Epilogue
Three months later…
Nina rested her head on Boone’s shoulder as they glided across the dance floor. The French doors along one side of the ballroom were open to the courtyard and a soft, fresh breeze swept through.
Joy overflowed with every beat of her heart. The wedding ceremony for Nash and Jess had been full of light and love. Their parents had teared up, Nina too, as her brother and his bride exchanged vows and rings. She didn’t think her brother had stopped smiling yet. As the reception rolled on, each moment continued to build beautiful memories.
“I’m so happy,” she murmured. Her gaze caught on the happy couple dancing nearby. “She’s all he’s wanted for as long as I can remember.”
“You should be happy.” Boone’s lips brushed her cheek. “Proud too.”
“Hmm.” He wasn’t wrong. She was proud of herself.
Every bloom, bud, and splash of greenery at the chapel ceremony and here at the reception was a celebration of Nash and Jess. The bright, bold colors and lush, tropical style were exactly what they’d wanted. She and Molly had pored over every detail, from the ringbearer’s tiny boutonniere to the hand-tied bridal bouquet all the way to the pillars framing the dancefloor and the garland centerpieces that would be separated and sent home with various guests.
They’d had so much fun during the consultations and while bringing their vision to life. Nina was delighted to apply her skills to this special day for two people who meant the world to her.
“I had extra help,” she joked, smoothing a hand over her rounded belly as the song ended.
Boone guided her back toward their table and she sipped the sparkling cider in her glass. “How are the two of you feeling?”
“Marvelous.”
In fact, she’d never been happier. Never been more content and confident. Her second trimester was a vast improvement over the first. Instead of tired and weepy and sick, she felt empowered and energized. It seemed like every day either Boone or Molly reminded her to take it easy at some point, and she didn’t even mind.
Because she was taking care of herself and thoroughly enjoying her current condition. She reveled in every glorious second of feeling beautiful. Soon enough, she’d likely be as big as a whale with swollen, achy feet.
Right now those feet, sporting a lovely pink pedicure, were relatively happy and content in the sparkly sandals she’d bought to go along with her dress. Jess, Lila, Celeste, and Molly had joined Nina on a marathon shopping weekend in Charleston. Somehow, Jess had convinced Trina, the manager of the Inn, to take some personal time too. They’d all had the best time, building friendships and bonds that exemplified what she loved most about her small town.
While she was lost in thought, Boone rubbed her neck and shoulders lightly. Nothing obvious enough to draw notice. One more thoughtful kindness to go with all the other things she liked about him more with every day .
He bent close to her ear, whispering, “I’ve noticed a bit of flower jealousy here and there.”
“I should hope so.” Since it was there, she kissed his cheek. “Molly and I knocked it out of the park with this one.”
“Just you like you did with our wedding.”
“Maybe.”
Their wedding had been a much smaller affair, if only because it came together quickly. Turned out, the big event she’d dreamed of—complete with a floral extravaganza—paled in comparison to the reality of exchanging vows with her soulmate.
Nina wasn’t ashamed of being pregnant before she married Boone, but she was glad they had pulled off the wedding before she started showing. For so many reasons. And her husband—she loved that word—was right: The day had been a perfect start for their marriage.
She was even happier that her friend Haley had flown in to help Molly and Nina with the wedding flowers. All of their talents and artistry had been on display that day, and many of the pictures had gone straight into their individual portfolios.
Her mother and Lila had informed her that the island grapevine claimed Nina and Boone were a love-at-first sight romance story. She figured that was one thing the grapevine got right, even if the first sighting had been weeks before he came to Brookwell.
Boone had been the fantasy lurking deep in her heart, the yearning she’d been too afraid to share with anyone else. Now, sharing her life with him got better day by day.
“You need to own it,” he said, breaking into her thoughts.
“I probably shouldn’t get quite so much satisfaction from stirring up envy.”
“In your industry you should classify it as marketing. ”
“Leave it to you to put a positive spin on the dark side of my performance motivation.”
He chuckled. “Come on. You know you're the nice one in this partnership.”
Partnership . She squeezed Boone’s hand. How incredible to have a partner in life. Growing up, her parents had framed their marriage as a partnership and she knew Jess and Nash did as well. Both couples were an inspiration. And in these early days of marriage, she often revisited what she’d learned from the example of her parents.
“Oh look at that!” She pointed to the dance floor as the music changed and her dad took her mom out for that unique Southern shuffle locally known as the shag.
“Your parents are really good,” Boone observed.
“They really are.” Nina sighed. “Look at Mom’s face. Whenever they dance, you can see how they fell in love.”
“How much they still are,” Boone murmured.
“Exactly.” She felt the baby move and smiled. “Mom and Dad would dance during beach bonfires and cookouts. Long before the Brookwell music festival began.”
“They really are a great couple and the best of in-laws.”
She grinned. He always knew just how to melt her heart. “They love you.”
“It’s awesome.” He squeezed her shoulder. “My parents would love you too.”
She enjoyed the dancing couples, the variations and individual flare they put into their steps. “We need to find a way to make sure our kids know your parents.”
He shot her a look. “Kids? You’re already planning on more?”
“Ha.” Although it was easy to imagine. “We should be so blessed. Maybe I just slipped up and told you we're having twins.”
She giggled when the color drained from his face. “Come on.” She bumped his knee. “You were there when they did the ultrasound. Just one baby this round for us.”
“Do twins run in your family?”
She tsked at him. “That’s a question you should’ve asked before the vows. I feel no obligation to reveal any genealogy secrets at this point.”
He chuckled and draped an arm around her shoulders. They continued to sit together, content with each other while the guests partied throughout the ballroom and out in the courtyard.
Jess and Nash were dancing, their steps so smooth it looked as if they were floating. When Jess twirled into Nash, Nina thought her heart might burst from happiness. “They are too damn cute.”
“We’re cuter,” Boone insisted. “So tell me more about twins and more kids.”
She shook her head. “My point was how can we help this baby and any others we have know your parents?”
“You're serious?”
“Why does this shock you? Your parents are just as much a part of the family history as mine.”
He sat with that for a few minutes, his expression inscrutable.
She wondered if she'd crossed a line. Except Boone rarely shied away from his past. He didn’t shy away from anything actually, choosing to face any challenge head on. Including her. But any loss was a tender subject.
“Well, we have photo albums, physical and online,” Boone said at last. “And my sister might have more ideas. We probably won’t want to trek out to their graves very often.”
“Agreed. My mom had a suggestion.”
“I’m listening. ”
“Well, eventually we will outgrow the space over the shop.” They’d started planning changes for turning the second bedroom into a nursery, though they had a ways to go. “Mom suggested when we find a house, we plant a couple of trees in their honor.”
For a moment, Boone didn’t say a word, then he pulled her into a tight hug. “That’s brilliant. I love it. I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said, kissing him softly.
The baby kicked and she brought his hand to her belly. “I think we have approval from the peanut gallery.”
“It’s unanimous.” He grinned at her. “Which means this family meeting is now adjourned.” Boone pulled her to her feet as the music shifted to something slow and sweet. “How about one more dance before we call it a night and I take you home?”
In perfect agreement, they danced that slow song, utterly content with each other. And after a swift round of farewells, they were out the door and headed back to the apartment they called home.
For now.
The End
***