Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

May it guide you home

And bring you back to me

Always yours—Josh

I held it to my heart before slipping it around my neck. I read the inscription again. Then looked at the photo of Josh and me atop my dresser.

Two weeks seemed like a very long time, but I could make it.

***

I stared at my mother. After a night of serious introspection, this was the conversation I was most worried about. Since Dad had died she’d been lonely, which I understood. My brothers were off living lives that were anything but stable. They were great brothers, but they weren’t around very often. I didn’t want her to be forced into anything by my decisions, and as much as I wanted her to come with me and the kids, I would understand if she didn’t want to start over again…again.

“Morning, Mom.” I wrapped my arms around her waist.

She kissed my cheek. “Morning. Already go for a run this morning?”

I nodded, pouring her coffee while she sat at the small kitchen table. “I have a lot to tell you.” I stared into my coffee, not sure where to start.

She set the paper aside. “I imagine you do.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Something has changed.” She reached out for my hand, regarding me thoughtfully. “You’re glowing.”

I took her hand. “First, we’ve been invited on a trip, you, me, and the kids. We’d be gone the week of Spring Break. To England.”

My mother’s eyes were saucers now. “Oh? That sounds great. I could visit Maureen and Janine.”

“That’s true, though that sounds potentially dangerous,” I teased. My mother had received a written warning for public intoxication last time she’d visited her fellow ex-military friends. I’d been expecting Will at the time.

She didn’t miss a beat. “A girl deserves the right to have fun now and then.”

“I’m not going to touch that, Mom.” I laughed. “Shannon and her new man Arthur are going to England to celebrate the film’s international release and we get to go, too. A combination work and play kind of thing. So you know, they’re just moving in together, but let’s just stick with the married explanation for the kids’ sake. It’s what they wanted. They’re happy, really happy.”

“Good for her.”

“You’ll really like him. Arthur, I mean.” I looked at her. “Do you still have a passport? Thank goodness the kids have them from the trip that we’d planned for Mexico.”

“I’m good.” She nodded, waiting.

“And my book will be getting published, probably next summer.” I smiled as she squeezed my hand in hers.

“Oh, Claire, I am so proud of you. My baby girl will be a published author!”

I flushed a little. “I’m not sure that everyone is going to react like that. But it’s starting to become real, and I’m excited about the opportunities it gives us.” I took a deep breath. “Which kind of brings me to my last revelation. Mom, I can’t stay here. There’s just too much for me to get past

.”

She squeezed my hand, nodding. “It’s time, sweetie. I guess the only question is where?”

I stood and hugged her. “I know it’s a lot, since you only moved in with us last year. But I want you to know we want you to come, if you want to.”

“Of course I do. You and the kids are my family. I love your brothers, but they’re not putting down roots anytime soon, so you’re stuck with me.” She patted my hand, winking. “Have you been thinking about any place specific?”

“No. I want us to carefully consider our options.”

“Lots to think about. You drink your coffee and I’ll start making lists. We’ll need to pick up some stuff for the trip. I think Will needs a new jacket, so I’ll start in his room.” She took her coffee cup and went upstairs. Mom hated to be idle.