by Jillian Dodd
Asher Vineyards — Sonoma County
DAWSON
I wake up when Vanessa snuggles her face into my chest. I’m half afraid to open my eyes. The fact that I’m with this incredible woman feels like a dream. I wasn’t sure we could work through our issues.
And we both have them.
But after baring my soul to her the other night, I feel like we’re closer than ever. I feel happier than I’ve even been. And I’m praying that moving my family into her house is the right thing to do. I know in my heart that I want to be with her, want to marry her, want everything with her, but it’s a much bigger issue when you have children in the mix. The girls love Vanessa already, and I know she loves them back. Our relationship seems to have healed us both.
I brush my lips across the top of her head and open my eyes. Her long legs are tangled in the sheets, one sexy hip jutting out. A slender arm is lying across my chest, and her hand is directly over my heart.
The one part of me I’ve been so afraid to give her.
She props her head up on her hand, causing the necklace I gave her to sway. I reach out and touch it.
“My favorite gift ever,” she says dreamily, placing her hand over mine and giving it a squeeze.
“And I’m lying here thinking that I get to move in with you soon. Wake up with you like this every single morning.”
“Wow, with all that’s gone on this week, I almost forgot. Last night at the wedding, Peyton told me the crew were making a few finishing touches this morning, but that it will be ready when we get home this afternoon.”
“Are you excited?”
“Honestly, I’m a little nervous. What if we hate it? What if the girls don’t like their rooms? Speaking of that, when are they supposed to start school?”
“I have to call this week to find out if they got in.”
Vanessa sits up and rolls her eyes. God, she’s beautiful in the morning. “With the donation Captive Films made, you can rest assured the girls will be getting in.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, private schools don’t turn down big donations. That means they are in.”
“That kind of makes me feel bad.” I sigh. “I want the girls to get in because they are smart, and funny, and good kids.”
“Are you telling me that they got into their current school without a donation?”
“Yes, no donation was required, just ridiculously high tuition.”
“Or having an in?”
“Yeah, maybe. All of us Johnson boys went to the same school. Honestly, with the trouble we caused, I’m surprised they let my girls attend,” I say with a laugh. My brothers and I could be a handful.
“You told me once that you’d like more children,” Vanessa says tentatively, sexily biting down on her lower lip.
“I would.”
“I’d really like a baby, but since I can’t have children, I was considering adoption. How would you feel about that?”
“I’m all for that, too.”
Tears fill her eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I love kids and want you to be happy.”
She throws herself into my arms, hugs me tightly, and tells me she loves me. I slide my fingers across the silky skin on her hip then down to cup her ass, thinking about some morning sex.
But she jumps up.
“Oh, shit. I didn’t realize it was so late! I have to send out the press release about the wedding first thing this morning, before word gets out!”
She quickly throws on a robe and leaves the room.
I close my eyes and go back to dreaming.
Shelby’s Bungalow - Sunset Boulevard
RILEY
“I need to talk to you about Ariela,” Shelby says, sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes. Nothing happened between us sexually last night, but yet it feels like it did. Waking up with her feels more intimate than ever. We went through something together, maybe. We were both scared. And I realized that I actually want this baby. “Even though you didn’t tell me, I figured you were going to be with her, and that’s why you didn’t want me to come with.”
“I went to a fundraiser just like I told you. But Keatyn and Aiden surprised everyone by getting married.”
“I bet you knew that was the plan all along. Which means you lied to me.” I see the hurt in her eyes.
“I couldn’t tell anyone because of the press. Not even you, Shelby. I’m sorry.”
“Or is it because you didn’t want me there?”
“Ariela plans events. She planned the wedding. So, yes, I knew she would be there. And if you recall, we discussed that already.”
“That’s not really the point. You lied to me. That hurts.” She rubs her stomach, causing me to feel even more guilty. “I told you, Riley, if you weren’t going to be monogamous, neither was I. On Friday night, I was with someone I met here at the hotel.”
“You what? You fucked some guy while you’re pregnant with my child?” The thought of her with someone else simultaneously sickens me and makes me feel jealous. Am I getting attached to her in that way?
“You’re not the only one with needs, Riley,” she says flatly. “It’s not a big deal. We were discreet.”
“How did you meet him?”
“I was enjoying dessert at the bar. It was this amazing chocolate. He told me he was jealous of the pleasure the chocolate was bringing me. He was hot. The end.”
“Are you going to keep seeing him? I don’t know how I feel about this.”
“I told you that I love you, Riley. That I want to marry you, have this baby, and be a family. You are the one who set the terms for our relationship. I’m just abiding by them.” The girl has a point. Fuck.
“So, you’re feeling okay now? No more cramping? I really think a doctor should check you out.”
“I’m fine, Riley. Just having you come here means so much.” She gets tears in her eyes. “I’ve never had a man in my life who I could depend on.”
I move closer and wrap her in a hug. “I’ll always be here for you and our baby, Shelby. I promise.” Her hand glides down my thigh. “But I probably need to get going.”
I get out of bed quickly, because Shelby is hard to resist.
