by E V Darcy
He’d checked the internet that morning and the Twitter hashtag for Desti-Nation and hadn’t found anything beyond what had happened in the panel and lots of questions about the lift incident, so perhaps he’d had a bad night’s sleep for nothing.
He sighed and Luc threw him a warning look. Shit, he had forgotten about the mics. Luckily it was covered by the round of applause as Nick finished.
‘Okay, now to the tables.’ Crystal spun on her feet to face the breakfast crowd. ‘Does this table have anyone who would like to ask a question.’ Three women shot to their feet, with one standing so quickly her chair toppled over.
‘I think we have a winner,’ Casey drawled and the room erupted into laughter. Crystal gave the girl the microphone as the others retook their seats and a volunteer ran over to fix the chair.
‘Ummm, my— my question is for Marc,’ the girl stuttered nervously.
‘Hi,’ Marc greeted stiffly.
‘What’s your name, darlin’?’ Luc interjected. Marc’s jaw clenched. He didn’t care what her name was. He didn’t even want to answer any of the stupid questions they had. Freaking time travel theories and paradoxes, the differences between destiny and fate—how the hell did he know these things? He was just an actor. He didn’t write the script, he hadn’t created the universe the show worked in; he just learnt his lines, turned up, did his thing, and when all that was over, he happily went home to his son.
At that thought, Marc cast a glance at Tyler who had turned around to the bar and was sipping on what looked like a Coke. Great, his son was going to be hyped up on sugar and he certainly didn’t need that after yesterday. He was going to kill Sonya.
‘Well thanks for coming along, Megan, what’s your question?’
‘Well, there’s been a lot of speculation on the internet’—Marc held back a groan as he had an idea of what was coming, ‘—and rather than pay heed to rumours I thought that I’d just ask; what the heck happened yesterday?’
Marc blinked. Oh. Well, he wasn’t expecting that. He thought she had been going for one of those… What were they called? Shipping questions?
‘You mean at the panel?’ he tentatively asked.
‘That and afterwards at the elevator.’
He looked at Ellie, whose gaze was fixed to the table in front of her before he turned to his co-stars all watching him carefully—even Casey seemed intrigued by how he was going to answer this. Finally, he sighed and told her straight, explaining his ignorance of different sign languages and how he had been completely in the wrong over the whole situation.
‘Ellie did nothing wrong,’ he told the crowd firmly and Ellie raised her eyes to meet his. ‘What she and her friend do for their other friend is fantastic. I wish more hearing people could sign, it would make the world a more inclusive place.’ A small ripple of applause sounded as a lot of the attendees turned and looked at the trio seated at their table at the side of the room. Marie was beaming at everyone, but Ellie’s cheeks were pink and she was biting her lip as she gave them all a little wave. Despite himself, Marc found it adorable.
‘And the elevator?’ Megan asked. ‘Rumour is the same woman—sorry, Ellie—was involved…’
‘Umm, that was… Well, it was my son’s fault—’
The audience seemed to collectively gasp at the revelation.
‘Is that your son?’ someone called out from toward the back tables. The woman was pointing toward Tyler and his mini-entourage. Frank, who had been leaning against the bar as he told Tyler something, immediately stood up and stepped in front of the boy, trying to block him from the view of the crowd. Tyler, abruptly losing his companion, turned the stool around to peer past Frank, as he tried to work out what had caused such a change in his friend.
Marc sighed, well it was too late now.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘That’s Tyler, he’s four and…’ Marc paused for a moment; the audience, although looking at Tyler, seemed to hold its collective breath as they waited for him to finish that sentence. ‘And he was born unable to hear,’ Marc finally told him with a sigh.
A number of the audience aww’d and Marc frowned; was that reaction because his son was cute or because they felt sorry he couldn’t hear? The latter was just one of the reasons he hadn’t wanted people to know about Tyler.
‘He met Ellie on Thursday; he got lost and was lucky enough to run into her. She recognised that he was unable to hear and was able to sign for him and get him back to me safe and sound.’
