Page 56 of Once Upon a Star

“That sounds like it’s going to be a huge success. Why do you think that you will be poor because of this?” I asked.

“There is a catch. The backers that Isla had are no longer, well, backing her. She’s been trying to find some financial support but so far, she hasn’t had any luck.”

I leaned back and tilted my head at him. “What did you do?” I asked.

“It doesn’t surprise me that you figured it out. I offered to give Isla the backing that she needed. What is the point in having movie star money if I can’t spend it on things that I’m passionate about. But I didn’t stop there.”

“Okay. What else did you do?”

“I didn’t just want to give her the money and not have any say or stake. I wanted to be more than just the money guy. So, I asked Isla to start a theater company with me. We’re going to buy this theater and start doing plays here. She’s going to direct and I will write and help produce.”

“Write? Produce?” I asked. “Not act?”

“Well, I will act for the first play, but after that only if the need calls for it, or if I want to. But I want to try my shot at writing. I love acting but I want to do more. I want to create the stories. I want to help get the play produced and work with all the cast and crew to make it happen. I also figure if I do that, it will give me more free time to be around for you and the life that I hope we can have.”

It was all so much, I couldn’t take it all in. I couldn’t believe everything he was saying or willing to give up. I didn’t want him to if he didn’t have to. “It would be a challenge to be with you while you were in a play but we would figure it out. I don’t want you to kill your career simply because you think I want you to have normal hours. I won’t have them as an ED doctor.”

“Which is why I should. We never talked about having kids but I can be the stay-at-home dad if you want. I don’t know how well this company will do but I do know I want to find out. It might go bankrupt in a few years. But I think if we do it right, it could be great. It would allow me to write, to be with you, to be a husband, father, friend, everything you deserve in a man. What do you say?”

“I think you’re crazy but I agree with you. I think this could be something great. I love that you want to be a writer and producer. I will do whatever I can to support you. We can figure the rest out later, including who takes care of the kids.”

“Does that mean you want to have kids with me?”

“You’re the only man I want to have kids with. I love you and you love me. But don’t you think we should get married first?” I asked.

Bash laughed and took my hand in his and turned towards the door. “Let’s go do it.”

I tugged on his arm. “Not so fast. You know I’m going to want a big wedding or at least a big party. Plus, you haven’t even asked me.”

“You want everything, don’t you?” Bash teased.

“All I want is you, your love, you in my bed every night, standing beside me through everything, for as long as we both shall live,” I replied.

“So, not a whole lot,” Bash said and we both laughed.

“As long as I have you, nothing else matters.”

“Ara, if you keep saying all the best lines, I’m not going to have any when I tell you that I love you. I have loved you since I was a teenager. I loved you even when we were on the other side of the continent. I loved you when we were in the same city. I loved you when we were in the same bed. I will love you now and forever. You are everything that I’ve ever wanted and never thought I could have. I don’t deserve you but I promise to do everything that I can every day for the rest of our lives to prove to you how much I love and cherish you. Will you marry me?”

“Really? I took all the best lines? That was pretty spectacular,” I moved into his arms.

He was the most amazing man I had ever met. I wanted to have everything he was suggesting. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I didn’t want easy if it meant being with him. I thought he was giving up his dream to be with me, but I could see his future, his career, his dreams were now entwined with mine. We would make it work, together in New York City.

My eyes held his as I said, “Just like you. I have loved you most of my life and I will love you for the rest of it. Of course, I will marry you.”

Epilogue

Sebastian

“Places! Places everyone!” Maria, the stage manager, called.

It was chaotic backstage as people rushed in all directions carrying props, costumes, all with the backdrop of a soft hum of voices. There was a sense of anticipation and excitement as everyone bustled around getting the final preparations in place.

I couldn’t see them but I knew the lighting crew was making last-minute adjustments while the sound engineers were testing the microphones, speakers, and communication. The four actors in the play were pacing back and forth, going through their pre-performance rituals. I smiled at the young man who was going to be playing the lead. He was an up-and-coming actor who reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger. He gave me a slight nod as he walked by me and went to his place on stage.

Maria rushed by me again, not giving me a moment's notice as she prepared the theater for the curtains to go up. The energy was intense and I leaned back and enjoyed knowing that I had helped to make it all possible.

In the three years since we had started Second Chance Theater Company, we had some success and more than a few failures. It had been a learning curve but a good one. Isla and I worked wonderfully together and continued to grow and challenge each other as writer, director, and producers.