by L. L Hunter
When Jack made it back, he found his mother and Lexi comforting Chloe on the kitchen floor. Chloe was breathing short and sharp.
“Oh shit.”
“Jack, you need to go. Now!”
“Okay, okay.” He dropped the bags on the floor and scooped Chloe up into his arms. Five-year-old Lexi and his mother grabbed the bags, and together, they made their way to the garage.
When they arrived at the hospital, Chloe and Jack were rushed right into the maternity ward toward the birthing suite.
3
December 25th
In the early hours of Christmas morning, little Jordan Dean was born. It was official. He was a Christmas baby. He was Chloe and Jack’s first gift that year.
Later that day, Jack’s mother and aunt brought Lexi into the birthing suite. Her little arms were full of presents.
“Hey, baby,” said Chloe sleepily. Nestled in her arms was her newborn son, resting against her breast in skin-to-skin contact. Jack sat beside them in a chair and gently ran a finger over his baby son’s soft hair. Jack looked up at the sound of the rest of their family’s arrival.
“Hey, guys.” Lexi ran to her father, and he scooped her up so she could see her new baby brother.
“Look, Lexi. It’s your new baby brother, Jordan.”
Lexi smiles and whispers her new brother’s name. “Jordan. Can I hold him?”
“Yes, honey. Soon. He just needs to have a sleep on mommy’s chest first,” explains Jack.
“Did you open your presents with Grandma?” Chloe asks.
“Yes. I got a tablet computer like Mommy and Daddy’s, some new dolls, and my own car!”
“Oh, really? Did you drive here in your new car?” jokes Jack, tickling his daughter.
“No, silly,” she says. “It’s just like your blue one, Daddy.”
“That’s awesome.”
Chloe looked at Jack’s mother and aunt. “Have you prepared any food? Told the guests?”
“Yes. They understand. Kate and Damian are going to come around with some gifts when you’re home. Don’t worry about any of it. We can postpone the party.”
“Okay. But I had been planning for months,” says Chloe with disappointment. “It would’ve been nice to post social media stories and pictures.”
“Yes, I know,” says Jack, “but our little man had other plans.”
Chloe looked down at her new baby son on her chest and sighed.
“Yes. He did. Merry Christmas, everyone.”
“Merry Christmas.”
4
December 26th
When Chloe and baby Jordan were allowed to come home, Jack picked them up, but not before preparing a little surprise for them before he left. He and Lexi had spent hours decorating and preparing the house for their arrival.
When Chloe walked into the house that evening carrying baby Jordan in her arms, followed by Jack, she stopped in the doorway to the living room.
“Oh, my God!”
“Do you like it, Mommy?” asked Lexi, running over to her.
“Yes, I do. Who did all this?”
“Me and Daddy did. All ready for you and baby Jordan.”
Tears formed in her eyes. “Oh my. Thank you, sweetie. It’s perfect.
They had decorated the entire house and tree in fairy lights and tinsel. It all sparkled in the glow of the lights.
“Lexi said you needed a touch of sparkle, and I agreed,” explained Jack.
“I love it. Thank you. I love you all.”
“I love you too, Mommy and Daddy. I love baby Jordan too. Now, can I hold him?”
Chloe and Jack burst out laughing as their five-year-old stood before them with a pout on her face and a hand on her hip. That girl was destined for the entertainment industry, and they knew it was inevitable, much to their chagrin.
“Yes. You can hold him. Come on.”
They sat near the Christmas tree on the sofa, and Lexi got to hold her baby brother at last.
5
December 31st
Chloe placed Jordan in his crib and stood back to admire her beautiful baby boy. Jack appeared in the doorway.
“Are you ready? Damian just texted, and they’re there.”
“Yes. Coming. Just admiring our son one more time. He’s perfect.”
“I know. But we have to get going now if we’re going to make it to Griffith before the road closures.”
Chloe picked up the hem of her long gold satin dress and placed one more kiss on her baby’s head before following her husband out to the foyer. She grabbed her clutch off the hall table and checked her appearance one more time in the mirror. Her hair and makeup were still good. She then kissed Lexi on the head before walking out the door.
When they drove up the long winding road toward Griffith Observatory, they had already noticed most of the other guests of the private party had had the same idea. There were cars queuing up the steep drive, waiting to be shown to a parking spot.
About ten minutes later, they got out of their car, Jack’s blue Audi sports, and made their way hand in hand to their friends’ New Year’s Eve party. This party had an extra special twist, though. One that was a big fat secret that Kate and Damian had refused to share.
“So, what do you think the big secret twist is?” Chloe asked.
“I think this is an engagement party as well as a New Year’s Eve party. What about you?”
“Hmm. I think this could be a wedding.”
“Really? You think Kate and Damian are having a secret wedding?”
“Yes. Why not? It seems like them.”
“You’re right. It does. I guess we’ll find out soon.”
When they walked into the main function area of the observatory of the theatre, they spotted Kate and Damian standing under the dome together. The film showed a true image of outer space played high above, making the whole scene look magical and otherworldly.
