Through the Lens

by Sophia Emerson

  Aidan walked in and saw Claire asleep on the couch. He smiled as he came over and went to kiss her, stopping when he saw the cut on her forehead. He moved and went towards the guards quarters as Sam and Max both stepped out of Max's office.

  “What happened to Claire?” Aidan's fury was apparent. The only reason he wasn't screaming was that he did not want to wake Claire that was just in the other room.

  Max stepped up. “Sam just explained...”

  “Sam, tell me now.” Aidan ordered.

  “The old contractor, he was angry that you beat him up. He knows that she's your weakness. She's fine but he stole her keys, wallet, and cell phone. I pulled up as she was walking towards here. She doesn't want you to know, she thinks that she can be invisible for a few days until the bruises go away. Please, don't tell her that I told you. I promised that I wouldn't.”

  “She doesn't want me to know?”

  “She's trying to protect you.”

  “Always the protector. I want you personally on her detail for right now until the police have him in custody.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I guess I'll call the police.”

  “Sir?” Sam said quietly as Aidan was walking away. When Aidan turned Sam finished, “I already called the cops and sent them the footage from the security cameras you had installed. They are locating Mr. Engberg and bringing him in. I made sure that they would not need a statement from Claire. I thought that she'd been through enough.”

  “Thank you, Sam.”

  Aidan walked away and slowly lifted Claire off the couch. She moved in his arms slightly as she nestled into his chest. “I'm sorry I didn't make it tonight.”

  “Ella needed you.”

  “You needed me too.”

  “I'm ok. Just tired.”

  “Let's get you to bed.” Aidan walked down the hall with Claire clutched tightly in his arms as she slept. The moment that he laid her down, she woke up as he started to walk away.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Sleep, Claire.”

  “No. Stay with me, please.” Aidan loosened his tie and striped down and got into bed with her.

  “Whatever you want.”

  “You,” Claire said as she turned over and snaked her arm around his waist. She laid her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.

  Claire woke to an empty room. She should have known that he would leave the moment that she was asleep. Claire stood up quickly and put on her clothes. She was not going to waste her time in bed. She was putting on her pants when Aidan walked back into the room.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Going into work. No need to sleep.”

  “Bad dreams?” Aidan asked quietly.

  “No. What's up with Ella?”

  “She had a panic attack. She thought she saw someone from her past.”

  “Why isn't she staying here?”

  “She is. I just went and picked her up and brought her back here.”

  “That's why you weren't in bed.” Claire said quietly, mostly to herself but Aidan heard her.

  “That's why you are leaving to go to work? You don't like an empty bed.”

  “I'd rather have company in my bed. You broke me of my solo sleeping habit.” Claire smiled as she walked to him half dressed, going up on her tiptoes to kiss Aidan.

  “Come to bed. I won't leave again.”

  Claire kissed him and he lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around him as he laid her on the bed covering her with his body but keeping his weight off of her. He leaned back up and pulled off her pants. “You don't need these in bed.” He smiled as he came back unhooking her bra, he crawled back onto the bed, kissing her. He moved to the side as he pulled her to him and covered her with the blanket.

  “You're wearing too many clothes.”

  “Not tonight.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her close to him. “Promise me something, Claire.”

  “Hmmm.” She hummed as she laid on his chest.

  “Keep Sam near you until all of this is cleared up.” Aidan's worry sounded in his voice.

  “Ok. I like Sam. He makes me feel safe, like you do.”

  “That's a good thing.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The day was already hopping as Claire ran from place to place, making sure everything was perfect. Her nerves were a mess as for the third time she found herself in the bathroom. “Pull it together. It's just a gallery not the Olympics.” Claire tried to tell her reflection.

  “You ok?” Todd asked as Claire walked out of the bathroom, noticing how pale she was.

  “Fine.” She tried to smile. “What's next?”

