There were a few things in life that Jade West was absolutely sure of. Grass was green, water was wet, coffee was a gift sent from God himself and her boyfriend would never, ever, ever propose. Gone were the days when this fact upset her. She had long made peace with the idea that Beck was just not the marriage type and he never would be.
The last few months had been a rollercoaster and it had taken Jade a long time to recover psychologically from the events surrounding the fire. She had given up trying to pretend everything was fine when Andre confronted her about it. She couldn't bring herself to lie to him when he was quite obviously feeling the same way and she finally admitted she was struggling. In a twisted way, she thought that saying it out loud would make it harder to move past the trauma. In fact, telling Beck and her friends was a weight off her shoulders, and with the support of their friends, both Jade and Andre were finally starting to feel like themselves again.
Which brought them right up to today. It was their first date since Amber was born and Beck had insisted on keeping all the details of it - including the location - a secret. He may not have been a marriage kind of guy, but he was a hopeless romantic through and through. So when Jade stepped out of the cab and found herself at the entrance of a serene private beach, soft ocean waves crashing against the silvery rocks to the backdrop of a lilac sunset - she didn't suspect for a second that this was anything more than a romantic evening out.
"You have outdone yourself, Mr. Oliver." Jade took in the beauty of their surroundings. Beck grinned, holding her hand and leading her down a path scattered with white petals towards a clearing in the center of the beach.
Jade couldn't believe just how much effort Beck had gone to. There was a crate, decorated to look like a romantic picnic table with creamy white and green fabric, pretty vases with foliage and tropical flowers, and big comfy cushions for them to sit on. The table was set complete with champagne flutes and everything.
"Well, I know the beach isn't usually your favorite place," Beck sat down on one of the cushions and popped open the champagne.
"It is literally my least favorite place in the world-" Jade started to complain.
"But," Beck interrupted, pouring her a glass of champagne." I thought - maybe - if I made it special, you could make an exception?"
"Hmmm, I'll have to think about it," Jade smirked, taking a seat next to him. The gentle sound of the ocean waves really was romantic.
"Do you ever think about how wild it is that we first met when we were kids?" Beck asked spontaneously.
"Sometimes." Jade smiled back at him. They had started dating at the tender age of fourteen which, now they were adults, felt like babies.
"Remember that time I tried to serenade you in the Blackbox in front of our entire class?" Beck reminisced.
"I think I blocked that from my memory." Jade joked, tilting her head to the side. "Why did I fall in love with you again?"
"Clearly, my good looks and charming personality." Beck deadpanned. Jade snorted, making a gagging motion back at him.
"No, but seriously," Beck took hold of her hand. "They say you only get one great love in your life. I met you and I just knew. This was it. You felt it too right?"
"Yes," Jade rolled her eyes, allowing him to have his romantic moment. "The click."
"The click," Beck agreed. "And I am so lucky because it means I get to do life with you. All of it. No missing chapters."
"No awkward, meet the parents stage." Jade joined in, "Just avoiding both our parents for the rest of our life."
"Yeah, I mean they're selfish assholes, all four of them." A wry smile curved at the edge of his mouth.
"Cheers to that," Jade clinked her champagne glass with his. They both sipped their drinks, admiring the beautiful ocean sunset.
"But because I was so young when we met, I don't think I realized just how lucky I was. I took our relationship for granted and I just want to say how sorry I am for that."
"What are you talking about?" Jade frowned in amusement.
"I think what happened in my childhood messed me up a bit," Beck admitted, "But I realize now that all the failed relationships I saw - what happened between my parents - it wasn't because they were married. They failed because they didn't try to make it work. And if you're not prepared to work on a relationship with someone then maybe it was never right in the first place."
"Are you breaking up with me?" Jade teased. Beck shook his head laughing,
"This is coming out all wrong." Beck sighed, taking a rain check. "What I'm trying to say is... You're my soulmate, Jade. You're the one and I want nothing more than to be eternally tied to you in every way possible."
"Are you okay?" Jade frowned in bewilderment, wondering where this sudden outpour of emotion was coming from. Even for Beck, this was sentimental.
"What I'm really trying to say is..." Beck's heart pounded in his chest, the nerves much more than he ever anticipated. He took one final glance at Jade before finishing that sentence.
"Will you marry me?"
Jade blinked. Her brain could hardly even process the words that had just left his mouth and she stared at him in shock as he dropped to one knee.
"What in the parallel universe is happening?" Jade looked around as though this was some kind of practical joke and the camera crews were about to jump out at any second.
"Will you marry me?" Beck repeated, laughing at her reaction.
"You don't believe in marriage," Jade reminded him.
"I believe in us. I believe in our marriage," Beck assured her. "I'm sorry it took me this long to realize but I mean it."
Jade covered her mouth with her hands, trying and failing not to cry as he pulled the ring out of his pocket.
"Jade, will you marry me?"
"Are you sure?" Jade asked vulnerably, her voice shaking. Beck nodded. He had never been more sure about anything in his life.
"Yes." Jade finally agreed, laughing through the tears. Beck took her hands into his and slid the diamond ring onto her finger. It was stunning but Jade couldn't care less about the ring. She was just elated that after all this time, he had proposed.
