One Night with Gael (Rival Brothers 2)

‘Take me home, Gael. Please.’

He nodded solemnly. ‘It would be my honour, mi mujer.’ He swung her up in his arms and started off the porch. About to step off, he paused. ‘What about your mother?’

‘She knows where my heart is...that I belong where you are.’

His head dropped until their foreheads touched. ‘Goldie, I promise I will never make you regret that.’

She settled one hand over his heart, the other over her stomach, where their baby grew.

‘And we promise to love and cherish you. For ever.’

EPILOGUE

BY UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT, voted on by their entire family, they held the wedding of their hearts two weeks after their daughter was born. Melina Aguilar lay nestled lovingly in her parents’ arms as they renewed their vows in front of a much bigger, much happier congregation at the cathedral in Barcelona. Beneath centuries of history and stained-glass windows, they repeated the vows they’d uttered in that small chapel on Gael’s estate.

Alejandro acted as his best man, and took delight in ribbing his brother mercilessly. And they stepped out into the late December evening to the sound of church bells and Christmas carols being sung in Spanish and English.

At the kerb, a vintage car stood waiting, beyond which a police cordon had been set up to keep back the screaming fans who shouted Goldie’s name.

Soul’s Triumph had been released to huge box office success three months before, and Goldie had become an overnight sensation. She’d been inundated with roles, but had elected to make only one movie a year, to free her to spend the rest of her time being a wife and mother—the two roles she cherished above all else.

She stopped long enough to wave to her fans before she got into the car, which was festooned not just with wedding decorations but also with holly and dozens of sprigs of mistletoe, some of which were also strung along the inside roof. Not that the couple needed any excuse to kiss on the long ride back to the villa once their daughter had fallen into a dreamy nap.

Goldie wrinkled her nose when Gael released her after another long, heady kiss, and indicated the mistletoe. ‘Sorry about this. I tried to discourage my mother from doing it.’

Gael laughed. ‘So did I with my mother—but I think we knew the moment those two got together that we didn’t stand a chance.’ He flicked a finger at the mistletoe. ‘Although I’m not sure whether to be concerned that they believe I need a reason to kiss my wife, or to thank them for supplying me with so many opportunities to do so.’

He pulled her close once more and thoroughly explored her mouth.

They’d chosen to keep their reception small, for family and close friends only. And they arrived back at the house and alighted to join Alejandro and a very pregnant Elise. She was just over seven months, due on Valentine’s Day—a fact which was a source of endless mocking ammunition for Gael against his brother.

The brothers had grown closer in the months following their respective marriages, and Goldie counted Elise not just as a sister-in-law but as a friend.

Goldie smiled at her now, as Elise joined her in the hallway and held out her arms for Melina.

Elise waited until the men were headed for the salon before she leaned in close. ‘I think Gael has another role up his sleeve for you.’ She winked.

Goldie laughed. ‘Oh, really?’

Elise nodded. ‘I heard him talking. He was asking Alejandro when it would be best to start trying for baby number two.’

Goldie rolled her eyes. ‘And do I need two guesses as to what Andro’s response was?’

Elise grinned. ‘He said, “Immediately, of course.”’

Both women laughed, causing their husbands to turn back and stare.

‘What’s going on?’ Gael asked, making his way back to slide both arms around her.

Goldie smiled and kissed him. ‘Nothing you need to worry about. Just yet.’

Both Alejandro and Gael groaned. Elise grinned unrepentantly and joined her husband. Goldie watched him tenderly touch Melina’s cheek before he caressed his wife’s rounded belly.

Gael’s arms tightened around her, snagging her attention. She looked up into her husband’s eyes. ‘I love you. Thank you for marrying me again.’

‘I’d marry you every day if I could.’

They kissed until their respective mothers walked past, clearing their throats loudly.