Page 50 of Wishes at Water's Edge
“Maybe we will come visit you,” Grayson said, unperturbed by his friend’s jab. “But who knows—maybe once you go back to L.A., it’ll be you who misses the comfortable quiet of Rosewood Beach.”
“Mm, not in a million years,” Lewis said with a laugh, but Alexis saw a look pass across his eyes that made her guess that Grayson might not be far off.
She looked at her husband with a smile, feeling glad that their unexpected adventures with Lewis had ended in themfeeling surer than ever that they had made the right choice about where to live and where to raise their son.
This life we’ve created together, she thought, feeling her heart lift with happiness,may be messy, imperfect, and exhausting at times, but it’s absolutely beautiful—and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Julia was sitting at the kitchen table in Cooper’s house, an assortment of papers and crafts spread out in front of her. She was finally, finally checking off the final items on her to-do list for the wedding, and victory had never tasted so sweet to her.
She looked down with satisfaction at the place cards, which had the names of their guests printed on them in a beautiful gold, swirling font. She could just imagine them nestled under the golden trees hung with glass beads that she and the women in her family had finished making the other day.
She smiled to herself. Her wedding wouldn’t be perfect, and it wouldn’t be the magical fairytale wedding that she’d once envisioned as a young girl, but it was going to be absolutely incredible. She’d put in the time and effort, and people that she loved had put in time and effort as well. She couldn’t wait for the day to arrive, so that she could vow to love and cherish Cooper forever and spend the rest of her life with him.
She thought about how all of her friends and neighbors in Rosewood Beach had come together to fix up Turtle Dove Hall in time for the wedding. The place looked as good as new—maybe even better, since now she had wonderful memories of working there with people she loved. She breathed a sigh of relief as she thought about how worried she’d been that they weren’t going to be able to find a venue for their reception at all.
She got up to get herself a second cup of coffee, even though she still felt energized and focused. She liked the buzzing feeling that coffee gave her—and besides, Cooper had picked up a pumpkin spice creamer for her, and it was so delicious that she wanted to drink a little more of it.
She had just sat down again and taken a couple of sips of her coffee when Cooper stepped through the kitchen doorway.
“Macey’s all snuggled up with her favorite princess movie,” he said, his eyes shining lovingly at Julia.
“Perfect.” She turned her face up to him as he bent down and gave her a kiss. “I love it when she sings all those songs while we’re getting her ready for bed.”
He chuckled and sat down next to her. “So this is it, huh? We’re nearly at the end of the planning?”
“This is it,” she agreed happily. “We’re just about ready to get married.”
“Mm, I’m pretty sure I was ready to get married to you since the start of our fifth date.”
She laughed and blushed. Whenever he looked at her like that, she felt as though she was full of stars and butterflies, all swirling around in some kind of dance.
“I’m so lucky,” she said, and kissed him.
“Me too. And we’re so lucky that our community helped us repair Turtle Dove Hall. It all worked out in the end, even when we thought it wouldn’t.”
“We’re so lucky,” she agreed. “I’m so grateful. And I’m grateful for you too, Cooper—really grateful. You were so calm and reassuring throughout this whole stressful endeavor. You kept me steady and sane, and I couldn’t have done it without you. It’s just one of the many reasons why I love you and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Cooper took her into his arms and they shared a kiss. Julia was getting lost in a happy daydream about their future as husband and wife when they heard a squeal of delight.
“Macey!” Julia laughed as she saw the toddler standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with delight. Macey was pointing at the kitchen table, where the garland of autumn leaves, flowers, and ribbons that Julia had made with Hazel was resting. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Julia asked, holding her arms out for the little girl, who toddled into them eagerly. “That’s going to go on the altar at the church for when your daddy and I light the unity candle at our wedding.”
“So pretty,” Macey said.
“Thanks, Macey.” Julia set the little girl on her lap and gave her a hug. “What happened to your movie?”
Macey shrugged, smiling impishly. It was clear that she’d figured there was more excitement going on in the kitchen, and she wanted to be there instead.
“I want to talk about the wedding,” Macey said. “Can I try on my flower girl dress again?”
“No, honey.” Cooper chuckled. “We have to make sure to keep it nice for the big day. But we can show you another picture of it if you want.”
“I want to see your dress again,” Macey said to Julia.
“Uh oh,” Julia said to Cooper, laughing. “Better turn around.”
Cooper dutifully covered his face with his hands and Julia took out her phone and showed Macey the pictures of her wedding dress. It was long and lacey and elegant, and Macey cooed with delight.
“You are going to be so pretty,” Macey said, her words emphatic and difficult to understand because of her sloppy baby consonants.
