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“Does this mean we can tell her that her mommy and daddy are going to be a real family from now on?”
Her grin brings me more joy than I could have thought possible. “I think we should. But… we still have to figure out our living situation.”
I take her hand and lead her over to the couch, where I position her right on my lap. “I was thinking about that on the plane… you know, in case things worked out how I wanted.”
“Oh, you were, were you?” Her hands circle behind my neck.
“I think we should find somewhere to live full-time—somewhere not in Los Angeles. I’ll keep my Malibu house for us to use when we want or if I need to be in town for a premiere or press junket or something, but otherwise, I’ll live with you guys. I’m at the point in my career where I only want to take on passion projects anyway, and half the time I’m on location so I wouldn’t be home even if we did live in Los Angeles. I want you and Monica to be removed from the press and the LA scene and only be as involved as you want. What do you say?”
Lilah brings her hand to my cheek, and I kiss her palm. “I think that sounds perfect. I’ll have to figure out something to do though. It’s become apparent that I won’t be able to work a regular job.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What happened?”
She shrugs. “Just the press calling the office or booking appointments and trying to pretend that they’re patients so they can try to get information from my coworkers.”
“I’m sorry, Lilah.” I squeeze her hand.
“That’s okay. You’re worth it.” She leans in to kiss me again, but I gently push her back by the shoulders. She frowns.
“I have one condition though.”
Her frown gets bigger. “What’s the condition?”
I can see the concern in her eyes. “This whole plan only works if you’re my wife.”
She gasps and her hands cover her mouth. I can already see tears forming in her eyes.
I draw her hands away from her mouth and kiss her knuckles. “I don’t have a ring or anything with me since I was already on the plane when I read the article, but I’ll get you the biggest, gaudiest rock there is.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t need a big ring, I just need you.”
“Is that a yes?”
“That’s a yes. Pinkie swear.” She holds her pinkie out to me, and I wrap mine around hers.
“Pinkie swear.”
I’ve wanted this for as long as I can remember. Even at our lowest points, I wanted us to be a committed couple. We sure as hell took the long way around, but in the end, we landed where we should be—together. And for the first time ever, I have no doubt it will stay that way.
Epilogue
MONICA
Twenty Years Later
I catch Mom and Dad in an embrace in the empty hall, and I’m not sure whether I should interrupt or not. They’re always doing this—sneaking off to share a private moment together. Even if it's at a premiere for one of my dad’s films, they always find time to share a private moment.
I wait until they pull apart before I clear my throat to gain their attention. Both their heads swivel in my direction.
“There’s my girl.” Dad smiles at me. I swear sometimes I still feel like a small child when he looks at me with this much pride.
“Everything all set?” Mom asks.
“Yep. The press is all here, and Zac and Noah are out there waiting too.”
I don’t bother to mention that I had to pull my teenage brothers away from hitting on the same girl. I love them, but those two are trouble. No wonder Dad has salt and pepper at his temples now.
“Okay, kiddo, we’re coming.” Mom walks over to me and pulls me into a hug.
