Epilogue

 

 

 

“Félicitations! Nous vous souhaitons à tous les deux tout le bonheur du monde!”

Cheers went up from around the room as Maia and Alex walked into their wedding reception.

They had returned to Nice a week before after spending another blissful week in Zermatt ensconced in their little haven. They’d spent the days enjoying each other and making plans for the future. It had been a struggle to leave. Maia couldn’t imagine anything more romantic.

It wasn’t until they’d arrived in Nice that she realized that he had taken the details of what would make her dream wedding that he’d ferreted from her while they were snowed in and made it happen. The week leading up to that morning had been filled with cake tastings and gown fittings and flowers until every detail was perfect. What made it even better was that Alex had been with her every step of the way.

They’d also taken a trip to the obstetrician almost the moment they landed to confirm that the test was accurate. And it was, but, for the moment, it was their little secret.

Alex pulled out her seat for her as they took their places at the head table. Maia looked out at the crowd of people. Smiling friends and family filled the tables. Guillaume sat proudly at the table nearest to them. Jo and Tomas were two faces that she spotted among the others through the pale rose centerpieces. Her editor winked while Tomas smiled and nodded his approval. She grinned back with all the happiness she felt.

Alex waved over a waitress just as the toasts started. She brought over two glasses filled with what looked like champagne. He leaned in. “Ginger ale for us both for a few months, no?”

With a giggle she took up her glass. With each toast, she and Alex took sips smiling conspiratorially over their glasses at each other.

They were enjoying the meal when Guillaume came over. “You two look so happy.” He kissed Maia on one cheek then the other. “I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome you to our family, my dear.”

She hugged him. “Thank you.” Maia caught Alex’s gaze. He did look very happy as he gazed at her. The scowl that was almost always on his face when she first arrived in Nice was gone. The deep furrow on his brow had smoothed out. Alex looked at peace. And very much in love.

Guillaume whispered something to his son, who choked back a laugh, before he smiled at Maia once again. “I expect a dance or two with you later, my dear.” He pecked her on the cheeks again and disappeared into the sea of guests.

“What was that about?”

With a shrug he chuckled, “I’ll tell you later. We’ve got more people coming to speak with us.”

Jo sashayed her way to their table and pulled a chair from nearby to sit next to Maia. “Congrats, you two!” The hug she gave Maia was sloppy. It was clear that she had a few drinks in her. “I just wanted to tell you that I’ve taken action against Chloe. You won’t have to worry about her anymore.”

Maia had told Jo about everything that had gone on between Chloe and herself. Her editor wasn’t impressed to learn the tactics that the other writer had used to undermine Maia. “Thanks, Jo. There was something I wanted to talk to you about too. I’ll give you a call in a few days.”

“Make it a week or two. You two deserve a proper honeymoon. Not somewhere you’re trapped together.”

If she only knew how those storms had helped them.

Jo gave them both a hug and wobbled back to her table where a handsome man welcomed her back with a grin.

Maia would have to ask about that later.

Tomas kissed Maia on the cheek and clapped Alex on the shoulder. “I wish you both every happiness.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Alex smiled warmly.

Maia knew that Tomas would find someone who would be perfect for him. She just wasn’t the one.

A quick hug and a promise to see each other soon, then Tomas hurried through the room to sit at the table next to a raven-haired beauty. Obviously, he was already on the search for his Ms. Right. It made her smile even more.

 

* * * *

 

After an amazing meal, Alex pulled his new bride out of her seat and led the way to the dance floor. With a spin, he enveloped her in his arms. “So was it everything you hoped it would be?”

Judging from her dreamy smile, he knew he’d done well. “Everything and more. It was”—she waved at the room around them—“it is incredible.”

“Good.” He would do everything in his power to give her whatever she wanted. Always. Her dream wedding was just the tip of the iceberg. He spun her again and brought her back close. The dress she had chosen was simple, elegant. The silk clung to curves that he noticed were just beginning to change. Ones that he wanted to be exploring right now.

“Hey. I know that look. We’re not about to disappear into a storage closet somewhere.” She kissed away his pout. If she was trying to take his mind off dragging her away? And tearing that dress off her, licking his bottom lip as she pulled back was not the way to do it.

He growled against her lips. “If you don’t stop that, I’m going to embarrass us both.”

Her tinkling laughter made him smile more. Watching her throughout the day, he could see that she was brimming with happiness. It was all he wanted for her. That he had been the one to provide all that made her glow the way she did made his chest swell with pride.

His gaze trailed down, past her happy smile, down the graceful curve of her neck, to the swell of her breasts…

Then Maia said something he didn’t catch.

“Sorry?”

 

She looked up at her new husband, devastatingly handsome in his tux. As the night continued it was getting harder and harder not to drag him to the suite waiting for them upstairs. But they had to put in some time, it was their wedding after all. Though the way he looked at her put a severe dent in her best intentions.

Especially when he pulled her in close and she could feel just how eager he was to go upstairs as well.

Everything about the day had been perfect. And she knew that he would do his best to make all the days that followed the same.

They just had to endure it a little longer.

She just had to keep her mind away from dangerous thoughts, like how easy it would be to nibble his chin and slide her hands into his shirt. Or drag her hands through his hair to give it that mussed bedhead look she loved seeing on him. Or kiss those delicious lips…

She had to stop or she would be the one dragging him out. Maia looked around the room for something to distract herself. She caught Guillaume’s indulgent smile and it reminded her of earlier.

“Are you going to tell me what your father said?”

He started guiltily. “Sorry?”

Amused that she’d caught Alex staring at her cleavage, she laughed. “Your father. When he came to our table. He said something to you.”

Laughing, Alex lowered her into a dip. “He said he can’t wait until we tell him the reason why we were toasting with ginger ale instead of champagne.”

She should have known Guillaume would have noticed. The man was as astute as his son. When he swung her back up, she met his grin with her own.

“We’ll tell him soon.”

Alex nodded. “Maybe next week? At the opening of the new hotel in Bangkok, perhaps? We could tell him after the celebratory banquet.”

Maia rolled her eyes. “You do realize it’s monsoon season, right?”

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sure we’ll find a way to occupy the rainy days.”

Knowing their luck when it came to weather, they’d have to. Laughing, she kissed him as deeply as she dared in front of witnesses. “I have no doubt.”