Million-Dollar Consequences

Eighteen

The elusive wholeness Isaac sought had splintered again, but not with his career or his relationship with Max. No, this time, it was with Meghan. Meghan, who’d been temporary. Meghan, who’d refused to relocate to LA. Meghan...the mother of his child.

Isaac’s plans to be a Hollywood go-to, to live a life of his wildest dreams, and finally land a movie role seemed shallow in comparison. A baby was a life-changer. The fun and sexy relationship with Meghan was meant to come to an end, but now...now what? She was more than the mother of his child. She was the woman he wanted.

For more than temporary.

The night they’d left Max and Kendall, Isaac and Meghan had shared a silent ride back to his place. Isaac had heard everything she’d said to his brother and future sister-in-law and agreed with none of it. Meghan living in Dunn, away from him, while his child grew in her belly, was a reality he couldn’t wrap his head around. But after the blowup between them over her moving to LA the first time, he didn’t dare bring it up again so soon.

Now, though, after a few careful days together where they’d retreated to neutral corners, it was time to talk about the baby elephant in the room.

Sarabeth, next to him at the table read, said Rachael’s line and pulled him back to the current moment. “Besides, we were planning on moving next door.”

Richard, on cue, grinned like a proud father.

“No, no,” Isaac read, holding up a hand to express his horror. “We were thinking we’d move far, far away.”

Ashley and one of the writers chuckled. He’d landed the joke, remarkably. He hadn’t felt funny this morning when he’d left a contemplative, quiet Meghan in his apartment.

“Don’t listen to him, Dad,” Sarabeth as Rachael cooed.

“I like when you call me Dad,” Richard said. “You can’t take her away from us, Danny. She’s just come back.”

“And we have a lot of shopping for the wedding to do,” Merilyn chirped, ever the overinvolved mother character.

“That sounds expensive,” Isaac mumbled.

“It won’t be so bad, honey.” Sarabeth palmed his arm. “You only get married once.”

“Unless you’re her sister.” Richard shot a thumb toward Merilyn. “What number’s Amy on now, honey? Baker’s dozen?”

Merilyn swatted Richard on the arm, as per the script’s instruction. “Oh, stop it. We’re going to leave you kids to do whatever it is you do when parents aren’t here.”

“Parents leave,” Ashley read from the script. “Rachael and Danny embrace.”

Everyone at the table turned the page on their scripts. His line was next.

“I’m not moving next door to my parents. They’ll drive us crazy. Grab our mail out of the box and hand-deliver it. That’s a federal offense, you know.”

Laughter rippled around the table.

“Fine, I get it.” Sarabeth rolled her eyes. “You need distance.”

“From everyone but you,” he read. “I know I’ve screwed up a lot, but from now on, no more screwups. I’m going to prove to you that you can count on me. I will give you everything you need. You’ll never want for anything again.”

“Passionate kiss,” Ashley read. “Danny and Rachael exchange adoring gazes.”

“There’s only one thing left to do, I guess.” Sarabeth sighed.

“Agreed,” Isaac read. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

“No, not that.” She laughed. “I’m talking about you writing your vows. I want to hear all the ways you can’t live without me.”

“Oh, no. No, no. The ones the church provides will get us just as married as whatever drivel I come up with.”

“You did say you would provide anything I needed.”

“And you need vows?” He winced.

“Rachael falls quiet,” Ashley read. “Danny realizes he owes her more than the promise of a fancy wedding. He owes her his heart.”

“You need vows,” Isaac said. “Okay, then.” He reached over to hold Sarabeth’s hand as the script suggested. “I saw a pen and paper in the nightstand drawer. How about we start there?”

“Always the joker.” Sarabeth shook her head.

“I’m not... I’m not great at this stuff, Rachael. Saying what I mean. It’s hard for me to express my feelings.” His heart pounded as he considered what a true statement that was. For how long had he not been able to tell Meghan how he felt about their situation? “I love you. I’m ready to say that.”

“That’s a fantastic start. I love you, too.”