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Epilogue
“Iswear to God, if you keep dragging me through the bush in this dress, I’ll never blow you again.”
Aleki’s laugh bounced off the surrounding native plants as he guided Stella down the rocky steps. She held his hands tightly, the darkness from the blindfold he’d slipped over her eyes before entering the car disorientating her.
She took small steps, glad she’d heeded his suggestion to wear flats. The golden sandals wouldn’t normally be her first choice with her cream silk slip dress, but between the blindfold and the swell of her five-month pregnant stomach she was grateful to avoid any balance issues heels might have caused.
“We’re here.” Her fiancé’s voice rumbled in her ear, as he slid one hand around her hip and quickly patted the bump where their baby grew. Since they’d announced the pregnancy, he’d taken every opportunity to touch and caress the changing landscape of her body, leaving her in no doubt of his desire for her and for his upcoming role as a father.
She’d been lucky that the lawyers had managed to work out the partnership terms with Jessie so quickly. The newly rebranded Star and Steel Event Management Agency had shown no signs of slowing down. In fact Stella’s remote workdays were as full now as they’d ever been, even with Jessie on-site for facilities and meetings in Wellington.
Stella stood still as Aleki gently removed the blindfold from her eyes, but gasped at the sight revealed before her. The Grotto shimmered with light, like a golden cave from an animated film. Long tables were laid with low vases of lavender roses and thousands of string lights adorned the railing that separated the cliffside from the ocean below. At one end of the restaurant an archway adorned with monstera leaves, white gardenias and orchids rose towards the stalactite ceiling. To her left, Jessie, Sio and Oliana, Lani and her girlfriend Pania, Mae and Luke, Andreas, Manu and King Tama stood gathered in a small huddle, dressed in both Western and Pacific formalwear.
Aleki cleared his throat, and captured her attention as he stood slightly stiffly in front of her. At some point in the car journey he must have changed from her favourite olive tshirt into a floaty white linen shirt and a frangipani lei.
“Stella Rose Warren,” he began, his dark eyes boring into her. “I love you and I always will. I know you said you didn’t mind waiting until after our pepe arrives, but I want our child to know that it’s parents were as committed as two people could be before he or she makes its way into this world. Will you do me the honour, now, in front of our friends and family, of becoming my wife?”
Moisture built behind Stella’s eyes and she blinked rapidly to stop the fall of her tears of joy.
“Yes,” she blurted. “Of course I will.”
Relief lit Aleki’s face and he squeezed her hands together in his. Stepping closer as their guests busied themselves moving closer to the arch, he lowered his forehead to hers and inhaled deeply.
“I can’t wait to meet our baby as husband and wife.”
Stella smiled, the knowledge swelling in her and spilling out of her mouth. “You think she’ll be happy to see us?”
Aleki’s eyes flew open and he pulled back slightly to meet her gaze. “She?”
Stella nodded, and joy spread across his face. “She,” he repeated in wonder. “I hope she’s just like her mother. I’d be the luckiest man alive.”
Stella beamed, elated. “We’re lucky to have you. Shall we
make this thing official then?”
Bright white teeth flashed at her. “Let’s go.”
Fingers linked, she walked into the restaurant with her prince.
Into our future.
THE END
