Page 105 of Beyond the Spotlight Discreet Version

“Reynold Michael Kane, you showed up in my life at an uncertain time when love had failed me. When I decided to leave my old life to start a new one, I considered other cities: New Orleans, Chicago, Miami... I kept coming back to New York City. Something was calling to me and I think it was you.”

She glances at Adeline.

“And Addy.” Addy giggles and swings her legs in the white chair. “You offered me something I never dreamed I could have: true love. You took care of me, sometimes too much, and you protected me. You respected me and trusted me with the most important job in the world. I cannot wait to marry you, and I promise to always take care of you in return, to trust and respect you and protect you.”

“You’re going to protect me?” I muse.

She nods. “I’ll protect you from being alone again. From never being without a family again. And I’ll protect you from the fame because to the world you are Rey. To me? You’re Reynold. The single dad on the plane who the media exploits because some bad things happened to him.”

Still holding her hands, I tug and pull Savannah against my body so I can kiss her. She’s crying and I’m crying, so I move my mouth to her cheeks to kiss the tears away.

Victoria clears her throat. “We’re not at that part yet.”

Laughter fills the air and I release my soon-to-be wife and step back.

“Sorry. Proceed.”

Victoria rolls her eyes at me. “Can we please have the rings?”

Mylan stands and feels around his suit jacket. He puts on a show, pretending he doesn’t have it. Savannah is giggling, but I’m glaring at him, letting my best friend know I will kick his ass. Mylan’s face lights up and he extracts a box from his suit pocket. It’d been there the whole time, the wanker. He hands it to me.

Both of our rings are inside. Savannah takes the band meant for me and I take her gold band, then give the box to back to Mylan.

I put Savannah’s ring on first.

“Reynold Michael Kane,” Victoria begins. “Do you promise to love and cherish Savannah for the rest of your life until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“Savannah Beth Monroe, do you promise to love and cherish Reynold for the rest of your life until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“By the power vested in me and the state of Georgia, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Victoria announces. “Nowyou may kiss the bride.”

She doesn’t have to tell me twice. She didn’t even have to tell me once. I scoop Savannah up in my arms and kiss her more deeply, more passionately than before. The crowd stands and cheers.

We part and I take Savannah’s hand, weaving her fingers with mine. We walk down the aisle, heading to the reception hall where we’ll celebrate.

Everyone in our friend group got their happily ever after in their own special way. Life is full of surprises. None of us thought we would be married with kids. We all grew up with hardships. We all faced loss. And we all found our own families to feel complete once again.

Then, there are my best friends. Mylan and Jensen. We are just three guys who fell in love with women who challenged us, who believed in us, and who gave us hope that there’s more to life beyond the bright lights, the fame, and the spotlight.

The end