Rylie's POV
**Five Years Later**
"And... cut! Well done everyone! That's a wrap!" the director yelled after the scene ended. I walked off set with a smile on my face.
Another project wrapped up and just in time for Christmas.
My assistant, Elaina met me after my conversation with the director who had of course, thanked me and told me how big of a hit the movie was gonna be.
"So where to?" Elaina inquired, holding her little notepad in her hand. I passed her a look that meant, "Do you even have to ask?"
"Of course. You're going home."
"Bingo!" I responded going on to add, "You should do the same too."
"Can't. I have way too much to do," she replied, looking through her notepad. I stopped, grabbed the notepad from her and gripped her shoulder. "Elaina, it's Christmas. A time to be spent with friends and family not working. You're going home and maybe you can finally talk to that cute guy you like. Either way, you're going home! And that's an order!"
"Fine!" she groaned in surrender. "Better." I nodded satisfied with her response.
I walked out of the building and over to my car before anyone saw me and by anyone, I meant fans looking for autographs.
"You do know that Blake is not running away neither is your family," Elaina remarked pointedly, standing by the side of my car.
"Of course, I know. Doesn't make any less anxious to see them."
"Oh well, drive safely and have a nice flight." She waved stepping back from the car.
"You too. Merry Christmas, Ela."
I started the car and began the drive to the airport in Chicago where Elaina had booked my flight.
A lot has happened in five years so allow me to catch you up on all that.
Unlike Jessie who I'd forgiven and let off the hook, Kristen and Logan didn't enjoy the same privilege and both of them pleaded guilty in court to charges of attempted rape and harassment. They both got sentenced to ten years in prison with no possibility of parole or bail.
As for the movie, since Kristen was arrested and then jailed, I replaced her and the plot was even changed a bit so we wouldn't have to start from afresh. In the end, the movie was an instant hit and Blake and I continued to get more offers for more roles in movies, some of them wanted both of us in the leading roles because of the ‘chemistry’ we had on screen. Then again, we were a couple so what did they expect?
After high school, I took a gap year where I focused on growing my music and acting careers respectively. Now, not only was I an award winning and one of the most sought after actresses around, I was also a popular musician so you could say my life was going pretty well.
As for Blake, he was mostly an actor now and only modeled from time to time. He'd also managed to grow even more handsome as time went by and just last year, he'd been named the third most handsome man in the world. Yup, in the world and I got to have him all to myself.
Mason and Olivia got married two years ago and were currently expecting their first kid, a baby girl which meant I was about to become a godmother. Olivia became a kindergarten teacher and eventually opened up her own daycare and Mason was a football coach. Both of them were still very much in love.
Myles, my brother ended up joining the army after high school and even though he wasn't with anyone yet, the last time we spoke, he already had in someone in mind and I couldn't wait for them to get together so I got to be the maid of honor at another wedding.
Ava, Blake's sister just rounded up her high school education and had plans to become a screenwriter so she could write something for I and Blake to act. I already promised her my full backing.
So yeah, you could say that life turned out pretty well for us all.
***
After my flight landed and I grabbed my luggage, I wandered around, wondering where Blake was. I finally realized when I saw a huge sign with the words, “Waiting for the most beautiful woman in the room.”
Still chuckling, I made my way through the crowd until I saw him then I ran and wrapped my arms around him, giggling as he twirled me around while still holding me tight.
"I missed you so much," I mumbled tearfully into his shoulder. We had both had different projects at opposite states in the country and had barely been able to talk for six months. Thankfully, that was all over.
"Missed you too, baby girl," he whispered back, hugging me even tighter.
As soon my feet were planted back on the floor, I wrapped my arms around his neck and crashed my lips against his. He smiled against my lips and leaned in even more, deepening the kiss.
When we pulled apart, breathless but all smiles, I realised we'd attracted a cooing audience. Grabbing my luggage with one hand and my wrist with the other, Blake and I broke into a run so we could avoid paparazzi and more fans.
