by Berri Fox
Surprisingly I’ve enjoyed working alongside Robin. I always thought he was stuffy and too eager to follow the rules, but he’s being so supportive in my new creative ideas for hotel entertainment. Together we’re making huge strides in modernizing and updating our hotels, to the delight of all our guests.
As I finally hail a cab I quickly text Natalie to make sure she and Sandy are still meeting me at the bookstore. They’ve been working hard in their new roles at our flagship hotel, but there’s a party at the store later and I insisted they come. Jess hasn’t seen them in a couple of weeks, and I know she’s missing Natalie since they became such good friends on the cruise.
As my cab wizzes through the streets towards the bookstore I scroll through my messages. I smile as I see the many pictures of dogs and boats. Alex has gotten hold of Jess’ phone again and has been sending messages to me all afternoon.
My heart swells a little as I think about Jess and Alex. I never thought I was the kind of girl to want a white picket fence and a proper little family but meeting them has transformed me. I’ve never been so happy, and Robin has been joking about how Jess has “tamed” me so quickly when all the others failed horribly.
I hop out of the cab a block early and run into a flower shop on the corner of the street. I buy a bunch of roses for Jess, and a bouquet of blue and white carnations for Alex. I breathe in the damp air as I wander along the street to the bookstore, flowers in hand.
I pause outside the bookstore, watching through the window as Alex runs around the floor with a bunch of other kids. They are all wearing party hats and Alex is sporting the magician’s cape I bought him the other day. I grin as I remember Jess’ look of mild exasperation when me and Alex came home with an entire magician’s kit and two pet guinea pigs.
Alex spots me immediately as I enter the bookstore and runs at me in delight.
“Ashley, Ashley!” He crows, flinging himself at me. The other women who work at the bookstore turn and smile at us.
I grin back and wave at them. Then I crouch down and hand Alex his flowers. He beams at me in delight and throws his arms around my neck.
“You know you spoil him, right?”
I look up at Jess and smirk softly. “Of course I do. Look at him.”
Right on cue Alex turns and bats his eyelashes at Jess. She laughs and ruffles his hair as I stand up. Alex squirms out from under her hand and runs off to rejoin his new best friends, and I pull Jess in for a kiss.
As we pull apart Jess blushes at the wolf whistles coming from behind her. She turns and swats at Cody and Rachel who are both laughing madly.
I pull her into me and nestle my chin into the crook of her neck. I always feel so relaxed when I’m with her and I’m looking forward to an evening of laughter and catching up with our friends. Plus I have something pretty big planned for when Natalie shows up.
“You guys are super into the PDAs huh?”
We turn around to see Sarah and Gail standing in the doorway, both looking radiant in matching white evening gowns. They rush forwards and hug us both in turn.
“We weren’t expecting you to come! Didn’t you just get hitched?” Jess exclaims, kissing Gail on the cheek.
“Well yeah but that was this morning. We figured the guys could do with a break – and can you believe that Hugo still hasn’t packed for the honeymoon?! I told him he has to pack tonight, the flight is at 3am tomorrow and I am not doing it for him.”
I laugh at Gail’s amused frustration. The poor twins don’t know what they’ve let themselves in for, but it’s nice to see them looking so happy with Sarah and Gail on their arms. I’ve known them for a long time and they’ve always been unlucky in love, but it seems their luck has finally turned.
The bell above the door jungles once again, and Alex cheers in delight, running between me and Jess. I don’t need to turn around to know what that means. Sandy is here.
He swoops Alex up into a bear hug and presents him with a stack of coasters from the hotel. Alex is making some kind of collage of a shipyard with them, and Sandy smuggles him some whenever they see each other. Of course, I always turn a blind eye to their shenanigans.
I catch Natalie’s eye and she raises her eyebrow. I nod. It’s almost time.
“Oh hey, I forgot to mention earlier. Ms Peterson read my first draft of the new book, and she really likes it! She says it could be really popular and she’s asked me to sign with her.”
I whirl Jess around in delight at her news. She’s been working non stop on a new book based on our epic cruise ship adventure, and I’m so thrilled that her amazing talent is finally being recognized.
Suddenly the lights dim in the bookstore and a hush descends. Light music starts up, quiet at first and slowly getting louder.
Jess turns to me and whispers, “Oh my god, it’s the song that was playing during the dinner party on the cruise! What’s happening-” She breaks off and her eyes go wide when she sees that I am now kneeling on one knee.
“Hey you,” I whisper. Jess opens her mouth but no sound escapes. I take a deep breath and go on.
“So I don’t really have the greatest reputation and our relationship did start under…interesting circumstances.”
There’s a snort of laughter from Sandy, Natalie, Sarah and Gail at my attempt to gently skirt around our first meeting.
“Yeah well, I know a lot has happened over the past few months, but I think you are the best thing that has ever happened to me Jess. Every day I’m with you is another day of happiness and awe. You’re beautiful and talented and I’m so incredibly lucky to know you.”
Jess tears up and for a moment I falter. But then she’s smiling at me, so brightly that she takes my breath away. I smile back and feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
“It would make me the happiest woman in the entire world if you would be my wife.”
Jess swallows. “Is this for real this time? Or are we trying to get another free cruise,” she jokes.
I laugh. “It’s for real. 100%.”
Jess nods happily. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
I stand up and embrace her, the cheers of our friends loud in my ears. A weight thumps into my leg and I pull away from Jess to look down. Alex is clinging tightly to both of us, grinning.
I scoop him into my arms and cuddle Jess closer. Jess and Alex rest their heads on each of my shoulders and I kiss each of them on the top of their heads. I sigh happily.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my perfect little family.
