AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Always been you.”
Epilogue
Olivia
Six months later.
It’s been two months since Parker got down on one knee and asked me for forever. And of course, my answer was yes. It was the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer. I wasn’t sure anything could ever top the seven hundred peonies he secretly ordered and surprised me with, but somehow, he did it.
Parker proposed on one of our many trips back home, at the beach house, of course. It felt perfect that the spot where we shared most of our firsts together was the place we committed to our future, too. I had arrived home after a girls’ night out to a dimly lit house with a trail of candles leading to the patio. I found him waiting for me under the moonlight with a small blue box. It was romantic and sweet and everything I could have wished for.
I can’t stop looking at the oval cut diamond on my finger. But more than that, I can’t wait to be Parker’s wife.
Tonight, our engagement is being celebrated with our friends and family at the Bennett estate. I told Parker I didn’t need a party, that nothing could possibly make me happier than I already am. But Parker’s mother wasn’t having it. So, here we are, surrounded by both of our families. We just finished a delicious catered four-course dinner and the DJ, Parker’s parents have hired has started to play our favorite songs.
I take a moment to let the night soak in. All of our favorite people are here tonight celebrating Parker and me, and my heart swells. My mother and father are dancing next to Parker’s parents on the makeshift dance floor that is usually the Bennet living room and Kate and Jules are sitting together at a table in a fit of laughter. Our families have come together seamlessly and for a moment I forget what my life was like before Parker came back into it.
My eyes focus on Parker, who is across the room gazing right back at me in his navy suit and white button-down dress shirt. The man is ridiculously gorgeous and sexy and sweet and a million other adjectives that come to mind. I am the single luckiest girl on the planet. He’s mine, he’s all mine forever.
He crosses the room towards me and nuzzles his mouth into my neck. “There’s my gorgeous girl. You smell as good as you look,” He says in a voice only meant for me to hear.
He wraps a hand around the small of my back and pulls me into his hard body. The heat of his touch causes a shiver to roll up my spine. He kisses my neck and pulls back. He’s looking at me in that way he often does, like he’s seeing me for the first time and doesn’t want to forget a thing. Like I’m all he’s ever wanted. It feels so good to know it’s me that makes him feel this way.
“Hi handsome.”
“Hi.” Parker lifts my left hand to his lips, his fingers fiddling with my engagement ring, and smiles. “Tonight has been amazing but I can’t wait for the real deal. I want to marry you tomorrow, Livy.”
“I want that too,” I whisper, going up on my toes, kissing his mouth in a slow kiss. “More than anything. What do you say we pick a date and a venue this week?”
Parker smiles, and it reaches his eyes. It’s pure happiness. It is love radiating back at me. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t count my lucky stars that he’s mine.
He has been pushing me to set a date for weeks, but with moving into the Cape May rental and getting our second Bloom location up and running, I haven’t wanted to rush into wedding planning. Getting my impatient fiancé to agree with me on waiting has been a whole other story. Parker wants what he wants, and he knows exactly how to go about getting it.
“I was kind of thinking we could get married here.”
“My parents’ house?”
“Yes. Unless you think they would mind?”
“I think my mom would be honored to host our wedding here. But I want you to have the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer a hotel or even a destination wedding?” Parker knows I wouldn’t want anything lavish or too large, but he does want me to have the wedding of my dreams.
“I’m sure.”
“Well then, it’s settled! I love the idea. We can ask my parents tomorrow.”
Parker and I are hosting a small brunch at the beach house before heading back to Cape May. We’ve invited both of our families and of course Ellie too. It’s also an excuse to spend time with the people who matter the most to us, who we don’t see as often as we would like to since our move.
I’ve gotten used to living in Cape May, away from my family and friends. It’s not home in the true sense of the word but I’ve realized home is not a place. Home will always be wherever Parker is. And the home we have made together in Cape May is a dream. It also helps that we have the beach house to stay at whenever we feel that pull in our hearts to visit friends and family.
“Dance with me, Livy?”
I nod and Parker links his hand in mine, ushering us to the dance floor. He brings me in close, so his body is flush with mine, and I lay my palm flat on his chest. I nestle my body into his. We dance for a few minutes to a slow song before Kate and Ellie move in next to us. Miles and Liam join in, and the four of them form a circle around us, dancing to the upbeat song being played over the speakers. They are all smiles, singing along to the music, squeezing their bodies into us and laughing. Parker lifts me in his arms, my feet are in the air, spinning me around.
“You make me feel good, Parker,” I say, looking down on him from high in his arms. His smile warms my soul, his love for me taking hold of my heart.
“You just wait. I’m going to make you feel really good later tonight.”
My head falls back in laughter, which causes a huge smile to spread across his face. He lowers me to the floor.
