Take Me Higher

Remy nodded, her brown hair falling into her face as she pulled her knees even closer to her chest. "I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose Ben.,, I just can't get it out of my head, I'm sorry" she whispered, her voice small.

Silent tears continued to roll down her face and she couldn't stop them. "I think I'm just in shock.. it's so unlike you" she told him as she felt his hand press to her cheek. She leaned against it and sighed. "I still undeniably love you." She slowly crawled into his arms, curling up against his chest.

*****

Aidan chuckled as she continued to compliment him. "You're just a plain yourself sweetheart" he teased and gently kissed her shoulder, her skin was soft and smelt feminine.

He gentl reached forward and kissed the side of her cheek, before slowly beginning to lay back, keeping her close to his chest. Gently stroking her hair, he closed his eyes beginning to rest. "Are you comfy darling?" He asked gently, his arms wrapped protectively around Claire.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben saw her face falling into her face, and gently let his hand trace her cheek before pushing her hair to the side so he could look at her beautiful face. He nodded and murmured, "I know." He replied kissing her forehead softly.

He frowned seeing her tears and just pulled her close to him not wanting her to cry. He nodded gently. "I still love you too." He replied wrapping his arms around her tightly and leaning back into the bed rocking her a little before murmuring, "Do you want to sleep?" He looked down at her feeling his heart hurting for having hurt her that way.

Claire smiled softly and shook her head gently laughing softly before feeling him kiss her shoulder. She was glad that he doted on her and just snuggled into him taking in his scent liking the way he smelled and the way his arms felt around her.

Feeling him kiss her cheek, she let her eyes flutter close giggling a little when she felt them moving backwards. It always made her feel happy to feel him move with her in his arms. She felt her body beginning to relax completely. She heard his questioned and gave a nod. "Are you?" She asked him pulling their comforter up around them as she did so feeling sleep beginning to surround her.

Remy tried to offer him a soft smile as he pulled her hair back, but kept her eyes trained down towards her lap. She hated showing him how upset she was, but couldn't help herself, it just wouldn't stop.

She stayed silent, burying her head in to his chest as he held her close. Even after everything, she still felt protected in his arms. She sniffles gently, placing the tip of her tongue in her mouth. She felt her eyes growing heavy and her breathing deepened as he rocked her back and forth. Before he had even asked, she had drifted off to sleep in his arms.

****

"More than comfy" he told her softly with a chuckle, giving her a quick squeeze. He smiled as she pulled the comforter over them. He could feel her drifting off, and continued to hold her close as he stared at the ceiling. He was so happy that she would be meeting his parents tomorrow and he coul finally show them how lucky he was to have found a girl like Claire. He kissed her forehead as she slept and closed his eyes, trying his hardest to fall asleep.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben smiled lightly feeling her just buryig her face into his chest. He continued to stroke her hair. When he hadn't gotten a response he figured she had fallen asleep. Gently, he rocked back all the way until they were laying down. He then pulled the blanket over her and closed his own eyes. He had work in the morning.

Ben slept without trouble until his alarm went off. He rolled over turning it off and blinked out the sleep from his eyes and then yawned and kissed Remy's forehead before heading to the shower. He finished up before coming out and getting on a pair of black slacks and a white button up, having the sleeves stop at his elbows. He smiled softly sitting down on the bed again knowing Remy went in a little later than he did. He was a kindergarden teacher.

Claire woke in the morning and sighed knowing today was going to be a busy day. She had to go to work and get ready for the art expo that was going to begin. She was one of the headliners so her work would be on the walls. That excited her and made her nervous afraid that some people wouldn't like her paintings. She ignored it and got up knowing she'd had to take off early to meet Aidan and his parents. She got up and smiled kissing his cheek before going to look in their closet for something to wear. She didn't want to take an outfit, but she knew there was a chance she'd get paint on it.

She figured she'd dress in her painting clothes for now and then take her dress with her in a plastic bag and change into it once she was done. She grabbed a t-shirt pulling it over her head before looking for her jeans. She pulled them on and then started to get her other clothes. She set them on the chair by the door before getting her makeup bag knowing she'd put it on earlier. She went ahead and brushed her hair styling it in the big waves she normally had. Once finished with all her preparations, she leanded down and smiled seeing Aidan and kissed him head. "I'll see you at the restaurant. Don't forget to text me where." She murmured to him before kissing Winston goodbye and heading out the door.

