Chapter Twenty-Two
CHAPTER
Eight months later …
Caleb stood before the mirror, his fingers fumbling with the soft silk fabric of his tie.
Today was the day he’d get to marry the love of his life, and he hoped Mother Nature was going to be kind, given the ceremony and reception were outdoors.
Counting down the months, weeks, then days, it had felt as if this momentous occasion would never come.
And now it was here, he was counting down the minutes.
His breath hitched in his chest as he imagined watching Nyah walking down the aisle, her arm in the crook of Robert’s, looking radiant as ever in her dress, and he said a silent prayer to remain steadfast as he faced the swell of emotions that would threaten to unmoor him.
She just made him feel so much, in all the good ways.
A blessed man he would forever be, having her love him like she did.
So unconditionally, so deeply, so very passionately.
All around him the room held a quiet stillness, punctuated only by the soft rustling of his movements and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, until a gentle knock preceded the entry of his parents.
Shirley Hart’s eyes shimmered with the tears she bravely held back, and her smile was a proud arc across her pretty face. ‘Oh, wow, look at you.’ Her hand reached to smooth a nonexistent crease on his jacket. ‘Our boy, looking mighty handsome indeed.’
‘Remember, son,’ his father said, his voice strong and sturdy as he brought a hand to Caleb’s shoulder, ‘love isn’t just about holding on tight during the storms, but also walking together in the sunshine, as often as possible.
’ Rodger Hart’s words, simple yet profound, were all the encouragement Caleb needed to steady his racing heart.
‘You and Nyah were made for each other from the very start.’ He moved his hand to Caleb’s chest. ‘Hold on to this knowledge in here, always.’
‘Yes, that’s so very true, dear.’ Shirley smiled adoringly at her husband of thirty-nine years. ‘We’re so happy life brought you and Nyah back together,’ she added, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a flower-patterned handkerchief. ‘Albeit under ghastly circumstances.’
Vance’s head popped through the doorway. ‘Shirley, Rodger…’ His grin was contagious as he looked to Caleb. ‘You ready, bud?’
Caleb tried not to think about what Vance and Hope had been up to in their room, now they were officially together—Hope would forever be his little sister.
‘Am I ever.’ With a final nod at his reflection, he stepped out of his ocean-view apartment and after descending a staircase two stairs at a time, emerged into the vibrant embrace of Palm Cove Beach alongside his parents.
Here, the natural cathedral of azure skies and white sands awaited the union of two hearts weathered by life’s whirlwinds.
‘You got your girl, Hart,’ Vance said with a friendly slap to his back. ‘Good on ya, bud.’
Caleb slung his best mate a sideways smile. ‘Thanks, mate.’
Taking a deep breath before he headed down the rose petal–scattered aisle, Caleb strode alongside his best man.
The ceremony space breathed tranquillity, a serene alcove amid the tropical beauty of the coast. The gentle lapping of waves against the shore provided a soothing soundtrack, and a soft breeze danced through the fronds of palm trees, carrying the salty tang of the ocean and the sweet scent of tropical blooms that adorned the simple arch under which he would soon stand with Nyah.
Chairs dotted the sand like shells left by the tide, intimate clusters awaiting the warmth of family and friends.
Stopping to have a chat with the celebrant, he then greeted arriving guests with a warm smile.
Each handshake, each pat on the back, was a reminder of the road he and Nyah had walked, sometimes crawled, and sometimes vaulted, in their many years of knowing each other, to get here.
To this day of dreams coming true.
Finally taking his place at the front, his nerves fluttered wildly.
Not because he was getting married, but because he wanted to live up to everything Nyah loved him for, each and every day, without fail.
He never wanted to let her down. Never wanted to be the reason she shed a tear.
Always wanted to be the dad he promised to be, when they had their children.
As he patiently waited on his woman, his gaze drifted to the horizon where the sky met the sea.
In this sacred space, where the grounding earth met with the ever-shifting ocean, he looked to the place where he’d gotten down on one knee all those months ago, and stood ready to claim a future that, as his father had reiterated, had been theirs from the get-go.
They’d just had to climb mountains to find each other a second time around.
And every single step had been worth it to get back to Nyah Love.
Soon to be Nyah Hart.
