by Layla Hagen
"Tell me when you do, and I'll do everything I can to help."
“Thanks.”
"The earlier you decide on a dress, the better. It can take forever to have it all done, especially if the style isn't one that they usually carry," Isabelle said.
I was already panicking a little as everyone else started pitching in with wedding advice.
"Eloping doesn't sound so bad now, does it?" Ian whispered when I reached for a piece of cheese.
"Nah, we can’t do that,” I whispered. “Look how much everyone’s looking forward to it.”
I never thought that meeting Ian would lead to finding love and bringing my family together like this. I smiled, glancing around the crowded room. With our family and friends around us, we’d figure out everything, one day at a time.
Second Epilogue
Ian
Six Years Later
"This gang is never going to run out of excuses to celebrate something, are we?" Dylan asked while the two of us were bringing out a huge wooden table.
"True," I replied. "But in Josie's defense, this is a very good reason to celebrate."
We were all in Tarrytown at Isabelle and Brayden's house. Those two made good on their promise to fill it up. They had a four-year-old daughter, Casey, and newborn twin boys, Arthur and Craig. Mom was on cloud nine, fussing around her brood of grandkids. Dylan and Mel also had one son, David. As for Ellie and me, we got married three years ago and were planning to wait a few more years before having kids.
She was looking to finally open her own restaurant, and I was fully supporting her in following her dreams. I looked around the yard for her and found her talking to Rob, Skye’s husband—no doubt it was about the restaurant business. Of course, the entire Winchester family was also here, kids in tow.
Dylan and I set the table against the wall of the house.
“I’m going to grab chairs,” he said.
“Good. I need to check with the rest on how the plan is moving along.”
Josie wanted to surprise Hunter before his birthday in a week, so she’d decided to hold a surprise party.
We needed a reason, obviously. Isabelle volunteered to celebrate the twins turning three months. Hunter bought it—but in his defense, Isabelle had gathered the group here in Tarrytown for lesser occasions. We often celebrated events here—Brayden’s star power was as strong as ever, as was the paparazzi interest in them, and this was the only place where they had one hundred percent privacy.
Leaving my brother to bring out the chairs, I went over to my wife, startling her when I put an arm around her waist, kissing the side of her neck.
“Hey, beautiful,” I said.
“You scared me,” Ellie replied with a laugh. “But keep telling me I’m beautiful, and I might forgive you.”
“Noted.”
Rob grinned at us.
"What are you two talking about?" I asked.
Ellie shimmied her ass against me. This woman! Did she want to drive me crazy in public? "He was giving me tips on how not to lose my mind when I open my own restaurant. Since he's running a gazillion, I thought he might be the right person to ask."
"It just gets to be routine after a while, but it's hard work for the first few years," Rob said. His Dumont restaurants were booming. Since Skye’s business was also growing by leaps and bounds, they were busy nonstop. She and Tess had gone from two shops to two dozen around the US.
A loud sound pierced the air, making all three of us look around for the source. Rob groaned.
“And that’s Jonas,” he said, referring to his son, who was running around with a soccer ball after his younger cousin, Gabriel, Tess’s son. “Sometimes you think he’s the sweetest kid, sometimes your jaw hits the floor when you watch him boss around the other kids.”
Skye burst out laughing, walking with Tess toward us.
“He takes after you, bossy from morning to evening,” she said, nudging him with her elbow. "Plus, he is the oldest one. That right there gives him bossiness privilege."
They were currently fighting on who should kick the ball first. I decided to play referee.
"Come on, Jonas," I said, letting go of Ellie, "I'm going to be your partner."
“I’m gonna go check on Isabelle,” Ellie said, leaving as Jonas nodded, handing me the ball. He was trying to be a goalkeeper, and this wasn’t his shtick. He kept following everyone around with a ball.
"Gabriel, watch Ian and learn. You don’t want to let Jonas win too often,” Tess encouraged.
Skye groaned. "Tess, don't egg them on when they're so little."
Tess grinned. "But how else will they learn about sibling and cousin rivalry?"
I kicked the ball right back, but instead of doing so lightly so it would land near Jonas, it flew all the way back to the house. Well, that was one skill I still had to perfect.
Tess winced. “Okay, I take that back. Do not pay attention to what Uncle Ian does.”
Jonas didn’t even hear her. He was already speeding toward the house to recover his ball. Gabriel was right behind him. Skye and Rob took off after them.
Tess glanced around us, then whispered, “Are you in on the plot?”
“Obviously.”
“Ah, that’s why you’re here. This is a teaching Saturday, right?”