Remh woke up to the sound of Ben's alarm the following morning, her eyes felt puffy and her skin dry from the salt of her tears. She smiled softly knowing the office didn't open until 10 and she didn't have to get up yet.

Watching Ben through one half open eye as he got ready, she provided him with a groggy smile and and a murmured "morning" before turning over and pulling the blanket over her head to escape the light. As she heard him leaving she shouted a goodbye from beneath her duvet and allowed herself drift back to sleep for another hour. After getting up and ready for work in a grey pencil skirt and pink blazer she headed off toward the office. Following her normal routine she stopped at the coffee cart to pick up today's paper as well as a black coffee and croissant. Upon picking up today's paper she let out a little shriek, immediately pulling out her phone. She got through to Bens voicemail and left a very excited message stating "I made the front page! My refugee story was printed as front page!!!!" She hung up leaving it at that, too elated to say any more she rushed off to the office.

****
Aidan stood in the kitchen adding cream to his coffee as he heard Claire beginning to move around the bedroom. She was up earlier than normal, he figured it must be due to the big expo she had coming up. He continued to get his things together, pouring a small bowl of kibble for Winston.

He smiled as saw Claire come out of the bedroom, and handed her the coffee in a to go cup he had made for her. He kissed her cheek gently and nodded. "Of course I'll let you know? I'm so excited for you to meet them Claire. I'll see you tonight" with that he picked up his briefcase and headed down to the court to get his day started. He was a junior DA for the county.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben was in the classroom with his class and was trying his hardest to make sure one of his girls didn't eat glue while another little boy was behaving badly and he had to try and keep them away. He swore they were a handful. He escorted them to the library smiling before he looked down seeing his phone having buzzed from having a missed call. He listened to it and grinned before sending her a text saying that he was proud of her and they would go out tonight to celebrate but at the moment he had to keep watch of his class.

He put his phone in his back pocket and smiled when he walked into the libary telling them to each pick one book that interested them and that they would actually read. He pointed them towards the picture book asile. He made sure they got some books.

Claire smiled softly walking into the kitchen. She laughed and kissed him this time and nodded. "Alright." She replied. "I'm excited too." She told him taking her coffee and taking a sip. She headed out to do her art. She got to her apartment she used for painting. She grabbed her supplies and headed to the workplace. Once there, she set down her dress in the office where she was sure nothing would happen. She made sure to have it into a plastic bag.

She then began to paint biting down on her lip before blasting music throughout her office. She knew no one wa going to do anything about it since they all could get their own musi .She was interested to see how it was going to play out. She hummed softly biting down on one of her paintbrushes while she used another to paint.

Remy beamed ear to ear as she entered the office, several of her colleagues congratulated her. She could see from afar that a large bouquet of flowers had been delivered to her desk. This was exactly what she had been waiting for to excel her career. She quickly replied to Bend message "guys at work want to take me out, I'll meet you at home and we can go together from there?" She replied.

A few minutes later, she gave a quick knock on Dans door. "You son of a bitch, you got me there!" She cheered, smiling at him greatfully. "It was all you Rem, chief editor read it and asked if I thought you would mind, that was my only input!" He told her happily. Rent could not be more thrilled.

****

Aidan had a busy day ahead of him, he had back to back misdemeanour cases until 3 and was meeting with a client to discuss a plea deal after that. All day though, his mind wandered to Claire meeting his parents tonight. He loved to impress his parents, and he knew his girlfriend would do just that.

He quickly text her to. Let her know they were meeting at Greenes and went about his day.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben smiled at the children and laughed picking up one of them and setting them in their chair seeing them trying to run. He shook his head lightly leaning against the counter and looking back at the librarian and making friendly conversation with them. Once the kids were done, he escorted them back to the classroom. Once there, he had them start on their ABC's and such. He made sure they all had everything they need.

Ben looked down at his phone sighing softly seeing the text before texting back, "Go to lunch with them, and dinner with me?" He didn't like that fact that they got all her time. He sighed before looking down and beginning to help one of the boys write some of the letters.

