Chapter 45
Chapter forty-five
Lance
My foot sinks into the warm sand; it wraps around my toes as I sit with Hannah looking out to the ocean. The waves lap onto the beach, the sun reflecting pink on the horizon as it disappears.
Barbados is utter bliss.
The bay pulled straight from a movie set with technicolor clarity. Boats bob on the clear-blue water, and palm trees sway in the breeze. Life finally feels complete.
“Are you ready for tomorrow, Dad?” Hannah asks. I smile down at my beautiful daughter; she’s been so excited about this trip. “Ready to be stuck with the ball and chain?” She giggles at her joke.
I laugh. “Where on earth did you hear that?”
“YouTube,” she says.
“Why does that not surprise me?” I mutter. Hannah is forever on her tablet, watching crap. Make up tutorials, Gen Z slang, and random challenges that make no sense to any sane person. But in a strange way, she learns, adding to her knowledge and vocabulary day by day.
“Can I tell you something, Dad?”
“Anything. You can always tell me anything.”
“When you and Katie got together, I was scared. I thought she might steal you away from me.” Her focus drops to the sand, her toes making patterns as if she’s embarrassed. Her confession, some dark secret. “But now, I’m happy you’re with her. She’s wonderful. I love her too.”
I simply put my arm around my daughter’s shoulders. Nothing needs to be said. We continue to stare at the view in silence. Together.
No expense has been spared on this holiday. It’s the most important three weeks of all our lives so far. It’s only our little family of four here. No one else is attending our nuptials, just us. I’d been relieved when Katie agreed.
It may be selfish, but for both of us, it was important that it was just us. No expectations, no boundaries, nothing to navigate. Our sights could be firmly set on our wedding and our family’s future.
Luckily, Katie’s career has reignited, thanks to Celia. She released her first book in over a year only a few weeks ago, and sales surpassed expectations. Her fanbase hasn’t faded with her absence from the market.
Celia headed a fantastic marketing campaign. Katie’s confidence grows day by day as her success blossoms. I’m so proud of her. Not just for her talent, but also for her willingness to step back into the ring. To put herself back on the stage and try again.
But if there is one thing I know about Katie, it’s that all her life she’s reinvented herself. She’s tried again. Even when the challenges felt insurmountable. When she was scared. Eventually, she took the hard road to a better life.
And now, we’re finally here. At the happy ending. Or the start of the sequel.
Our room is enormous, with two wide king-size beds.
The children have an adjoining smaller room, which is a godsend when we need some privacy.
Sliding doors lead out directly onto the white sands—we can lie in bed and watch the waves lap the beach.
Every inch of this place is expensive and plush, with swathes of white linen hanging from windows or covering the soft furnishings. My credit card knows it too.
Tonight, Katie’s staying in an alternative room. An effort to keep some tradition of not seeing the bride before the big day. The idea of being away from her makes my stomach churn. I hate when we’re apart, but she wouldn’t be swayed on this.
Tomorrow cannot come quick enough.
I can’t wait to make her my wife.
Hannah kisses me goodnight before heading off to spend the night with my bride.
She’s our maid of honor and is taking her responsibilities very seriously.
David is probably the youngest best man in history, but he’ll look incredibly cute in his miniature white linen shirt and trousers.
He’s currently asleep in his cot; soft snores play music on the breeze every so often, confirming he’s still dreaming.
The sun sets behind the ocean, and I decide to retire for the night. The sooner I sleep, the sooner I wake, and the sooner she will be mine.
***
Our little group stands at the edge of the water. Nerves dance in my belly, waiting for her to arrive. There’s only the celebrant, David, me, and two random members of the hotel staff as witnesses.
A simple white arch laced with lilies and ivy marks the ceremony space. White pots of pink plants define the path my bride will walk. My focus darts from the celebrant to the gap in the lush green trees where I expect my girls to appear.
Ten minutes late already. They’re making me sweat.
I pray my plain white linen suit won’t be marked by my apprehension. I try to steady myself by curling my solo foot’s toes in the sand, moving my weight onto my false leg. Learning to walk on this uneven surface was tricky, but Katie was desperate to be married on the beach barefoot.
I’d walk over hot coals to make her happy, so I learned. I practiced. And now I can.
A glimpse of white appears around the corner of the shack that’s nestled in the green, marking the edge of the beach to the hotel.
Hannah walks in slow motion. Her long, soft dress blows in the sea breeze.
Her red hair sits in soft curls, the most beautiful, sincere smile on her face. She looks genuinely happy.
As she moves, she scatters white petals across the sand, her eyes bright. When she reaches me, she runs into my arms, and I squeeze her tight, a sheer rush of love swelling in my chest. She’s here, and she’s happy. What more can I ask for my daughter?
“I love you, princess,” I whisper in her ear. “Always.”
Katie stands at the top of the aisle. Her huge dark eyes fixed on me; her smile shy. The white dress falls to the ground, caressing her curves as it descends. My breath hitches. She’s exquisite. This woman’s going to be my wife.
I’m officially the luckiest man alive.
Her progress toward me is excruciatingly slow, each step more mesmerizing. One bare foot sinks in front of the other with exact precision. In her hands, she holds a simple bouquet of daisies, and more decorate her blonde curls.
She looks like she’s walked out of a woodland dream. I half expect fairies to start fluttering around her. Today feels magical.
Eventually, she reaches my side; I take her hands. Euphoria hits. My dream is coming true. I’m marrying the woman I’m besotted with.
The woman I love with all my heart. The woman I wanted forever since I saw her drenched in that burn years before. There was always a draw; she’s always been the one. Hell, I do believe in soul mates.
“Hi,” she says. Her cheeks blush the most beautiful shade of pink. It only highlights her beauty. The fantasy coming to life.
“Hi,” I reply.
She’s the only person I see. My eyes locked, unable to look away.
“Shall we begin?” The celebrant smiles—we’re lost in each other’s company. “I believe you want to get married today.”
We both laugh softly at the unfunny joke; nothing’s going to ruin this moment. To be here and making this commitment, today is our day. After everything, we’ve arrived and we’re winning—each other.
The ceremony is simple. We didn’t want to fill the time with too many unnecessary words. It’s the actions of today that matter. We both know how we feel about each other. This is forever.
“Do you, Lance McDonald, take Katie Clark to be your lawfully wedded wife?” he asks.
“I do,” I reply. No hesitation.
“And do you, Katie Clark, take Lance McDonald to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Katie looks me straight in the eye, her gaze full of hope and love. “I do.”
***
That evening, we stand on the beach, hand in hand. Hannah by my side, chattering about the view and how much she loves Barbados. I listen as she prattles on about all the things she could do if only, we lived by the sea. Maybe we should look at moving here.
Katie holds David on her hip, nurturing him as any mother would. She bounces him gently while whispering to him about his surroundings, telling him about the fish in the ocean and the birds that fly in the sky.
She loves and excels in her new role as one of his mothers. I’m proud of both her and Amber—they’ve carved a fabulous relationship, which will benefit my son throughout his childhood. He’s lucky to have such wonderful women in his world.
I steal a glance at my beautiful new wife. She’s my everything.
Our relationship may be unconventional, and many of our friends and family have concerns about our longevity. None of that worries me. This is the person I’m meant to spend my life with. I don’t doubt our feelings for each other.
In truth, I always knew she was the one for me. From the second I extracted her from that burn at Eden House, our bodies called for each other, no matter how far apart we were. The magnetism undeniable, she was always there in my mind.
I realize now that we’ve both achieved everything we have ever dreamed of ― a family unit filled with unconditional love.
***
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