Epilogue
JASPER
Get out!" my sister shrieked. "You can't see Nat in her dress before the wedding day!"
I slapped a hand over my eyes, feeling like a complete idiot. "Okay, shit. I didn't know she was in her dress!"
Charlie's exasperated sigh filled the room. "What do you think a dress fitting is, you fool?"
"Stop yelling at me!" I snapped back. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I stood there, hand still firmly pressed against my face, caught between the desire to bolt and the temptation to catch even the smallest glimpse of Natalie.
"Stop standing there like a ding dong with your hand over your eyes!"
Blind and flustered, I spun around, only to smash face-first into the unforgiving door frame. Pain exploded across my forehead. "Ouch, fuck," I muttered, rubbing the spot that would surely bruise.
Suddenly, I felt Natalie's warm hands on my shoulders. They were soft but firm as she steered me out of the room. Her scent washed over me and calmed my racing heart.
"I'll be out in a second," she said, her voice close to my ear.
I sat on the couch in Marie's living room, my knee bouncing with nervous energy as I waited for Natalie. The bedroom door creaked open, and I straightened up. Marie emerged first, followed by Charlie, and then finally, Natalie.
"Hey, you," Natalie said, her voice soft and warm.
I stood up so quickly I nearly tripped over my own feet, rubbing the back of my neck as heat crept up my face. "Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to?—"
"It's fine," Natalie assured me. "I don't believe in that old superstition. I could wear my dress all day, every day from now until the wedding and it wouldn't change a thing."
The easy confidence in her reply settled something in me. I wasn't sure why I was nervous. She had already agreed to marry me after seven years apart. I just... I wanted to give her the world. Make all her dreams come true, bring every fantasy to life. Right here in Sable Point. With me.
"I have a surprise for you," I said.
Her eyes lit up, and a mischievous smile spread over her face. "Ice cream?" she asked, eyebrows raised in mock hope.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Better than ice cream."
"Ah, cake," she declared, nodding sagely.
"Not cake, you goof." I reached for her hand. "Come on."
I led her out of her mom's house, and we stepped into the cool spring night. My heart was pounding so hard I was convinced she could hear it, but I tried to keep my cool as we approached the spot where my truck nestled between the trees.
I had spent hours setting this up, and now that we were here, I was suddenly nervous as hell. The bed of my pickup was decked out with a blow-up mattress, pillows, and blankets. I had snacks stashed in a cooler and a movie projection screen rigged up against the cab. Twinkle lights I had swiped from Charlie's room were strung along the sides, casting a soft glow over everything. Cinderella was cued up and ready to go, just waiting for us to hit play.
My palms were sweating as I turned to Natalie, searching her face for a reaction. "Do you like it?"
She took in the scene, lips parting in surprise. For a heart-stopping moment, I was terrified she hated it. But then a radiant smile bloomed across her face.
"Jasper!" She squeezed my hand. "This is... it's perfect."
"Yeah? You like it?"
"I love it. How did you even manage all this?"
"I have my ways."
She laughed, the sound light and carefree, and I was struck again by how much I loved her.
My hands lingered on her waist as I helped her climb into the truck. She settled onto the mattress, and I grabbed the cooler before joining her.
"Snacks?" I offered, popping the lid open.
Natalie peeked inside, grinning. "Ooh, Junior Mints!"
"Of course. And some of that fancy cheese you like. Oh, and..." I reached into the cooler, pulling out a bottle with a flourish. "Ta-da! Apple cider."
She laughed again, shaking her head. "Look at you, thinking of everything."
I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers in a soft kiss. "I just want tonight to be perfect. It's a special day, after all."
She pulled back slightly, frowning as she met my gaze. "It is?"
"Yep. Ten years ago today, in this very spot, I told you I loved you for the first time. Love you more now than I did then." She smiled up at me, and I cleared my throat, reaching for the remote. "Now, you ready for some Cinderella magic?"
She snuggled closer, resting her head on my shoulder. "Hit it, Prince Charming."
The movie started to play. Natalie's warm weight settled against me and the scent of apple blossoms drifted on the night air.
But I wasn't watching the movie. I was watching her.
Munching on her popcorn.
Sipping her cider.
Smiling at the finely dressed mice on the projection screen.
The twinkle lights cast a soft glow on her skin, making her look almost ethereal in the darkness of the orchard.
"Stop staring, creep." Her eyes stayed fixed on the screen, but she poked me playfully with her foot.
"Sorry," I mumbled, not meaning it one bit. My eyes were still glued to her, drinking in every detail.
She turned to me, eyes narrowed in mock suspicion. "You're not."
"Nope," I admitted, popping the 'p' with a cheeky grin .
She giggled and leaned in, pressing her lips to mine. The kiss started soft, sweet, but it quickly turned into something more. My hand found its way to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as the heat between us built. The movie forgotten, all I could focus on was the feel of Natalie in my arms, her taste on my lips, and the knowledge that this moment, right here in the bed of my pickup under the stars, was damn near perfect.
And I would get to do this with her for the rest of my life.
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