by Louise Bay
Gabriel
I didn’t approve of the jumpsuit Autumn was wearing.
“Stop growling,” she said, grinning at me. “It’s a wedding. It’s not like we can get frisky during the ceremony.”
“It’s not quick to get out of. Or into. It’s a ridiculous piece of clothing.”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“You’re gorgeous,” I corrected. “You could wear anything and make it look incredible.”
“Back at you,” she said, kissing my cheek and smoothing her hands down my suit. “I’m going to miss you being in a suit every day.”
“If you like, I can dress up once in a while.”
“Ohhh, roleplay. Interesting.” She nudged me with her hip.
“I’m not sure we need roleplay to keep things interesting,” I said, grabbing her bottom and pressing my hips against hers.
She pushed me away. “We have five minutes to get downstairs. And I haven’t finished my hair because you’ve interested me plenty already this morning.”
I watched as she had to do exactly nothing to her hair for it to look completely amazing. She stepped into her strappy black heels. “Yeah, I’m going to need you to wear those for me later when everything else is off.”
“That can be arranged.” She glanced at me as she dropped her phone into her bag. “In the meantime, let’s go and watch our best friends get married.”
I held out my hand and she took it. “Us next, right?”
“Us next, what?”
I pulled the hotel room door closed and we started down the hallway. “You know—getting married.”
She shook her head. “You’re crazy. I’ve been back in London a week. We’ve only just told Bethany.”
“I’m not saying we need to start thinking about it next week, but I want to marry you. That’s not a surprise, is it?” I wanted to do it all with Autumn. I wanted to make love with her, wake up with her, cook, travel, father her children, and spend my life with her. I’d wait if that’s what she wanted, but I had no doubt about where I stood.
“I guess not. And I’m not saying no, obviously. I need to find a job and figure out where I’m going to live—”
“What do you mean, figure out where you’re going to live? Are you thinking that we might not be living together?” I was clearly making assumptions about our future that I shouldn’t have been. A pit opened up in my gut, but I took a breath and waited for her answer. I was beyond jumping to conclusions.
She shrugged. “We haven’t talked about any of this stuff. But we’ll work it out. It’s not like we don’t have the rest of our lives together.”
Relief and warmth and sunshine flooded through me, closing up the pit again.
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she replied. “And I want to live with you . . .”
“But?” I could hear the unspoken word echoing down the hallway. We got to the lift and she turned to face me.
“But honestly, I don’t want to live in the house where your ex-wife picked out the wallpaper.”
“That’s just as well, because the house is up for sale.”
She tilted her head as a smile crept across her face. “It is?”
“I want a fresh start with you. I don’t want to live in the past anymore. And I want to live in our house. Not my house. You’re not going to be an overnight guest or the nanny. You’re going to be my wife. My best friend. My partner. We should pick out the place we’re going to raise our family together.”
“Raise a family?” she said, looking like I just asked her the difference between a turret lathe and a toolroom lathe.
“I hate to tell you, but Bethany comes as part of the deal.” I knew that’s not what she meant, but she was so easy to tease.
“Of course,” she replied. “But . . . Gabriel . . . I’m not ready for—”
I slid my hand around her waist and pulled her closer. “I know. I’m thinking too far ahead. I just want to future-proof the house. We’ll wait as long as you want. I want you to be happy.”
“You always know the perfect thing to say,” she said, and we stepped into the lift.
“Now you know that’s not true. I’m going to get it wrong a lot. I’m impatient and surly at times. But promise me you’ll always know that you are at the center of everything I do. You and Bethany. You two are everything I think about, everything I am. I might need you to help me back on track from time to time but know that I love you, even when I veer off course.”
The lift doors pinged open, and we made our way toward the suite where Dexter and Hollie were getting married. “Gabriel Chase, I love the way you love me. I love you just as hard. And I’m going to make mistakes too. But I know that we’ll be with each other until one of us isn’t in this world anymore.”
I nodded, knowing what she was saying because it was exactly how I felt. We had just strolled through the corridors of a hotel on the way to a wedding, but it was as if we were the ones who had just been married. Our promises wouldn’t get any stronger for being made in public or put on a register somewhere.
This woman was my soulmate. There hadn’t been a ceremony invented that would bind us any closer than we already were.
“Shall we go watch your sister marry one of the best men I know?”
“What’s wild about today is that I think she feels for Dexter the same kind of forever love that I have for you.”
“What makes that wild?” I asked.
“I just never thought we could both be so lucky.”
I pulled her closer to me as we came to the door to the suite, content to let her believe that of the two of us, she was the lucky one.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Autumn
I glanced around at the huge kitchen, dining, and living areas arranged around the central outdoor courtyard encased in glass. It was so big. So grand. I loved it but it also made me a little uneasy.
“You’ll get used to it,” Hollie said, reading my mind as she uncorked a bottle of champagne.
“I hope so,” I replied. “I know I live here but I’m not sure I can quite believe it at the same time. Does that make sense?” My life had changed so completely in the last few months. Not only had I moved continents, but I’d discovered my future, and I knew who I was going to share it with.
