* * *
One month later, I’ve just come in from watching the sun come up. It’s something that I get to do again now that everything is calm. Every morning, he wakes me softly, and we lie on the couch outside with me in his arms as we take on the day.
We are both sitting in the newly renovated and modern Montana house, and a new chyron appears at the bottom of the screen.
“Oil tycoon billionaire’s son to marry Hollywood’s Princess.”
Epilogue One
Kellie
Eighteen months later
“I need to get into the dress.” I look over at Cori, who is wearing her champagne silk maid of honor dress. “We are four minutes late, and I am not going to be late today.”
When we came back to reality, I met his parents, his amazing parents who welcomed me into their family without a second thought. He chose me, and that was good enough for them. They might be billionaires, but they never flaunted it or made it show. I mean, their house was still fifty million dollars, but to them, it was all material that could be replaced.
When I walked into the courtroom to testify at Tommy’s trial, I was holding my fiancé’s hand, and his father walked beside me to show that you don’t fuck with his family as he said. My future mother-in-law was already sitting in the front row waiting for us. She held my hand the whole time, and when Tommy got up and was sentenced to life without parole, my heart broke a little for the man he was. I couldn’t forget that without him, I wouldn’t have met Brian, but that is where it ended. Everything else that I had for him was hatred.
“We are going to get you there on time,” Jessica says from the doorway, coming in. She is in her own champagne-colored gown, this one altered to show her rounding belly. “Sorry I had to go eat.” She rubs her little belly, and I look at her, smiling, putting my hands on my own belly. We haven’t told anyone yet. It is still very, very early, and I want to keep this our secret for as long as I can.
“Your almost mother-in-law is on her way in,” Cori says. I look at the door, and Brian’s mother comes in. She is so beautiful, it’s no wonder her sons are drop-dead gorgeous. She is poised and oozes elegance and class. Another thing that happened is she took over the wedding planning when I told her I had no idea what I wanted. Well, her eyes lit up as though I’d told her that Santa was on his way, and low and behold, our wedding came out with her touch. She always sent me options, but as long as he is at the altar waiting for me, I didn’t care. Now here I am standing in a room with a wedding dress I’ve never even tried on because it was specially made for me.
“Honey,” she says, coming in and taking me in her arms, “if you don’t get dressed, I won’t be able to stop him from coming in and putting you over his shoulder and carrying you to the altar,” she says, laughing. “I’m not even making that up. He just said that to me.” I laugh and shake my head. I have no doubt he would do exactly that.
“Is Brian here?” I ask, looking at the door, but my soon-to-be mother-in-law stops me.
“You will not give in to him right now. You will get into that ball gown and then meet him at the altar, which is what I told him.” She smiles at me. “But he did send me in with this.” She hands me a square black box. “I will say that I have no idea what is in that box.”
I sit down now, taking the note out and reading it.
To my beautiful wife on our wedding day,
Thank you for allowing me to love you and for spending the rest of your life with me.
Always yours,
Brian
I try not to tear up, and I blink them away as fast as I can. I open the top, and my breath stops when I see that it’s the matching earrings to my engagement ring. Pink square diamond earrings. “Those are beautiful.”
“Now,” she says and holds out another black box, this one long, “I don’t know if you got your whole something new and something blue,” she says, handing me the box. “I’ve never had a daughter,” she says, and I look at her, “and well, as much as I love my boys, it’s great having one.”
“Oh, Shirley,” I say, tears trying to sting my eyes. “You have welcomed me with open arms. I couldn’t have asked for more.”
“Now, this is your something new with a little bit of a something blue.” I open it and gasp. It’s a diamond flowered bracelet, each piece of the bracelet has pink in the middle, and then the petals are all diamonds, except one of the diamonds has a blue stone in the middle.
The door opens again, and this time, it’s my mother. “I hate to interrupt,” she says, smiling, and I look at her in her own mother of the bride dress. Another thing Shirley did was include my mother in everything she did, which made it even more special. “But it’s taking all of his hunky friends, his father, his brother, your father, and the hunky actor to stop him from coming in here.”
