Chapter 52: Epilogue

2 years later....

Camelia finalized the last of her sketches for her new couture line, pushing away her folder, pencils and table lamp to the side.  She folded her hands over the desk and laid her pounding head against her arms.   It had been a trying project she had been working on for months.  She and Ricky collaborated together, uniting their designing creativity to build a small fashion empire.  With his contacts in the business world well established and Camelia's expertise in women's growing trends, they were well on their way to becoming famous.  Not quite at the mark of becoming the next Coco Chanel but getting there slowly.

The tension headache caused her heavy eyelids to close. Her headache became worse so she's lifted her head, groaned aloud and covered her face with both hands.

Someone touched her shoulder.  "Are you all right, dear?"  Asked Stefan's loyal cook, Linda, in a gentle voice.

Camelia raised her droopy eyes and answered in a nod.  "I just have a headache that feels as though someone is hammering my brain."

"Well dearest, you've been working yourself into exhaustion for months now and you haven't had anything to eat for hours.  If Mr. Steel finds out he'll be quite upset.  Why don't I fix you something small before dinner?"

Camelia shook her head, glancing at her watch.  "Thanks Linda but I can wait.  Stefan will be home in a couple hours."

Linda frowned slightly but did not hold a argument.  Seconds later, the doorbell rings in the distance.  Both ladies look at each other in surprise.  "Are you expecting guests Mrs. Steel?"  She asks starting to make her way out of the den and into the foyer.

"No, I'm not."  Camelia soon follows her waiting at the threshold as Linda quickly checks the state of the art camera system screen beside the door.

"It's your friend, dear.  He's fogging up the camera with his breath and knocking on the lens."  She chuckles, shaking her head in motherly indulgence.  "Shall I let him in before starts french kissing the lens and leaving smudges of lipstick on it?"

Camelia couldn't help herself as she giggles.  She instantly winches against the sharp pain jabbing into her head, clasping a hand over her head, she leans in the doorway deciding to lay down on the couch while Linda lets him in.

"Finally!  I've been standing there for at least 11 seconds."  Sammy swoops in strutting in like a model with sunglasses, fur and lipstick.  He perches his black shades on his head and scans the large foyer and up the staircase, his beady eyes leaving nothing out.

"Mr.  Princeton, what a pleasure to see you."  The cook greets him with a wide smile closing the door behind him.

Sammy shrugs off his coat, folds it neatly in his arms, smoothes out the creases and turns with a nod, handing Linda his fur coat like it was the most precious thing in this world.

"Likewise, Miss Betty Crocker.  Did you ever learn how to make baklava from that Lebanese cook, Mona?  Cause girl, I'm dying for some right about now."

"No, sir.  I haven't, the woman refuses to give me her special recipe."

Sammy folds his hands over his chest and taps his shoe impatiently.  "What's up with these Lebanese people?  They don't give nobody their family recipes!  She's glad to make them but won't give up the ingredients.  What the hell is that?!?"

"I made some blueberry scones,  they just came out of the oven." She offers with a hopeful expression. "They are Mr. Steel's and the late Mr. Steel's favorite dessert.  Camelia loves the extra blueberries I put in them.  I could put on a pot of coffee for you and the Mrs while you sample my special recipe."

"Yes, I think I would like that.  Speaking of the Madame, where is she?"  He asks placing his handbag on the round table in the middle of the foyer, a large bouquet of roses in a decorative glittering vase stands tall infusing the air.  He pulls out a magazine sticking from his bag. "I have something important to show her."

"She was just standing here a few seconds ago. Perhaps she ventured back into the den."  Linda replies.  "I'll be in there shortly with a tray. Please show yourself in Mr. Princeton."

"Of course I will. I know this humongous house inside out. Heck, with all the redecorating that girl and I did couple years ago, you'd think I used to live here." Eyeing the large marbled foyer floor, a great big chandelier descended in the center of high vaulted ceilings.

When they entered the house for the first time, the warmth was inviting with a tasteful amount of wealth.  The old world charm of decor was elegant and beautiful only needing more of a woman's touch.

They added more feminine touches to the furniture replacing the dark woods with warm colors.  They remodeled the kitchen, redid the entire master suite and the guest bedrooms. The mansion was expansive, it took them over three long months to finalize the finishes.

Sammy walks into the den and finds Camelia laying with her arm over her eyes. He notices her untidy desk, all the scattered sketches, crumpled papers on the floor and pictures pinned on the bulletin board. On top of the fireplace mantle was a large framed picture of Stefan and Camelia smiling into one another's eyes on their wedding day.

