Page 30 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)

E lla opened her eyes and turned to see Finn sitting beside her, propped up against pillows. She slung her arm across his stomach and whispered, “Good morning, my love.”

“Good morning, sweetheart,” he said, sweeping his fingers down her arm until they found her hand.

“I heard you tossing and turning last night. How long have you been awake?”

He sighed. “A while. I just can’t get Albert off my mind. He started crying, Ella. When I told him I love him and that nothing had changed, he burst into tears. Like he had been so afraid of how I would react. It gutted me.”

“That’s because of how deeply you love him,” she said, giving his hand a supportive squeeze.

“Clearly, I messed up. Failed him. I—”

“No more of that,” she interjected. “Look at me.” He looked into her eyes, and she said, “You’re his Superman.

Don’t you see that? He admires you more than anyone.

He’s still finding his footing. It must have been incredibly daunting to tell you of all people something that feels so big to him.

It’s not because of anything you did wrong.

It’s because of his sensitive, extraordinary soul, how much he adores you, and the bond you two share. ”

Finn lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Thank you.”

“I’m only telling you the truth.”

“I hope that’s how he feels.”

“He’s so happy his boyfriend is coming today,” Ella said. “That’s because he wants to introduce you two.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting him. Albert told me a little about him. They sound like a good match, like they balance each other.”

“Oh, Finn, I’m so glad the kids each have someone special.

Don’t get me wrong. They’re all still so young and it’s not like I’m trying to marry them off, or that I care if they ever choose to marry.

It’s just that I want them to know what it’s like to love with an open heart.

The joy, giddiness, lust, comfort, exhilaration, even the devastation.

All of it. I want them to know what that is .

. . what it is when we let go of our borders.

I want them to experience that beautiful space where the trees touch the sky and we can no longer tell what’s what, and we don’t care. ”

“Me too.”

“Now come here and snuggle me. It’s our wedding day after all.”

He laughed, scooched down beside her, and they lay face-to-face. He caressed her cheek and whispered, “God, I love you.”

“Good, because I love you.” They shared a quiet moment and Ella said, “We’re going to have to drag ourselves out of bed. Brunch is in a couple hours. The caterers dropped everything off last night, but there’s still a lot to do, heating things up and setting the outdoor table.”

“How are we dressing for today?” he asked.

“Casual for brunch. Then I thought you and I could change before the ceremony. Maybe it’s silly, but I bought a wedding dress.”

Finn kissed the tip of her nose. “My bride, even more beautiful today than the day we met.”

“Thank goodness your eyesight has declined.”

He laughed and tenderly ran his finger from her brow to her cheekbone. “Trust me, I see you exactly as you are.”

“No, you see me as you are, through the filter of those generous, loving eyes. That’s the magic of what love does.”

“It sure is.”

“Finn, today let’s celebrate that despite the challenges life brings, we somehow always manage to love each other.”

“Show me,” he said with a devilish look as he slipped his hand under her nightgown. “Let’s start the day off right.”

“We have to set up the table.”

“It can wait,” he said, weaving his fingers into her hair and kissing her passionately.

“OH MY GOD, MY FACE HURTS,” ELLA SAID as everyone continued to laugh hysterically.

“It’s true,” Roo insisted. “Jean almost had a bloody stroke.”

“I can picture the whole thing,” Ella sputtered through her laughter.

“Well, this has been so much fun, getting to know everyone,” Finn said, looking around the table at his children each seated beside their special guest. “Would anyone like more? I think I should get those leftovers inside.”

“I’ll help,” Ryan offered, rising. Albert grazed his hand, and they exchanged smiles before Ryan grabbed a quiche and followed Finn into the kitchen.

Finn put plastic wrap over the leftovers and loaded them into the refrigerator. “Thank you,” he said to Ryan.

“I know today is a family event. Thank you for having me,” Ryan said.

“It’s our pleasure,” Finn replied. He took a breath and continued, “I actually wanted to apologize for not having met you sooner. Albert told me that caused some problems in your relationship, and I’m so sorry.

” He stopped and shook his head. “Ella and I always wanted our family to feel close. We wanted our kids to feel loved and supported for who they are. Clearly, I did something wrong as a father to make him so anxious about being open with me. That was never my intention and I feel awful. I was up half the night trying to figure it out and—”

“Sir, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Ryan interrupted. “Al loves you guys more than anything in the world. He feels super close to all of you. It’s the reason I wanted to meet you so badly. Because of how important you are to him. Being a part of this family is everything to him.”

Finn ran his hand through his hair. “Really?”

Ryan nodded. “You’re all so accomplished, confident, and larger than life. Al’s quieter. That’s just his way. He worries that means maybe he doesn’t fit in as much, but I think it’s what makes him fit in even more. It makes him special.”

“I think so too,” Finn said.

“He always goes on and on that his mother is the sweetest person in the world, his sisters are the smartest and most talented, and you, well, Al completely worships you. You’re his hero.

” Surprise and joy washed across Finn’s face.

Ryan continued, “You’re the reason he took those animation classes over the summer.

He thought if he could use his artistic skills to do something in filmmaking, it would be another way to be close to you.

To have something in common and be more like you, but in his own way. ”

“I . . . I don’t know what to say,” Finn stuttered. “I just assumed that I had screwed up and . . .”

“It’s just hard for some guys to tell their fathers, that’s all. In Al’s case, it’s because of how much he loves you. Looks up to you.”

Finn smiled warmly. “Thank you. Thank you for telling me all of that. It means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome. I probably shouldn’t have pressured him. I just wanted our relationship to be free, for him to be free. Truthfully, with how he gushed about you guys I also wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Now I get it.”

Finn chuckled. “Sometimes we all need a little push. It’s nice to see how well you know him and that you care about each other.”

“We do, sir. I do,” Ryan said, straightening his shoulders.

Finn patted his back. “Shall we rejoin the others?”

When they got outside, Ella said, “I think we should all go change. Let’s meet out back when we’re ready.”

Soon Finn was waiting outside in a simple black suit, underneath a canopy of wildflowers created for the day as a nod to Ella’s wedding bouquet thirty years earlier.

The kids each stood beside their partner.

Ella appeared in a strapless sea-colored gown with a tea-length tulle skirt, her long spirals partially pulled back and adorned with small crystals.

Finn could hardly exhale when he saw her.

Their eyes glued to each other, she walked to her beloved, and they stood face-to-face, holding hands.

“You are stunning. You take my breath away,” Finn said.

“I picked the dress because it’s the color of your eyes.”

He smiled bashfully. “Shall I go first?”

She nodded.

“Ella, I fell in love with you so quickly, so deeply. I never thought it would be possible to love you more than I already did. Yet my love has grown and deepened with each passing day. When I look at you today, I see the gorgeous, sexy, brilliant woman I met all those years ago, but I see so much more: the excitement on your face every time we explored a new travel destination, the look of love in your eyes each time you told me we were expecting, the wonder in your eyes when we saw sonogram images and heard the heartbeats of our children, the tenderness on your face when you cradled our babies in your arms, the anticipation in your eyes as you watched them take their first steps. I see your face during countless moments—your joy, courage, compassion, worry, heartache, and enthusiasm. I see all the laughter, happiness, and closeness during every private moment we have shared. Ella, my partner, my one true love, today I take you for who you have been, who you are, and who you’ll become, and for all that we’ve created together.

Thank you for all the moments. I will spend every remaining moment of my life loving you. I choose you. I choose us. Always.”

Tears filled Ella’s eyes. Finn used his fingers to brush away the salty water.