Us Against the World (Dartin Fanfic)

CHAPTER 8

Dakota's POV
October 13th, 2021. Afterparty

I am sipping champagne while cheerfully talking to Maggie, Jessie and Olivia after The Lost Daughter screening. The movie has been a total success and the whole cast and production team cannot be happier about it. We are laughing at Jessie who is reminding us of our great time in Greece while we were shooting. I am still involved in the conversation but slowly scan the large room looking for Chris. I see him having a conversation with some men including Peter, Maggie's husband. While I stare at him; my heart warms and I feel butterflies in my belly. He is passionately speaking using both hands to elaborate and everyone around him is hooked. He is like that about everything: passionate. He puts his heart and soul to things and strongly believes in making the impossible... possible.

I excuse myself and walk across the room to get to where Chris is. As I am getting closer, I take an approving look to him wearing a suit. I have complimented him about it several times tonight and he has rolled his eyes each. It is pretty funny to me because I know he hates wearing fancy clothes... but he does it for me. He is also here for me tonight. I reach the group of men and he is still talking.

- We'll have kinetic flooring so when the audience move, they will power the concert and we will have bicycles, too that do the same thing. So when I ask people to jump up and down, I literally will need them to do so because if they don't, then the lights will go out - he explains and I put my hand on his shoulder so he notices I have arrived to his side -

- Good evening, gentlemen - I immediately have their attention, Chris smiles and wraps his arm around my waist - Do you mind if I steal my partner for a second? - All of them shake their heads and say it's okay along with some quick praises for my performance in the movie and its success. Chris takes my hand as we walk away and stand in the corner -

- Are you ready to go back to the hotel? It's the only thing I've been thinking about since I watched you wear nothing but bathing suits in the big screen - he whispers and I raise my eyebrow at him while drinking the rest of champagne in my glass -

- I honestly didn't even want to leave the hotel since I saw you wearing that suit

- Oh! Stop now with the fucking suit - he rolls his eyes again and I giggle - You did great, baby! - we hold hands and he takes one of mine to his lips and kisses it - I am very proud of you

- Thank you - I feel the heat in my cheeks so I know they are turning red. He leans forward and kisses my forehead - My ability to socialize has been worn out. I think we should be leaving

- Oh! No, you two lovebirds are not going anywhere - We are interrupted by Olivia who pats Chris on the shoulder - What did you think of this gorgeous woman's performance? - she gestures with her hand pointing at me -

- Yours? - Chris says jokingly referring to Olivia - You were unbelievable! - she laughs out loud -

- Oh don't be such a flatterer. You know I am talking about your spectacular girlfriend right here - he grins broadly while looking at me - She was brilliant... I was just telling her how proud of her I am - he sounds pleased and breaths out while we stare at each other - it was not a surprise though, she always does everything great - I look at my hands feeling very shy because of his compliments. After all these years together, he still has the power to disarm me by just looking at me -

- Aw! You two are too cute - Olivia states - So, what are your plans for Christmas? Dakota told me you usually go to Aspen

- We do! We like to spend time there. It is really private and we feel free to go out with our family and do whatever we want... but we have been considering doing something different

- I went to Mexico last year. It was great time

- Really? Where did you go? - he enquires sounding interested - Dakota and I had a little escapade there recently and we enjoyed ourselves very much

- I stayed for a week in Tulum. The resort was awesome. Great service and overall, there was total discretion and privacy

- Perhaps we should consider it - Chris suggests looking at me and I nod in response. I need some break from reality already and to think I still have promo ahead to comply when the only thing I really want to do is sleep for days - Send Dakota all the information about it later

- I will! Are you already returning to America?

- We are. There is another screening on October 15th at the Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia. Dakota is receiving an award - Chris says proudly -

- Don't say! - Olivia claps full of joy -

- It's not a big deal - I state rapidly -

- Yes, she's getting the Spotlight Actors Award - Chris continues to comment -

- Congratulations, my dear - Olivia holds my head with her free hand as she is holding a glass with the other one, and kisses my temple - You deserve it, you're so great - I giggle shyly -

- Ok, both of you need to stop embarrassing me - I say. Olivia laughs and so does Chris. I want to get out of here. I don't do well with praises about my work, I get really shy.

- She doesn't like to be told how amazingly good she is - Chris utters as if he was able to read my mind - I am not missing that award ceremony for anything in this world

My eyes are opened in disbelief. Is he coming to Virginia with me? I thought he was going to Los Angeles after this. He has the release of his new album that day after all. He looks amused with my reaction and nods. I am shocked.... I wasn't expecting this at all. He is full of surprises these days. I open my mouth to ask him about it but Maggie joins us and enthusiastically asks Chris to sing for us. He goes to sit on the bench of the piano and he is instantly in his element.

- This song is called Buityful and I am singing it for the beautiful lady on the corner who happens to be my entire life - he points at me and I almost choke in my fourth glass of champagne of the night. Everyone turns to look at me and I wish the ground would open and swallow me right now.

and if they tell you you're nothing, maybe you'd explain,

to me, you're the summer sun after the rain
you were there when I needed,
Something for the pain, you see...
When you love me, love me, love me
I'm nowhere else.
I'm on top of the world, man
On top of the world
And it's so beautiful
And you're so beautiful