Page 29 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)

“They’re my babies. I know them,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. He gently wiped the wetness and she said, “I didn’t know anything specific, but when I looked into his innocent eyes, in the deepest part of my soul I felt that he might need some extra love and support from us, that’s all.”

He kissed her forehead and said, “The best thing I ever did was to fall in love with you and make our beautiful family.”

“I feel the same way,” she said, pressing her mouth to his.

The moment was broken when Albert hollered, “Guys, stop making out. Betty and Khalil are here!”

Ella and Finn giggled and sauntered over.

“Oh, my angel,” Ella said, wrapping Betty in an embrace.

“My turn,” Finn said, giving his daughter a big hug.

“Hi, Khalil,” Ella said. “It’s so nice to see you.”

“Yes, great to see you,” Finn added, shaking his hand.

“Thank you for having me. I’m honored to be included in such a special occasion,” Khalil replied, slinging his arm around Betty.

Finn and Ella exchanged a curious glance and then looked at Betty’s serene expression.

Ella said, “Uh, if you two would like to unpack, we set up the blue guest room for Khalil, but perhaps . . .”

“Thanks, but that won’t be necessary. Khalil can stay with me in my room.” Betty turned to Khalil, and they smiled at each other. She turned back to her parents and said, “We’re much more than friends. We’re in love.”

“I love your daughter very much,” Khalil gushed, before pecking Betty’s cheek.

Ella and Finn beamed.

“It’s terrific, sweetheart,” Finn said.

“How wonderful! We couldn’t be happier for you,” Ella added, surprise on her face.

“What is it, Mom?” Betty asked.

“To be honest, I didn’t know if you believed in romantic love. I’m so glad that you do.”

“I’m not sure I believe in happy endings, but Khalil and I both believe in happy beginnings.

That’s all we need.” They smiled at each other, and Betty turned back to the group.

“I never knew you could fall hopelessly in love with your best friend. The only downside is that Georgia turned out to be right.”

“No surprise there!” Georgia screeched as she flitted out back, holding a young man’s hand.

“Little peach!” Finn exclaimed.

“Hi, Dad,” she said as they hugged.

Georgia proceeded to greet the others.

When she hugged Albert, he whispered in her ear, “I told Dad. He was fine with it, and my boyfriend is coming tomorrow.”

“That’s great, snot face,” she whispered affectionately.

“You’re on time,” Ella remarked. “I’m speechless.”

Georgia laughed. “You can thank my better half for that. Everyone, this is Roo.” Before anyone could greet him, Georgia continued, “My fiancé.”

“Oh my God!” Ella squealed.

“As always, a hell of an entrance,” Betty joked.

“Your fiancé?” Finn asked in disbelief.

“We fell madly in love over the summer,” Georgia said, looking into her beloved’s eyes.

“Yes, we did,” Roo added, kissing Georgia’s forehead.

He turned to Finn and said, “I hope you’re not traditional and that you’ll forgive I didn’t ask for your blessing.

I just couldn’t wait a single moment to ask this beauty to spend the rest of our lives together.

You see, I can’t possibly live without her. ”

“Nor I without you,” Georgia said as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“I can relate,” Finn said. “The same thing happened when I met Ella. When you find the one, everything changes.”

“Thank you. My mum said she can’t wait to talk to you both. She thinks it’s some kind of poetic fate that Georgia and I met doing a film with Jean. She remembers fondly her summer filming Celebration when you two fell in love,” Roo said.

“So do we,” Finn replied, draping his arm around Ella.

“Well, there’s a whole lot to celebrate. How about I fetch us some champagne?” Ella suggested.

The kids all nodded.

Finn followed her into the kitchen to help. Ella began fixing a serving tray with snacks—cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, dried figs and apricots—while Finn popped two bottles of champagne and started filling flutes.

Georgia vaulted into the room and flitted over to Ella. She squeezed her shoulders and said, “I wanted to say thank you, for our talk when I came over.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Ella replied.

“Look at my ring,” Georgia said, holding her hand up. “It was his grandmother’s. The stone reminds him of me.”

Ella smiled. “It’s absolutely beautiful. He must love you very much. You didn’t tell me it was Rupert. Heavens, I remember when he was just a wish in his mother’s heart. Then when she was pregnant, and later when he was born.”

“Me too,” Finn added, filling the last glass. He chuckled. “It’s funny because Charlotte and I played spouses in Celebration , and in real life, we all felt like family on that set. Now we are family.”

“And so it continues, life imitates art,” Ella remarked. She huffed and mused, “Or perhaps art inspires life.”

Just then, all the others ambled into the kitchen.

“We came to see if you needed help, or lost your way,” Betty said.

Finn smiled and said, “Everyone, pick up a glass. We can toast and then bring everything outside.” When each person had a glass raised, he slung his arm around Ella and continued, “To Georgia and Roo. We wish you a lifetime of happiness. Love each other fearlessly and you will live in a constant state of hope. That’s our wish for all our children. To love. Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

Everyone sipped their champagne. Finn and Ella put their glasses down and looked deeply into each other’s eyes, as if discovering a whole world no one else could see.

They smiled softly. Finn planted a tiny kiss on the tip of her nose and rested his forehead against hers, stealing an intimate moment.

The others all found themselves staring.

Khalil whispered to Betty, “Your parents are very much in love.”

“They sure are,” she replied.

“It’s great, isn’t it?” Georgia whispered.

“The best,” Albert agreed.