EPILOGUE: SIX MONTHS L ATER
Tinsley
I couldn’t believe that this day had finally come. My world had changed so much in the last six months. I remembered sitting in my car that first day before heading to the studio to meet the Falconi team for the first time. I was so freaked out about seeing Ryan again.
Now my life had completely changed. I was sitting here on the day of my commitment ceremony surrounded by dozens of people who loved Lucas and I.
I had my own successful PR company, Lucas and I moved in full time with Ryan, and there was so much more on the horizon. How had I gotten so lucky?
I thought about my first big client break outside of the studio and Falconi franchise, Evelyn D’Angelo. She’d seen the work I’d done to help save the studio and turn around the reputation of Lee Wynn. She’d been wronged by the industry, and she needed me bad.
Evelyn had been the “it” girl right before the world shut down. While the rest of us were masked and huddled in our homes trying to keep sane, Evelyn had kept right on working. She’d agreed to take on a big project which required her to be quarantined with the entire cast and crew during the entire length of filming.
It was a big commitment but she had been willing to take it on because she felt it was important to keep entertaining people during such a wild time in the world. What she didn’t know was that one of the pervy members of
the support staff had put cameras in every nook and cranny of her hotel suite.
Evelyn’s entire quarantine experience had been recorded, including an on-set romance with her castmate Luke Heatherly. Luke portrayed the image of a bad boy turned good for the paparazzi, but it turned out he was a giant jerk. He’d lied to Evelyn saying that he and his wife were separated. In actuality, Luke and his wife weren’t just together, they were pregnant.
When the footage from their time together was leaked, manipulated, and sold, Evelyn had come across as a full-fledged seductress trying to lure a happily married Luke away from his loving, pregnant wife, while being forced to be locked up with the temptress the entire length of filming.
The studio she’d been working with had cancelled Evelyn and she’d been trashed in every media outlet worth paying attention to. That was until she’d been smart enough to hire me.
Saving Evelyn and transforming Lee’s reputation had made me the Hollywood fixer. I was now considered the person you came to when you had an impossible problem. I did things the right way which is part of the reason my business had blown up.
In six short months I had hired a staff and had a client list that would shock even the most seasoned Hollywood professionals. Katie and Stephen had joined me on staff when my business had taken off and my assistant, Alex, from the Lee blow up had joined me as well.
I was super choosy about how I went about my business and hiring and it had served me well. The Grant Chaswell’s of the world didn’t bat an eye anymore when I whipped out my contract and pricing. They knew I was worth it.
Lucas too had blossomed over the last several months. I already knew I had the world’s greatest kid but having a dad like Ryan around full time had really been great for him. Those two were practically inseparable.
Early on, Ryan and I had realized that if we were going to do this right we needed to live together and that transition had gone super well. Of course, that meant that Ryan and Adrienne had to “break up” for good but she was grateful for the chance to spend more time with her men.
Since our relationships were unorthodox, for the sake of the press, Ryan and I appeared in public as a couple. I accompanied him to all the important events. The press loved our story, college sweethearts reunited that already
had an adorable kid that Ryan had “kept hidden” from the press until recently.
We hadn’t wanted Lucas in the spotlight but since he and Ryan had bonded so well, it was impossible to continue protecting that secret. Lucas was practically Ryan’s shadow now and with every waking minute they looked more and more alike.
Behind the scenes my men and I kept going strong. I had never been so incredibly adored, so taken care of, so happy. The men took care of my every need, mentally, emotionally and of course physically. We had found an easy rhythm that worked for all of us.
They had blessed Lucas’ life too. He loved his uncles and no longer had that jerk off kid, Tyler, from school bothering him either. Who messes with a kid whose family is a bunch of superheroes and villains?
Then two months ago, they’d all made me the happiest woman on earth. I came home from a long day at the office to find our home filled with flowers on every surface and countertop along with a rose petal path leading me to the patio where Lucas and my guys were all gathered in front of a roaring fire in tuxedos.
