Page 83 of The Ties That Bind
Brie glanced back at Sir and took a deep breath. “This is it…”
As they approached the vehicle, a young woman got out and formally introduced herself. “Hello, my name is Penny Warton. I’m here to assist with your children tonight.”
Brie shifted Hope to her left hip to hold out her hand. “Wonderful. I’m Brie and this is my daughter, Hope.”
Penny shook Brie’s hand before addressing Hope. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Hope.”
The driver opened the door for Brie and bowed. “Mrs. Davis.”
Brie thanked him as she helped Hope inside before sliding in herself. She could hardly believe any of this was real.
She was grateful to see that car seats for the children had been provided. When she went to buckle Hope in, Penny politely stopped her. “Please allow me, Mrs. Davis.”
Brie sat back grinning as Sir slid into the vehicle and sat down beside her. Penny gently took Anthony from him and secured him into the car seat for the drive.
As the limo pulled out, Sir took Brie’s hand and squeezed it in encouragement.
“After waiting so long for this moment, I can scarcely believe it’s real,” she confessed.
Brie couldn’t wait to see the look on Mary’s face when the official announcement was made. Although Mary knew the deal had been struck, she had no idea the ax was about to fall.
“Savor every moment of this night, babygirl,” Sir said, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
Brie stared out the window at the tall skyscrapers as they drove into downtown LA. She thought she would be overcome with a sense of peace, but she suddenly became a bundle of nerves.
That only increased when the limousine pulled up to the Wilshire Grand and she saw the entrance teeming with reporters. Brie had never seen so many journalists gathered in one place and her heart began to race.
Memories of the hateful reception she’d received at the premiere for her first documentary flashed in her mind, and she felt a moment of panic.
“My mother is long dead,” Sir reminded her, as if he could read her mind.
She nodded and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
My past is not my future.
The driver quickly exited the vehicle and opened the door. Sir got out first, holding Hope in one arm.
He held out his other hand to Brie. She took it, stepping gracefully out of the limousine and onto the red carpet to the sound of multiple shutters clicking. Turning back to the limousine, Brie took her son from Penny and held him tight against her to keep him from being frightened by the unusual noise and flashing lights.
“Mrs. Davis, look over here!” one of the paparazzi shouted.
The moment Sir placed his hand on the small of Brie’s back, her whole body relaxed. With Sir by her side, there was nothing to fear.
Brie turned to the reporter and smiled graciously, taking Sir’s advice to savor the moment rather than allow herself to be unsettled by it.
Although they were close to the entrance, it took considerable time to make it to the doors because of the many requests for their attention as the reporters clicked away.
Brie found Mr. Cummings was waiting for them inside.
She laughed in delight. “I didn’t expect that kind of reception.”
“This is only the beginning, Mrs. Davis,” he stated, as he escorted them to the elevators.
On their way up to the top floor, Mr. Cummings explained, “You will wait until you are given the signal to enter, then your friends will follow you inside.”
“My friends?” she asked, as the elevator slowed down.
He nodded as the doors opened.
