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“Oh! I was so busy looking out over the people we love, I didn’t start my speech.” I flash Sebastian a smile before turning my attention back to the small crowd. “We’ve gathered you here today to make an announcement.” I make a flourish with my arm. “We’ve built a house!”
My parents look even more surprised than I thought they would, and everyone starts cheering and clapping. A chorus of “What?” and “This is yours?” accent Alec’s ear-splitting whistle.
“Before you think I’m a dishonorable man, I’ll tell you, I asked her to marry me last night. And she said yes.”
He moves to give me a light peck on the lips, but I hook his neck with my elbow and smash into him with fervent zeal.
This man is gonna be my husband, people! My excitement for that cannot be contained.
There are catcalls and more whistles, and an “Okay guys. That’s enough,” from Ethan. We finally break apart.
“Now that it’s finished, I’m moving in,” I say. “And then Sebastian will stay in his suite at the resort until the wedding.”
I step to the edge of the porch to show off my ring, and the women especially crowd around to ogle the heavy, diamond-encrusted beauty.
“I started building this house as sort of a tangible reminder that Longdale is home.” Sebastian pauses, fighting an undercurrent of emotion. I squeeze him into my side-hug even tighter. “And then Elianna came into my life—thank you, Ethan—and the drive to create a place to land grew even more. I knew pretty quickly I wanted this to be her home, too.”
“You have me to thank, too, Sebastian,” Britta says, standing near Stella. “If I hadn’t quit, you wouldn’t have gotten to know Elianna.”
There’s laughter from the crowd again, and Sebastian and I nod. “That’s true. Thank you, Britta!” I shout.
“Yes, thank you, Britta,” Sebastian says. “Not only for that, but for all your years of hard work.” He takes a moment to pause. “I thought you all should know I was informed recently that I didn’t make the Deca Arete list like I’d hoped.”
Our friends and family groan. By last December, he’d informed everyone of his goal, and we’d all been waiting to hear if Tate International made it or not.
“It’s okay,” Sebastian assures everyone. “I’m really okay with it.”
“He did make the list of ‘Businesses to Watch,’” I add. “And the magazine informed him he’s in the running for the ‘Under Age 40 Entrepreneur of the Year’ award.” He told me not to say anything, but I couldn’t help it.
Sebastian waves away the praise. “Ready to see our home?” He reaches behind a shrub off the porch and brandishes a jumbo-sized pair of scissors.
My heart starts pumping even more rapidly than before. I insisted we do this whole ribbon cutting thing for the reveal. It’s a beautiful home, symbolizing the start of a beautiful new life. It warrants all the big red bows.
He and I both hold the scissors and slice through the ribbon, then we motion for everyone to head inside. I’m reminded of the first time I was here, seeing another side of Sebastian that I’d never known.
The man, my man, is steady as a rock. But there are moments that still surprise me sometimes. Like now, as he swoops me up in his arms to carry me across the threshold.
I squeal and cling to his shoulders and neck as he steps into our house. I hope my pink lace top with subtle corset vibes isn’t riding up my back. I had to dress up for this special occasion.
“You’re supposed to do thatafterthe wedding,” Gabriel says.
“Oh, I’ll do it then, too.”
“I think you should carry her across the threshold every time you get home,” Oakley says good naturedly.
As we’re showing off our house with clean lines, basic and textured finishes in neutrals with pops of magenta, purple, and blue, our four parents corner us.
“How come you never said anything about building a house?” Celine asks us. “This is a big deal.”
Sebastian flexes his neck from side to side before opening his mouth. “I thought about telling you many times. Maybe I wasn’t quite ready to admit I wanted to settle down, to slow down.”
“Does this mean you’ll sell your home in Dana Point?” my mother asks.
“No,” I say. “We’re never getting rid of our little beach cottage. I’ll still help the Capistrano Players with three productions a year, now that the playhouse and stage are almost completely renovated.” I sneak a peek at Sebastian. “Going back and forth hasn’t been too bad yet.”
“I want to build a resort in Orange County someday,” Sebastian adds.
Thomas Tate has been very quiet this whole evening, but my dad pipes up. “And what about the theater troop here in Longdale?”
