CHAPTER 385: PARADISE (4)

Georgia’s POV

I covered my mouth with one hand while my other hand was hitting and pinching Nick playfully in excitement. What is going on? Is he doing what I think he is going to do?!

Prudence gasped so loud that even the fish in the ocean probably heard her.

Benjamin held out a small velvet box, voice shaking.

"I know it’s already late," he began softly, "but like they say... better late than never."

The entire group froze, breath held, hearts pounding.

"We’ve been through so much," he continued, his voice cracking. "And most of your hardships in life were because of me. But you stayed. Through everything I couldn’t give you... everything I didn’t know back then."

His tears fell, and so did Wendy’s. And Ella’s. And mine. And everyone else’s.

He wiped his eyes roughly with the back of his hand. "I know I’m not worthy of your vows. I’m a divorcee, old, with a body that hurts everywhere..."

Everyone laughed through their tears.

"But here I am," he whispered, voice trembling. "Asking for your hand. Prudence, my love... will you take this old man forever? Will you marry me?"

Prudence dropped the flowers and cupped her mouth, sobbing and laughing at the same time. "This old lady," she said between tears, "is happy to marry you."

The group exploded—shrieks, applause, laughter, and cheering all mixing together with the crackling bonfire and the sound of waves.

Benjamin slid the ring onto her finger with shaking hands. Prudence threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder as he squeezed her tightly.

Everyone clapped harder.

Vicky cried. Liam lifted her into a hug.

Ella hugged Wendy.

I leaned into Nick, wiping tears to keep myself from ugly-crying. "Oh my god... that was beautiful."

Nick wrapped an arm around me, pressing a kiss to my hair. "Yeah," he murmured. "It really was."

And as Benjamin and Prudence kissed under the sparks of the bonfire, ocean breeze swirling around them, surrounded by family and love...

It felt like the island itself was celebrating right along with us.

Benjamin was still crying when he pulled Prudence into another tight hug, his shoulders shaking as he laughed through his tears.

Prudence wasn’t any better; her makeup was probably ruined, her cheeks blotchy and wet, but she looked radiant in a way only pure happiness could make a person glow.

He wiped her cheeks gently, then brushed his own tears away with the back of his hand. The bonfire light flickered against his face, softening every wrinkle, making him look decades younger.

Then he sniffed, cleared his throat dramatically, and said:

"So... can we get married now?"

The entire shore fell silent.

Like... silent silent, crickets and all.

Only the waves dared to keep moving.

I blinked. Ella blinked. Wendy’s mouth dropped open.

Nick raised a brow, clearly entertained.

Steven, Evelyn, and Liam were flabbergasted.

The only people who didn’t freeze were Oliver and Vicky, who, suspiciously, moved with purpose toward a nearby staff member and grabbed something from them.

Prudence frowned, confused. "Sure, I mean... why not? If we can, then let’s go."

She said it jokingly. Obviously joking. She didn’t even think for a second that Benjamin would take it seriously.

Benjamin’s smile stretched wide. Too wide.

"Alright," he said excitedly. "Let’s go!"

He then gave Oliver and Vicky a very firm nod, the kind that said Operation spontaneous wedding is a go.

Before Prudence could even blink, Oliver stepped toward Benjamin and placed a fresh flower necklace over his neck, white plumeria and orchids strung together beautifully.

Then Vicky turned to her mother, holding what looked like a soft, white robe made from lightweight fabric.

"Mom, arms up," Vicky said, grinning.

"What? Why—"

But it was too late. Vicky slipped the robe over Prudence’s shoulders like a beach bridal cover-up, then placed a matching flower necklace around her neck and a matching flower crown.

Prudence stood frozen, looking between all of us. "Okay, what... what is going on?"

Benjamin laughed, a young man’s laugh coming out of an older man’s chest. "We’re getting married right now."

He held out his hand to her.

"Let’s go."

The beach erupted.

Screams, laughter, applause, everyone was losing their minds. Wendy was crying again, but this time because of laughing too much.

Ella clapped her hands like a kid about to watch a magic show. Katie screamed, "GET MARRIED NOW!!!"

Benjamin grabbed Prudence’s hand before she could protest and led her toward the dock, practically dragging her through the sand while she sputtered, "Ben! Ben! Are you serious?!"

And of course, all of us followed, half running, half squealing as we headed toward the long wooden dock extending over the gentle waves.

When we reached it, I gasped.

Somehow, the staff had decorated the entire dock with string lights, lanterns, and flowers—bougainvillea petals scattered on the planks, candles placed safely in glass jars, weaving soft golden light down the path. It looked magical. Like an island fairytale wedding scene.

At the end of the dock was a beautiful flower arch made of woven coconut leaves, white orchids, and vines.

And standing beneath it... A priest.

Waiting.

Holding a little book.

Prudence stopped dead in her tracks. "Benjamin Knight! Are we really doing this right now?! What about the documents? The certificates? We need all of those to get married!"

Benjamin squeezed her hand. "We can do that later."

Prudence’s jaw dropped.

Benjamin winked. "Let’s get married now before you change your mind."

Everyone burst into laughter, even Prudence threw her head back and laughed, wiping her eyes again.

"Fine!" she said, shaking her head. "Let’s get married."

The priest cleared his throat with a warm smile. "Well then... shall we begin?"

The ceremony was simple.

Soft.

Beautiful.

The kind of wedding that didn’t need an audience, but had the perfect one anyway.

The waves whispered against the wooden posts beneath us. The lanterns glowed. The wind danced with the hem of Prudence’s robe and played with the petals scattered around our feet.

Benjamin and Prudence held hands, swaying slightly as the priest spoke.

The vows were short. Sweet. Straight to the point, just like them.

And when the priest reached the final line, every breath on that dock held still.

"You may now... kiss your bride."

Benjamin cupped Prudence’s face.

And as the moonlight shone over us and the stars claimed the sky, he kissed her—slow, deep, overflowing with years of love finally finding its place.

We all screamed again.

Perfect ending to a perfect, unexpected island wedding.

I whispered to Nick, "Surely, like father, like son." Nick laughed before giving me a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I’m so glad, it’s a happy ending for them, too. This was my dream that I thought would never happen. I’m glad it did. Dreams really do come true..." Nick said as he hugged me, and I felt the relief from the hug. Tension and sadness he had released after holding onto it for so many years.