In white lace and a veil, Amy felt like the picture of blushing bride straight out of a fairy tale. A pastor stood in front of them, a copy of the Holy Bible in his hands, a stately chapel their elegant setting.

Camden’s father sat alone in the front row, happy and proud, impressive in his Boston PD dress uniform.

The pastor said, “Then by the power vested in me by the County of Los Angeles, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Camden leaned forward and Amy looked up, the two kissing for the first time as a married couple. The crowd applauded, Amy and Camden smiling at them to share their new-found happiness.

Rosa and her family clapped, a happy clan finally reunited, matching faces and smiles radiating gratitude and joy. It was a day to celebrate union and family, and few had more reason to celebrate than the Robles family.

Isla clapped, smiling and waving from the crowd. She was sitting next to agent Lew Weiss, and as Amy glanced at Isla, Isla tilted her head toward the nerdy older man, rolling her eyes and biting her lower lip. This move grabbed Lew’s attention, however, and he looked at Isla with a kind of professional distance. Then he looked Isla over and smiled, and when Isla’s eyes caught Lew’s, even Amy could feel the sparks between them.

Amy and Camden shared a quiet moment outside the church while their friends collected and chatted, making new friendships and strengthening old ones. It was a new family, brought together by two solitary souls, each uniquely suited to the other. He held her from behind, arms wrapped around her in a loving embrace, his hands on her little baby bump. He kissed her cheek from behind and she turned, her lips meeting his.

Camden set his hand on her belly, the bump not yet showing. She set her own hand on his and they looked at one another, a loving gaze that bound them together, unbreakable.

“I love you so much, Amy, I … I can’t find the words.”

Amy smiled. “Sounds like you haven’t thought it out very thoroughly.”

They shared a little chuckle and a kiss. Neither one needed to think anymore. For the rest of their lives, they would feel.

A variety of people were at the wedding, all of them personally known to either Amy or Camden without a hired place-holder in site. Nobody in the Dey family would be calling Central Casting again. And two of the invited guests included the mysterious and lovely Tia McBride and her short female assistant, Shin Lu.

After the ceremony, Tia and Shin Lu approached Camden and Amy, Amy tensing with her intimidating presence. Tia was resplendent in a black dress, making her red hair and pale skin even more prominent. Little Shin Lu wore what seemed to be a permanent scowl.

“Camden, Amy,” Tia said.

“Ms. McBride,” Amy said. “Shin Lu.” Shin Lu nodded politely but offered no response.

“Tia,” Camden said.

“Congratulations Amy, Camden. I’m quite happy for you both, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little disappointed. I thought we’d be working together for years, Camden.”

“One never knows how the future will unfold,” Amy said, attracting Tia’s ironic smile.

“Indeed not,” Tia said, returning her attention to Camden. “If you ever change your mind, you’ll give me a call?”

“Don’t count on it,” Amy said, slipping her arm through Camden’s, setting the other on his muscular arm, her body language telling Tia everything her sharp retort hadn’t.

Tia took in Amy’s commanding, confident tone. “You seem to have come a long way, Amy. I’m very glad we could provide the help you needed.”

Amy nodded. “Everything I needed, Ms. McBride. Thank you.”

Looking up at Camden’s loving face, his smile telling her everything she needed to know.

Whatever Amy would have to face in her life, she wouldn’t have to face it alone.

Lean, dark Tal Farlo slinked around the party, taking candid shots of the guests, the camera in front of his face, clicks rattling out of the little device, countless shots per minute.

Kate was happily working the open bar, a white shirt and smart black necktie giving her a professional look that flattered her curvaceous, ample frame. Danny was sitting at the bar, flirting to the very best of his ability.

Amy and Camden glanced at him from across the beautiful churchyard, where the private reception was being held.

Amy asked Camden, “Think he’s got a chance?”

“Not once she’s got her hooks into him.” They shared a chuckle, Amy nuzzling into Camden’s tuxedoed chest. “She’ll be good for him, I think.”

Amy turned to look into her new husband’s eyes. “Love will always discover the truth.”

HBO’s Claire Appleby, Tyler Tate, and Randall Ott stood together, laughing and drinking, enjoying the tales of their project’s success, one of the most highly anticipated films on the network’s roster. There was already talk about an Emmy nomination for Camden, whose career was suddenly one of the hottest in Hollywood.

Margaret and Jonathan stepped up to Amy and Camden, Margaret offering warm hugs and Jonathan firm and friendly handshake. “What a beautiful ceremony,” Margaret said, “I’m so happy for you both.”

Camden said, “Thank you for being here, Margaret.”

“Of course, darling. And call me Maggie, please.”