She laid on a tufted beige couch. Two matching chairs situated opposite her with a center coffee table made of marble between them. The entire room had a neutral serenity setup making it easy for work and relaxation.

"Hey girlfriend!"

Camelia lifts her arm from her eyes and gives him a wan smile. "Hey." She greets.

"What's wrong with you? Are you finished with the new designs?"

"Yes."  She replies with a exhausted sigh. "It's complete and so am I."

"My eyes hurt just lookin' at you like that. You're pale, disheveled and you have circles under your eyes. You look half in this world and half in the next." He notices. "When was the last time you've seen a mirror?"

Camelia only groans and places a small accent pillow over her face. Sammy hovers above her and yanks it off. She tries to reach it but he held it high above his head. "Give it back, Sammy! I'm tired and incredibly sleepy. I've been working non-stop for the last few months. Let me suffer in peace."

"Uhhh." He pretends to think about it, tapping his chin with his index finger. "I don't think so. I'm here on business, girl. Remember we supposed to be planning Superman's birthday party and I have some weird-ass news I think you'll want to hear."

Camelia covers her mouth with her fingers. "I completely forgot about Stefan's birthday plans."

"That's why you have, Moi!" He says, snapping his fingers in a zig zag motion three times and striking a pose.

"What is this news you said you have to share?"

Sammy sits himself down on the opposite chair and crosses his legs, unfolding the magazine from under his arm. "Well, you'll never believe what I found. It's about Kivanç–that blonde Adonis who had the hots for you."

"Kivanç. . . What are you talking about?"

"That obsessive freak is engaged!" He shrieks dramatically.

"Engaged?" Camelia frowns. "So? Why is that important?"

"What's with you, girl?!?" He asks, a scowl forming on his face. "I have gossip girls kill for." He says in exasperation. "He's engaged to a girl that is a near replica of you!"

"What?!?" Completely taken off guard, Camelia managed to sit up.

"Look here." Turning the magazine around to show her a picture of him and another dark haired woman kissing. The only similarity she noticed was hers and girls hair was the same shade. "Look at her hair, her height, another page shows them standing side by side smiling at the camera." He turns the page quickly. "Look real close at your look-alike."

Camelia's mouth hung open in astonishment. He was right. The girl resembled her a lot. Plump lips, long dark hair, generous bust, slim, they even shared the same pert nose.

"Want to know the freakiest part? Her name is Kamilia with a K! Can you freakin' believe it!?! Obsessed much! Couldn't get the real one so he went for the runner up. You know what they say: chocolate is cheaper than therapy." Sammy mutters.

"That's...disturbing." She notes, slightly disgusted and confused. "You're the psychologist here, isn't this some sign of an unhealthy attachment?"

Sammy shrugs staring at the picture thoughtfully. "It could have been done on some subconscious level and he didn't even realize it. Or he likes to date girls that look a certain way. But if you want my open honest opinion–off the record, I think he's still obsessed with you and found someone close enough to resemble you to fill your shoes. In other words, she's the replacement–the rebound–the copy of the girl he never had."

Camelia shivers uneasily. "Well, whatever it is I hope the best for them."

"Girl, for the love of God, how can you be calm? Her name is exactly like yours but spelled differently. The guy is flat on his ass still in love with you!"

"Let's drop the subject, you're creeping me out." She says placing a hand over her forehead. "It's not enough I'm dealing with this killer headache, the last thing I need to hear is my ex is still pinning after me. Don't your dare say anything to Stefan, he won't like it."

"He'd probably fly to Istanbul and Kung-fu his ass."  Sammy agreed.

Linda comes in carrying a silver tray with a plate of warm scones, and two steaming cups of coffee. "Nothing like sweets to warm the soul." She says placing the tray on the coffee table. Linda hands Camelia one on a plate. "Swallow that down, my dear."

She hands Sammy a cup of steamy coffee with one of her signature desserts on his own plate.  "Tell me what you think Mr. Princeton."

"Thank you Betty Crocker."

Linda seemed fond of Sammy's endearment, giving him a beaming smile.

Camelia had her doubts but ate the morsel and found it delicious. Before Linda could persuade her to eat another, however, her stomach clenched painfully tight and it felt as though it did a somersault rebelling against the scone.

Before Sammy could take a bite, holding it suspended in his hand with his mouth wide open to receive the dessert, she clasped a hand over her mouth, bolted off the couch and sprinted towards the hallway bathroom, throwing up in the toilet.

