CHAPTER 384: PARADISE (3)

Georgia’s POV

Dinner ended the same way the whole day felt—warm, messy, joyful, and so full of love it made my chest tighten. Someone lit the bonfire near the shoreline, its glow dancing on everyone’s faces as we all migrated toward it with our plates of dessert.

The long picnic table was still cluttered with empty plates, half-eaten grilled corn, bottles of water and soda, and that one lonely bowl of fruit salad nobody seemed to touch except Steven. But the moment the staff brought out the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars, all eyes, especially Katie’s and Ella’s, sparkled with excitement.

Nick settled on a wooden bench near the fire with his guitar resting lazily on his lap, his fingers absentmindedly strumming whatever melody came to mind. Every now and then, he’d hum, the deep tone blending so perfectly with the crackling fire, it felt like the island itself had background music.

I sat beside him with one of the coconuts earlier, my legs stretched out on the sand. Katie and Ella were a few steps away with skewers in their hands, teaching each other the "perfect golden-brown toast," while Liam tried to keep their marshmallows from catching fire.

Prudence and Wendy sat together on a picnic blanket near us, telling us stories the same way only mothers could—loud, nostalgic, and occasionally dramatic.

"And you should’ve seen Georgia," Wendy said, nudging me with her foot. "She refused naps unless someone sang to her!"

"Really?" Vicky gasped. "Georgia was that dramatic as a baby?"

"I wasn’t dramatic," I protested. "I just needed ambiance."

Everyone laughed.

Then Prudence lifted her coconut mocktail and tapped Wendy’s arm. "If we’re talking about babies... let me tell you about Nick’s first time singing."

Nick paused mid-strum, eyes narrowing. "Mom."

"Oh, hush," Prudence waved him off. "This is a cute story."

I leaned forward, grinning. "Oh, this should be good."

She took a breath, staring at the fire as if replaying an old memory. "I was pregnant with Vicky... and Nick was about five. I was having severe morning sickness, and that day my boss yelled at me because I missed an important meeting. Nick had a fever, I felt horrible, and I cried in the kitchen while talking to a friend over the phone."

Everyone quieted. Even the fire crackled softly.

"I thought Nick was asleep," she continued, her smile turning tender. "But when I hung up, I felt a little tug on my shirt. And there he was—pale, sweaty from the fever, holding his favorite stuffed bear. Then he just... started singing. Out of nowhere. A small, shaky voice, humming some commercial jingle because it was the only song he knew."

"Awwww," Ella and Evelyn chorused immediately.

I pressed my palm to my heart. "Baby Nick sang to his mom?"

Nick groaned into his guitar. "Can we not—"

"It was the sweetest thing," Prudence said proudly. "He said, ’Don’t cry, Mommy. I’ll sing until you feel better.’ And he did. Until he fell asleep on my lap."

Wendy sniffed loudly. "He always had a good heart."

Nick strummed a loud chord in protest. "Okay, enough childhood humiliation for one night."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Across from us, Katie and Ella were busy making perfectly uneven s’mores. Chocolate was already smeared across Katie’s cheek.

That’s when Benjamin, who had been quietly roasting a marshmallow, suddenly cleared his throat. "How about now, Pru? Are you happy with your life?"

Prudence blinked at him. The question seemed simple, but so sudden; however, the emotion behind it was unmistakable.

She scoffed softly, though her eyes shimmered. "Of course I am." She lifted her chin proudly. "I already have everything I ever wanted in life."

Benjamin smiled faintly—soft, warm, the kind of expression he rarely showed. "I don’t think you have everything yet." He stood, dusting sand off his shorts. "And I want to make you happier."

Before anyone could guess what was happening, he gently took Nick’s guitar from his hands.

Nick’s brows shot up. "Dad?"

Benjamin adjusted the strap, inhaled deeply, and looked straight at Prudence.

"I’m not a songwriter like our son..." he said, voice steady but emotional. "But this song tells exactly how I feel. And this is for you."

The first familiar chords of ’Can’t Help Falling in Love’ floated in the air, instantly sending the entire group into soft squeals, gasps, and giggles.

Prudence covered her mouth. "Benjamin..."

Then he began singing—and oh my god.

His voice was rich. Warm. Deep. Surprisingly smooth, with a hint of old-Hollywood romance. The kind of voice that could easily make anyone fall in love again.

"Wise men say... only fools rush in..."

Ella clutched her chest. "Uncle Ben!! OH MY GOD??"

Katie squealed. "Grandpa can SING?!"

The men grinned, all of them impressed. Steven even elbowed Liam, whispering loudly, "Bro, I didn’t know he had pipes!"

I leaned close to Nick and whispered, "So that’s where you got your voice. Your dad’s voice is really good!"

Nick’s ears turned red. "I did NOT know he could sing like that."

Benjamin continued, his eyes never leaving Prudence—soft, adoring, overflowing with decades’ worth of unspoken emotion.

"But I can’t help... falling in love... with you..."

Just then, the resort staff appeared, walking toward them with flowers in their hands—Red hibiscus, cosmos, and marigold bouquets. They handed them to Prudence with gentle bows, making her gasp, eyes wide in surprise.

The rest of us squealed again. Even Wendy clapped like a teenager watching her idol.

Benjamin reached the end of the song, voice slightly trembling but steady enough to make the last line land perfectly.

"For... I can’t... help... falling in love... with you."

The moment he strummed the final chord, the entire group erupted into applause, cheers, and happy screams.

Prudence looked overwhelmed—hands full of flowers, tears pouring down her cheeks, smiling so wide it lit up the night.

Benjamin handed the guitar back to Nick, then turned to Prudence.

And then—he knelt.

Right there on the sand, bonfire illuminating his teary eyes, waves whispering behind him...