Kaye Kennedy (KK):
Thank you for meeting with me today to talk about your love story. Congratulations on the engagement! Can I see the ring?
Gwendolyn Roth:
Of course!
She holds out her hand showing off the gold band lined with small horizontal marquise cut diamonds leading to the 3 ct. oval cut canary diamond center stone.
KK:
Wow. That's incredible.
Gwen:
Thank you. It was my grandmother's ring and then my mother's. I must say, I can't believe it's mine now.
Declan Murphy:
Believe it, princess.
He puts his arm around her shoulder and kisses her head.
KK:
Well, I know I'm excited for your wedding. All of the magazines are already predicting it will be the wedding of the year. Are you going to do the planning yourself, Gwen?
Gwen:
A lot of it, yes. My team will handle everything on the actual day.
Declan laughs
Gwen:
They will!
Declan:
We'll see about that.
KK:
As a professional wedding planner, I'd imagine it'll be difficult to let go of the reins for your own wedding.
Declan:
It's hard for Gwen to let go of the reins for anything.
He grins playfully.
Gwen:
Very funny. What do you expect? If it was up to you, we would get married in our living room with a Justice of the Peace.
Declan:
Yeah, but I could never deprive you of your dream wedding.
KK:
Regardless of what you decide to do, I'm sure it'll be incredible. And maybe our readers can attend.
Declan:
Absolutely. Kyle can't be the only one with two books.
KK:
We shall see. Can you give us some details on when and where it'll be?
Gwen:
June of next year and we're actually having the ceremony right down beneath us in Brooklyn Bridge Park and the reception at
The Weylin
in Williamsburg.
KK:
I love that your ceremony is going to happen right here.
Declan:
Yeah, we'll be able to see it everyday from our penthouse, which is cool since we fell in love under this bridge.
KK:
That's incredibly sweet. And what made you choose The Weylin?
Gwen:
I've always loved that venue. It's classy and elegant and the staff there is wonderful to work with. I've wanted to get married at The Weylin since the first time I coordinated a wedding there for clients.
Declan:
And I wanted her to have what she wanted.
KK:
I have no doubt it'll be an event to remember. We have quite a bit to catch up on, so first how have things been safety-wise? Have you had any fallout issues with the MDL.
Declan:
None. As Hunter had predicted, they fell apart after the raid. There's a bunch of guys serving time, so we'll have to see if any of them are gonna hold a grudge when they get out, but so far we're all good.
KK:
I'm glad to hear that. And how are you both doing? It's been, what, ten months since the incident?
Gwen:
It has. We're doing really well. Declan and I have continued with individual therapy and it has helped tremendously.
Declan:
Groans.
You've gotta blow up my spot like that?
Gwen:
They've all read the book. It's not a secret.
KK:
This is true. Besides, this is a judgment free zone. I know I speak for everyone when I say we're glad you've been able to get assistance working through everything.
Declan:
I never thought I'd say it, but it has been helpful.
KK:
That's really great. And, Gwen, how are things with your family?
Gwen:
Declan hates when I say this, but I'm grateful that I was abducted. It has catalyzed a lot of things in our lives--for the better. Unfortunately, it took such a drastic event to make things happen, but it put quite a bit into perspective for all of us. My relationship with my parents has never been better.
Declan:
I probably won't be calling them Mom and Dad anytime soon, but we're on a first name basis and we have family dinners at least twice a month. It seems like they've accepted our relationship.
Gwen:
And they love being grandparents. Trevor and our niece, Eloise, always have fun playing together.
KK:
I'm so happy you brought that up. We're going to bring Trevor out in just a few, but before we do that, any progress to report?
Declan:
We're officially his foster parents and our paperwork has been submitted to adopt him, but that can take about a year to process. That's just a formality, though. As far as we're concerned, Trevor is our son.
Gwen:
Absolutely.
Declan:
He's the best kid. I never thought I'd be a dad, but taking care of him has been the coolest adventure.
Gwen:
You're amazing with him.
Declan:
So are you.
KK:
Any plans for more children in your future?
Gwen:
At the moment, our focus is on the wedding and finalizing Trevor's adoption.
Declan:
I'm putting a baby in you one day. Trevor needs a sibling. Until then, we're having fun practicing.
Gwen:
She slaps his chest.
Declan!
Declan:
Like you said, princess, they read the book. They know what a freak you are.
Gwen:
Her face turns bright red.
Oh my god.
