Chapter 154

Chapter 154
Ryan POV


"And... cut." The director's voice broke the silence that had settled after Dante's final question.

I watched as the tension visibly drained from Dante's shoulders, his professional persona fading into a more relaxed stance.

"Good enough for prime time?" Dante asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"More than good," the director assured him. "You have a way of making even the most rehearsed segments feel authentic."

"You make it easy, switching from concerned uncle to hardened journalist in seconds," I commented, genuinely impressed by his performance. "Not many could pull that off."

"Years of practice," Dante replied with a modest shrug. "Though having subjects as photogenic as you three certainly helps."

Sophia stepped forward, having watched the entire process from the corner of the room. "Dante has always had that gift," she said proudly. "I still remember when he was just starting out. I knew investing in his education would pay off."

"The Carter family has always had an eye for talent," Dante acknowledged. "Your connections in fashion, film, television, and radio have been invaluable."

As the crew began dismantling their equipment, I noticed Evelyn stifling a yawn. Oliver was starting to fuss in her arms, likely sensing her fatigue. The sight of her cradling our son, her delicate fingers soothing his tiny forehead, stirred something primal within me. Even exhausted, with her hair slightly disheveled from the long day, she was breathtaking.

"Why don't we go upstairs and change into something more comfortable?" I suggested quietly to her, my hand lingering at the small of her back longer than necessary.

Evelyn nodded gratefully, leaning slightly into my touch. The subtle pressure of her body against mine sent a pleasant warmth through my chest. Mom offered to take Oliver for a moment, and I noticed how Evelyn's arms seemed reluctant to let go, even for a short time.

In our walk-in closet, I pulled Evelyn close as soon as the door closed behind us. She melted into my embrace, her body soft against mine.

"You were amazing," I murmured, stealing a kiss that began gently but deepened as she responded. My hands traced the curve of her waist, lingering on the subtle changes motherhood had brought to her figure - changes I found inexplicably alluring.

"Ryan," she whispered against my lips, her fingers threading through my hair. "We should get back downstairs."

I reluctantly pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, those mesmerizing blue pools that had captured me from the first moment. "I know, but I've been wanting to hold you like this all day." My thumb traced her flushed cheekbone. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you looked out there, holding our son? How much willpower it took not to sweep you both away somewhere private?"

Evelyn's blush deepened, her pulse visibly quickening at the base of her throat. "Later," she promised, her voice taking on that husky quality that always sent heat coursing through my veins. "When Oliver's asleep."

I stole one more lingering kiss before helping her change, my fingers deliberately brushing against her skin as I unzipped her dress, savoring the soft shiver my touch elicited.

When we finally returned downstairs, Evelyn's flushed cheeks and my satisfied smile didn't go unnoticed by Mom, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I kept my hand at the small of Evelyn's back, unwilling to break contact even for a moment. The warmth of her skin radiated through the thin fabric of her casual dress, a constant reminder of our stolen moment upstairs and the promise of more to come.

Sophia was sitting comfortably on the sofa, feeding Oliver a bottle.

"He was getting hungry," she explained. "I hope you don't mind that I started feeding him."

"Not at all," Evelyn said, settling beside her. "You're a natural with him."

After the crew left, Mom brought up the wedding announcement. "I particularly liked the part about the 'proper celebration' you promised," she said, her gaze fixed on me.

"I meant every word," I said firmly, taking Evelyn's hand and running my thumb across her knuckles in a gentle caress. "She deserves the wedding of her dreams."

"And what exactly did you have in mind?" she pressed.

"Something elegant but not ostentatious," I replied. "I mentioned blue and gold as the colors, with white roses for the centerpieces."

Evelyn looked at me with surprise. "I thought you were just saying that for the interview. You've actually been thinking about this?"

"Of course I have," I admitted, my eyes tracing the delicate curve of her lips. "I've been thinking about marrying you properly since before Oliver was born."

"A blue, gold, and white color scheme would be stunning," Sophia enthused. "The blue would complement Evelyn's eyes beautifully."

I caught Evelyn's gaze across the table, memories of the night we'd first discussed those colors flooding back. "Just like that dress you wore when we danced in the garden," I said softly, watching her eyes widen with recognition. "The one that slipped off your shoulder just so..." I traced an invisible line across her collarbone, my fingertips barely grazing her skin but leaving goosebumps in their wake.

Evelyn caught my hand, intertwining our fingers with a look that spoke volumes. The electricity between us was palpable, a living thing that had only grown stronger since Oliver's birth.

Our conversation was interrupted by Oliver's sudden cry. Evelyn immediately reached for him, and I followed her to the nursery to help with the diaper change. As she bent over the changing table, I stood behind her, one hand supportively at her waist while the other helped with the supplies. I couldn't help but press a kiss to the sensitive spot just below her ear, breathing in her scent - an intoxicating mix of her natural fragrance and the subtle lavender of her shampoo.

"You're distracting me," she murmured, though she leaned back against me for a moment.

"I can't help it," I confessed, my voice low. "Watching you with him, seeing you as a mother... it only makes me want you more."

She turned her head just enough to meet my eyes, surprise and desire mingling in her expression. "Really? Even with all of this?" She gestured vaguely to the nursery setting, the evidence of our new parental status surrounding us.

"Especially with all of this," I assured her, letting my gaze travel appreciatively over her. "You're incredible, Evelyn. And tonight, when he's asleep, I plan to show you exactly how much I adore every inch of you."

The blush that spread across her cheeks was worth every word.

Mom appeared in the doorway with a stack of wedding magazines. "I've been collecting these for a while," she admitted. "I thought they might be helpful when you were ready to start planning."

For the rest of the afternoon, we gathered around the coffee table, flipping through pages filled with wedding designs. Evelyn pointed out elements she liked, her eyes lighting up at particularly beautiful details. I found myself watching her more than the magazines, captivated by the way her eyes sparkled when something caught her interest, how she tucked her hair behind her ear when concentrating.

The weeks that followed fell into a comfortable routine. We adapted to life with Oliver, learning his cries and preferences. Magnus visited often, clearly besotted with his grandson. Winston and Ethan made regular appearances too, always bearing gifts for Oliver. Even Cassidy dropped by occasionally, bringing baby clothes and the latest gossip.

One afternoon, Magnus met with Winston and Ethan in my home office. I overheard them discussing a special jewelry piece called "Amelia."

"It's perfect," Magnus was saying. "She would have loved it."

"The design captures her spirit exactly," Winston agreed. "Ethan's work is exceptional."

"I need your help with this surprise," Magnus continued. "It has to be perfect for her."

Later that day, my parents received word that the jewelry was ready. I watched as Mom instructed our butler with a secretive smile.

"Implement Plan T," she said mysteriously. "Everything must be in place by next week."

I had just returned from a meeting when I found her in our garden, taking photos of Evelyn and Oliver asleep on a blanket beneath a maple tree. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a golden glow on their peaceful faces. Evelyn's arm was protectively curved around Oliver, her lips slightly parted in sleep. The sight made my chest tighten with emotion.

"That's a beautiful moment," I said softly, coming to stand beside my mom.

"I couldn't resist," she admitted, showing me the photos on her camera. "They looked so peaceful."

Then Dad approached us, a knowing look exchanged with mom. "Ryan, do you have a moment? We could use your help with something special we're planning for Evelyn."