Walter returns with our food and wordlessly sits it in front of us.
Ivy looks down at her plate. “It doesn’t look the same.”
“It may taste just as good.”
“It may.”
I lean over the table and kiss her briefly. “Say the word and I’ll take you back to England. Whenever you want.”
“Oh yeah? She smiles. “Is this offer valid indefinitely?”
“Forever,” I say.
And then she says words that are as unexpected as they are elating. “Let’s get married.”
“What? Are you … serious?”
“Why wait? It would be quick, but I don’t have any doubts. Not anymore.”
I look into her beautiful green eyes for a moment, searching for any sense of doubt. There is none. “It will be my incredible honor to be your husband, Ivy.”
“Good. That’s settled,” she says, eyes sparkling, then in her English accent adds, “I’m looking forward to forever, darling.”
Epilogue
IVY--THREE YEARS LATER
“Whatareyoudoinghere? You just had a baby. I was gonna send something over to you in a bit,” Rebecca Parker says as she scoops my toddler into her arms and kisses his cheek. “Good morning, Ben. How are you today?”
“I’m tired, Nana. Mummy woke me up too early and said we were gonna get breakus.” He rubs his black curly hair against his nana’s neck and closes his eyes. He calls me Mummy, and it’s the most wonderful thing I have ever heard.
“I wanted a bowl, and I haven’t been out of the house in four days. Alex is smothering me. We had to get out before he woke up. I’d forgotten what he was like when Ben was born, and I swear he is twice as bad this time.” I sit at the nearest table, and Rebecca reaches out with her free hand to gently touch the baby’s bald head where it pokes out from behind the fabricthat straps her to me.
Teddy Parker’s voice booms as he walks from the back. “Well, I thought I heard my babies were in here.” He has been a surprisingly enthusiastic grandparent. He’d always seemed to be the more subdued of the couple, but he has taken to being a grandparent with zeal.
Ben’s eyes fly open at the sound of his voice. “Pop!” He straightens and turns toward his pop, who then takes him from Rebecca.
I stand as Teddy approaches. He puts an arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. “How are you, sweetheart?”
Also unexpected, the bond I’ve formed with Teddy. I never had a dad until I met him. And Rebecca has turned into the mom I always wanted. I’ve not seen my birthmother in four years. And now, I have too much love in my life to care.
“I’m tired and hungry,” I answer.
“You want your usual?” Rebecca asks. I nod, and she disappears to the kitchen.
“And how is Princess Parker?”
Yes, Alex and I named our baby girl for the Parkers. Ben is named after Alex’s father, Benjamin, with the middle name Grant, which was Alex’s Mom's last name before she got married.
“She only woke twice last night, so I’d say she’s doing pretty good.”
The restaurant suddenly goes quiet, and I don’t have to look to know why. By and large, the town has gotten used to the mega movie star living amongst them, but for many, the novelty hasn’t quite worn off. It certainly hasn’t helped that press for his upcoming, and possibly last, movie is going strong.
“Ivy. What in the world? Do you know what it’s like to wake up to an entirely empty house?”
I turn to face him fully.
“Good morning, my love,” I say just as Ben throws his arms in the air and calls from his perch in Teddy’s arms. “Daddy!”
