Effortless (25 page)

The flight was relatively short, wherever it was that we’d landed. I looked out the window and saw nothing but an onyx sky dotted with stars. There wasn’t a mask or anything to prevent me seeing where we’d gone. I didn’t have a clue anyway. It was so dark outside he could have flown us to the North Pole for all I knew.

I followed Alastair off the plane to a waiting horse and carriage. I stopped short.
What the…?

“Did we go through a time portal or something?” I asked.

“No, love. This is the only way to get around here.”

Alastair extended his hand and helped me onto the carriage. The driver nodded and tipped his hat in my direction. I honestly felt like I’d been transported back to the 1800s.

“And where exactly is
here
?”

The horse neighed and started walking. I snuggled closer to Alastair when he tucked me under his arm.

“Just enjoy the ride and the view,” he requested, kissing the top of my head.

Excited by the prospect of the unknown for the first time in my life, I rested my head on his shoulder and listened to the slow rhythm of the horse’s footsteps on loose gravel. Not too far from where we were, I could hear the ocean pounding against the shore. I smiled, burrowing closer into Alastair’s side. If not for the cold air and horse-drawn carriage I’d have thought we’d flown back to Orlando and were sitting on the beach.

A velvet kiss stirred me from my thoughts. I looked up and was greeted by Alastair’s beautiful face.

“Come with me.”

What those three words did to me. I stepped off the carriage onto the soft earth. A gorgeous two-story stone house sat in front of us. Mesmerized by its old world charm I stared for a few seconds.

“Alastair, where are we?”

Smiling, he tucked my hair behind my ears. “We are at the place where it all begins.”

Spurred on by a healthy dose of curiosity I followed him into the house. The cozy interior gave me the same at home feeling as his cottage. A bottle of champagne and a bouquet of white roses sat on a small end table by the couch.

“Did you fly me here for more cake?” I joked.

He tipped up my chin and gazed at me with the purest love I’d ever seen. “If that’s what you want.”

“I can hear the ocean,” I said, touching his cheek. “Can we go outside and look at the stars now?”

“Yes, of course.” He kissed me. “You should go up and change first. It’s a bit chilly outside.” He brushed his fingers down my arm. “And then meet me out in the backyard.”

“Change? I’m already in a sweater and—”

“Just do it.” He grinned, tilting his head to the side. “You’ll thank me later.”

Watching him stroll out of the room rustled a few butterflies in my stomach.

I trotted up the stairs, amused and puzzled about what this night had in store for me now. A trail of white rose petals led toward what I assumed was the master bedroom.
When did he have time to do all this
? I walked into the room and inhaled sharply. Hanging from an armoire was an ivory silk cocktail length dress. The sleeveless, v-neck bodice was intricately woven with lace and shimmered in the light. My crystal encrusted Louboutin shoes sat beneath it on the floor.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, touching the material and admiring its mix of simple and sexy. “A wedding dress?”

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I went to the window and peered out into the yard. I couldn’t see anything. Turning back, I noticed a vanity filled with makeup and hair accessories. I sat in front of the mirror trying to calm the ferocious beating of my heart. I surveyed the arrayed of products and took a deep breath.

“Here we go,” I muttered, applying some lip gloss and blush. My skin was still sun kissed from all the Florida sunshine so I didn’t need to add much.

I left my hair down in loose waves, just the way Alastair liked it. Taking another deep breath, I turned toward the armoire. Fixing my hair and putting on make-up was one thing. A wedding dress was something completely different. I stood up and focused on it, memorizing every last detail.

My hands shook as I took the dress off its hanger. So many emotions swirled through me as I slipped it on. The elegant silk hemline skimmed my knees. I stared at myself in the mirror, disbelieving what was about to happen.

Dozens of thoughts rushed through my brain.
Am I ready? Is he ready? Are we rushing into this?

The girl staring back at me glowed. Her eyes were alight with joy, not self-doubt or any doubt for that matter.
I am ready
. Composing myself, I slipped on my shoes and went downstairs.

“Hey, kiddo.”