KK:
Don't worry, Gwen. Like I said before, no judgment. All the readers are just glad you two are happy. Should we bring Trevor out?
Gwen:
I'll go in and get him.
She gets up and goes inside.
Declan:
She's cute when she's embarrassed. I love messing with her.
KK:
Oh, we know. It's sweet how playful the two of you are.
Declan:
I really don't know how I got so damn lucky. Gwen and Trevor are the best things that have ever happened to me. And I don't know that I deserve them, but I sure as hell am gonna hold onto them as long as I can.
KK:
I'd say you're plenty deserving. Lana was right to say that you have a big heart.
Declan:
Speaking of the devil.
Declan stands and scoops Trevor up into his arms, making the boy giggle. Gwen has returned with Lana and Jesse, as well. There's also a Goldendoodle puppy waddling out behind them.
KK:
Well, this is certainly a nice surprise.
Lana Hogan:
We came by to hang out with our nephew while you guys did your thing.
KK:
Then, you must join us.
Everyone takes seats.
Gwen:
Can you say hi, Trevor?
Trevor:
Hi.
He's sitting on the sofa between Gwen and Declan with the puppy curled up by his feet.
KK:
Hi, Trevor. Thanks for talking with me today.
Trevor:
You're welcome.
KK:
How do you like your new house?
Trevor:
It's awesome. I have my own room with a superhero bed and lots of toys. And I go to school, too. I like it.
KK:
That's very cool. Who's your friend?
I point at the puppy.
Trevor:
Max. He's my puppy.
KK:
How old is Max?
Trevor looks up at Declan.
Declan:
You know this. You can tell her.
Trevor:
6 months. Santa brought him to me for Christmas.
KK:
You must've been a good boy last year, then.
Trevor nods excitedly.
Gwen:
He certainly was. Max has been a fun addition to our family.
KK:
Before we wrap this up, I must say happy anniversary to Jesse and Lana. How was your first year of marriage?
Jesse Hogan:
Perfect. But with this woman as my wife, how could it not be?
Lana:
Always a charmer, this one.
Jesse:
You like it. Don't lie.
Lana:
Never said I didn't.
She kisses him on the cheek.
KK:
I have to ask: any plans for a cousin for Trevor, Maddie, and Brian?
Lana:
Actually, yes.
Jesse:
I am actively trying to get Lana pregnant. Several times a day.
Declan:
Dude, that's my sister.
Jesse:
I'm trying to make you an uncle. Get over it.
KK:
Details aside, that's very exciting! And how are the Hogan babies?
Lana:
Maddie, our goddaughter, will be one in a few weeks.
Jesse:
She's the cutest thing.
Lana:
It's really adorable to watch all these big tough men turn into mush around Maddie.
Jesse:
We don't mush.
Lana:
Kepp telling yourself that.
Jesse:
Anyway...Brian is nine months old and he's a bundle of energy. He's already walking. Kyle's going to have that kid on ice skates before he's two. Mark my words.
Lana:
Oh, for sure. He definitely got the Hogan height. I have no doubt he'll be into some kind of sport.
Declan:
He'll be a fireman also.
Trevor:
Me, too!
Declan:
Exactly, bud.
KK:
That's all so exciting. Any news on Ryan and Zoe's nuptials?
Gwen:
Zoe's about to finish her first year of med school, then we're going to work on planning something. She has one more year in the class room and then two years of clinicals, but she compromised with Ryan and they plan to get married once she's finished the classroom portion.
Lana:
Yeah, she originally wanted to wait until after she graduated because she'll still have at least two years of residency after that, but Ryan convinced her to push it up.
Jesse:
I don't think it took too much convincing.
Lana:
I think we all have a little baby fever with these awesome kiddos running around. What do you think, Trev? You want a cousin?
Trevor:
Yeah!
Lana:
Can't say no to that.
KK:
I'll say. Before we wrap this up, I have to ask about Mack since his story is next.
Declan:
That poor guy has been through a lot.
Gwen:
Tori has, too. It hasn't been easy for them.
Declan:
It wasn't easy for us either, though.
Gwen:
That is true. And now we couldn't be happier.
KK:
On that note, thank you--all of you--for chatting with me today. We can't wait to continue following your journeys.
Mack and Tori's story, Burning for Trouble will be available on Amazon on June 23, 2021. You can find out more about Declan and Gwen, as well as the other Burning for the Bravest couples, while also getting to know Lieutenant Bryce 'Mack' McNamara as he opens his heart again for a chance at love. Happy reading!