“That boy never did have patience,” Shirley says. “He came out three weeks early.” She shakes her head. “Let’s get you in the dress,” she tells me, and I nod my head, walking over to it and stepping out of the white satin robe that says bride on it. I step into the blush pink wedding dress, slipping my hands into the Swarovski crystal spaghetti straps. My mother zips the back, and the top of the dress is lace with soft crystals throughout and fits like a glove. A crystal Swarovski belt sits on my waist right before the dress kicks off in layers and layers of organza. The layers are trimmed with satin.
“Oh my gosh,” Cori says, “you look like a princess.” She dabs the corner of her eyes. “Definitely no veil,” she says, and I nod my head, looking into the mirror. My hair is loose because I know he would want it that way, the loose curls in the front and hair pinned back at the side with a diamond brooch. I slip my feet into champagne-colored satin shoes.
There is a knock on the door, and my mother goes to answer it. “It’s time,” she says, and then everyone gets into place. I walk out, and the wedding planner hands me my pink and champagne roses with stems wrapped in a white stain. Shirley walks down the aisle with Harold, followed by my mother and Hunter, who is the only groomsman. His brother, Harry, is the best man. Jessica walks down the aisle, Tyler smiles at her while she walks, and then it’s Cori’s turn. The door now closes, and I get into place as the wedding planner fixes the long train in the back.
“Are you ready, baby girl?” my father asks while I put my hand through his arm, and my other hand holds the bouquet in front of me.
“I’ve never been more ready in my life,” I tell him, smiling. “Wedding March” starts playing, and the door opens, and I don’t see anyone but Brian, who stands at the top of the altar in his black tux. His smile radiates, and I slowly walk down the aisle, my eyes never leaving his.
My father walks me to the front and then kisses my cheeks. “Who gives this woman to be married?” the preacher asks, and I now look down and then look up.
“I give myself to be married to him.” And right here, in front of two hundred of our closest friends, we exchange vows. He slips on my wedding band, and as soon as I slip his on, he grabs my face in his hands and seals it with a kiss.
“You aren’t supposed to be kissing yet,” his brother hisses from the side.
“I can do what I want,” Brian says, his thumbs rubbing my cheeks. “She’s mine.” I roll my eyes, but we both know I’ve always been his.
Epilogue Two
Brian
One year later
“Your mother just bought our daughter a real tiara,” Kellie says, walking into our master bedroom. We are in Los Angeles for the Grammy awards tonight. She was in her bathroom having all the glam done, and she looks stunning, but then again, she always does.
“How do you know?” I ask her, not surprised in the least. Three months ago, the second love of my life was born. Grace was a whooping nine pounds, four ounces, and she came out screaming. We didn’t know what we were having since we wanted it to be a surprise, but when my mother found out, well, let’s just say that she was over the moon.
“Because she showed it to m
e when she got here,” Kellie says and comes to sit on the bed. “Last week, she bought her a pink motor car.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Baby, there is nothing you or I or anyone in this world can tell my mother to make her tone it down.” I pull her to me, and she slides on top of me, her head resting on my chest.
“Why did I agree to go to this thing tonight?” she asks me, yawning. “We can always cancel.”
“No way in hell.” I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. “You worked your ass off for that album, and now we are going to reap the rewards.” After our monthlong vacation, Kellie took the next three months to write songs, and finally, we went to Nashville, and a whole new album came to life in just seven days. I watched her work so hard, and the minute the album was released, it killed it on the charts. It killed every other record she’d ever released, and it took five days to go triple platinum. Tonight, she is up for eight Grammys, and I couldn’t be more proud.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I hear my mother at the door, “but someone is fussy, and I think a little bit hungry.” She comes in, and I see that she changed her outfit again. It’s the fifth one today. Another thing my mother went nuts on was clothes. This little girl has so many clothes, she will never wear the same thing twice.
