Page 30 of After the Red Carpet
“GOOD MORNING, LOVE,” ELLA SAID,running her finger down Finn’s cheek. “I can’t believe our wedding day is here.”
“Me too,” he said, smiling. “It’s already the happiest day of my life.”
“Mine too. I hope my wedding dress still fits. We were pretty indulgent last night.”
“That paella was amazing. My parents loved your mother and Alejandro; it seems like they could have talked all night. I even heard them mention taking a trip together.”
“I started to wonder if we’d have to throw them all out so we could get some sleep.”
He laughed. “I’m just grateful everyone gets along so well.”
“Me too. You certainly dazzled my mother. I wasn’t sure if it could be done, but once she let her guard down, she could see what an incredible man you are and how we truly feel about each other. She’s so happy for us.” Ella got quiet for a moment.
“What is it, my love?” Finn asked.
“She offered to walk me down the aisle. Alejandro did too. Jean even texted me when his jet landed yesterday to offer the same. He said, ‘Ma chérie, since I am responsible for you and Finn meeting, I would be honored to walk you to him if you need an escort. Besides, it would be my first stroll down the aisle that had any chance of working out.’”
Finn laughed.
“I guess they all feel badly that I don’t have a father to walk me,” she said.
He ran the back of his hand along her cheek. “I’m sorry, baby. Does the wedding have you thinking about your father leaving you?”
“Not really. If anything, it makes me think about how lucky I am to have a man in my life who will always love me.”
He kissed her forehead. “So, what have you decided? Who’s going to escort you?”
“No one. Today is about us. I want to walk to you on my own, my eyes glued to yours.” He smiled and she continued, “My bridal bouquet is going to be tied with a white silk ribbon, like the one on that teddy bear my father gave me the last time I saw him, when I was four years old. It’s my way of having him there, and also of letting go.”
Finn kissed the tip of her nose. “Everything about you is so beautiful. I can’t wait to marry you. Speaking of which, I know you wanted to buck tradition and sleep in our bed together last night . . .”
“After our separation, I can’t bear to be apart from you.”
He smiled. “But we also said we’d each go to different parts of the house today to get ready so we won’t see each other until you’re walking down the aisle to me. I’ll be the guy in the tux who can’t stop smiling.”
“Finn . . .” She looked down, contemplative.
He touched her chin and raised her gaze to meet his. “What is it, love? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
“Never. There’s nothing I have ever wanted more than to be with you forever. Can we make a pact that no matter what, we’ll keep our relationship at the center of our lives? I think that’s an important part of making love last, and why it doesn’t work out for some people when they add in the stresses of work and family. As much as we love our work, and how immeasurably we’ll love our children, you and I, this thing between us,” she said, touching his chest, “it will always come first.”
“Yes, it’s a pact.”
“In my heart, I know that’s how we can make it work, make it last.”
“I feel the same way.” He put his hand on her cheek and said, “I know you’ve always been afraid that if you gave yourself fully and vulnerably to someone, that you might lose yourself. I promise I’ll never let that happen.”
Ella smiled. “I promise the same to you.” She kissed him and continued, “When we say our vows, there will be so many people watching us. It feels a bit strange, since it’s the most personal, intimate thing we could ever do. I was thinking that maybe we could say something to each other now, while we’re alone, something private and just for us. It can be our secret, real wedding. It doesn’t have to be formal vows, maybe just something authentic about how we feel and what we want for our life together.”
“I love that idea.”
“I’ll go first,” she said. She traced his jawline with her finger. “Finn Forrester, I love you, body and soul, and I always will. I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you fearlessly with everything I have. My hope is that we live a passionate, adventurous life together—working, traveling, raising a family, and just beingus. I want you to be my partner, now and forever. I trust what we have. And because of you, I trust love. I don’t know what love looks like or feels like over a lifetime, I don’t know what it will do to me or to you, but I want to find out. My heart is wide-open and yours for the rest of my days.”
“My beautiful Ella,” he said, cupping her cheek in his hand. “You are my world. I love you with all my heart. Together, we can live an adventure of our own making, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds. I know you’ll keep me on my toes. I’m not perfect and I may make mistakes, but I will never betray or abandon you. I’m yours, completely yours. When all else fails, remember this: I choose you. I choose us. Always.”
“Wait, I want to carry my bride over the threshold,” Finn said when the driver dropped them off at their estate.
“You’ve been doing that since our wedding night. We’ve been married for over two weeks already.”
