Chapter 32: Chapter 32

I held Lunar all night, until the morning sun started peeking through the corners of the drapes covering the door to the balcony.

It was almost as if I was scared of screwing up again.

Scared of making the mistake of leaving her all alone.

So bad that it was beginning to feel like things go wrong the minute I'm not with her or the second I leave her.

Maybe if I had spent most of last night with her instead of talking business with other guests, she wouldn't have been so hurt.

She wont have run out of the ship without me.

Talking business.

What was I thinking?

The angry look in her eyes from last night occupies my thoughts as I remember her words.

'You keep leaving me to have a word with people'

'I felt judged and I felt so alone.'

'You've been so busy all night and this was supposed to be a vacation....'

Maybe if she felt less alone, maybe if I was by her side all night, maybe....just maybe....she wouldn't have felt so sad last night.

For all I know, she could still be mad at me.

I turn in the wide kingsized bed to look at her in my arms. Her long lashes are still and her breathing is steady, her round lips in a lush pout like rose in bloom.

She looks so peaceful...but when she wakes up, will she still be sad over last night?

I gently tuck her hair behind her ear and she sighs softly, snuggling closer.

God.

This unique, beautiful, funny and amazing girl is mine...

And I'll do anything in my power to make her happy.

Slowly and gently, I pry her arms away from me as I leave the bed and Lunar automatically replaces me with a pillow.

I didn't want to leave her side, but I have to kick off this vacation to a new start.

A better one.

****

LUNAR'S P.O.V

I slowly turn in bed and try to pull Nathan closer,....only it's not Nathan.

Rubbing my eyes, I sit up now and stare down at the pillow.

Where is he?

"Nathan?" I call out and climb out of the huge bed, before leaving the room.

The balcony is open and the bahamian ocean breeze is blowing through, billowing the silky curtains and through them I can see Nathan, setting a table.

I walk closer in awe and the scent of breakfast gets stronger until I get there.

"Oh, my God...." I can't help the words that escape when I catch sight of the table. There was coffee, cream and sugar, tea, toasts, juice, fruits, bacon, sausages, ham, scrambled and sunnyside eggs, pancakes, maple syrup and butter.

Nathan walks over to me now and I turn to him.

"What...."

"Lu, I owe you an apology and this doesn't even begin to cover it. You've been there for me, understood me, supported me despite how challenging it has been with me taking care of the business and handling our relationship. And with all this, you still try to focus on your work too. I promised you a vacation and I couldn't even focus for one night."

This was for me?

Oh my goodness....

"Nathan, it's okay, I--"

"Please just let me finish." He says and walks closer, his green eyes focused on mine and I can see remorse in them.

"I probably haven't said it enough or showed it enough but I love you Lunar Kensington."

He takes my hand.

"With all my heart. And I am so sorry for what my mother did. I'm sorry for taking you there and putting you in a position where you felt alone or attacked. I would never, ever do that on purpose and I had no idea that she would do that. And the fact that you still want to make amends reminds me of how priceless you are. I wouldn't trade you for anything or anyone in the world and if I ever made you feel like you were alone, then baby I want you to know that you aren't. I'm here and I'll always be here for you, to do anything for you to make you as happy as you make me. Pinky swear." He says and I blink, releasing the tears that clouded in my eyes.

"Nathan...." but I can't get the words out and I feel speechless.

He wipes my tears and pulls me ever so close.

"You don't have to say anything. Today is all about you and it's my duty to make sure it stays that way."

My lip quivers and I can't help the emotions building inside me.

"I love you so much." I say finally.

"I love you, Lunar. More than ever." He says and pulls me into a kiss. The best, most passionate and comforting kiss and I surrender completely to it, pulling Nathan close.

Then there's a knock at the door.

"For five fucking minutes....can't we just be alone?" He curses when the kiss is over and I giggle.

"I'll check it out." I say and head for the door. The minute I open it, my breath catches.

"Mrs. Jackson?" I manage, staring in shock at Nathan's mother, standing there. Her black hair is packed in a low ponytail and she still looks just as elegant,...even with no makeup on.

Nathan is by my side in a moment and I suddenly feel better. I didn't know how to face her after last night.

"Nathan, Lunar...can I come in?" She asks and I turn to Nathan, just as he turns to me, as if seeking my approval.

I turn back to his mother,

"Of course." I say and move aside to let her in. Just then, I turn to Nathan.

"I'll give you guys some privacy." I say and turn to leave when she stops me.

"Actually... I'm here to see you both." She says and I blink in shock.

Both of us?

After last night, I had tried not to think of the fact that my boyfriend's mother had humiliated me and my family....in front of over a hundred people.

