I don’t care, because I’m free.
I found freedom in Dolly Doherty’s heart, and I plan to live here forever.
Epilogue, Six Months LaterDolly
@mirivanilli:Leonard’s fave couple is Dolly and Carys obvs, @saraaaa agrees bc he always makes biscuits on us when they’re on screen
@ShreyaSpeaks:It’s so strange seeing myself on screen, but what a joy to be there to cheer on love!
@BabyJas:No guys I’m not spilling the tea, you have to tune in with the rest of us. But yes Warren and I have some more content coming up lol.
If I’m honest, I was a little afraid of the reunion episode. Back when I was still with Warren, I had this whole plan of how we’d talk about our relationship. I pretty much knew, beat for beat, what highlight clips they’d show of our relationship timeline.
In fact, what I imagined is very like the reel of Whit and Malachi’s best bits we all watch together in the studio, along with the live audience filled with fans, family and, apparently, the Hannahs, as the Nguyens orchestrate the whole affair.
‘Let’s hear it for our incredible season one winners!’ Karina cries.
We all knew they’d win. We were discouraged fromchecking social media in the apartments, but realistically production couldn’t stop us, and I’d seen the glowing adoration for them across not just TikTok and Instagram, but Facebook too. The nest egg was theirs, quite rightly. They ended up being the only couple who really did things theWedded Blissway.
I shouldn’t have been afraid. Beside me, my wife (I will never get over saying that) squeezes my hand.
‘She is just the most wonderful, kind partner, and I’m so thankful that I left this show with her,’ Malachi swoons, still as in love with her as the day they met.
It’s funny, a few people have asked me if you really can fall in love in just a few weeks and I think, for most people, the answer is no. But Whit and Malachi are proof that love at first sight, while rare, is real.
‘And we have a surprise to share,’ Whit says. I naturally know what’s coming as she stands, turns sideways and essentially mic drops her baby bump to the camera.
‘We’re pregnant!’ they chorus, as the studio goes wild. Even me, and I knew the second she got those lines on the pee-covered stick.
Karina bursts into happy tears. ‘Our firstWedded BlissUK baby!’
Baby Vempati-Campbell was a bit of a surprise, but the parents-to-be rolled with it. I know there’s never an ideal time for surgeons to take maternity leave, but if anyone can handle the competitive nature of the operating theatre, it’s Whit. She survivedWedded Bliss, after all. Malachi’s kept on his orthodontist job and put his long-term plan of firefighting on the back burner until the baby is a little older, but he’s still training. I guess his dream job pales in comparison to his dream wife.
Bridget and Jackson get a much frostier welcome. We’ve had to say hello to them a few times at various events, but they know they blew it with everyone here. Once news of Bridget’sblackmail spread through the various reality TV ex-castmate WhatsApp groups, they were pretty much ostracised.
‘Your first year has been a bit of a challenge, hasn’t it,’ offers Lucas generously.
Jackson snorts. ‘We got slandered on social media because peoplethinkfor some reason that we were together before the show, but the thing is people can fake things. Deep fakes, isn’t that what it’s called? We’re the actual victims here, aren’t we, Bridge?’
‘There’s definitely two Deep Fakes here,’ mutters Whit, which earns someooosfrom the audience.
‘Um,’ murmurs Bridget, as the screen behind them shows screenshots of their text messages going back prior to the show. ‘Yeah.’
Carys is stiff beside me, and I put my arm around her. It was worse for her – Bridget was supposed to be her friend. Bridget has tried to speak to her a few times, reaching out to make up via text and stuff, but I’m proud to say Carys has stood her ground and ignored her. You don’t come back from threatening to out someone, even if you didn’t really think that’s what you were doing.
‘We take that kind of allegation very seriously onWedded Bliss,’ Lucas says sternly. ‘But we’re glad to see that you’re still wedded, if not that blissfully?’
About three people in the audience clap. Malachi coughs.
Karina nudges Lucas in the side. ‘All marriages have their ups and downs, and we hope that you are able to find a good place again. Thank you for joining us, Bridget and Jackson.’
Was it worth it, ding-dongs? All that blackmail for this little screentime?
‘Speaking of ups and downs, what a rollercoaster it is to see Lina and Cobey together!’ Lucas cries as the cameras pan to the couple looking both very tanned and trim.
‘Our runaway bride!’ says Karina, clapping her hands together.
‘Cobey, the thing we need to know – how is the surf school going?’ Lucas asks and the audience laughs knowingly. Cobey has become something of a meme, but from what Lina tells me, that’s just spread the word about the business.
