Epilogue
Eighteen months later...
“Beautiful,”Sadie McClain dabbed at the corner of her eye. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you and the movie are nominated for an Oscar.” She hugged Londyn.
Londyn stood outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, dressed in an elegant Versace-designed dress. At first, she’d refused to wear the gown when she’d learned how much it cost.
Her mother had bought the gown anyway. “You wouldn’t let me help you pay off the ranch debt, so the least you can do is let me splurge on the dress,” her mother said. “You might as well wear it. It’s paid for, and they don’t allow returns. It was made for you and would be a crime against fashion to never be photographed. Think of wearing it as an advertisement for the talented artists who designed it and the talent actress wearing it.”
Standing beside Nash, surrounded by the people she loved, Londyn felt beautiful and happier than she”d ever been. And she had a secret she’d been carrying close to her chest for the past week that made her even happier.
She stared at her husband of six months. He wore a black tuxedo, complete with cummerbund and bowtie. The man was stunning. And he was hers, body and soul.
With all the press time, talk show interviews and preparation for the movie’s release, she hadn’t had time to tell him her secret. Neither of them had been home on the ranch for much of the past two months. When they were together, they spent a lot of time in bed, making love, laughing and just being together.
Nash had only just returned from an assignment that had taken him to London for a week.
“Sweetheart,” Londyn’s mother hurried toward her, her face glowing with pride. “The movie’s premiere is a huge success. Everyone who attended is raving about the story, the cinematography and your stellar portrayal of Lana.” She hugged her daughter so hard Londyn could barely breathe. “I’m so proud of you, darling.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Londyn said, her heart brimming with happiness. “That means a lot to me.”
Her mother stepped back. “Did you get the contract for the sequel?”
Londyn nodded.
“And?”
“Nash and I discussed it.” Londyn glanced toward her husband. “We agreed that I should do it. But I asked to push the start date out another six months, giving me a year and a half to get ready.”
Her mother’s brow wrinkled. “Why would you need a year and a half to get ready?”
“Yeah,” Nash frowned, “why do you need a year and a half to get ready? You’re in terrific shape and more beautiful than ever.”
“He’s right,” her mother said. “You’re practically glowing. As you should, with your first movie a huge success.”
Sadie McClain moved closer. “You are glowing with more than pride for a job well done.” Her eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face. “You’re pregnant,” she said softly. “Oh, Londyn, I’m so happy for you and Nash.”
“Wait,” Nash shook his head. “What?” He turned toward Londyn and gripped her hands, his brow dipping low on his forehead. “Pregnant? Really?”
“I wanted to tell you tonight...in private,” she squeezed his hands, her heart bursting with joy.
He shook his head, his eyes wide. “With a baby?”
Everyone laughed, including Londyn.
“That’s usually how it works.” Hank clapped his back. “Congratulations, Nash. You’re going to love being a father.”
Nash’s face split in a huge grin. “I’m going to be a father.”
Londyn laughed. “Yes, you are. We’re going to have a baby.”
Everyone gathered around to congratulate them.
Nash pulled Londyn into his arms and kissed her so gently it made her heart melt all over again.
Nash leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you, Londyn, and I can’t imagine life without you. I can’t wait to share that life with our baby.”
“I love you, too,” she said. “I didn’t know I was missing out on so much until I met you.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Then you came along and filled all the empty spaces and so much more. Thank you for insisting on protecting me when I tried to push you away. I can be stubborn.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “It’s one of the things I love most about you.” He slipped an arm around her. “Come on. We have an afterparty to go to and so many reasons to celebrate.”
She walked with him into the rest of her life.