‘Can we meet him?’ Crystal asked and before Marc could respond she’d turned around and addressed Frank; ‘Hey, Big Guy, bring Tyler up to his dad.’ A loud cheer arose from the fans. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ellie stand up. Marc wanted to smile at that, at her instinctive need to protect his son, but his focus was on Tyler. To his credit, Frank didn’t move an inch until Tyler tugged on his sleeve and asked what was happening.
‘You may as well,’ Luc said in Marc’s ear as he covered his mic. ‘No one’s going to hurt him here—Frank can stay in front of us. And it’ll stop lots of questions about him throughout the weekend if you’re just open.’ Marc looked up at his friend who nodded his head in encouragement. ‘Trust me, the more open you are with them, the more protective they are of you.’
He swallowed and looked back at Frank. Sonya was now paying full attention to the crowd, her own hand on his son’s arm, ready to take him out of the room if needed. He jerked his head for Frank to bring his son up to the stage. The guard blinked with surprise but nodded his understanding.
Frank lifted Tyler from the chair to put him on the floor and the boy looked up at him in confusion. Frank tried to tell him what was happening, but Tyler shook his head. Before the bodyguard could fully explain, Tyler bolted.
Again.
‘Tyler!’ Marc knew his son couldn’t hear, but it was instinctive to call his name when he was scared. He made to jump from the stage as Frank charged after the young boy until Marc saw where his son was headed.
Ellie saw it too and opened her arms for the young lad as he raced toward her. She scooped him up and heaved him onto her hip as he threw his arms around her, hiding his face in her neck. Marc watched as Tyler whispered something into her ear and Ellie shook her head. His son pulled back and pouted at her, batting his lashes and giving her the puppy eyes Marc knew far too well. She hesitated for a moment before he saw her body sag; she gave in. Sucker.
She exchanged a few words with Frank and then the three of them headed towards the stage. Marc’s eyebrows shot up at that unexpected turn of events.
‘Give them a round of applause!’ Crystal said as Ellie came forward. Paul held out his hand to help her up on the little stage so she didn’t have to put Tyler down. She stepped hesitantly toward Marc and he covered his mic to speak to her.
‘I’m very sorry for all this,’ he whispered as the crowd clapped loudly. ‘I know that you didn’t want any more attention drawn to you after yesterday.’
‘It’s okay,’ she replied. ‘Thank you for clearing up the matter with everyone.’
‘Least I could do,’ he told her. Why did you drag Ellie up here? Marc asked Tyler.
You’re working, Papa, Ellie can sign for me while you talk to the people. Marc was impressed by his young son’s insight into his work. Why did you want me here? You said I was supposed to stay over there.
The people wanted to meet you. Tyler glanced over at the audience, then reached for his father. Nestled in Marc’s arms, he hid his head, all shy. Another collective aww sounded.
‘This is my son, Tyler,’ he told the crowd. ‘And this is Ellie.’
A woman waved her hand at Crystal, who gave her the mic. ‘Is he completely deaf?’
‘He has implants that allow him to hear; he just keeps breaking the processors that work with them,’ Marc answered, as Ellie stepped behind him and signed to Tyler what was being said.
Why are they talking about me? he asked her.
They’re curious about you.
&nb
sp; Why?
Because your dad is famous.
Why does that matter?
Ellie paused to think for a moment. Do you watch Sesame Street?
Tyler nodded enthusiastically. I love Cookie Monster, and Oscar, and The Count—he helped me learn how to say my numbers.
And if you could meet The Count?
Tyler started to bounce and wiggle in Marc’s arms. Marc stopped his answers to try and figure out what was going on. Could I? I want to meet him! I want to do numbers with him!
See, you’re really excited by that and so are all these people because your papa is on TV. If you could meet The Count what would you say to him?
The young boy thought about it for a moment before he signed, I want to know what he likes for breakfast.
Well, she hadn’t been expecting that. What do you like for breakfast? she asked.
Lucky Charms! They’re the best! They have little bits of marshmallow in them in shapes. Do you like them?
