August
Mary handed Yvette, Susan and Janeen thick towels to wrap up in during their break out on the beach in San Francisco. “You are doing a fantastic job today. I’m very proud of all of you.”
The girls beamed at her. “Thanks, Mary. And thanks for thinking of us for this commercial.” Janeen was the most excited of all of them as she said, “I can’t believe I’m going to be on TV!”
Georgina called Mary over to take a look at some of the film they’d shot. “How’s this look, boss?”
Mary grinned after she looked the film over. “Fantastic, as always.”
“Well, the way you directed the girls a few minutes ago in the surf was great. This is going to be a top-notch commercial. I take it you’re enjoying consulting with the ad agency?”
“It’s been a really nice challenge,” Mary told her friend. “At first I wondered if I was in over my head, but Jack kept reminding me of the times when I was hired to model and the ad agencies ended up using my conceptual ideas instead of sticking to the storyboards.”
“You definitely married the right guy,” Georgina said. Her eyes lit up as she spotted something over Mary’s shoulder. “He’s not too hard on the eyes, either.”
Mary turned, surprised to see Jack walking across the sand toward them. After the secrecy of their courtship, Mary loved the way he always kissed her hello now, no matter where they were or who they were with.
Her knees were weak by the time he turned to smile at Georgina.
The director gave him a mock glare. “You’re not here to distract my advertising genius, are you, Jack?”
He grinned unrepentantly but promised, “If you let me stay on set, I’ll sit in the background and won’t cause any trouble.”
Of course, when Yvette, Susan and Janeen saw him, they all gathered around for hugs and to pepper him with their recent dating and career news. Mary loved how he’d become so much of a father figure to them.
“Nothing but trouble,” Georgina muttered as she tried to hide her grin, clearly as deep under his spell as the rest of them. “Back to work, everyone, before we lose the light. And you,” she said, pointing at Jack, “sit over there and be good. Or else.”
After dragging Mary against him for one more kiss, he left the commercial set they’d constructed on the beach that morning.
It took her a few moments for her synapses to start firing properly again. “I’m ready whenever you are,” she said to Georgina.
But, instead of getting right back to business, her friend put a hand on her arm. “I’m happy for you, Mary.”
Mary could still feel Jack’s kiss tingling on her lips and his loving gaze on her as she told Georgina, “I am, too. Happier than I ever thought I could be.”
September
“Do you ever think about what would have happened if we hadn’t met each other last December?”
They were taking a late-evening stroll on the paths through the marshlands near their home. While Jack greatly enjoyed the surprises they gave each other and the many exciting moments they shared together, it was everyday moments like this that he loved best.
Her hand was in his and the sun was still quite high in the summer night sky as he replied, “No, I’ve never wondered that.”
Mary turned to him in obvious surprise. “You haven’t?”
He smiled at his wife, thinking how amazing it was that she grew more beautiful by the day. Love, more than one of their friends had remarked in the past nine months, had given her an even brighter glow than she’d already possessed.
“We were meant to be together. And whether we had met last Christmas or ten years from now, I would have still loved you. Truthfully,” he added as he tugged her into his arms, “the only thing I’m wondering is how long it will take to get back home and get you into bed.”
“Did you know I was the fastest girl on my track team?” She gave him a quick kiss before taking off, running in the direction of their house at a quick clip.
Jack chased after her, laughing—and loving her more and more—every step of the way.
October
Mary and Jack stood at the top of a hill in Napa Valley and looked out over the rolling vineyards. The crush was just starting, and the air was perfumed with the scent of grapes.
“Growing up in Italy, the local winery owners would let us in to crush grapes with our feet in barrels. And then they’d pour the juice into cups for us to drink afterward.” She laughed as she looked down at her feet and added, “Unfortunately, I’m not sure how many of us thought to wash our feet before getting into the barrels.”
Jack loved to hear her speak about her childhood. Rosciano was in the heart of the Abruzzo wine region of Italy, so when a friend of his who owned a winery in Napa suggested they come up for the weekend to be a part of the crush celebrations, Jack had known Mary would love it.
“What do you think about chucking it all in and opening up Sullivan Winery?”
“Maybe one day,” she said as they headed down the hill toward the winery buildings. “But for now I’m rather partial to our life just the way it is.”
His friend David waved them over when they got to the stone-walled barn. “Up for crushing some grapes?” He pointed to a barrel full of grapes. “If you are, hop in.”
Jack grinned at Mary. “What do you say you show me how it’s done?”
She was clearly thrilled with the plan as she kicked off her heels. After she took off her stockings and he rolled up his pants and both of them quickly washed their feet, they got into the barrel, laughing as the grapes squashed beneath their toes. They were quickly covered in juice, not just their feet but their legs and clothes, as well.
He would never get enough of the sound of her laughter or the taste of her kiss. And later, as they sat out under the night sky and sipped the juice they’d made together, followed by one of his friend’s vintages, Jack made a wish on the stars above.
His wish was that the children he and Mary would have together one day would also find a love this deep and true for themselves.
November
The Sullivans had agreed to gather together at Mary and Jack’s house for Thanksgiving. Max and Claudia arrived first with Ian and Adam, and Mary was amazed by how much both boys had grown. Ian immediately ran into the backyard to play, and Mary scooped Adam into her arms where he happily settled while Jack poured his brother and sister-in-law drinks.
Mary was holding the baby on one hip when she answered the door to find Ethan on the doorstep.