“My mother told him where I was and he came.”
“What happened then?”
“The men argued and fought, then Ryan and I renewed our love on the beach.” She didn’t want to tell the audience that, but it had come out that she kissed Bradley, so she wanted people to know she was much more intimate with Ryan.
Justin announced another cut to a commercial. They remained seated. Justin stood to introduce a courier on the stage. He had Dhalia's test results in an envelope. He gave them to Justin, who, in turn, handed them to Dhalia. “Here are the results of your paternity test taken in Toronto.”
“In all honesty, who do you want to be the father?” Justin asked.
“Ryan,” Dhalia answered.
“Is everyone curious to find out who the father is?”
The audience went crazy, screaming “yeah” and clapping. She handed Ryan the envelope and stared into his eyes. She couldn’t be the one to open it. He looked back into her eyes and asked, “Are you sure you want me to open it here and now?”
“Please. Here and now.”
Everyone disappeared; the cameras were gone, nobody was around, so he kissed her. They were the only two on the planet.
He spoke to her as though she was the only one listening. “You know I don’t care who the father is. I love you no matter what. I will provide for you and be a loving father, because that baby, no matter who it belongs to, is a part of you. When Bradley broke your spirit, I loved your pieces until you became whole again. I truly felt that happened when I saw you at Worlds.”
“You captivated my heart when I first met you, and I would go through everything, including the pain I felt when you were attacked or the jealousy I felt hearing that you kissed Bradley repeatedly if it would mean that I could spend every minute of the rest of my life with you.”
Ryan got down on one knee and pulled a box from his back pocket. He opened it and he asked without hesitation, “Dhalia, will you be my wife ... again?
“Yes,” she cried. “Yes!” She fell to her knees and was met with the warmest embrace of her life. She could feel her dad’s approval and spirit through Ryan’s warm hug. She was crying openly now. She said, “I’m still in love with you, sweetheart. Nobody can ever take that from us.”
They composed themselves. They took their places on the couch again remembering where they were. Ryan opened the envelope. The paternity test results taken for Dhalia Kennedy on February 14th, 2013 were inconclusive. Please feel free to contact our office and we will be more than happy to reschedule a repeat test. The studio went dark, and then the credits started rolling.
The final show was over and taping had ceased. Backstage everyone was offered a glass of Champagne except for Dhalia. Bradley stood handsomely in his suit and tie, the top button of his shirt left open. He clinked his pen against his long-stemmed champagne flute for an impromptu speech. Everyone hushed and turned to him. “It’s with my great pleasure to announce that the final show had over eight million viewers! This is phenomenal for a first time Canadian reality show. There will be a season two! Let’s give Ryan and Dhalia some hearty applause for all their hard work on the show!”
Everyone cheered and clustered around Ryan and Dhalia. When Bradley found his way to the front of the crowd congratulating her he said, “Meet me in the holding room in five minutes. We need to talk.” He then disappeared into the crowd. Ryan hadn’t noticed him approaching because he was too busy in his own crowd of congratulators.
It was easy to leave the backstage festivities without raising any suspicions. Dhalia went to the holding room where she and Ryan were before the show started and Bradley was already there waiting for her. “Close the door behind you,” he ordered.
Dhalia did as requested and then asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
“You accepted his proposal too quickly. The baby could still be mine. You owe it to that baby to find out who the biological father is.”
“Bradley, if it’s yours, I’ll allow you to see the baby. Ryan’s going to be a great father.” She could tell by the look in his eyes, he was determined.
He stepped close to her grabbing her shoulders as he stared into her eyes. “This isn’t over. We're not over. Ryan is going to screw up or do something stupid and I’m going to be waiting on the sidelines. That son of a bitch isn’t going to end up with my family, not without one hell of a fight.”
His eyes looked into hers and he pulled her close. He took her lips hostage, as he did to her future as well. Dhalia closed her eyes and gave in to his kiss. She was used to her body betraying her where Bradley was concerned. His passionate kiss left her wanting more. “Go back before you’re missed.” He released her.
Kiss & Cry, Where Passion Awaits Page 22