I stopped short, stunned to see my father. “Dad,” I exclaimed, breathless. I ran over and wrapped my arms around him. “What are you— How is—”

“Your fiancé takes all the credit. I was just told to be on a plane.” He smiled, his eyes shining with pride. “You look beautiful. Shall we?”

I nodded as he looped my arm though his and led me out the back door. My knees went weak.

Alastair waited for me in the center of the yard. He’d changed into a dark gray suit, sans tie, leaving the collar of his white shirt unbuttoned. My heart raced a little faster when he smiled. That was my smile, the one he saved only for me.

A muffled sob tore my attention away from him. It was my mother. She stood in the yard next to my sister Dayna. My heart beat faster and faster as I took in my surroundings. Andrew was also there, along with Darren. Tears welled in my eyes when I looked to my right and saw Katherine, Jason and Samuel.
He wanted his family here, too
.

Darren motioned for someone and then I saw Stephanie. My best friend smiled, put her hand on her heart and then blew me a kiss. This was absolutely, undeniably the most astonishing moment of my life. I squeezed my dad’s arm just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

He patted my hand and smiled. “Surprised?”

I think I nodded. Out the corner of my eye I saw Paxton standing near Alastair. He winked at me and grinned.

“Everyone’s here,” I whispered.

“There she is,” an unfamiliar voice announced. “Shall we?”

Next thing I knew, my dad walked me toward a justice of the peace.

At exactly midnight, surrounded by all the people who meant the most to me, I married Alastair Reid Holden under a sky full of stars. Even the Milky Way joined us, spreading from one corner of the glossy black horizon to the other and putting on one hell of a celestial show. The serenity and happiness I felt as we exchanged simple vows overwhelmed me. When Stephanie walked over and handed me a stunning platinum band to slide onto Alastair’s finger I couldn’t stop smiling. The guy who once claimed he didn’t ‘do’ relationships had thought of everything. I didn’t think it was possible to love him even more than I already did.

When the justice said those magic words about pronouncing us husband and wife, everyone clapped.

“I told you we were going to see the stars,” Alastair said before locking me in a kiss far too passionate for anyone else to witness. I heard Darren and Andrew both whistle and cheer.

Breaking the kiss, he lifted me and hugged me soundly. I couldn’t believe this actually happened.

“You’re married,” Stephanie yelled, throwing her arms around me when Alastair let me go. “I hope you realize you are the only person I’d stand outside for in the freezing cold at midnight.”

“The sacrifices you Floridians make,” I laughed, hugging her for an eternity before my mother’s pleas forced us apart. In true Lillian Meyers fashion, she nearly suffocated me with excitement. Her make-up was immaculate except for the black smudges under her eyes where the tears landed.

“Two weddings in one year,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”

“You’re going to squash her, mom. I want in on that,” Dayna said sandwiching me in a hug with our mother. A flash went off next to us, blinding me.

“Sorry,” I heard Andrew say. “It’s not every day all the Meyers women are in one place.”

I laughed, finally free from their embrace. “If there’s no photo, it didn’t happen, right?”

Darren was next for the parade of hugging. He lifted me up and spun me around, making me squeal with delight. “You’re a gorgeous bride, lass.”

My family and friends continued to chitchat next to me as my attention turned to my new husband, who was surrounded by his own family. His aunt had him in a secure embrace. His back was to me so I couldn’t see what, if any, expression was present. Much to my surprise, he held her just as tight. Samuel patted him on the back and then pulled him in for a quick hug. Now I could see his face. He caught my eye and grinned.

When Jason went over to him, I stilled. His body seemed to stiffen as Jason offered his hand to shake. I wanted so much for them to have this moment without any tension. After a few seconds, Alastair shook his uncle’s hand and nodded. Their interaction wasn’t overflowing with warmth but it was a start.

Tilting his head, he waved me over so I could be embraced by the Holden family. Katherine beamed as she engulfed me in her arms. “I am so happy for you.” She pulled back and held my jaw. “Thank you.”

I knew what she meant. Looking into all of their eyes, I also knew that she spoke for the entire family. I smiled and gave a little shrug. Alastair was hovering close by and slid an arm around my waist. He wouldn’t let me go as our families mingled, talking and laughing like they’d known each other for years. I overheard Katherine inviting my parents to the house while they were here.
Where is here, by the way
?

