Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter
Twenty-Two
It’s late when we arrive back at the apartment, but
before we step inside, I look up at the glorious, star-filled sky. I always
have a wish ready. Always. But tonight, I don’t. Because all my wishes have
come true. All the years of wishes and struggles and what-ifs were worth it. I
don’t think my feet have touched the ground since they called my name earlier.
It’s like an out-of-body experience, even though I know I am firmly within
mine.
Encased in this gorgeous gown.
I look at Christian. He’s got this serene smile on his face,
and I know he’s patiently waiting for me to make my usual wish upon a star
before we go inside.
But instead of a wish, I whisper a simple, “Thank you” to
the universe.
Satisfied, I take the hand my husband extends to me and let
him lead me into the building and up to our humble home.
I hold my trophy close as we step inside, like I’m afraid it
will disappear if I loosen my grip. It reminds me of how Christian carried his
MVP trophy after the World Series.
It’s so quiet. After an evening full of laughter, music,
conversation, and the general hum of celebration, the silence somehow feels
louder. I drop my wrap on the sofa and slowly look around, once again reminded
of the night of the World Series. There was this magnificent trophy, and
nowhere proper to put it.
So, I place it on the old coffee table. My hands feel empty
without it already, but I smile lovingly at it.
Welcome home, Emmy!
“I think we need to add a display shelf to our list of
improvements to the apartment,” Christian teases. We’ve made some changes since
we made this our primary residence, but nothing major. Mainly because we’re on
the go so much, and we’ve made what we have work.
However…
“I wouldn’t say no to that.” Turning my head, I smile at
him, happy tears stinging my eyes again. “I think I’m still a little in shock.”
Nodding, he slowly makes his way over, his smile full of
promise. Reaching up, he brushes a loose strand of hair from my face, his
fingers lingering at my cheek. I lean into his touch. He gently cups my face in
his hands, and when our lips meet, it’s slow, tender, and achingly sweet.
There’s none of the camera glare or roar of applause—it’s just us. A victory
all its own. A quiet celebration of long nights, hard work, and finally being
here together. I press closer, feeling the warmth and steadiness of him, the
gentle rise and fall of his chest, and in that kiss, all the noise of the world
falls away. It’s just Christian, me, and a triumph that belongs only to us.
We’re finally having our moment.
When he lifts his head, I let out a dreamy sigh. “I’ve been
waiting all night for that.”
He chuckles. The low, masculine kind that sends a thrill up
and down my spine. “All night? I know I’ve kissed you multiple times tonight.”
“Not like that.”
The tips of his ears turn a little red as he takes both of
my hands in his. “Do you remember the day we got engaged?”
The giggle is out before I can stop it. “Of course, I do.
What made you think of that?”
“We walked around the resort grounds, making plans for our
future. We made career goals—another World Series title for me, and an Oscar
for you. But you said you’d accept an Emmy.”
“I remember.”
“And now you have one.”
“And you got your second World Series title. Look at us.
Making things happen.” I say it lightly, but his expression is a little more
thoughtful.
“You have no idea how proud I am of you. My heart felt like
it was going to burst right out of my chest when I watched you walk up onto
that stage. I’ve always said you were beautiful, but up there, you looked
luminous—like you were lit from the inside. You took my breath away.” He gives
me that boyish grin I love so much. “You’ve always taken my breath away. I
don’t know how I ever got so lucky.”
“I’m the lucky one. Everything in my life changed the moment
we met. I always believed in wishes and dreams and luck, but you are every
single wish and dream wrapped up in one incredible person.” I swallow hard,
emotion clogging my throat. “You are my everything. And winning that award
tonight with you right there beside me was just…” My heart’s racing, and my
voice catches. I pause because I’m overwhelmed by how I feel.
Christian steps in close, closing the distance between us
again. The warmth of his body soothes me. “I know,” he whispers. “I know
exactly how you feel because it’s the same for me. Getting an award is such a
powerful experience. But when the person you love most in the world is there to
celebrate the win with you? There’s nothing better.”
All I can do is nod before he kisses me again. I clutch the
lapels of his tuxedo, even as his arms go around me, steadying me. Grounding
me. Within moments, I’m boneless, and the exhaustion of the day catches up with
me.
This time, when we break apart, I smooth the fabric of his
jacket where I wrinkled it. “It’s going to take me an hour to get this makeup
off,” I tease. Jen came over earlier to make me glamorous, and while she outdid
herself, it’s definitely going to take some work to wash it all off.
He chuckles again, gently turning me around so my back is to
him. “Let me get you unzipped so you can do what you need to do. Would you like
a cup of tea?”