Claire hummed softly as she painted keeping her hair away from her face as she went about her day. She heard her phone go off and read the message smiling before sending him a heart and a kissy face. She then went back to her painting sighing before scrapping the whole thing and starting over not being able to find the inspiration to be able to do a good painting.

She bit down on her lip before letting herself get swallowed in the music. She let go of all of her stress and worry and other feelings before relaxing. She melted into the music feeling it and just beginning to paint not really focusing on technique, but simply what she was feeling.

Rent spoke ecstatically with Dan for a few more moments, discussing where exactly this might lead her within the company. She returned to her desk, smiling as she approached the large bouquet of flowers, half expecting them to be from Ben, that he had see her article earlier on his way to work.

Opening up the card, she realised they were from Dan. She should have known, he always gave them to any member of his team who had written a story of notary. She held the note up in her hand towards his office and gave a nod of thanks before settling down. Seeing bens message she quickly se t back "it was meant to be drinks, can't really do that mid afternoon. But come with me, please?xxxx" she quickly hit send and began to file through her next article options.

***

On his lunch break, Aidan headed out to get a coffee, he say on a bench and Drank, reading some Refugee article in the times.crossing his legs over one another as he read, he began to think about tonight again. "You've got your violet dress right?" He quickly sent to Claire, he needing everything to be perfect.

(Sorry Aidan's is short, I'm not too sure what to do with him)

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben ended up having having to teach the whole class again how to write the letter but smiled seeing them laughing at his metaphors for it. He chuckled before sitting down again before getting back up giving out suckers since they had all been well behaved today.

He looked at the time before standing up and helping them get their jackets on knowing it would be windy. "Alright, get in line guys. It's time for recess." he told them escorting them to the playground. Once there, he checked his phone sitting down so he could watch his class. He sighed at the texted before sending back an okay.

(It's fine)

Claire looked down and laughed before replying, "You said my lilac one yesterday, so that's the one I have." She smiled before returning to her work. She looked up finally and noticed the time before getting up and beginning to put her makeup on. She finished that and got into her dress and then grabbed her keys and headed to the restaurant to meet Aidan.

Once there, she shut her door, looking at her violet hair to make sure it was situated where she wanted it and got out, feeling it travel down until it hit the small of her back. She bit down on her lip letting her peridot eyes wander around trying to find Aidan.

On her lunch break, Remy purchased a few more more copies of the paper, to save for herself and send home to her family. She felt so proud and driven all day, that se told everyone who had listen that it was her article on the front page. She felt a little annoyed that Ben hadn't made much more of an effort to congratulate her other than replying to her text, but she figured he was just waiting until he saw her in person.

Quickly knocking back her soup and sandwich, she hurried to the office wanting to make sure she ad all her work done before this evening, not wanting to be worrying about deadlines while she was out celebrating.
finally the day drew to a close, and she told everybody she would see them later before going home to get ready, her flowers from Dan in tow.

****

Aidan stood by the door of the restaurant, keeping an eye out for his girlfriends vivid hair. finally spotting her, he gave a wave in her directionn to let her know he was her. he knew his parents were already inside and was so happy that in kless than 30n seconds, they would finally meet Claire.

"Hey babe, how was your day?" he greeted her, wrapping his arm around her back before planting a delicatekiss on her cheek, careful not to smudge her make-up. she looked amazing, exactly how he had wanted her to look for the first vtime she met his parents.quickly he led her inside to the table, a smile beaming across his face, "Mom,Dad this is Clair. Clair these are my parents, Sandra and Charles" he pulled out her chair for her before taking his own.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben ran a hand through his hair as he put the kids down for a nap. He watched them for a moment smiling glad that they hadn't had much trouble with them. He walked one of the girls to the bathroom. He was a little annoyed at the fact that she wanted to go out with drinks with her coworkers instead of celebrate with him. It kind of hurt his feelings knowing she would rather be with them instead of him.

He walked back and put her back down to sleep. Once the school day was over he waited for all the kids to get picked up or get on the bus before heading home. He changed into more comfortabe clothes but made sure they were still nicer than a t-shirt and jeans. He sat down on the coach and sighed exhausted but knew it had been a long day even though the kids had been angels for once. He was glad they had. He looked around hearing the door open and got up and kissed her telling her congratulations with a smile before noticing the flowers.

