Bodyguard Chapter 35 Reemergence
A week after she wakes up, as Jamie refers to her coming out of her flare, she must return to the role as Claire Beauchamp. With full three day con to attend.
“What’s involved in this?” he asks her as she packs up clothes. It is done slowly as her arms and hands are still painful.
“Autographs, photos, interviews. Oh and I will be introducing you.” Said casually as she carefully zipped the full bag.
“You and me as a couple, unless you have a problem with that.” She arches her eyes at him.
“No, not at all! I just am not sure how Gillian will take it.” Claire shrugs.
“I truly didn’t plan on asking her.” Jamie grins, takes the packed bag and lays it beside his own. He sits beside her and carefully takes her sore hands in his.
“Are you sure about this?”
“I love you Jamie. I want the world to know.”
They arrive in the states the next day. Claire takes several selfies of them, in the airport. She has told him, that is how she planned on doing it, with a picture on her IG, Facebook, and Twitter. It is a brilliant strategy.
The con is a large, chaotic place. They find where they are to be under the Flapper banner. Tony is already there and greets her with a gentle hug.
“Nervous. Jamie and I are going public this weekend.” His eyes get huge. He looks between them.
“Well that is news. I didn’t know it was that serious.”
“It is as serious as it gets.”
First is autographs and photos. Jamie stays out of the way, scanning the crowd. For security this place was a nightmare. If it wasn't for having her stalker caught, he would have vetoed this event. He watches her also, for signs she is fading.
Midway through the day, he tells Gillian that she needs a break. “That is my job fox. To determine that.”
“Then do it. If she goes back to the hell of a flare, you will lose the rest of the weekend.” Put so baldly, she agrees. Claire is hustled off, behind the curtain. “How bad?” Jamie asks her.
“Heading towards intolerable.” He is angry at himself for not stopping it earlier. She sees this. “Jamie, this is my life. Balancing what must be done, with what I am capable of. I need my medicine bag and a half hour or so.” He has it fetched and then sits by her side, in the relative quiet backstage. A half hour later, it moves back to tolerance and she comes back out.
The next day is more of the same. She takes a couple of breaks. The following day is the interviews. She and Jamie make love that night. It is just what she needs to fully relax her body. The next morning selfie, with mused hair and them both in their sleep clothes, she on his lap, will be the one she posts as a coming out pic.
“A bit hard to misinterpret.” Jamie says when told. They are dressed now, he out of the plain white t, her out of her lingerie.
“That is the point. I want it clear.” She stops brushing her hair. “You are okay with this?”
“Oh aye. I love you Claire. I don’t care if the world knows.” She grins and brushes her lips against his.
The interviewer is professional. No questions about Mary or her stalker. She sticks mainly to the movie. Only one question crosses the line. A question Claire planted herself.
“So, any news on the romantic front? Any lucky guy out there?””
“Well, there is someone.”
“Oh, can you tell me who?”
“Just watch my IG today. I will be posting a selfie of me and him.”
Gillian goes crazy after. “You and Jamie are coming out! Without consulting me! Do you have any idea the bomb you are dropping?”
“I am introducing my man to the world. As is my right. “
“At least let me approve the picture you will be using.”
“No. I am sorry Gillian but I am doing this my way.”
She posts across her social media platforms. By the time they land, it is everywhere. The press is waiting.