Jonathan said, “I gotta say, Amy, we … we were selling you short, kiddo. You were more than capable of taking care of yourself, there can’t be much doubt about that now.”

“No more tethers on your inheritance either, darling.” Giving Jonathan the side-eye, Margaret went on, “If anybody in this family has earned their birthright, it’s you.”

Amy asked, “What about Danny?”

Jonathan shook his head. “Danny’s not fit. But we’ll take care of him, don’t worry.”

“No,” Amy said. “Let him off the leash too. It’s only right, it’s only fair. And it’s what Dad would want.”

Margaret and Jonathan glanced at each other, Margaret finally nodding before Jonathan shook his head and rolled his eyes. But Margaret said to him, “She has a point, Jonathan … or do you disagree with me?”

Jonathan stood, trapped, knowing the danger of his own dissent. In the irony of his lifetime, Jonathan was trapped by the authority he himself wielded for so many years.

“If that’s what Amy thinks,” Jonathan said, “who am I to disagree?”

“That’s right,” Margaret said with an angry snap.

Jonathan held his hands out to calm his riled matron. “Hey, she’s got my full support.” Turning to Amy, he added, “You’re one tough cookie, Amy. I … I’m really proud of you, Sis. I don’t know what I’d have done against that bear.”

“You’d have run away screaming like a little girl,” Margaret said.

“Why would you say something like that? Why are you trying to embarrass me?”

Margaret rolled her eyes and waved him off. “Please, dear, give it a rest.” Margaret walked away, Jonathan on her heels.

“C’mon, Mom, that’s just mean. Mom? Mom! Don’t just walk away from me!” Jonathan followed her into the crowd, Amy and Camden sharing an amused chuckle.

Camden asked her, “What about those two?”

“They deserve each other.” Amy turned to Camden and wrapped her arms around his expansive shoulders, kissing him both playfully and passionately, a silent salute to their new union. “I can’t wait for the honeymoon baby” Camden gushed, and Amy squealed in delight.

* * *

The fabled streets of Paris were more romantic than Amy remembered from their trips there in her youth. Winding stone streets were filled with tobacco shops, cobblers, cafes, it was like stepping into another time, another world.

But that was something both Amy and Camden knew all about. Strolling down those winding streets, though, it was easy to forget.

The lights danced in the Paris night, the Champs-Élysées glittering and dizzying, a glittering array that Camden had never seen or even imagined. The Eiffel Tower was even more impressive in person than in the countless pictures and film clips.

“It’s beautiful,” Amy said, taking in a deep breath of the mist off the Seine.

“It’s beautiful because you’re here,” Camden said. “It’s beautiful because you’re here with me.” They kissed, a tender touch, before walking on. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”

Amy smiled warmly. “That’s true.”

“You and me, that’s real, that’s true!”

“And love will always discover the truth.”

Camden smiled. “Yes.”

“And we’re not going to live without each other, not any longer.”

Camden answered, “No.”

“We live our lives together, straight down the line, right to the end.”

“Oh, yes.”

“No matter where we are or what we’re doing,” Amy said.

“And … you’ll call me mistress.”

Camden broke a smile. “Don’t make me gag you.”

They chuckled and walked on into the soothing darkness of the Paris night. But the romantic haze of the city was momentarily disrupted by a bump from passing stranger. “Oh, I’m sorry,” the young woman said, pretty, in her late twenties, clinging to a man who looked about the same age, with long, dirty blond hair. Physically, he was a match for Camden himself, both men sharing a similar, muscular build.

“Not at all,” Camden said, “entirely my fault.”

“Ahhhh, a couple of Americans,” the man said with a warm smile, extending his hand. Camden shook it readily. “Carter Fields, this is my wife, Kathleen.”

“Call me Kat,” she said with a smile, shaking both their hands. “You two are on your honeymoon, I take it?”

Amy couldn’t help break out in a surprised chuckle. “That’s right! How did you — ?”

“Lucky guess,” Kat said, glancing at Camden. “What line of work are you in, hun?”

Camden smiled. “Actor.”

“No kidding,” Carter said. “Isn’t that something? Tough gig, I hear.”

“I got lucky.” Camden said modestly.

Amy hugged his arm, pressing her face into his shoulder. “You’re not the only one.”

Camden asked the man, “You?”

Carter and Kat glanced at one another before Carter pulled a business card out of his pocket. Saying simply, “I’m a business manager.” He handed the card to Camden for both of them to read. Amy leaned over and read the single word printed above the phone number.

Longshadows.

“Longshadows?” Camden read, glancing at Amy.

She shrugged. “Never heard of it.”

THE END