It was only after we were both seated in the heated car and on the way to our homes that I was able to relax.
"That never gets old, does it?" Blake chuckled, referring to the incident at the airport.
"No matter how popular I get, I don't think I'll ever get used to it. I missed you, Blakey." I placed my hand on his.
"I missed you too. So so much and I'm gonna let you know just how much this night." He winked at me and I blushed at the meaning of his statement.
Before we got home though, we made a stop at the cemetery to visit Grandma Nellie. It had become a bit of a tradition with us whenever we came home for the holidays.
"Oh my gosh! I didn't bring any–" I'd started to panic when Blake cut in, while holding a bouquet of flowers, "Flowers?"
I smiled as I took the bouquet from his hands and kissed his cheek. "Thanks babe."
Then both of us stepped out of the car and approached Grandma's headstone which wasn't too far away.
Dropping the flowers in front of her headstone, I knelt down and said, "Merry Christmas, Grandma Nellie. I know I haven't come to visit you in a while and I'm sorry about that. We all miss you so much and I wish you could be here. We'll meet eventually, I guess."
Blake said something to his grandmother as well before we both went back into the car and drove off, our next destination clear and set.
By the time we pulled up in front of both our houses, we already had quite the party waiting to welcome us home.
It was a flurry of activities that came next as everyone piled into my house and catching up with everyone over lunch was pretty much all I'd ever hoped it would. Fun and chaotic but it was family.
However, during lunch, Blake got a call and said he had to leave immediately. I asked him what the call was about but he simply said that it was urgent and left.
I was saddened by his departure but tried not to show it as I continued with lunch. Afterwards, I retired to my room to rest and fell asleep.
A few hours later, I woke up and saw that the sun had gone down. I picked up my phone and tried to call Blake but he didn't pick my calls. I called him an additional three times but he still didn't pick my calls.
Disappointed and saddened, I climbed off my old bed and that was when I noticed the package that had been placed on my bed.
Curious, I read the note attached to the package. It read: Wear this dress and meet me outside. –Yours forever.
There was no name but I knew it could only be Blake. Who else would it be?
Intrigued by now, I opened up the package and chortled to myself on seeing the dress inside. I still distinctly remember pointing out this same dress to Blake while we were on a trip to France but we had not been able to get it back then.
Excited, I put on the dress and shoes that came with it and smiled at my reflection. The dress had a black upper bodice and a long flowing red skirt and black flats to match. I threw on a jacket so I wouldn't get cold and undid the messy bun I had put my hair in at the beginning of my flight, letting my hair fall in waves around my shoulders.
Downstairs, I noticed how everyone kept smiling at me suspiciously but I didn't pay attention to their stares and walked outside just like the note asked me to where I found a car waiting.
It was a black Audi and I was a bit hesitant to enter until I saw who the driver was.
"Asher!" I exclaimed, completely shocked to see him back here.
"Hop in, Lee. Your lover awaits." I giggled but climbed excitedly. I hadn't seen Asher since the night at the hospital so seeing him was very very surprising. "What are you doing back here, Asher?"
"Well your boyfriend called me up a few months ago saying that he needed a favor and well I couldn't say no to him. Also, don't let him know I told you about the surprise. I wasn't supposed to let you know."
"Technically, you only just told me about the surprise but okay. It'll be our little secret." I extended my pinky towards him and we pinky sweared. "So how did things go with Mindy?"
"Well we got married," he informed me, chuckling as he saw the look on my face. "Really? When?"
"A few months ago."
"Really? I assumed you two got married years ago because of the baby."
"We planned to but decided against it. However things started to change between us last year and we eventually decided to get married."
"I'm so happy for you, Asher. What did you name the baby?" I inquired curiously.
"We named him Lee."
"Lee?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Short for Leslie," Asher added and I felt at ease.