“Hey there, princess,” Kellie says, getting off me and going to get the baby. She gurgles with just the sound of Kellie’s voice. Another thing my wife didn’t do was hire a nanny. Nope, not my superwoman wife, she is the one doing everything. “Did Grandma change you again?” she asks my girl, and I see her blue eyes sparkle as she smiles at her. “Is my girl hungry?” She coos at my wife while she unties her shirt and brings her to her breast. My little girl attacks her meal. “Someone was hungry.”
“I’ll go get things ready for her diaper change.” My mother claps her hands together and walks to the nursery to get another outfit ready. I lean over and kiss my daughter’s head, and she kicks me away.
“What if she doesn’t take the bottle?” Kellie asks me, looking at our daughter and then up at me again.
“Then she is going to tough it out because it’s Mommy’s night to shine.” I hear Cori’s voice from the doorway, and she walks in. “How is my goddaughter?”
“She’s amazing,” Kellie says, and she continues to feed her. She is so calm—she never stresses, she never freaks out—and Grace is the easiest baby ever. Thirty minutes later, my mother comes back to get her and scoops her away to change her clothes again.
“Okay, you two, we have to be out of the house in twenty minutes,” Cori says, and I just nod at her. Kellie gets up and walks into her closet. I go to my closet and put on my black suit, coming out when Kellie is walking into the room. “We don’t have time for that,” Cori says, slapping my arm.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I tell her, and I look at my wife who is standing there in a long-sleeved white body-hugging gown. The whole thing looks like it has white and black crystals all the way down. She slowly does the turn, and I see the back. It’s fully open to the bottom of her back with a little train.
“You are so beautiful,” I say to her, and she smiles as she attaches her teardrop diamond earrings that my parents bought her as a push present. A think I didn’t even know existed, who knew you had to give her a present for giving birth.
“You look so handsome,” she says, coming to me and kissing my lips. “Let’s go before I change my mind.” We walk down the staircase, and my mother is in the living room while she walks Grace around, talking to her. My daughter is in another outfit.
“You look lovely,” she tells Kellie, and then I see my brother coming out of the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him and see he’s in a tux.
“I’m on the guest list.” He smiles, and I hear Cori groan in the back of me. “I’m half of the KT record label.”
“Oh, boy.” I hear Kellie whisper beside me. And I look over at Cori who is glaring at him. My mother just smiles at them as the front door opens and my father walks in.
“It’s grand central station,” I say, and he comes over, kissing Kellie on the cheek and then slapping my shoulder, but we are quickly forgotten when he spots Grace.
“There she is, my little princess,” he says, shrugging off his jacket, but my mother turns away from him. “Woman, give me my granddaughter.”
“Go and wash your hands,” she says, and he walks to the kitchen.
“Okay, so you guys have her text me if you need anything,” I tell them, pulling Kellie away and then walking out to the limo that is waiting. Kellie picks up her gown and steps into the limo, and then I get in with her, and we have to wait a couple of minutes for Cori and Harry to come out.
“Sorry, I had to change,” Cori says, getting in, and I see she is wearing a nude-colored dress that goes over one shoulder. Slick and classy, my brother gets in after her. “Okay, you will be one of the last people to arrive, so you have to haul ass and get in there.”
“What’s the worst that’ll happen?” Harry asks. “She’s Kellie; they are going to open that door and make sure she gets to her seat.” Cori turns and glares at him.
“When you become her manager and her PA and run her life, you get a say in this.” I smile at Cori. It was a no-brainer that the only person who could do what Tommy did was Cori, and when push comes to shove, I know that she will do whatever needs to be done for Kellie. She then turns and looks at Kellie. “We need to dump this one”—she motions with her head to my brother—“off somewhere.”
My brother laughs, and I sit here shocked. “What in the fuck is going on?” I mumble under my breath, watching when he puts his arm around her shoulder and pulls her to him. “They don’t even know each other.”
