Page 293 of A Song for You

“Duh. Obviously, I want to see the studio.” Ah yes, she’s most excited about spending time on the set of our show and rubbing elbows with Sienna Langfield.

Cat laughs, and the sound is like a balm to my soul.

Standing below the Eiffel Tower, I squeeze my wife’s hand. “What do you think, Kitten? Should we sneak up there later tonight? I want to have you above the entire city.”

She bumps her shoulder against me. “So dirty, Mr. Hanson.”

“About that,” I say, pulling her against my chest and bringing a hand to her chin. I brush my lips against hers, and then, because I can’t help myself, I swipe my tongue across them, always craving her taste. “Chloe and I did a thing.”

Cat’s brows pinch together. “What kind of thing?”

Because I can’t ever get enough, I press my lips to hers again. “We changed our last names,” I murmur against her.

“You what?” she says, her voice raising an octave. She puts a hand to my chest and pulls back, scanning my face.

Above us, the stars sparkle and the lights of the Eiffel Tower glitter, but in this moment, there is nothing brighter than my wife’s eyes. She glows as the meaning of my words sets in. “You changed your last name?”

“Yeah. But not to James,” I tease with a smile.

Her lips tip up and she shakes her head. “God, you make me happy.”

“Good. Because, Catherine Bouvier, I didn’t know happiness until I met you. So what do you say? Can I have your last name?”

Cat purses her lips and gives me a teasing shrug. “I think that could be arranged.”

“How ’bout right now?”

“Huh?” she asks, adorably confused.

“Marry me.”

“But we’re already married.” Her smile makes my heart skip a beat.

“Yeah, but your family wasn’t there.”

“They’re not here now either,” she retorts.

“You sure about that?” I tilt my head and look at the crowd gathered behind her.

She spins so fast she almost trips over her heels.

There on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower, both our families have gathered. Bundled up and keeping warm on this cool December night, they watch on, wearing wide smiles.

Cat grabs for my hand, squeezing tight as she whispers, “What did you do?”

Theo, whose health has improved greatly since his stroke, is the first to approach. “He did what the rest of us should have done months ago. He brought your family back together. I’m so sorry, Sunshine.” He holds out his arms, and Cat rushes into them.

While I’ll never forget the hurt Theo caused by hiding Chloe from me, I understand his need to protect my wife and child. And because of that, I’ll let the past go. And more importantly, I’ll do everything I can to ensure Cat has what we both never did: both of our families.

Theo shakes my hand and pulls me in for a hug. “Really appreciate you arranging all of this. I know it wasn’t easy.”

“Easiest thing I’ve ever done is put Cat’s happiness first,” I say honestly.

When I turn, Cash is approaching Cat. “I’m so sorry, Kit Cat. I’ll never forgive myself for how awful I’ve been to you.”

My wife buries her face in his chest and squeezes him tight. “Let’s let it all go. Please.”

With a nod, he releases her and turns to me. “If not for you, we could have lost them both that day,” Cash says, his voice breaking. On a sob, he doubles over and plants his hands on his knees. “Sorry,” he says as Grace rubs his back. “I promised I wouldn’t lose it…”