Your Time

Chapter 18

Being married to a former professional football player had its benefits. Some of those included getting invited to the popular Met Gala, and getting a $70,000 dress for free.

Months leading up to the gala, Carrie persistently begged her husband to go. "Please Harrison? I've never been to one before."

"No," he always answered.

But Carrie finally did something right, for he finally agreed to take her. It was in New York City, meaning they would have to leave the kids with their grandparents for a couple days. And that was perfectly fine with Carrie.

Harrison had this thing going on for the last couple years where he wanted to say out of the media's attention. She didn't blame him, the media could get quite annoying very quickly. But due to the fact he was one of the best players to play in the NFL and he'd won plenty of Super Bowls made it hard to stay out of the spotlight.

She stood behind the all glass window, looking over New York City for the 100th time. From their hotel room Carrie could see the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, and over to Long Island. It was the first time she was actually in New York City. The closet they'd come was the border of New York and New Jersey when the Cowboys played the Giants.

Carrie could stand there all night and watch the sun set behind the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center. It was so beautiful. Just the way the sunset reflected off the buildings and illuminated the sky.

Hearing the bathroom door click, she spun around to see Harrison now wearing his black suit with a grey bow tie. He whistled upon seeing her. "You look stunning sweetheart."

Carrie wore a light grey dress that hugged her body tightly around her shoulders and torso but gradually loosened as it went down her body. Her hair was braided around the side of her head and she matched the grey dress with a pair of grey heels.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she admitted with a smile.

"Thanks Carrie," he whispered, kissing her forehead before gently pressing a light kiss to her lips. He couldn't help his hands finding the skin revealed by the open spot on her dress along her back. His hands trailed their way down her sides and to her hips where they rested as he kissed her again.

"You ready?"

She nodded. "I can't wait."

•••

Carrie was glued to the windows the entire ride to the gala. As they rode through the streets of New York City, she couldn't help but stare at the massive buildings lining the streets. The sun was well set by now, but the lights from the buildings and billboards lit the streets like daylight.

Beside her in the car, Harrison watched and listened to her point to the buildings and shops she said she wanted to visit while they were here. Somebody was really enjoying New York. "It's so beautiful," she told him.

Of course she'd been in other big cities like Seattle, Pittsburgh, or San Diego, but she seemed the most in awe by New York City. Harrison would admit as well, it was breathtaking, especially seeing it from across the Hudson River.

After a car ride filled with a bunch of traffic, they finally got to the Met Gala, and what a gala it was. Photographers lined the streets, ready to photograph anyone that stepped out of a limo. Pushing through the crowd were security guards that opened the door to their car, allowing Harrison out first. He took her hand and led her out of the limo and along the red carpet that would lead into the gala.

Oohs and ahhs echoed through the crowd as Carrie stepped out from the limo. First, she looked stunning in her dress, and second, it was the first very public appearance she'd made with him in a long time. Now the media would have plenty new photos of the two of them to gossip about.

She walked beside Harrison as they were escorted into the gala. Once they were through the mass blob of photographers and reporters, they turned a corner into a more open space that would lead into the building.

Up ahead were dozens of other celebrities getting their pictures taken on the red carpet before entering the gala. From the celebrities that were still waiting to enter, she could recognize her favorite singers Sam Hunt and Blake Shelton, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and his wife Maria, Harrison's rival Tom Brady and his wife Giselle, and LeBron James.

As they looked around, she noticed there were quite a few more athletes here than normal. Carrie saw Serena Williams and Tiger Woods. She even noticed Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley and actor John Boyega. At one point, Katy Perry went walking past them.

Once it was their turn to walk the red carpet, Harrison squeezed her hand before leading her forward. The flash of all the cameras was enough to blind her for a few minutes following. They stopped halfway for pictures.

Carrie pressed against his side, putting one hand on his back and the other against his chest. In return, Harrison put an arm around her as they posed for pictures. "This is so much fun," she told him while still holding her smile.

He looked down at her with a smile. "I know."

The cameras kept flashing as they made their way up the stairs and into the ballroom. Upon entering, their were masses of celebrities gathered in groups.

Carrie didn't realize the full effect of how famous he was until celebrities came from all around the gala, introducing themselves and meeting the two of them. She was amazed at how many of them knew her name as well. But as they ate dinner she realized how much the two of them impacted the public through his football career. It didn't seem like that to her since this was the first time she'd been out with him in a long time.

Over the course of the gala, Carrie met dozens of actors, singer, athletes, and artists. She even got to meet Sam Hunt.

"Harrison we should do this more often," she told him as they were escorted out.

"I don't know about that," he teased.

•••

Back in their hotel room, the two of them watched the news, which included the Met Gala. And she'd been named the best dressed out all the female celebrities. They'd also been named as the best dressed couple.

"Maybe we should really do this more often," Carrie told him before gently kissing him.

Harrison kissed her back. "You looked so beautiful tonight."

"Thanks hotshot," she answered with a smile. "I love you."

"I love you too."