CHAPTER 43

It's a beautiful sunny day in Los Angeles. Cooper and Charlotte are on their way to Addison's beach house. "Tell me why they invited us for lunch again?" Charlotte asks a bit suspiciously.

"They're friends. Would you stop over thinking it and just relax." Cooper tells his fiancee."

They arrive at Addison's house and Sam answers the door. Everything is quiet. "Come on in. Addison's out back waiting for you." Sam leads them through the house and out the back door.

"SURPRISE" Everyone shouts. Charlotte pretends she's surprised putting her hands over her mouth. Real tears come to her eyes as she's touched by the thought of everyone making such a fuss over her. Tables dressed up with white linen tablecloths surround her. Each table has a bouquet of flowers as the centerpiece. Two large white chairs are set up on the deck. Each chair has silver and white balloons tied to them. There's a large white wicker wishing well filled with presents set next to the chairs. A large banner is draped above the deck it reads Best Wishes Charlotte and Cooper!

Cooper gives her a soft kiss. "Surprise Char!" Charlotte tries to hold back the tears.

Addison and Violet come over to hug Charlotte and offer their congratultions.

"Thank you so much." Charlotte hugs them back.

"Thank Violet. This was her idea and mostly her doing. I just offered my house and helped her decorate." Addison pats Violet on the back.

"It's the least I can do for my friend." Violet hugs Charlotte again.

Charlotte looks around. Everyone from Oceanside Wellness and Pacific Well care are there. She spots some nurses and doctor's from St Ambrose. Violet went all out.

Sheldon comes over with a drink in his hand. He kisses Charlotte on the cheek. "I'm happy for you." He says. "I'm always here if you ever need to talk..."

Addison interrupts and pulls Sheldon away "Alright, Alright let's go now Sheldon."

Charlotte laughs a little.

"He likes you." Violet hands Charlotte a drink.

"Sheldon's a good guy. I hope he finds someone to make him happy. He'd make a great husband." Charlotte tells her.

"Really? Why didn't you pursue things with Sheldon then if you think he's such a catch?" Violet asks as they sip their drinks.

Charlotte waves her hand, "It was just sex with us; I could never get Cooper out of my heart."

I understand that." Violet answers and Charlotte looks at her funny.

Cooper approaches them. "What are my two favorite ladies talking about?" He puts his arm around Charlotte.

"You." Charlotte answers.

Sam calls for everyone's attention as he begins his best man toast.

Sam begins:"It's been coming along time now. Cooper and Charlotte have had their ups and downs, like the rest of us." He looks at Addison. "The heart of it is Charlotte and Cooper love each other. They have a strong love, an everlasting love and I wish them a long, happy life together. Join me in a toast to this amazing couple." Sam raises his glass.

The partygoers raise their glasses and drink to Charlotte and Cooper. The music begins to play 'At Last' by Etta James; the song Cooper played when he proposed to Charlotte over dinner. Charlotte smiles at him and he takes her arm to dance. They dance slowly. Soon there are more couples dancing. Charlotte looks around content in Cooper's arms. She watches Addison and Sam slow dance to the song and then she spots Sheldon and Violet slow dancing. Charlotte chuckles to herself. Maybe Violet could be the one for Sheldon. Pete's dancing with the new receptionist.

After the song is over they mingle with guests while enjoying some appetizers. A few partygoers clink their glasses with their forks expecting the bride and groom to be to kiss. Cooper decides to give them what they want. Cooper walks over to Charlotte. He grabs her in his arms and dips her. Charlotte leans back falling into Cooper's arms. He kisses her. This is no regular kiss. This kiss is slow and deep. After the kiss is finished Cooper sweeps his bride to be up in his arms. Charlotte has to admit to herself she loves it. Cooper turned out to be her prince after all. Everyone applauds.

After a few minutes everyone sits down to eat. Cooper stands up to give a toast to his soon to be wife. "Charlotte -I want you to know, you are the reason I breathe. I can not live without you. I know I haven't been the perfect boyfriend. There's many things I wish I didn't say. It's something I have to live with everyday. I'm sorry for all the pain I've put you through. I apologize here to you and I promise to start over new. I love you!" Charlotte gets up and hugs him with tears in her eyes.

"I'm not perfect either- far from it." She looks at their guests. Turning to Cooper, "you didn't have to say that in front of everyone."

"I did Charlotte. I need you and everyone to know I didn't mean any of the things I said to you when we were fighting." He talks softly to just Charlotte.

"Cooper I know you didn't mean it. Do you think I would agree to marry you if I thought you meant any of it? Just don't do it again." She pinches him playfully to try and lighten the mood.

Cooper smiles "I promise I won't. Now Let's eat." They both sit back down at the table.

After lunch, the happy couple open their gifts and thank the guests. After everyone leaves. Charlotte approaches Violet. "I want to thank you for being one of the best friends I've ever had." Violet and Charlotte hug both with tears in their eyes.

"Cooper really loves you." Violet tells her. "I'm happy for you both. I really am."

Cooper walks over to them. "This was a really nice party. Thanks Vi."

"My pleasure." Violet walks off and leaves Charlotte and Cooper alone on the deck.

"This was an incredible surprise." Charlotte tells him.

"No, no you don't. We promised to never lie to each other and I can tell when you're lying to me now." Cooper teases her. "You weren't surprised. You had it all figured out as we were driving here didn't you?"

"Maybe." Charlotte answers as she plays with the buttons on his shirt. "But I was surprised at how beautiful it was and I was surprised at your speech."

Cooper pulls her closer and hugs her. "I can't wait until this is our wedding day. I can't wait for you to be my bride."

"Me too." Charlotte turns her head up and looks into his eyes. "I can't wait to call you my husband."

The sun set as Charlotte and Cooper stood on the deck holding hands; both of them gazing over the ocean dreaming about their future together as husband and wife.

...TO...Be...Continued...

A/N- Thank you to Scarlett 88 for being such an awesome beta for this chapter!