Page 47 of Hot n Bothered

Epilogue

One Year Later:

B en looked around, checking everything was set up properly.

Now his show was on TV he had a small crew and a full set up in his kitchen.

He still did some shorts and live feeds for his online fans on his phone, which this was.

He just needed the illusion of it being pre-recorded.

The cloches were set up, he rubbed his damp hands over his apron.

The crew were all waiting, trying not to look impatient or too excited.

All they needed was Belle, she should be back any minute now.

He couldn’t believe it had been a year since the holiday that started all this.

He’d insisted she move in as soon as they got back and within a week it was like they had always been together.

They had both laughed so hard to realise that they could’ve been together years ago if not for their insecurities.

And Darren had been insufferably smug for a good six months.

It hadn’t all been sunshine and rainbows though.

She struggled at first with guilt over cutting her family out of her life.

But then she blossomed, they all watched in amazement at how her self confidence grew.

Never having to be around them anymore she thrived.

She still had panic attacks, had bad days with her depression, still forgot to clear her dirty mugs out of her writing room, he still cleaned when he was stressed, still spent too much time on his phone and still couldn’t say I love you to her face.

But it didn’t matter, all through the fights, the tears, the illnesses, the laughter they were still there for each other.

They still loved the other without wanting them to change. It was almost perfect.

He smiled when he heard the front door and started the feed.

Darren queued up Ben’s feed on the TV. He had a feeling about why Ben had insisted everyone watch it.

Up popped Ben in his trademark apron, starting his usual patter welcoming everyone to his show.

“We have a couple of surprises in store for you all.” His eyes flicked to the side and the massive beaming smile he had showed Iz had come into the room. “First, you guys get a sneak peak at my newest book.” He pulled up a cloche with melodramatic flair.

Iz started laughing from the side. “Not your book.”

“It’s not?” Ben bent down and picked it up, looking at it then holding it out to the camera.

“You’re right. It’s your book. Look at this cover, how cool is this dragon?

I am so proud of you. You guys are going to love this I’m telling you.

Pre-orders are now open for it so hurry up and grab yours now.

If you like dragons, and fighting, and magic, and prophecies, and love, and found families, and humour, this book is for you.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll sigh. I really can’t say enough about how good this is.

And it’s not just because she’s my wife. ”

Iz laughed again. “Not your wife.”

Ben lifted the second cloche in shot to reveal a ring in a box. “Wanna be?”

Darren whooped with joy, jumping up and down on his bed before he realised that he hadn’t heard Iz give an answer.

She had to say yes, seriously he’d never seen her so happy.

Those two were just made for each other.

He heaved a sigh of relief when she came into shot crying and nodding her head.

Ben swooped her up into his arms and lifted her as he kissed her and swung her around. Before turning to the camera.

“She said yes! I’m going to go. Stay tuned for more posts.”

“It’s live? Ben!” Iz huffed. “What did we say about telling me if it was live?”

“I couldn’t ruin the surprise could I?” He pulled out his pout and pushed the ring on her finger. “Forgive me?”

“Turn it off and I might.”

Darren laughed as Ben aimed the remote at the camera and the feed ended.

Operation Ben & Iz

Called it! You owe me ￡20 Rich

Rich: Happiest ￡20 I ever lost

Cat: So romantic. We’d better start saving

Katie: Huh??? Saving? What for?

Come on you know full well Wallace will want a Disney wedding

Bianca: Yep

Joey: Iz is too in love to say no

Rob: Should we start suggesting costumes to them?

Richie: I am not dressing up

Katie: For Iz & Ben? You ARE dressing up

Cat: Listen to your wife. Anyway, who says they’ll dress up or have us dressed up?

Bianca: I’m feeling mighty proud of us all right now. We helped make this happen.

Joey: Next job is to find out if Rob is bi – so we can get him & Darren together

Um….excuse me???

He is BTW

Joey: Shit! Fuck! Wrong feed.

Bianca: Joey you dick.

Wait…. How do you know?

Rob: Oh he knows

Rob sent the group a picture of the two of them snuggled in bed.

“Guess the secret is now out.” He smiled over to him.

“Good. I’m glad. We now have to find someone who can handle our Joey.”

Darren laughed. “I’m good. But I’m not a bloody miracle worker.”

THE END