The days slipped by in a stretch of gentle autumn rain..

Then finally, on the bday /bof the engagement ceremony, the sky clouded for days and cleared atst.

Today was Charlotte’s big day, and the entire by household had been bup /bsince dawnL

Even little Jodie, who usually loved to sleep in, had gotten up early and changed into a cheerful red dress,

Inside Charlotte’s bedroom, a professional makeup team worked on her look

she wore a soft blush pink gown with modem touches. Her hair was swept into a gracefull updob, /badorned with delicate pearls.

Jodie leaned on the vanity, tilting her head as she watched. Her little voice was sweet and sincere.

“Charlotte, you look so pretty today.”

Charlotte smiled and gave h

her cheek a yful pinch..

But Jodie’s chubby face tumed a little worried

“Will you stille home a lot after you get bmarried/b?”

Charlotte paused, caught off guard by the questionb. /b

bShe /bsmiled gently, warmth flickering in her eyes,

“Of course I will. The Jasper estate isn’t far. I coulde by every bday/bb./b”

jodie pouted, clearly not bbuying /bit.

“That’s not true. You don’t evene home every day now. If you marry Mr. Jasperb, /bhow will you have time toe every bday/b?”

Charlotte couldn’t help butugh. Kids breally /bweren’t that easy to fool.

“I’ve been busy with work, that’s why I haven’t been back every day

Jodie held out her pinky finger.

“Pinky promise. You’lle home to see me every day.”

Charlotte chuckled. b“/bbI /bmight not be able bto /be back every day, but I promise I’lle visit as often as I can, okay?”

Jodie bnodded /bsedously.

Charlotte bhooked /bher pinly bwith /bjodie’s and bgave /bher a sweet sindle.

b.25 /bBonus

(the Jasper family’s private estate on the northern outskirts of the city

me to the Riley estate to bpick /bCharlotte up

The engagement bcelemony /bwas

Early that bmorning/b, Savanma

Desmond band /bena stood in the bliving /broom, dressed formally for the asion.

Desmond rear with a broad unile the moment Sean stepped though the dust

Seal, good to bser /byou Juu bgive /bus a moment Charlotte will be bdown /bshortly.”

bXena /bstood beside him, all armiles. Through udette wauch lies biological daughter, in her heart, there was no difference

She couldn’t help but thank silently, “br/b, our little gid is all grown up she’s getting engaged btoday /bYou’d be so proud it you could see her now Sean’s a good bkid /b

???

steady and capable. He trally loves her. I think she’ll be very happy with jam. So don’t worry “

The small group bmede /bsmall talk as they waited

Momentster, Jodie came bounding down the stals with exciteiten

suming! Charlotte’sing!”

Everyone lumed to blook /b

Charlotte descended the staircase slowly, cradling a bouquet of flowers.

man’s breath caught in his throat. He was momentarily stuurd

bShe /blooked strming–burathtakin

The soft pink powa hugged her slender figine just right, her waist siesmall uld be encircled with one hand..

Her makeup was elegant and refined, her features glowing. The sudo made her look poised, graceful, and timeless.

Sean bad seen her face a thousand Umes,

, it hit him all over again. He waspletely, hopelessly in love.

A smile curved his lips as he stepped forward, pently taking hernd.

b-25 /bManus

In the backseat of the car, they sat side by side.

Sean could barely hide the joy on his face.

“Cudolte,” he said quietly, “this day. It’s finally here.”

A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she smiled.

“I’ve been looking forward to ton

Sean reached for her bhand/b. “Honestly, I wish we could bskip /bthe engagement and bgo /bstraight to the wedding. I’d marry you today If I could and make you Mrs. Jasper

plu this second.”

Chantal T