In between bouts of emptying her stomach, she heard Sammy and Linda's hurried footsteps behind her.

"Damn girl, had I know we were going to run I would've wore my Gucci flats and not heels!"

They appear at her side, holding her hair and rubbing circles over her back. The pounding pulse in her head intensified as her nose scrunched in disgust. She turned her head away, propping a hand against the mosaic tile floor to keep steady, taking labored breaths through her mouth.

"Oh Jesus!"

The sounds of retching to her left caught her attention. She swiftly turned to find Sammy over the sink dry heaving. She looked away in disgust before she started again. Camelia almost laughed out loud had she not felt so miserable. Her skin felt clammy, and her knees were unsteady.

"I fücking hate it when people barf in front of me!" She heard him say, running water in the sink gurgling.

Linda touched her forehead and sighed. "It isn't a fever, then." She said shaking her head.

"When did you last have your period, Camelia?" Linda asked in a whisper.

Camelia's eyes widened as the possibility stuck her.

She couldn't remember the date–she hadn't been keeping track since she was so wrapped up with work the last few months–but it didn't matter. She knew instantly that she was carrying Stefan's child. Her breasts were tender lately–She tired easily as well. The lack of appetite she developed in the past several weeks wasn't due to her busy schedule. The brith control pills she took were untouched for months now that she thought about it.

Still seated on the floor, she bent forward until her forehead touched her knees. She sat there with her head down until her heart stopped pounding and her breath settled down to a reasonable rate.

"Camelia?" Linda asked in a worried voice. "Shall I call for Mr. Steel?"

"No." She answered, without raising her head. "Please don't say anything to him or anyone else until I can make sure."

"You can be sure I won't." She insisted. Camelia knew she could trust the woman.

"Oh my lord, you're pregnant aren't you!?!" Sammy clapped in glee.

"Help me up would you?"

Sammy and Linda cup her elbows and assist her as she rinsed her mouth. She was offered a small paper cup filled with mouthwash. After spitting out the antiseptic she was handed a soft cloth to dry her mouth.

Once she regained some of her strength she faces Sammy who waited patiently for her to finish. The hell bent look he gave her said he expected her to answer him now rather then later. They helped her walk back to the den.  Not until she was sitting snugly in a arm chair with her legs covered in a blanket did she answer.

"I don't have any clue how far I am so don't ask. I have to think and right now I don't have the mental capacity to do so."

Her thoughts and emotions were caught up in a staggering, reeling roller coaster. It was impossible to separate one thought from the other. She didn't want to speak to anyone at the moment and only wanted to be at peace. But with Sammy around she knew it was pointless.

"Well, let's schedule you an appointment with a gynecologist as soon as possible before you tell Superman!" He says staring at her intently. In the next instant his features lit up like the grinch who stole Christmas.

"I'm afraid to hear what you're going to say next."  She says, bracing herself.  He's always had a tendency to freak her out with the outrageous things he says and does.

"You'll love it!  I promise.  I have a wonderful idea!  Once you know for sure and get a ultra sound of the little super boy or super girl growing in the oven we going to surprise him on his birthday! It's the perfect present and the best surprise anyone can ever get!"

"I like it."  She agrees quickly, breathing in a sigh of relief.

"That's a beautiful idea, Camelia." Linda nods in agreement, hovering like a mother hen at her right. "I'm going to prepare you some warm soup to help steady your belly."

"My girl, Betty Crocker....? You might as well take this tray back.  It's time for a martini after what I saw..." He clears his throat delicately, displaying spread fingers over his chest. "Preferably through a IV."

Camelia managed a smile at her friend.  As scary as he may seem, Sammy was too cute sometimes.

Linda chuckles. "Coming right up, Mr. Princeton."

"Thank you, Linda." Squeezing her shoulder gently, the cook leaves toward the kitchen with the tray in her hands.

"Girl, this birthday is one he is never going to forget. There's nothing like a blessings of a baby...."

A baby.

Slowly, she crossed her arms over her abdomen, laid her head back and closes her eyes, still amazed. She couldn't believe she was to become a mother.

Her thoughts drift back to when they talked about having children. They were planning to wait a few years. It seems fate had other plans of her own. It was a miracle.

She knew he was going to be elated. Stefan was eager to start his own family, she knew.

They had both agreed and  planned to go out to dinner for his birthday.  For the last two years, they usually celebrated outside of the country for a much needed getaway.  However, this year was slightly different.  Something new was in order and Camelia could barely contain her excitement at the new addition ready to enter their life.

