"So, I close my eyes to old ends and open my heart to new beginnings."

-Nick Frederickson

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"What type of character will you be playing in Hunter?" a reporter questioned.

Elena noticed the bright smile on her face, the dimples adding extra charm to it.

"A spy," Ivan answered, his baby blue eyes lighting up. "Can't say more than that."

"Will we get to see any love scenes?"

Ivan shook his head and snaked his arm around Elena's waist.

"Sorry, guys, you know I don't do love scenes."

Elena sighed. How long would he say no? He was bound to do a love scene at some point of time.

The voices, the lights, the questions, made her uneasy. She was happy for Ivan and his success no doubt, but even after three years, she couldn't get used to the cameras.

And Ivan never went anywhere without her.

What little time of his time he had offered her during these years, slowly infested insecurities in her heart.

She loved him and would always do so, but was love enough?

He was a movie star, people swarmed around to get a peek of him.

And she? She was a shopkeeper, who sold miniature show pieces.

Ivan had never hinted the difference of fame between them, but Elena was afraid.

She was afraid now... more than she had ever been.

She glanced at her fingers, which were bare, except for the alien ring.

A wry smile etched her face. The alien head brought back fond remembrances.

The memories, now alien, reminded her of simple times.

As she glanced at Ivan, who continued answering the interviewer, a realization struck her.

She and Kate had claimed to know him. But did they?

The answer was both yes and no.

There were traces of the old Ivan; his humor and warmth. But over the years, there was a coldness, a mask that had blanketed his personality.

He struggled to reveal his feelings. Elena knew he loved her, but now was the time she needed to hear it the most.

Her lips trembled and she bit them when she saw Kate and Max's forms ahead.

Even though eight years had passed since she had met Max, his green eyes were still the same--full of happiness.

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around Kate, who shook a finger in his face.

He handed her a sapling and pecked her forehead.

Elena grinned. That would definitely solve their meaningless spat.

Kate hit Max's chest and Elena chuckled to herself. So, her sister had found out that her husband had brought her the sapling from her own nursery.

As Max kissed the bump on Kate's stomach, Elena's eyes stung.

She wiped the traitorous tears when they headed in her direction.

"Did you tell him yet?" Kate questioned. "And stop crying for Astronomy's sake, El."

Max chuckled. "Damn the hormones."

Elena smiled softly through her tears when Kate narrowed her eyes at Max.

She sniffed. "I... I didn't."

Kate placed her arm on her shoulder. "He will be happy, El. Just tell him."

Elena glanced at her younger twin, another tear falling from her eye. "And what if he isn't?"

"Only a daft man wouldn't be," Max said and patted her shoulder.

Kate smiled, her amber eyes calm. "He's right behind you." She hugged her, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You are Elena, the mighty Russo, stop being a wimp, El."

Elena nodded. She had to be confident. Where had the Elena, who had quips ready at her fingertips gone?

She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and turned to face Ivan.

The smile of his face was gone, his eyebrows scrunched. "Why are you crying, baby?"

"I'm not."

"It's my job to read emotions, baby. I am an actor, remember?"

He stepped closer and cupped her cheeks.

"I am not crying, Van." Her eyes closed when his fingers left a soft trail after wiping her tears.

He chuckled. "Then you definitely must be auditioning for a racoon's role."

Elena laughed and wiped the corner of her eyes. "Van, I'm... I..."

"You are pregnant, I know."

Elena gasped. "How?"

Ivan gave her a smile, his eyes twinkling. He rested his forehead against hers. "When a woman holds her stomach and talks to it, she is either pregnant or crazy."

"And in your case, baby," he paused and kissed her cheek.

"In my case?"

"You are both." He grinned.

Elena hit his chest, chuckling. "Dog."

From the pocket of his jeans, he handed her something.

It was a mini show piece: a lady dressed in a white gown.

Elena narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you had it all this while. I have been looking for this since weeks."

"Marry me, El."

"I was searching for this--"

Ivan bent on his knees and placed his head against her stomach.

After placing a kiss on it, he glanced up with a smile, the gleam of a big rock reaching her eyes.

"Marry me, El."

Elena stood with widened eyes. Ivan held her palm, his lips brushing against her knuckles.

"I chickened out, El. All these years, I haven't been able to give you time. I... I thought. All this while--"

"All this while, I have been in love with you," Elena continued after cutting him off. "And I will always love you, Van."

Ivan placed the ring on her finger and hugged her tightly. He captured her lips for a quick kiss and embraced her again.

Kissing the crown of her head, he whispered, "I love you too, El, and I always will."

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Hey, people! 💖 How are you all? I'm back with the epilogue.

I know it's short, but I didn't want to drag it further. Honestly, I had this much in mind and not more than this.

I wasn't planning an epilogue, but these dear readers dreamer2233, faizawani, cheytaylor1 wanted one and I couldn't say no. :)

What do you think of the epilogue? Was the future similar to what you had expected?

Next up will be a bonus Episode, which is for my sweet friend, Yaniruby ❤. What's it about? Stay tuned to find out. :D

Keep smiling! 💕
Lots of love❤💙
Sakina

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