel so sad for Hope,” Jenny said, her gaze finding their new friend sitting at a table full of friends but seeming so painfully alone.
“Don’t feel too sad,” Alex said. “Paul’s going to pop the question tonight.”
“Oh my God! He is? Really?”
“Yep.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“It’s just… What she said that day… How she’d never get married again. He heard her say that, right?”
“Yeah, he did, but he’s going to ask her anyway.”
“Why do I suddenly feel insanely nervous for him?”
“He’s nervous enough for all of us.”
“What if she says no?”
“Then we’ll prop him up as best we can and get him through it.”
“God, I hope she says yes.”
“Me, too.”
Paul took the microphone that Lizzie handed him and made a big production of clearing his throat to get the happy couple to stop kissing long enough for him to do his duty as best man. “If you crazy kids could come up for air for a few minutes, the best man has a few words he’d like to say.”
Alex rolled his eyes and signaled for him to proceed.
“On behalf of Alex and Jenny, I’d like to welcome you to their wedding.
It’s a day we’ve all looked forward to since last summer, when Jenny and Alex met during the hottest stretch of weather we’ve had here in decades.
They’ve been hot and bothered ever since.
” The line drew a big laugh, especially from the bride and groom.
“And trust me, I know. I’ve had the misfortune of living right next door to them, and I’ve learned to sleep with headphones and music. Loud music.” More laughs.
“All kidding aside, however, I’ve also had the unique perspective of knowing Alex before Jenny and after Jenny.
I’ve got to say I much prefer post-Jenny to pre-Jenny, even if I’ve sacrificed quite a lot of sleep in the post-Jenny era.
” While everyone laughed, he sought out Hope, who watched him with a wistful look on her face that made him feel more optimistic about his plans for later.
She looked so beautiful today in a clingy, sexy dark gold dress.
He held her gaze as he said, “It’s a rare thing, a miracle of sorts, for two people so incredibly well-suited to each other to find one another in this chaotic world, and it’s even more special when they both deserve the kind of happiness Alex and Jenny have found together.
“Although our parents always loved me better than him,” Paul said to more laughter, “they’d be delighted to welcome Jenny into the Martinez family, and on their behalf, I say to Jenny that the Martinez family is lucky to have you—and so is Alex.
I love you both and wish you a lifetime of the kind of happiness you’re sharing with all of us today.
” He raised his glass to them, and when he saw tears in their eyes, he decided he’d done his job.
Then he shifted his gaze to Hope and caught her dabbing at her own eyes.
Alex stood and took the microphone from him. “Thank you, Paul, and for the record, Mom and Dad always loved me best. They frequently said they should’ve quit while they were ahead.”
Paul punched his brother’s arm and returned to his seat.
“I want to thank you all for being here today. Jenny and I are so thrilled to share our special day with you. I’m sure you must be wondering why there’re bowls of tomatoes on your table.
This was a little surprise I orchestrated for my lovely bride, who introduced herself to me by chucking tomatoes at me the day we met.
It was true love from the second that first tomato hit me square in the back after my gang mower woke her up during last year’s heat wave. ”
Jenny hid her face behind her hands as she shook with laughter.
“Don’t let her fool you—that sweet exterior and soft Southern accent hide a steel magnolia on the inside, and she set the tone from the beginning by letting me know I wasn’t going to get away with anything.
She’s been keeping me in line ever since, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
” He held up a flute of champagne. “To my beautiful wife, Jenny. Getting hit by your tomato was the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you forever.”
As Jenny wiped up tears, the rest of the gathering laughed and clapped at Alex’s story.
Paul had heard about the tomatoes many times before, but hearing it in this context made him more determined than ever to throw a few tomatoes of his own—if that was what it took—to convince Hope that the only place in this world she and Ethan belonged was with him.
One way or the other, they were going to get their happily ever after.
Torture. That was the word Hope would use to describe the last few days as she packed up her belongings and Ethan’s while searching for a new job that would take them away from Paul and the people who’d become like family to them.
She’d had a promising second phone interview yesterday, and they were eager for her to come to the mainland to meet in person.
She should be relieved to have a hot job prospect, but it had been a very long time since Hope had felt at home anywhere the way she did in her cozy cabin, across the yard from the Martinez house that had also begun to feel like home, and she had absolutely no desire to leave.
So rather than feeling relieved, she felt despondent.
Paul and Alex had done the right thing to move Marion when they did. As a medical professional, Hope had fully supported their decision and had done everything she could to make it easier for them, even as her heart broke into a million pieces at the implications for herself and Ethan. And Paul…
Other than the night he’d intervened with Ethan, Paul had respected her wishes and kept his distance.
The more he stayed away, however, the harder it was for her to respect her own wishes.
She lay awake night after night, fighting the desire to leave her bed and go to him.
Only Ethan sleeping across the hall kept her where she belonged.
The sight of Paul in a tux today hadn’t helped her resolve at all.
Her mouth had watered at the first glance of him decked out in formal attire.
He looked so sexy, and she wasn’t the only woman in attendance who noticed.
The punch of jealousy and the sharp sting of desire between her legs was a reminder that it would be a very long time—if ever—before she “got over” Paul Martinez.