******

Camelia carefully wrapped the small white booties in a the gold box, twisted the white ribbon to make a perfect bow and placed it on the nightstand. She giggled to herself at how lightweight the box felt. It's as if there wasn't anything inside. Her neves were knotted in a twist, wondering how Stefan would react to the news.

According to the gynecologist she was already two months along in her pregnancy and that was two weeks ago. The doctor immediately ordered a ultra sound to check on the status of the fetus. Sammy being the ever supportive friend accompanied her to both appointments. One would think he was expecting his own child with how happy he appeared.

Due to the fact she was usually exhausted and weak all the time, she didn't feel like lifting her arm or walking sometimes. She hated how her energy level was practically depleted but her doctor assured her it was due to her body making adjustments for the baby. Everything was supposed to pass after the third month.

With Stefan's birthday just around the corner Sammy helped her with the planning. She offered her ideas and he set things in motion– setting appointments, ordering and calling on her behalf.

She'd lost weight too from the nausea. Spending her days either in the bathroom over the toilet or sleeping in bed–Stefan noticed the change in her health immediately. It was difficult to hide anything from his critical eye. Sometimes she had to fake good health on his behalf just to ease his suspicions.

One day after coming home from work early he unexpectedly strode into their bedroom and found her laying on her side, face pale, a hand hanging lifelessly from the mattress. She knew she looked worn out and the look in her eye probably seemed distant. Rarely did he ever come home early and it was even rarer when he didn't call to let her know he was coming home.

"That's it. I'm taking you to the doctor. How long does a stomach flu last?" He declares, anger etched in his features.

Panic surged through her but she kept her features as stoic as possible and propped herself on her elbow. "Stefan, calm down. I'm just feeling under the weather. I'm just trying to regain my strength after the whole stomach flu thing. It wiped me out. I'm sure I'll be as good as new in no time." She says, trying to reassure him.

He looked at her for a long moment.

Thanks to Sammy and his expertise secrets on how to lie without blinking or looking away, her eyes never even shifted as they locked on his. However she hated lying to him. Even white ones. But she needed to keep it a surprise until his party.

"I can already feel some of my energy coming back. Please don't worry." She assures him when he didn't move. Sitting up and opening her arms wide, she said, "I need some love."

The side of his face twitches upward.

She knew he wouldn't stay upset for long. With a short few strides he engulfs her in a big hug, maneuvering her on his lap, his arms clasped tightly around her. Her head rested against his neck. The scent of the faint cologne he sprayed on that morning suddenly sent warm tingles through her. Since she'd been 'sick' Stefan refused to barely touch her. The only thing they did close to intimacy was cuddle.

His touch excited her now. She really wasn't lying when she told him was feeling a little better. A shudder runs through him when she softly kisses the pulse under his ear. Her fingers trace his muscles of his chest under his suit jacket. He inhales sharply.

Camelia smiles. "Stefan," She whispers, fiddling with the buttons on his blue dress shirt.

His arousal springs to life under her bottom.

"Camelia–"

"Shhh..."

His breathing began to quicken as she traced his lips with her thumb.  She explored the lines on his face, her fingertips skimming his days worth of growth on his chin.  She could feel him holding back and so she began untying his tie.  Holding her gaze, he clasped his large palm around her fingers at his neck and drew them to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

"You sure you're feeling better?"

Camelia answers him with a light kiss on the lips.  Stefan groan in her mouth, his desire raging  and in a quickness that was abnormally human, he pushed her back against the pillows, and he followed, leaning over her as he gently kissed her neck and throat.

She shakes the memory from her mind when her phone rings.  Before answering she tucks the little box in the drawer.  It was Sammy.

"Yes, Sammy."

"Get your pregnant ass ready.  I'm comin' over."  He says.

"Where have you been?  Everybody's supposed to be arriving any minute now."

"I had to pick up Superman's present.  It took forever since I had to get it custom made.  He better like it or I'm going to have one of the biggest bitch fits he's ever seen!"

Camelia felt nervous.  Sammy still had a tendency of getting on Stefan's nerves easily.  She hoped it wasn't something bad.

"Where did you say you got this present from?"  She didn't even try to hide her suspicion.

"That's cause I didn't!  But being the good friend I am, I'll give you a hint: it's from Swarovski."

Camelia rubbed her temples. "Thank God."  She mutters.

"What!?!"

