One Year Later
I RESTED MY HEAD ON Dean’s shoulder with a sigh as the limo broke away from the crowd and was finally able to pick up speed. The evening had been a whirlwind of activities that had left me happy and proud, but also exhausted. The very first time we went out in public as a couple had been when we attended the Oscars. Walking beside him at the red-carpet event had been surreal, to say the least.
Dean had tried to warn me ahead of time, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the reality of having thousands of people screaming his name, cameras constantly going off in our faces, and hundreds of questions regarding our relationship status. The entire thing had been overwhelming and had shaken me up quite a bit, but all I had to do was look over at Dean and I felt a calmness settle over me.
My boyfriend always had that effect on me. It didn’t matter where we were or what was happening, all I had to do was see his face or the love in his eyes as he gazed back at me. Within seconds, he’d lose that practiced smile he gave the public and his eyes would soften as his lips turned up into the special smile reserved just for me. I’d feel a sense of peace and contentment wash over me, but I wasn’t the only one affected. Dean would visibly relax too, his shoulders losing some of their tension and the tightness in his jaw all but disappearing. It usually only lasted a second or two, before we were caught up in the media circus once again, but it was enough to reconnect us; to remind us who we really were and to get us through until we could be alone together.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever get completely used to having someone snapping pictures of us together when we were out on a date, or following me from our house to a local coffee shop. I mean, how many people cared what kind of coffee I drank or what I was wearing just because I was dating a movie star? But even Dean struggled with the paparazzi’s overzealous need to be in our business on occasion and he’d had several more years to adapt to it. It was all worth it in the end though, because I got to fall asleep each night in the arms of the man I loved.
“You were amazing tonight, but then again, you’re amazing every night,” Dean said, kissing the top of my head. I lifted it and turned to look at him, smiling as I drank in the sight of my lover. He was sexy no matter what he wore and even when he wore nothing at all, particularly when he wore nothing at all. However, Dean in a custom-tailored tuxedo that matched the coal black of his hair, with his chiseled jaw and bright green eyes, was absolutely breathtaking.
“You’re the amazing one. No one else could’ve taken the role of Daniel and given him as much depth and compassion as you did. If you don’t win an Oscar for that performance, then I’m going to demand a recount.”
Dean laughed and shook his head at me. “It was the role I’d always been hoping for, that’s for sure. To finally play a gay man, falling in love on screen, and for it to have a happy ending instead of the tragic endings most gay films have…I don’t know, maybe it’ll give gay people everywhere some hope, particularly gay youth who are just beginning to try and navigate their way through this world. And maybe it’ll open other people’s eyes so that they can see that our love is no different from theirs and not something to be afraid of or condemn.”
He reached out, cupping my cheek with one hand and gazing at me adoringly. “And it’s all because of you. None of this would’ve happened without your loving heart and creative mind. You are the one who gave Daniel and Gordon a voice. You brought them to life when you wrote your story.”
I smiled shyly, feeling my face heat up under his praise. It had been turning red all night as he’d bragged about me to anyone and everyone who would listen at the premiere of our movie. After I’d finished writing my book, I’d given it to Dean to read. With my permission, he’d immediately taken it to Gregory Moss, who suggested I help turn it into a script that he and Dean could use to make into a movie. I’d been shocked at first, but the more I thought about it and the more I saw the eagerness on Dean’s face, the more excited I’d become. Spending every day on the set, learning everything involved with making a movie and watching Dean in his element, made all the hard work and long days worthwhile.
“Well, you brought them to life on screen, so I’d say we make a pretty good team. Besides, there wouldn’t have even been a story without you, because Written on My Heart was based on our story, of our love and commitment to each other,” I reminded him.
He kissed me, long and slow. “I love the story of us and, apparently, so did a lot of other people. It was nice to see so much public support. I’d been prepared for more backlash or a significant drop in my fan base, but so far, it doesn’t seem to have happened.”
“That’s a good thing too,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I thought my mom was going to lose it when that one guy shouted out that we were an abomination.”
