"I got lucky finding Ocean Shores when I was looking for an apartment," she said. "It changed my life. I think it's changing yours, too."
"I wouldn't go that far," he said dryly. "But it's a fun building. Not sure how it's going to change with everyone getting married."
"I've wondered about that, too. But with Jax moving into my apartment soon, it looks like we're going to have a new tenant, and Josie said she's looking for a single man or woman."
"Well, I hope it's a very attractive woman."
"I'm not surprised," she said with a grin. As Jax took his seat and picked up the guitar, she added, "I better go. I'll see you when we all walk down the aisle." She hurried back to the dressing room where Emmalyn and Lexie were waiting.
"There you are," Emmalyn said, looking like a princess in her off-the-shoulder, voluminous white lace dress, that was definitely not too much for her. "Is everyone here, Kaia?"
"Just about every seat is filled, and Jax is starting to play."
"Okay." Emmalyn paused. "I might need a sip of champagne. I don't like being the center of attention."
"That kind of goes with the white dress," she said with a laugh as Lexie handed Em a glass of champagne. "But remember, everyone out there loves you and Hunter."
"I'm trying to pretend it's like any other party at Ocean Shores, but it's not working." Emmalyn set the glass down, despite having just asked for it. "I better not drink. I'm so nervous I might pass out."
"Just take some deep breaths," she advised. "In through the nose, out through the mouth. We'll do it together."
As Emmalyn breathed with her, she visibly started to relax. "I'm sorry," she said. "I know it's silly. I'm not nervous about marrying Hunter. I love him, and he loves me. It's just doing it in front of so many people. But you're right, they're all my friends."
"Exactly," she said. "And once you see Hunter, you're not going to care about anyone else."
"You look perfect, Emmalyn," Lexie added.
"Thank you for that and for being my best friends," Emmalyn said, grabbing both of their hands. "I don't want anything to change between us. We still need girls' night, and girls' weekend, and everything else."
"Definitely," Lexie agreed.
"Did you see my mother out there?" Emmalyn asked.
"Yes, she's with your Aunt Linda, Josie and Margaret," Kaia said. "They're all getting along great."
"That's good. I want her to feel part of everything."
"She will," Kaia promised.
The wedding planner entered the room with a cool smile. "We're ready for you, ladies."
They grabbed their bouquets and headed out of the dressing room. The planner got them organized, and then Olivia and Henry walked down the aisle, sprinkling flowers on the white carpet. Lexie was next, and then Kaia fell into line behind her.
As she walked toward the altar, her gaze moved to Jax, who was playing their entrance song, and her heart swelled with love. He looked incredibly handsome in his charcoal-gray suit, and she couldn't wait to dance with him later. Even though she'd woken up in bed with him this morning, it felt far too long since she'd been in his arms.
When she got to the front, she took her position by the arch, her attention turning to Emmalyn, who was now walking down the aisle by herself. She had decided against having anyone at her side. She'd been taking care of herself for a long time, and she wanted to give herself to her husband.
Kaia liked that idea. Emmalyn's strength and confidence in herself had grown since she'd been at Ocean Shores, but even more since she'd met Hunter. He encouraged her to be her true self and not be defined by her past.
That's what she wanted to do for Jax. She wanted him to be who he was meant to be and not be defined by his partnership with Wren. And he was well on his way to doing that. She couldn't wait to see where that would lead him.
He was also encouraging her to push her limits. She'd applied for a new paramedicine program which would allow her to spend more time with patients. After what she'd done for Walter, her boss had recommended her for the program, and Walter's granddaughter had even written a letter of support, elaborating on how she had helped Walter improve not just his physical health but also his mental health.
As for Walter, he had moved into his own apartment at the senior living center where Reina lived in San Diego, and they were spending all their time together. They'd invited her and Jax to one of their family dinners, where they'd met the extended families, who were all genuinely thrilled that the two were exploring a relationship after so many years apart.
Turning her attention back to Emmalyn and Hunter as they exchanged their vows, she couldn't help thinking again about how love sometimes showed up when you least expected it. Hunter and Emmalyn had survived some horrible moments, but together, they had made each other whole.
She had to dab at her eyes a few times during their very personal vows and saw Lexie doing the same thing. But when they celebrated their marriage with a kiss and the crowd clapped, there was nothing but happy smiles everywhere she looked.
