The next couple days were spent relaxing, taking in the beauty around them.  Justin took her to Yellowstone, driving around but mostly not getting out of the car, to maintain a certain level of privacy.  They had left early in the morning to give them plenty of time to see sights.  He headed down a less busy road, stopping at a small parking lot. “Come on, you’ll love this,” he smiled.

They walked down a path.  Deana heard it before she saw it.  They came upon a giant waterfall, the walls of the mountain on either side brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows.  The view stole Deana’s breath away.  “Welcome to Point Sublime,” Justin said.  They took pictures of the falls, a couple of them together, before returning to the SUV.  

He drove for a while, getting into the back country, far from the usual tourist spots.  He parked at the trailhead.  “We’re not going to hike, maybe walk around a bit, but this plateau we’re on, the waters from the snow melt drain into rivers that feed into the Atlantic and Pacific.  This is called the Two Ocean Plateau.  Imagine that, the water that starts here ends up in either ocean, not just getting stuck in the middle.”

“You really love it here.  You could have just showed me the touristy spots, but you showed me places no one else seems to know about.  You’re showing me whole new worlds.”

“Just wait until we go to Europe…”

“When is that?” Deana asked.

“End of August, into the fall.  I’ve been invited to a bunch of golf tournaments, maybe catch a fashion show in Paris…”

“Paris…” Deana sighed.  “You really are giving me the world, aren’t you?”

“You know it, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Let’s head back to the house, I want to show you something.”

…

They got back to the house, Justin taking her to a corner of the ranch.  “You do archery?” she asked, seeing the targets.  

“No.  More extreme.”  He picked up an axe, throwing it towards the targets.  Deana yelped as she watched.  

“I mean, I knew this was a thing, but wow.  This honestly upped your sexy level a bit.  How you can transition from city metrosexual to country burly man, I kinda like it.”

“The fourth is tomorrow, just wait til you see the fireworks, a perfect way to end our stay.  The next morning, we head to California for Tahoe.” 

…

They made a little picnic dinner for two, eating on the back patio, waiting for dark.  He walked her to the front of the house, sitting on the front steps.  “Maybe next year we can join in on this, but this year I thought we could just watch.”  After dark hit, the sky exploded with light, neighbors from all around doing fireworks displays.  Deana was in awe as she saw the different kinds used, some small, others big and loud.  It was breathtaking, to see it all from their front step.  

“Do we have to leave?” Deana asked, watching the sky light up.

“Unfortunately, yes, otherwise I’ll be disappointing my fans that are coming from all over for this.  At least do one day of practice with me, see what it’s like, get to learn the game, interact with the fans.”

“I think I can do that,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

…

Tahoe was just as cool as Montana, barely hitting 80 by the end of the week.  Deana was thankful for the cooler weather, being out in the sun watching Justin play.  She stayed back a bit, making sure she could see him, but not getting in the way of the fans that had come to see him.  She recognized one of the fans that followed him around the course, asking for autographs or pictures.  She smiled, waiting until they got back to the hotel to say anything.  He was so great with the fans, playing through, but also stopping to give them a bit of his time.  

They got back to their hotel suite, Justin soaking in the tub.  “I’m glad this is practice for the next few days,” he sighed.

“You did great today, the fans were eating it up any time you walked over.  There was one fan in particular that caught my eye.”

“Yeah?”

“Remember safe word girl?”

“No, she’s here?” Justin asked.

“You signed a couple things for her today.  I recognized her instantly, watching her wait for you to walk past.”  

“Well, I think that calls for a little play of our own, hopefully we won’t need our safeword…” he laughed.

...

They were soon back in New York for a bit, enjoying the calm before going to Europe. Deana was on the couch when her phone rang.

“Hey, what’s up?” Deana answered. 

“I know the boys are still there for a bit, but I thought I’d come into town this weekend, we could do lunch…” her sister said. 

“That would be great!”

“It seemed like you were really bummed about not seeing me. I know we haven’t really ever been close, but I wanted to see you.”

“Yeah, there’s some stuff I want to talk to you about.”  Justin looked over at her.

“Saturday, mid morning work?” her sister asked. 

“Where should we meet? At the house, at a restaurant?”

“We can meet at a restaurant, then I’ll surprise the boys by swinging by Mom and Dad’s.”

