I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be right back. Stay here, and don’t leave without me. I want to take my family out for some food.”
“But, the restaurants will all be jam-packed right now.”
I backed away and pointed at her. “Food time! No buts about it!”
“Well, then hurry up, so we don’t have to wait for an hour!” she exclaimed.
I jogged over to where my assistant director was, and I watched a few clips with her while she rattled off a few things that needed to be changed. But, my eyes kept gravitating back to Eva. There she was, cradling our perfect daughter while wrangling Asia, with her hair tied up in a messy bun and her clothes hanging off her body. She was the epitome of beauty to me, and the ring box in my pocket for tonight seemed to almost vibrate against my thigh.
“—and this is where we need to re—Gavin? Gavin, are you even listening?”
I cleared my throat and shook my head. “Uh, yeah. You were, uh, talking about changing the lighting on this particular scene. But, I don’t agree with that analysis. The lighting is darker in this scene because the reveal has to be nice and bright.”
She nodded slowly. “Right. Except, that’s not the scene we’re watching right now.”
I blinked. “Oh.”
She snickered. “Something on your mind a bit?”
My gaze moved back to Eva. “A bit, yeah.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “Want my advice?”
I looked back over at her. “Sure. Hit me with it.”
Her hand slid back to her side. “Whatever you’re thinking about, it can’t wait. If there’s anything this movie taught us, it’s that life is way too short to try to plan things to be perfect. Whatever it is, just do it.”
And she was right.
“Gavin, where are you going? We aren’t done talk—Gavin!”
I held my finger up in the air. “I’ll be right back, but this can’t wait any longer.”
I jogged back up to Eva, and she greeted me with that breathtaking smile she always had for me whenever I reappeared out of thin air. She leaned in like always to kiss my lips, but I cupped her cheeks and pressed my tongue between her lips. Her hand slid up my abs and up my chest until she gripped my shirt and pulled me closer.
Then, I slid my hand into my pocket and pulled out the ring box.
“Mmm, what was that for?” she hummed.
But, I simply got down onto one knee and held up the little box.
“Gavin?” she asked.
Asia squealed. “Daddy! You’re doing it!”
And the entirety of the studio paused in shock as I cracked open the black velvet box.
“Oh, my God. Gavin,” Eva said breathlessly.
I smiled with tears in my eyes. “Jorge is going to be so pissed off with me for this, but I can’t wait for a second longer.”
She cupped her hand over her mouth. “Why would he be upset?”
I chuckled as a tear streaked my cheek. “Because he’s currently decorating the house with Ginger and Margo in order to prepare for this moment right here. But, this moment can’t wait for a second longer. I can’t wait for a second longer, Eva.”
Her hand fell from her face, and I saw her lower lip quivering. “Go on. Please.”
I sniffled and took her hand. “Eva, you’ve been wonderfully supportive of me this past year. Dealing with my insecurities and the whirlwind that was Marissa with that custody agreement, and even my selfish whim to open up a filming studio right here where we live. You’ve fought for me, battled with my family for me, and all while I was off chasing my dreams even when I didn’t know what my dreams were. You gave me a healthy daughter, you’ve brought joy into Asia’s life, you’ve brought light back into mine. And had it not been for you, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have my own studio.”
