Page 1 of Happily Ever After
Chapter One
Ella
"We should see the island any minute now," Aiden calls from the helm, guiding the sailing yacht we hired through the late fall currents of the Mediterranean Sea.
The breeze tousles my hair as I stand at the bow, straining my eyes to spot our little piece of paradise. It might be the middle of November, but the sun kissing my skin is warm compared to the crisp chill settling in the mountains back home in Georgia.
Winter was around the corner when we left Atlanta yesterday. The contrast is striking. Gone are the vibrant fall leaves of the Appalachian foothills, replaced by the subtropical hues of Sicily.
I shade my eyes as if that could help me see further, but there is only brilliant blue water for miles and miles.
The sea seems different from when we saw it in August on our first trip back to Tiero's island—or Lion Island, as we now call it. The sunlight casts a softer, more golden glow upon the waves.Or perhaps it's because we arrived by helicopter then, and things look different from high up.
I glance up at the crisp white sails. They're taut, propelling us steadily forward.
Then my eyes land on Aiden, who ditched his winter jacket and boots as soon as we landed and now sports shorts and a t-shirt. The wind molds his clothes to his body, accentuating each delectable contour of muscle.
What a sight!
I let out a contented sigh, renewed hunger for this man drumming through my veins.
Renewed, you might wonder?
Yeah, renewed, because as soon as we cleared all the boats in our vicinity, Aiden threw the anchor overboard, and we tested out the bed on this vessel... it's very sturdy.
We spent an hour in the confined space, which, by our standards, was a quickie. After all, we want to reach Lion Island before nightfall.
But it only satiated the tip of the iceberg... our hunger for each other seems to be a bottomless pit. Given what we're about to do, that's a good sign for our future, right?
I tear my gaze away from my fiancé and search the horizon again for signs of our private haven.
"Land ho!" I yell, pointing at a dark green dot far ahead. That has to be it.
My anticipation grows as I make my way to Aiden, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, holding on to him as the sea moves the boat gently up and down.
It doesn't take long for the outline of our island to become more distinct. And after another ten or so minutes, I can spot the trees that surround the house.
As we sail toward the shore, the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the hull is soothing. I snuggle closer against Aiden andbreathe in the alpine scent that I will forever associate with my man.
I'm at peace.
Content.
Happy beyond measure with Ade.
And about to step foot in the place that meant the most to the man who's given me his heart—literally and figuratively.
While our first visit to Lion Island was bittersweet, I can't wait for this one. It's the day Aiden and I have dreamed of for over a year now.
When Ade asked me to marry him under the Alaskan sky dancing with the Northern Lights, we didn't plan on waiting this long, but my heart diagnosis and everything that followed put the brakes on any wedding plans.
The recovery process from my heart transplant was no walk in the park. But we're finally in a good place.
And what better date than the first anniversary of my rebirth to celebrate our love?
In just two days, Rhia and Lex will arrive, and two days after that, Father Joseph will join us, flying in by helicopter to marry us.
Our wedding will be an intimate affair. After not knowing that this day would ever come, that's how we prefer it.