They all looked so dashing, especially Lucas. They’d told me how much they all cared for me and how life had never been better. Then they asked that we make it as official as possible. Could we commit to one another before family and friends to be family forever?
Lucas and Ryan stepped forward and presented me with an incredible commitment ring with the biggest diamond I’d ever seen in real life surrounded by four smaller diamonds. It was absolutely gorgeous. And of course, I said, “yes.”
All of that led us to now, sitting here, having my makeup done along with my four best friends, Katie, Adrienne, Alex, and now Eveleyn waiting to commit my life to my men. The love that surrounded me was beyond my wildest dreams.
Katie looked over at me, “Oh crap, girls. She’s reminiscing again. The water works are coming. Evelyn get over there and wave a paper in front of her face so she doesn’t screw up the makeup they’re trying to put on her.” A very pregnant Katie pretended an attempt to get up from her perch on the couch.
“Okay, prego, hold those horses. I got this covered.” Evelyn teased waving a program in front of my face to try and keep my tears at bay.
“Okay, okay, I promise I won’t screw up my makeup,” I lied.
“That’s what you said the first three times. You mess it up one more time and you’re going to send Katie here into early labor,” Adrienne teased. “Haha,” said Katie, sticking her tongue out at Adrienne. “But seriously,
I will murder you if you mess up your makeup again.”
“Well you know I’m going to cry at the ceremony so just don’t kill me on my commitment day, please and I promise to stop crying right now.” I said.
“Deal,” Katie said with a wink.
Just then there was a knock at the door. “Hey ladies,” said Stephen, sticking his head in but averting his eyes. “We’re ready when you are.”
“This is it,” said Alex, when Stephen had left. “Are you ready?” “Any nerves?” asked Adrienne.
“Honestly no,” I said, meaning it. I know it’s unorthodox but I can’t imagine my special day being anything other than this. I love these guys so much and I have never felt so much love in return. I know we’re going to have some hurdles to jump through because of our unusual circumstances but it’s nothing we can’t handle if we’re together.”
“Okay, now I’m going to start crying,” Evelyn said, waving her hand in front of her eyes. “I know I haven’t known you that long, but I am just so happy for you. You deserve all the best.”
We made our way downstairs toward where Ryan’s home had been transformed into what I could only describe as a fairy wonderland. I may be tough as nails when it comes to my job but deep down I wanted my wedding day, or in this case my commitment day to be magical.
There were greens, and flowers and twinkle lights absolutely everywhere. I knew the pool outside where the ceremony was taking place would be even more magnificent.
Lucas was waiting to walk me down the aisle. He smiled up at me, “Mom, you look so beautiful. You look like a mermaid getting married.”
I had to laugh, my mermaid style satin gown was perfectly suited to my frame. It accentuated all of my best features and its ivory hue looked incredible against my skin. The hairdresser had teased my hair into effortless beach waves swept half back in a beautiful pearl comb that would have made Ariel jealous.
“Thanks buddy,” I replied. “You look so handsome in your linen suit.” “Thanks. It matches our guys,” he replied.
My heart could have stopped right then and there I was bursting with joy, “our guys.” I quickly composed myself and let the coordinator know we were ready. She signaled for them to start the processional and I peeked out to watch my best friends slowly make their way down the aisle.
Before I knew it, it was our turn. Lucas and I, my original guy. He took my hand and we started to make our way.
I was right, the decorator had outdone herself on the patio. The pool was all aglow with floating candles, it looked like a thousand lightning bugs were dancing in the water. The smell of jasmine was all around us and there at the end of a beautiful, lantern lined path were my guys.
Thiago, Michael, Kai and Ryan stood at the end of the aisle in a semi circle waiting for me with Stephen who would be assisting with the ceremony. I felt a lump rising in my throat, but it quickly dissipated. This was the happiest day of my life.
They looked incredible. The linen suits accentuated all their bodies so well and made them look so chic in the California sunset. I made a point to scan each of their eyes and the warmth and comfort that I found was so intense I felt like their love was literally carrying me down the aisle.
