‘I do.’
The wedding service finally ended and Drake took Aerin’s hand and led her outside to the watery sunshine. ‘You’ve made me the happiest of men. I didn’t think I could ever be happy again, not after what happened when I was fifteen. But you’ve made me want more out of my life. I can’t live in fear of loss any more. Everybody has to face it at some point. Look at this brave young couple. They’ll have to face it sooner than most and yet they’ve just demonstrated their love for each other.’
‘Oh, Drake...’ Aerin hugged him so tightly she was sure she would either break her arms or crack his ribs. ‘I love you so much. I was so shocked to see you come into the church. I thought I must be dreaming. It’s like all my wishes and dreams have come true.’
He brought her left hand up to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. ‘My darling Aerin, I’m not Mr Perfect but I’ll work on it so I can become him.’
‘You’re just right as you are.’
He grinned. ‘Said like a true Goldilocks.’
EPILOGUE
Christmas, one year later
DRAKEPUTTHElast present under the Christmas tree at Aerin’s family’s house in Buckinghamshire. It was a huge tree, beautifully decorated with baubles and tinsel, and twinkling LED lights. The whole family was gathered, and he was now a bona fide part of that family. It gave him a true sense of belonging he had never felt before. Or maybe it was because he was happy in himself, happy with the man he had become rather than the man he had been. How could he have lived in that emotionless prison for all that time? He would still be in it if not for his beautiful Aerin.
Aerin came up beside him and looped her arm through one of his. ‘Isn’t it wonderful that Mr McPhee could join us?’ Her eyes shone with happiness. ‘He’s over there chatting to my dad with a whisky in his hand. And Mutley has made himself quite at home near the fire.’
Drake glanced at the old dog, lying on his side, snoring contentedly in front of the roaring fire in the hearth. He had become increasingly close to Hamish McPhee over the past year. Hamish had become the father figure he had longed for all his life, a reliable, well-regulated elder who was wise in his counsel and fun to be around as well. ‘I’m glad they both made it this far. I had my doubts there for a while.’
‘You saved them both by moving Mr McPhee to the private rehab centre. He never looked back after that. He’s even walking without the walker now.’
Drake was pleased with the old man’s progress, but he was also pleased with his own. He had had to be rehabilitated into recognising and articulating his feelings. And he had worked at not being so worried about loss. He was preparing for the loss of both Mutley and Mr McPhee, knowing there were some miracles you could not pull off. But young Viktor, the groom from the wedding at Kent last year, was still miraculously with his adoring wife Yelena. A new treatment had become available—hideously expensive, but Drake was happy to donate to such a good cause and it had worked so far. It had bought them some time, and that was surely another thing to celebrate at this time of year.
There had been another happy ending in that Tom and Saskia had decided to work at their relationship rather than to press on with the divorce. They were now back together and expecting a baby in the spring.
Speaking of babies, Harper and Jack were expecting another baby, a boy this time, due in a matter of days. Their other celebration was the success of Jack’s first watercolour exhibition, which was a sell-out. Jack had put his dream of being an artist on hold when his father died, in order to take over the running of the family hotel business. But it was with Harper’s love and encouragement that he finally got to pursue his love of painting.
Ruby and Lucas had exciting news too—they were expecting a baby. So far the gender was still a secret but Drake knew they would be fabulous parents. It was an experience he was looking forward to in the not so distant future. He had never wanted to be a father until he fell in love with Aerin. She would be the most wonderful mother and he looked forward to raising a family with her. He was confident that their little family would feel secure in his love and protection, unlike the example his own father had set.
Drake took Aerin’s left hand where not only a beautiful diamond ring sat but a wedding ring as well. They had married before her thirtieth birthday in January and it had been a fabulous celebration. Only a wedding planner with Aerin’s skill set could have organised a fabulous wedding so quickly. It was a day he would never forget as long as he lived. Seeing her walk up the aisle towards him had been the most amazing experience. One that made his heart overflow with love and hope for a long and happy future together.
‘Happy, my love?’ he asked.
‘So happy my heart feels like it is going to burst.’
Drake drew her closer, his own heart feeling so full it was taking up all the room in his chest. ‘I wrote you another poem. Want to hear it?’
Her eyes danced. ‘Yes, please.’
‘I love you as the ocean loves the shore, I love you as the wind loves the autumn leaves, I love you as far and wide as the sky, I love the life we have together, the future as yet unknown. But I love that we can face any weather or any season because we are each other’s own.’
‘Oh, darling that was perfect!’
‘Perfect, eh?’ Drake grinned. ‘That’s what you are, my love. Perfect in every possible way.’