Matt

“I thought we were going to the dunes?” Lana asked when I pulled off the coastal road just on the outskirts of Worthington and headed down a track toward the ocean.

“Don’t be mad, okay? I just wanted to take a little detour first.” Since the publication of the photos, I hated keeping anything from her, but I was hoping she’d give me a pass on this one surprise.

“Why would I be mad?”

“I hope you won’t be,” I replied.

“Matt. Seriously.”

I stopped the car and turned off the engine. “Look at that view,” I said as we faced the cloudless sky, the bright blue water and the almost-white sand.

“What have you done? You know I don’t like secrets.”

“That’s what makes you so infuriating.” Before Lana could reply I opened the car door and rounded the hood.

“Why are we here?” she asked, stepping out of the car as I held the door open.

I took her hand and led her to the middle of the plot on which we were standing. “Because I wanted you to see this. The land goes right down to the ocean.”

She shielded her eyes from the sun and looked out across the field that petered down to the beach. “I’ve lived here my whole life. You don’t need to convince me of how beautiful it is. Now answer my questions. Why are we here and why am I going to be mad?”

I took a breath. “Because I’ve been doing a bit of research that I haven’t told you about.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What kind of research? For a film?”

I shook my head. “As much as I love your cottage, I’m not sure it’s our forever home. When we have our family—”

“Our what now?” She furrowed her brow. We’d talked about kids. We knew we both wanted them. At some point. But we’d never gotten specific.

“I figure three kids is a good number, but you could convince me to have four. But the cottage just isn’t big enough for all of us.”

“It’s plenty big enough for me, which is all it needs to be if you want four kids.”

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me. “We can negotiate the final number.”

She pushed at my arms, creating a little distance between us. “We’re not trying for a baby here and now, and you know how I feel about PDAs.” She glanced around as if anyone would see us.

I chuckled. “How do you like the spot? The peace, the view, the ocean breeze? We can still walk into town from here.”

She relaxed in my arms. “What are you saying?”

I hoped she’d love this idea as much as I did. “This lot is for sale. I want us to buy it, build a house big enough to raise four boys, with a huge wraparound porch where we can watch the thunderstorms, read to each other and grow old.”

Her eyelids flickered as if she was trying to find focus. “You want to be based in Worthington?”

We’d been splitting time between Los Angeles and Maine, but the more time I spent on the East Coast, the more I realized I didn’t have to be in LA to have a career. “I thought we could buy a place in Malibu for when I need to be there for work, but spend most of our time right here, just like we’ve been doing these last six months. I don’t want to raise kids in Hollywood.”

She grinned up at me, her arms slipping through mine and circling my waist. “You sound pretty enthusiastic about the kids thing.”

“I’m enthusiastic about everything in my life. Most of all you.”

“Even my yoga pants?”

The first time I’d mentioned getting married had been in a suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel the night Lana first told me she loved me. She’d said we’d talk about it again in six months when I was sick of her yoga pants. I’d always love her—yoga pants and all—and today was six months exactly since that night when our lives together began. I wasn’t about to let her go. I wanted her bound to me in every way possible.

“So, you’ve bought the land?” she asked, looking up at me.

I shook my head. “I’d never make a decision like that without you.” The wind caught a strand of her hair and I tucked it behind her ear. “We’re a team.”

“You couldn’t have said anything better. And I think you might have found the perfect spot. I love it here.”

“We can work with architects and design the house ourselves. You can have a studio. We can build a privacy wall if you want.”

She sighed. “No walls. Not here. It will be our home and I want people to feel welcome when they come here. I don’t want our kids to think they’re locked in. I loved the freedom of growing up in small-town Maine.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Kids, huh?”

She grinned.

“Six months ago, I told you I loved you in yoga pants and always would.”

“Has it been that long?” She glanced over at the ocean. “It feels like nothing and everything has changed.”

“Some things should change. It’s time.”

“Time?” she asked.

“For me to ask. For you to say yes.”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “Here? Now?”

I released her, took a step back and dropped to one knee. “Lana Kelly, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She kneeled in front of me on the grass. “Of course,” she said, flinging her arms around my neck. “I didn’t really think you were going to wait a whole six months.”

I chuckled. “It’s been killing me.”

“What about my ring?”

I shook my head. “No way. As if I’d make a decision like that without you. And anyway, I didn’t know if you’d want one. Or if you might want to make it yourself.”

She pressed her palms to my cheeks and swiped her thumbs along my cheekbones. “I’d really like to wear my mom’s ring, if that would be okay with you. Does that sound weird?”

I leaned and dropped a kiss on her lips. “I think that’s a beautiful idea.”

She pulled back. “I can’t wait for you to be Mr. Kelly.” A huge smile lit up her face.

I chuckled. “Life with you will be a constant challenge. I’m looking forward to every moment.”

* * *

There were no guarantees, but the sky was such a bright blue that I felt sure that any rain would hold off during the ceremony. It was my job to provide shelter from the storm, and today, of all days, I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

Most of the guests were already seated, but there were a few still finding their way in. “Hi, Mrs. Wells,” I said. “Polly. Welcome.” I looked down to find Molly, Polly’s cat, with a big pink bow around her neck.

“Hello, handsome,” Mrs. Wells said with a wink.

I winked back. “I’m glad all three of you could make it.”

“The flowers look perfect,” Polly said. Displays of lilacs and white roses surrounded the chairs, giving the air a perfume that was unmistakably Maine.

“Lana chose them,” I said. “I can’t take any credit.”

“You had the good sense to marry our girl. You deserve a lot of credit for that,” Mrs. Wells said.

“I’m very lucky.” I grinned. Thank God, she hadn’t slipped through my fingers. “My brother will show you to your seats.”