"Nothing, I said, that's good!  See you in a bit!"  Camelia hung up and smoothed down her knee high white dress that hugged her figure perfectly.   Taking one last glance in the mirror she smoothed down her long hair, sprayed her favorite vanilla perfume in the air, walked into it feeling the mist soak into her skin and walked back to the gift she had tucked away.

Descending the rounding staircase she was just in time as the door bell rang.  "Linda, I'll get it!"  She calls out, fast-walking quickly to the door and swiftly opening it.

******

The backyard of their home was green and spacious. A beautiful mosaic pool and a stunning covered patio featuring a stone outdoor fireplace flanked a built-in bench and a barbecue to the right. Chic modern sofa's and chairs face the flat screen TV over the fireplace with a coffee table in the center.

Silver paper lanterns, silver chevron patter streamers, and silver star swirl decorations hang from the ceilings. Camelia watched as they sway and dangle. For the walls they attached silver banners and garland. The banquet tables were covered in white tablecloth with silver spray center pieces and black confetti. For the final touches they mixed and matched silver foil balloons and black latex balloons to create a unique backdrop.

Arched doorways lead to the green grassed garden. Happy 33rd Birthday Stefan in Silver letter metallic balloon billowed in the slight breeze that sunny hot afternoon.

Camelia turned in a circle and laughed out loud. "Leave it to Sammy to make things look so dazzling." She says to herself.

The party looked like a glamorous extravaganza.  Everything sparkled like a disco ball.

"How does it look?"  Sammy calls out from behind her.  Camelia twirls around.

"Fabulous."  She responds.

"My second favorite F word."  He purrs appraisingly, stepping passed the metallic streamers over the doorway patio dressed in a white-hot fringe top and matching fringe shorts while a light weight blazer hung over his shoulders.

"Cute outfit."  Camelia commented not even trying to keep the wide smile off her face.  He loved when they coordinated outfits and insisted they match.

"I know, right?"  He stepped down and began strutting towards the gifts table, placing his neatly in the center.  "Where did you put the booties?"  He asked in a loud whisper, happening to take a glance over his shoulder.

The box was behind her back in her hands.  She presents it before her in two hands.

"Awwwwww," he gushes.  "That's the cutest thing I have ever seen!"  He holds the small box as though it was a expensive diamond.  "We goin' to place you right next to mine!"  He says to the box and strides back to the table.

Soon afterward, the guests started arriving. At least fifty of their friends and family mingle in wait until Stefan made his grand appearance. Her father, Zayn, Liam and her uncle Brett insisted they take him for a round of golfing early that morning–needing the minor distraction to allow the party decorators to work and set up.

Linda and the small hired staff of caterers just finished setting up the banquet tables with a vast assortment of foods. A small live band was set up on the grass with a man made dance floor entertaining the guests.

Everything was ready.

Someone taps Camelia's shoulder from behind. It was her mother.

"Your father just phoned me. They will be here in five minutes." She leans in and informs her, whispering in her ear.

"Terrific. We're ready.   Has Jasmine arrived?" Camelia turns to her mother.

"Don't worry about your sister, she said to start without her.  She'll be on her way."  Her mother lowered her head, and whispered, "I suspect she may be pregnant."

Her mother knew of her secret of course and was exited. But to hear the news of her sister's suspected pregnancy made the surprise double the celebration.

"Oh my God, that's great news!  And she doesn't even know?"  She asks in a whisper of her own, their heads nearly touching together.

If Jasmine turned out to be pregnant their, children could possibly be born the same year and grow up with each other like siblings. She made a mental note to try and persuade Jasmine to permanently move to California if the news was true.

"She hasn't said anything to me. We'll talk more about it after Stefan's party, go on and get ready for his arrival."

"Sammy!" She calls out to him as he sipped his martini as he mingled with guests.

"Yes?"

She holds up five fingers and mouthed five minutes.

"Fabulous!" He places his drink on a nearby table and places two of his fingers in his mouth calling out a whistle that stopped all the chatter and the music instantly. "All right everybody. He's on his way. Get ready!"

Camelia went back into the house to greet her husband's arrival.  Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, taking deep calming breaths to sooth her, she opens the door just as the vehicle pulled in passed the gates.

In order to make it a surprise, Camelia and Sammy came up with a plan to have all the guests be picked up by hired chauffeurs and dropped off.  Without the presence of cars, it kept Stefan's suspicions at bay and the surprise would work in their favor.

As far as Stefan was concerned, he knew nothing of their plans.

