With trembling fingers, he takes my hand, sliding the pretty ring on my ring finger. “I’ll get you a proper ring when we get home,” he says, as I lift my hand, admiring the sparkling green stone set on a plain platinum band. It’s a little loose but not enough that I can’t wear it.
“Why would you get me another one?” I ask, dragging my eyes from my finger to my boyfriend’s face.
My fiancé.I autocorrect myself, and another mammoth smile spreads across my mouth.
“Because this is the best I could find on the island, but it’s not even a diamond. I don’t know what that stone is, only that it reminded me of your eyes.” His cheeks flush with that admission, and I swoon. “It’s only temporary until I can take you to Neil Lane to get a custom ring designed.”
I examine the ring on my finger in closer detail, marveling at the little amber flecks underneath the green stone. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I already love it. I cup Keanu’s face. “I don’t need a big, expensive diamond. I love this ring. Even more so because you chose it for me.”
“A queen deserves an engagement ring fit for a queen, and you’remy queen, Selena. I’m buying you a new ring.” He pins me with a determined look. “We can get a replica of this ring if you like it that much, but you’re getting another one.”
“How did you even manage to get this?” We haven’t spent much time apart since we got here, so he must’ve been sneaky.
“Remember that morning last week I said I had to help Kev with something?” I nod. “We went ring shopping. He helped me choose it.”
“You both have great taste. It’s stunning.”
“That settles it. We’ll get a replica of this one,” he says with finality, holding my hand and running his finger over the top of the ring.
I could argue, but Keanu can be stubborn when he fixates on something. And I’m too Goddamn happy right now to risk anything bursting my bubble. I shrug, smiling. “Whatever you want.”
A radiant smile graces his gorgeous mouth, and I can’t believe this beautiful, thoughtful, selfless man is going to be my husband.
He rests his hands on my waist, and we’re grinning at one another like idiots, but I couldn’t care less. “I was thinking we could get married here,” he says. “As soon as we can arrange it, and then, we can plan another wedding back home, whenever we feel the time is right.”
I circle my arms around his neck. “I love that idea. But what about your family? Will they be mad?” Keven obviously knows, and I’m betting he told Cheryl Keanu was planning to propose. It’s only natural they’ll be in attendance. But will the rest of his family be pissed? What about Keaton and Kent? I don’t want to cause problems for him.
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “They’ll be happy for us. And Mom’ll be cool once we let her design your dress and help us with the planning of the Boston wedding.” He runs his hand up and down my back. “What about your mom? If you want her here, I’ll make it happen.”
“I would love her to be here, but it’s not going to work. She won’t be able to get time off from her job on short notice, and if that monster is watching the house, it’s too risky. He could track her to here.”
Keanu scrutinizes my face. “I’m desperate to make you my wife, but we can wait if—”
I press my fingers to his lips, shushing him. “I don’t want to wait. I want to marry you as soon as possible. I’ll call Mom and tell her the good news. She’ll understand, and she’ll be happy for me. For us.”
“You sure?” he asks, tucking my hair behind my ears.
“Positive.” A squeal of sheer happiness emits from my mouth, and I bounce up and down. “We’re getting married!”
“Believe it, babe,” Keanu says, grabbing me by the hips and sliding off the bed, swinging me around in his arms. “I can’t wait to call you Mrs. Kennedy.”
* * *
It’samazing what money can do. If you asked me a few days ago if we could pull off even the simplest of weddings in less than a week, I would have told you you were cray-cray. But here I am. A mere five days since Keanu proposed, getting ready to walk down the aisle of the cute little chapel perched on top of the hill in Oia.
Keanu and Keven arranged everything with the local priest. Luckily, early November isn’t a popular time for weddings, so we didn’t have to worry about securing a date, thanks to the local ruling that only permits a small number of weddings per day.
The guys also bought our wedding rings, and they reserved a table at the best restaurant in town for after the small ceremony. Dan Evans, the Kennedy family lawyer, organized all the paperwork, using his contacts in the US to pull it off in record time.
Cheryl came shopping with me, so we could both pick dresses. Luckily, the guys already had pants and dress shirts to wear. The local flower shop provided simple bouquets of white and pink bougainvillea, wrapped in ribbons. Cheryl has her camera, and Paul is going to record the ceremony on his iPhone so we can send it to our families afterward.
With the exception of the crew we have here, only Kent, Keaton, and my mom know about today. Mom was ecstatic as I knew she would be. She already loves Keanu like a son. While I know she wishes she could be here, she didn’t want us holding back on her account. She made me promise to send her pictures and the video.
Keanu had to tell Kent and Keaton. They’re triplets. And it wouldn’t have been right not to tell them.
It also wouldn’t have been right for Keanu to get married without them by his side. Which is why, with Keven’s help, I arranged for them to be here as a surprise. The look on Keanu’s face yesterday when he opened the door to Kent and Keaton was priceless, and I’m so glad I went behind his back to do it.
In order to hide their travel plans, we had them fly from Boston to London and from London to mainland Greece. Then, they were transported here between cars and boats. Neither of them complained, understanding the need for subterfuge, and I can tell they’re as happy to be a part of this as Keanu is to have them here.