Claire saw a wave and smiled heading over. She went over to him and kissed him on his cheek before snuggling into his arm and said, "Well, it was pretty busy, but it was good. What about you?" She questioned tiling her head to look up at him a smile on her face as she did so.

Feeling his kiss, her smile widende and grinned at him. Walking inside with him, she looked at his parents and nodded her hea. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She sat down beside Aidan and could already tell that they didn't quite approve. It was probably the hair and the faact that she was an artist. She crossed her legs over one another thanking Aidan for pulling her chair out. She didn't really know what to expect from his parents but was sure to keep her guard up around them.

Remy was thrilled to see Ben waiting for her when she came home, her smile truly beamed from ear to ear, her cheeks almost sore from being so happy all day. she kissed him back and wrapped her free arm around him in a hug. "Thanks Ben, I'm just so happy, I've been given another huge story to work on for the next few weeks, so hopefully something else might come of that! she thrilled, moving towards the kitchen to put the flowers in a vase before she needed to start getting ready. "How was your day? were the kids good for you?" she asked, not even looking up as she began to untie the plastic from around the bouquet.

In her head she was planning her outfit for tonight. Her work crowd wanted to take her to the new fancy wine bar on Main street, so she figured she could meet them there for an hour or two and then maybe slip away and just spend the rest of the evening with Ben. On her way home she had picked up a little something to slip in to later on when they got home, but left it in her car so he wouldn't see.

****

"My day was long, I was drawing up plea deals to submit to the DA Supreme all day, pretty boring really. The thought of tonight kept me going though" Aidan told her happily as they entered the restaurant.

Aidan and his parents chit chatted about how work was going for a few moments and how everybody was back at home before the attention shifted to Claire. "Mom, Dad did I tell you about the exhibit that Claire is featuring in next week? it's a pretty big deal, but her work is amazing so of course it would be!" he told them happily, giving her leg a re-assuring squeeze under the table. "Oh do tell us more Claire, have you sold anything recently? or been shown anywhere we might have seen? I'm quite the Art enthusiast" Charles asked her, popping his glasses on the bridge of his nose to look over the wine menu.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
I'm so sorry! I thought I replied to these!)

Ben laughed seeing her smiling so hugely and nodded. He watched her untie the bouquet, but made himself ignore it completely knowing that they had just fought last night and didn't want to make her night bad since she had just gotten something so grand. He leaned against the counter watching her, crossing his arms over his chest and said, "It was okay. Yeah, the kids were pretty good today. Though Brandon poured glue into Amelia's hair." He sighed shaking his head. "Nap time was not nap time, either. It was pee time." He laughed to himself. He smiled and said, "Well, i'm glad you had a good day." He told her.

He watched her as she worked before wondering to himself how long her work crowd was going to take tonight. He figured they would celebrate tomorrow or something -- he wanted tonight. He felt a pang of jealousy feeling as if she liked them more than him. He tried to erase it from his mind, knowing that he shouldn't start a fight, especially not tonight. He gave a soft yawn stretching his arms above his head as he did so.

"I'm sure you created some great plea deals." Claire smiled and nodded her head. "I don't know if I should feel excited or nervous, to be fair." She laughed smiling softly.

She watched as they spoke for a few minutes as she sipped on her water and blinked looking up hearing Aidan. She smiled softly and gave a soft laugh, letting one of her hands touch his underneath the table for a moment before going back on the table. She looked up hearing Charles and said, "I haven't sold my art since I was working on the street of Times Square, which was two years ago" She admitted to them, "I'm not sure about if you would have seen it. I've been featured in some small art expos, but nothing this grand of a scale. The expo is supposed to happen this Wednesday." She smiled happily. "I was popular on Youtube for a few years." She said softly with a small laugh looking over to see a disapproving look from Aidan's mother.

(You are so fine!)

Remy laughed softly, glancing over in Ben's direction as she put the flowers in to the vase and then moved to the sink to wash the pollen off her hands. They were quite a nice bouquet, pretty much the exact same as the ones Sharon had gotten last month, but Remy didn't care. It was a very kind gesture on the part of her Boss. It upset her a little that Ben hadn't thought to get her something, it was her very first big piece after all, she didn't want to dwell on it though, not wanting to seem spoilt.

