Duke looked over his shoulder and managed a sharp whistle through pursed lips. Claudia and Michael stood at the base of the mini climbing wall while Dante made his way back down.
At the sound of Duke’s prompt, Michael gave them a nod.Lorraine, who was already heading over with Diego’s hand in hers, shot Burke a knowing grin.
A burst of warmth sank into Justine’s chest. She couldn’t help but feel the joy behind the smile deep in her heart. It was often the Bentons spoke of the profound gratitude they had for Burke’s connection to the family. They’d gone so far to include Justine in the equation too, saying that their presence somehow filled a void left by their missing loved ones. And to Burke’s pleasant surprise, even Claudia agreed.
In fact, Lorraine, at her Christmas interview, had called thecouplean unexpected gift in the Benton Family. She’d set all rumors straight during the interview, though none of them got too worked up over speculation in the meantime. They were a family, and they had what counted most—each other.
Justine couldn’t imagine a couple that could return that love and gratitude more than she and Burke. To be part of a large and loving family, surrounded by support, love, and a whole lot of laughter—it was a dream come true.
Of course, they hadn’t made it official yet, as Millie suggested, but Burke had encouraged Justine to select her dream ring at the beginning of the year; seemed he held true to what he’d told Brittany about an engagement ring.
They’d talked about what the wedding might look like. Early summer or late spring. Ceremony at the chapel, a celebration at the lodge to follow, and a honeymoon at the Maldives since, upon watching Kat and Zander’s honeymoon episodes ofMarried at First Meet,Justine was dying to stay in an over-the-water cabana, watch as schools of stingray swam beneath their bungalow, and jump into the turquoise waters with a splash.
She couldn’t help but think that proposal would likely come during their dinner date tonight at The Steakhouse. Burke had reserved the rooftop again, and every time Justine thought about what might take place that evening, a rush of anticipation overwhelmed her. It was, in a sense, a sacred place. A place that she sensed those first hints of something much deeper than mere attraction. A connection of their souls.
“Whee!” shouted a familiar sounding voice overhead. Justine glanced up in time to see Brittany whizzing by on a coaster sled. Justine allowed for a grin; the two had made amends after all. It happened a few months back after Burke talked Justine into pursuing her passion and refinishing her furniture full time.
Her replacement at the city was none other than the big talker herself, and it had been Justine’s job to train her replacement. She and Brittany wouldn’t bedoing coffeeanytime soon, but Justine could safely say they were on good terms. Brittany and Trevor, on the other hand—that was still a work in progress since, after her stunt during the tree lighting, he’d asked for the promise ring back.
“Okay,” Zander said. “The gang’s all here. Let’s do this.”
Penny positioned the group beneath the Adventure Land arch made of log letters. Beside them, agrand openingbanner waved in the breeze.
Frank made goofy faces to ease Dante and Diego into more natural smiles as Penny snapped away, giving them the count of three between each shot.
“Let’s see…” Penny said while squinting into the lens. “We’re just about done. Burke, did you want to come take a look at these first?”
Justine glanced around a bit, perplexed by the request that Burke, out of everyone, be the one to check the photo.
“Sure,” he said, breaking free from the group. He gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go completely, and then tucked his hands in his pockets as he walked.
“Justine,” Penny said, “you may as well come take a look too.”
“And me too?” Dante asked.
Diego jumped up. “And me?”
“Sure,” Duke answered. “Why don’t you guys take Justine by the hand and walk her up to the camera?”
Justine looked down as her little escorts hurried to her sides, each taking a hand. “Thank you,” she said to one, then the other. It wasn’t until she lifted her chin once more that Justine saw what game was, as Burke would say, afoot.
Because there, on one knee before her, was the handsome prince himself. She couldn’t help but admire his new rugged look as short facial hair now lined his chiseled jaw.
If rollercoasters could whirl about in one’s tummy, that’s just what was happening inside of her. A wonderfully warm celebration of joy. Excitement for a moment she’d been dreaming of for a very long time.
The boys giggled at her side as they stopped in front of him.
“Justine,” Burke said, securing his hand in hers. “I remember the night I stood on the rooftop with you, looking up at the stars. On that day, with your help, I caught a glimpse of heaven. But it didn’t end there. In the time we spent since that day, I continued to see the world through your eyes. I discovered that the views were more spectacular. That music sounded better than it had before. And that perhaps heaven, and the loved ones it holds, isn’t so far away after all.”
Justine bit her lip as a wave of emotion pooled around her heart. Tears pricked her eyes. She was vaguely aware that the family had gathered in closer, some with their camera phones aimed at the action. Penny was snapping pictures as well, capturing the moment Justine would surely cherish her whole life long.
“I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I gave Wilfred that simple nod. A nod that said I was the man who would marry you. But there must have been someone in the heavens watching over us then, because that’s exactly who I intend to be.”
He produced an open ring box from the hand behind his back and lifted it to her. And there it was, the exact ring she’d picked out—a platinum band holding a modest diamond in, what else, a princess cut.
“I’ve since gained your granddad’s approval,” he said, shooting a nod in Wilfred’s direction before locking those eyes back on her. “And if you’ll have me, I’d like to spend our lifetime together, helping each other pause long enough to see heaven on earth.”
He licked his lips, gulped, and locked his gaze on hers. “Justine Purcell, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