When I reached them, Stephen asked, “Who presents this woman?”
Lucas expertly replied, “I do. I present my mom for love.” The crowd of friends and family sweetly laughed at his line.
Lucas smiled big and gave my hand to Ryan, then he scampered off to go stand with Katie.
“We are gathered here today to honor the commitment that these five have made to love, honor, and cherish one another for all their days. Together they have built a love and a family that is envied by anyone that comes in contact with them. The commitment and care they have for one another is undeniable and incredible.”
“Each gentleman has prepared vows to share with Tinsley and then Tinsley will share her own vows of commitment. Thiago, if you’ll please begin,” Stephen said.
“Tinsley, my love, my life. You are the person I never knew I was looking for. You came into my world like a firework, unexpected and full of surprise. Luckily, unlike a firework, our flame of love has only grown. I know that I will spend the rest of my life fanning that flame and keeping the spark alive. I love you,” Thiago said.
Michael spoke next, “Tinsley, my heart was still part broken when you found me. You came into my life and you fixed the pieces of me I thought would never heal. You’ve resuscitated my heart and allowed me to be the best version of myself. A person that can love again. And I love you for that and for everything that you are.”
Next Kai, “Oh Tinsley, how did you do it? I was gonna out Clooney Clooney. I never had any intention of falling in love, having a girlfriend or ever committing to someone. Then you came along and renovated my life so that I can be me and still have space to be myself. I don’t know many people who could do that. I love you.”
Then Ryan spoke up, and this is when I lost it, “Tinsley, I love you with everything I have. I am so grateful that our paths crossed all those years ago and so grateful that you were willing to take a chance on me, a guy who never deserved you in the first place. Without you and Lucas, my life was empty. With the two of you my life feels complete. I love you.”
And finally I spoke up, “Thiago, Michael, Kai, Ryan, you are the great loves of my life. Each of you adds a piece to me that I had been missing. I may have been happy before I met you, but I was never complete until we crossed paths. My family wasn’t complete before without you in it. You are the greatest gifts of my life and I’m eternally grateful for each and every one of you. I love you, semper familia.”
“Semper familia,” they all echoed.
Then Lucas, presented me with a beautiful band with four diamonds on it, one for each of my men. And I presented them with their own special rings. Each of our bands was engraved with our family motto, “semper familia.”
“You may kiss your bride,” said Stephen. Each man approached and gave me a slow and gentle kiss.
“Okay, help me congratulate these guys,” said Stephen to the crowd and the whole wedding erupted in cheers.
Ryan took one hand as Lucas took the other and we all walked down the aisle into the adoring smiles of our family and friends. The love between us and the love that surrounded us was just so powerful.
I felt tears welling in my eyes as I looked out over our friends and family. And I felt a twinge of excitement for what was coming next.
As the group made their way inside, our coordinator led us to a private room that I’d asked her to prepare for just those of us in the commitment
party. There were snacks, champagne and bottles of water. The coordinator popped a bottle and poured glasses for everyone that wanted one.
“What’s that?” Lucas asked, pointing to the table’s centerpiece. There in the center of the table was a beautiful wrapped white box with a pearl ribbon. As everyone got settled, I asked everyone to gather around.
“I need your help with that in just a second,” I whispered to Lucas.
“I want to thank all of you for being here and being a part of our special day. You are the most important people in the world to me which is why I wanted to wait to have you all here in one place together for this. Lucas, will you open the box for us.” I asked.
Lucas’ eyes got as big as saucers. “Heck yes!” he said, tearing into the box.
As he opened the lid and tore off the tissue paper, I heard Katie gasp. Of course my best friend in the world would be the first to figure it out. Next Ryan caught on, looking at me with tears in his eyes. I nodded at him. Finally, the whole room figured it out as Lucas pulled the framed ultrasound picture out of the box.
“We’re expecting!” I exclaimed and the room filled with cheers and congratulations.