Cali brushed her lips across his and whispered, “Thank you.”
After giving his name to the hostess, she escorted them through the main dining room to a door on the far side. The view was one the best features of the restaurant. The food was the other. No matter which table you were seated at, a view of the city was the backdrop. Large floor to ceiling windows wrapped around the restaurant’s dining area. The room seemed to be two stories tall.
The hostess opened the door to the private room and motioned for them to go in. Internally, Cali’s jaw dropped, but on the outside she tried to remain calm at the beautiful room they entered. A small table for two was in the center with a white linen table cloth, white leather chairs and two candles of differing heights on the table.
The room looked like it could hold a much bigger table, but they must have swapped it out. The walls surrounding them were covered in beautiful, intricate gold designs. She wanted to run her hands along it, but resisted. Another door was located off the back of the room which she assumed the waiter used.
The view in front of them was the same as the other diners had, but that one was only for them. They couldn’t see or hear the other diners. The hostess didn’t leave menus, which she thought was a little odd. Once they were seated the hostess smiled, nodded and left the room.
Before Cali had a chance to say anything, the door behind them opened and an older man with dark hair and a warm smile stepped through. Owen stood, smiling as well, and clasped hands with the man.
“Alex, it’s great to see you again,” he said.
In a thick, French accent, Alex said, “Owen, always a pleasure.”
“May I introduce you to my girlfriend, Caliana. Cali, this is Alex, the owner of the restaurant.”
Standing, she offered her hand. Alex took it and placed a kiss along the back of her hand. She blushed and said, “It’s nice to meet. Your restaurant is beautiful. I’ve always wanted to come here.”
“Ah, it is not my restaurant that is beautiful, but it is you, my dear. Welcome. It is my pleasure to have you. And this man right here,” he said pointing to Owen. “He is a good man.”
She smiled. “Yes, he is.”
Owen smiled at her, dimples and all, making her heart skip a beat. Luckily, Alex spoke before she became a puddle on the floor.
“I had the chef prepare a special meal for you both. Sit down, relax. I’ll have some very nice wine brought out. And enjoy the view.”
She thanked him and sat in the chair. “Owen, this is amazing. I can’t believe you arranged for this.”
He chuckled. “All I did was call Alex and ask if it was possible to get a reservation on short notice. I didn’t expect any of this. I thought we would be out on the main floor with everyone else.”
“That was very nice of him.”
They had wine and were brought so much food, she didn’t think she would be able to move. Later, their plates were taken away and they were brought some of the best tasting coffee she ever had. They sat, sipping their coffee, holding hands across the table.
He stood suddenly and walked around the table to stand before her. She looked up, unsure if they were leaving or not. When she started to stand he shook his head no. Instead, he got down on one knee before her.
Reaching for her hand, he said, “Caliana Crawford, you are the love of my life. I never, in a million years, thought my dream to be with you would become a reality. Now, here you are in front of me, the person I’ve loved from afar all of those years. I never want to be apart from you. I want to spend the rest of my life loving, caring, and protecting you. Will you marry me?”
Tears pooled in her eyes. Blinking a couple of times, they spilled over. She couldn’t believe he was on bended knee and she was shaking in response. Unable to breathe or talk, she sat for a moment staring at the gorgeous man in front of her, holding a box with a ring inside.
Finally, taking a deep breath, she said, “Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes! Yes, I will marry you!”
His arms were around her waist and when he stood, she went with him. She squealed in delight as he spun her in a circle. Stopping, he placed her gently on her feet and kissed her, sweeping his tongue into her mouth.
Pulling away, he said, “Oh, the ring.”
He took the ring out of the box. She held out her hand, letting him slide the ring on. Taking a look at it, she gasped. She hadn’t really looked at it when he was proposing. Their eyes never lost the connection.
The ring was stunning. She didn’t know how many carats it was, but it was heavy. The ring was platinum, had a large, carre-cut diamond in the center and two slightly smaller diamonds on either side. Smaller diamonds made up most of the band.
“Owen, it’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it. I looked in so many jewelry stores, unable to find anything good enough for you. Finally I had this made,” he said, motioning his head toward the ring.
She embraced him, still not believing he proposed. The ring was a perfect fit, too.
“How did you know what size to make the ring?”
“I took the ring you wear on the same finger on your other hand and took it to the jeweler. He made this ring the same size.”
Cali smiled. “Sneaky.”
Leaning in to kiss him, the back door to the room opened, causing her head to turn. She screamed when Avery and Piper come through it. She noticed Owen nod toward them like to say she accepted his proposal. They screamed and ran toward her.
She had become very close with both women. Piper and Avery both came over at least once a week while she was recovering, to have a girl’s night. They knew she wasn’t well enough to be out on the town, so they brought the fun to her. His man room came in handy, too. The woman all lounged in the room and made popcorn on the old-fashioned cart. She had so much fun every time they came over.
Both women hugged her, jumping up and down. She couldn’t believe they were in the restaurant. Once they released each other she noticed Ethan, Erik, Steven, and Adeline were in the room. She hugged each of them and also hugged Owen’s mom, who snuck in as well, before she went over to him.
