Page 49 of Wisteria Winds
Bennett laughed. “I can see how that might have been a little concerning.”
“But watching you together… You truly see her, don’t you? Not just her beauty or her intelligence, but who she really is inside.”
“From the moment she arrived on Wisteria,” he said, “even when she was telling me everything I was doing wrong.”
Cecilia smiled. “Well, she comes by that honestly. Her father and I were never one-time mentors either.” She placed her hand on Bennett’s arm. “Take care of each other. That’s all that really matters in the end. Not the careers or the achievements, but how well you care for the people you love.”
“I’m starting to realize that myself. I will,” Bennett said.
Cecilia nodded. “And I expect you to bring her to New York occasionally. You know, just because she’s found paradise on the island doesn’t mean she should forget civilization entirely.”
“We’ll visit,” Bennett said. “And you’re always welcome here anytime, for as long as you’d like.”
“Well, I may take you up on that,” she said. “I find I’ve become rather fond of this peculiar little community of yours, especially now that my daughter is first lady, so to speak.”
She moved away to join Dorothy and Clara at their table.
Bennett felt a sense of satisfaction, not just because the wedding had gone off without a hitch, but because the community had come together to celebrate with them. When Wisteria Island had only been his vision—a place where people could age with dignity, purpose, and connection—he had never imagined this. He knew the vision had actually been realized beyond his wildest hopes and dreams.
But now, at the center of it all, was Danielle.
As she made her way back to him, slightly out of breath, with Morty still dancing behind her, he smiled.
“Having fun, Mrs. Alexander?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.
“Oh, the most fun,” she said, leaning in to kiss him. “Though I think I need to request slower songs from now on because Morty’s idea of dancing is completely aerobic.”
He laughed and held her close. “Whatever you want, today and always.”
They swayed together as the band shifted to a slower song, lost in their own world for a moment, despite the crowd around them.
“Are you ever going to tell me where we’re going on our honeymoon?” Danielle asked, laughing.
Bennett smiled down at her. “Where’s the fun in that? I thought I’d blindfold you on the way to the airport terminal and then…”
She lightly punched him in the stomach. “You’d better not!”
“Okay, fine. You and I are going on a two-week adventure around Italy, France, and Spain.”
Danielle’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. We’re staying in castles and villas. We’re eating all the food. I hope to come back ten pounds heavier.”
She smiled. “You’re already spoiling me, Mr. Alexander. How will you ever top this honeymoon?”
He hugged her tightly. “I don’t know, but I’m sure going to have fun trying, Mrs. Alexander.”
EPILOGUE
The waves lapped gently at Wisteria Island’s shore as Danielle stood on the deck of her cottage, watching the winter sunset paint the sky in breathtaking shades of pink and gold. Six months had passed since her perfect wedding day, and the memory still brought a smile to her face. The beautiful gazebo stood off in the distance, a testament to her wonderful new marriage.
She absently placed her hand on her abdomen, still flat but harboring the most precious secret. Three pregnancy tests had confirmed what she’d begun to suspect two weeks ago. She and Bennett were going to have a baby.
The sliding door opened behind her, and Bennett’s arms wrapped around her, his chin resting on top of her head.
“That’s a beautiful sunset,” he said.
“Perfect timing,” Danielle said, leaning back against his chest, “and everybody should be arriving soon.”
