by Sandi Lynn
We stayed with Diana and Jacob at the beach house. It was so good to see them again. Mason and Landon met us there and we had a couple of drinks.
“Come on, Elle. We’re going out.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
“Isn’t that kind of rude just to up and leave our friends?”
“No. It’s not rude at all. Now get in the limo,” he commanded.
“You’re awful bossy, Mr. Black.”
He chuckled as he pulled a black tie from his pocket and put it around my eyes.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“It’s a surprise and I don’t want you to see until we get there.”
I bit down on my bottom lip in anticipation. We drove for a bit and then the limo stopped. Connor opened the door and took my hand, helping me out of the car. I could smell the ocean air and I could hear the waves crashing against the shore. He stopped and bent down and took off my shoes. He picked me up and carried me a few feet before setting me down in the warm sand and taking off the blindfold.
“Recognize this place?” he asked.
“It’s the beach where you proposed to me. I could never forget this place.” I smiled as we walked to the shore hand in hand. “What are we doing here?”
Connor stopped and took hold of both my hands. “I wanted to make this place special for a second time. The last time we were standing on this beach, in this very spot, we were going through some really tough times, but I knew in my heart that we’d overcome everything and we’d be standing here all these years later, healthy and with nothing but happiness in our hearts. Elle, these years you’ve given me have been the ultimate gift of life and I wouldn’t trade one single moment of it. We’ve raised two beautiful and successful children and created a family like no other. Our love is immeasurable and it’s forever. We are moving into a new chapter in our lives and I can’t wait to write our story and create more beautiful memories together. You are and always will be the love of my life and I want to marry you all over again.”
He got down on one knee and pulled a small blue velvet box from his pocket. As he opened it, I placed my hand over my mouth and stared down at the beautiful diamond-encased band.
“Will you do me the honor of marrying me all over again?” He smiled up at me.
He took my breath away. I didn’t think it was possible to love him anymore than I already did. But at that moment, a new set of emotions washed over me and it felt like I had fallen in love with him all over again.
“Yes! Of course I’ll marry you again.” A tear escaped my eye. “I love you so much.”
He stood up and brushed his lips against mine as I heard clapping from behind me. I turned around as Collin, Amelia, Julia, Jake, Lucas, Cassidy, Ben, Hailey, Peyton, Henry, Mason, Diana, and Jacob stood there with wide smiles across their face.
“Oh my God! What is going on?” I asked in excitement.
“This is why we couldn’t take the private jet,” Connor said. “They were all on it and I wanted to surprise you.” He wrapped his arms around me as they all came walking over.
“Congratulations, Mom. I was a little worried you’d say no.” Collin laughed.
Everyone congratulated us and we headed to dinner at the Beverly Hills Wilshire, where Connor had rented us a private dining room. This man, my husband and the love of my life, never failed to surprise me.
As we finished dinner, Connor stood up and called Collin and Julia to come stand by him. They both gave him a strange look as they walked over to him.
“What’s up, Dad?” Collin asked.
The waiter walked over and handed Connor a large brown envelope. Connor looked at his son and daughter and smiled.
“This is for both of you.” He handed the envelope to Collin.
“Daddy, what are you doing?” Julia asked with nervousness.
Collin opened the envelope and took out the papers, examining them carefully.
“Dad’s retiring and handing Black Enterprises over to us,” he said as he looked at Julia.
“Dad, no,” Julia said with sadness.
“It’s time that I let my children take over the family business. I’ve groomed you both for this day since the day you were born and now the time has come for you to take over. I’m retiring and your mom and I are going to do some traveling.”
My heart ached when I looked into my children’s eyes and saw sadness that their father would no longer be at Black Enterprises.
“Dad, I don’t know what to say. I mean, I’m thrilled to be taking over, but I’ll miss you there.”
“Yeah, Dad. We’re going to miss you.”
“It’s not like I’m moving out of the country or the state, for that matter. I’ll always be there for both of you.”
Collin and Julia both hugged Connor and tears were shed. Not only by us, but by our friends and family as well.
“I want to thank all of you for coming tonight and sharing in the special news and joyous occasion with us. But this is where I must leave,” Connor spoke.
I looked at him in shock. “What do you mean you must leave?”
“It’s the night before our wedding, baby, and it’s bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day.”
I was confused. He had me in a whirlwind of confusion. “Huh?”
He placed his hands on my hips and his forehead on mine. “We’re getting married tomorrow on the beach. That is why all of our family and friends are here. Everything’s already been arranged and tomorrow, we will renew our vows.”
“But—”
Mason walked over, handed Brayden to Jake, and placed his hand on my back. “I know what you’re thinking, Elle. You’re thinking about how you don’t have a dress, shoes, jewelry, flowers, makeup, etc. But not to worry, queen bee, I’ve got everything covered. I picked the most fabulous dress for you to wear and I know you’ll love it! So say good night to sexy daddy and let’s go back to my place. I can’t wait to show you everything.”
“I can’t believe you did all this. Actually, I can believe it because that’s the kind of man you are. I love you so much, Connor Black, and I can’t wait to marry you again.”
“And I can’t wait to marry you.” His lips locked with mine. “Now go with Mason and I’ll see you tomorrow. This is hard enough.”
Chapter 48
Ellery
The dress Mason chose for me was perfect. He had really outdone himself with this one. As I slipped into my white, strapless, slim line gown with the notched neckline, I felt like a princess. My hair was done in a loose updo with a few cascading curls and fresh flowers perfectly placed throughout.
“Mom. You look gorgeous!” Julia smiled as she kissed my cheek.
“Doesn’t she?” Mason said.
