Page 71 of Cinematic Destinies
“Oh my God!” Ella squealed.
“As always, a hell of an entrance,” Betty joked.
“Your fiancé?” Finn asked in disbelief.
“We fell madly in love over the summer,” Georgia said, looking into her beloved’s eyes.
“Yes, we did,” Roo added, kissing Georgia’s forehead. He turned to Finn and said, “I hope you’re not traditional and that you’ll forgive I didn’t ask for your blessing. I just couldn’t wait a single moment to ask this beauty to spend the rest of our lives together. You see, I can’t possibly live without her.”
“Nor I without you,” Georgia said as they stared into each other’s eyes.
“I can relate,” Finn said. “The same thing happened when I met Ella. When you find the one, everything changes.”
“Thank you. My mum said she can’t wait to talk to you both. She thinks it’s some kind of poetic fate that Georgia and I met doing a film with Jean. She remembers fondly her summer filmingCelebrationwhen you two fell in love,” Roo said.
“So do we,” Finn replied, draping his arm around Ella.
“Well, there’s a whole lot to celebrate. How about I fetch us some champagne?” Ella suggested.
The kids all nodded.
Finn followed her into the kitchen to help. Ella began fixing a serving tray with snacks—cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, dried figs and apricots—while Finn popped two bottles of champagne and started filling flutes.
Georgia vaulted into the room and flitted over to Ella. She squeezed her shoulders and said, “I wanted to say thank you, for our talk when I came over.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Ella replied.
“Look at my ring,” Georgia said, holding her hand up. “It was his grandmother’s. The stone reminds him of me.”
Ella smiled. “It’s absolutely beautiful. He must love you very much. You didn’t tell me it was Rupert. Heavens, I remember when he was just a wish in his mother’s heart. Then when she was pregnant, and later when he was born.”
“Me too,” Finn added, filling the last glass. He chuckled. “It’s funny because Charlotte and I played spouses inCelebration, and in real life, we all felt like family on that set. Now we are family.”
“And so it continues, life imitates art,” Ella remarked. She huffed and mused, “Or perhaps art inspires life.”
Just then, all the others ambled into the kitchen.
“We came to see if you needed help, or lost your way,” Betty said.
Finn smiled and said, “Everyone, pick up a glass. We can toast and then bring everything outside.” When each person had a glass raised, he slung his arm around Ella and continued, “To Georgia and Roo. We wish you a lifetime of happiness. Love each other fearlessly and you will live in a constant state of hope. That’s our wish for all our children. To love. Cheers.”
“Cheers!”
Everyone sipped their champagne. Finn and Ella put their glasses down and looked deeply into each other’s eyes, as if discovering a whole world no one else could see. They smiled softly. Finn planted a tiny kiss on the tip of her nose and rested his forehead against hers, stealing an intimate moment.
The others all found themselves staring.
Khalil whispered to Betty, “Your parents are very much in love.”
“They sure are,” she replied.
“It’s great, isn’t it?” Georgia whispered.
“The best,” Albert agreed.
CHAPTER 19
Ella 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.”
