Page 49 of You. Me. Us.

The plane rolled to a stop just over a thousand feet away. A few minutes passed before the door opened, stairs unfolding to the ground a moment later.

He shifted from foot to foot as he watched her scan the room, searching for the gift he had hidden. His heart raced, palms sweating with anticipation. Would she ever find it?

This was it the moment of truth. Would she be thrilled? Overwhelmed? He realized how much her reaction meant to him.

A chorus of joyful shouts rang out seconds before anyone came out of the plane. Hillary gasped, hands flying to her mouth as a group of people emerged from the plane.

Julius recognized them straight away from the photos on her dresser. Her parents, both beaming with pride. Her sister, her roommate, and her best friend filed out next, though at this distance he couldn’t be entirely certain who was who.

“Mom? Dad? Oh my god!” Hillary ran forward.

Julius hung back, not wanting to intrude on the reunion. Warmth bloomed in his chest as he watched Hillary’s unrestrained joy, her earlier hesitation melted away. In that moment, seeing the radiant smile lighting up her face, he knew he’d do anything to make her happy again and again.

She turned back to him, eyes shimmering with unshed tears and a giant grin on her lips. “I can’t believe you did this. How? When?”

He grinned, pleased with her awestruck reaction. “I have my ways. And I figured there’s no one else you’d rather celebrate your acting victory with than your family and closest friends. You’ve worked damn hard, Hillary. You’ve earned this.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “This means everything to me.”

Julius nodded, his heart swelling at the sincerity in her words. “Hello!” He called with a wave, not entirely shocked with one of the three women visibly swooned. “I’m Julius.”

“We know,” one who looked considerably like Hillary but without glasses chirped. “Dana. Younger sister, seventeen months younger.”

“And you’re Cara?” He glanced at the medium-height woman with dark curls framing her face and a stoic gaze.

“You’ve been in her apartment to see a picture?”

He snickered. “Her hotel room. She brought photos of you all which is how I knew who to invite here.”

“I for one am thrilled she’s not just sitting in her room writing and rewriting articles.” A woman who appeared to be Hillary’s age with a full sleeve tattoo and brown-black hair extended her hand. “Aisha. Her roommate since our NYU days.”

He went to shake her hand, but was interrupted.

“My dear!” An older version of Hillary with graying hair and a blue tracksuit engulfed him in a hug, pulling him close. “I never doubted for a minute when she told me you were dating.”

“Mom!” Hillary hissed from beside him.

“Nonsense, Hillary has told me all about you both. Dennis and Cheryl.” He extended his hand to her father, a short man with a wrinkly polo and a slight receding hairline.

“Truly inspiring move, young man. Movie star or not, you’re making me proud to know my daughter has found herself someone who seems invested in her happiness.”

Though Hillary didn’t shriek at her dad, Julius turned to see her seemingly trying to shrink into the ground, her face bright red.

“Have I told you how much I enjoy when you blush?” he asked, offering her his hand.

“That’s probably for the best, considering how often it happens.”

“Now, before they kick us off the tarmac, our carriage awaits,” he made a deliberately grand gesture as he pointed toward the limousine.

“A limo?” Dana squealed. “I didn’t even get to be in a limo for prom!”

Hillary’s groan was even more adorable as she made it a point to slide her hand into his.

“Thank you,” she kissed him quickly. “No one has ever done anything like this for me.”

“Well, we’re not done with the day yet. Come on,” he walked them back to the car that had brought them to the airport, her family trailing behind.

Waiting for them all to take a seat, he slid onto the plush leather seat beside Hillary, Julius couldn’t help but marvel at the way her face glowed with happiness. She was radiant, her green eyes sparkling as she listened intently to her sisters’ lively story.

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