CHAPTER 68: THE SURPRISE (1)

"Why didn’t you tell me they arrived?" Georgia’s voice came out sharp, tangled in surprise and emotion.

Nick turned toward her, unfazed by her reaction. "You were exhausted yesterday," he said softly, a slight smile curving on his lips. "I didn’t want to wake you... Besides, I have a surprise."

Her brows drew together with suspicion and curiosity. "What surprise?"

Nick’s smirk deepened as he gestured toward a box resting near their makeshift bed, something Georgia hadn’t noticed until now.

Her eyes narrowed. "What’s that? How did it even get here?"

"You didn’t notice earlier, you were too busy panicking," he teased, then reached out and gently held her arms, grounding her. "Georgia, look at me."

Her gaze lifted to his, and what she saw there stilled her breath.

"I meant every word I told you," Nick said, his voice firm, unwavering. "I will marry you. I will protect you. I’ll help you take back control of your family’s business, and we’ll fight together. For your future. For mine. For us. The people who framed me, the ones who want to destroy you, they won’t win. Not while I’m alive."

He took a step closer, his hands tightening around her arms, not in force, but in vow. "Once we get off this island, we do everything together. You’ll be my wife. My responsibility. And I will never let you fall again."

His eyes bore into hers, hot, intense, soul-deep. Georgia felt her defenses melt like wax under a flame.

All she could do was nod, her lips trembling as a faint, grateful smile broke through. "I understand... Thank you, Nick."

"Good girl," he murmured, pulling her into his chest, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The tension in her body loosened as she melted into him.

Then he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Now... go on and open that box. Let’s see if you still think it’s just a surprise."

Georgia’s fingers trembled with anticipation as she opened the box. It had been so long since she’d touched anything that resembled the world she once belonged to. Her breath hitched the moment the contents were revealed.

Her eyes widened, glistening. Slowly, reverently, she lifted the item inside—a soft, elegant white dress, simple but undeniably beautiful. She stood, holding it against her chest, the delicate fabric fluttering in the breeze like a whisper of her forgotten femininity.

A smile burst across her face, full and radiant, like a sunrise breaking through a storm. "Nick! Is this... is this really for me?"

She looked stunned, almost unable to believe it. The wild island, the danger, the isolation—none of it could’ve prepared her for this small act of unexpected tenderness.

Nick rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah... I figured you might want to wear a dress to our wedding. I honestly had no idea what kind of dress women like, so I let my sister handle it. I gave her your measurements and a few details. She chose the design."

He met her eyes, steady and sincere. "I hope it’s enough."

Georgia stared at the dress like it was made of starlight. "Enough?" she echoed, laughing softly. "Nick, this is more than enough. Are you kidding me? This is perfect! I didn’t even think of something like this—"

She cut herself off, heart overflowing, and bolted straight toward him. The moment her arms wrapped around his torso, Nick stiffened slightly, caught off guard, then melted into her touch.

"I’m so grateful," she whispered against his bare skin. "You didn’t have to do this. But I’m glad you did... I’m really, really glad."

Nick closed his eyes, holding her tightly, a quiet fire flickering in his chest. She didn’t see the way his expression softened, how her happiness sparked something inside him he thought long buried.

That dress wasn’t just a gift, it was a promise. One he intended to keep.

Nick stepped back slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind Georgia’s ear as he said with a smirk, "Next on our agenda, you freshen up. I left some toiletries at the spring, our usual spot. There’s soap, shampoo... the usual bathroom stuff. I figured you’re dying to use those again."

Georgia’s eyes lit up like a child handed candy. "Wait—soap and shampoo? Are you serious?" she gasped, her voice trembling with joy.

Nick chuckled at her reaction, nodding. "Yeah, and a towel. Plus... Crocs."

Her expression dropped into confusion. "What the f— A crocodile?!"

"HAHAHA!" Nick burst into a full-throated laugh, his head tilting back. "No! Georgia—Crocs. The shoes. Damn, you’ve gone full island mode already," he teased, unable to contain the delight on his face. "I figured you wouldn’t want your feet touching the muddy trail after getting all clean."

Georgia blinked, then let out an embarrassed laugh. "Oh... those Crocs. Goodness." She started giggling, shaking her head at herself.

But before her laugh fully faded, Nick reached over and gently took the white dress from her hands, placing it back into the box with deliberate care.

"Let’s go," he murmured, voice dropping an octave as his hand found hers. "Let’s indulge in soap and shampoo... and get you ready. After all, we’ve got a wedding to attend to."

He didn’t wait for her to respond; he simply guided her with steady determination, fingers entangled with hers as they made their way toward the spring.

Georgia’s pulse quickened. Not just from the rush of the moment, but the way he held her, as if he officially made her his, and the universe just needed to catch up.

She glanced at him sideways. "Is it okay to make them wait like this?"

Nick glanced over his shoulder, that signature confidence never leaving him. "They’re fine. Happy, actually. They’re enjoying the beach and even asked if we could all stay here another two days, like it’s some kind of vacation." He snorted. "I said no. They even brought tents and two days worth of food."

Georgia smiled at the image. But just as she started imagining who he might be talking about, a question slipped from her lips before she could stop it.

"Wait... who exactly are ’they’?"

Nick slowed his pace just a little. "My sister Vicky, my younger brother Liam, and my best friend Oliver."

Georgia froze in place, tugging his hand and forcing him to stop. Nick turned, brows lifting when he saw her expression.

"What?" he asked, almost amused. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You brought your whole family?!" she exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice like a rising tide.

"Not the whole family," Nick said, waving it off casually. "Mom, Dad, and Reagan aren’t here. Liam’s hybrid plane only seats six."

"That’s not the point!" Georgia protested, her voice slightly shrill. "They’ll see me like this!" Her hands gestured wildly to herself and the state of her unkempt hair.

Nick simply grinned. "Oh... you mean the kiss marks? Relax. Vicky already planned your hair and makeup. She said she’ll cover up everything before the ceremony. She practically threatened my life if I didn’t let her ’doll you up,’ her words, not mine."

Georgia groaned and dragged her hand down her face. "Sometimes I wonder if you even have a brain."

Nick leaned in, whispering just loud enough for her to hear, "I do. I just don’t use it when I’m busy being crazy about you. Don’t mind other people, Georgia.

If you are worried about whether they’ll like you or not, I don’t care what they think. I only care about what you think about this marriage."

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the grin that slipped through.

"Fine! Let’s go," she sighed, walking ahead with a slight bounce in her step. "Let’s wash up and get this over with before I pass out from nerves."

Nick followed behind, eyes on her every movement, already imagining how she’d look in that dress... With his last name soon to follow.