Epilogue
Viv used to dream about this day. She’d seen enough movies in her youth to know what it might look like. Family and friends gathered to watch the joyous event. A tall cake, a handsome groom, and flowers that went on for days.
Of course, after she had the twins, visions of that special day faded, and Viv set her focus on motherhood instead.
Who knew that—this many years later—her childhood dreams of that special day would resurface and come to pass?
Her dad gave her hand a squeeze as he stood by her side. “Think they’re about to play our song,” he said in a whisper.
Viv’s heart thumped wildly out of beat with anticipation. “I’m ready,” she assured him.
The event was bigger than she imagined, but what else could she expect?
She was marrying a man who made friends everywhere he went.
Duke felt it was only right to invite Bruce, Tiff, and dozens of other friends he’d acquired simply by employing them in one field or another.
He’d even flown in Sebastian and Irene for the occasion.
Shortly after the wedding, Viv and Duke would see the couple again back in Costa Rica, where they’d stay on the private island once more, this time for their honeymoon. She could hardly wait.
Upon returning, they’d take their first trip as a family to see the World Series. Duke and the twins had spent hours researching the possible destinations. Each offered entertainment ranging from local zoos and aquariums to amusement parks and city tours.
She still had to shake her head at the unexpected gift Duke Benton was in her life.
In the kids’ lives too. Viv took a moment to inwardly send thanks to the heavens.
She imagined that Duke’s loved ones—his brother, father, and grandfather too—were watching from their place in the clouds, proud of the man he’d become.
Viv was pulled from her musings as she glanced at one of the chapel’s large screens. A slideshow had been playing, showing pictures of the couple over the years clear back to their childhood.
But now, a live view of the altar filled the screens. It was strictly for attending guests to have an up close and personal look at the ceremony. But in the moment, Viv was happy to see a close-up of her groom as he waited for her in his perfectly tailored tux.
Spots of heat circled her heart as she took in the handsome features of his face, the emotion she saw in his deep blue eyes. Hints of moisture caught the light as the angle shifted from him to the others in the line.
Zander, who stood beside him as the best man, leaned in and mumbled something that put a grin on his face. Viv’s heart fluttered at the sight. Oh, how she loved the incredible man he was.
The view panned out to show the rest of the wedding party. Her soon-to-be sisters-in-law were lined up on her side of the altar, having just been walked down the aisle by the men standing beside the groom.
At the end of that line, the twins stood tall and proud, thrilled to be dressed up like Duke. Thrilled that he’d officially be part of their lives from that day forth. A thought that made Viv smile every time.
There had been a spark of controversy over the new Benton brother who’d surprised the family the night she and Duke got engaged. Grandma Lo, bless her, had hoped the brothers would quickly bond before Burke had to go back to New York, enough that Duke would even ask him to be one of his groomsmen.
Sadly, there’d been enough suspicion surrounding Burke’s debut that the brothers hadn’t warmed up to him just yet.
Duke confided in Viv about his reservations, saying it had more to do with protecting their father’s image.
He was no longer living, after all, and Duke didn’t want him to become the subject of tabloid gossip.
There was more to his parent’s story than outsiders knew.
More than they had right to know, in Duke’s opinion.
Still, his long lost half-brother had officially moved from the east coast to the west and was seated at the wedding on the front pew.
Before Burke arrived, only Claudia and Lorraine had known about him. But with the last name Benton and a face that resembled the half-brothers to an uncanny degree, the family addition wouldn’t remain a secret for long.
So far, Viv sensed Burke was a good man, one who simply longed for family connection. She hoped that, over time, a genuine friendship might sprout between him and the rest of the Benton men.
That thought was cut short as the bride’s song sounded over the speakers. A new round of flutters danced around her heart as the crowd rose to their feet.
“That’s our cue,” Dad said with another hand squeeze.
Viv nodded, gulped, and took that first step toward her handsome groom. Toward her beautiful future, and the life she’d embrace with open, willing arms.
There were sure to be twists, turns, and even pitfalls as they went, but Viv would go into the years ahead like she’d gone into her relationship with Duke—intentionally, with both eyes open, and ready for the adventures ahead.
Life with Duke, the twins, and the rest of the growing Benton family, was sure to be one heck of a ride.