“Ooohhh…that sounds perfect. Thank
you.”
He gives my waist a quick squeeze once my gown’s unzipped.
“I’ll make it for you, and you can drink it in bed while we watch some TV. I
know you’re tired, but…”
“I am, but it’ll take me a while to fully unwind, and tea
will help.” Looking over my shoulder, I can’t help but gaze up at him lovingly.
“Thanks for being my date tonight and for being the absolute best husband ever.
I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Reaching up, he caresses my cheek. “You’ll never have to
find out because I’ll always be here for you. Always, Ella Rose.” He leans in
and kisses me one more time. “Go. I’ve got tea to make.”
That’s all the prodding I need.
I lovingly caress my Emmy as I walk away.
By the time I get to the bathroom, I’m seriously dragging. I
just want to shower, crawl into bed, and drink my tea while Christian holds me
as we watch some TV.
Although that almost sounds like too much.
Still, I shower, scrub off all the makeup, and get all the
products out of my hair. By the time I’m drying off, I feel ten pounds lighter.
Staring at my reflection, I look for signs. Do I look
different? Do award winners look different? Am I supposed to? But all I see is
me. Little Ella Rose Holt. The girl with the big dreams who worked her fanny
off to make them happen.
“We did it,” I whisper, wishing I could go back and tell
twelve-year-old me the news.
Yawning, I quickly dry off and slip into my pajamas because
my bed is seriously calling my name.
I walk into our bedroom as I loosely braid my damp hair and
spot Christian already in bed. “How was your shower?”
I hum sleepily as I climb in beside him and promptly rearrange
my pillows so I can get comfortable. “Mmm…it was
exactly what I needed. Although tomorrow, I may still have to…” I lean back
against the pillows and see it.
My Emmy.
On the ironing board.
“I hope you don’t mind that I reused your epic display,” he
says softly. “There was no way I was leaving that award on the coffee table.
It’s too special.”
“Are you kidding? This is amazing.” Resting my head on his
shoulder, I stare in wonder at the statue. “I love that you did this. Thank
you.”
“How could I not? I remember how I felt when I came into our
room that night, and you had my MVP trophy on display.”
“And I remember how I couldn’t believe you had just left it
on the floor.” We both laugh, snuggling closer.
“Well, like I said earlier, we need some proper displays to
show off our awards. We worked hard, and we should be proud of our
accomplishments.”
I have to agree. Right now, his trophy is on display at his
parents’ house. I always hoped that someday we’d be able to show it off in a
home of our own.
Someday.
We sit in companionable silence for several long moments.
“Your tea is going to get cold,” he gently reminds me, but
I’m too comfortable to move.
“I know. I don’t think I have the energy to even reach for
it. Sorry.”
“Nothing to apologize for.” I feel his soft lips at my
temple. “We can stay just like this. Or should I turn on the TV?”
“I’m not done staring at her yet.”
“Her?”
“Emmy. I mean, look at her. She’s a winged woman holding an
atom. Her.”
“Ah. Got it.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“If you’re into golden-winged women holding atoms, sure.”
That makes me laugh.
“How are we going to celebrate this?” he asks. “What would
you like to do?”
“I know I’m going to have like…a hundred phone calls and
texts tomorrow. I really wish our families could have been here to celebrate
with us.” I’m a little sad they’re not. “I know they couldn’t have come to the
actual awards show with us, but it would have been wonderful to celebrate with
them afterward.”
He’s quiet for a minute. “We still can.”
I lift my head, and maybe I’m more tired than I realize
because it sounds like he’s suggesting we fly our families out here.
“Christian, we can’t fly everyone out here. That’s crazy.”
Shaking his head, he lets out a low, tender chuckle. “That
wasn’t even remotely what I was saying.”
“Oh.” My head goes to his shoulder again. “Then what are
you saying?”
“Maybe we'll fly home and see everyone. You know, spend a
few days, show off the Emmy, and then be home in time for your next recording
session. What do you say?”
Before I can say anything, I yawn.
Loudly.
“I think that sounds perfect. I just don’t know when…”
Another yawn. “I’ll look at flights tomorrow, and we can…” Yet another yawn.
Beside me, Christian slowly maneuvers us until we’re lying
down.
“Tell you what, you’re going to be busy being fabulous and
doing PR stuff along with talking to everyone you know who wants to
congratulate you, so I’ll handle the travel stuff, okay?”
“Okay,” I say sleepily.
He turns off the bedside lamp before gently pulling me into
his arms.
“Christian?” I whisper.
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.”
“For…?”