Page 21 of Cinematic Destinies (Red Carpet Romance #3)

S oon it was the evening before the final day of the shoot. As they were finishing their meal, Michael said, “Jean, so this is it. Tomorrow is your last day of filming. That’s pretty major.”

“Eh,” he replied, dismissively waving his hand.

“Come on,” Michael pressed. “Someone like you retiring. It’s a big deal. What are your plans? Any travel?”

“As always, I’ll return to France to edit the film, put together the trailer. The film, she is not done, even after you all pack up and leave.”

“Yeah, but after all that?” Michael asked.

“I do not think about after,” Jean replied, taking a swig of his drink.

Michael laughed. “You may want to rethink the whole retirement thing. Really doesn’t seem to suit you.”

Jean shrugged.

Michael turned his attention to Georgia and Roo. “What about you two? Does what happens on set really stay on set, or do you have big plans?”

“Big plans indeed,” Roo said. “We’re planning to do a bit of a tour of Iceland and then figure out where we’ll go next, but it will certainly be together.”

“That’s great. Seems you’re following in Finn and Ella’s footsteps. I’m happy for you both,” Michael said.

Roo slung his arm around Georgia, kissed the side of her head, and said, “We’re happy too.”

Georgia gave him a little smile and then looked across the table at Jean and Michael and said, “Oh, speaking of my parents, I keep forgetting. My siblings and I are putting together a video for their thirtieth anniversary. Would you two please each record a short message for them and email it to me?”

“Sure thing,” Michael replied. He huffed and said, “Jean, given how things began that summer, can you believe they’ve lasted decades?”

“Sometimes it takes a bump in the road to give one perspective,” Jean replied.

“What do you mean?” Georgia asked, looking confused.

“Your parents fell deeply in love early on in our summer together, but your mother wasn’t exactly ready for it. Back then, Ella . . .”

Jean was interrupted when Gunnar came into the room and said, “Excuse me. Mr. Mercier, the caterer is on the phone with some questions about the wrap party.”

“Very well,” Jean said, using the table for support as he slowly rose.

Once he was out of the room, Michael said, “That guy is in for a rude awakening. I can be pretty dense about things, but one thing is crystal clear, he’s not ready for retirement. Films are his whole life.”

“Yeah, but it must be taxing at his age. Perhaps he can find an artistic outlet that requires less intense commitment,” Roo suggested.

“It’s not just the filmmaking, it’s the whole thing. It’s this,” Michael said, gesturing around the room. “He loves going on location, setting up camp, building a temporary family with the cast and crew. It’s not just about the art, it’s his way of life. It’s who he is. People don’t change.”

Georgia’s eyes drifted down to her lap as she thought about Michael’s words. Roo noticed and whispered, “Darling, you look deep in thought.”

She looked into his warm eyes. “I’m just a bit sleepy. Tomorrow’s a big day. Let’s turn in.”

Georgia and Roo excused themselves. When Jean returned, Michael asked, “Everything okay?”

“There’s always some damn aggravation when you’re reliant on hiring locals. Every place, every film, every crew. I won’t miss all the hassles,” he grumbled as he retook his seat.

Michael chuckled. “Keep telling yourself that. For a guy who hates bullshit, you’re really a pro, my nomadic friend.”

THE NEXT MORNING, THE ACTORS WERE ALL feeling mixed emotions as they meandered from their trailers to the set.

“Listen up!” Jean called as everyone huddled around.

“As we always film out of sequence, I have never before shot the final scene of a film last. There is a first time for everything.” He stopped to huff.

“And a last time, I suppose. Today, we are filming the final scene of the shoot, of the film, and indeed, of my catalog.” Some cast and crew became teary-eyed, putting their hands supportively on each other’s backs.

Jean stopped them, shaking his head and barking, “None of that shit. Don’t forget, you still have a job to do.

I’m not paying you to stand around fucking consoling each other like a group of coddled children. ”

“Oh, come on, Jean! Admit it, you’re gonna miss us and all of this,” Michael shouted.

Jean dismissively waved his hand. “I’ll get enough of it and you when I’m editing the damn thing. But if you’re so eager to memorialize the experience, wait until the wrap party. There will be plenty of booze, food, and a dance floor, though you won’t see me on it.”

Everyone laughed and Georgia hollered, “Never say never!”

Jean smirked. “Alright. Alright. Back to the scene. The old man is lying in bed, dying, his only two companions by his side. He and Georgia have their last words and she goes outside, overcome with emotion. Then he and Roo exchange their words, after which Roo goes outside to find Georgia, and we have our final moment. The camera will follow Roo from inside the house to outside in a continuous action. Places, everyone.”

