Page 89 of Into The Rabbit Hole

Epilogue

Chloe

* * *

Six months later…

“Mrs. Vanderville,do you want some more ice tea?” Tristan, her new intern asked. He’d joinedRunwaylast week and was going to be working with the creative team for the next threemonths.

He was looking at Chloe and it took her a moment to realize that he was referring toher.

“Oh, me. Yes, that would be great. I’ll have it later, though. And please call meChloe.”

She’d been married to Wade now for just over two months, but was still getting used to her new surname. In her mindMrs. Vandervillewas Regina, but not even Regina was Mrs. Vandervilleanymore.

It was her,Chloe.

“Okay, thanks.” He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. The freckles on his nose reminded her of Wes. This guy had only just left college but had a creative talent she was hoping to harness. “I’m going to help Lisa with the new delivery. Just call me if you needanything.”

“Thank you, I will.” Chloe had decided to take all the help she could get and anything anyone was offering. Being six months pregnant was very different from being even five months. Her stomach had practically shot out into a ball as her son grew daily. A son, she and Wade would have a little boy very soon, and she couldn’t wait to meethim.

Except for being a few pounds heavier, she’d practically stayed the same size for the wedding and fit perfectly into her exceptionally beautiful dress that Pierre had designed forher.

After the wedding and honeymoon, her body had changed significantly and everyone could tell that she was expecting. To her, she looked like she was having twins, but it was just the onechild.

Regina was visiting from Italy this week and wanted to meet with her. Taylor and Wes were still there with Brian. She hardly saw them these days, because when they weren’t wrapped up in each other, they were always off on vacationsomewhere.

Chloe left the Closet and made her way to Regina’s office. The minute she got to the mezzanine, she spotted Kelly coming up the stairs with a small cup of that disgusting tea. Of course Kelly had taken it upon herself to learn all the necessary things to know about nutrition for pregnancy, and pregnancy in general, so she could be Chloe’s natural midwife. Whatever thatmeant.

“Not so fast.” Kelly saw her just as Chloe started to speedup.

These days her poor body couldn’t move quick enough to evade the tea and Kelly. She caught up to her in notime.

“I don’t want it,” Chloe said, swatting her away like afly.

Kelly started to laugh. “It’s good for you. Think of all the benefits. Wade said I should make sure you eat properly during theday.”

“Wade said? Are youkidding.”

“If you have it I’ll get you some ice cream,” Kellyteased.

Chloe stopped on hearing that. These days the ice cream parlor that was just a few minutes’ walk seemed so far away. Chloe would give anything for some ice cream. She turned, took the tea, and downed it so quickly the liquid skipped past her taste buds. It was only the last hint of it that hit the back of her throat, and she shivered from the awful taste offish.

“Good girl.” Kelly beamed. “Now you’ve earned that tub of ice cream,” she cooed, widening her eyes with excitement. She was loving this whole pregnancy thing. Everyone was. Her parents had spent the last two months with her, helping her do all sorts of things, and they’d be back before she gave birth. Chloe was well taken care of, and she was extremelyhappy.

“Thank you, could you get the multi-flavor one, with the little caramel fishes inside?” Chloegiggled.

“You bet.” Kelly laughed again as she sauntered away and went back down thestairs.

Chloe continued on to Regina’soffice.

It was nice to see her inside. Looking as beautiful and sophisticated as always, Regina stood behind the desk that had always fascinatedChloe.

Like always, Chloe admired the office, looking at the white walls and the floor-to-ceiling window that gave the perfect view of the city. She loved the black-and-white tiled floor and the chandelier. The flowers, the smell, the style. It screamed fashion. The thing that fueled her creativity. Her creativity had all but exploded since her pregnancy and FashionWeek.

Fashion Week was like nothing Chloe had ever seen. They exceeded their goal to impress, and now the buzz was all about the nextone.

She got so absorbed in the décor and her thoughts as she walked towards Regina that she only just saw the box on her desk when Chloe got up toher.