But the biggest surprise were the two people behind everyone else in the room. Her parents stepped forward. She squeezed them tight and noticed her mom was fighting her own tears. “Caliana, I’m so happy for you honey. Congratulations.”
Her dad kissed her on the cheek before offering his congrats as well. Looking around the room, her eyes found Owen. She saw him hugging his mom, but he was focused on Cali. She mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to him. He smiled.
Mother of all that was good, she loved him with all of her being. She didn’t know how she got so lucky, but sure wasn’t going to take him for granted. The amazing thing she had with him was rare and would be treated as such.
After greeting everyone, her girls came over and asked to see the ring. Piper, who really didn’t have a filter except when she was working, yelled loudly, “Holy fuck, Cali! Look at the size of that bitch!”
Cali laughed. She felt very fortunate to have met her. Avery, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at Piper.
“Damn, Piper, you do know others are in the room, right?”
In a mocking tone Piper said, “Yes, Avery, I do.” All three of them got along great, even with their very different personalities. Cali thought that’s what made them mesh well.
Avery, ignoring her attitude, said, “Cali, it’s a beautiful ring. I’m so happy for both of you and I can’t wait to go dress shopping. You know you won’t be going without me.”
Cali chuckled. “Well you’re going to have to wait a little while, we just got engaged.”
She knew without a doubt that Avery would help her pick out the perfect gown. The woman dressed like she was ready to go down a runway just to go to the grocery store. Cali could never put that much effort into running errands. Brushing her hair and throwing on whatever was clean was all the effort she put in to her appearance. She could care l
ess if the butcher thought she looked good or not.
Only one man’s opinion mattered and she felt him come up behind her, hands on her stomach. He nuzzled his face into her hair and whispered, “Hi, beautiful. How does it feel to be engaged?”
Cali saw her friends walk away to give them some privacy. Turning her head toward him, she said, “Amazing.” She was still floored that he had proposed.
A waiter come into the room and handed out glasses of champagne. Ethan cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.
“I’d like to make a toast,” he said. “My brother has never looked at a woman the way he looks at Cali. I have known since we were teenagers something special was shared between them. And to see them now, finally coming together, I’m overjoyed. Congrats to my brother, Owen, and the love of his life, Caliana.”
Everyone raised their glasses and drank. Owen pulled his brother into a hug and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. The brothers had mended their relationship and that made her very happy. They were closer than ever.
She didn’t miss the way Piper watched Ethan. The two continued to flirt, but haven’t been out on a date. She wished one of them would finally make a move. They were driving her crazy with all of their glances in the other’s direction. Everyone in the room could see it, she didn’t know what was taking them so long.
Owen and Cali spent the next hour mingling and talking with their family and friends. Before leaving the restaurant, Alex gave them a bottle of very expensive wine, congratulating them on their engagement.
Reminiscing on the past few months, she couldn’t believe how much her life had changed. She quit her job and went to her favorite place to relax for a couple of weeks. Her cabin and townhouse were destroyed, she moved in with Owen, was shot, almost died in the operating room and now was engaged to the man of her dreams. Her soul mate.
What a whirlwind her life had become. All of the events that had happened put her on a path, a sometimes rough one, which led to Owen. To being engaged and about to start the rest of their lives together. To being happier than she ever could have imagined, all because she quit her job and went to her cabin on the lake.
~ Epilogue ~
Owen was standing on the deck of his home in Kauai. The sun would be setting soon and a breeze was blowing in from the ocean. He wore a tan suit, with a matching tan vest, white dress shirt and a mauve tie. Cali had picked the tie out so it coordinated with her dress.
His palms were sweating and his hands were shaking. Taking a step forward, he began to walk to the beach. He could see all of his family and close friends already on the sand.
Chairs covered in white linen were lined up in two groups, separated by an aisle that led to a natural bamboo arbor. The arbor had four posts with white and pink fabric draped over it. Bunches of pink roses were tied to each corner post with green leaves cascading down. They were the exact type and color of flower he gave to her on their second date.
Everyone was still mingling when he reached the sand. He flew his mom, brother, Piper, Steven, Adeline, Erik and Emily in his plane along with Cali and himself. A second, chartered flight brought in more of the guests. Cali’s parents flew in separately as well as other friends and family since they didn’t live near them. He paid for every flight and wanted everyone they both loved to celebrate with them.
Cali had hired Emily as her assistant as soon as she returned to work, three months after the shooting. She saw a therapist to help with the anxiety and post-traumatic stress. The first couple of weeks weren’t easy, but she was strong and pushed through. Although, Owen noticed it took her a month or so to be able to step foot into his office.
Never pushing her, he let her go at whatever pace she wanted. He told her she didn’t even have to work. If she wanted to stay home he would have supported it, but the decision was hers. In the back of his mind he always knew she would go back, it gave her something to do.