“She helped me set up the children’s foundation,” Harry says, and his arm stays over her shoulder. She pushes away from him, but he doesn’t let her get far.
“Let me go,” she hisses, and Kellie laughs.
“Oh, dear,” she says and then we arrive. My brother gets out first and then holds his hand out for Cori. I step out, and I hear Cori pleading with him.
“Not in front of all these people,” she whispers, and he just nods his head and walks the red carpet by himself. I hold out my hand for Kellie, and she steps out, and the crowd goes wild. She holds up her hand waving, and we walk down the red carpet.
“I didn’t think she could look more beautiful.” I hear a man’s voice and then look over at the guy walking toward us.
“Carter,” Kellie says and walks to him, kissing his cheeks. “If it’s isn’t Hollywood’s Prince.” He shakes his head at the nickname. “Look at you all dressed up,” she jokes, then looks behind him. “Where is your harem?” He bursts out laughing.
“Erin.” He turns to the raven-haired beauty behind him. “This is Kellie,” he says, and the woman walks up to her and holds out her hands.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says, and then Kellie looks around.
“This is my husband, Brian.” She reaches for my hand. “Brian, this this the mega-star Carter, and his girlfriend, Erin.”
“Oh, no,” Erin says, “I’m not his girlfriend.” She shakes her head, and Carter now glares at her. “I’m PR for his brand.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kellie says and then looks at me.
“No one even knows what that means,” Carter says to her, grabbing her hand, but she puts her clutch in it, so he can’t.
“It means I’m in charge of your image. We already went through this,” she tells him quietly. “Now if you can please stop letting people think we are together.”
“I’m not in charge of what people think,” Carter says with a sly smile. “Let’s go take a picture so you can put it on my Instagram,” he says, and then nods to us. “See you in there, and good luck tonight.”
There is the sound of a bell, and I spot Cori coming over to us. “Now, we have to go now.” Kellie nods to them, and we walk down the red carpet, stopping to take
pictures. I stand back, letting her snap pictures all alone, and then we get inside, and we are ushered to the front.
The night drags on, but it’s a successful one because she’s already won three Grammys, and the biggest award of the night is still coming up.
Carter and Tyler are introduced, and they both walk out in matching tuxes.
“What a night it’s been,” Tyler starts talking, and the girls up in the balcony go nuts.
“It’s been one hell of a night, hasn’t it?” And if I didn’t think it can get louder? Well, the minute Carter talks, the girls go ballistic. Tyler looks at Carter and laughs.
“Looks like you have a fan club,” he says and then he just nods his head.
“Let’s get to the last award of the night for album of the year.” Tyler now introduces the nominees.
“And the winner is?” Carter says, opening the envelope and then looking at my wife. “Kellie Kitch.” I jump out of my seat in excitement and look at my wife, who is sitting there stunned.
“You did it, baby,” I tell her, grabbing her and kissing her on the lips. “Now go get the award.” She smiles at me and then hugs Cori and kisses my brother on her way up the steps. She greets Tyler with a kiss on his cheek and does the same to Carter who holds the little black and gold award.
“Oh my goodness,” she says into the microphone, “this was totally unexpected. Thank you so much.” She holds the award in her hand and then looks down at it and then up again. “I don’t know where to start,” she says, shaking her head. “I want to thank Harry who, last year, took a chance on me when I said let’s do a record label,” she says, smiling at my brother who puts his hands up and applauds her. “To my family who gives me so much support. To Cori and Jessica who know when I need girl time and run no matter what they have going on.” She smiles. “To my in-laws who jump at any given moment to support me.” She smiles at the camera. “To my beautiful little girl at home. Grace, Mommy thanks you for choosing me to be your mama.” She wipes away a tear and then she looks at me. “And finally, to my husband, Brian, who motivates me every day and pushes me to be the best person I can possibly be. I love you more than any words can say, and I’m so glad I get to call you mine.” She holds her hands up in the air, and the next day, that is the picture on all the covers of the papers with the headline.
Hollywood Princess Page 22