Second Epilogue

SECOND EPILOGUE

AMBER

Three months later

D o you know what's hard?

Marrying a guy in secret when your name is Amber Hope, that's what. On our first two attempts, rumors made their way to the press, and we had to abandon our plans. As much as I love my status as pop queen, I've become intensely aware of which parts of myself I'm willing to share, and which parts I want to hold close. For everything related to my career, I'm happy to let the world in. Toward the end of the tour, we even filmed some behind-the-scenes footage that featured Maddy and Nolan.

But our wedding—I want it to be about us.

Just us.

The solution to keeping the press clueless ends up being surprisingly simple. Nolan's dad offers to have the wedding at his house and while Nolan declines at first, it rapidly becomes obvious that it's the perfect solution. Third time is a charm, I guess.

Russell Gage hosts a never-ending stream of parties and events, and no one bats an eye when a steady stream of luxury cars fill his driveway. Family events are as common as industry ones, so it isn't even strange that nearly all his kids and several of his exes are descending on his house at the same time.

Most of the guests don't know they're about to witness a wedding. His mother and his brothers and sisters think they're celebrating the opening of a restaurant that serves burgers and beer amongst Russell Gage memorabilia. To further strengthen that misconception the restaurant is providing catering—bar fare isn't what people expect at a wedding, especially not my wedding.

My parents, Teddy, and Slater and Ellie think they are coming so they can formally meet Nolan's family. If they think it's odd that the introduction is happening at the same time as a restaurant launch party, they haven't mentioned it. Mina and Brian know the truth of course, and they're here, too. No one else from my team will attend, but once our marriage is announced, we'll host something at my house for everyone who didn't get to come.

I was a bit concerned that Russell would have a hard time keeping such a huge secret, but he's been amazing. I shouldn't be surprised since the man is an actor. His over-the-top personality makes it easy to forget that he won an Oscar for an action movie .

The fact that we're going to be getting married a dozen yards from a wax replica of a character from one of his most famous roles can't spoil my mood.

It's going to be an unconventional wedding, but I'm not bothered by all the things we won't have because I'm finally going to be Nolan's wife.

His wife.

I peek out the upstairs window at the people milling around the backyard. It's almost time to get started and I'm undeniably impatient. We decided I should hide after I got ready, so I have to wait for the signal before I go downstairs. The designer dress I changed into upstairs is sparkly and short, subtly concealing the fact that I'm wearing a wedding dress.

A knock at the door startles me. I shuffle over and pull it open to reveal my parents. My mother is holding Maddy, and her eyes widen as she takes in my dress.

My father doesn't seem to notice anything unusual. "Nolan directed us upstairs."

"You should have worn a tie," my mom laments to him.

He rolls his eyes. "Did you see anyone downstairs wearing a tie? Nolan's father is wearing a tee that advertises his new restaurant. I'd look ridiculous in a tie."

She frowns. "Maybe we can borrow a tie?"

I chuckle and shake my head. She always focuses on the most random things. He's wearing a pair of khaki slacks and a short sleeve navy button up. It isn't formal wear, but it'll be perfect for this wedding. "Dad doesn't need to wear a tie."

"Usually, men wear tuxedos to weddings, but at a minimum, they wear ties," she says as if it's an undeniable fact.

"Wedding," my dad stutters. "You're getting married?"

"At least I'm wearing a dress," my mom mutters to herself. "And Maddy is adorable in her sundress." She lifts Maddy and presses kisses all over her face.

"You're getting married?" my dad repeats.

I nod slowly as his eyes well with tears. "My baby girl." He engulfs me in a hug, and I snuggle into him. He's a big guy, six inches taller than me and still fit even though he just turned sixty. He lifts me off the ground and swings me in a circle. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"You know we were having a hard time keeping the details private. When Nolan's dad offered, it didn't take long for us to realize he could pull off a secret wedding. Everything came together pretty quickly after that." I smile at the memory of Russell's face when we agreed. "He's been dying to do something for Nolan since birth, so he's over the moon that he's getting to host the wedding."

"Are you sure this is what you want?" my mom asks, shifting Maddy onto her hip. "When you were little you had specific dreams about what your wedding would be like."

"I get to marry Nolan. It doesn't matter how, just that it happens."

"You're sure?"

"Mom," I groan. "I can't get married at the little white church on the corner of Elm and Seventh. We would never be able to keep that quiet. Do you know how much press would show up? They would overrun our little hometown."

"I suppose that is true." She doesn't blink as she studies me. It's obvious that she's trying to decide if I'm really okay. She's always been concerned about me giving away too much of myself to be famous. "I want you to be happy," she finally says.

"I know you do. Marrying Nolan is going to make me happy. The details are incidental."

She doesn't react for a second and then, very slowly, a smile emerges and her eyes well with tears. "I can't pretend that I'm not disappointed that we won't get to do all the traditional wedding stuff and I wish your father had a damn tie, but if a surprise wedding is what it takes to make you happy, then that's what I want for you."

She wraps her free arm around me and kisses me on the forehead like I'm five.

I sniffle because her support never gets old. "If it makes you feel better, Nolan isn't wearing a tie either. In a couple of minutes, Russell is going to usher everyone inside. Once they are settled, he's going to text me and we'll head downstairs so I can make my grand entrance."

"Nobody knows?" my dad asks.

"Just Russell and a couple of his staff. Plus, Mina and Brian. If anyone is suspicious of the arrangement of the seats, it'll be too late for them to accidentally reveal what's about to happen." I sheepishly glance out the window again. "Somehow Russell got his hands on something or someone who can jam wireless signals and the house is going to go off the grid as I descend the staircase."

Both of my parents look at me like I'm crazy and I can't help the laugh that escapes. "I know. It seems over the top since virtually everyone here knows better than to leak anything, but we aren't taking any chances. I want to enjoy it and I want Nolan to enjoy it. Being certain that it stays private will allow us to relax."

It sounds like some crazy spy movie shit, but according to Nolan's father it's totally acceptable. I'll admit that I didn't push too hard to discover the legality of signal jammers. I'm reasonably confident that Russell can handle any fallout if he isn't supposed to have that sort of power.

My phone buzzes in my hand. Showtime.

After a few whispered instructions on what to do, I send my mom and Maddy down the stairs. When they get to the bottom, my mom grabs the basket that is waiting on the table and hands it to my daughter. Maddy's been practicing at home, so she knows exactly what to do with those rose petals. She toddles down the hallway and through the open doors already spreading them in her wake.

I take my father's arm and follow my daughter.

The music starts when we appear in the doorway. It's the traditional wedding march and every single person rises as if they've already acclimated to the surprise nuptials.

Nolan is already waiting for me at the end of the makeshift aisle and he is all I really see.

He's wearing a button up shirt with a sports coat. We considered a tux, but ultimately decided that since nothing else about the wedding was going to be traditional our attire didn't need to be either.

Unsurprisingly, Maddy is already at his feet, dropping handfuls of petals as she looks up at him. He tousles her curls but doesn't take his eyes off me. I see everything reflected in his teary gaze. Affection. Friendship. Love.

He's never hesitated to show how he feels and without that bravery we would never have gotten here. With a smile, I glide down the aisle while Russell positions himself at the front. We agreed to let Nolan's father officiate the ceremony, a gesture of gratitude for his offer of a private wedding.

When I get to the end, Nolan reaches out and takes my hand.

Maddy keeps dropping rose petals at our feet, and I stare into the eyes of the man I love.

Nothing matters more than the family I've built.

"I love you," I whisper before we even start our vows.