“Just watching Michael take out the trash is all,” I tell Ivy with a smirk on my face. Then I look down at her. “Are you okay?”
She looks over to where Dennis James just stood.
“Don’t worry about him,” I tell her.
“You shouldn’t be the one having to worry about him,” Ivy says. “I’m sorry that?—”
“Baby, don’t you dare say it. I have a few guesses as to what he was doing here with your boss.” I bring her hand to my lips, kissing it. “We won’t worry about that now. The important point is that they’re gone. Both of them.”
“Mr. Knight?” one of the handlers calls. “We’re ready for you in the theater.”
A minute later, Ivy and I are shown inside of the theater to our seats.
Throughout the duration of the film, I watch Ivy more than I do the movie. This is her first time seeing it from start to finish. My heart lurches in my throat when she cups her face during the most emotional scene of the film.
I swear I hear a few gasps and ‘oh my’s’ from others in the room, but I gaze at the woman I love. Her opinion means more to me than anything right now.
Once the credits start to roll, noise sounds all around me.
It’s not until Ivy rises to her feet and starts clapping as she peers down at me with a smile that I become surprised.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
She looks around the room, and then back at me. “We’re clapping for you.”
That’s when I take in our surroundings. Ivy isn’t the only one on her feet. Just about everyone else, outside of the cast and crew, applauds.
For the first time I allow myself to take in what it is we’ve accomplished with this film.
This was never just another work project for me, but to be living in the moment where the planning, hard work, and care that was put into this project meets an appreciative audience is inspiring.
The rest of the cast and I stand and bow to the room, thanking them.
At the end of the viewing, I spend some time thanking those who came, with Ivy right by my side.
Minutes later, we’re escorted to the car to head over to the premiere party with the rest of the cast, crew, executives, and fans who also got to be a part of the premiere.
Everyone is there and the mood is exhilarating, with people continuously coming up to me to offer their congratulations on a job well done.
Throughout it all, I don’t lose track of Ivy, often keeping her hand clasped in mine. I haven’t missed the fact that while she heaped praise on me and the rest of the cast over the outcome of the film, she’s gone quiet since we arrived at the party.
Even through the onslaught of people vying for my attention and time, I don’t let her hand go. Michael Keith approaches me with another up-and-coming director in the industry.
“I’ve seen some of your work,” I tell him. “Very impressive.”
“An honor to hear that coming from the man of the hour,” he replies. “From what I saw tonight, you have a very, very long career ahead of you. I hope our paths will cross soon with me behind the camera.”
I nod.
“This is Ivy,” I introduce. “My future,” I say, the words slipping out easily.
Her eyes go large as she looks from me to Michael and the other director.
“She helped with the costume designs on the set ofLate Nights.”
She opens her mouth to say something, but Michael is quicker.
“Yes, she worked very well with the rest of our team. There are a couple of occasions where she saved the day,” he says.