***
In the tranquil refuge of her plush hotel room, the loving care of Rae and Hope surrounded Nyah.
Her body-hugging gown, a delicate vision of antique lace and tiny jewels, draped over her perfectly, despite the little life forming within.
She was about to head into her second trimester, and the miniature bump was only recognisable when she or Caleb ran their hands over her belly.
As for her dream dress, sewn by a famed seamstress who had moved from the big smoke and now lived off the grid up in the Kuranda mountains, every detail had been tended to with affectionate precision, from the intricate buttons lining her spine to the 1920s jewels they’d found online.
‘You look absolutely stunning, Nyah,’ Rae cooed, her hands gliding over the fabric in a tender gesture. ‘Like an angel.’
‘Damn straight you do, my soon-to-be sister-in-law.’ Hope clapped her hands together and, keeping them clasped, held them beneath her chin. ‘My brother is one lucky bugger, scoring you for a wifey.’
‘Thanks, lovelies.’ Nyah took a deep breath as her trembling fingers delicately adjusted the fine lace veil that cascaded down her back.
‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe how nervous I am.
I’ve been desperate to marry Caleb since the second he asked me to be his wife, and here I am, shaking like a leaf.
’ As she held out her hands, the tremble was visible.
‘I know what will help.’ Hope took both Nyah’s hands and held them tenderly. ‘Remember when we were fourteen, and you bravely tended to that wounded stray cat hiding underneath Dad’s boat?’
‘Now you mention it, I sure do.’ Nyah chuckled at the memory, grateful for the distraction from the butterflies flapping wildly in her belly. ‘And that cat did not make it easy,’ she replied. ‘It wanted to claw me to pieces.’
‘But you persevered, and pushed through, because you knew the outcome would be positive.’ Hope locked eyes with Nyah.
‘And today is no different. You’re healing your past by stepping into a future with Caleb, and all of us Harts for that matter.
Of course you’re going to be nervous, but your strength, my dear friend, who is braver than anyone else I know, is truly inspiring.
’ And now she turned Nyah, making her look at herself in the mirror while she rested her chin on her shoulder.
‘You deserve to be happy, and loved, by my gorgeous, and sometimes irritating, big brother.’
Biting her bottom lip to stop from crying, Nyah saw a reflection that showed more than just two women preparing for a wedding; it revealed their deep bond forged through years of friendship, loss and unwavering support.
‘Thank you, my darling friend, for always being here for me,’ Nyah said, her voice catching with emotion.
‘I seriously love you to bits.’ She squeezed Hope’s hand tightly.
‘I love you to bits, too, Nyah.’ Hope’s warm smile spread. ‘Now, before we both end up sobbing messes, it’s time to get you out of this room and down the aisle.’
Right on cue, Robert appeared in the doorway, radiating pride as his gaze rested on his daughter with the love of a deeply doting father.
‘Nyah, wow, you look…’ He seemed to stumble over his words, then squaring his shoulders as if gathering his emotions, he took a breath as he closed the distance between them.
‘I’ve watched you grow from this little girl filled with sass and spirit, into this strong woman standing before me, who can overcome anything life throws her way.
’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. ’
Fanning her face to try and stop from crying, Nyah sniffled. ‘Thanks, Dad, that means the world to me.’ She kissed his cheek in return. ‘You mean the world to me.’
Robert blinked faster, and a lone tear tumbled down his cheek. Sniffing, he smiled when Nyah reached out and wiped it away. ‘I love you so much, Dad.’
‘I love you to the moon and back, and then some,’ he replied with a loving smile. ‘Now, come on, let’s get you out there, so you can marry that wonderful man of yours, hey.’
Nyah accepted the crook of his arm. ‘Yes, let’s.’
Together, father and daughter stepped out behind Rae and Hope into the sunlight that bathed the path ahead—one leading towards the seaside altar between gardens filled with birds of paradise and colourful ginger bulbs.
Reaching the edges of the ceremony venue, they stopped, and Nyah took a moment to gather herself.
Robert offered her a look of encouragement as he gently tapped her hand resting on his arm.
With her chosen Luke Combs song, ‘Forever After All’, ringing out from the speakers, the guests rose in unison, their collective breath a sigh of admiration and anticipation.