“You’re still the same person. Just remember that. It’s not so different to our trailer back in Oregon.”
We both burst into laughter. Gabriel and my new home couldn’t have been further from where and how we’d grown up. But she was right. It didn’t make us different people. We loved the men we loved, regardless of whether they were rich or poor.
“I’m still bummed I couldn’t get you to move to Knightsbridge.”
“I like Smithfield,” I replied. “And it’s a super easy commute.” The investment bank where I’d interviewed just before I’d flown to Madrid had offered me an entry-level investment analyst job. I’d been there about a month and I was loving it. I felt like I was living in an eighties movie. I wasn’t sure how, but life just kept getting better and better.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said, slinging her arm around my shoulders. “Your career is going to be amazing. I feel like you’ve taken flight since moving to London. There’s something about this place. We’ve both come here and spread our wings and we’re living our best lives.”
Hollie had always believed it was possible. Her vision of the world out there had meant she’d pushed me to focus and study and not make the wrong choices. She’d shaped the woman I was today—the life I had, and how happy I was. “I love you,” I said.
“I love you too,” she said. “I’ll love you even more if you pour me a glass of that champagne.”
The crash in the hallway made me spill the alcohol over the glass. “What the hell?”
We poked our heads out to find Gabriel, Dexter, Tristan, and Joshua carrying in a huge . . . grandfather clock.
“Don’t worry, it’s
not ours,” Gabriel said. “It’s so bloody ugly.”
Gabriel spent hours trawling websites and auction houses, trying to find new projects. One of the reasons we’d bought this house was because of the huge workshop next door. But he managed to fill the cavernous space with desks, chairs, bureaus, tables, and really, any piece of wood looking for a little TLC and a second chance. At least this clock hadn’t been adopted.
“Whose is it?” Hollie asked suspiciously.
“Glad you asked,” Dexter said, grinning. “I thought it would look great in my office.”
“As long as it’s going somewhere I don’t have to look at it,” Hollie said.
The four of them heaved the monolithic timepiece upright. “Don’t think you’re keeping it,” Dexter said to Gabriel.
“Believe me, I don’t want it,” replied Gabriel.
“That makes two of us,” I said.
“Make that three of us,” Hollie said.
“Marriage is about compromise,” Dexter said, lifting Hollie into his arms and kissing her.
“It’s a good thing I love you,” she said.
“Stop with the PDA,” Tristan said. “It’s making my stomach churn.”
“You’re just jealous that I have a hot wife,” Dexter said.
Tristan rolled his eyes. “Get me a drink.”
Tristan tried to pretend he wanted nothing to do with a committed relationship, but I couldn’t help but think he just hadn’t met the right girl yet. He was always focused on who was hot rather than who he liked. Joshua wasn’t a lot better, but he was a little more discreet and a better flirt.
They all circled the kitchen island, where I was filling a row of champagne flutes. Gabriel went straight to the wine fridge and pulled out another bottle.
When everyone had a full glass in their hand, I raised mine. “Here’s to Tristan finding the love of his life when he’s least expecting it. May she torture and tease him until he begs for mercy.”
Joshua chuckled and I pointed at him. “And here’s to Joshua finding a woman who’s as good a flirt as he is.”
“Gabriel, I don’t know how you managed to trick Autumn into falling for you, but congratulations,” Joshua said, ever the charmer. “If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s the two of you.”
We all clinked our glasses and it felt somehow as if we were cementing together our extended family. Beck, Dexter, Joshua, Tristan, Andrew, and Gabriel had known each other forever and were brothers in all but name. It was heartwarming to see such strong men support each other through the turbulent ups and downs of life, but the icing on the cake was how they had welcomed me, Hollie, and Stella into their lives as if we were long-lost sisters. The group really did feel like family.
“Oh, and did I tell you, I’m moving in,” Joshua said. “Your house is so bloody cool.”
The corner of Gabriel’s mouth twitched. He loved this house. It had taken a bit of persuasion for me to agree to it being our home—it was just so big. But the workshop next door was ideal, and the short commute had sealed the deal.
“You’d be welcome,” I said.
“No, he wouldn’t,” Gabriel said, looking at me as if I’d lost my mind. “We already have Bethany to look after. And unlike my daughter, I’m not sure Joshua is housetrained.”
“He’s more than housetrained,” Dexter said. “He organizes his lovers by the days of the week.”
“That’s just because he has a terrible memory and can’t remember their names,” Tristan said.
“You’re out of line, Tristan,” Joshua replied.
“Okay, tell me Miss Sunday Afternoon’s name?”
Joshua flushed scarlet with rage, but before they could come to blows, my sister interrupted.
“My prediction is that Joshua will find someone special soon and he’ll be moving in with her, so no need to panic,” Hollie said as she patted Gabriel on the back.
“How much champagne have you had?” Joshua asked. “You’re way off base. I’m never going to live with a woman. I don’t like to share my space.”