Emily had been a great addition and was an amazing assistant for Cali. They worked well together and Emily had gotten to the point where she could predict Cali’s needs without her having to say anything. Things were a little awkward with Erik since Emily started seeing someone else.
Owen could see the subtle changes in him when she came by and knew he was still interested. And he didn’t miss the way Emily looked at Erik when she thought no one saw. Cali told Owen she thought Erik waited too long to make his move and Emily moved on. In Owen’s eyes though, Emily hadn’t moved on. Maybe a week in Hawaii was just what they needed to work things out.
OLM Yachts was closed for the week. That was the first time the whole company had shut down for a long period of time. He would close for holidays or if the snow was bad in the winter, but never for a week. The employees were given the time off in celebration of his marriage.
They threw him and Cali a party before leaving. It was a huge surprise and he wished he could have taken all of them on the trip. Each and every one of them were considered part of his extended family.
Walking down the aisle toward the arbor, he still felt like it was all a dream. Ethan and Steven stood waiting for him. Ethan was his best man and Steven was like a brother to him. He was happy to have both men standing by his side.
Ethan clasped him on the shoulder and asked, “Doing okay?”
“Yeah, just nervous. I know I’ll be fine once I see her.”
“Thank you for having me stand by you. It means a lot.”
“There was never a doubt in my mind who I would want by my side on my wedding day.” Owen said.
Ethan smiled before he saw him scan the area like he was nervous as well.
“What’s going on with you?” Owen asked.
“Me? Nothing, just excited for you.”
“Uh huh, sure. It wouldn’t have anything to do with Piper being in the wedding would it?” Cali couldn’t decide between Avery and Piper so she asked both to stand with her as her maids of honor.
Ethan rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t know what it is about her, but I get stupid when I see her. I forget how to talk when she’s in front of me and when I finally do find my voice, I end up stuttering. This isn’t me. I’ve never had a problem talking to women.”
Owen laughed and said in a childish voice, “You like her.”
“Real mature.”
“You need to ask her out, see where it goes. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. “She looks at me? I didn’t notice.”
“Yes and my wedding is the perfect chance to see if there is anything between you two. You’re in Hawaii for fucks sake. Make a move.”
He didn’t say anything. Just stood, staring into the distance. Owen thought maybe this was the little push he needed.
The music started and Owen’s eyes focused on the aisle before him. First to walk down was Avery. She wore a blush colored, floor length, chiffon gown. The dress was strapless and the material bunched slightly over her chest. The chiffon wrapped under her bust and was positioned to the side, held by a small, white flower. The material flowed down from the side to her feet. She carried a small bouquet of white calla lilies.
Next down the aisle was Piper. He didn’t miss the way Ethan sucked in a breath next to him. She wore the same dress as Avery, but where her hair loosely hung down her back, Piper’s was piled on top of her head. She had few pieces hanging free that were curled around her face.
The wedding march started. He straightened and prepared himself to see Cali. She appeared with her dad by her side. Her white dress was strapless with a sweetheart top. Organza wrapped over the bodice, was bunched and layered all the way to the sand. There was a mauve sash tied around her waist in a bow with a crystal broach at the center.
She reached the aisle and when she took a step forward, he saw the dress parted down the left side, letting her tanned, toned, leg show through. Her bouquet was varying shades of pink calla lilies with long green leaves scattered throughout and wrapped into the bouquet in a loop.
&
nbsp; Her long hair was curled, the sides and top pulled up, swept away from her face. She was stunning. He didn’t think she had ever looked so beautiful. The blush pink diamond teardrop earrings he had given her as a wedding gift hung from her ears.
He felt a lump in his throat as emotions swirled within. If he went back in time and told his younger self he would be marrying her, he wouldn’t believe it. That one day, the woman he dreamt about and took a chance on kissing once, would become his.
Cali and her dad stopped when they reached the arbor. After kissing her on the cheek, he placed her hand in Owen’s. Looking into her eyes, Owen saw nothing but love and trust. He nodded to her dad and turned to face the woman who was performing the ceremony.
They decided against writing their own vows. She didn’t think she would be able to speak through them without sobbing. He was relieved, because he didn’t know if he could express his feelings in words. Every day he said how much he loved and cherished her, but the wedding was something they would remember the rest of their lives. He didn’t want to fuck it up.
The ceremony went by in a blink of an eye. They said their vows, exchanged custom made rings they designed together and kissed a long, deep passionate kiss. Everyone cheered when they parted and she waved the bouquet over her head in excitement.
They walked down the aisle slowly, letting the photographer and videographer capture each step. Neither one of them ever wanted to forget a single moment of the day. They posed for pictures with the bridal party and their family before joining the rest of the guests at the reception.
He said they could have had it somewhere else, but she insisted on it being at his house. He had plenty of land to hold the ceremony and reception. Whatever she wanted, she got.
A huge white tent was set up and was open all around to allow the ocean breeze to flow through. White lights lined the entire edge of the tent while round lanterns were hung within. A wooden floor was laid down and white linen covered tables and chairs were spread throughout with floral centerpieces on each one.
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