“Thank you. I can’t believe how fast all this is happening.”
“Daddy’s been planning this for the last two months. I’m really surprised you didn’t find out. I thought for sure Peyton would have spilled the beans.”
“I asked her about it last night and she said she wanted me to be surprised for once in my life. Isn’t that what I told her at her birthday party?” I laughed.
There was a knock on the door and Collin walked in. “Wow, Mom. You are stunning.” He walked over and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you, my sweet boy. Shouldn’t you be with your father?”
His lips curved into a small smile. “I’m walking you down the beach.”
Tears formed in my eyes and Mason noticed. Running to grab a tissue, he handed it to me.
“No. No, Elle. Don’t you dare. You’ll ruin your makeup.”
I dabbed my eye with the tissue as Collin held out his arm. “No tears, Mom. I’m proud to walk you down the aisle and hand you over to Dad.”
I threw my head back because I started to lose control of the tears.
“Collin, stop talking to her. You’re making her cry,” Mason said.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to.”
“I’ll be okay. Just give me a minute.”
“Clarissa, come here! We need a makeup fix stat!” Mason yelled across the room.
After Clarissa fixed my teary eyes, we walked out of the room and took a limo to the beach.
****
Connor
Julia took her place as Ellery’s maid of honor and I waited for Collin to walk my wife down the aisle and take his place as my best man. As I looked beyond the people that had gathered to come watch us renew our vows, I could see my beautiful bride on the arm of my son. I promised myself that I wouldn’t get emotional, but seeing her standing there, dressed in white, I couldn’t help it. I swallowed hard as the music began to play and they started their journey down the aisle. She was even more beautiful today than she was all those years ago. As they approached, Collin kissed her cheek and gave her hand to me, then took his place by my side.
“You are so beautiful, Ellery.”
“So are you, Connor,” she whispered with a tear in her eye.
We stood before our guests as the minister said a few words and we happily renewed our wedding vows. I slipped the band on her finger and brought it up to my lips.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” I spoke.
She took my hand and slipped on my wedding ring and brought it up to her lips.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” She smiled.
“You may kiss your bride, Connor,” the minister spoke.
I leaned in and our lips tangled into a passionate kiss. Our guests rose from their seats and clapped as we embraced each other. After taking what seemed like a million pictures, we headed to the Beverly Hills Wilshire for our reception dinner.
It was a night full of celebration and one that would forever be in the memories of our family and friends.
Chapter 49
Connor
Two Years Later…
What can I say? Ellery and I spent time in Spain, Paris, Italy, and the Caribbean during the past couple of years. Our travels got cut short because Collin and Amelia got pregnant and gave us the surprise of our lives. Twins. A boy named Christopher and a girl named Chloe. Both of them were in shock because Amelia didn’t even know that twins ran in her family. Needless to say, they had their hands full and needed us. Collin was doing an excellent job with Black Enterprises and he made me very proud. Julia became pregnant again and we had just found out she was having a little girl. We also attended a very special wedding this past year to celebrate the marriage of my brother, Lucas, and his new bride, Hailey. The restaurant quickly became known world-wide and was very successful. So successful that Lucas decided to open another restaurant in Los Angeles. Hailey started her own clothing line and was flourishing in the world of fashion. Both of them were incredibly happy and it was nice to see my brother find someone special to share his life with.
Unfortunately, Ashlyn lost her battle with cancer and passed away a few months ago. Even after everything she had put me and Ellery through over the course of the years, she had become a changed woman and it was sad to see her life end so quickly after she spent so many years rebuilding her life and reinventing herself.
As I sat at my desk in the penthouse, I picked up the side-by-side picture of our wedding day and the day we renewed our vows. Our story wasn’t always perfect. From day one, we had our ups and downs, but no matter what life threw at us, our love was strong and unlike any other that pulled us through. My life changed the day I saw Ellery standing in my kitchen and that was a day that I’d never forget. Even now, I’d stand in the entrance while she’s cooking and think about the first words I’d ever spoken to her. “Did I not go over the rules with you last night?” The words which led to our beautiful life together. A life full of happiness and joy and the creation of a family with so much love and such a tight bond, that nothing could ever break us.
We are the Black family and we will continue to live life to the fullest. Our story may have ended, but we know that we’ll be in your hearts forever.
The End
A Special Thank you
I’m sure you’re all shedding some tears right now as I am writing this. I want to thank each and every one of you who have followed the Black family from the start. What was supposed to be a standalone novel had turned into five full length novels and two novellas because you demanded more of Connor & Ellery’s journey together.
The creation of the Black family wouldn’t have been possible without your support and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for wanting more of this incredible and wonderful family. The journey I have gone on writing these books for my wonderful readers was an absolute joy and the Black family will always hold a special place in my heart just as I know they will in yours.
If you haven’t already done so, please check out my books. They are filled with heartwarming love stories, some with millionaires, and some with just regular everyday people who find love when they least expect it.
Millionaires:
Love, Lust & A Millionaire
His Proposed Deal
Lie Next To Me (A Millionaire’s Love, Book 1)
When I Lie with You ( A Millionaire’s Love, Book 2)
A Love Called Simon
Then You Happened
Coming Soon:
Love, Lust & Liam
Second Chance Love:
Remembering You
She Writes Love
Love In Between (Love Series, Book 1)
The Upside of Love (Love Series, Book 2)
About The Author
Sandi Lynn is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who spends all of her days writing. She published her first novel, Forever Black, in February 2013 and hasn’t stopped writing since. Her addictions are shopping, romance novels, coffee, chocolate, margaritas, and giving readers an escape to another world.
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