The car led up to the house, behind it soared green hills overlooking the city.  Stefan was surprised to see Camelia waiting for him as the car came to a halt.  He watched as she descends the steps of their home very carefully, keeping a hand over the banister, a bright pink smile displayed on her flushed face.

He steps out of the vehicle and strode in quick easy steps, opening his arms.  He held her above the ground, and turned her around and around, kissing her passionately on the mouth mindless of the fact the display was in front of her father, brother and uncle.

"I missed you."  He murmurs against her lips.  It felt like a lifetime since he last kissed her.  Even when they were separated for small intervals of time, they always greeted one another like they hadn't seen each other in days.

"I missed you more. You left earlier this morning before I woke.  Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you, Angel.  I hated to wake you up, you seemed so peaceful and you needed to rest after being sick for so long.  I'm glad I did because you look radiant, I love to see the glow in your cheeks and you're wearing my favorite red lipstick."  He observes. Camelia smiles in response, the love she felt for him reflecting in her eccentric eyes.    "I made reservations at our favorite French restaurant.  You know the one you went to with your other boyfriend, Kent." Giving her a teasing wink.

Camelia pulled her head back and laughed. "How could I possibly forget?" She cupped his cheek with her right hand and pulled him towards her and gave him a big kiss. Before she pulled away he stole another kiss.

"Give me a few minutes to change and we can be on our way."

Camelia loosened her arms from around his neck and they walked up the steps side by side, arms wrapped around one another.  "Wait Stefan before we go, can you help me pick some of the apples hanging from the trees in the gardens?  There's some I can't reach and I'd like to get to them before the birds do."

His grandfather's estate was nestled far from the main roads, practically invisible blending into the land around it.  A long drive led up to the house and behind it soared acres of apple trees, a variety of fruit orchards and countless planted vegetables.  Camelia often picked fresh fruits and vegetables every summer but this year was different.

She had been too ill to manage the task on her own.

"Of course.  Let's go."

They halted at the double doors to the gardens and Camelia held her breath in anticipation. He held the door open to allow her to precede him.

She walked past him, pausing under the threshold, turned to face him and with an outstretched hand maneuvered him carefully through the doors and swept him outside with her. "Happy 33rd birthday, Stefan." She said softly.

Stefan looked at her strangely and before he could question her movements in his peripheral stopped him.

"Surprise!"

The thunderous applause which greeted his entrance settled him into immobility. His eyes swept over the throng of people who lined the edges of the patio. From every direction, people were calling out their congratulations and well wishes.

Camelia led a still stunned Stefan forward to the center and as if on cue, the band started party music.

"What is all this Camelia?" He asks in wonder, wrapping an arm tightly around her narrow waist and scooping her rightly against his body.  "I expected we were–"

"I thought we could celebrate differently this year." She flashed him a superior smile, looking deeply into his sea colored eyes. "Surprise." Shrugging innocently.

"I'm most definitely surprised. I can barely believe what I'm seeing." Smiling, he asked, "How was all this arranged without my notice?"

"Sammy and I, of course. It took us a long time to organize. It was even more difficult keeping  this from you, but so worth the look on your face." She lovingly kisses his cheek.

Hours later after dancing to 80's and 90's music from Stefan's era growing up and eating from the lavish feast laid out it was finally time open presents and cut the cake.

"Time to open presents." Camelia declared. She put her hand around the crook of his elbow and towed him to the table with cake and shiny packages of all different sizes.

"This was all unnecessary." He says, gesturing to the table with loads of presents surrounding his black and gray four-tier cake.

"Indulge me, Stefan." Her smile captivated him. He resolved to indulge her playful mood.

Stefan opens one gift after the other, ranging from initialed cuff links, ties from Paris, a new watch, books and other small valuables until he reaches the last two smallest gifts beneath all the others. One was hers, the other Sammy's.

Camelia held her breath hoping he wouldn't go for her gift first. She shot Sammy a pleading look. He understood the message in her eyes and quickly spurted into motion.

"The silver boxed one is from me, open that one first." Sammy said, so excited his voice was a high-pitched thrill, the martini glass in one hand sloshed to the side as he pushed in behind Camelia to stand beside her to get a good look.

Camelia's heart lurched with relief while Sammy's face was stretched into a huge grin.

Stefan jostled the little silver wrapped box. Something inside jiggled. With a deep calming breath he tore the paper off. His eyes met the word Swarovski in silver letters on a dark blue elegant box with a window on the front featuring a keychain.

The S-shaped letter was beautifully embellished with many sparkling red crystals and came with a gold-tone stainless metal key ring. Stefan opened the box and took it out.

