“Mommy was crying,” he says when he gets to the top, and I pull him into my side as Ash walks up the aisle next in a gorgeous green silk gown Vivien made. She’s carrying a bunch of white roses which makes me smile.
“Is Mommy okay?” I ask East.
He nods. “She said they were happy tears because she’s so happy to be marrying you.”
A layer of stress lifts off my shoulders. “That’s good, buddy.”
“I’m happy you’re marrying Mom too. Now I know you’ll never leave.”
I crouch down as Ash reaches the top of the aisle and Audrey starts walking. Easton still misses Reeve, but his life has gone on, and he doesn’t get sad as often. This comment reminds me the impact of what he’s lived through will always be there, and I hate he still feels insecure. That the tragedy means he probably always will. “I’m not going anywhere, Easton.” I hug him. “I love you and your mom, and I’ll always be there for you.”
“I know, Daddy.” He holds my hand as Vivien appears in the corner of my eye.
Everyone turns to look at her, and she’s a vision in white as she walks up the aisle on her father’s arm. Strong emotion is reflected upon her face, her smile is wide, and her eyes are bright, and I feel like running toward her because I need her in my arms stat.
We only have eyes for each other as she approaches, wearing a strapless knee-length white silk dress with a lace overlay she made herself. It’s a pretty simple design but elegant and classy. Just like my bride. Her hair is pulled back in a bun, and her makeup is subtle. She clutches a larger bouquet of roses to her chest.
“You look stunning. I’m the luckiest man alive,” I tell her when she reaches me, pulling her toward me before Jon can officially hand her to me.
Screw protocol.
My lips crash down on hers, and I kiss her with all the pent-up emotion racing through my veins.
“Ahem.” Jonathon clears his throat. “You’re supposed to wait until after you’re married to kiss your bride.” He’s grinning when I reluctantly tear my lips from Vivien.
“My daddy is always kissing my mommy,” Easton exclaims, and everyone cracks up laughing.
“That’s ‘cause your mom is the best kisser ever.”
“Way to go, Mom.” East raises his hand for a high-five, and everyone laughs again.
“Take care of my princess and my little prince,” Jonathon says, his eyes looking suspiciously glassy.
“Always,” I promise.
I take Vivien’s hands, and we turn to face the minister as something on the inside of her wrist catches my eye. I flip her hand over, and my eyes widen. “When did you get this?” I ask, running my finger softly over the ink on her wrist. It’s still raised and a little red, so it’s recent enough.
“Last night,” she confirms.
We had separated last night for our hen’s and stag’s nights. We hit the strip and lost a ton of money in the casinos before enjoying a few drinks in the hotel bar. The girls stayed in Ash’s suite, drinking champagne, getting their nails done, and gossiping about us, no doubt.
“I love it.” I peck her lips as my heart swells with love for her. “Now every fucker will definitely know you’re mine.” My name is etched on her skin forever, and damn, if that doesn’t fill me with pride. I had a tattoo added to the top of my left arm with Easton’s and Vivien’s names on it, curled underneath a single rose. There is enough space around it to add more names when we decide to grow our family.
“Are we ready to begin?” the celebrant asks, and I’m sure she’s getting fed up of my annoying ass, but feck it. It’s my wedding day, and I’m not exactly known for following the rules.
“As ready as we’ll ever be,” I say, pulling Easton around so he’s in front of us. I flash my beautiful bride one of my signature smiles. “Let’s get married, Hollywood.”
48
VIVIEN
I get off the phone with the real estate broker and squeal. “Someone sounds happy,” Dillon says, entering my home office, carrying two mugs.
I stand, smiling. “We got it. We got the site.”
Since we returned to L.A. from Vegas two months ago, we have been actively looking for suitable plots of land to build our new house. When we got home after our wedding, we talked about where we would live, deciding it was time we looked for our own place. It didn’t feel right to start our new married life in the dream home Reeve built for me, yet I wasn’t entirely comfortable living in Dillon’s bachelor house either. Thankfully, we were on the same page, and we agreed to start looking immediately for a new family home.
We weren’t planning on building from scratch, but we’d viewed tons of houses, and none of them were right. Our real estate broker told us about a site high up in the Hollywood Hills with amazing views, and we knew it was perfect the second we saw it.
“That is the best news.” Dillon kisses me passionately before handing me a coffee.
“I have good news too,” he says, taking my hand and leading me over to the couch. “I spoke to the guys, and they’re in agreement. We’re delaying the European tour for a year.”
“Are you sure, Dillon? You know we would come with you, and now I’ve decided I’m not going back to my freelance work, I have no commitments holding me back.”
I take a sip of my coffee as I consider how fortunate I am that I don’t have to work for a living. However, I do like keeping busy, and while, in the past, I enjoyed writing for TV shows and movies, my outlook on life has changed in a lot of ways, and my priorities are different.
I am still working on the book about my life, as well as a few works of fiction, and I’m more interested in dress designing right now. That and I want to be here for Dillon and Easton, and I want to focus on my family. Building the new place will be a mammoth project, even with a full-time project manager on board. I don’t want to overstretch myself or make any huge commitments. I prefer to see where life takes me.
“I know, sweetheart, but I want to settle down here and enjoy life with you and East. I’m sick of touring, and I need a break.” He drains the last of his coffee, setting his mug down on the table.
“And the guys are genuinely okay with it?”
He nods. “I think Jamie and Ash want to try for a baby, so he’s happy to put down some roots for a change.”
“She told me they’re trying,” I admit because I know she wouldn’t expect me to keep it from Dillon.
“We should probably discuss that at some point,” he says, looking a little anxious.
“Let’s discuss it now.”
“I know you’ve said you want more children, but the last time we talked about it, you said you didn’t know when you’d be ready. I’m not pressuring you,” he rushes to reassure me. “I’d just like to get an idea of when we can start trying.”
“When would you like to start?” I ask, drinking a mouthful of my drink.
“Whenever you’re ready. You set the pace, Hollywood. You know that.” He shoots me a lopsided grin, and I melt on the inside. I love this man so much, and I thank God every day for bringing him back to my life.