I unfolded the paper and stared at it. It was a typical-looking contract, but my eyes were blurring with tears and I couldn't read the legalese. This would solve everything.
“I don't want to be competitors anymore,” he said softly, taking my shaking hands in his. I looked up and focused on the warm caramel of his eyes. “I want to be partners. If Dream Vacations succeeds, then Travel, Inc. succeeds and vice-versa.”
“I'd get to keep my company?” I gasped. “And still be part of yours?”
“Yes.” He nodded. A smile was waiting to blossom fully onto his face if I gave the right answer. “You will have to go to board meetings. And I'm expecting several one-on-one meetings between the CEO of Travel, Inc and Dream Vacations. Don't worry, though, I hear he's cute.”
I laughed, tears running down my cheeks. “Yes. Yes, I will partner with you!”
His face split into a grin that made my heart soar. In a smooth motion, he tipped his head forward and kissed me. Our teeth clicked together because we were both smiling so broadly that we couldn't stop, but I didn't care. It was a great kiss.
“Promise me I won't lose you again,” Logan requested when we pulled back to catch our breath. Hope and happiness filled his face. I felt like I could burst from too much joy.
“This time I have a contract.” I held up the paper and grinned. “You're stuck with me now.”
He kissed me again before I could even think, dipping me back in a liplock that would make a Hollywood director proud. I giggled as he released me from his kiss, but not from his arms.
“You'll have to get Maddy's approval on this,” I told him. “She owns a fair chunk of the company.”
Logan shrugged. “I just walked through a hurricane to save her son. I think I've got enough brownie points to pull that off.”
This time, I kissed him. I pulled him in to me, tasting his lips and sharing my joy. We could be together. Our love, and our businesses, would flourish more together than they ever would apart. Outside, the sounds of the hurricane raged and screamed, but when I was with Logan, there wasn't a storm we couldn't weather.
Epilogue
The ocean breeze is soft against my skin. The water is calm this time, and the sky is blue. I would almost call it a perfect day, except that in my mind, the perfect day here involved a hurricane.
But that was a whole year ago.
Today is about celebrating. Celebrating that storm and how it brought Logan and I together.
“You ready?” Maddy asks, adjusting the straps of her sundress one last time.
“I am,” I say. I take a deep breath.
“All right, then, let's get this party started.” She grins and takes my hand as we step onto the beach. The wind makes the hem of my dress flutter around my ankles. It's nothing fancy, just a white cotton sundress that is comfortable and soft. There is beauty in simplicity. There's no need to impress anyone with designer labels or couture gowns. We are here just for us.
The sun is almost painfully bright, but I don't care. I can see him. He is like a beacon, shining softly, yet almost more brightly, than the sun itself. He's standing next to his brother and a man in a dark suit. His tall frame stands out against the deep blue of the ocean, and his short curls catch the gentle breeze.
He sees me and I am suddenly the most beautiful thing on the planet. His jaw drops just enough, then widens into a smile like he's won the lottery. I smile, because I know have won the lottery of love.
Maddy stands beside me. Tyler is the only person in the guest area. He had wanted to bring Spock, but Maddy and I had both told him no. We managed to convince him that Spock would be far more comfortable lounging on his bed at home than sitting in the sun.
I smile as I take my place across from Logan. The only people present for the ceremony are the people who care the most about us; the people who have been the most supportive of us and the most understanding of our love.
I glance out at Tyler, and he gives me a big thumbs-up. Logan chuckles.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...” The minister in the dark suit recites the words to the ceremony in a gentle voice. I've heard them enough times for others that I don't listen. I don't need formal words; I already know in my heart what he is saying. I love Logan, and he loves me. We are joining ourselves together in front of our family and friends so that we never have to be apart again.
I look into Logan's eyes. They are deep pools with glowing embers of love and joy illuminating them. Looking into them, I am content and at peace.
“Repeat after me: I, Logan Hayes...”
“I, Logan Hayes,” Logan repeats in his deep voice. He sounds nervous, but that makes him all the more loveable. I know he's been looking forward to this for a long time and has been practicing because he doesn't want to mess it up. He wants this to be perfect for me.
Except, everything is already is perfect. As long as he promises to love me, I get to promise the same, and we seal the promise with a kiss, this wedding is all I could ever want. I don't need the perfect words or the perfect dress to have the perfect wedding.
“I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” Logan's hand shakes as he slides my ring onto my finger. He grins once it's situated. Then it's my turn.
“Repeat after me: I, Olivia Statler...”
“I, Olivia Statler...” My voice comes out strong. I've wanted to say these words to Logan almost since the moment I met him. He is my happily ever after. With him by my side, I know we will ride off into the sunset and kiss until the curtain draws. We were made for one another. “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
I nearly drop the ring in the sand, but manage to hold onto it. Logan chuckles and I see laughter in his eyes. I slide the shiny metal band on to his finger and I know that this is the beginning of something wonderful. There is so much for us to look forward to, so many dreams and adventures for the two of us to experience. I can hardly wait.
“By the power vested in me, I then declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
Logan and I gravitate like magnets toward one another's open arms, and our lips meet in a simple act of love. We kiss, starting our new life together in an act of love. I can't think of a better way to begin.
Logan's brother Aiden whoops, and Maddy wolf-whistles. Tyler is busy looking everywhere but at the two of us. Someday, he'll kiss a girl like this and not find it quite so intimidating. The thought makes me smile.