  “Your interview airs in fifteen minutes, here are the articles about the opening. There are five confirmed reporters coming this evening. Also I received an email and there are some large company executives coming and some huge art dealers as well. I've gotten dozens of emails from all the people at Aidan's event where they saw you drawing. It's safe to say, we'll have a full gallery tonight to impress.”

  “Nothing is ever safe.” Claire said quietly.

  “Right, sorry.” Todd smiled. He understood her nerves, his was worse until the emails started to fly in. “The caterers will arrive at five to set up and the doors open at six-thirty. Looks like everything else is done. I was going to sweep and mop one last time. Make sure it's perfect.” Todd smiled as Claire nodded quietly.

  Todd walked off as Claire walked to her office and painting studio that was behind the gallery. She sat down as she looked at the blank canvas before her. She picked up her phone and turned it off silence smiling as she saw several texts from Aidan, Alyssa, and the whole Hawkins’ clan in support of her day. Saturday night had been great, celebrating Alyssa and Topher's news of the baby. Everyone was overjoyed. Claire had watched Aidan that evening and the moment he congratulated Topher she saw him and Alyssa take a breath of relief. They were nervous of his reaction and Claire understood. Aidan's mood was unpredictable with change but Claire thought he was probably the most excited. He loved children, Uncle-hood didn't terrify him in the least, like it did Claire secretly.

  Absently, Claire started painting as her mind was lost in thought. She was in love with Aidan and for the first time she thought she may have a future. Could I handle a baby bump like Alyssa was already showing? Could I handle being a mother? Do I want kids, especially with my past? After last night she knew that Aidan would want kids someday. He would be an amazing father. Her mind roamed of thoughts of Aidan with a bouncing bright-eyed boy always following him around the house and riding on his father's shoulders, like she had seen in films.

  “Claire... CLAIRE!” Todd shouted, bringing Claire out of her daydream. “There you are. We open in an hour. You need to get dressed, and shower quickly.” Todd pulled out his cellphone and showed her, her reflection. She was covered in paint.

  “Thanks. Time got away from me I guess.”

  “That's amazing I can see why you got lost in your work. Would you like me to display it at the entrance? It's a perfect focal point of the show.”

  “Ummm. Maybe. It's kind of personal,” Claire said looking at the painting again.

  “Oh God, Claire. You're pregnant?” Todd covered his mouth in surprise.

  “What? God, no. Alyssa is. Guess it just made me start thinking. I should get ready.” Claire walked quickly up the stairs towards her apartment.

  Todd looked back at the portrait Claire had painted. There was no visible faces but a young boy clutched his father's legs, the father bent over hugging the boy to him. They are stopped and focused as the world around them flowed by in a blur. He grabbed the canvas and turned. Out of the corner of his eye he saw two more paintings, “Damn.” Todd breathed as he saw a young boy, barely two years old sitting on his father's shoulder. The father holding onto him tightly. The carnival around them was in bland colors as the father and son stood out. The second painting was perfect. It was a painting of Alyssa, her baby bump, and Topher. Todd grabbed the two
father pictures and took them out to the floor. He knew that Claire would move them later if she didn't like them.

  The hot shower felt like heaven on her sore muscles and she didn't want to move from the spray of water. She knew she needed to hurry and turned off the shower spray in reluctance. She toweled off as she heard her name being called, “Alyssa?”

  “Hey,” Alyssa shouted as she opened the bathroom door. “Came to help you with your make-up and hair. Todd said you were running behind.”

  “Thanks, Todd.” Claire hissed under her breath. “You know how helpless I am with the whole make-up stuff.” Claire smiled at her friend handing her the make-up bag. “Beautify me. I'm your willing canvas.” They both giggled at their long-running joke.

  Alyssa stood putting on Claire's make-up at the kitchen nook. “I liked your new paintings of the father and son.” Claire opened her eyes quickly. “I may have stared at them a while before I came in here. Are they new?”

  “Yes. I just finished them before my shower.”

  “Did you see any other new ones?” Claire asked cautiously.

