Page 51 of Kiss Me, Darling

When I returned I made a big show of handing Lucy the tickets for tonight. “I’ll get the grill fired up.”

“Everything is good?”

I grinned with pride. “Very good.” It was a weird way to show my brothers how much they meant to me, but it was our way and it always would be.

“So your bags are packed and you’re really leaving?” London asked.

“Indeed. I’ve got my lady and we’re ready to get back to work.”

“But you’re still coming home for the holidays?” It was more of a statement than a question.

“We are. We’ll stay most of December and the beginning of January. While we’re here we’ll finish decorating the upstairs.” And then after that I was off to my next set, filming in Prague, then London, then Atlanta. I would make the most of my holidays because the first part of next year was going to be a lot of (good) work and travel.

“Good. Because we’ve picked a date.”

Everyone on the deck froze and turned towards London. “When is the royal wedding?”

She rolled her eyes. “Ben and I are getting married December 19th. The ceremony will take place at Grams.”

“Congrats!” Olivia hugged London. I hugged Ben. Everyone hugged everyone. It was a big old love fest.

After dinner Lucy ran upstairs to change and I helped clean up. “Don’t forget to clean out the fridge tomorrow.”

“I won’t. Linc and I come over to play pool anyway, so it’s not like the house is going to be abandoned until your return,” Chris laughed.

“Well don’t forget there’s now an awesome projector in there for movie watching.”

“Trust me, Linc is excited. He asked if we could play video games on it.”

Because I couldn’t resist being a pain in the ass, I teased him some more. “So Big Ben has set the date. When are you and Olivia?”

“What about you and Lucy? You’re older than me. You should get married next.”

I thought long and hard about booking a stay over in Las Vegas on our trip home, but decided I wanted my brothers beside me when Lucy and I got married. “You got engaged before us. You’re up next.”

“Yeah.” Ben snapped a dish towel at him. “Man up already.”

“Honestly?” Chris sighed. “We thought about getting married at the courthouse and then just sliding into your island reception all quiet like.”

“Do it!” Ben blinked. “Why not? Mom and Dad will be here. Grandma. You can have your own little ceremony but we can all share in the celebrating.” Then he glanced at me and silently asked if we were in too.

I wasnotabout to make a decision like that without Lucy. Besides, I hadn’t asked her yet. Not that it wasn’t a foregone conclusion. But I should probably ask…

“One problem. I’m not engaged.”

Both my brothers groaned. “You’ve basically been married to Lucy for years. You’re the most married of all of us.”

“Says the guy already trying to knock up his fiancee.”

Chris beamed. “Practicing is the most fun.”

“Whenareyou going to pop the question?” Ben asked.

“Pshaw.Like I’m telling either of you.” Tonight was the night. After the play. I had the ring hidden upstairs ready to go.

“These two are so laid back they’re just going to live happily ever after together with no rings or pieces of paper at all,” Chris said as he dried the last dish.

“I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out,” I called over my shoulder as I started for the stairs, more pleased with myself than I could ever remember. This morning I woke up with a purpose and it felt damn good to know where my life was headed.

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