"Okay, next question." Beck exhaled anxiously,
"There's another question?" Jade wiped her eyes, still uncertain the last couple of minutes hadn't been a fever dream.
"How would you feel about getting married like, right now?" Beck asked.
"What?" Jade gasped in shock.
Beck nodded behind her. She turned to see Milo, dressed up in a tuxedo, running down the beach path towards them grinning and carrying a bouquet of airy green and white flowers. He finally reached Jade and held the tropical bouquet out to her.
"Oh my God." Jade accepted the flowers, hugging Milo closely.
"I don't want to wait. I just want to be married to you as soon as possible." Beck confessed, emotionally.
Jade looked around again, finally noticing Tori and Andre spying on them from the far end of the path, evidently having followed them there. And that's when Jade figured out what was happening here. Beck wanted to elope.
"What do you think Milo?" Jade asked the four-year-old with a smirk, "Should Aunt Jade agree to this crazy plan?"
Milo nodded enthusiastically, his big blue eyes gleaming. Jade looked back at Beck who was waiting with baited breath.
"I guess we're getting married?" Jade repeated, unable to hide her happiness. Beck smiled, tears welling in his own eyes.
"Thanks, bud." Beck gave the four-year-old a fist bump. Milo grinned, letting go of Jade, and started running around the beach in excitement.
Beck stood up, putting his hands out to Jade who took hold of them. He pulled her to her feet and kissed her passionately.
Their friends started joining them on the beach - cheering and whooping as they approached the newly engaged couple. Everyone was already dressed for the occasion - obviously confident enough that Jade was going to agree to this. Tori pushed Andre in his wheelchair, closely followed by Jesse and Cat who held Amber in her arms. They had even dressed the baby in a tiny white dress and floral headband. And lastly, Robbie and Ryan - their chosen family.
As soon as they broke apart from the kiss, Tori and Cat pulled Jade away and up the path. Cat passed Amber to Jade and began pinning a long, delicate, sheer veil into her hair while Tori brushed the sand off her dress. If Jade wasn't so speechless, she probably would have shoved them both away. Instead, she let them fuss over her in disbelief as she hugged her baby girl close to her chest.
"Is this really happening?" Jade asked Tori for the fifth time.
"Breathe Jade," Tori laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Are you ready?"
"Hell yeah." Jade laughed, fanning the tears out of her eyes. Not in her wildest dreams had she ever thought anything like this would happen. Beck had not only changed his mind about marriage but he had planned the perfect scenario for their wedding. There was no fancy reception, no relatives they barely spoke to, she didn't even have to wear a traditional white wedding dress and she wouldn't want it any other way.
Meanwhile, Beck was coordinating his vision for the ceremony. Robbie went around all the guys, pinning boutonnieres to their suit pockets while Jesse and Ryan set up the makeshift aisle with more white petals and a birchwood wedding arch just in front of the shore. Beck had planned every last detail of this and he was determined to pull it off exactly the way he had imagined it.
When everything finally seemed like it was all coming together, Beck walked over to his best friend who was watching from the side, and gave him a massive hug.
"I told you she'd say yes you idiot." Andre chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Yeah, but you had to say that since you're my best man." Beck grinned. Milo ran over to the two of them excitedly. Andre lifted the four-year-old up and onto his knee.
"Best behavior lil' guy," Andre told him, Milo curled up on his knee and made himself comfortable. Andre used his free hand to wheel his chair up to the wedding arch, taking position next to Beck.
Beck stood beneath the arch, suddenly feeling nervous. Ryan, who he'd asked to officiate the marriage, stood beside him while Robbie sat in the opposite corner setting up his guitar for the ceremony music.
Robbie began to strum a beautiful acoustic melody on his guitar, signaling to the girls that they were ready.
Cat walked down the makeshift aisle first with baby Amber in her arms. Beck smiled, his eyes landing on his daughter who looked bewildered by all the colourful flowers and attention she was getting. Cat took a seat in front of the arch next to Jesse.
Next to walk down the aisle was Tori who could not stop smiling from cheek to cheek. The breeze was light and her hair blustered prettily in the warm glow of the sunset. Andre winked at Tori as she took her place next to Cat in front of the arch.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give it up for your bride!" Ryan announced Jade's entrance enthusiastically.
Everyone cheered and turned to face the back as Jade stepped into view. Her sheer veil fluttered in the wind behind her and she held tightly onto the bouquet Milo had presented her. Her face was a picture as she took in the scene in front of her. It was perfect.
Amber cooed and Cat lifted her up so she could see her Mom walking down the aisle. Beck was looking at Jade with the biggest doe eyes anyone had ever seen, the love they had for each other was palpable.
When Jade finally reached the end of the aisle, Beck leaned in and whispered to her. "You look so beautiful."
Tori stepped forward and took the bouquet from Jade. Beck took her hands into his and Ryan began the ceremony.
"Friends, today marks a new chapter in Beck and Jade's live's together. I've been told to keep this short and sweet with as little conventional bull S-H-I-T as possible."