I’ve never had them. Tyler simply looked at her for a moment, his little mouth hanging open in surprise as if that was just unthinkable. Then he jerked back to look at his father and Marc had to react quickly to the sudden movement to stop Tyler falling out of his arms.
‘What?’ he asked, ensuring Tyler could see his lips.
Ellie has never had Lucky Charms, Papa!
‘I—What?’
We have to go and get Lucky Charms, Ellie’s never had them. Marc twisted his head to look over at the British woman, who just helplessly shrugged her shoulders at him.
‘Okay,’ Marc drawled at Tyler’s direction before he turned back to the VIPs. ‘I think we should move on from me, Tyler needs something,’ he fibbed, but he had answered half a dozen questions about Tyler’s hearing and that was enough. He was going to kill Crystal after this, she damn well knew his private life was supposed to be off limits and now they all knew Tyler, had pictures of him… Fuck!
‘Then can I ask Ellie something?’ Crystal piped up. Marc saw Ellie startle at the question and wondered what kind of game Crystal was playing. Ellie didn’t get a chance to reply before the organiser spoke. ‘How long have you been signing and what made you learn it?’
‘That’s two questions!’ Casey interjected and the audience tittered.
‘I—’ Ellie swallowed as she looked down at the mic suddenly thrust into her hands. She’d gone pale and her breath hitched. Marc was torn; this wasn’t fair on Ellie. She wasn’t an actor, wasn’t being paid to be up here—hell, she had paid to watch them!—but… he also really wanted to know the answer. However, the decision was taken from him when BB slid up next to Ellie and whispered something. Ellie nodded before looking at BB and directing her answer to his co-star.
Marc wanted to give the starlet a hug.
‘I learnt it as I learnt to speak. Both my grandfather and my mother are deaf so I grew up thinking it was normal to speak with both my mouth and my hands.’
Why hadn’t she mentioned that last night?
Probably because he was too busy ridiculing something she took pleasure in, his conscience nagged at him. Even if he didn’t understand why fans acted the way they did, Ellie was still part of that group, still one of them…
Something twisted within him, knowing she was part of something he despised so much, one of the people he’d sworn to avoid. He sighed; he had certainly broken that rule this weekend, already.
‘Oh, so you’re not actually an interpreter.’ Crystal’s words, filled with disdain caught Marc’s attention again. Why was she asking that? Was she trying to imply something? Or—and Marc certainly didn’t like the next thought—was she merely stirring up drama among the attendees a second time? He took a step closer to Ellie, ready to step in if needed.
‘Actually, I am.’ Ellie said rather haughtily as she stared directly at the hostess now, her shoulders squared, lips pursed, and her brow scrunched in a scowl. Her nose wrinkled a little as she surveyed the hostess. Marc shouldn’t have doubted her.
‘Not only for the deaf,’ she continued as she flipped her hair over her shoulder and looked around at the rest of the attendees. ‘But internationally too. I speak four languages on top of English and BSL, and have been a qualified BSL interpreter since I was fourteen.’
Her answer was met with silence from Crystal as the rest of the room seemed impressed. Marc couldn’t keep the grin off his face and used Tyler to hide it.
It looked as if Crystal was about to say something else when Tony cut in. ‘I think that’s enough, guys. Like Marc said, let’s move on.’ The crowd groaned in disappointment and Marc was almost certain Crystal had specifically wanted a little drama in the panel; after the internet had lit up after his day before.
‘Hey, you guys get Marc and me again tomorrow,’ Luc tried to placate the crowd. ‘Give the rest of the cast some love too.’ Marc mouthed thank you to his friends and indicated that he was leaving the stage. He didn’t give a fuck what the convention people might say about it; they’d crossed a major line with that panel and he wasn’t sticking around.
He offered his hand to help Ellie jump down and headed towards the room they had been in earlier. He wanted to ensure Tyler was fine before he had to go and have his picture taken with the fan base. He shuddered at the thought there wouldn’t even be a table between him and the fans for the photo ops. They’d be right up in his space, touching him, asking for hugs—
‘Papa, tight,’ Tyler whispered, pressing down on his arms, as they walked through the audience. Marc pressed a kiss to his son’s cheek in apology and forced himself to relax again. He kept his eyes fixed on the frosted French doors, refusing to meet the gaze of anyone seated at the tables as he passed. Frank and Sonya were waiting for him and hurried him inside, Jake and Adam following a moment later.
