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“We’re putting onThe Drowsy Chaperonein a month, Dad,” I tell him. “In the new outdoor theater at the resort.”
My heart splutters at the thought of it—the intricate stone shoring on the front of the composite wood stage, the thick black velvet curtain, the natural backdrop of evergreens and aspens.
It’s a dream. Made possible by my love, Sebastian.
He kisses me above my eyebrow. “She’s been helping the director and producer so much. She’s adding a lot of credibility to the process.”
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“Well,” Celine says, throwing her hands open wide. “We couldn’t be happier for the two of you. We love you both.” She gathers us in a hug, and my parents join in. Even my soon-to-be father-in-law, Thomas, brings a hand up to Sebastian’s shoulder.
We serve appetizers and drinks and socialize until the sun’s low over the mountains across the lake.
“Get over here,” Sebastian says, as he pulls me close in the kitchen. “Are you having fun?” he whispers in my ear.
I shudder as goosebumps cascade throughout my body. “Yes, but I’ll be having a lot more fun after we’re married.”
He shivers visibly. “Tell me about it,” he growls.
I step back and grab his hand. “I have a surprise for you.” I lead him through the kitchen, the dining room, and out to the patio. “I don’t think I’ll ever step out here without remembering our names are carved into the concrete right over there,” I say, glancing behind me to toss him a smile.
“Me, either.”
We walk along the grass and back behind several scrub oaks near the edge of the property. Oakley and Sophie stand there, knowing grins on their faces.
“We’ll leave you to it,” they say, handing me a large, heavy nail. I thank them for their help setting this surprise up.
Sebastian doesn’t have time to ask me what this is all about before I pull him around the corner and show him a table. On it are two molds holding fresh concrete in a dark, earthen grey.
“It’s wet cement—your favorite thing,” he says.
“That’s right. Stepping stones. The largest molds I could find.” I wanted to do something to commemorate this moment. “And look at all the gems and rocks we can add.”
“So, what are we going to write?” he asks, nuzzling my ear before trapping the lobe gently in his teeth.
I hand him the nail. “Surprise me.”
We each work on our prospective stepping stones, and he groans at me when I try to look at what he’s doing.
“Don’t look yet,” he says.
When he finally shows me, I’m not prepared for what he’s written: “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”
Both hands fly to my mouth. “Much Ado About Nothing? Wearesort of like Beatrice and Benedick.”
He nods. “Show me what you wrote on yours,” his voice is husky, weathered.
“Another Shakespeare quote, this one fromAll’s Well that Ends Well,” I say, and read the red-jeweled stone aloud. “’A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee.’”
My eyes sting with misty tears. “That’s how I feel, Sebastian. Loving you is heaven on earth.”
He pulls me into a kiss, rough at first, then he slows, coaxing me with his mouth. Patient. Strong.
When we break apart, he fumbles in his suitcoat pocket and pulls out cardboard tickets. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give these to you. And I think this is it.”
Air zips over my teeth as I see the logo. “The Globe Theater?”
“Will you honeymoon with me in London on the River Thames? And of course, we’ll go to Stratford-Upon-Avon, too.”
I choke out a yes as I jump into his arms, my legs wrapping around his waist. He holds me as I giggle and cry. I kiss every part of his face and neck, over and over again, until his deep bass laugh, pure and sweet echoes to my ears.
That’s it. The sound I crave and live for. From the man I can’t live without.
