Epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
NATALIE
"Hey, Mom, I've got some news to share with you and Dad."
I was sitting cross-legged on the couch in the enormous living room in Jake’s home in Martha’s Vineyard, holding the phone with both hands. Jake was leaning against the huge window on the other side of the room, eyes trained on me.
"Let’s hear it," she said. Dad came on the screen as well. They were both tan and had many blond strands in their hair.
"What is it?" Dad asked.
"Well, you know how I've been enjoying my work here with Maddox?"
"Yes. You told us about it," Mom replied.
"I've decided to stay there for good."
My predecessor, Susan, returned last week, but our last events had been such a success that Maddox decided we should host more of them. He needed a team of two for that.
My mom blinked. "What do you mean?" Her voice was a bit sharp. My stomach rolled.
"I didn't feel fulfilled at my previous job. I did it because I didn't want to let my degree go to waste, but I was never happy."
Mom huffed.
"Darling, I realized that a long time ago. I just figured you'd want to persevere," Dad said.
"You realized that?"
"It was written all over you. You never got excited when you told us about your work. I always assumed it was because Vince was making your life hard."
"It wasn't just him. Anyway, I'll also keep planning gigs on the side until I can build my clientele. Mom, I know you're disappointed, but I really love it."
"Honey, I could never be disappointed in you.
I did that job for years because it was the only one I could do.
I figured you'd be safer with a degree and that you’d have more options.
That's all I ever wanted for you. But if this is what makes you happy, then by all means, go ahead with it. We're proud of you no matter what."
I could see in my mom's expression that she was still a bit regretful, but this was good enough for me.
"Thank you both. That was honestly all I had to say. What are your plans today?"
"We're spending some alone time with our granddaughter. That way, we can pamper her away from your sister's scrutinizing eyes." Mom’s smile was smug.
"Mom, don't piss her off. She'll revoke grandparent privilege."
"No, she won't. She likes the free time too much." Mom sent me an air kiss. "Bye, darling. And say hi to Jake for us."
I turned the phone. "He’s right here."
I’d introduced Jake to them in one of our phone calls. As soon as we’d hung up, Mom texted to inform me he had their full approval.
"Hi. Nice to see you two again," he said.
"Jake, finally we get to talk to you again. Our daughter is keeping you away from us.”
“No, I’m not, Mom," I huffed. "But last time you kept him on the phone for forty-five minutes.”
“'Course I did. It was the first time we met him. Had we been in Boston, I would’ve cooked a nice meal and we’d have had hours together.”
“We can’t wait to meet you at Christmas,” Mom said.
I sighed.
I so wished they would visit sooner, but I understood that it wasn’t possible.
Jake and I were toying with the idea of visiting them, but we had so much going on at the moment that we weren’t sure when.
He’d moved from the hotel into my cozy but tiny home, and we were looking for something bigger.
Thankfully, since October had rolled in, it wasn’t boiling hot inside anymore.
"Likewise," he said.
Turning the phone around, I gave them an air kiss before hanging up.
I could barely believe my life now. The restraining order worked, and Vince was out of my hair.
He even sent me a cryptic message that he’d moved to California and never wanted to hear from me again, which sent Jake and me into fits of laughter.
He was always the one to contact me. But I was certain that was all over now.
Jake grinned and sat on the couch next to me. "Told you your parents were going to take it well."
"Yeah, I think they took it as best as they could, but they'll eventually get used to it, especially Mom. I think if they ever come back here for an extended time and see how happy I am, they'll agree it's the right decision."
I was so happy that things were falling into place. Jake made me happier than ever. I had my dream job. What more could I ask for?
"I love this place so much. Thanks for agreeing to come one day early," I said. Abe’s birthday was tomorrow. We came up to the Vineyard yesterday, very late at night. They were all arriving in about two hours: Jeannie and Abe, Jake’s brothers, and his half brothers.
Abe insisted he only needed his family around him.
"Whatever you want, babe," he said. "I told you. You have me wrapped around your little finger."
"Hmm, one of these days, you're going to regret you ever said that to me because I'm going to make full use of it."
"I can't wait."
From the kitchen area, we heard a loud bang.
The chef was cleaning up. We had a delicious dinner.
Donald had prepared tuna tataki with sesame for starters and delicious cannelloni filled with feta and spinach as the main course.
We had ice cream for dessert, and now he was cleaning up all by himself.
"Shouldn't we help?" I asked.
"No, don't worry about it, baby, okay?"
"Okay, if you're sure."
"Want to take a walk around the property? These are our last moments alone for the rest of the weekend."
"Yeah, let's go. It's going to be fun having everyone here."
"I know. But I want you just for me for a while longer."
I chuckled as we walked down the terrace, hand in hand.
"What?" he asked.
"Could you have imagined throwing a birthday party for someone and inviting your whole family here?"
"No," he answered without hesitation. "Although Grandmother had convinced me to throw it for her."
"Yeah, but you only begrudgingly agreed to that, right?”
"I'm nothing if not honest,” he said with a shrug and a huge smile.
"Hey, it's about time for the sunset," I noted. "Do you think we could still find that spot?"
"Yes, we can."
He said it so quickly that I was immediately suspicious.
Had he timed this? Knowing my schedule-obsessed, broody guy, he might have.
