54

                                    

                                          
While Logan had managed to spruce up the spring gala notably, switching to a more relaxed venue and annoying the press with limiting their chance of industry gossip, the HPG Christmas gala seemed like a tradition welded into iron, the standing reservation at the MET on the second Thursday in December seemed unshakable.
They arrived separately this time, wanting to avoid Celeste ending up on any of the same press photos with Logan, just in case. Logan and Rory were already there, Rory having texted Celeste where to meet up once inside.
Celeste was visibly nervous as the HPG hired Mercedes E-class pulled up in front of the MET, Jess squeezing her hand in assurance, hoping to calm her.
"Still not too late to bolt," Jess noted, looking over her and thinking whether all that stress was really worth the event. Surely she of all people would have the perfect excuse to not go.
"I'm good," Celeste sighed, tapping her hand on his knee in confirmation. "Besides, I can't hide forever," she added and took a deep breath. To her this was a lot more than just a fancy-dress event - it was about proving a point that she didn't need to hold back in whatever she, or even he, did in their lives because of fear of getting caught up in public attention again.
The car stopped, the driver opened the door for her, while Jess climbed out first from the other side, skipping protocol, to help Celeste out of the car himself, knowing how she needed a little extra support. Unlike the last gala, Celeste now seemed much shorter next to Jess, having not worn her heels, sensibility taking priority. They linked arms and Jess led her up the stairs to the main entrance, a few photographers already snapping pictures of them.
Jess was dressed very much out of character this time, going with a full tailcoat, Celeste even having combed his hair back with some gel. But he was grateful that Celeste had talked him into these things, not wanting to stand out the wrong way either. He still had a lot to learn about these things. Celeste really did look almost like another person - shorter, her short auburn hair curled and pinned into a perfect balance of messy and controlled, clearly being visibly more plump than she'd ever been before, her baby bump giving her the perfect excuse. Even the dress wasn't very 'her' but it was more about getting a dress for just one occasion and having had her priorities elsewhere when she'd bought it, more than anything else.
"God, why do they have so many stairs," Celeste muttered, panting already, as they climbed the stairs slowly, Evie seriously pressing on her lungs by now.
"Just a few more," Jess encouraged her, slowing down their pace a little.
They handed over their coats, Celeste checking over her make-up real quick, and continued to the line leading to the red carpet. This was the moment of truth - Would they be of interest? Would anyone recognize her? She had a plan in mind, but she was through hiding, just wanting to get it over with. She'd done everything to escape the fears of her family - new name, new names, to be exact, her agreements and a stable man by her side.
"Mr. Jess Mariano and Mrs. Celeste Mariano," the herald announced after a few minutes, one of Jess' contacts in the HPG having just gone before them. This was definitely not Jess' scene, but he had had his share of this too as an author, and knew he could handle it.
They walked across the red carpet, relenting on a few requests for photos, posing for a couple of seconds. In a way Jess felt a little proud as well, showing off his wife like that.
One of the journalists soon asked whose dress Celeste was wearing, but was clearly disappointed by her reply, it not really having been anything worth mentioning. Just as they were about to step off the red carpet another journalist pulled them aside.
"Jess Mariano, when can we hope for a new novel?" the journalist asked, having done her homework. Jess was slightly surprised by the question, it having been years since anyone had asked that.