Paragon

Epilogue

A/N: First off, thank you guys for following Iris's and Stellan's story! I truly hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Please be sure to let me know what you thought of it in the comments, it would surely be appreciated! Love you all! xx

"I need the choker now," I demand, holding out my hand expectantly. The six-foot-three model in front of me is dressed head to toe in leather. In the usual panic that sets in the night of a show, I barely notice who hands me the choker.

"Alright." I wrap it around her neck, careful not to get it stuck in her hair and practically push her out so she doesn't miss her cue.

"Iris! This mans looking for Stellan!" Oli shouts above the noise, gesturing to a man in a suit. I recognize him immediately- Stellan's lawyer and friend.

"Cameron! Hi! He's behind that curtain- in the tech room."

"Thanks," he murmurs, looking rather awed by the chaos surrounding him. I don't watch him go back to see him.

"Iris!" Oli says again, this time bringing forth Marley who has a rather large tear down the lace material over her breast. "The ring got stuck."

"Shit. Get me needle and thread, quick!"

Oli scrambles to the long table full of accessories and searches for one. I look back at the runway, seeing she's up next. Jesus Christ.

"Oli!"

"Got it. Got it."

She hands me black thread, thankfully already attached to a needle. I'm sloppy in fixing the tear but within seconds it's patched up and I'm tying the knot.

"You're good to go. Hurry."

As she runs forward in stilettos, I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I watch the entire ensemble of girls line up against the wall as Marley completes the walk alone.

As they file back out, in time to a rhythmic song fit for a rave, I straighten my dress and make my way out behind them, smiling wide.

...

"You've outdone yourself this time, Iris. The pieces were simply stunning!" Arnald exclaims, raising his glass of champagne in the air. I smile widely as Stellan's arm comes around my waist, pulling me in close.

I feel calmer as he presses his lips to my forehead.

"Thank you, Arnald. That's a huge compliment for me, considering how much I loved your show last month."

"We must partner together soon! Imagine it! My shoes- your ensembles. Ugh, we'd be unstoppable!"

I laugh, glancing up at Stellan. "I'll think about it. We're actually taking a break from things for a while, focusing on Sophie."

Elizabeth, the woman who never fails to show up to these events even though she's never invited, smiles. "How old is your daughter now?"

"A little over a year," Stellan answers, proudly.

"Already? Wow. How the time flies."

I nod, glancing down at my watch and then to Stellan. "We should actually be getting going. Dari told me she's meeting someone tonight."

He nods, smirking knowingly and begins to excuse us from the surrounding people. Truth is, Dari isn't meeting her date for another two hours but I'm just desperate to get out of here.

"Not even at the after party thirty minutes and you're desperate to get back," he states softly in my ear as we file out hand in hand. I roll my eyes, glancing back as we shrug into our coats.