24. Raina

Chase was just finishing a call as Raina walked out to the deck where he sat at the table with two babies nestled into bouncy seats under the sun umbrella.

"Great news, Rodrigo," he said, which piqued Raina's attention. "We'll close in thirty and, yes, we'd love nothing more than to help you on this next phase. I'll see you soon, sir." He laughed at something, and then said goodbye, turning to her as he put down his phone.

"Rodrigo Jimenez?" she guessed. "An offer on the Miami building?"

He stood, a smile as bright as the sun behind him, glistening off the Atlantic Ocean. "A fat offer, too. Close enough to full asking that even Emil ‘I will never drop my price' Jimenez agreed we should take it."

"Chase!" She glided to him, arms out. "Congratulations on your first Wingate Properties deal."

She effortlessly slid into his embrace, tucking herself against him in a way that had become as familiar as his kisses and declarations of love.

"Good things happen with me," he said, punctuating that with one of those sweet kisses.

"They certainly do," she agreed.

"And there's more news. They want to buy something similar up here and start to build a Jimenez empire in North Florida that will rival the one down south. All Wingate deals."

She sucked in a breath, drawing back to look at him. "That's huge! Good heavens, Chase. Those men know how to buy and sell and make a huge profit."

"You want them as your first post-baby client?" he asked.

She winced. "I…guess…but…"

"Or do you want me to handle the Jimenez account?"

She melted a little and not only because of the warm spring sun.

"I want that more than I want my first full night's sleep, but…" On a sigh, she stepped away and checked on the babies. Lily was awake, gurgling and smiling—her favorite activity—and Charlie had discovered the joy of sucking on her thumb.

"I have to tell Dad today," she said as she dropped into one of the chairs. "He and Suze are coming over in a few minutes during their morning beach walk, and I have to break the news."

She stared out at the ocean, wondering how that would be received. Dad had an iron-clad rule about Wingate Properties, handed down from his father, and grandfather.

Only a Wingate at the helm.

"I don't want to disappoint my father," she admitted. "You know, my entire life, that has been my driving motivation for everything. His approval—which he gives generously and without condition—is so important to me. I disappointed him once and broke his heart."

"When you married Jack and moved to Miami?"

She nodded. "He had a rough time with that. I was his ace in the real estate hole, and none of the others showed an affinity for it, let alone the love I had for the business." She wrinkled her nose at the past tense. "I still love it, but…"

"You love being a mother even more."

She'd shared those deepest feelings with him, late into the night, wrapped in each other's arms, building their connection and learning about each other. Chase knew her deep, primal need to give the babies one hundred percent of her love and time, and how she'd wrestled with the decision that would put Rex in a terrible position.

"He loves tradition, you know," she whispered, as much to herself as him. "And one of his favorites is that there's a Wingate running every family-owned business on Wingate Way, with the most important one—Wingate Properties—as the crown jewel. If I step away, yes, he'll find someone and maybe even train Blake, but I'm letting him down, and that guts me."

"Then don't."

She looked up at him, blinking. "You think I should go back? Hire a nanny or drop off the babies or figure out some—"

"No." He stood and came around the table, crouching down next to her. "I have a much better idea that will keep a family member in charge, give him a chance to retire, and allow you to keep an eye on things from a distance."

A frown pulled. "What…who…" Her breath whooshed out as she realized what he was saying. "You want to take over the business."

"Isn't it obvious? I can easily make the time now that Ocean Song is running smoothly. My properties take very little of my attention and…and…I could be family."

She felt lightheaded. "You could…"

"Be Mr. Raina Wingate, a role I've aspired to since the day I met you."

Speechless, she stared at him. "Are you…proposing?"

"I love you, Raina," he said, taking her hand. "I've loved you for so long I can barely remember a day I didn't. I loved when you charged up here accusing me of hiding your nephew, and when you broke down because your ex didn't want his own babies, and when you helped my nonna get to heaven with a smile, and when you accidentally texted your true feelings to me, when you battled your way through every labor pain, and now, as a mother and a woman and a friend and—hey. Don't cry."