Then again, I didn't mind, because I didn't want to miss out on the sunset.
It truly had been a magical experience, and I was eager to relive it now that things were so different.
Jake loved me, and I loved him. I'd never been so happy in my life. If I was honest, I had never imagined a person could feel so much joy anyway, every day of their life.
He put his hand on the small of my back as he led me up a small trail between the trees.
"Oh yeah. This is a magic spot. Truly." We looked through the trees, and sure enough, the sun was so beautiful. It felt almost unreal.
It was a different color from what I remembered. Not as orange, more pink, or was it the sky reflecting in the water, making me think the sun was also pink? It didn't matter. It was breathtaking no matter what.
"Thank you for showing me this place.”
“Natalie," Jake said. His voice sounded different. I turned to look at him. "Thank you for being part of my life. You showed up so unexpectedly, and everything about you just drew me in."
"Everything?" I asked.
"Yes."
"I puked on my way here."
“You were adorable, and I was trying very hard not to acknowledge that. But I don't have to pretend anymore, ever. You’re all I ever wanted." He took a step back. I wondered if that meant he already wanted us to go. The sun had—
Oh my God, he was on one knee.
On one knee.
He brought his hand out from behind his back. I hadn't even realized it had been hidden out of sight. There was a velvet ring box in his hand, and he opened it, revealing a gorgeous translucent stone.
"Natalie, I think this is where the story first began, right here in this spot."
His eyes were a bit glassy. My throat closed up.
“This was where I knew you were different and that you do something to me.”
"What?" I murmured.
"I didn't know back then, but now I do. You gave me an appetite for life and happiness. I want to live through everything that life has to offer with you at my side. Will you be my wife?"
"Yes, Jake. Yes, I want to—" The words got lost as my throat clogged up even more. I had to cough to clear it. I was completely teary-eyed, but I didn't care. I saw him as if it were through a misty rain as he put the ring on my finger before getting up.
"I love you, Natalie."
"Oh, I love you so much. So, so much."
I was swooning when he kissed me. His lips were soft but also demanding. I put my hands around his neck and pressed my whole body to his. He groaned against my mouth as I kissed him in the most wicked way I knew. I was burning for him: my body, my heart, and my mind.
I loved this man to the moon and back, and I couldn't be happier.
The Whitleys arrived two hours later.
"You've got a great place here," Maddox said, looking around the yard as everyone came in from the driveway.
Leo and Nick were right behind him. Since this was the first time they'd been here, I could totally relate to their surprise.
Leo looked from one side of the yard to the other as if mentally measuring how big it was. Yeah, I could totally relate.
As we walked inside, Jeannie took my hand. "Oh, I had a feeling Jake was going to propose."
Several of the guys whistled while they congratulated us. Jake nodded, looking proud of himself. He was rolling Jeannie and Abe's suitcase inside. Everyone else was in charge of their own.
"Oh, who knew he could be such a romantic?" Jeannie went on.
"You two want the same room as always?" Jake asked his grandparents.
"Yes, please," Abe said.
"Okay. I'll take your luggage upstairs."
"Our chef has prepped some finger food for you in case anyone is hungry," I offered.
There was a chorus of "No, we ate in Boston."
Abe went directly upstairs. Leo, Maddox, Nick, Colton, and Gabe followed him, carrying their bags. Only Jeannie, Spencer, and Cade remained downstairs with us.
"I'm going to the kitchen anyway," Cade announced. "I brought some coffee. Last time I was here, my dearest brother had one that sucked. Not like I own a coffee company or anything."
Jake chuckled. "Knock yourself out, dude. Coffee's coffee to me."
Cade just stared at him. I bit my lower lip. "You do not say that to a coffee connoisseur," I said.
Cade nodded. "Thank you, Natalie.”
“Have at it,” Jake said. “I’m going upstairs real quick.”
“I've been a connoisseur since high school," Cade said as soon as Jake left.
Jeannie straightened up, rolling her shoulders. Her blue eyes were suddenly full of mischief.
"Speaking of high school, have you heard from Meredith lately?" Jeannie asked as Cade walked to the kitchen island, putting the huge paper bag he was carrying in one arm on the counter.
Cade's eyebrows shot up. "Meredith? No."
"Right," Jeannie said with a knowing smile.
"What's this about?" Spencer asked Jeannie, eyeing his brother as if calculating if he was far enough away to be out of earshot.
I grinned, remembering what Jeannie said about the twins: Cade was the troublemaker, Spencer the peacemaker. And here he was, looking after his twin brother.
"I was just curious. They used to be friends in high school. I always wondered if there was more between them or if there could be more. I guess they’ll find out soon enough."
"Grandmother, what did you do?" Spencer asked in a sharp tone.
Jeannie just winked. "Cade's in for a huge surprise. Now come on. Let's go to the kitchen. I'm suddenly in the mood for that finger food Natalie praised so much."
Spencer and I exchanged a glance as the three of us headed to the kitchen. Jeannie was playing matchmaker again. Seeing how successful she’d been with Jake and me had probably convinced her it was the right thing to do. Then again, we were immensely happy, so who was I to argue?
"Do you think we should warn Cade?" I asked Spencer.
He shook his head, chuckling. "No. When Grandmother plans something, it's better if you don't see anything coming.”