The cast got in position, Michael lying in bed tucked under the covers, Georgia sitting on the edge of the bed, and Roo standing.

“Rolling . . . Action!”

“Would you like a cool compress on your forehead?” she asked.

Michael slowly shook his head and tried to extend his shaky hand. She took hold of his hand, gently caressing his pale, paper-thin skin. His lips began to tremble, like he was trying to say something.

“You don’t have to speak,” she said.

He took a labored breath and murmured, “Thank you, Giselle, for bringing light into this house and looking after me so diligently. You have made the end bearable.”

Her eyes began to fill with tears.

He squeezed her hand, let go, and said, “Please leave us. We have some final business to discuss.”

She nodded as her eyes overflowed. She rose, leaned over, and kissed his forehead, before smiling at him one last time through her tears and exiting the room.

Michael struggled to lift his hand again, gesturing at Roo.

“It’s okay,” Roo said, taking his hand and sitting on the edge of the bed.

“The memoir. My legacy . . .” he muttered.

“Don’t worry. It’s done and I’ve followed your instructions to the letter.”

Michael nodded ever so slightly. “Before you go, promise me . . .” He paused to take a breath as Roo leaned closer. “Promise you’ll take care of her.”

Roo looked at him quizzically. “The book or Giselle?”

“Yes,” Michael replied.

“I promise.”

A soft smile slid across Michael’s face and he closed his eyes.

Roo took a moment, rose, and walked through the small house and out the open door where he saw his lover, standing with her back to him, the spectacular landscape unfolding all around them.

He came up behind her, slung his arms around her waist, and placed a tender kiss on the top of her head.

She sniffled and put her hands on his forearms.

“I never imagined this would be so difficult,” she said.

“Me neither. I also never imagined I’d meet someone like you. We can leave this place now. Together, if you wish.”

They held each other for a moment, and she shuddered. “I can feel it. He’s free.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. She smiled and softly said, “Look what he’s left us with. So much sadness. So much beauty.”

“Cut!” Jean hollered.

Georgia wiped her face and Roo said, “That was brilliant. Are you okay, love? I could feel the authenticity of the emotion.”

She nodded. “I guess I’m just a bit blue. Tapped into it. That scene was the beginning of the end.”

“Only of the film, darling. Our adventure has only just begun,” he said, kissing her forehead. “Come on, let’s go get our notes.”

AFTER HOURS OF FILMING, JEAN FINALLY YELLED, “Cut! That’s a wrap!”

The cast and crew exploded with cheers.

“Before we pack up and head back to the inn for the party, I’d like to call each of the lead actors to take a bow,” Jean said. “Rupert Reed!”

Roo trotted over to Jean and took a bow as everyone clapped, Georgia screeching at the top of her lungs as Roo’s cheeks turned rosy.

“Georgia Sinclair Forrester!” Jean announced.

Georgia skipped over and joined Roo to more applause.

“The star of our film, Michael Hennesey!” Jean announced.

Michael joined his castmates to more cheers. He bowed and then said, “We all know the real star of this film is the legend, the icon, the artist himself: Jean Mercier!”

The cast and crew pounded their feet, clapping, hooting, and hollering.

“Jean, I know it’s not your custom, but you have to join us in a final bow,” Michael insisted, taking his hand.

Roo, Georgia, Michael, and Jean held hands and took a bow to thunderous applause.

When they rose, Jean said, “Thank you all for this extraordinary experience. Now change into your street clothes and we shall celebrate at the inn.” The crew began disassembling their equipment as Jean turned to the actors and said, “Such a fine group for my last hurrah. Thank you.”

Georgia gave him a huge hug. He patted her arm and said, “I’ll see you at the bar.”

Roo took her hand and they started toward their trailers. “I can’t believe it’s over.”

“Yeah, me either,” she said forlornly.

He stopped, looked at her adoringly, and said, “Darling, remember it’s just the film that’s over. Our adventure is only beginning.”

Georgia looked at him and took a breath as if she desperately wanted to say something but stopped herself. “It’s just been an emotional day. I’ll meet you after I change.”

“Then we can dance the night away. Probably a good time to mention I have two left feet, which will no doubt be stomping all over yours,” he said with a laugh, “so I wouldn’t suggest wearing sandals.”

She smiled and said, “You really are adorable.”

“Just try to remember that when I’m embarrassing you on the dance floor.”

“I’ll see you in a few.”

“Hurry, darling. I can’t bear to be apart,” Roo said, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it.