"How can I not? You're killing me, Charles Madison."

"You know it's the right thing to do. You know…" He grinned. "It's the solution to all our problems and the smartest thing we've ever done."

"But…but…" Her gaze slid to the babies. "My baggage is monumental."

"The Things? Please. They're pocket-sized."

"They won't always be. They'll be toddlers and teenagers. They'll need everything. Clothes, school, time—"

"And a father who loved them before they were born."

"Oh." She put her hand over her lips, overcome by that. The truth of it, the power, the utter and complete rightness of what he said, but—

"Raina! Chase!" Val threw open the patio doors. "It's D-Day."

"What?" Raina leaped out of her seat, turning to see fear and hope and a wild light in the other woman's eyes.

"Justin's coming over," she announced. "We're doing a call with Dr. Z." She took a deep breath and let it out noisily. "The official results are in."

Suddenly, everything else was forgotten. "Really? Did he say…"

"No! Not a word. Just that we had to talk to her, and he wanted to be here in person. Oh, and he's bringing Tori, like I might need backup and moral support."

"Or he might be spending the day with his fiancée and wants to celebrate good news," Raina said, channeling her inner optimistic Rose, even though she didn't quite feel it.

Because if Justin had good news, wouldn't he shout it from the rooftops?

Forcing herself not to react, Raina rushed to Val's side. "Whatever it is, you'll feel better knowing."

Val snorted. "I'll feel better knowing I'm going to live."

Then Raina remembered her parents. "My father and Suze are on their way over right now to see the babies. Do you want me to call them and suggest they come at a different time?"

"Nah. I'm used to swarms of Wingates buzzing around every event. If it's bad news, they can help me plan the funeral. If it's good? As soon as the treatment is done and I'm cleared, Kitty Worthington and I are going to Europe."

Raina's jaw loosened. "Excuse me?"

"She's been dying to go and her husband wants no parts of it. He wants to go to Maine and help his son put in a new kitchen, so Kitty and I are doing a grand tour! Neither one of us has ever been out of the country."

"That's amazing, Val," Raina said.

Val shrugged. "Kitty says you never know what's around the corner, so grab life with both hands and…see the Eiffel Tower. And Big Ben. And the Colosseum." She gave an awkward laugh. "But I didn't book the tickets because they're not refundable and I didn't want to saddle you with the bill if I…"

"You're not going to die," Raina said.

"You actually don't know that, but just in case, I think I'll go have a quiet moment inside and get ready for this call. I'll get the door when they come."

When she left the deck, Chase came closer and put his arms around Raina. "Turns out it's a big day. Val's getting her news. You're telling your dad that I'm—"

"Going to be my husband."

He froze, blinking, silent, looking like he thought if he said anything, he'd break the spell.

She took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Chase, you heard the woman. You never know what's around the corner, so grab life with both hands and…"

"And commit," he finished for her, a smile pulling.

"Madeline did it in a matter of days, Tori wants to set a date for this summer, and why shouldn't I do what my wise and wonderful big sisters have done?"

"Raina." His voice was taut and gruff.

"Did you change your mind?" she teased.

He looked toward the sky. "God, no. I just…Raina." He pulled her into him. "Am I dreaming?"

"No, I am," she said. "A year ago, I looked out over this beach with a broken heart and a positive pregnancy test. Today, I have two beautiful daughters and a man…a man…" She closed her eyes and shook her head. "A man who comes along once in a lifetime."

"Is that a yes?"

"You haven't officially asked."

Laughing, he lowered his face to kiss her, the contact warm and familiar and as perfect as he was. "I will," he murmured into their kiss. "When you least expect it."

"Yo! Lovebirds!"

"No one wants us to kiss today," he cracked.

"Plenty of time. It's my parents."

