I have tucked up Nia and Marvin in the Honeymoon Suite, so they can get a full day’s sleep to make up for last night. The moment they were both told the good news Marvin came flying into the main part of the resort and they almost leapt into each other’s arms outside my bedroom.
Ellen and I watched our children sobbing and holding each other like they’d never let the other one go ever again. I knew Marvin would have a lot of questions for his mother about his biological father, but, at that moment, nothing else mattered to him or Nia.
I wanted to ask Ellen what she would do next – whether she would stay with Drew, or if things were over for them – but I held my tongue. Whatever Ellen did next, I had a feeling she was going to be perfectly fine.
I have given the staff the rest of the day off, and I have no idea where Drew has gone. I climb into bed, waiting for Jake to appear. When he doesn’t after an hour or so, I go to find him. He’s sitting in the same place where he sat earlier. He doesn’t look like he’s moved all night or morning.
‘I think we should all just write off today and start again tomorrow,’ I say to him. ‘Are you coming to bed?’
‘Do you want me to?’ He doesn’t look at me as he speaks, simply continues to stare at the ocean.
‘Of course I do,’ I reply.
‘I don’t think that’s true. I don’t think you’ve ever really wanted me, and something Drew told you gave you the perfect excuse to shut me out.’
I cover my face with my hands for a few seconds. ‘It wasn’t so much what he said. It was just … I didn’t understand why you started fighting him straight away, that’s all. He was your best friend and you didn’t seem relieved he was alive; you were just angry and you attacked him.’
‘I was relieved. When you told me on the phone I was very relieved and happy, but on the drive back I had time to think. And I realised this was typical Drew. He was my best mate, but he’s a spineless coward. Always has been. He would always go for the easiest route, would avoid anything that meant hard work or facing up to his actions.
‘He has put us through hell for more than twenty years, and Nia has grown up without a father all because he was too much of a coward to just finish with you. Because that was what this was all about. He found someone he thought was better, but couldn’t dump you in a normal way. No, he has to go through all that crap at the wedding. By the time I got here I was so angry I couldn’t control myself.’
‘But that’s just it, Jake, you are one of the kindest, most gentle men I know – except where Drew is involved. When it’s about Drew, you’re telling me you fought him over me, you tell me you’ll kill him if he hurts me. That’s a part of you I don’t understand. You’re not violent. You’re not crazy. And you’re not even particularly jealous, until it comes to Drew and me. Drew told me you were obsessive. That you’ve been obsessive about other women in the past. It scared me, to be honest.’
‘I’m not obsessive. But I just couldn’t stand the thought of him treating you like he treated his other girlfriends. Not when I loved you so much.’
‘But you didn’t know me.’
‘I know, but in twenty-odd years, I haven’t stopped loving you, have I?’
‘True.’
‘And Drew knew that you were special because … Tessa, you’re the only woman I’ve been with.’
‘What? That’s not true. You had girlfriends before me.’
‘I did, but I never went beyond a few kisses with any of them. I always wanted to wait until I got married before I lost my virginity. I know most men aren’t like that, but it was important to me. Always had been. Then I met you and I … I changed my mind. Stupidly, I told Drew all about you. He knew how I felt about you, but he’d also heard all about your parents building a hotel and he thought you came from money, so he went for you. Which is why I wasn’t going to let him hurt you. If I’d kept my mouth shut, hadn’t told him about your parents’ hotel, he probably wouldn’t have targeted you in the way he did.’
‘So you don’t think he ever loved me?’
‘As much as someone like him can fall in love, yeah, I think he did. You certainly loved him.’
‘And I loved you, as well.’ There, said it. Said it, mean it.
Jake stares at me warily.
‘I love you,’ I repeat. ‘And you were wrong – Nia did have a father growing up. You. You are, and always have been, the best father for her.’
‘Thank you,’ he says quietly.
‘And I was wondering,’ I begin. ‘I was wondering if … if you would marry me in a few days’ time? Down on the beach, around about the time our daughter does it?’
He blinks at me. ‘Are you sure?’ he replies.
‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Absolutely sure.’