Page 9 of Cinematic Destinies
“That’s because she and her boyfriend spend all their time playing board games,” Georgia squealed.
“He’snotmy boyfriend,” Betty repeated.
“Well, if you need sex tips, read Mom’s books. Seems Dad is a lucky guy,” Georgia joked.
They exploded with laughter.
Finn’s cheeks were bright pink. He raised his glass and said, “It’s so much fun having you all here. We love it so much that we want to do it again. Mark your calendars. Your mother and I have a big anniversary coming up onthe first of October. To celebrate the occasion, and because I’d do it all again in a heartbeat,” he said, staring at his beloved, “we’re renewing our wedding vows. It’s a very special day for us and we want you here. I’ll take care of the arrangements.” The kids nodded, and Finn continued, “Cheers to being together!”
“Cheers!”
A little while later, they were all in the kitchen cleaning up. Betty, Georgia, and Albert were wrapping the leftovers and putting them away while Finn and Ella finished the dishes. As Ella was drying the last dish, Finn came up behind her, slipped his hands around her waist, and kissed the back of her head. Ella turned toward him. He ran his finger down her cheek and she looked down. Finn whispered something to her. She giggled and skimmed her fingers along his temple, their eyes glued to each other, their faces barely centimeters apart.
“Someone should really tell them to get a room,” Betty whispered to her siblings.
“They’re so weird,” Georgia whispered in return.
Albert smiled. “I think they’re great.”
CHAPTER 3
When they arrived home after taking the kids to the airport, Ella shuffled into the house, her shoulders slumped.
“Come here,” Finn said, taking her hand and leading her into the living room. They curled up together on the couch. He kissed the side of her head. “I know it’s hard for you when they leave. They’ll be back before you know it.”
“It just always makes me a bit blue, seeing them go. We had so much fun.”
“I know, baby. But they’re all off doing such amazing things this summer. Betty is really shining in her residency program. I’m so proud of her. Oh, did Albert show you his latest drawings? They’re amazing. He’s so talented.”
“Yes, he is. Artistic just like his father. You used to portray superheroes, and now he’s creating new ones. Funny how that happens.”
Finn gave her a gentle squeeze. “I still can’t believe Georgia is starring in one of Jean’s films. His last, I gather. There’s something so profoundly full circle about it. It’s had me thinking about when we filmedCelebration. You know, when we started shooting, Albie was the age I am now.”
“Huh. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Albie was incredible. Such a skilled performer, and he lived to the fullest, but he struck me as an old guy.” He stopped to chuckle. “Now I’m an old guy.”
Ella looked into his eyes and caressed his cheek. “No, my love. People wear their age differently. Albie had a rough upbringing and abused alcohol for decades. By that summer he had also been sick on and off for years. It showed. It all aged him beyond his years. You are still so handsome, vibrant, and strong,” she said, rubbing his biceps. “You were my superhero then as you are now. And forever. Hollywood agrees, because you’re still a leading man too.”
He kissed her forehead. “I have a confession to make, but I didn’t want to say anything when the kids were here.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“I called Jean a few days ago. I thanked him for casting Georgia and asked him to keep an eye on her this summer.”
“You’re a good father.”
“He told me something that surprised me.”
“Don’t tell me he’s getting married again? Let me guess, wife number four is barely old enough to drink.”
Finn laughed. “No, he told me that he had tried to castyouin a film, back when you first met, when you were in your twenties. He said he begged and pleaded, but you weren’t interested. I knew when you and Jean met, he invited you to tag along on a location shoot in Barcelona, but not that he wanted you in the film.”
“The whole thing was so absurd. I wasn’t an actress. That was just Jean being Jean. Although he did pester me about it quite a bit.”
“He insisted he had been serious. That he even wanted to fire his lead at the last minute so you could have the part. He said, and I quote, ‘Finn, can you imagine how radiant Ella would have been on the silver screen? I was obsessed by the image. Haunted. Possessed. But she refused.’”
“Jean may be a genius, but everyone fucks up from time to time. Not all his ideas are winners. I’m a philosopher, not a performer. I never gave it a single thought.”