Sonya started apologising immediately; she would have words with Crystal and ensure the rest of the weekend didn’t touch upon Marc’s personal life. Marc just ignored her for the moment as he checked on Tyler.
You okay? Do you want to go back to the playroom?
I’m fine, Papa, Tyler brushed off his concern and gave a large smile. I want to watch you work.
Still? His son nodded.
‘Frank, he wants to carry on—’ He stopped mid-sentence as he turned around to address his bodyguard. Ellie was standing awkwardly at the double doors.
~ ~ ~ ~
She had purposefully ignored Marc when he entered the conservatory and had refused to even risk meeting his gaze by looking his way when he’d stepped on stage. Then the bastard had to go and be sweet by admitting he was at fault the day before, making her the centre of attention. If there was one thing she loved about her job, it was that she was merely an accessory, a piece of furniture who had a role; she was never the centre of anyone’s attention, simply a conduit of communication. A bit like a phone. No one paid attention to their phone when they were actually speaking on it and it was the same when people used her to translate. So while she had loved him setting the record straight, she could have done without being brought to the attention of the fandom. Again.
She watched Marc as he asked Tyler if he was okay. She couldn’t believe that horrid woman had brought Tyler up to the stage! How dare that cow involve him when Marc had worked so hard to protect him, so much so that his own fans didn’t know of Tyler’s existence! She was grateful Tyler felt safe with her; Ellie hadn’t even realised she had stood up until she was wrapping her arms around the boy, but she concluded at that moment that she would throw herself under a bus to keep him safe.
Being hauled up to the stage was not her idea of fun, but she’d managed to shy away from the crowd’s attention by standing behind Marc until that woman had again made her take centre stage. Who really cared about her? No one. No one here was at all arsed about how she had grown up, about how she had found her vocation—
At least that was what she had thought until she met Marc’s eyes and saw his own curiosity. For some reason, she had wanted to give him those
answers, had wanted to spill all her secrets just as she had the night before.
She bit her lip as she continued to watch their conversation. Perhaps it would be best for Tyler to go back to the quiet room away from the crowds. She had to admit she had been highly surprised when she had watched him walk into the restaurant, with Frank and Marc’s agent, moments before the panel had started.
I want to watch you work…
Ah. That explained it.
‘Frank, he wants to carry on—’ Marc’s words stopped as he finally saw her standing there.
‘Umm, sorry,’ Ellie muttered, as all eyes in the room turned to her. She hadn’t been thinking when she’d followed Marc instead of returning to her seat. It had been automatic to walk after him once he’d offered his hand to her. ‘I didn’t want to stay in there after that and thought I could sneak out with you and no one would think that was too weird. But I didn’t think to ask and I’m sorry if I presumed…’ Oh hell, she was rambling again.
‘That’s okay,’ Marc said and offered her a small smile that made his eyes crinkle in the corners. ‘I don’t blame you for wanting to get out. I am sorry you had to go through that.’
‘It’s okay.’ She hesitantly returned his smile, feeling a warmth bloom in her chest at the gesture. It wasn’t the smile he plastered on for promotional photos, it was warm, intimate, and it reached his dazzling blue eyes and made them crinkle at the corners ever so softly. Her breath caught in her throat.
‘I’ll ensure you’re given a token from the organisers,’ Sonya interrupted their moment, jarring them both to look at her, and started to tap at her tablet again.
Ellie felt her cheeks flush as she realised the rest of the people in the room were also staring at them both, eyes darting back and forth.
‘You don’t need to do that. It’s fine, just as long as Tyler’s okay,’ she told the woman, her voice small as she tried to shrink back from the attention. First, Frank got an eyeful of them both last night, and now his whole entourage was witnessing… what exactly? Well, the pair just looking at one another.