  “Nope. Just those two. Did you do more?”

  “You know me. Always drawing or painting. Must have killed a rainforest alone with all of my work.” Claire smiled to Alyssa. The other painting was a present for Alyssa. She knew Todd would want all the newest paintings to go up but Claire wasn't going to allow it. These were private. He had an artist’s eye. It's one of the reasons she had hired him. “So tell me about your world travels.”

  Alyssa chatted endlessly about the honeymoon but Claire's mind was half on Aidan and half listening to Alyssa. Suddenly she stopped talking as she let Claire's hair fall around her shoulders. Claire opened her eyes to look at Alyssa, “What's wrong?”

  “Nothing. You look gorgeous. Let’s get you into your dress. The doors open in five minutes so we're definitely cutting it close. Todd may kill us both.” Claire laughed as she picked up the dress from the bed and slid it on, turning to let Alyssa zip it up.

  “Guess it's time to go downstairs. You're gonna be great.” Alyssa squeezed her arm as she walked down the stairs with Claire following her.

  “Shit.” Claire started to breathe hard in a panic.

  “What?” Alyssa turned quickly.

  “I forgot to talk to Aidan. He blew off dinner and I was angry and just went to bed. Shit! He's going to be furious.”

  “I'll talk to him. You just focus on all the other people. This is your night. Forget Aidan.” Alyssa kissed her cheek and pushed her out of the back room and into the gallery.

  Alyssa was pacing outside the gallery. The gallery was hopping. Alyssa could not believe how many high-profile people had come out. The heat from all of the bodies was almost too much for her and Aidan still had not gotten there. A sleek, black SUV pulled up. The moment that Aidan was out the door Alyssa was there with her hands on her waist. “What took you so long? Do you know I've been waiting for an hour, a freakin' hour for you to get here?”

  Aidan looked to Ella and back to Alyssa. “I was suppose to be here right at six-thirty? I thought it was a drop in?” Aidan asked cautiously curious about the mood swing that Alyssa seemed to be taking out on him.

  “Ella, why don't you go ahead inside? I need to speak with Aidan.”

  “Is this because of me needing Aidan and him blowing her off? I'm sorry. And I'm sorry that she got hurt because of that. I never...”

  “Ella, this is all about Aidan. I just need to warn him.” Ella looked between the two of them.

  “She paints the emotions that I give her.”

  Alyssa bit her lip as she looked back to where the gallery was. The windows were dark on the outside which Alyssa was thankful for. “There are a lot of photographs, including the one of you in the snow. I mean only the people who really truly know you like me and the family know it's you but she was suppose to give you a heads up last night but you blew her off. Well she was pissed and just went to bed so she wouldn't have to talk to you. Aidan, I swear you better be sweet and supportive or I will end you.” She poked him in the chest. “End you terribly. Got it?”

  Aidan put up his hands, chuckling, offering his arm to Ella and walked towards Alyssa. “ Of course I'm going to be supportive. I'm going to go in there and kiss the woman I love and look at her gallery in support.” Aidan kissed Alyssa's cheek and turned to go into the gallery. He stops as he sees the first two pictures of the father and son. “Alyssa, is Claire pregnant?”

  “No this is because of my news. I knew it would have her freaked.”

  “Is that suppose to be me?”

  “I think so.” Alyssa said quietly as she stood next to Aidan.

  “Is it like this through the whole gallery?”

  “No. Claire actually doesn't know about these being up, down here. She did them this afternoon and hasn't had a chance to get them taken down or see that they are up. Todd did it.”

  “Well, there is my girl.” Aidan smiled as he saw the beauty that was laughing with several guys standing around her.

  “Reporters. Ugh.” Alyssa made a noise.

  “What is up with you?” Aidan asked looking over to Alyssa curiously.

  “I'm hungry. When I'm hungry, I get super cranky. Baby just makes it worse.” Alyssa took a deep breath. “Come on, let me show you the gallery first before you go see Claire. Then you can be supportive.”