They pulled apart to see Dad and Suze marching toward the patio from the beach, holding hands and laughing.

"Look at those two, Rain," Chase whispered, keeping his arm around her as they watched the older couple make their way across the sand.

"Healthy and happy, thank God."

"And so in love," Chase said, turning to her. "That's gonna be us in twenty or thirty years. Walking the beach, still in love, and headed off to see our GrandThings. That is going to be us."

Nothing, no promise ever made, could give her more joy than that.

Raina's feetbarely touched the wooden steps as she floated down to greet Suze and Dad. They chatted about their walk, and she shared the news that Val's moment of truth had arrived, and somehow managed not to grab them both and shout for joy.

As they came up to see the babies and get some cold drinks, Raina wondered if they noticed that Chase and Raina couldn't stay more than an inch apart? That they touched hands, exchanged looks, and shared secret smiles the whole time?

It took a few minutes, but once her heart rate settled, Raina thought her father was unusually quiet.

"Everything good, Dad?" she asked.

"Everything's fine." But it didn't sound fine. "We need to talk, Raina. I need to talk to you about something."

Her heart dropped. "Are you sick? Is something wrong? What's going on?"

"Just sit down and—"

The doorbell rang, the outdoor speaker loud enough to make Lily cry. Immediately, Suze reached for her. "I'll take her inside and let Tori and Justin in."

"No, Suze, it's fine—"

But her mother held up a hand to stop her. "You stay here, Raina. Dad wants to talk to you and Chase. I'll get Lily a bottle and stay with Tori while Justin talks to Val."

Raina nodded, sinking back into her seat next to Chase, who looked equally perplexed.

"So what's up, Dad?"

He took a deep, deep breath and leaned on the table, looking at her, then Chase. "I really don't know how to say this, so I just will."

Raina glanced at Chase, marveling at how quickly her joy could be squelched by this uncertainty.

"I'm done," he said softly.

"Done…" Raina reached for him. "Done doing what?"

"Working. I'd like to retire full-time."

"Oh." She blew out a breath of relief. "I knew that was coming, Dad. I know you—"

"I know you don't want to go back," he said, interrupting her.

She froze mid-sentence and stared at him. "You know that?"

"Raina." He chuckled. "I've known your every thought since you were born."

She couldn't argue that—he'd always been able to read her like a book. "It has been kind of lovely just being a mother after all these years of being a professional."

"You deserve this time with these kids, Raina. You've worked hard for yourself, and for me." He squeezed her hand. "I couldn't be more grateful that you swooped in here, with your own life on shaky ground, and made sure Wingate Properties blossomed. You even found my grandson, Blake. And now I think it's time we hand the business over to someone else."

She blinked at him. "To Blake?"

"Maybe in a few years. I need someone at the helm with deep experience and plenty of wisdom. Someone I trust, respect, and feel is…close to family." He turned to Chase, a slow smile pulling. "This man right here, who is more than capable."

"Oh!" Raina gasped and pressed her hands to her lips. "Really?"

"Chase?" Dad leaned closer to him. "I know you have a thriving business and spend a lot of time at the hotel."

His dark eyes glinted at the offer. "A lot less now, and my properties run themselves."

"What do you say, son? And you, Raina? You're so invested. Could you be happy with Chase at the helm? Even if he isn't a Win—"

Chase held up his hand. "No, someone in the family must run Wingate Properties."

Rex's shoulders dropped. "So you won't do it? Because I—"

"I didn't say that." Chase lifted a brow and put one hand on Raina's and the other on Rex's, forming a circle around Charlie in the middle. "I said someone in the family…by blood or marriage."

Her joy bubbled up again, and her heart kicked into the next gear.

"What are you saying, son?" Rex asked.

"I'm asking, Mr. Reginald Wingate the Third, if I have your blessing to marry your daughter, assuming she says yes when I officially drop to one knee."

He squeezed Raina's hand as Rex leaned forward, open mouthed. Utterly speechless, his eyes filled with tears as he looked from one to the other.