Hollie grinned at him like he had no idea what was coming. And if I knew anything about my sister’s determination and single-mindedness, she’d have Joshua in love and married within a year.
I pulled Gabriel to one side as Hollie and Joshua continued to bicker, and Dexter and Tristan looked on, delighted at Joshua being tortured.
“I love you,” I said. “And your wild, dysfunctional group of friends.”
“I love you too,” he said. “And as much as I loved this house as soon as I saw it, I love it even more, now I see you in it.”
That’s how life would always be with Gabriel and me. Life was made better by being together. The dark moments in life wouldn’t be so scary when I was holding his hand and good times would just be made better by being side by side, step-by-step with this beautiful soul next to me.
A few weeks later still…
Gabriel
A twitch in my trousers told me that maybe this blindfold I’d just secured around Autumn’s eyes would come in handy a little later this evening.
“Gabriel,” she said, her tone hushed. She brought her fingers up to the edge of the black silk bandana.
“Take my hand,” I said. “You’re fine.” I led her from the hallway into the dining room, which had a clear view of the internal courtyard.
When I had her in position, I stepped back. I wanted to take in her reaction when she saw what I was about to show her. “Autumn Lumen, I wanted to do something special as this is an anniversary.”
Her hand shot to the blindfold. “Anniversary?”
“Don’t take it off yet,” I said. “Yes, it’s the fifteenth month anniversary of the first time I ever laid eyes on you, wearing pajamas and eating ice cream with your sister at Dexter’s place.”
Autumn tipped her head to the side. “You are too sweet.”
“You know that’s not true.”
She laughed and I took a deep breath, relishing the sound that filled my soul every time I heard it. “You’re sweet with a side of dirty between the sheets.”
“I wanted to mark it,” I continued. “So I made you something.”
Her delicious pout widened into a smile as if just hearing the words was enough of a gift.
I pulled the tie fastening the blindfold and it fell to the ground. Her eyes grew large as she took in the two Adirondack chairs set out in the courtyard. “A classic American design made with the strength of English oak,” I said, watching her reaction as she stepped out into the courtyard.
“They’re beautiful,” she said, smoothing her hands over the wood. “You made these?”
She turned to me and I stalked toward her, wanting to hold her expression of pride and happiness in my memory forever.
“After the jewelry box, I thought maybe I’d do another project from scratch,” I said. “I thought that when we’re too old to travel, we can sit in these chairs and reminisce over the times we went to a thousand faraway places.”
“I love that idea.” She slid her palm over my cheek, and I circled my arms around her waist. “And the stool,” she said pointing to the matching one I’d also made. “That’s for Bethany,” she said, knowing exactly what I’d been thinking. “And you can make more for our other children.”
“When the time comes,” I said. There was no rush to add to our family, but we both hoped more children were in our future.
“I miss her when she’s not here,” she said.
“Me too,” I replied. “But it’s good that Penelope’s in her life.” Penelope had started a fine art course and found a place to live between the college and Smithfield. She had shown no signs of abandoning Bethany and they’d grown closer. I hoped she found whatever she was looking for in Bethany and in her art. If Penelope was happy, that was good for our daughter.
“She’s going to love it,” Autumn said. “You’re so talented.”
“I’m so lucky,” I said, squeezing her tight. “Oh, and another thing.” I
nodded at the white envelopes on her chair.
“More anniversary gifts?” She picked up the envelopes and I took a seat, pulling her onto my lap. “I don’t need anything more. What could be better than these beautiful chairs?”
“What about somewhere to go that we can reminisce over while we sit in them?”
“Are you serious?” she said, ripping open the envelope. “India?” She glanced over the paperwork.
“Did you know that the Taj Mahal was built as a monument of love?”
She pressed her lips to my cheek. “I did know that.” She kissed me again—my jaw this time.
“I’m thinking I might propose,” I said, holding my breath for her reaction. She was still so young, and I didn’t want to put her under any pressure, but I knew that I’d be with her until my dying breath. I saw no reason why we weren’t as publicly committed as we were privately.
She pulled away, checking to see if I was serious. She trailed her fingers along my neck. “Will it involve karaoke?” she asked. “Because if it does, I’m definitely saying yes.”
“Karaoke? At the Taj Mahal?”
She pulled back to meet my eye, her expression deadly serious. “There’s never a bad place for karaoke.”
“And if I say there will be strictly no karaoke involved when I propose marriage to you, are you going to say no?”
She huffed out a breath and glanced at the ceiling, like she was really having to consider it. “It won’t be a definite no.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “You’re ridiculous. You’re totally going to say yes.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I’ll propose to you. On the plane on the way over. When the seatbelt signs go off, I’ll jump into the aisle and belt out ‘Defying Gravity’ at the top of my lungs and end on one knee, bearing a ring.”
“Okay, if you’re going to threaten me with stuff like that, I’m never travelling with you. Not ever. And the proposal is off.”
She looped her arms around my neck. “No deal. You’re totally going to propose. And so long as there’s karaoke at the wedding, I can cope with a song-free proposal.”