  “Ok.” Aidan said giving Ella a look, mouthing to her 'Call Topher.' She slipped away as Aidan followed Alyssa. He froze as he saw “Through the Lens” etched above a wall full of different photos of different sizes all in black and white. “Wow,” he breathed quietly, walking closer to the pictures. The shots of locations that they had gone to, their own little moments and some of her past that made her who she was. It was a mixture of love and darkness. His picture was largest in the midst of all of the other pictures. She truly loved him. Aidan felt arms go around his waist as he smelled Claire's perfume.

  “You look gorgeous, Baby Bear. This, all this, is amazing.” He kissed her and whispered in her ear. “I love you too.”

  “You like it?”

  “No. I love it. You are so talented that I can't believe you're with someone like me.” Claire blushed as he hugged her to him and kissed her. “Congratulations. You did this all on your own like you wanted and succeeded beautifully.”

  Claire was happy that everyone was liking the show so far. She talked with what felt like a million people already as she made her way around the room. The reporters brought in by Todd one at a time to ask her a few questions. Those questions and the night went by in a blur as she always kept an eye on Aidan as he walked around, looking at the art and talking to people he knew. He was a natural at navigating a room. She would have to quiz him on how to do that later because she felt like a piece of paper whipping around in the wind. She grabbed a glass of champagne and took a swig. She hated alcohol but she needed it to survive the night. She wasn't big on this many people; it made her nervous.

  The rest of the night went off without a hitch. She smiled at her made family; Alyssa, the Hawkins clan, and even Todd were all there cleaning up after they finally closed the doors. The opening lasted an hour longer than Claire or any of them expected. Now all she had to worry about were the reports that the reporters and critics would give her gallery. She would have to avoid computers and her phone even more than she already did.

  Claire walked quickly to the back as her nerves had her throwing up in one of the trashcans. She knew she should not have touched the champagne but her nerves were fried. She walked upstairs, brushing her teeth quickly. Coming downstairs she saw everyone cleaning up.

  Claire smiled over at Aidan as he teased Topher about Alyssa's mood swings as she was completely out sitting in one of the chairs. “Leave her alone.” Claire teased as she finished putting the rest of the trash into one of the trash bags and closed it up. “All done. Let's get out of here,” Claire smiled as she wrapped her arm around Aidan's waist looking up at him.r />
  “Home sounds good to me.” Aidan kissed her forehead.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Come with me tonight to the fundraiser.” Aidan asked as he held his phone between his ear and shoulder as he adjusted his bow tie.

  “Aidan, you know I have to be at my gallery. It's the final night.” Claire said with a smile as she walked through the empty gallery. “I know it's been a long couple months and I haven't been there much but this is the last night and Todd will take over and just sell my other artwork.”

  “I could just blow this off...”

  “Oh no you don't. You're hosting the event. You have to be there.”

  “I have P.R. people for that.” He sighed but he knew that she was right.

  “Do me a favor?”

  “Anything.” he said quietly.

  “Keep on the tux ‘til I come home. I do love seeing you in it.”

  Aidan laughed fully. A laugh reserved for just her and his family. She had finally peeled away some of his harshness in the four happy months that they had been together. For the first time in her life she was purely and honestly happy.

  “I think I can do that. See you when you get home, Ms. Henderson.” Claire giggled at the name. “You sure I can't pick you up? Take you to a late dinner?”

  “No, when I'm finished I just want to come home. Home to my Aidan.”

  “Yes, I'm yours. I got to get going.”

  “Yes.”

  “Hang up.” He commanded.

  “Yes sir.” She smiled as she ended the call. A smile broad on her lips. When did she fall in love with this guy? When had she turned to complete mush at just the mention of his name? Her phone rang as she smiled, “Hi.”

  “You just got off the phone with Aidan didn't you?”

  “You don't miss much, Alyssa.” Claire said with a smile. She knew that Alyssa approved of the match, at least with some convincing.