"I promise I'll care for her and your business as if I were your very own son," Chase added.

Still silent, Rex slowly dropped back in his seat, hitting the backrest with a thud.

"Dad?" Raina asked softly. "What do you think? You know we love each other, and together we'll take care of the babies and the business and…the whole family."

A tear meandered down his cheek. "Every prayer I've ever had has been answered," he said on a gruff whisper, wiping his face. "Welcome to the family, son. And the business, but family first."

"Always," Chase agreed.

Just then, the French doors opened and Val walked out, with Justin, Tori, and Susannah bringing up the rear with Lily in her arms, nursing from a bottle.

"I have some news," Val said in a shaky voice, her face bone white.

At the table, the three of them let go of their clasped hands and stood, turning to give Val all the attention and respect she deserved.

She stood for a moment, her chest rising and falling with labored breaths. "Apparently," she said, "I'm a medical miracle. My tumor is shrinking. It should be gone completely in a matter of weeks."

As joy erupted, the babies cried, and everyone hugged and hooted, Raina felt the strength of Chase's arms around her, all of them joining in the moment of celebration. She felt as lightheaded and dizzy as she had when she was pregnant, and just as thrilled with what was ahead. Life with Chase! A husband, a father, a partner she could love and trust for the rest of her days.

Pulling her into him, he put his lips to her ear and whispered, "I don't want to wait."

Neither did she. She looked up at him, her heart swelling. "No long engagement." It wasn't a question.

"The sooner the better," he said. "And then I want to adopt Lily and Charlie and start living the life we were destined to live—together."

She opened her mouth to answer just as Tori joined them. "You two look enamored with each other."

"Enamored and…" Raina glanced at Chase, who gave a single nod. "Engaged."

"What?" Tori shrieked. "Are you kidding me? Oh, my God, Rain!" She threw her arms around Raina and squealed some more, then hugged Chase. "Justin, Justin!" She frantically waved him over. "Does everyone know?"

"Only Dad," Raina said, looking to see Rex and Susannah, who still held Lily, huddled with a very happy Val.

"Can I tell Justin?"

"Of course," Raina and Chase said together.

Justin joined them, beaming with the medical success. But Tori was practically dancing on her toes with the news.

"They're getting married, too!"

Justin's brows rose in surprise. "It's an actual epidemic," he joked, and as they laughed, he hugged Raina and shook Chase's hand. "When's the big day?"

"Soon," Chase said confidently.

"It'll be small and fast, family only," Raina added.

"Exactly like ours," Tori said. "At Wingate House, very simple, just…" Her voice faded as her eyes grew. "I have an idea." She pressed her fingers to her lips. "Oh, Rain, I have the most amazing idea."

Instantly, Raina knew what she was thinking. "Tori. You wouldn't—"

"Oh, I would. Would you?"

"I might," she said on a laugh. "It could be really fun."

Chase and Justin looked at each other, equally lost.

"They'd probably need to agree to it," Raina said.

"Probably," Tori conceded.

"In my experience," Justin said, "it's always best to just say yes to Tori, whatever it is. Chase?"

"I would give Raina whatever she wants, and from the look in her eyes, she wants this."

"What did we just agree to?" Justin asked.

Raina and Tori looked at each other, mirth and unshed happy tears in their eyes.

"A double wedding!" they announced in unison.

"What?" The question came from both Chase and Justin.

"It's perfect!" Raina clasped her hands under her chin, ecstatic about the idea. "We'll have seven sisters, two couples, and one heck of a Wingate wedding!"

The two grooms eyed each other, then both started laughing with their own silent communication.

"Sure," Justin said.

"What could be better?" Chase asked.

Nothing, Raina decided as they group hugged and cheered. Nothing in the world could be better than marrying the man she loved along with one of her sisters marrying the man she loved, the whole family together, on a gorgeous Amelia Island summer day.

Nothing could be better, and she couldn't wait.