Their heads were bent in close, and they looked in love.
“Look,” said Chloe, pointing at the happy couple. “Let’s go see them.”
“Okay.”
They walked over to their friends and joined them under the stars.
“Hey, guys,” said Kate warmly. She seemed to be glowing. “You made it. Sorry about the traffic.”
“It’s okay. We made it eventually.” Chloe leaned in and kissed her friend on the cheek. They had recently been spending a lot of time with each other since Jack and Damian now worked together. “You look beautiful, Kate.”
“Thank you. You do too, Chloe. I love your dress. You always look glamourous.”
“Oh, stop.” She laughed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. “I mean, I’m not an actress, but Jack says that I scrub up well.”
“Yes, as the wife of an actor, you’ve had a lot of practice. Oh, by the way, you do not look like you just had a baby! You look amazing.”
“Oh, thank you. It was an easy birth. After your first, they usually are.”
“I can’t wait to have children.”
“Well, it looks like it could be sooner rather than later.” Chloe winked.
Kate’s eyes widened. She looked like a deer in headlights.
“How did you know?”
“So, it’s true? You’re pregnant?”
“Yes. Um, Damian and I were going to tell everyone tonight—as well as some other news. But, um, looks like I don’t have to announce it.”
“You can still. I mean, we don’t know your other big news yet,” added Jack. He patted Damian on the shoulder. “Congrats, man.”
“Thanks, Jack. We’re really happy.” Damian looked down at the woman he loved, standing before him under a million stars, and gazed into her eyes.
A tall skinny man in a suit and a sparkly lapel ran over to them, interrupting their moment.
“It’s one minute to midnight!”
“Okay. It’s time,” said Damian. He held out a hand toward his love. “Shall we?”
“Let’s do this.”
K
ate and Damian made their way toward the stage set up at the front of the theatre. There was a microphone set up there ready and waiting for their announcement.
“Friends and guests, if Kate and I could just have a moment of your time,” said Damian. Stepping up to the microphone, “We won’t keep you from the fireworks show, but we just want to say thank you for coming tonight. We have a couple of things to share with you. Kate, do you want to do the honours?”
“Sure. Thanks, sweetie. All right, tonight wasn’t just about New Year’s Eve. Damian and I wanted to tell you our special news in person. Not only are we engaged, but we are also expecting our first child.”
A series of gasps and applause and cheers rose up around the room.
At midnight, fireworks were let off outside over the hills, and everyone journeyed outside to watch. Chloe leaned into Jack whilst Kate and Damian kissed.
It was rare these days, a world filled with so much falseness, to find something real. Their love was truly written in the stars.
The End
One Year in Hollywood
A Short Story
1
I never did see myself living in Hollywood.
But it’s funny how life works out.
I never saw myself falling in love with an actor, either.
Or becoming a mother.
Or a screenwriter.
But here I am.
Living in Hollywood full time, a mother of two, bestselling author who’s had her books adapted into successful films, and now the screenwriter for my husband’s film studio.
Some would say I’m living the life.
Successful career woman, writer, mother of two, and now fashion icon and social media influencer. (I was never good at the last part. But when you’re famous, it kinda comes with the territory.)
Oh, and did I mention the wife of Hollywood heartthrob, Jack Dean. Yep. Jack and I got married shortly after the premiere of my first film adaptation. It was a private ceremony for our nearest and dearest, but we sold a few pictures to magazines and entertainment websites. Including my old workplace. I couldn’t forget the woman who gave me my first big opportunity—the one that led me to Jack.
After the success of my first book and then having sold the film rights, I had enough money to buy my dream home.
But then Jack surprised me at home by cooking his famous spring rolls and proposing to me.
Of course, I said yes.
We kept the home in the country and now rent it out most of the year unless we want to return to Australia on vacation. Vacation? I’m already becoming American. Haha.
Now, flash forward six years, and here I am working on the first draft of a new screenplay for Jack and Damian’s film studio.
What’s this then, you ask? Well, let me tell you. Whilst juggling motherhood, writing and being a good celebrity wife, I am also working on my third book. Yes, my publisher demanded a new book detailing my new adventures in Hollywood.
“Momma? Momma?” My son screamed, and I jumped.
My son Jordan is now one year old and was born here in L.A. on Christmas day. What an eventful Christmas that was. You can read about it in my short story, A Touch of Sparkle. It didn’t exactly go to plan, but we got the best gift ever out of it.
Jordan is the best little boy and has the cutest little laugh but is quite demanding! He doesn’t make it easy to get any work done. I spin around on my office chair and look down into the huge hazel eyes of my son.
“Hey, baby. How are you?”
“Momma, where Lecki?”
“Oh, sweetie, your sister is at school today. But we’ll go get her soon. Okay?”
“Okay. Momma?”
“Yes, baby?”
“More duice!” he says, waving his empty sippy cup in my face. I frown. I could have sworn I filled that thing up only an hour ago. I know my son. He hardly drinks a thing. I tried him on water first when transitioning him from breast milk, then formula, but he wouldn’t drink it. So a sugar-free juice it was.
