Page 65 of After the Red Carpet
“Well, of course, silly. I have you.”
Finn smiled. “You do have me. Always. You know that, right?”
“Yes,” Ella said, smiling. “What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing. I love you so much. Sometimes I just want to be sure you know that.”
“I do,” she replied.
He kissed her forehead. “Shall we go, sweetheart?”
ELLA COULDN’T STOP SMILING AS SHElooked at Finn across the beautifully set, candlelit table, surrounded by a dozen of their closest friends, all happily chatting. Waiters cleared the dinner dishes and refilled everyone’s water and champagne glasses.
Lauren picked up her globe, turned to Ella, and said, “We’re doing it. We’re finally taking that trip to Paris. We leave tomorrow for a two-week trip.”
“Oh, wow! That’s wonderful. Are you bringing Sophie?”
Lauren shook her head. “My folks are watching her.”
“Actually, we have some news, but we don’t want to steal the spotlight,” Michael said.
“Don’t be silly. Tell us. Hey, everyone,” Ella said. “Michael and Lauren have news to share.” She turned to Michael. “Go on.”
He put his arm around Lauren and announced, “We got married last weekend. We’re going to Paris on our honeymoon.”
“Oh my goodness. Congratulations!” Ella exclaimed.
“Wow! That’s awesome. Congratulations,” Finn said, holding up his glass. “It’s about fucking time.”
Their friends laughed and raised their glasses. There was a hearty chorus of “Cheers” and “Congratulations.”
“We went to city hall. It was just us and Sophie. We wanted to keep it private,” Lauren explained.
“It sounds lovely. I’m so happy for you both,” Ella said.
“I owe you one, Ella,” Michael said. “The things you said to me in Sweden helped me find my way back to Lauren, my true love, my better half.”
Lauren blushed.
“You two are a great couple. What the hell took you so long?” Finn asked.
“Honestly, I was scared shitless of commitment, of marriage. I thought it would stifle me or make my world smaller somehow,” Michael said. “A couple of months ago, Sophie asked me why her mom and I weren’t married, and I couldn’t think of a good answer. The question stuck in my mind. I replayed the years I spent without them and then the last several years with them, and it was suddenly clear as day. Lauren brings out the best in me. She makes me more of what I can be, not less.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. He looked back at Finn and continued, “It’s like you and Ella. She wasn’t exactly the settling-down type either. I figured that if marriage could be so good for you, we should give it a shot too. I even sold my condo.”
“We’re thrilled for you,” Finn said. He looked at Lauren and jokingly added, “Michael is definitely getting the better end of the deal. We’d tell you you’re too good for him, but you already know it. Don’t take any of his shit. Keep him on a tight leash, and if you need me to corral him, say the word.”
Lauren and Michael both laughed.
Just then, a waiter walked in carrying an enormous blueberry pie with a candle in the center. Ella gasped when she saw it. Everyone began singing “Happy Birthday.” When they finished, someone yelled, “Make a wish!”
Ella glanced around the table, but her eyes lingered on Finn. She took a deep breath and blew out the candle.Everyone clapped. The waiter took the pie back to the kitchen to prepare servings. Ella looked at Finn and said, “I can’t believe you got blueberry pie. Thank you.”
He smiled, rose, and held up his glass. “I’d like to say a few words about my beautiful wife on the anniversary of her birth.” Everyone turned to him. “Ella is truly magnificent in every way. She’s funny, smart, generous, kind, and damn sexy. I was bowled over the moment I met her. Fell in love with her so quickly, so deeply. Every day since, that love has grown. Hell, I still blush every time she walks into a room.” Ella smiled, her eyes becoming misty. “She’s my partner in everything. My lover, my best friend, my confidant, my family, my co-parent. God, she’s the most extraordinary mother.” Finn stopped to just stare at her with unadulterated love. “The words don’t exist to adequately capture what a privilege and joy it’s been going through two pregnancies with her, or the immense awe and gratitude I’ve felt watching her bring our girls into the world. They are so lucky to have her. She’s so patient, creative, and loving. I know she’s the best parent they could ever have because she sees them and loves them for exactly who they are. I love them because they’re little pieces of her.” Ella could no longer hold back the tears, which began falling down her cheeks. Lauren handed her a tissue.
Ella sniffled and smiled at Finn through her tears. “And as if that’s not impressive enough,” Finn said, “she’s also one of the premier philosophers of her generation, as most recently evidenced by her acceptance as Fellow to the University of Cambridge, the most coveted award of its kind.” Ella’s eyes widened with surprise as everyone clapped. She tried to choke back her tears as she and Finn gazed into each other’s eyes.
When everyone settled down, Finn continued. “So, we won’t be around this spring because we’re going to England. I’ve rented us a little two-bedroom, thatched-roof cottage inthe countryside near the university. I’ll be taking care of our girls while Ella finishes her masterpiece about love. And if Ella is game, we’ll continue on to our home in France for the summer, where she can keep writing and the girls and I can roll around in the grass. If you’ll all please raise your glasses, here’s a toast to my spectacular wife, the woman I worship and adore, the one and only love of my life. To Ella.”
“To Ella!” they all repeated.