"Yes, but family comes first.” The coding platform grew by leaps and bounds over the past few years, and I was even teaching a few evening classes at a high school and also on the occasional weekend. I felt it was an important skill for young people to have. Finding Ellie was like finding my center and my balance. I wasn't restless anymore. After finding her, everything fell into place.
"And speak of the devil, here she comes."
Josie was strutting through the yard with a smile so huge that if she didn't turn it down, her husband would know she was up to something.
"She's going to give it all away," Tess said, sounding a bit panicky.
"I know, right?"
Josie smiled even wider when she stopped in front of us.
"Sis, friendly warning, Hunter is going to know you're up to something if you keep smiling like that."
She tried to tone it down. It didn't work. "Did you bring everything?"
"Of course. I'm not an amateur," I said, offended.
"Sorry, I'm just double-checking every detail."
The rest are also ready, and because we don't do anything half-hearted in this group, we had several subgroups in charge of a different organizational tasks: the cake, the fireworks, the presents, and whatnot.
Just then, Hunter joined us and we all fell silent. He looked around at us, cocking a brow. "What's happening?"
"Nothing," Josie said a bit too quickly. Next to me, Tess laughed.
"Fine, keep your secrets," Hunter said, kissing the side of her head. “I’m still too jet-lagged from the trip to Paris to catch up. But I’ll sober up soon.”
He and Cole were successfully expanding into Europe more and more every year. They'd started with their shopping center in Rome years ago, but that had grown to twelve European capitals.
Josie kissed Hunter’s cheek, smiling coyly. Yeah, she might have just telegraphed that she really was keeping secrets. I exchanged a glance with Tess, who nodded almost imperceptibly. It was our sign that she was going to defuse Hunter's doubts. If anyone could do it, it was Tess.
"I'm going to talk to Ryker," I said. "I wanted to ask his opinion on something related to the platform." I was bullshitting, but Hunter was too busy being suspicious of Josie to pay me any attention.
The truth was that every part of the plot had to come together smoothly for the surprise to work. I found Ryker with his sister-in-law, Laney.
"Listen, we have a problem," I said. "Hunter is already suspecting something."
Ryker grinned. "Well, of course he is. He's smart, and his birthday is coming up. I'd be more concerned if he wasn’t picking up on these sketchy vibes we're all giving off."
“Okay, everyone, gather roun
d,” Tess said loudly a few seconds later.
Laney frowned. “But according to the plan, this was supposed to happen in half an hour.”
“Yeah, I think Tess decided that if we wait, the risk of Hunter finding out was too high.”
Everyone started slowly walking toward them. Isabelle and Brayden came out of the house, with our parents right behind them, carrying the twins.
Ellie was walking a few steps back, holding hands with Casey. I made a beeline for them.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I said.
Ellie flashed me a huge smile. “You’re full of compliments today.”
“What are you talking about? I’m always complimenting you.”
“Mmm, true. Maybe I’m more susceptible today.”
“Ellie, can you help me make my dress more like a princess?”
“Sure thing, honey.” Lowering herself on her haunches, she kissed Casey’s forehead, ruffling the pink dress the girl was wearing. Ellie would make a great mother one day, and I couldn’t wait. I wanted to explore everything life had to offer with her by my side. Casey took off once she was happy with her dress. Ellie straightened up, pointing to my eyes.
“What’s with that look? I want to know what you’re thinking.”
I curled an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “You will. Later. When we’re alone.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait. I can’t believe everyone’s so involved in this. I’m so happy I was too.”
“You’re part of the family, Ellie. Part of me.”
She sighed, kissing my chin. “You always know just what to say to make me swoon.”
“I try my best.”
We all looked in Hunter’s direction when we heard him laughing.
“You really thought that I wouldn’t know you’re throwing me a birthday party?” Hunter asked.
Josie pouted. “I really wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, the cat is definitely out of the bag,” Ellie said.
Hunter looked at all of us, then pulled his wife to him and kissed her cheek, murmuring something in her ear.
Pulling back, he kissed her hand. "Thank you to my lovely wife for this surprise. I also have one for her. I was planning to give it to her later, because our ten-year anniversary is coming soon, but since she surprised me, there is no better moment than now." He took his phone out, holding it out for Josie, who grinned and hugged him tightly.
"He got us tickets to the Maldives," she said to no one in particular.
“That was where they went for their honeymoon,” I explained to Ellie.
"Oh, that's so romantic. Look how adoringly he looks at her after ten years."
“Hey, we're going strong with six, and I'm still looking like that at you.
"It's not a competition," she said with a soft chuckle, turning around.
“I still want to win it. I’ll prove it to you later,” I whispered in her ear.
