Page 27 of Love On and Off Set

Oh, and I might’ve convinced him to use some of those millions of dollars in corporate profits to help remove plastic garbage from the ocean.

He humored me.

So I wouldn’t harass him about the fact he was adding more plastic to the environment.

He also might’ve ramped up his partnership with municipalities to ensure more plastic got recycled.

Yeah, I’d take credit for that too.

I might’ve taken him to bed that night and rewarded his environmental stewardship.

We might’ve stayed in that bed for a week.

Now, as we stood in front of a Shaughnessy home, with the autumn leaves falling around us, and matching wedding bands on our fingers, I fidgeted.

“It’s big.”

Horatio chuckled. “You always say that. And I’m always flattered.”

Juanita, our realtor, approached. Her high heels clacking on the sidewalk was our first clue.

“They’re willing to accept your offer.”

My grip on Horatio’s hand tightened.

“Did you want another tour?”

“Sure.” Horatio offered her a genuine smile. “Although we’re pretty much decided.”

“Still, heritage homes are a lot of work.” She tapped her phone. “I can find you something more modern.”

“Wouldn’t suit our sensibilities,” Horatio assured her. “We like the idea of restoring her to her former glory. And making it childproof won’t be difficult, since we’re renovating anyway.”

Juanita didn’t bat an eyelash. Likely because my future husband had made it abundantly clear we were looking for a family home.

We’d already begun the paperwork for adoption.

My network of friends had expanded to include Thomas Walsh, a production assistant on VJ, as well as Seamus and Valentino Langston, a couple who worked on various aspects of the show. Thomas was married to Peter Erickson, one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. While Peter and Thomas had adopted a couple of special-needs children, Seamus and Valentino were foster parents to an adorable little boy.

Horatio and I wanted that. We didn’t care how it came about—we just knew we wanted that.

By the end of the house tour, our certainty had cemented.

Juanita had us sign a pile of paperwork, and the house was ours. The previous owners had moved out months ago, so the property was ready for us to start renovations immediately. With Horatio’s wealth, and a few well-placed connections, we were in by Christmas.

The house enchanted during the holiday season.

We even had a party with Alessandra and MacLean—as well as their one-year-old son Wesley.

Bethany and Walter attended. Bethany was taking on a larger role at the company, much to my delight.

Horatio had a better work-life balance since he’d made the changes.

Oh, Lucille and Gordon Forbes attended the party.

Lucille was mush when she saw pictures of the little girl we’d arranged to adopt in the new year. We were waiting for the paperwork to come through, but she was a war orphan whose young aunt wanted a better life for the girl. With her disabilities, living in a refugee camp would’ve been the height of cruelty. We couldn’t rescue all the children, but we could save this one.

That night, long after the guests had departed, Horatio and I sat on the couch in the family room, enjoying the fire.