"That's so pretty, Sammy." Camelia praises, nudging him in the ribs with her elbow. A sense of relief eases her once tense shoulders.

"I had it custom made for you. When you look at it it can represent anything you want like Stefan...Steel...Superman...Sammy...sexy...single."

"Samuel."  Stefan's tone was slightly reprimanding, shooting him a hard stare.

Sammy's mouth opens and he looks around uneasily as if he got caught stealing a expensive pair of shoes.  "Okay sheesh, keep your cape on!  It represents Superman!  There happy?"

Stefan nods and places the fancy keychain back in the box. "Thank you, Samuel. I will cherish it always."

"You're welcome." Sammy places his drink on the table and approaches Stefan and wrapped his arms around him giving him a tight squeeze, his fingers groping his muscles on purpose. "Finally." Sammy whispers.

Stefan set his jaw.

Unwrapping Sammy's constricting hold he says, "Samuel that's enough." He then pushes him gently to the side when he doesn't listen.

"Alright! Alright!  It's your birthday and it's customary to hug."  He shrugs innocently, providing Stefan with a grin. He parted his lips to say more, then stopped as Stefan folded his arms, glowering at him.  "Never mind."

Stefan gave a single terse nod.

"Mine next."  Camelia says, with a smile and holding hers out to him.

"You of all people shouldn't get me a gift—you are the best gift in my world—a gift that keeps on giving."

"You have no idea." Sammy purrs, returning to his martini and saluting them with his glass. "Thank God I wore waterproof mascara this time."

Camelia sends him a disapproving frown over her shoulder before approaching her husband with her small gift in the palm of her hand.

"Happy Birthday Stefan." She whispers, holding out the gift for him to take.

He smiles, their foreheads touching, he kisses her nose and wraps his strong arm around her waist. "You open it for me." He urges, nudging her closer.

She shakes her head. "It's important that you do it."

Reluctantly he obeys, unwrapping his arm from around her and takes the offered gift. To his surprise, the box was so lightweight it felt empty. Suppressing his doubt, he tugs the bow open and removes the lid.

Camelia held her breath in anticipation, biting her lip until it hurt and watching his expression change from interest to sudden surprise and confusion. He deliberately blinks and looks into her eyes.

"Go on. Take them out." She encourages softly.

The white, thread-woven booties looked like miniature toys in his large hands, laying the pair in the flat of his palm. The frown he now wore deepened as he stared studying them with wonder.

The crowd went silent as they watched.

"Surprise?" Camelia says part in revelation.

He looked at her tummy with a stunned realization and stood perfectly still. His eyes rapidly scan her from head to toe, capturing her expectant gaze.

"Camelia." He said, and he made an effort to suppress the hope and longing which had sprung to life in his heart. "You're pregnant?" He breathed into a whisper.

Camelia nodded. "We're going to have a baby." She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes and dripping down her cheeks. The build up of keeping her precious secret finally burst free.

"All those weeks you were sick was because . . .?"

"Yes."

"A baby. . . ?"

She nods silently.

"This is the best gift a man can ever receive." Stefan places the booties over his heart. "I love you so much, my Princess Camelia."  He says in a choked voice, his throat tight with emotion.

He closed his eyes against her silken hair, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tight. Beneath her heart, his child grew. His child. Stefan could imagine the swell of her belly and was filled with a fierce and primitive pride. It was a miracle. His heart pounded, and he swallowed down the sudden lump in his throat.

After a few moments, Camelia tilted her head back, gazing up into his face, her heart in her eyes. "I love you, my knight in shinning armor."

She pressed her soft, trembling lips to his.  He pulled her body against his body and returned her kiss with force, with all the passion, all the love he felt from his heart not caring they had an audience.

Their family and friends behind them burst into applause and a noisy cheer from Sammy. Over the sounds of clapping, wolf whistles pierced the air, and congratulations thrown their way. But as Stefan kissed her, holding her tightly in his arms, all he could feel was the pounding of his heart against hers.

When he finally pulled away, she pressed her cheek against him with a contented sigh, and they stood together, holding each other.  All Camelia ever wanted was him from the very beginning and all he needed in the the end was her.

It was a time to celebrate new beginnings and chapter one of their great story which every chapter was better than the one before.  Each happy ending's a brand new beginning and only one wish away. . .

Camelia and Stefan's storybook ended but a fairy tale coming true.

THE END

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This is officially the end.  I hope you all enjoyed reading His Camelia as much as I loved writing it for you. Please vote, comment and share this now completed story with others.

