Page 104 of Banter & Blushes #1

ZAKI

A fter a fun—and prankless—party on the beach, Arwyn and I climbed the wooden steps to the awaiting carriage at street level.

Elvis the horse stood proudly in front of the nineteenth-century double-seater, ready to be driven by Easton, who was clad in a suit with tails and a top hat.

Our luggage for our overnight stay was inside.

We’d travel in the buggy down the road to the marina and board a boat to the lighthouse.

Isla and Amelie would walk there with my parents, Alyce, and our guests for the big send-off, then ride in the carriage back to the resort with their camp friends.

After helping Arwyn into the coach, I climbed beside her and rested my arm on top of the seatback.

She settled in against me, and the moment her face turned toward mine, I stole a kiss.

The journey to the marina was all too short, and moments later we were disembarking to say good-bye to our friends and family.

We hugged the girls good-bye first. “Bye, Daddy! Bye, Wynnie!” Isla waved as she sprinted to the carriage.

“Don’t fall in the water,” Amelie advised, then took off after her sister.

I laughed as Easton gave them boosts into the carriage. They settled on the forward-facing seat to await their friends, who were just coming into view on the Cliff Walk path.

My dad shook my hand and pulled me in for a hug. “Enjoy your night. We’re so happy for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and so do the girls.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

I hugged my mom next. “I’ll have my phone on if there are any issues.”

“We’ll figure it out,” she said. “You enjoy your night with your bride. We’ll see you after breakfast.”

Arwyn finished hugging her mom, and we switched places. “Alyce,” I said. “I’m so glad we could do this while you were stateside.”

“Me, too,” she said, and hugged me close. “You take care of my girl, okay? Otherwise…”

“You’ll take care of me?” I quipped.

She laughed. “You know it.”

I grinned and released her. “I promise.”

“I know you do. Now get out of here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Hours later, as the sun set, Arwyn and I stood on the lighthouse deck, arms wrapped around each other. The only sound was that of the rhythmic crash of the waves—a perfect lullaby for the first night of our forever.

I turned to her. “Wynnie?”

“Yeah?”

“I still can’t believe you’re mine. You’re like this lighthouse, steady; a beam in the darkness, guiding me home.

And I’m a tidal wave, restless and unpredictable.

But somehow, we work. Standing here with you …

It feels like we’ve been heading toward this moment forever, even if it’s only been a handful of months. You, me, the girls—it’s … everything.”

“Well, technically,” she teased, “I’m only officially yours as of today. Even though you stole my heart months ago.”

I chuckled. “Best day of my life, second only to the twins entering this world.” I bent my head toward hers until our foreheads were touching and whispered, “Here’s to forever, Wynna-bun. Whatever comes next, we’ve got it covered—together.”

Our lips met in a slow, tender kiss, and she pulled away too soon to echo my sentiment. “Together.” She kissed me again and then frowned, but her tone was light and teasing. “It’s so strange without the girls here to tuck into bed and read a story to. Whatever will we do with ourselves tonight?”

I played with a curl that had escaped from her updo. “Oh, I don’t know. I can think of a few things.”

“Hmm. Can’t collect berries or climb trees here. The time for a picnic lunch has passed. So I assume you have something else on your mind?” she teased, recalling my lines from the meadow.

“Maybe. Wanna cuddle on the couch? No kids or dogs to battle us for cushion space.”

“I like how you think.”

“Maybe a PG-13 movie?” I suggested.

“Scandalous.”

“And then…” I let my words trail off and flashed a mischievous grin.

“And then?” Arwyn’s eyes narrowed, challenging me to voice my thought.

I went for it. “You want to make a baby?”

She pulled my face down to hers and kissed me more firmly than ever before.

Taking that as an affirmative, I swept her into my arms and carried her across the deck and inside. Above, the beam from Crane’s Light swept the sea, a beacon for our future together.

Forever started tonight.

Thank you so much for reading Sun, Sea, & Blueberry Tea !