"That's great babe, kids can be so cute" Remy said distractedly as she passed, gently leaving a kiss on his cheek as she began to unzip her dress heading towards the bedroom. "What should I wear tonight?" she called out to him, pursing her lips as she flicked through her wardrobe. She wanted to look good, get a nice photo or two to commemorate the event.

*****

Aidan gave Claire's hand a small squeeze of reassurance under the table before letting go, beaming at his parents as they spoke with Claire.

"Well youtube is hardly a success is it dear, can't anybody post things on there?" Aidans mother commented, playing with her pearls on her neck as she stared at Claire "Aidan, How is everything at the DA's office, all going well I'm sure" she followed, putting an end to the conversation of Claire's art. Aidan began to fill his parents in on his newest clients and continued to speak until the waiter came over to take their order. "I'll have the steak medium rare please" he said before looking to Claire for her order. His father ordered wine for the table as Aidan's mum continued to watch her. "I've been working with a client recently actually, Claire has really been able to help me. This woman was Sentenced for Copyright infringements, although claimed the origina\l art was hers to begin with, Claire was able to help me determine if both pieces were actually done by the same artist, Didn't you bave?" he said, gently placing his hand on her lower back, really wanting her to engage with his parents.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
( )

Ben knew he should have gotten her something but he couldn't figure out what and decided he was going to give her the necklace he had gotten for their anniversary to her. He had it in his pocket at the moment and planned on giving it to her at dinner when her colleagues weren't around. He smiled at her and kissed her forehead lovingly. Anyone that looked at the two of them could see that he adored her.

He nodded and laughed hearing her, "Not when you're around them for 10 hours of the day." he mused softly. He felt her leave a kiss on his cheek and watched her unzip her dress. He came up behind her wrapping his arms around her and kissed her shoulder lightly. "Anything you want. Whatever you wear, you'll look beautiful." He reminded her softly.

Claire could see that Aidan was proud of her, and that calmed her down knowing that her mom didn't seem to like her to much. She heard his mother's words and laughed a little. "Well, yes. But most people don't have over 20 million subscribers. Especially not an art channel." She murmured proud of her achievement. She still posted to Youtube when she had the free time. She looked back at his mother unflinching.

Claire listened to Aidan before looking up asking for the pasta. She gave the waiter a smile turning her attention back to Aidan. She smiled sooftly hearing his words. "Yes. An artist uses certain strokes or a certain technique. It's how we differentiate from one another." She explained before going into more detail about it and how they had come to the conclusion that the woman's work was in fact being copyrighted. She laughed softly, pushing back her violet hair from her face as she gently pecked his cheek happily. She looked back at his parents with a smile. She didn't mind that his mother didn't like her, so long as he did. She also wouldn't speak bad about his mother or be unpleasant towards the older woman.

Remy giggled softly as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently letting her body lean back against his as she continued to gaze in to her wardrobe. "Maybe this one" She said, pulling out the red one from it's hanger. She knew she looked damn sexy in that dress, and the lingerie she had gotten for later would fit with it perfectly. She lied quickly and made the excuse of leaving her shoes in the car so she could go get the lingerie, and quickly made her way to the bathroom to get changed when she got back so he wouldn't see. She really wanted to surprise him.

Once she was finished getting ready, she looked at him lovingly "Do I look okay?" she asked him softly, fluttering her eyes at him. She had pushed last nights fight far to the back of her moind and was looking forward to spending a night out with him and her work friends. "Shall we get going?"

****

Aidan's mother raised her eyebrows, not taking kindly to Claire challenging her. She pursed her lips slightly at the purple haired girl before focusing back on her son.

Aidan hardly even noticed his mother and Claire as he so wanted it to go well. He knew Claire was the perfect girl for him, and he was sure his parents would feel the same. He placed his hand on her knee under the table, gently rubbing her crcle's on her leg as she spoke, smiling as he noticed his father listening intently to her. "Dad, you should really come along top the expo on wednesday, I'm sure Claire would be happy to talk you through her work, and you could meet some of the other artists too, you might even find some new pieces for your collection" He stated, looking at Claire to clarify she wouldn't mind having his father there.

