Epilogue
New York City
Six weeks later
At the end of a long busy day, Camille and Ryan headed into the living room of their apartment. Kicking off her slippers, Camille lowered herself onto the couch. Ryan then claimed his usual spot alongside her.
“Would madam care for her nightly foot rub?”
With her head resting against the soft cushions, Camille gave a happy sigh. “Give me a few minutes.” She was now some three and a half months pregnant and starting to find it difficult to reach her feet.
“Maybe we should have put foot rubs into my job description,” mused Ryan.
His new role as Brand Manager involved helping Camille to build her public image, and social media following. It also including planning the budgets for her collections. He’d promised to ease her gently into learning how spreadsheets worked.
“I think any sort of touching, will have to be restricted to out of office hours, Mister Collins,” replied Camille. She rubbed her hand over her belly. “Look what happened last time we mixed business with pleasure.”
“Hmm. But just think how all that touching helped free your creative blocks,” purred Ryan, leaning over. His warm lips traced kisses up her neck. He nipped at her earlobe, sending a thrill down her spine. “Let’s forget about the tv show and go have a shower together.”
Why am I not surprised that he would try to get out of this?
“We are watching the show. As Brand Manager its part of your job to see how my latest collection looks on Kaylee. Besides we can’t possibly miss your five minute guest starring role at the beginning.” She wriggled her fingers at him. “Pass the remote, S'il vous pla?t”.
Ryan grumbled something under his breath, but bent and picked up the remote from the coffee table. Camille turned on the tv as Ryan continued to complain about having to watch himself on the screen.
“Shh, the show is on,” she chided.
“Ok, but you can’t make me watch the whole series. I mean second chance romance is such a lame concept. Ouch!”
He got a pinch on the arm for being cheeky. Camille turned up the sound. Derick Stad’s dulcet tones filled the room.
Tonight we have the premiere of a new six-part series. Kaylee and Steven. A Love Reunited.
Ryan might have thought it was icky. But apparently focus groups had proven that people loved a second chance romance. The ratings would be off the charts as Kaylee won back her tech tycoon. Camille couldn’t wait to watch the show.
She’d binge the rest of the series after they got back from their extended trip to France.
The theme tune for Bachelors on the Beach filled the room and Ryan groaned. “Urgh. This music, it’s so trashy.”
Camille crossed her arms. “Well I happen to love it. It brings back so many great memories of you. Especially your cute blond hair.”
Ryan softly laughed. “Aww, and that’s when you fell in love with me, isn’t it?”
“I did fall a little in love with you then. Though the morning I found you asleep in the design studio, was when I knew I wanted you forever. You really did look like something out of a fairytale.”
Settling his hand on the swell of her belly, Ryan leaned over and kissed Camille deeply. When he finally drew back, he whispered, “Yes well, this Prince Charming is so very glad you chose him.”
They were flying to Paris tomorrow, where they planned to marry at the Royal family chateau the week before Christmas.
And just like in the fairytales, we will have our happily ever after.
“You know we won’t get a moment’s privacy at the chateau. Expectant grandparents and all that,” she teased.
Ryan’s saucy grin faltered. “Oh. I was hoping for a little naked time together.”
“Relax. The second I realized we’d have to spend a month in France to qualify for a marriage license, I booked us into one of the Royal family’s private apartments in the city.”
She grinned at Ryan. “You’re not the only one of us capable of being organized. Now hush—I have a second chance romance reality tv show to watch.”
With a sigh he wrapped her up in his arms, and nuzzled against her neck.
“Ah, yes, but being organized is only one of my many talents. So how about you lie back and watch virtual Ryan on the tv, while real Ryan shows you what else he is very skilled at doing.”
He slid off the couch and knelt before her.
Four years ago Ryan had lost the grand finale of the original show. Camille had been devastated watching his heartbreak. But now as her gorgeous hunk of a fiancé made good on his wicked promise, she let out a happy sigh. With Ryan in her life, everything made perfect sense.