AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hunter takes a deep breath before taking my hand, reaching into his back pocket to pull out a tiny Tiffany ring box. He opens it to reveal a sparkling diamond engagement ring inside.
My jaw drops. I’m speechless.
“Eden Halloway Spencer… I wanted to wait for the right time to ask, but now I realize there’s no such thing as the right time, so I want to ask you here and now.”
My eyes prickle with tears. I can hardly believe what I’m hearing.
“I feel like I’ve waited for a woman like you my whole life,” he continues. “You’re smart, you’re brave, and you know exactly how to keep me humble.”
I laugh at this last part. “Someonehas to do it.”
Hunter grins. “You have given me so much, Eden, and all I want to do is spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me. I want to be there for you when you get your medical degree. I want to be there to raise Lucas together. I want to be there for all the ups and downs life might throw our way. I love you, Eden, and I can’t imagine spending another day without you. Will you marry me?”
I nod, so happy I think my heart might burst. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”
He slips the ring onto my finger and kisses me like it’s the only thing he knows how to do. As our friends clap and cheer, my world has never felt more complete.
Chapter 50
Tip #50: Progress takes time.
HUNTER
We find a lovely spot up in Glendale to call home. Plenty of big parks, charming shops, and we aren’t constantly bombarded by the noise of downtown traffic. It’s still close enough that I can hop on the highway and drive down to Star Rider Studios, but I can usually get by with meetings over video calls.
I never thought I’d be the kind of guy to own a smaller house with a backyard, a white picket fence, and a porch swing, but here I am. Our four-bedroom home is located in a tranquil cul-de-sac with a small kiddie pool set up on the front lawn.
Lucas is a year old, dressed in his dinosaur-themed swimming trunks with a big blue bucket hat atop his head to shield him from the sun. Eden sits with him in the kiddie pool, dressed in a black bikini with a white embroidered cover up. They splash around in the cool water, enjoying the hot summer day.
“Mama!” Lucas says, reaching for Eden.
She giggles lightly. “Yes, sweetie, I’m here.”
I’m seated about two feet away in a plastic lawn chair, scrolling through all the emails I have flagged in my inbox. I’ve been getting a lot of producers reaching out to me about the possibility of directing their latest passion project, but so far, none of the scripts they’ve sent my way have caught my interest. Now that I have another Oscar to decorate my shelf with, everyone seems to want to sign me on.
I always reply and give them the same standard response. I’m flattered that they thought of me, but I’m currently engrossed in a project of my own.
I’ve spent the better part of six months workshopping the idea with Charlie. The barriers to entry in our line of work can sometimes feel impossible without the right connections and resources. For the aspiring director or cinematographer, the most obvious step to take would be to go to film school to learn the more technical aspects of making a film.
But I know firsthand that making movie magic is so much more than understanding terms and how to set up a frame and what kind of lens to use. There’s an art to making a film, beauty in the craft. Such things can’t be learned in the classroom, but through experience.
“How’s the mentorship program coming?” Eden asks me over her shoulder. She cups some water in her hands and trickles it down Lucas’ arm to cool him. The sun is harsh, and she’s already applied a third layer of sunscreen, but there’s no denying the heat of the air.
“It’s good,” I tell her. “I’ve finally worked out the last of the kinks. Charlie and I will be opening applications very soon.”
“I think it’s great what you’re doing. What better way to learn than on the job?”
I smile at my wife. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Dada!” Lucas calls.
Putting my iPad aside, I join my family by the pool. There’s no room left for me, but I’m happy to sit next to them in the green grass. “Having fun, little man?”
“Who’s hungry?” Annabeth calls from the porch. She steps out with Mei-Lee, both of them holding trays of freshly squeezed lemonade and cucumber sandwiches.
“Yum!” Lucas declares, using his mother’s knee to keep his balance as he stands. He takes three steps forward before sitting back down again, the exertion of learning to walk on his own exhausting.
Annabeth giggles. “They grow up so fast, don’t they? Just you wait. Before you know it, he’ll learn how to run andthat’swhenthe mayhem starts.”
