Victorious(75)

I’m absolutely stunned to see a ten-piece orchestra, a stage and Jason Mraz.

Jason Mraz?

“Surprise,” Flynn whispers as he leads me to the dance floor as Jason sings “I Won’t Give Up,” the song we chose as our wedding song that night in Vegas.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe this!” I’m overwhelmed by the incredible surprise as we dance to the song that will always bring back such beautiful memories of the first time we said “I do.” And now this, too… “Amazing surprise. Thank you so much.”

“You’ll have to thank my mom. She called in a few favors with the record company.” He draws me in closer to him, close enough that I can feel his arousal hard and heavy against my belly. “I won’t give up, Nat. No matter what, I’ll never give up on us.”

I rub against him as shamelessly as I’m able to without making a scene. “I won’t either. I promise.” I gasp when the vibrating bullet in the panties he made me wear comes to life between my legs. I experience the same thrill I got at the club when people were watching us.

“Save some of those moves for the honeymoon.”

Raising my head off his shoulder so I can see his face, I say, “What honeymoon? We’ve been on our honeymoon for weeks.”

He scoffs. “Please. Give me a break. Hanging out at home is not a honeymoon.”

“Flynn…”

“Shhh.” He kisses the words off my lips. “Enjoy your wedding.”

When the song ends to resounding applause, Jason calls Estelle Flynn to the stage and hands the microphone off to her. Thankfully, Flynn turns off the vibrator, and I sag against him in relief. My entire body is humming from the drumbeat of desire. I’m beginning to accept that as a permanent part of my new life with Flynn.

“Thank you so much, Jason,” Stella says. “Wasn’t that amazing?” She leads another round of applause for the singer, who takes a courtly bow and blows a kiss to us before he exits the stage.

I try not to swoon in the arms of my new husband.

“Max and I are so pleased and honored to welcome Natalie to our family. We have hoped and prayed that our wonderful son would someday find someone who brings him the kind of joy he’s experienced with Natalie. We love you both, and we’re so happy for you today.” After some more applause, Stella continues. “I understand my new daughter-in-law and I have something in common, so I’d like to dedicate this to her and to my beloved son.” She nods to the orchestra, which plays a familiar tune that immediately brings tears to my eyes.

“Oh, Flynn…”

Stella sings “Something Good” from The Sound of Music, and I absolutely melt into the arms of the man I love as his mother serenades us. It is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible moments of my life.

The entire evening is something out of a dream. I meet extended family—Max’s sister, Stella’s brother—Flynn’s cousins, family friends, a few of them celebrities, but nothing about this day is about celebrity. It’s about celebration and love and family and all the things that matter most in life. We enjoy a delicious meal, cut our cake and drink more champagne—headaches be damned.

After dinner, I tell Flynn I’ll be right back and get up to speak to Leah. “Come with me for a second.”

“Um, okay. What’s up?”

“You’ll see.”

I lead her over to the table where Marlowe is chatting with Flynn’s sisters. I introduce them all. “Marlowe, I want you to meet my roommate from New York, Leah. Leah, Marlowe.”

Though she is totally starstruck, Leah manages to shake hands with Marlowe.

“Great to meet you,” Marlowe says.

“Yes,” Leah says, trying not to stare. “Same here. Heard a lot about you from Nat.”

“All good, I hope.”

“All good.”

“So Marlowe desperately needs an Addie, and Leah needs a job. I thought you two might be able to help each other out.”

Leah stares at me, her mouth agape. “You… I…”

“She’s normally much more articulate,” I say to Marlowe, who is smiling broadly.

“How soon can you be here, Leah?”

“W-what? You can’t be serious. I’m a teacher, or I was a teacher. I don’t want to be a teacher, and oh my God, I’m babbling.”

“The job is yours if you want it. Natalie is right—I desperately need an Addie, and Addie could teach you everything you need to know about being an Addie. Will you consider it?”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I know Natalie, and if she says you’d be great, that’s all I need to hear. I’d want you to relocate out here, though, since most of my life happens here.”

“Move here. Work for Marlowe Sloane. Someone pinch me.”

I gently pinch her arm, making them both laugh.

“So that’s a yes?” Marlowe asks.

“Yes!” Leah’s eyes are dancing with delight. “A million times yes.”

“Excellent!” I’m pleased with my matchmaking and to know my best friend from New York will soon be living close by in Los Angeles.

As I dance with Max much later, Hayden dances with Addie, Marlowe with one of Flynn’s younger cousins, and Jasper with Flynn’s sister Ellie. Kristian and Emmett are standing by the side of the dance floor, a gaggle of women surrounding them. Flynn sways to the music with his nieces, India and Ivy, who giggle at his antics. He’s going to be such a wonderful father.