And by that, I mean with one touch, I’m hard.
I turn away from her because I don’t want her to know, slip on my slacks and shirt.
“Won’t you at least stay for breakfast?”
“I can’t.”
“So, are you going to have breakfast with her?”
“She wasn’t very happy that I came here last night. She was even more unhappy that I put her in a cab, sent her home, and spent the night with you. She may not even talk to me after this.”
“Well, you know how I feel about you, Riley. If you want to come back and have some fun later, call me.”
I nod as I put on my shoes. “Okay. But I want you to make a doctor’s appointment for this week. I think we should have an ultrasound and make sure everything’s okay. And I want to be there with you.”
I give her a kiss on the cheek and then get the hell out of there.
Shelby’s Bungalow - Sunset Boulevard
SHELBY
Riley walks out.
Which was not my plan.
At. All.
And there is no way I can take him to a doctor’s appointment. The ultrasound will measure the baby to determine if my due date is accurate. And Riley is smart enough to do the math. Somehow, I’ll have to go by myself.
I look up ultrasound photos on the internet, wondering what my baby looks like at this stage. When I see one where the baby looks like it’s waving, I get excited. Riley will love seeing a photo like this and it’s not like he’s going to know the difference between a few weeks. He’ll just be so thrilled to see a photo of his baby.
I think back to how he gently touched my stomach last night. The raw emotion in his voice.
Actually, an ultrasound photo might be all I need to get Riley Johnson to marry me.
>
The Wedding of the Century?
Well, people.
I can’t decide if I should laugh or cry about this. To be honest, I’m a little devastated.
Let’s start with the official statement that I just received:
Keatyn Douglas and long time beau, vintner and philanthropist Aiden Arrington, surprised friends and family, who were invited to the couple’s Sonoma County home for a fundraiser, by getting married last night. The happy couple plans a three-week honeymoon before Keatyn is due in London to finish filming the last of the Trinity series movies. (Sob!)
I’d like to go on record and say I predicted a wedding in the very near future, but I will admit, Keatyn pulled a fast one on me.
In fact, she pulled a fast one on everyone.
When I got this press release, I literally sat here for a full three minutes with my mouth hanging open.
It’s okay.
Take a minute.
It’s a lot to take in all at once.
First off, I’m mourning over the loss of Keatyn and Knox as a couple.
They are soooooo perfect together. I love them!
Not that Aiden and Keatyn don’t have a beautiful (and very commercialized love story), but I still held out hope. Keatyn and Knox seemed so close when they showed up at her sisters’ birthday party together and without an engagement ring.
So, I thought—well, you know what I thought.
But, alas, I recovered quickly from the shock and, thankfully for you, did what I do best—got on the phone and unraveled all the details. I mean, there’s so much to discuss!
Before I give you the skinny on the wedding, let’s talk about what this really means. Knox “Sexiest Man Alive” Daniels is still deliciously single. And that’s something we can all rejoice about.
So here we go.
The big question is, how was a wedding of this magnitude kept a secret?
Here’s how she did it.
Asher Vineyards often holds events and fundraisers for its Moon Wish charities. Three weeks ago, local event companies were told of a “last minute event” being thrown together by Maggie Pedersen, Moon Wish’s in-house event planner and Ariela Ross, a Connecticut event planner—both names Keatyn Chronicles movie goers will recognize.
Hundreds of guests received hand-delivered invitations to said “fundraiser” and were “pleasantly surprised” said one guest, to find out upon arrival that they were really attending Keatyn and Aiden’s nuptials.
Because Keatyn and Knox just wrapped up studio filming and have a three-week break before reporting to their first location, the lovebirds decided it would be the perfect time to tie the knot. Friends and family were thrilled the pair, who have been together for nearly twelve years, were finally taking the plunge to matrimony. When publicist Vanessa Flanning announced the couple’s recent engagement, she mentioned a springtime wedding in Paris. Since Vanessa stood up for Keatyn, we’re assuming it was either a little white lie to protect her friend, or the bride changed her mind and opted for the quickie wedding.
But since our sources in Knox Daniel’s camp told us to expect an announcement on Monday, we’ll assume the former, because he was clearly in on it, too.
As devastated as I am, I’ve put my feelings behind me and have been trying my damnedest to get a picture from the event—even some grainy cell shots would suffice, but guests were asked to refrain from taking photos of the bride and groom.
I figured what the hell and called Vanessa Flanning, herself. She directed me to the wedding planner, who thankfully gave me some details.
So, here we go:
Of the six hundred invited guests, about four hundred were in attendance and the list of celebrities is too long to list. Hotels in Sonoma and nearby Napa were booked full. How none of this leaked, I have no freaking idea.
Guests were greeted upon arrival with glasses of spiked lemonade, given a wedding program, and seated on an assortment of pastel, velvet-covered vintage chairs and settees. Keatyn was glowing as she walked down an aisle scattered with four-leaf clovers and was escorted by both her stepfather, Tommy Stevens, and her paternal grandfather. The bride was stunning in a custom gown by designer Eliza Valens, which featured regal gold embroidery and a custom veil. We’re told that seamstresses spent a combined total of over 1300 man hours to create the gorgeous ensemble. When I asked about the shoes, Ariela laughed and said that originally the bride was planning to wear a gold couture heel, but right before she walked down the aisle, her grandfather presented her with custom-made cowboy boots, which were embroidered in gold with symbols relating to the couple’s love story.
