Elijah, Caleb, and Gabriel hold up their glasses silently before downing their contents. They’re probably the only ones here who will get that statement. They, too, have found their soul mates.
Dad stands up, holding up his glass.
“I’d just like to say how proud I am of you and everything you’ve achieved.” His throat bobs, and he smiles at me. “Congratulations, Jaxson. Kat’s a wonderful woman, you’re a very lucky man.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say.
Peter turns to Dad and smiles. He’s joined us this evening, Mum having joined Kat and the other ladies at the spa.
“Speeches done, it’s time to drink. This is a celebration,” Dad says.
Tonight is family. Tomorrow, a few more of our friends arrive, along with more of Kat’s relatives, ready for our evening nuptials. I’m counting down the hours.
CHAPTER 60
KAT
The spa has stayed open for us. Final wedding preparations are in full swing. Nails, massages, facials.
Champagne glasses sit next to us.
It’s been a tight turnaround. From the moment Don rang to say there had been a mass cancellation, it’s been all systems go.
Chloe, Gabriel’s ex-personal shopper and fashion designer, created my wedding dress. Turning my ideas into a stunning reality in record time.
Jax and I arrived a few days ago, and have been working with Don over the final preparations for tomorrow. A security team has been put in place to keep any unwanted visitors and press away. Don ensured that all staff members signed an NDA to prevent them discussing the event in advance.
Now it’s here, and I have never felt so calm in my life.
Mum, Leah, April, Lottie, Pen, and Hannah, Jax’s mum, are sitting having pedicures in a large room overlooking the ocean. The gentle sound of the waves is the perfect backdrop to our conversation. Louise, Pen’s mum, is looking after baby Amelia for the evening, along with Leah’s mum, Louise, and her Dad, who are babysitting Callum, Ava and Isla.
Mum holds up her glass, and the others follow suit.
“Kat,” she says, and I drop my chin to my chest.
I hate speeches and being the centre of attention. Business is one thing, personal is a whole different ballgame.
“This is your time. Don’t shy away, young lady,” she says, making me smile.
“Not so young anymore, Mum,” I say.
“Speak for yourself,” both Leah and Pen say at the same time.
“I’m not going to waffle on,” Mum says. “I just wanted to say how proud I am of you.”
She looks at Hannah.
“When Elijah first brought Jaxson home. I knew fate had done so for a reason. When Robert and I saw how they looked at one another, we realised why.”
Mum turns to face me, sucking in a breath, her eyes glistening. “Life has tried its hardest to break you both apart, but fate has had other ideas and I couldn’t be happier. Love is a gift, hold on to it.”
The woman attending my toes stops and I get up, walking over to mum and pulling her in for a hug.
“Your father would be so proud. He loved Jaxson like a son.”
Hannah raises her glass. “I’d like to thank you for being there for Jaxson. When his father and I split, it was messy and difficult. Being an only child, he was caught in the middle. Not something I’m proud of.” She takes a sip of her champagne before continuing. “When Jax came home that first summer, I must have heard your name a thousand times, Kathryn. That didn’t change. For three years, you were all my son could talk about. You and your brothers. When it stopped, I knew something had happened, but he would never tell me. These past six months, my son has come alive again, and it’s because of you.”
“Well, let’s raise a glass, to fate finally getting her shit together,” Pen says with a laugh. “For finally untangling the web she wove to get there.”