"I'm happy things turned out well for you but I can't believe you named your son, Leslie." I palmed my forehead just thinking about it.
"What? Boys can be called Leslie too!"
We continued our banter until Asher eventually stopped the car in front of the park. I got out and stopped to thank Asher.
"I hope to meet Mindy and Lee one day."
"You will. We're lodged in an hotel nearby."
"Then I hope to see you tomorrow for Christmas dinner."
"Sure. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Also, here. Blake asked me to give this." Asher handed me a note before driving off.
I opened the note and it read: I truly am the luckiest guy ever. Come find me by the pine trees by the lake. –Your frenemy.
I smiled at the name he gave himself and hurried over to the row of pine trees. Even though I didn't see Blake at first, I noticed that all the trees had been decorated with streamers and bright lights.
I was still wondering where Blake was when a loud sound and lights caused to look at the sky. I saw R + B first and then below it appeared 4ever.
Fireworks! I realized gleefully as the letters faded and another round of fireworks went up in the air.
Rylie, will you be mine? Appeared next and while I was still trying to figure out the words meant, movements behind me drew my attention. I glanced back and smiled on seeing that it was Blake. My smile however disappeared when he went down on one knee.
That was when I realised what was going on. Blake was— he was proposing!
My smile disappeared, my eyes widened and I could only gape at Blake.
"Rylie Myers," he took one of my hands in his, "I love you. I guess it shouldn't be such a surprise but I really do. From the very first day I met you, you stirred something in me that no other girl ever had and it was never hatred. You are a special beautiful amazing person and I am so lucky to have you in my life and I would never trade you for all the money, power and fame in the world. You mean the world to me and I don't think I can live without you in my life so here goes... Rylie, will you be my soulmate, the mother of my kids and my partner till death do us part?"
I was too shocked and moved to speak. Instead, I began to cry. Yeah, I cried. Stupid and weird but I just couldn't help.
"Rylie, are you okay? Do you not want to marry me?" I could hear the fear in his voice even then and even I was crying, I still laughed.
"Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes!" I didn't even let him put the ring on my finger yet instead falling to my knees and hugging him, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Blake chuckled but didn't say anything as he pat my back.
"Is Rylie seriously crying?" Myles' voice caused me to pull away from Blake. I looked to the side to find mine and Blake's families, Olivia and Mason included.
"Rylie, why are you crying?"
"Did she say no?"
"No Mom. She said yes. She just won't let me put the ring on her finger yet," Blake remarked pointedly.
"Oh right. Sorry." I extended my left hand to him and squealed as he slipped the ring on one of my fingers. I threw my arms around his neck and muttered, "I love you."
"I love you too, Rylie."
However amidst the celebration over my engagement, something happened. Olivia's water broke! She was about to give birth!
Immediately we piled into a car and drove to a hospital nearby. As soon as we got there, Olivia was placed on a stretcher and wheeled away with Mason beside her.
The delivery turned out longer than we all expected and I'd begun to assume all manner of things until eventually after six hours of labor, we were given the good news. Olivia had delivered a baby girl!
We were all allowed to see her and as everyone cooed at the cute baby in Olivia's arms, they told me what they planned to name the baby.
"Nellie," they both said and I could only grin at the child. It was a fitting name.
"I like it and she's a Christmas baby too," I pointed out, looking at the clock that indicated 00:16.
Hours later, after we'd all left the hospital, Olivia and Mason excluded, Blake and I sat in his room just holding each other.
"So what you want to name our first baby?" He popped the question out of the blue.
"Well if it's a girl, Treasure and if it's a boy, Jackson," I said the first things that came to mind.
"How about we get started? Right now?"
I threw my head back and laughed. "Why not?"
Blake grinned before leaning down and planting a kiss on my lips.
This, I knew was just the start of an amazing future...
THE END.
***
What were your favourite moments from the story? Favourite character? Saddest moments? The character you hated most? Did you like the ending? Drop a review and let me know.