Dean shook his head at the memory but smiled. “There will always be that one guy, there always is in any crowd. I was pretty impressed with your mom though. I knew she loved you, but tonight I got to see the mama bear come out and it was quite scary.”
I laughed. “Yeah, she can be rather protective sometimes, but that wasn’t just because of me. She was trying to protect both of us. She loves you too, you know. Sometimes I even think she’d push me in front of a bus to save you.”
“I doubt she’d let a bus hit you,” he replied, but I could see the pleased smile on his face. My parents had fallen in love with him the very first time they met him, immediately treating him like he was their very own, and Dean had soaked it up, basking in all that parental love and care that he’d never received from his own mom and dad.
“It was nice to have all of our friends and family in one place for once. I just wish they’d been able to stay and not rush off to catch a plane right after the premiere,” I said.
Dean squeezed my hand. “Baby, we can fly to Chicago anytime you want, and your parents are coming out to stay with us for a week next month.”
I smiled at the reminder. “I can’t wait.”
“Me either. I’m going to get so spoiled,” he announced, gleefully.
I was laughing as the limo turned into our driveway and dropped us off in front of the house. Dean took my hand as we climbed the steps. I looked over at him as I noticed his hand shaking slightly in mine but figured I must have imagined it when he smiled at me as he opened the door. He moved in behind me once we got inside and nuzzled his face into my neck. My entire body melted into his at the feel of his touch.
“Why don’t we go outside and sit for a while? It’s a beautiful night and I don’t really feel like going to bed just yet,” he whispered, his warm breath blowing across the nape of my neck and making me shiver.
“Okay,” I answered breathlessly.
He took my hand, leading us out through the set of wide french doors and onto the veranda, which overlooked the custom-built, Olympic-size pool and sweeping landscape. When I stepped through the doors however, I gasped, my feet freezing in place. I felt like I was dreaming as I looked down at what had once been our backyard but that now resembled a beach. Not just any beach, but Maui. Sand covered the concrete surrounding the pool, our surfboards leaned up against one wall and tiki torches cast a romantic glow over the entire area.
Dean led me down the steps, careful not to let me fall since I was shaking. I let go of him as we walked out onto the sand, turning in a circle as I tried to wrap my head around everything I was seeing. Hawaiian music played over the outdoor speakers and new lights had been added so that the waterfall cascading into the pool lit up in beautiful blues, greens, and reds. The bar had been redecorated to look just like the bar where we first met.
I turned to him to ask him how he’d managed to pull off this surprise without me knowing, but he wasn’t standing beside me anymore. My eyes dropped to where he was down on one knee, a tiny black box held open in his hand and a hopeful look in his eyes. My eyes filled with tears and my hand flew to my mouth as it all finally came together in my mind.
“Two weeks. That was all it took for me to know that I had found my true love, my soul mate, the one person I can never live without. You have made me happier than I have ever been in my life and you’ve filled my heart and my home with the kind of love that I’d only dreamed about. If you say yes to me, I promise to love you and cherish you for as long as I live. Garrett Sullivan, will you marry me?”
He barely got the last two words out before I was bending down and kissing him. “Yes. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
I could feel his smile as he kissed me back then he rose to his feet and slipped the ring on my finger. My head was swirling, and it took a minute to realize that the sound I was hearing was more than the blood rushing through my ears, but hands clapping. My head whipped around, and my tears finally spilled over, rolling down my cheeks freely as I saw all of our friends and family coming out of various hiding places. They hadn’t left for the airport but had come here instead to share this special moment with us.
I turned to Dean who was grinning widely, tears tracking down his own cheeks. I’d never seen him look happier, and it made my heart swell that I could do that for him. Even in my wildest dreams, I would’ve never thought that a love like ours could exist. Dean had given me more love and joy and peace than I had ever known in my life and I would spend every day for the rest of my life, trying to give it all back to him.
He grabbed me in his arms and kissed me, pouring all of his love into me. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. I knew that we’d have our share of ups and downs, just like any other couple, but we’d work through them together, as a team, never giving up. Because if you were lucky enough to find your true love, what other choice did you have? That person would be indelibly written on your heart forever.
THE END