A Picture Of Us

                                    

                                          
** Per a readers request - this is a 'what if' of the chapter in this collection of one shots based on the chapter entitled ' Even Still, All at Once' which I encourage you to read. This is the 'what if' scenario of what if Celine had met Emma that night after the concert at the meet and greet instead of cancelling due to her illness. I hope you enjoy. If you all have any other request I will try to make it happen! xoxo*

" You need to rest...you aren't well enough for this." Rene insisted as the team around Celine toweled the sweat off of her body as she made her way back stage after a physically exhausting two and a half hour concert. 
The 'Taking Chances Tour' had been rapidly making it's way around the world, now in the states they found themselves in the heart of Houston, Texas at one the largest venues in the Lonestar state. Screaming fans packed in by the thousand and even more outside of the arena praying for just a glimpse of the singer. 
Celine was always so grateful for the uniquely blessed live she led and for the fans who were so loyal and ever ecstatic to root her on and support the career she'd worked so hard to achieve.
But tonight wasn't quite the adrenaline high of other concert dates as the woman had developed a horrific bout of Bronchitis a few nights before the concert that she couldn't quite shake – her fever had been nearly impossible control, body racked with chills and throat feel like she was swallow glass with each sip of water she took. Ever the hard worker, she insisted on not cancelling the concert but also to continue with the scheduled meet and greet afterwards despite the protests of her manager husband and staff.
" I made it through the hard part, this will just be a few moments of smiling for pictures and shaking hands....I will be fine, I'm not cancelling on these people and that's final." She snapped back at Rene who shook his head but put his hands out in concession – most of the times they were equal partners, each playing their role but every once in a while she made it clear that in their professional life he worked for her, this was one of those moment.
" Alright mon amour." He replied simply before looking at the staff " do a few touch ups on her hair and makeup, spray her down with perfume and please have a comfortable seat nearby where she stands for photos in case she needs to sit." Each member nodded at the instructions before moving to complete them.
It would be 10 minutes later that the doors opened and blubbering fans came into the room group by group. Many weeping the moment the doors opened, some yelling in excitement and shock, bringing multiple items for the singer to sign and wanting to hang all over her as much as would be allowed.
She always handled these situations with grace, tonight was no exception but on the 5th group she was grateful for the chair as she felt her body getting a bit dizzy and weakening, a development not missed by Rene who whispered to her assistant to have the car ready to go as soon as the 6th and final group came and went. He needed to get his wife home and in bed.
" Alright Celine, here are our last two guests – these two were lucky winners of a radio contest here in Texas a few cities a way – they won front row tickets and this special meet and greet." Angelique announced with a beaming smile that she hadn't quite had for the other VIP guests " Meet Rosalie and Emma."
Through the door came a stunning Hispanic woman who looked to be about Celine's age with flawless tan skin and long dark hair past her shoulders who smiled nervously before her eyes fell to a little girl who held her hand – the little girl had blonde pigtail braids, an excited smile that was missing a tooth, a white tshirt with ' We love Celine' written in marker across the front and bright, ocean blue eyes that Celine had only ever seen once before – in the eyes of her son, Rene Charles.