Chapter Twenty-three
They woke up to a feeling of complacency, a sense of satisfaction that they had each other, that they, at last, belonged to each other. Juliette was sore from all that lovemaking that Xavion did the whole night. Xavion picked her up and carried her to the en-suite to give her a warm bath.
She felt like a treasured delicate jewel, the way he handled her. He bathed her tenderly, both of them soaking together in the bathtub. He soaped her, cleaned her, washed her with care. She bathed him too and he closed his eyes at the wonderful feeling of having someone care for him. He had been lonely and dejected for too long, craving to be loved back by Juliette just the way he loved her.
They spent a week with each other, exploring each other, and spending time with each other. It was the best time of their lives. They explored the island at leisure, went for walks along the beach, hand in hand. They remembered the last time they came here. They explored each other's bodies and feelings. They cooked together and enjoyed star gazing at night. It was sheer bliss.
Xavion had taken permission from her dad to take her away on a holiday and then return to get married in a week's time. So when her father called him for a confirmation about the marriage, Xavion asked him to fix a date for the wedding next week. He had applied for a license already. It should be sanctioned in three days. He was confident that he would win Juliette over eventually and he was prepared.
"Dinner's ready, Xavi," said Juliette, taking out the cutlery and plates.
"You've made my favorite sweet Turkey Chili?" He gasped, inhaling the aroma of food.
"Yeah, it's the first time I've made it. I googled the recipe when you told me it's your favorite, " she said, happily. They had discussed all their favorite things in the world. She wanted to make his favorite food when he told me that his mom used to make it for him when he was young.
"I love being married to you," he said, grinning, knowing it would rile her up and it did.
"Hey we aren't married," she said, glaring at him. He hadn't proposed to her yet. She'd been eagerly waiting every minute for his proposal.
"Oh, it feels like we already are. Don't you think so? But, well I can solve that," he said going down on one knee, with a solemn expression on his face.
"Will you marry me, baby?" He asked, holding both her hands and kissing them with tenderness.
Juliette squealed with delight. She couldn't believe that he was doing what she had been waiting eagerly for, "Yes, obviously, I will, " she gushed. She was ecstatic that he proposed at last.
Xavion drew out a box from his pocket and took out a beautiful rhodium plated diamond ring. He slipped it onto her finger. Was he always ready with a ring? She was impressed by his preparations.
"It's beautiful Xavi," she gushed, looking at the sparkling ring. It was the most beautiful ring ever.
"Thanks. I bought it three years back," he said and her eyes widened with surprise. Did he want to propose back then? "I had already planned to propose today."
"Three years back? Oh, I didn't know. I'm so sorry that we wasted so much time," she said, kissing his cheek.
"Well, we're now engaged. So all's well that ends well. Your dad is getting the wedding preparations done. Once we return we'll get married," he said and she grinned, hugging him tightly.
"How did Dad know that we're getting married?" She asked in confusion when the excitement died down a bit.
"I took his permission before abducting you," confessed Xavion with a grin.
"And he gave you his approval?" She asked in disbelief. It seemed he loved giving her surprises. Which dad gives permission to abduct his daughter?
"Yes, I told him that I wish to take you on a vacation and propose to you," he informed her and she shook her head.
"Very clever Mister," she said and his grin widened more.
"He called up to confirm and I told him that we would get married next week," he informed her.
"Next week? So soon? How will all the preparations happen?" She asked in confusion.
"Oh, you're dad, Karen, Jade is at it. Don't worry," he said, with a happy smile. "I can't wait longer. I had already applied for a license and it would arrive in a few days."
"Very impressive, " admitted Juliette. He had it all expertly planned.
"Am I not? And you love me because of it," he said winking at her. She nodded with a shy smile.
They ate the delicious food excitedly. The prospect of getting married to Xavion had seemed like a distant dream before and now it was about to come true. She couldn't believe that she could be so lucky. They spent another day of bliss together. This time Juliette wasn't sad to return back to normal life. She was excited to check out her wedding preparations.
Xavion summoned his helicopter to pick them up.
Juliette's eyes popped out seeing the sleek silver helicopter at their helipad. "Is this how we arrived here?" She asked in awe of the sheer beauty of the aircraft.
"Yeah. I bought her last year," he said and Juliette's jaw dropped and she looked at him.
"It's yours?" She asked incredulously.
"Yeah," he answered, smiling. He was proud of his purchase.
They went straight to Travis Springs. Xavion dropped her and went back to Austin. He had some important work to complete at his office. He would join them next week for their wedding. Her family was excited especially, Jade and Karen. She immediately called Karen up and she updated her about the preparations taking place. Jade too informed her and they planned the bridesmaid's dresses and it's color combinations.