Want to find know what was going through my mind as I wrote this story? Go on and read below and continue until the end, you don't want to miss some important news!

A little trivia:

-I was initially thinking of writing a story for Zayn since he was the obvious choice at the end of His Duchess, but when I read everyone was expecting that to happen I came up with something totally different and the last expected character–Camelia.

-My favorite hero-type character has always been Batman but I converted to Superman once I watched Henry Cavill as Superman. He played the part perfectly like no other before him and that's how I started the whole scenario of making him Camelia's hero. Notice...? :)

-Kivanç Tatilung is a true person. He is the man I have pictured in the collages that I post with the chapters. He really is a Turkish actor and model and one of my favorite foreign actors. And yes, he's just as charming, suave and cool as the characters he plays.

-Camelia's character was a very different and complex to write. I made her a little like her mother Annie and yet very different at the same time. Annie and I share many of the same qualities so it was easy for me to see myself playing her. Camelia was very, very insecure, extremely shy, held back, serious, innocent, and a shadow behind others kind-of-person.   I couldn't make her too weak nor could I have her too brave. I'm not fond of the term damsel in distress but I didn't want my past readers to say 'this is not any different than His Duchess and I feel like I'm reading the same person just a different story.'

I detest the word Cliché.

-I'm very proud of Stefan's character. He turned out better than I anticipated. He was the perfect hero and sometimes seemed so inhuman and yet so human all at the same time. I enjoyed creating his persona. His dominance was sexy, his charm addicting, and the balanced control he exercised in most situations didn't make it hard not to fall for him.

-When I first started writing His Camelia I never had the middle nor ending fully planned. But some of my readers comments initiated key climaxes that occurred.

Kivanç became a suspect as one of the bad guys. That was never my intention until some comments got me thinking...how can I make this so twisted I'd have them all wondering?? He was initially the good guy and he being in the right place at the wrong time happened to be written by pure coincidence but again you all helped me steer it in a different direction. I kept writing him to look like the top suspect and many of you believed he was too good to be true.

-Gloriana was also never planned to be one of the bad guys. She was still planned to sleep with Kivanç and break the engagement that way but was never initially planned as being the one who helped Nathan Diam plan his plot. Someone very precious to my heart gave me the idea halfway through the story. It worked with it and I'm happy it played out perfectly. It was the ultimate shock nobody was expecting and I loved it!

-The wedding destination was planned out since February when I visited France that month for my birthday. The country isn't as romantic as its hyped to be but there was just something about the country that leaves you wanting to go back again and again.

-Sammy was the easiest, funnest, and one of my favorite characters I have ever conjured up. He's the best friend I wish I had and the bold things he'd say, I'd never dare say out loud. ;)

-I love most if not all the Disney movies and incorporate as much as I could easily into my writing. My favorites: Frozen, Aladdin, Cinderella, the Little Mermaid and of course The Beauty And The Beast. :)

-My favorite chapter(s) was during Camelia's birthday party when she gets incredibly tipsy and Stefan's shocking revelation.  The second would have to be the time when Stefan proposed. And the third is when Camelia was set free and allowed to escape into the marketplace. My ultimate favorite was the bachelorette party!

I'm so proud to say the highest we made it on the romance hot list is #20.....!  And it wouldn't have happened without all of your support!  So a million thank you's and kisses to all.

As you all know, writing takes a big chunk of time and dedication.  I will be taking a long extended and much needed break from writing.  I've missed watching television and enjoying a good book!   I will be back, so don't worry.  I'm hoping my next one (whenever that happens) will have as much as a bang as His Camelia and His Duchess.

If you'd like to continue to follow me, although it's not necessary, I will eventually post a message/news to notify you all of my next story for the near future.

I love these quotes and some of them are so true for me: Enjoy! :)

Please don't forget to VOTE! If you haven't already, and feel like this story deserves your votes please go back and press that little star on the chapters you may have skipped. It would mean so much for all your support. And please share by adding to your public reading lists.

**For the smut lovers I've included one last chapter to "Pleasures of the Flesh."  The scene continues....although I never labeled/indicated it, of Camelia and Stefan when he found her laying lifelessly on the bed and she sits up all of a sudden and encourages their lovemaking after revealing she felt 'better'.***

Now, I invite you to go back and re-read the story in one go this time.  You'd be surprised how much you forget, I know I did when I went through it!  Farewell and happy future reads.

Thanks so much for everything!

Bye for now,

-Shaz💖