He pushed a lock of hair off her face. Unease dimmed her bright eyes.
“I’m going to have to trust you on this, Julianne,” he said gruffly.
Her face glowed as she leaned down to kiss the corners of his mouth. “You won’t regret it. You’ll see.” And she proceeded to show him just how magnificent trust can be.
Epilogue
“You look amazing, Julianne. Like an actual princess,” Sophie said reverently from where she sat at Julianne’s feet, the skirt of her own dove-gray bridesmaid gown flared out around her on the floor.
They were in the large Glasgow suite of the Tide Me Over Inn, dressing for Julianne’s wedding to Will. He had been adamant there be a real wedding, one with all the trimmings, including a wedding dress of her creation. This time, when they said their vows to one another, it would be for keeps.
Julianne stared at her own reflection in the floor-length mirror. The woman gazing back at her did resemble a princess, a look of faint wonder on her face. The gown had come to her one night, her fingers numbly sketching what would be her wedding dress, her mother’s voice in her ear adding the subtle, artistic details of ruching and delicate beading. The result was so stunning, Julianne was very nearly transfixed by her own reflection.
Smoothing her hands down the skirt, she inhaled a deep, cleansing breath to calm her nerves. She couldn’t figure out why she would be anxious. They were already married, after all. Nicky had even performed a private marriage mass the night before. Today was for show. A day to celebrate with their family and friends.
“And the necklace looks magnificent with it, if I do say so myself,” Sophie added.
Sophie was at that awkward stage in life where she couldn’t decide whether to be an artsy girl or a sophisticated socialite. Today, the teenager was all glamour. The pink highlights long gone, her cinnamon hair was curled loosely around her face, her apple-green eyes shimmering with delight. Her flair with jewelry was uncanny, and Julianne was looking forward to watching Sophie flourish as an artist. If only because the teenager reminded her a little of herself a decade ago.
“It is a lovely piece. Thank you for making it for me.” Julianne smiled at Sophie’s reflection in the mirror.
“Hey, I’m just glad you’re having a real wedding this time. Unlike some people who get married on the beach, forcing me to make their jewelry out of pukka shells.” Sophie scoffed with indignity.
“Really, Sophie, your father and I could have just hauled off to Las Vegas and gotten married. But we wanted to include you. So sorry you had to suffer through a week in Aruba. But you have to admit, your tan does complement the dress beautifully,” Annabeth teased as she reached a hand down to her new stepdaughter, helping her to her feet. She wrapped an arm around both Sophie and Julianne. “What an incredibly lucky woman I am today. Two new daughters in one week.” The last was said in a whisper as Annabeth’s eyes misted over.
“No crying!” Julianne and Sophie chorused.
The three women stood arm in arm facing the mirror, with smiles ranging from bemusement to rapture adorning their faces.
“The flowers are here,” Carly, dressed in a gown similar to Sophie’s, called as she entered the room. “And the flower girl, too.”
Julianne’s four-year-old niece, Ariel, danced into the suite, a wreath of roses wrapped precariously around her blond curls, dipping below one eye. Her miniature dress was adorned with the same beadwork as Julianne’s, making her look like a fairy princess, too. She gave her aunt an impish smile.
“Daddy says to hurry up because his tummy is rumbly.”
Smiling fondly, Julianne reached down to adjust the wreath on her niece’s dainty head. The young girl’s cheeks were already flushed with excitement.
“Well, we can’t have the senator’s stomach rumbling throughout the ceremony, can we?” Gathering up her skirt and bouquet with one hand and Ariel’s tiny hand in the other, she led the way down the grand staircase toward the garden where the wedding would take place.
Reconciling with her brother was also something Will had been adamant about. He’d insisted Julianne give Stephen a second chance. Considering the man had almost ruined Will’s career, Julianne figured if he could cut Stephen some slack, she could, too. In the end, she realized Will and her brother were determined to protect her like the domineering alpha males they both were, and it was better to just accept it rather than fight it.
Stephen bent and chucked his daughter under her chin as they arrived at the vine-covered arbor leading to the garden. His eyes sparkled as they met Julianne’s.
“That gown is stunning, Julianne.”
“Daddy,” Ariel singsonged, hopping on her toes. “Aunt Jules said I get to wear it when I get married.”
A look of severe angst gripped Stephen’s face. “That’s great, sweetheart, but let Daddy get used to you going to preschool before you start talking about getting married, okay?”
Julianne laughed at her brother’s discomfort. He wrapped her hand around his arm, elegantly clad in a gray morning coat.
“I guess it’s never too early for me to start practicing walking the bride down the aisle,” Stephen said with a grin.
Brody came through the arbor looking devastatingly handsome in his own morning coat. Catching sight of Julianne, he immediately clutched a hand to his chest. He looked back up the aisle toward the gazebo where Will presumably stood waiting for her. When he turned his head back, bright mischief burned in his eyes.
“I’ve come for the mother of the groom, but Julianne, it’s not too late. Run away with me. Now. You’re too good for that big ugly caveman.”
Sophie giggled as Carly let out a long-suffering groan.
“She’s marrying Will!” Ariel stomped her foot. “He’s Owen’s daddy and they love each other.”
Annabeth grinned as she laced her arm through Brody’s. “You heard the child, Brody. You’re stuck with me.”
Brody winked at Julianne before leaning over to gently kiss her cheek. “He’s one lucky guy,” he whispered.
Before he could step back, Julianne pulled him in for a tight hug. “There’s some lucky girl out there who gets you, Brody,” she murmured next to his ear. “The real you. Just be patient.”
She squeezed his hand just as the harp began to play. Ariel gave a little squeal of excitement.
“That’s our cue.” Annabeth blew a kiss to Julianne as she took Brody’s arm and headed through the arbor and down the aisle.
Sophie was next, her face radiant as she turned the corner and glided toward the gazebo.
“Okay, Ariel,” Carly instructed as she handed Ariel her basket of flower petals. “Your turn. Carefully drop the petals just like we practiced.”
A chorus of ahhs greeted Ariel’s appearance through the arbor.
“Air kiss,” Carly whispered as she hugged Julianne before taking her turn down the aisle.
The harpist began the wedding march and Stephen stiffened beside her.
“Last chance,” he said. “You’re sure about this? This is truly what you want?”
Julianne yanked on her brother’s arm. “Yes, Stephen. I’m positive.”
He grinned. “Brody’s right. Will’s a lucky guy.”
She kissed her brother on the cheek, leaving a lipstick mark that she didn’t bother to wipe off.
As they turned the corner, Julianne caught a glimpse of Will, superbly outfitted in his gray morning coat, standing stoically at the gazebo, Gavin and Brody beside him. He swayed slightly as she came into view and their gazes connected. A hint of a smile formed on his lips as his heated emerald eyes followed her path down the aisle.
Julianne barely noticed Will’s teammates and the townspeople seated in the white folding chairs. She passed by Sebastian, Nigel, and Nicky without so much as a glance, her eyes fixed on those of her husband, the hum of desire burning deep within her. Her face nearly ached from the widespread grin she couldn’t hold back.