“Ok, let me think of where to go and I’ll text you. Can’t wait.”

She slipped back into the couch, a smile on her face.

“Your sister? You seem awfully happy for someone needing to have a more serious talk…”

“She’s coming out JUST for this, that makes me at least a little hopeful…”

“No matter what she says, it doesn’t matter if she approves or not, please remember that.”  He took her hand in his, running his thumb across the back of her hand. 

“I know, we do what’s right for us, when it’s right for us.”

She snuggled into him on the couch. Justin smiled. While she’s having lunch with her sister, I can go take her dad out for a lunch of our own…

…

The car stopped in front of the restaurant, Deana stepping out. She was wearing a navy blue cocktail dress, sleeveless, that flared out and stopped at her knees. She wore tan wedge sandals.  In case any cameras catch me out, she thought. 

She waited outside until she saw her sister, wearing a flowy maxi dress.  They hugged, her sister looking up at the restaurant. 

“The Fulton, huh? How fancy…”

“Justin thought it might be nice.”

“I’m just glad to spend some time with you.”

They went in, got their table, ordered mimosas and looked at the menu.  Once they decided, they put in their order, two eggs Benedict and a shrimp cocktail to start. 

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” her sister asked. 

Deana felt a knot in her stomach. It was now or never. “I wanna talk to you about Justin and me…”

“What about it? Is everything ok? Clearly he’s treating you well. Having us come here, you look fantastic. He’s great for you.”

“I’m glad you think so. What I need to say might change that…”

“You two are living together, sleeping together?”

“How… did you…?” Deana gasped. 

“Deana, please, I’m not an idiot. You’re 35 years old with a super pop star boyfriend. As great as he is, I don’t think he’d wait till you were married to do anything.”

“So you’re ok with it?”

“Is THAT what this was about? To get MY ok for you to be doing what you’re already doing?”

“I was afraid you’d hate me, for not being like you, waiting till I was married…”

“You’re my sister, I’d be stupid to hate you over something that has no effect on me. If things work out, you marry the only guy you’ve ever been with…”

“That’s not true, either. Paul, well, he raped me the first time…”

“WHAT?! I’m glad you have a restraining order now, suddenly things make a LOT more sense…”

“You saw the news article about it…”

“Yeah. Why am I finding out stuff about my own sister online instead of from you?”

“The way you talked about some of your friends, I didn’t want to disappoint you. We’ve never been close, you resented me as a kid, I always had to go where you did cuz I never got invited anywhere.”

“I still want to know about stuff going on with you. Paul raped you?” she asked quietly. 

“He kept pushing and pushing until I gave in, but that’s still not full consent.  Justin has been the complete opposite, knowing what happened, he waited 2 months before we kissed for the first time.  He’s great. We want to have a family, but I’m not getting any younger…”

“You don’t need my permission to have a baby… I’m sorry you thought I was so judgmental that I wouldn’t love and support you.  Do I wish you’d do things a certain way? Sure.  But you are more than old enough to decide things for yourself. You’re my sister, I will love you no matter what.”

“I’m relieved that you feel that way, I couldn’t hide it at some point.”

“You’re not pregnant NOW, are you?”

“No. We’re waiting til after J and Dani’s wedding. It’s only been 6 months.  He said he’ll propose before their wedding, so who knows, maybe things will be in the right order.”

“I just want you to be happy, Deana.”

She smiled. “I am.”

…

Justin nervously walked to the front door of Deana’s parents’ house. He knocked on the door, a knot in his stomach. 

“Justin, what a nice surprise,” her mother said softly.

“Is your husband home? I wanted to take him out to lunch,” he mumbled, looking repeatedly at the floor.  

“Yeah, let me get him.”

Deana’s dad came to the door. “I hear you’re taking me to lunch?”

“If that’s ok…”

“That’s fine, son.”

Justin had driven there himself, not needing to flash his celebrity around more than he already had.  He found parking and they walked into PJ Clarke’s and got a table. 

“You seem more like a burger guy than a fancy steak guy,” Justin said nervously. 

“So, why did you invite me here, Justin?”

“Ok, cut right to the chase. I know it’s only been 6 months, but I am so in love with your daughter. I, well, we…”

Her dad smiled. “Just say it, son.”

“I would like your permission to ask Deana to marry me.”