Apparently, Aiden’s nickname for Keatyn is Boots, so this is actually rather touching.
I may have shed a tear.
Or not.
I’m still in a mood over not getting an invite. I may be throwing a little temper tantrum. And I know it’s early, but this calls for a stiff drink. (And later, I’ll be looking for something else stiff, if you catch my drift.)
But I digress.
The couple wed just before sunset under a rustic wooden wedding arbor lovingly built by the groom. Since I can’t imagine someone so glamorous as Keatyn having a rustic wedding, I was happy to hear that it was draped in the palest of silks, decorated with scads of pastel flowers, feathers, and a large vintage chandelier.
Standing up for the bride and groom were Riley Johnson, CEO and chairman of the board of the recently sold Captive Films and Vanessa Flanning, publicist of the star.
The ceremony was followed by an outdoor cocktail hour and a family-style dinner in their wood-beamed, old brick, silk draped, fairy-light lit barn. The event was catered by the couple’s long-time chef, Marvel, and included a special vintage wine from Asher Vineyards. Highlights of the night included toasts from friends and family, a first dance to the song ‘Sorta Like Fate’ performed by the band, Twisted Dreams, and club dancing to Twisted Dreams drummer and international DJ Troy Malone’s sick beats. Little sister, Emery, performed, as did numerous other friends of the couple. The evening also featured a scotch and cigar bar, cotton candy, rides on the groom’s gift to his bride: a restored vintage Ferris wheel, fireworks, and in case that wasn’t enough, when guests left, they found rows and rows of grapes lit by thousands of twinkle lights.
Sounds truly fabulous.
(If you noted a little sarcasm on my part, you are correct. Excuse me while I down another shot.)
Now for the gossip. With such a guest list, you can imagine the fun.
Riley Johnson was seen dancing closely with married-but-filed-for-a-divorce wedding planner, Ariela Ross.
Jennifer Edwards, who is set to star with Knox Daniels and Jake Worth in Daddy’s Angel, were seen dancing in a group, but rumor has it Jennifer and Knox have broken up. As evidenced by the fact that she ended the night in the DJ booth with Troy Malone. Troy is known to be quite the partier and what a steamy match this might be. You go, girl!
Avery, Emery, and Ivery Stevens, the now-legal triplet daughters of Tommy and Abby, who just a few days ago were partying it up with their friends at their over-the-top birthday bash, were at the event, sans escorts. Does that mean Emery and 24-year-old bad boy rapper Treska’s relationship is already over? And what about baby sister Gracelyn’s recent kiss with Summer Boy crooner, Dylan?
What does it mean that they weren’t invited to the wedding?
Girls? Inquiring minds want to know.
Vanessa’s Estate - Holmby Hills
VANESSA
When Dawson and I pull through the gates, I gasp at the sight of my home. It looks different. Sure, the terra-cotta stucco and tile roof are the same, as are the mahogany windows and iron balconies, but its harsh contrasts are gone. Added under the windows are wood and metal planter boxes filled with red begonias. The large mahogany doors are flanked by red glazed urns filled with large topiaries and set between them is a red doormat with natural colored cursive script that simply says hello.
I am out of the car before Daws
on can come around to open my door.
“Doesn’t it look so much prettier? More approachable?”
“It looks like our home now,” he says, and I couldn’t have summed it up better myself.
“Remember when Avery told me I needed to wear a happy dress to the Purity Party?”
“Yes,” he says, taking my hand in his.
“That’s how the house looks now. It looks happy.”
“You look happy. That’s what matters,” he says, sweeping me off my feet and carrying me over the threshold.
“We’re going to be happy here, aren’t we?” I ask, ignoring the house and looking deep into his chocolate brown eyes. Eyes that have held the answer to that question since the day he walked back into my life.
“We are,” he tells me, sealing the deal with a kiss before gently placing me on my feet. “Let’s see if the inside looks as good as the outside.”
“Wow,” is all I can manage to mutter when I pivot in a circle, trying to take in how different it looks.
“Wow, is right,” Dawson says. “It’s almost hard to believe it’s the same house.”
The massive table in the dining room is still the same, but the walls are now the color of a Tuscan sunset. The heavy brocade fabric on the chairs and drapes has been replaced with simple cream linen. The large sideboard is overflowing with colorful Italian pottery, not priceless Ming vases, and the ornate chandelier looks more casual wrapped in metal and hanging from the wood-beamed ceiling which has been stripped of its dark stain.
I jump up and down. “It’s so perfect! I can’t wait to have a dinner party here!”
Dawson slips his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “And I was thinking I’d like to spread you out on that table and feast on you.”
“Why don’t you make a list of all the places you’d like to do me as we go through the house.”
He pushes me back against the heavy wooden table. “No lists. Now.”