Daylight

Chapter Thirty

Ava stood in front of the mirror, her elegant white gown with black accents clinging to her pregnant body in all of the right ways. The back of her dress was a deep-v and held a train that they would release after they entered that was decorated with pink crystal detailing.

She felt warm already and she turned to face the fan as she waited for Sebastian. Her hair and makeup had just been finished, and all she had to do was slide on her shoes, sandals rather than heels for her swollen feet.

Sebastian walked in from the other room wearing a silver suit that included his tie. But once Ava changed her dress, his tie would flip over to pink. "You're stunning."

"So are you," she replied with a bright smile, nerves fluttering in her belly. "I'm so excited, I can't help but feel nervous..." she admitted to him, biting her bottom lip.

"It's all about the fashion, so hopefully that will be what they focus on," he told her. Seb reached out and caressed her cheek. "We've got this."

She unconsciously leaned her face into his hand and took the moment of comfort, willing her nerves to lessen. "We've got this," she echoed, offering him a smile. "Are you ready?" she asked.

"I'm ready when you are," he told her, his blue eyes locked on hers. "But if you ever have enough, we can leave at any time."

"It's the Met. I don't know if I can get enough," she replied with an almost girlish smile. She slipped her arm through his and carefully leaned in to place a gentle kiss against his lips. "Let's go."

Sebastian hummed against her lips before reluctantly pulling away. "Let's go see how crazy these fans get."

~~~~~

As their car pulled up at the carpet of the Met Gala, Ava took a moment to give Sebastian a quick kiss on the cheek. "You look so handsome, Papi. Go see your fans," she said, knowing they started just beyond the door.

He chuckled as he climbed out of the car and waved as people excitedly called his name. Seb turned and helped Ava out of the car before they got themselves in the carpet's line to the front door.

The level of sound never ceased to amaze her as she stepped out of the car, her pregnant belly the star of the show as she dutifully walked beside him. It was strange to hear her own name being called by people. Typically, it was just Sebastian, but recently there'd been more interest in her for obvious reasons.

As they reached the carpet, Sebastian shook hands with friends and took a few selfies, all smiles. He turned and looked at Ava and gave her a grin before cocking an eyebrow as he looked her up and down, knowing it'd make her blush.

Her cheeks reddened as he expected as she broke into a grin, stepping towards them as some of the fans waved her over. She leaned in to take a photo, smiling big before she stepped back once again, smoothing her hand protectively over her belly as photos snapped.

Sebastian continued to greet fans as they walked down the carpet until they reached the building. He turned as someone tapped his shoulder and smiled. "Ryan! Hey, how are you?"

"I'm great! The question is how are you, you handsome son of a bitch?" Ryan Reynolds asked as he pulled Sebastian in for a hug. "You're causing quite a stir these days."

He laughed and patted Ryan's back. "Comes with the territory, you know." Seb turned and wrapped one arm around Ava. "Ryan, this is my beautiful wife, Ava."

Ava smiled, one hand resting on her stomach and the other gently extending. "It's so nice to meet you," she said.

"Oh, we hug here," Ryan replied, stepping in to gently hug her. "It's so nice to meet you. My wife Blake is right around here somewhere."