“Challenge accepted.”
I opened my mouth but closed it again when I noticed Mom coming straight toward us. I’d have plenty of time for dirty talk later. The group geared into motion. Cole would start the fireworks soon.
“Everything is a competition to him,” Mom said playfully. I congratulated myself for keeping my mouth shut.
“He comes out winning most of the time too. He was the last bachelor of the group, after all,” Ellie said.
Mom looked knowingly between us. “Only because you didn’t move to New York earlier.”
“I agree,” I replied easily.
“Love is different for everyone,” Mom added. “Some are friends since childhood, but it takes a while for them to figure out they are soulmates, like Josie and Hunter. Some only find each other later in life.”
Ellie grinned. “And Ian and I are somewhere in the middle, right?”
Mom started laughing. “Something like that. It doesn’t matter how it starts out. Only that it’s true, and deep. Life is all about taking things in stride: the joy and the sorrows and finding the little things to enjoy every day. Because no matter how difficult things are, I promise you that you can find joy even in trying times. And I am beyond grateful that all my children are have fulfilling lives.”
She seemed to want to add something, but Cole made a big show of calling everyone’s attention to the fireworks. They were set up at the edge of the property, along the Hudson River.
“Come on. I don’t want to miss the fireworks,” Mom said.
“Neither do I,” Ellie replied. As we went toward the river, she whispered in my ear, “I love your mom’s advice.”
“And we’re going to follow it to a T. That’s a promise, Ellie.”
As we sat down on the blanket I’d set out earlier, I thought about my life and how I finally found Ellie. Before, life was fun but lacking... I mean I enjoyed every day, but now I savored every day. And it would be my honor to spend my life next to Ellie, making sure she got everything she wanted.
Because she was mine.
Dear Reader,
This is the end of Ian and Ellie’s story. Please sign up HERE to my NEWSLETTER to receive news about upcoming releases and giveaways.
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Other books by Layla Hagen
The Very Irresistible Bachelors series is complete and ready to be binge-read
You’re The One (Josie and Hunter) is available HERE
Just One Kiss (Ryker and Heather) is available HERE
One Perfect Touch (Skye and Rob) is available HERE
One Beautiful Promise (Cole and Laney’s story) is available HERE
My One And Only (Tess and Liam) is available HERE
***
The Bennett Family is also complete. They are a fun family, the romances are HOT and SWOONWORTHY. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Links to individual books in the Bennett Family Series:
Book 1: Your Irresistible Love (Sebastian & Ava)
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Book 2: Your Captivating Love (Logan & Nadine)
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Amazon UK
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Book 3: Your Forever Love (Pippa & Eric)
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Book 4: Your Inescapable Love (Max & Emilia)
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Book 5: Your Tempting Love (Christopher & Victoria)
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Book 6: Your Alluring Love (Alice & Nate)
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Book 7: Your Fierce Love (Blake & Clara)
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Book 8: Your One True Love (Daniel & Caroline)
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Book 9: Your Endless Love (Summer & Alex)
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The Connor Family series is also complete.
Here are the individual books:
ANYTHING FOR YOU (Landon & Maddie)
WILD WITH YOU (Lori & Graham)
MEANT FOR YOU (Will & Paige)
ONLY WITH YOU (Valentina & Carter)
FIGHTING FOR YOU (Jace & Brooke)
ALWAYS WITH YOU (HAILEY & REID)
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Withering Hope
Aimee’s wedding is supposed to turn out perfect. Her dress, her fiancé and the location—the idyllic holiday ranch in Brazil—are perfect.
But all Aimee’s plans come crashing down when the private jet that’s taking her from the U.S. to the ranch—where her fiancé awaits her—defects mid
-flight and the pilot is forced to perform an emergency landing in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
With no way to reach civilization, being rescued is Aimee and Tristan’s—the pilot—only hope. A slim one that slowly withers away, desperation taking its place. Because death wanders in the jungle under many forms: starvation, diseases. Beasts.
As Aimee and Tristan fight to find ways to survive, they grow closer. Together they discover that facing old, inner agonies carved by painful pasts takes just as much courage, if not even more, than facing the rainforest.
Despite her devotion to her fiancé, Aimee can’t hide her feelings for Tristan—the man for whom she’s slowly becoming everything. You can hide many things in the rainforest. But not lies. Or love.
Withering Hope is the story of a man who desperately needs forgiveness and the woman who brings him hope. It is a story in which hope births wings and blooms into a love that is as beautiful and intense as it is forbidden.
AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS. You can find the links HERE.
One Beautiful Promise
Copyright © 2020 Layla Hagen
Published by Layla Hagen
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