Juliette's online classes at university were still going great. She didn't take any break because of her wedding. She wanted to complete her degree as soon as possible.
The wedding ceremony would be held at the Sacred Heart Chapel which was nearby. Their reception would take place in the backyard of her dad's house just like Jayson.
Her dad had engaged the same wedding planner as he had for Jayson and Karen's wedding. They had done a wonderful job. It was very personalized too and all the guests were impressed.
The invitations were issued to immediate friends and relatives. Juliette called Angela and informed her. She would be one of her bridesmaids. She was ecstatic at the news. They chatted a lot and updated each other about their lives.
Juliette called Hailey from her previous office. She was already married to Felix. She seemed very happy and chatted for some time. Some of Xavion's office staff were also invited. Karen would also be one of her bridesmaids while Jade would be her maid of honor.
Karen, Jade, and Juliette went shopping in Austin. They together bought her wedding dress. Angela and baby Daniel joined them too. They bought their bridesmaids' dresses together after a lot of picking and choosing. After shopping a lot, they saw Angela and baby Daniel off and went home to Travis Springs.
Karen hosted a small bridal shower for Juliette. They had a pedicure and manicure session for all the girls. Juliette also had her hair treated and received a full body massage. She felt pampered like a queen.
Angela and Daniel had come to stay with Juliette and she couldn't be happier. They bonded like old times. Angela also had continued her online classes and Juliette really couldn't appreciate her enough. After so many upheavals in her life, she still managed with a baby as well as her studies.
Xavion and Damian arrived the day after the bridal shower party. They went out with Jaden and Jayson to celebrate the last day of Xavion's bachelorhood in their own style. Damian and Jayson were busy ordering the drinks while Jaden sat dejectedly in the corner of their table. They had come to a busy bar in Austin to down a few glasses and catch up with one another. They didn't want a big pre-wedding party as suggested by the wedding planner. This was just perfect for the four of them who bonded pretty fast.
"What happened? Remembering your girlfriend?" Asked Xavion, jokingly.
"Everyone's not so lucky dude. I don't have anyone," he said with a grimace.
"What are you saying? A handsome dude like you don't have a girl? I could introduce you to a few at my office," he said with a wink.
"I don't want anyone else. I just want my Rosalie," said Jaden.
"Who's Rosalie? You can tell me if you want?" Said Xavion.
He didn't know what made him open up to Xavion but he felt like sharing a piece of himself with him. The secrets which he never told anyone, he told him.
"She used to live in the house next door. We used to go to school together. We started developing feelings for each other. I realized I was in love with her when I turned 15. A year later, we confessed our feelings for one another. It was the happiest moment of our lives. Her parents took her away after six months and I lost touch with her. There has been no one since, Xavion. I can't forget her," said Jaden with pain etched in his handsome face.
"Go to her house and meet her," suggested Xavion.
"I don't know where she went. She never contacted me after that. She changed her number too," he said, unhappily.
"Hire a PI. Hunt her down man. If you really love her so much, why give up?" Said Xavion. It was his philosophy of life. Never give up what you want. He persevered and got what he wanted.
"I'm not so lucky dude," said Jaden as Damian and Jayson came back with their drinks.
"No one's lucky, man. I pursued Juliette like a madman for four years. I didn't give up. I went through hell and that too all alone. You have such a loving family with you. Only one thing kept me going. My love for Juliette and my confidence that I would win her. So don't give up. We have only one life. True love doesn't happen to everyone. If you're lucky to feel it, don't let her go," said Xavion with such fierce passion that it ignited a determination in Jaden. He decided then and there that he would pursue her just like Xavion had pursued his sister. Xavion was right. Life was too short to be spent wallowing in grief.
"Yes, you're right. Let me finish my studies. I'll make myself capable enough for her and pursue her," he said.
"It might be too late by then. Hire a PI and find out if she's available or not. If she is, take your time," advised Xavion. He personally believed that Jaden shouldn't waste time waiting but he respected Jaden's wish and did not probe further.
"Dude, you're really something. I'll do just that. Thanks for the motivation, " said Jaden, feeling better that he now had something to hope for.
"Anytime dude. I think I'll start a love consultancy firm for giving love advice," said Xavion, and Damian rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, Damian here also went through hell. So he can be my partner, " said Xavion. Damian gave him a shove.
"Nah, I'm better off being an architect," he said with a grin.
"Jay, tell us how you impressed Karen, please," asked Xavion and Jayson grinned.
Jayson handed them their drinks with a chuckle and they drank and chatted like the very best of friends. He told them his love story in brief and Jaden's determination to get Rosalie strengthened all the more.
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Featured Picture: Ryan Guzman as Jaden Meyers