I turned to James, who was looking at Molly and rubbing his brow as if he might be hallucinating. “Sure, follow me,” he replied.

Lana and I had both wanted to get married in Worthington. Lucky for us the mayor had agreed to close off the park for the ceremony, and then the reception would be held back at the new house as a kind of a combination wedding celebration and housewarming.

“Mr. Easton, you’re looking very handsome,” a man said from behind me. I turned to find Mr. Butcher and his fluffy dog dressed in matching tuxes. He lifted Posey slightly. “She’s doing the androgynous look today. And that,” he said, hooking his finger under my lapel, “is Tom Ford, if I’m not mistaken.”

I straightened up my bowtie as I chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right.”

He shrugged. “I’ll never lose my eye for beautiful things.”

“I hope you don’t. I know how much Lana values your opinion.” Mr. Butcher often got to see Lana’s designs before I did, and I liked that she had someone in Worthington who understood how talented she was other than me. “Let me show you to your seat. It’s on my way.” We began to make our way down the aisle.

“I hope you’re going to convince her to hire more help for the store. She needs to be focusing on cultivating her talent.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “I heard about Vogue.”

I placed my finger over my lips. We were all sworn to secrecy, but Vogue had confirmed this week that they were going to be using her jewelry in an upcoming photoshoot featuring young, independent designers.

“I think she wants to concentrate on designing for Barneys, but she’ll still make some very exclusive pieces.” Lana and I had talked about her spending less time in the shop. She had reduced her days, but as more orders came in, the balancing act was becoming too much.

“I knew that girl had something special,” he said.

“You’ll get no argument from me there.” The violins started up and I indicated for Mr. Butcher to take a seat. I nodded as I passed Brian and Sinclair on one side of the aisle and Audrey and her husband on the other. Maine was seeing a slice of Hollywood this afternoon.

I hugged my father, the best man, as I took my spot in front of my friends and family. My three brothers sat in the first row. I was the one who’d wanted a big wedding. Lana would have been happy to go to Vegas. She’d teased me that it was because I liked to be in the spotlight. But really, I wanted to share my happiness and joy with everyone in my life who mattered.

Murmurings at the back of the audience caught my attention, and I turned to find my beautiful fiancée coming toward me, her smile lighting up my world as it always did.

Lana had refused Sinclair’s offer to walk her down the aisle, maintaining that she didn’t need anyone other than her father’s memory to accompany her. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she approached, greeting our guests with nods and smiles on her way. My heart always sped up when she was near and this moment was no different. I was lucky to know this woman. Honored that today she would become my wife.

As she drew nearer, I reached out and guided her up the steps of the bandstand. It seemed fitting that we’d marry where we’d first laid eyes on each other. Life had a funny way of delivering just what I needed, when I needed it. If she’d been a different woman, she might not have come to my rescue that day, called me an idiot, or looked quite so alluring, soaking wet and screaming at me. She looked just as beautiful then as now.

I’d still start a war for this woman. Now and forever.

Lana

There was never a time when my husband looked like anything less than the hottest man on the planet, but as I watched him on stage, holding the Golden Globe for Best TV Mini-Series, I’d never seen him look so handsome. The whole world knew how good-looking he was, but few knew how decent, kind and smart he was. No one but me knew how hard he loved me.

I clapped as ferociously as I could, trying not to cry and ruin my makeup with millions watching.

He swept his hands through his hair, then leaned toward the mic. “Thank you, Audrey. Producing this series with you was the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done in my career. You are always a great partner in crime.” He glanced back at Audrey, who had just given her speech as co-producer, and nodded.

She’d asked me to make her jewelry for the evening, and seeing her up there wearing the earrings and bracelet I’d crafted felt as if I were up there collecting an award myself.

“This award is a tribute to the magnificent cast and crew I was completely privileged to work with. Thank you to everyone who worked on this series and to the studio for taking the chance on some kid from Indiana.”

I held my breath, hoping he’d get to say what he wanted before the music drowned him out.

“I can’t leave the stage before thanking my parents, who taught me what hard work really looks like.”

I grabbed Matt’s father’s hand and squeezed.

“And my brothers, who still keep my feet firmly on the ground.” He took a breath and found me in the crowd. “And finally, thanks to my incredible wife. She sat next to me as I read this book, made me believe I was capable of getting the story of these kids made. She is the brightest star here tonight, and I hope one day I deserve her.” He blew me a kiss and his eyes never left mine as he strode right back to his seat, leaving the organizers confused, as everyone else went backstage to greet the press. But I knew my husband, and I knew he’d want to share every moment of this with me.

He sat and I grabbed his hand as he cupped my face and pressed his lips against mine. Seeing him happy was all I wanted.

“How about we skip these parties and take a plane back to Maine tonight?” he whispered in my ear.

I grinned and shook my head. “Your entire family is in town. They want to celebrate with you,” I said as quietly as I could.

“But I want to celebrate with you,” he said. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

“You have the rest of your life to celebrate with me. I’m not going anywhere. Remember, we’re in that same suite in the Beverly Hills Hotel tonight as we were when I came to see you almost two years ago. We’ve got some memories to relive.”

“You’re very convincing, Mrs. Easton.”

“I know, Mr. Kelly.”

He chuckled and turned his attention back to the stage. “We’re going to have to agree on a surname when we have kids,” he said, squeezing my hand.

“Then that gives us about eight months to come to a decision.” I placed his hand on my belly.

His eyes went wide and he shifted in his seat so his whole body turned toward me. “You took a test?”

I shook my head. “I have one in my bag that we can do when we get back to the hotel. But I’m three weeks late and want to eat nothing but ice cream.”

He cupped my face and pressed his lips to mine. “Fuck the Golden Globe. You just gave me the best prize of all.”