Epilogue #2
My father lays a strong hand on my shoulder. “You’re free to do whatever you want, my girl. The family businesses are set for you to enjoy your life. However, we’re not getting any younger, and we miss seeing you most weeks. Rest assured, your home and BJ’s home are being cared for in LA.”
“Thank you. We don’t want to sell until we have a plan.” The truth is, while I love it here, I’m unsure if I want to stay forever, which is why I have already spoken about Nadine’s schooling. “We can talk more during the week. I’m so happy everyone is making a vacation out of the trip.”
“The kids are excited to see the Great Barrier Reef,” Mom says.
I laugh. “I think we all are just to be on a vacation together.”
When Mom and Dad move to the bar, Jobe and Zara embrace me.
“We waited for the riff-raff to move along,” Zara says jokingly.
I laugh at her. “How are you both? How is the hotel?”
“Well, you understand hospitality now you’re in the business,” Jobe says.
“We’re not at the level you are. This is enough,” I emphasize.
“Life is good,” Zara chimes in. “We miss you, but there’s never a dull moment in the Hendricks family.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”
Aubree, Hunter, Brandon, and I take the opportunity to talk alone.
Brandon and Hunter have been ribbing each other about their kids’ sporting talents.
While their older children play basketball and AFL football, there are jokes about the girls being on the same basketball team.
The children have been entertained by our nannies, and before another joke begins, Brandon Jr. enters the room.
“What is it, son?” Hunter asks him.
“I’m a bit old for some of the stuff they’re all doing,” he grunts like a bored nine-year-old.
Brandon winks at him as though they have an understanding beyond sharing a name. “Wanna use my gaming room?”
“Could I?”
“Sure. I’ll get Mel to set you up.”
“Thanks, mate.” Hunter lands a hand on Brandon’s shoulder.
“What are the other kids doing?” I ask him. His little blue eyes, which he inherited from his father, look up at me as though he doesn’t want to say anything. Hunter ruffles his dark hair, and he frowns at his dad.
“Leigh is being a dick.”
“Language,” Aubree warns.
“He said I have to marry Nadine and wanted us to kiss,” he blurts.
Brandon chokes on his wine. “Did you?”
“No,” he exclaims at the accusation, looking every bit as disgusted as my man.
Brandon turns to me. “It’s time to leave the country.”
I giggle at him. “They’re just kids.”
“Lottie, did you hear that?” Violet yells at me even though she is in a group beside me. My friends were talking to Maddy and Luke.
I’m still smiling at Brandon’s reaction as I turn to see what has excited my friends. “No, I didn’t.”
“Maddy has a friend who would be perfect for Cassie.”
I look at Maddy. “Here?”
“Not here, but not too far from here,” Maddy says. “Only a five or so hour road trip.”
That is not close.
“His name is Zane,” Cassie says excitedly. “She’s going to set us up for a date.”
“While you’re visiting?” This is rash, even for Cassie.
“He’s in Adelaide for business this week.” Maddy knuckles Cassie’s shoulder. “He’s gonna love you.”
I hold up my hands. “I’m having no part in this.” Suddenly, I need to pee. “Excuse me, I need the bathroom.” I exit hastily as I weave around my friends and family toward the restrooms. “Hey, sis,” Byron calls out, but I hold up a finger. “I just need the bathroom.”
Like now.
Minutes later, I emerge and stop by the mirror to fix my makeup. No amount of makeup conceals my face of the happiness inside. The joy I feel living my best life in the present time.
Stepping back, I run my palms over the pastel blue material of my strapless gown. Mom enters the powder room and smiles lovingly at me.
“You look radiant, darling.”
I meet her eyes in the mirror. “Thank you. I wanted tonight to go perfectly, and I have barely any time to check my appearance.” Something I’m not used to anymore as I enjoy the laid-back attitude of the Australians.
As my new friends told me, it’s not what you look like but who you are on the inside.
And I’m living my life as how I feel inside, an internal vibration I never want to lose.
“Brandon has asked me to find you, as he is ready to make a speech.” She links her arm through mine as we walk into the function room together.
Brandon stands near the floral number three and the helium balloons.
I pat my clutch in reassurance, ready for my part of the speech.
I stand by him, and he brings me in for a hug.
“Are you ready?”
I offer a gentle nod and smile. “Always.”
We turn and look over our family, Australian friends, and even my girlfriends made the trip from LA.
It has been a night, and while my voice is raspy from the constant talking and catching up on everyone’s lives, it confirms that despite the distance separating our relationships and time apart, nothing has changed. Our friendships will remain solid.
“Thank you for all being with us tonight,” Brandon begins. He clears his throat. “Charlotte and I appreciate you all being here to celebrate our third anniversary of HOPE n HEART winery. While our lives are filled with hope, our grapes are grown and nurtured with love from our hearts.”
I look into his beautiful eyes and smile lovingly at my man. “This is true,” I turn and tell our guests. “And a lot of sweat.”
Everyone laughs because if you know Brandon, as an athlete, he sweats easily and a lot.
Our family and friends are standing before us, and as my gaze skims over the crowd, I feel their love radiating toward us, and if ever my heart could fill with love, this is another moment in time when it is full.
“Today, we’re all here to celebrate more than our anniversary.
Life got busy, and our wedding was postponed.
But I didn’t want to ignore the chance to appreciate our love story that has stood the test of time, a testament to Charlotte's unwavering commitment. Lottie, which we all affectionately know her by.” He squeezes my hand again.
Where is he going with this? My heart races—he has never declared our love like this to an audience.
“As we look back on our journey together, we see a love that has not only endured but grown stronger with each year, serving as a beacon of inspiration for our entire family.” He wipes a tear from his eye. My chest tightens with the emotions rolling off each other.
“You’ve shown us what it means to truly partner with someone, to support each other through thick and thin, and to always find joy in the little moments. Your love has been the foundation of our family, providing a safe haven where we could always be ourselves.”
“I learned from the best,” I whisper and watch the servers as they finish refilling everyone’s glasses. They notice I don’t have a glass, and they discreetly hand a glass of wine to me.
“Thank you for the countless laughs, the unwavering support, and the endless love you’ve shared with all of us.
” I lift my glass to silently agree with him.
“As we raise a toast to another year of our beautiful journey together, I wish you many more years filled with happiness, laughter, and the unbreakable bond that defines our love story, whether it is here at the winery or at a basketball court. We can do anything together.” Wrapping an arm over my shoulder, he turns to the crowd.
“Thank you all again for being here with us. Please raise your glass in cheers to Lottie and the future.”
“Cheers,” collectively sounds through the room.
Brandon and I clink glasses. He lifts his glass to his lips, and I step in front of the mic. “May I take a quick moment to respond to BJ’s beautiful words.” I wait for the noise to settle. “The future, I hope, holds as much adventure as the past five years.”
I hand Brandon my glass, then reach inside my clutch and hold the positive stick between my fingers. I grin as Brandon’s smile fades, and his eyes widen as realization settles in.
“And I hope the birth of our second child is as fun and the same rollercoaster of thrills for the next five years.” I’m bursting with happiness, watching the joy fill his face.
I reach out and touch the wine glass. “Tonight, my love, you will be drinking for two.” I turn to my friends and family.
“One more toast to the future.” I raise my pregnancy stick to the muffled screams and cheers.
Brandon places his wine glass on the table and wraps me in his arms. “I love you so bloody much.” He kisses me hard.
I lean back and look at my beautiful man. “And I’ll love you, always.”
Thank you for reading Charlotte and Brandon’s story.