Daylight

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"You can wait here, and we'll come get you when we're ready," the production assistant told Ava as she sat in her dressing room at the Estée Lauder shoot.

"Gracias," Ava thanked as she nervously smoothed her hands over the beautiful gown they'd given her to wear. She almost like an old Hollywood starlet, classically beautiful. She met Sebastian's eyes in the mirror. "I'm nervous..."

Sebastian only smiled back lovingly, sitting in a chair behind her. "You're so beautiful," he murmured. "You'll knock 'em dead."

"I'm so glad you're here... I think I'd be too nervous without you," she said, continuing to smooth her hands over the satin dress she wore. "You're an expert at these things by now."

"I don't know about expert," he chuckled. "But I've done a fair few."

"Papi, you've done more than a few," she said with a soft laugh. "Maybe we can do one together sometime. We could look adoringly into each other's eyes."

Sebastian smirked but pink showed on his cheeks. "I would love to."

"Come here," she asked, reaching for him. She felt butterflies in her stomach. "Everyone is going to see these..." she said softly.

He stood and took her hands. "Your scars? I would be proud, sweetheart. They show how strong you are."

She closed her eyes for a moment and nodded. "I know... and they can be beautiful, too," she said, trying to find affirmative self talk. "I just hid them for so long..."

"You did," he agreed softly. "Now it's time to show them off. Show them what you've overcome in life."

Ava nodded gently, squeezing his hands. "I will, Papi... I can do this," she said, smiling up at him. "But stay close. I might need encouragement."

"You'll be able to see me at all times," he assured.

"Good," she said gratefully. There was a knock on the door then and the assistant opened it.

"We're ready for you on set," she said with a smile.

Ava exhaled and stood from her seat, taking Sebastian's hand. "Let's go."

Sebastian stood and gently squeezed her hand. "After you."

She nodded and turned to walk out of the dressing room, following the assistant to the set. It was outdoors, the beautiful sunshine shining down on them. She only released Sebastian's hand once the assistant led her to the director of the shoot.

As the director and assistants got Ava placed, Sebastian stood behind the camera, beaming with pride. The woman he loved was doing one of the bravest things he'd ever seen her do, and he couldn't wait to see her career take off.

Ava was a natural on set. She felt awkward at first, uncomfortable. But the director worked well with her and she was shortly able to open up. She glowed on camera, and when the shoot was over she strutted over to Sebastian. "So?"

"You're phenomenal," he grinned before pulling her to him and brushing his lips against her ear. "And I'd love to rip this off you," he whispered.

Her face erupted into a grin as she giggled. "I think I have to leave it here... but you can help me get undressed..."

"If I did that, I fear you would get into trouble, love."

"Then maybe I should go get changed and you can take me home to rip me out of something there," she said flirtatiously.

Sebastian gave her a wry smile. "That sounds like a good plan."

"I'll go get changed," Ava said with a smile. She leaned in to kiss him, catching his lips securely.