“Jordy, where’s your juice gone? I just gave you some.”
He then looks all around with his hands in the air like he has no idea.
Then I see his shirt and the front of his pants and instantly know what has happened. I sigh and pick up my son to go change him. No rest for the wicked.
2
My daughter is now seven years old. Jack and I had been planning her birthday party for months now. She wanted a rainbow unicorn themed party, like most of the other celebrity kids in Hollywood.
I try and keep my kids sheltered as far away from the spotlight as I can, but one day, Lexi accidentally opened my Instagram and stumbled upon the accounts of the other celebrity mothers I follow. And, well, that opened Pandora’s box, to say the least. After that, Lexi talked non-stop about the six-tiered rainbow cake that one of the kids had. I told her I would try to get her one like that, but after researching the price, even though Jack and I weren’t exactly short of a dime, we weren’t exactly going to pay fifty grand for a birthday cake.
I ended up baking my own, doing the rainbow layers inside and covered it in unicorns, fairies, rainbows, and glittery fondant icing.
It was a success.
Mum and Dad were relieved and exhausted.
After I posted a picture of the cake and Lexi’s party on social media, everyone wanted the recipe. So, I provided it on my blog and posted it online.
Not long after that, I was invited to a morning talk show to talk about my life.
And that’s how the third book deal came about.
When it rains, it pours, right?
3
Looking back on that year in my life now, I have no idea how I did it.
I worked most days from our home in the Hollywood Hills, but some days, Jack asked me to come down the studio lot. He said he wanted a writer’s perspective on something he was shooting, but really, I know Jack missed me even though we both lived in L.A. now.
I happily obliged, though.
Those were the days I got to hang out with Kate, though, as our other halves worked.
Kate was an actress and had worked on a film with Jack not long after moving to Hollywood. She was a sweet country girl, but I had seen her grow from a shy naïve girl to a strong career woman. She was now one of my best friends.
There was also another reason we hung out so much. I was helping her plan her wedding.
Kate was engaged to Damian, a screenwriter, director, and producer. They had met at Kate’s first audition. Their story was the stuff of all the best romantic comedies. I couldn’t write a better story. They were so cute together.
Of course, Kate could disagree. She tells me almost every day that Jack’s and mine was the most romantic story she had ever heard.
I let her have it—most of the time.
I walked onto the studio lot one day, my son on one hip and laptop bag and purse against the other, and found my husband behind the camera. I kissed him on the cheek.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, kissing me back before taking our son and throwing him up and catching him again. He kissed his chubby cheeks.
“Hey. So, did you actually need my opinion on something, or can I go see Kate?”
“I do need you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I raised my eyebrow at him. “Really?”
“Yes. Really. The character’s positions in this scene aren’t working. Can you help us?”
“Sure. Let me take a look.”
I stood behind the camera and looked into the small screen. Damian stood with two of the actors on the set. One was a guy in a collared suit standing at the front of a classroom set, and the other was a woman dressed in a pretty dress standing on some stairs.
I immediately knew what was wrong with the scene.
“Her wardrobe doesn’t work, and the perspective doesn’t work. Why is she higher than him? Is this scene about him being vulnerable?”
“No. She is actually the vulnerable one here.”
>
“Then take away the stairs. She needs to be standing closer and not on a platform. And because there’s a green screen behind the window there,” I pointed at the false window in the fake classroom, “her dress can’t be green. Put her in a red dress.”
“Duh. Why didn’t I think of that?” said Damian, walking over toward Jack and me. “You wanna do my job, Chloe?” he joked.
“Sorry, Damian. Sometimes it takes a woman’s touch to make things work.” I winked at the guys, took my son, and strode out of there.
“Dayum, Jack. You’ve got a firecracker there. Where would we be without our women, though?”
Jack laughed. “Dead in a gutter.” I smiled and went to find Kate.
4
Planning weddings wasn’t in my repertoire, but after the success of my daughter’s birthday party, everyone almost demanded it. So as Kate and I planned different aspects of her weddings, like her flowers, the cake, and the location, we each posted updates to our social media.
I shared a series of secretive, vague shots with little hints. A flower petal from the bouquet—trees on the grounds of the venue, a gorgeous acreage in the Napa Valley wine region—but when we both shared a sample of the lace from Kate’s dress, the world flipped out.
It was like Kate was the new Duchess of Sussex.
Looking over the posts the day after the dress fitting, over drinks at one of our favourite bars in Malibu, we were shocked.
“Oh, my God. I never imagined it would be this crazy. It’s just a dress, for heaven’s sake,” she said with her slight country twang. She was almost losing the accent, but it came out when she’d had a few drinks or when she was angry.
“It’s a wedding dress. The world loves a wedding. Whether it be a celebrity or a royal wedding, or one of the people you went to school with,” I said flippantly. I took a sip of my wine, and my phone almost vibrated out of my hand. I choked on my drink.