When the Cameras Stop Rolling

Date Night

Rachel...

Everything was amazing. She couldn't believe they had been living together for almost two months now, and she loved it! She had never lived with a man before and really valued her independence; so, having Bryan move in was certainly an adjustment. She recalled discussing living arrangements with Bryan, while they were still on the show. They had talked a few times about geography being a potential barrier, but during this particular conversation, she reminded Bryan that being long distance was one of the major factors she and her ex-boyfriend couldn't overcome.

"Well that's not a difficult problem to solve at all," Bryan stated, in a matter-of-fact tone, "we'll just live together."

Rachel was stunned. The cameras were rolling and they were in the private room of a local pub, during a group date. "Move in?! I've never lived with anyone before...at least not a boyfriend. I honestly don't know how my family would feel about it, and I still have my job--my sister is pregnant and I've always helped with my nephew. And what about your family, friends, and practice?" Classic Bryan...he thinks everything is some easy fairy-tale!

"Calm down, Rach." Bryan didn't sound worried, at all. He continued, "First off, none of that matters because if we want to make it work, we will make it work. Who said anything about you leaving Dallas? If staying in Dallas works better, I could come to you. Not a problem. And you wouldn't be living with a boyfriend, you'd be living with your fiancé. Trust me, if it's me and you at the end of all this, I'm ready to marry you the next day, so you could be living with your husband." He smiled and raised his eye brows, as if to say, 'Doesn't that sound good?'

But Rachel was terrified. What kind of game is he playing? He really wants me to believe he'll drop everything for me...for us? That's not how guys work. Is he just saying this to get the group date rose?

Bryan was going on about how "great things were going to be," but Rachel's wheels were spinning. He is so sexy. And if everything he's saying is true, then our lives could be amazing. But I'm not giving him the rose tonight. I'm gonna see if this man is real. Is he gonna get jealous? Is all the positivity going to melt away once his confidence is shaken? I need to know if Bryan is the real deal.

Rachel smiled, remembering that night. It felt like a world away. She felt like she needed to test his confidence back then. However, she now knows she has the realest man, she's ever known. She wouldn't change them moving in together for the world. Although she believed Bryan had too many grooming products, she also understood that it takes a little grooming to maintain that level of sexy, so she didn't mind at all. They just needed more space so they could both have what they needed to get ready. And a home office space they could share would be nice too. Another thing was that, more often than not, Rachel was the one to wake up early to take their dog, Copper, out for his morning walk. But, Copper adored Bryan and Bryan loved Copper too. Besides, Rachel couldn't complain because on most mornings, when she and Copper came back into the house, they would find Bryan, in the kitchen, shirtless in his Calvin's, cooking her breakfast. Yes Gawd! Rachel would think to herself on those mornings.

Now she was wrapped in a blanket on the sofa waiting for Bryan to come out of the bedroom. They were having a date night in. Bryan had come home from the gym a short while earlier and wanted to take a quick shower before their movie night. She started picking at the bowl of white cheddar Skinny Pop popcorn, and laughed out loud when Copper let out a loud snore on his doggie daybed, in the corner of the room.

"What's so funny?" Bryan asked walking into the room, dvd in hand.

"Copper is knocked out!" Rachel giggled. "You'd think he was the one working all day, or who had a crazy work out?!"

"That's so Copper!" Bryan responded sitting next to Rachel. She crawled into his lap, and Bryan pulled the large blanket over the two of them. "I'm actually glad he's sleeping." Bryan said, as their legs intertwined under the cover. "Oh really? Why is that?" Rachel wondered.

"Because, sometimes I just want to cuddle with my wife without King Copper getting in the middle." he teased.

"You're wife?! Did I miss the wedding, or something?"

"No. But I don't know how long I can wait till you'll make an honest man out of me. I mean, the things you have me do at night--and in the morning--and sometimes during lunch..." Bryan pretended to clutch imaginary pearls.

"Alright! That's enough Mr. Abasolo!" Rachel laughed playfully hitting Bryan with a throw pillow. "I am going to make an honest man out of you!"

"I'm just saying. Some of your requests are just scandalous!" he said, putting his arms up to block the gentle blows. "Seriously, though. My mom is driving me crazy asking for dates. And I promised I would get one out of you." Rachel stopped with the pillow. "And how exactly are you going to do that, sir?"

"I have a secret weapon my fiancé cannot defeat!" All of a sudden, Bryan leaped up and started to tickle Rachel. When they were on the show together, Bryan had set up a message table, for Rachel, during a rose ceremony night. That evening, every time Bryan started to rub Rachel's back, she started to giggle because she was extremely ticklish. Unfortunately for Rachel, Bryan was not ticklish, at all. So, he always had the upper hand in that department.

"OK! OK! Maaaayyyyy!" Bryan started on her sides, "Alright, May 26th!--Bryan please!" Rachel was trying to catch a breath between laughter, but when Bryan grabbed her right foot--her most ticklish spot of all--she knew he meant business. "May 26th this year! We are getting married, May 26th of THIS year!"

Bryan slowly lowered her foot, with a triumphant smile on his face. "Thank you...let the wedding planning begin!"

Rachel, laying back on the couch was breathless and smiling. He leaned down for a kiss, and she wrapped her arms around him. She pulled back to ask, "Are we still going to watch the movie?" Bryan slowly shook his head, no. "Absolutely not, Mrs. Abasolo. We're going to celebrate our wedding date tonight." And they did.