Proposing to Preston (The Winslow Brothers, #2)(88)
Tell me what you need, sweetheart, and it’s yours.
“Yes,” he said. “I’d marry you every day for the rest of my life if it would make you happy.”
“Tomorrow,” she said, invoking his proposal to her, then giggling at his expression. “No. No. Not tomorrow. I’m kidding. But…soon. I don’t care if it looks rushed. I don’t want to sneak around to be with my husband. I want for the whole world to know I’m your wife.”
“How about…two weeks?” he said, beaming at her, loving the idea of renewing their vows in front of both their families. “Do you think we can get them all together?”
“Will yours be willing to travel?” she asked.
“For my wedding? Nothing would keep them away.”
“Lowville?” she asked, her eyes hopeful.
“On the farm,” he agreed. “I love it.”
They were both silent for a moment, staring at each other with goofy, happy smiles, digesting this new turn of events.
“Do you really think it’s possible?” Preston asked. “In two weeks?”
“I’m here in your arms,” she said, leaning forward to kiss him again. Her tongue darted out to play with his, making him thicken and swell all over again. “Anything’s possible. We’ll…”
“…figure it out,” he finished for her. “I love you to the moon and back. Writing it in the stars alone could never be enough.”
“Then write it every day on the fabric of our lives…” she said, borrowing the words that had been spoken at their wedding, “to form a most beautiful tapestry.”
“I promise,” he vowed. “Every day.”
“Me too.”
She kissed him again, and he pressed himself against her, letting her know how much he wanted her again.
“You know what we never said?” she asked, a saucy smile on her lips as she rolled to her back and crooked a finger at him, inviting him to follow. “Happy anniversary, Mr. Winslow.”
“Happy anniversary, Mrs. Winslow,” he answered, covering her body with his and leaning down to kiss his wife. “Happy forever.”
EPILOGUE
Nine months later
“This is Juliana Rankovic reporting live from the red carpet where we’re about to go inside and find out who will be the next Best Actress winner!”
“Right you are, Juliana. And this has been one exciting race. Powerhouse Amy Adams is here with her sixth Academy Award nomination, Sigourney Weaver with her fourth nomination, and Miranda Richardson and Kiera Knightly each here with their third.”
“Don’t forget my personal favorite, Elise Klassan.”
“I think you mean Elise Klassan-Winslow!” said Brian Fieldcrest, winking at his co-host.
Juliana giggled, nodding at the camera. “That’s right! The entire nation swooned over the story of Hollywood starlet, Elise, falling instantly in love with millionaire Preston Winslow while on location in Philadelphia shooting The Philly Story last summer. And that whirlwind wedding after they’d only known each other for a couple of weeks? Talk about romantic! Be still my beating heart, Brian!”
“Wasn’t she a beautiful bride? And Juliana, we’re already hearing quite a buzz about The Philly Story. But sadly for Elise’s fans, it seems like she and Preston have made New York their home, and from what we understand, Elise is concentrating on her Broadway career for the foreseeable future.”
“Don’t forget, Brian, Elise actually got her start on Broadway, co-starring with Maggie Gyllenhaal in Ethan Frome three years ago. Now starring in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Orpheum, she’s back on top! That girl’s got theater in her blood.”
“It appears so! Now Juliana, have you been hearing those delicious rumors about Elise and Preston starting a family? Her dress tonight sure was roomy, and I have to say…that would be one adorable baby!”
“Give her a break!” said Juliana, chuckling at her co-host. “That was a gorgeous Missoni maxi dress, and one of my top fashion picks of the night. She pulled it off like a charm. Was there a bump under there? Only Elise and Preston know for sure, but I have to agree: Baby Winslow will be a cutie pie. No question about it!”
“Juliana, let’s go back inside the Haywood Auditorium now where Charlize Theron is about to present the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture…”
The camera panned from the glittering ceiling of the auditorium to the stage where Charlize Theron, dressed in a sparkling, silver-sequined gown, had already greeted the audience, and was introducing the names of the Best Actress nominees.
“…Elise Klassan-Winslow in The Awakening, Kiera Knightly in Mansfield Park, Miranda Richardson in Julbilio, Sigourney Weaver in What Happened in Krakow, and Amy Adams in Once Upon a September.” The camera panned to each of the actresses in turn, splitting the TV screen with their smiling, expectant faces. “And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to… Amy Adams in Once Upon a September!”
The music trumpeted as the camera remained on each of the other four nominees for an extra moment before zooming in exclusively on Elise Klassan-Winslow, who stared up at her husband’s enamored face, her eyes adoring and her lips tilted up sweetly.
As Miss Adams made her ascent to the stage, the cameras lingered on Elise, watching as her handsome young husband, Preston Winslow, of the Philadelphia Winslows, beamed down at his wife, cupped her cheeks reverently and kissed her. Really kissed her, to the delight of every viewer at home. And when Elise finally drew away from him, her eyes sparkled with happiness like she hadn’t just lost the Oscar for Best Actress, but had already won the greatest prize in the world.