Grabbing Alastair’s hand, I led him over to where Steph, Darren, Andrew and Dayna were chatting.

“Lia,” Stephanie squealed. “Isn’t this amazing? Were you surprised?”

Her eyes widened as I let the question sink in.

“You knew?” I asked.

“Yep. We all knew. Do you know how hard it was to keep your mother quiet about this whole thing?”

I looked up at my new husband who, on cue, employed an impassive expression. “Sneaky,” I said, shoving his shoulder. “How long have you had this planned?”

“I’ll never tell.” His little smart ass grin made me laugh.

“Unreal.”

“Paxton,” Stephanie called. “Can you come here for a second?”

He appeared in front of us, ready for whatever Stephanie wanted.

“Would you mind taking a picture of us all?”

“No problem.”

Andrew handed him the camera and we all stood in a group, with me and Alastair in the middle. He held me so tight it made me a little nervous but one look at his content face quieted my worries.

“I love you guys to death but I’m an ice cube,” Stephanie said through chattering teeth. “We’re all meeting for brunch in the morning at the hotel. Inside. Where it’s warm.”

“Toughen up, lass,” Darren teased. “Winter isn’t here yet. This is nothing.”

One by one, we said goodnight to our wedding guests and escorted them to the front of the house where three horse drawn carriages waited. I still couldn’t get over the fact that this was how people got around here.
Here…
?

I hugged Paxton as well before he left.

“You’ve made him very happy, Miss Meyers,” he said, pausing. “My apologies. I mean, Mrs. Holden. Congratulations and enjoy your weekend.”

Paxton was a man of few words so for him to say that to me meant the world.

“Mrs. Holden?” Alastair’s low tone sent shivers down my spine. “Have I exceeded your expectations?”

I drank in every inch of him as we stood beneath the expansive beauty of the universe and reached for his hands.

“You amaze me,” I whispered, resting my forehead to his. “I love you so much.”

The most joyful, dazzling smile curved his mouth. “So this wasn’t cheesy?”

“No. This was perfect.”

We remained enclosed in our private bubble, gently touching one another and reveling in the stillness of the night. My stunning diamond ring twinkled in unison with the stars when I ran my hand through his hair. As far as I was concerned, anything that wasn’t in my immediate surroundings didn’t exist.

“Do you own this house?”

“No. But I’ll buy it if you want it.”

The shy laugh that escaped my lips sounded foreign to me. He’d cast such a spell on me tonight.

“Where are we? Because right now all I can think is that we’re in paradise.”

“This is the Isle of Sark,” he answered. “Although anywhere with you is paradise.”

“Are we still in the United Kingdom?”

“We’re very close to France in the southern English Channel.”

I looked up, dazzled once more by the glowing Milky Way. “How did you ever find this place? I’ve never seen the sky so—”

Alastair cut me off with a gentle kiss, which made my knees buckle. “Dance with me?” he asked.

“There’s no music.” I smiled.

He led me to the backyard and we danced to the intense quiet of the night under a gorgeous sky I could only have imagined in my dreams. I heard Alastair’s breathing grow labored, as though he was struggling for air. I held him tighter, aware that this was his way of telling me how he felt.

Pulling back, he kissed me again before focusing a powerful, heated gaze on me. I lost myself in his emerald eyes as they glittered in the moonlight.

“You make me feel alive,” he said, his voice strong and filled with passion.

I grabbed his hand and placed it over my heart. A tremor shook his body for the briefest of moments.

“Ditto, love,” I whispered.

Tracing his thumb over my lips, he leaned in. “I love you, Amelia Grace.”

He wrapped me in his arms again and we kept dancing under the glorious canopy of stars long into the night. If I had my way, this would never end. Looking up, I touched his cheek and smiled when his hand covered mine.

“We have a decision to make,” he said.

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“I know how much you love to look at the stars, so I was thinking we could grab a blanket and lay out here for awhile. Or,” he paused, adopting a more sultry tone, “we could enjoy one another in a long, hot bubble bath.”

“Can we do both?” I blurted.

His throaty laugh echoed on the breeze. “As you wish, m’lady.”