Everyone laughed, knowing fine well Beck's usual views on marriage.
"Beck and Jade will be making a declaration of their commitment to each other before us all today, affirming their relationship through legally binding vows, sincerely made and faithfully kept."
"Beck, do you take Jade to be your wedded wife, to share your life with her, to love her, honor her, and care for her, through all that the future may hold?"
"I do," Beck replied unhesitatingly. Jade couldn't help her eyes welling up with tears. She never thought she would hear him say that.
"Jade, do you take Beck to be your wedded husband, to share your life with him, to love him, honor him, and care for him, through all that the future may hold?
"I do," Jade said softly.
"Beck and Jade will now exchange rings as a symbol of the promises they made, and of their ongoing commitment to each other." Ryan proceeded. Andre reached into his pocket for the rings that Beck had entrusted him with earlier that day.
"Can you pass this to Uncle Beck for me?" Andre whispered, handing the jewelry box to Milo. The four-year-old nodded and slid off Andre's knee running over to the groom and tapping him lightly on the leg, handing the jewelry box to him. Tori beamed and everyone let out a collective aww at the sight.
"Beck, please place the ring on Jade's hand and repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you."
Beck slid the ring onto Jade's finger, repeating the sentimental words.
"Jade, please place the ring on Beck's hand and repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you."
Jade looked deeply into Beck's eyes as she slid the silver wedding ring onto his finger, repeating the vow. Beck held her gaze back intently. It was as if time stood still - until both of them burst out laughing.
Their friends started laughing along with them. Jade wiped tears out of her eyes as she struggled to keep it together. Beck took hold of her hands and squeezed them tightly.
"I'm not sure this part was meant to be funny you guys but I'll take it." Ryan let the moment pass before he concluded the ceremony.
"By the power of your love and commitment and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss each other!"
Their friends cheered and clapped as the newlywed couple shared a sweet but passionate kiss. There wasn't a dry eye among them. After all these years - Beck and Jade were finally married.
The group spent the rest of the evening celebrating together on the beach. Trina came along shortly after the ceremony and picked up the children so the adults could all let their hair down. Robbie and Andre took turns playing the guitar and everyone was gathered around the picnic table, dancing and chatting together.
It was during one of Robbie's songs that Tori convinced Andre to do one slow dance with her. She helped him out of his wheelchair and shakily onto his feet. They held each other close as they swayed slowly backward and forward to the soft music.
"Tonight was beautiful," Tori admitted.
"It was." Andre agreed, smiling at Tori. "It took Beck long enough."
"True, but it was worth the wait," Tori replied. They glanced over at the newlyweds who were simply euphoric right now. Beck had lifted Jade into his arms bridal style and they were spinning around, laughing in hysterics whilst Cat and Ryan showered them with petal confetti.
"Maybe that will be us one day," Andre suggested heartfully. Tori felt her heart melt and she pressed her forehead against his, desperate to be close to him.
"I love you so much." Tori confessed, her heart pounding in her chest, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"I love you too Tori." Andre stroked her cheek. "You and Milo, you mean everything to me."
Tori sighed thoughtfully. She had been thinking of asking Andre something for a long time now. Tonight, beneath the stars, basking in the happiness of their best friends' marriage, it felt like a better time than any.
"Andre, I need to ask you something." Tori looked into his deep brown eyes vulnerably.
"Anything, what is it?" Andre asked curiously. Tori stopped swaying and caught her breath. This was a big moment and she was slightly terrified.
"Would you like to adopt Milo?" Tori asked with bated breath. Andre let out a small gasp, processing what she'd just said.
"You don't have to and if you don't want the responsibility, I will understand." Tori began to ramble, "But he already looks up to you and sees you as a parent. You are his Dad, Andre. So, will you make it official?"
Andre stopped and looked at Tori with tears in his eyes. "I am already the luckiest guy in the world to have you both, Tori. This would be the greatest honor of my life."
"So is that a yes?" Tori asked, tears pricking her eyes.
"Yes, it's a definite yes." Andre grinned from ear to ear. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.
"Woohoo, get a room you two." Jade teased them playfully.
"I think we have put up with you and your husband for long enough that you have lost the right to say anything," Andre replied, only half joking. Tori wrapped her arms around Andre's torso tightly, nothing could dampen the high she felt right now. She was the happiest she'd ever been in her whole life.
Beck looked down at his left hand and felt the silver wedding band that was now a permanent feature on his body. He never thought he would have one of these. He never thought he would want one. But he knew in his heart that he had made the right decision to get married. After all these years, he finally understood it. The joy, the vows, the commitment. But above all, the deep connection he felt to Jade. It turns out, he was the marriage type after all. And he could finally say, his love at first sight was now his wife.
AN : First of all surprise!!! I didn't think I was going to finish this either and somehow, ten years later, here we are.
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who got this far, especially those of you who read this back in the day and came back just to read the ending. I am truly sorry it took me this long to finish it but hey, life happened.
I hope you enjoyed my version of Beck and Jade's happily ever after and thank you for supporting my writing for all these years. It means so much to me to read all your reviews and know there are people out there who enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you, tinycupcat.