Hollywood Heights; Loren Tate, The story of my life
I think I want to marry you. Chapter 27
Eddie takes the box and opens it, he smiles when he sees the velvet box he had given Loren a few months ago.
He looks at her, she smiles and gets down to one knee. "Will you marry me Eddie Duran?"
"Are you serious?"
She gives him a sexy smile. "I'm giving you that velvet box, I think I want to marry you."
Mel and Kevin walk closer to the two. She nudges Kevin. "Did she just ask him to marry her?"
"I believe she did."
Loren looks at Eddie, he's still in shock. "I need an answer."
His smile grows, he grabs Loren by the waist. "I will marry you." He takes the ring out of the velvet box and places it on her finger. Loren's eyes fill with tears, her dream turned to reality; she's going to marry the man of her dreams.
Mel's the first to reach them. "Omg you guys, this is great!" She hugs them and Kevin's next to congratulate them.
"I'm happy for you guys!"
Eddie looks at Loren. "I don't understand babe, I thought we were going to wait?"
"It's been several months since you asked me; you're in therapy, I can see a difference in your behavior, I love you Eddie, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
He can't hold back, he doesn't care that Mel and Kevin are there, he brings Loren into a very passionate kiss. Mel smiles, she's happy for Loren, she remembers how much she loved listening to him on the radio, always dreaming she'd meet him one day, now she's engaged to him. Mel's eyes tear up; Loren deserves to be happy.
Eddie pulls away. "Let's get married soon, I can't wait."
She shyly smiles. "How soon?"
"This week?"
"In Vegas?"
Mel's eyes widen, she looks at Kevin, he holds her hand and they take a few steps away.
"I was listening!" Mel tells him.
"They need privacy; I'm sure whatever they decide they'll share with us."
"Do you think they will get married here?" Mel wonders.
"They wouldn't be the first to do it." Kevin responds.
"I think it's so romantic; I bet they'll fly the family here, I doubt it'll be a huge wedding, Loren loves simplicity."
They sit nearby. "I'm happy for them."
"She deserves to be happy, she's more than my best friend, she's my sister; she's been through so much Kevin."
"I know, she lost her mom."
"Not just that, her life hasn't been easy, she's been through a lot to get to where she's at professionally, Nana and Nora have been there for her, something was always missing in her life, Lucy was a great sister, then she turned into the monster."
Kevin smiles. "She has Eddie and Dan."
"She won't admit it; she's thrilled her father is in her life."
Kevin sighs. "She hasn't called him father. I'm sure it would mean the world to Dan, he's a great father to his daughters Jillian and Dalia, he's helped Loren so much, he taken care of Lucy too, I think Lucy will change for the better."
"He's looked for ways to make them happy."
"He didn't his daughters existed, I've heard him talk about it, he hates they grew up without him in their lives." Kevin adds.
"He's here now; I think that's what counts."
Loren and Eddie leave his dressing room holding hands. Kevin gets up. "You guys hungry?"
"It's a great idea, before we go and eat; Loren and I need to talk to you."
Both couples hold hands and walk towards the exit. The limo picks them up, Eddie tells the driver where to go.
They arrive at one of Dan's restaurants and are seated in a very private area. Kevin's the first to speak.
"When is the wedding?"
Eddie laughs. "We thought of Vegas, we're going to ask Dan if we could use his home for the wedding, it's going to be family only; no reporters, no paparazzi, nothing."
"We get that, when?"
"Next weekend." Loren responds.
Mel looks at her. "Omg, you're going to be a bride in a week, we have so much to do."
"It's going to be very simple, catered, and my dress ready."
Everyone stops and looks at her. "You have the dress?"
Loren can't help it but laugh. "Of course, I design them remember?"
"You made it?"
"The day Eddie asked, I started to work on it, it's my own creation."
"Wow! You're wearing an original?"
She looks at Eddie. "It has to be very special for the man I love." She looks at him.
Kevin gets his phone. "How can we help?"
Eddie jumps in. "You're my best man Kevin."
Loren makes eye contact with Mel. "You're my maid of honor."
"Of course I am; you didn't think I'd allow you to choose someone else!"
"You know you're my girl, you'll be by my side always."
"You bet." Mel replies with a big smile.
"We have to work on a small list, Eddie interrupts her. "I assume you're inviting Dan?"
"Of course, Dan and Gail are invited."
Everyone looks at each other, Mel asks. "What about Lucy?"
"I don't know yet." She responds.
Eddie squeezes her hand. "It's up to you Babe."
"The wedding is next weekend; how do we let everyone know?"
Mel jumps in with a solution. "Let's ask Dan to fly everyone here?" She looks at Loren. "For the wedding?"
"Hold on." Eddie adds. "Excuse me for a second." He walks away, he takes the phone out of his pocket.
"What's he up too?"
Loren shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know."
Within the hour, Eddie returns, he walks towards Loren. "I hope you'll agree, I asked Dan to fly my parents, your grandmother, and Aunt Nora here."
"Tonight?" Loren questions.
"His pilot will bring them here, my parents said they'll let Nana and Nora know about our plans."
"They're flying here so we can share our news with them?"
Eddie takes a deep breath. "We're celebrating our engagement tomorrow night Loren."