And standing here now, it was too soon. Too soon to see her. I still don't know how to feel yet...especially around her.

At first I was mad...then I was sad...but now?

"Please." She says and I nod.

"Of course." And Nathan leads her to the living room where she sits on the single cushion and I join Nathan on the couch.

"First of all, I am here to say... I'm truly sorry. To both of you. Lunar..."

She turns to me.

"What I did last night was uncalled for and disrespectful and unnecessary. I have no excuse for treating you or talking about your family the way I did. I acted the way I did because the self righteous part of me thought I wanted someone better for Nathan. So I picked out the most obvious thing, without even knowing you. I'm here to say I'm sorry and I would really like to start over....whenever you're ready to forgive me." She says and I just sit there, thankful to have Nathan next to me as I study his mother, and seeing her for the first time.

"Thank you." I manage to say, still surprised, wishing I could be mad enough at her...but I can't.

No matter what.

She is Nathan's mother...and the love I have for Nathan is enough to forgive her.

"And Nathan.." she continues and turns to him,

"I'm sorry for disrespecting your girlfriend in front of you and all those people. If it has made you to have a certain image of me, I hope you know that I would never do anything to harm the relationship between us. I love you. You're my son. And I promise to not act so selfishly ever again concerning you or anyone. I can see the love you have for her and I want you to know that if it makes you happy...then I'm happy too. For both of you." She says and gets up.

"I'll leave you both alone now. But if you're ready to give me a second chance at a first impression, you can join Dan and I for lunch later today."

Just as she heads for the door, Nathan gets up and so do I.

"Mum." He says and she turns,

"We'd love to join you for lunch." I say and she smiles.

"Thank you." She says, then leaves.

I turn to Nathan now and he is smiling at me.

"What?" I giggle.

"You have an effect on people, you know that right?" He says and I blink at him.

"You think she came here for me? You're her son." I say and he shrugs.

"Say what you want but even my dad couldn't get her to do what she just did." He says and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"You keep feeding me compliments Nathaniel Jackson and we won't make it to that lunch." I say and he chuckles before pulling me close.

"Fine by me." He says and plants his lips on mine.

When the kiss is over, Nathan's hold on my waist remains, and in this position, I can see the emotions in his eyes.

We stand there, staring at each other and I've never felt so close, so in sync, and so in love with another human being.

"Marry me, Lunar." He says and I should be shocked.

Hell, I am shocked.

But it feels normal, like it was unavoidable. This moment when we realise we are meant to be together.

"I know I don't have a ring or an event planned, heck I didn't even think of it this morning but, if it's too soon--"

"Okay." I say and he stops mid sentence.

"What?"

"Okay. I'll marry you. I have never felt more in love, more complete with anyone than I do with you." I say and his eyes are studying me before a smile breaks loose.

"You're my whole world." He murmurs and his lips find mine again.

"We still have to return that car you took last night." He mutters against my lips and I giggle.

*****

I used to think of marriage when I was a little girl. How the church would be huge and filled with people occupying every seat.

How the wedding bells would ring.

And there would be a whole ceremony.

But here I am, a month after Nathan proposed, walking down the red carpet leading to the altar with my dad.

And Nathan is smiling at me from the altar, looking like he couldn't be happier....or hotter in that suit and his haircut.

I couldn't be happier either.

It wasn't my childhood dream, but with him, it feels like I'd planned this moment for ages. Here, in the Bahamas, having a beach wedding with Tess as my maid of honour and our closest family members present. All of whom Nathan flew over.

Even Lucas had come.

He was now a different person. We all were.

And today, this moment....everything was completely perfect.

I finally get to the altar and Nathan winks at me just as the priest begins.

After the priest resites the vows and we say our "I do's" Nathan slips the ring on my finger.

"You are beautiful." He whispers and I try not to giggle.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now--"

Nathan doesn't wait as he takes off my veil and pulls me close.

"Hello, Mrs. Jackson." He whispers before locking his lips with mine and we're surrounded with cheers.

And then I realise...this is the moment.

The moment that I will never regret in my life.

The moment Nathan and I were no longer just people that knew each other from high school.

Everything about our history led to this moment.

Logan...

Lucas...

My mum and sister...

His mistakes...

My fears.....

The miscarriage....

It all led us to here, where we didn't just find ourselves, but we found each other.

When we finally pull away, I'm lost for breath, but I manage to muster the one thing that mattered.

"I'm in love with you Nathaniel Jackson. Forever."

"I'm in love with you Lunar Jackson. Forever."

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE

What can I say but Thank you guys SOOOO MUCHHHHHH. Your constant reads and votes and support is all I needed to finish this.

I'm more than Grateful and I cant Express my gratitude enough!!!!!!

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