@ FlyAway;

@ KhaleesE16
Ben grinned hearing her giggle and kissed her shoulder again liking her body against his. He looked at the red dress and kissed her neck softly. "I like that one." He laughed again with a smile. He nodded. "You'll look perfect no matter what." He promised with a grin. He gave a nod hearing her say that she had left her shoes in her car. He stood up getting dressed in a button up shirt a pair of slacks that made his ass look good, or well, that was what Remy had told him. He pulled his sleeves up until they his hit elbow and looked up seeing Remy.

He grinned pulling her towards him and kissed her deeply before murmuring, "Gorgeous." He smiled grabbing his keys and heading towards the car with her. He opened the door for her before getting inside on his side and beginning to drive after getting the place they were going from her. He spoke to her on the way there.

Claire didn't like the fact that his mother was challenging her as if that was gooing to do anything. All she wanted was Aidan to be happy, and if she made him happy, then she wasn't going anywhere with or without the confirmation from his mother.

She smiled adoringly at Aidan taking his hand in hers and lacing their fingers underneath the table having felt his fingers running circles on her soft skin. She looked up and nodded excitedly. "That would be wonderful. Tell me, please, what kind of art are you the most interested in? I could possibly introduce you to some of the artists that lean more to what you are interested in. I mainly do landscapes and things of that nature." She admitted to him with a smile, knowing that she did comics on the side, but figured he wouldn't be interested in that at all. She smiled softly at his parents.

Remy grinned into his kiss, gently swatting his ass as she pulled away. "I love those pants on you" she told him happily as she sauntered out of the apartment and got in to his car. She chatted to him ó the way go the wine ar, although she sensed a weird kind of tension coming off him. She decided not to say anything until later.

"Bonjour!" she said loudly with a laugh as they entered the bar. She gave her coworkers a hug hello and began introducing them all to Ben. "You've met Dan before right?" she said to Ben, shooting him a 'be nice' look over her supervisors shoulder. "Ben long time no see, isn't this wonderful for Rem?" he asked, holding his hand out for Ben to shake.

****

Aidan grinned back at her as she spoke with his father, he was so happy the two of them had connected, although he did wish she would make more of an effort with his mother.

" I quite enjoy Nature paintings, although I have to say some of my favourite work is the newer, political satire drawings like in the newspaper" He told her, pushing his glasses lower down his nose. "Claire" Aidan cut across her before she could answer "did I ever tell you how my other collects unique pottery? You did that for awhile right?" he prompted, smiling at his other as she perked up her attention slightly. Aidan had always been a bit of a mommy's boy.

@ FlyAway;

@ Aoibhe
Benjamin chuckled lightly when she swatted at his butt. He smiled softly as she told him that she loved the pants on him. He chuckled kissing her wrist softly as he went out to his car. He drove to the place and tried to keep his cool since it was her night and he didn't want to make it about him, but he was beginning to get upset with her boss.

He got out of teh car with her and smiled softly seeing her so happy and upbeat. He headed into the place with her and he nodded his head politely to everyone. He looked over at Dan and saw her face and just looked at him politely. "Of course. Though, I knew she'd get it." He winked at Remmy with a grin before taking Dan's hand in his squeezing it a little harder than necessary. He just kept the same polite look on his face. He let go and wrapped his arm around Remy lightly.

Claire smiled softly to herself swinging her legs a bit underneath the table. She nodded her head excitedly befre glancing back to Aidan and looked at his mother. "Oh, really?" She asked a little surprised. She smiled again and said, "Yes, currently trying to get a little bit out of our apartment since it's a little cluttered." She smiled at him before looking back at his mother. "What kind of pottery do you collect and if you're willing, would you care to take a look at some of the pieces I have collected?"

Claire was trying hard to have something to speak about with his mother. "I would love to have a few taken off of my hands, and if it's to a fellow collector, the better." She smiled happily. "I have a bunch of different pieces originating from Asia and especially from Japan. I think Japanese pottery is just exquisite." She told her smiling again, her hand undernaet the table lightly holding onto to Aidan's, the only sign to show that she was indeed nervous.