"I can't believe how fast this is going." She leans in to kiss him. Mel rolls her eyes. "Here we go again."
The following evening, Max, Katy, Loren's Nana and Nora arrive. Dan requests one of his restaurants to take care of the engagement.
Katy hugs Loren. "I'm very happy for you both, I heard you asked Eddie?"
Loren blushes. "Yes I did."
"Thank you, my son is happy again."
She hugs Loren, Max walks between the two. "Welcome to the family."
"Thank you Papa Max."
Lorena appears from behind; she hugs her. "Mi nina, I'm happy for you and Eddie."
Happy tears roll down her cheeks. "Gracias Nana, I'm very happy."
"You deserve it mi Niña; I know you both will be very happy."
Loren and Eddie make eye contact. He will always give her butterflies; he makes her feel very special?
"I told Lucy about the wedding." Nana adds.
"What did she say?"
"I asked her to come; she's your sister Lorenita."
"I know, she worries me, you've seen all the stunts she's pulled on Eddie and I."
Nora approaches Loren with a huge garment bag. "I knew sooner or later we'd have a special occasion; this is your mom's prom dress."
"You saved it?" Loren asks.
"Yes, Nana made our dresses, this one is very beautiful, I know it will look amazing on you, your mom was petite like you, I hope you'll wear it tonight?"
A silence be falls the three; Loren's trying not to cry.
"Yes! I'll wear it." Mel makes her way towards Loren. "Gail has the best team to help you get ready for tonight."
She grabs her hand; Loren tries to hold on to the dress. "Hold on Mel!"
"We have very little time, you need to get ready for your party."
Two hours later, Loren's ready, she looks beautiful, her hair is up with tiny curls cascading on the side of her face, her lilac dress sparkles beautifully with colorful confetti around the edges; her make-up blends nicely with her ensemble.
Eddie's breathless, he walks towards his future bride. Dan signals the orchestra to play the song Unforgettable while they sway on the dance floor. Eddie can't take his eyes off his future bride.
"You look beautiful."
"Thanks, you look very handsome."
The song ends; Loren and Eddie kiss. Everyone applauds, Dan announces that dinner will be served. The menu for that evening is prepared by Mario Batali, Dan's personal chef when he travels, which includes authentic Italian dishes. Dessert is prepared by the one and only Master Pastry chef Ron Ben-Israel, he creates the most amazing pastries, it's paired with an engagement cake. They will be in charge of the wedding dinner the following weekend.
Loren's speechless. Dan has gone out of his way to make sure she has an unforgettable night. It's a beautiful intimate party. No paparazzi, reporters to ruin that beautiful night. Loren and Eddie dance the night away.
A few days later, Eddie's busy, he's a few days away from his wedding, he finishes two more shows, he can finally concentrate on his wedding.
"You ready?" Kevin asks.
"This feels so right." Eddie's happy.
"I know, I can tell, it's great to see you like this." He stops before continuing. Eddie smiles. "It's ok, you're right; I never felt this way in my first marriage."
"Sorry, don't want to ruin your happiness."
"You're not ruining anything; this is my happy place."
Dan flies the family home, it's an early flight; he doesn't want Loren and Eddie to worry about anything, his home is being transformed into a beautiful wedding palace. When they arrive in L.A, Loren heads home with Nana, Nora and Mel. Eddie doesn't have a chance to kiss his bride to be, Kevin grabs him by the arm.
"You'll see her soon, let's get you ready."
Loren spends the entire morning with a Gail's team again, it's late afternoon when Nana brings Loren her dress.
"This is a beautiful dress." She tells Loren.
It's a beautiful heirloom lace dress with shirred bodice and full shirred skirt. A beautiful creation created by Loren, it fits her tiny curves perfectly.
"You have Sofia's body; she was tiny on top with curves and a nice bottom."
Loren blushes, she looks in the mirror. She pads her butt. "I think I look amazing Nana."
Nora walks in. "And modest."
"Am I allowed to flirt with Eddie?" She giggles.
Nora smiles. "You'll have time for that later, if you're ready we better hurry, the limo is here."
Loren takes a deep breath. "I'm ready."
The limo waits for the for Loren and her family, they're driven to the Robert's mansion. She's scurried to the back of the house. She uses the room adjacent to the huge patio. Loren's at awe with the beauty of the room. "It's beautiful."
"Do you like it? Dan was worried."
"I couldn't have imagined it looking this beautiful, it has a touch of romance."
"No crying young lady, you look very beautiful."
"Thank you for everything Gail." They hug.
Lorena and Nora stand by the patio, they're in awe with the beautiful garden, seems it was adorned for a princess, Loren's favorite flowers adorn the area.
"He's a great father to my Lorenita." Nana sighs.
"He's a great father." Nora adds while admiring the patio.
Lorena agrees. Dan knocks on the door. Gail lets him in. "You look very beautiful Loren."
"Thank you." She smiles.
"We're ready to start; it's time Loren."
"Not yet." She walks towards him. Dan looks at her; he wonders if she needs anything else. "Is everything alright? Is there something you need?" He asks with kindness in his voice.
"One more thing." Loren looks at him. "Will you walk me down the aisle Dad?"
Dan's eyes fill with tears, Gail smiles, she knows this made Dan's day, Loren acknowledged him on her wedding day.
Awwwwwwwwwww