Chapter Sixteen

 

The sun caressed the sea as Lily and Eric kissed on the shoreline, their wedding ceremony ended, and the flash from the photographer’s camera lighting their ecstatic faces. A million-dollar glow, if ever there was one, radiated out of each of them as the sun lowered itself into slumber.

Lily and Eric walked up the beach to the sound of crashing waves, between the rows of chairs to their back deck where they signed the papers, with Beth and Mitch as witnesses.

As the chairs emptied, Jesse and I walked hand-in-hand toward the house, stopping beside the lone giant oak tree on the beach for a kiss.

“You look absolutely stunning. It’s not fair to your sister.” Jesse trailed a finger down the side of my face, electrifying me with his delicate touch.

“And look at you.” He’d really outdid himself dressed in a suit and tie in monochromatic colours, with his hair neatly styled. It upped his game, even if he was already a dashing man in jeans and a tee sporting a ball cap. “Care to dance?”

Wireless speakers had been placed on the decks of my old summer home and Eric’s, and a current, sappy ballad was playing.

“Don’t mind if I do.” My fingers linked with Jesse’s and we moved in time to the beat, the back of my wrap dress brushing against the sand as Jesse dipped me at the end, after which he planted a powerful kiss upon my needy lips.

“You know, we didn’t even unwrap presents this morning.” He righted me but held tight, which was fine by me. I didn’t want to leave his side. It had been hard to leave this morning to go help Lily prepare.

I stood on the balls of my flats and placed my hands behind his head. “You can unwrap me later.”

There was so much more of myself I was ready to give this man, to let him into the depths of my heart and soul. Years ago, when Charlie and I were fresh, things hadn’t felt like this. However, between Jesse and me, there was a palpable electricity, a connection that felt natural and right on more levels than I’d ever thought possible. It was like two halves finding a perfect fit. And it all happened because I made the journey to Cheshire Bay, and my tire had blown along the way.

This fabulous man holding me close was everything I ever dreamed I wanted but thought I’d never find.

His kiss had the power to lift me and release my burdens, for he never judged me over it. Maybe if I had run into Jesse years ago, my life would’ve been different. But, maybe meeting him now had been the point.

I rested my head against him. “You’re truly amazing.”

“And you aren’t? When I think back to that day on the highway… I was even running late that evening. Normally, I would’ve been home or at least pulling into the front of the house. But there I was, running behind, and I saw the blown tire on the road. And you…” He chuckled. “You were so interested in watching and learning how to change a tire. That hooked me because I’d never seen the likes of it.”

“And you were so patient. Char- he would’ve … well, it doesn’t matter because you’re here now and he’s not.” I planted a kiss on Jesse’s lips.

Yes, my ex was long gone. Time to live in the present.

Jesse ran a finger down the side of my face again. It was a loving touch, and I turned my cheek into it fully.

He cleared his throat. “Come on. I think we should mingle, and I see some people you should probably be introduced to, since they are good friends of Eric’s, your brother-in-law now.”

I liked the sound of that. A brother-in-law. It meant the family was growing again.

Hand in hand, we made our way over to the gathering of people around Eric’s porch. Only a few were recognizable, but the ones at my old summer home, none of those people were placeable.

Cedar was on Eric’s porch, bouncing her baby girl in her arms. “That was a beautiful wedding. And that sunset, wow. I can’t wait to see how their pictures turned out. Might be a great idea for my ceremony.”

“When are you getting married?” I asked Cedar, smiling at the sleeping baby.

“No plans yet. It took us five years to get engaged, so it might be a while.” She laughed, but it wasn’t laced in malice, just a good-natured giggle.

Jesse squeezed my hand, and I watched him gaze softly upon the sleeping child. So many of those moments had been stolen from him.

“How’s Saffron doing?”

I’d heard new parents spend hours staring at a sleeping baby, and seeing Saffron curled up in Cedar’s arms, I understood why. They were so peaceful and sweet.

“Growing like a weed. So is Ziggy. All they do is eat and sleep.”

“As a baby should.” I gently rubbed Saffron’s head. It was so soft, and her hair was so fine. “Is she a good baby?”

“I’d say so. However, I’d appreciate more than a couple hours of sleep at a time. Maybe when they’re older.” Cedar scanned the area as a baby wail pierced the air.

Mitch appeared on the deck in moments with a screaming child. “Zig’s hungry again.”

“As always. I’m a lean, mean, milking machine.” She laughed and effortlessly took Ziggy from Mitch’s arms, while still balancing Saffron. Had to admire her skill. “Excuse me.”

Mitch stood there cradling his daughter. “So, do you have plans to return to the area? I know coming back was hard.”

I didn’t know Mitch at all, and small talk was a monumental task, however… “I do, actually, maybe soon. Seeing the Bay area as an adult, it’s quite different than it was when I was a teen. I’d never attended a festival here before.” I leaned against Jesse. It had all been because of him too.

A bubbly brunette with curly hair hopped onto the deck.

“Hey, Amber.” Jesse walked over and gave her a hug.

“Hey, Jesse. Haven’t seen you around much. How’s life treating you?” Amber looked somewhat familiar, and I must’ve to her as well since she stopped and stared at me. “Holy smokes, how are you doing, Mona?”

“Oh my god, hi.” That’s why she rang a bell. Amber and I used to hang out back when we were teens. Sort of. If you could call it that.

“You know each other?” Jesse bounced his focus between us.

“Amber knew all the cool spots Lily could be hanging out at.”

“Were you one of her keepers as well?” Jesse asked Amber with a light-hearted laugh.

She grinned. “Oh, god, not at all. I just had my eye and ear on the pulse of the town. Knew what was going on, who what and where kind of thing.”

“And how are things going for you now?” I was genuinely intrigued since it had been years.

She hesitated and shifted on her feet. “Great. Eric had a beautiful wedding and I’m thrilled for them. He deserves all the happiness in the world. Lily has changed and settled down and that makes him happy, which makes me happy.”

Lily and Amber never really did get along. Lily had mentioned Amber was more a friend to Eric, and best friends with Cedar.

“How are things with you? Are you two together?” She stared at our joined hands.

Jesse spoke first. “Yes. But it’s brand new.”

“We all have to start somewhere, right? Speaking of which, there he is.” She waved and a tall, gorgeous guy waltzed over. “This is my fiancé, Antonio.”

We all shook hands.

“He flew over from Greece yesterday.” There was a wink at the end of her sentence.

“Sheshire Bay is beautiful.” He had a thick accent too. “As was wedding. Gorgeous.” He faced his fiancée. “Ember, we should plan beach ceremony.”

“Oh, I’m totally on board with that.” She looked at all of us and nodded.

It was hard to not agree. The ceremony had truly been magical and put a nice spin on Christmas. The holiday now had a different look to it. It was no longer filled with dread and a sense of sadness, instead, as I gazed around the beach bathed in the darkening colours of twilight and bonfires, and spotted endless couples and families, it meant happiness and chance to start fresh.

Everyone was entitled to a do over once in their lives. Lily had hers when she moved back to Cheshire Bay and maybe with the reconciliation, the red box finally unwrapped, and Jesse, I believed with my whole heart, this was my do-over.

I cupped the side of his face. “Merry Christmas, Jesse Lancaster.”

The broadest grin I’d ever seen stretched from ear to ear. “Merry Christmas, Mona Baker.”