Mirrors

May 6th, Monday

Drifting in and out of sleep, my slumber was being disturbed by small noises in this bedroom. Was it feet shuffling to and fro? I could smell something fragrant. Something was put on the night table but I'm too tired to open my eyes.

Soon the sound of the drapes over the window woke me up and the blinding light from outside burned my tired eyes. Rubbing my face and shielding my eyes, I looked over my shoulder and saw Mrs. Davies straightening things up on a table near the window.

"Good morning, ma'am. Your husband requested that I wake you up at ten. I've brought flowers for room, Mr. Hudson said you liked fresh flowers, so I hope you like daisies."

After realizing that I wasn't wearing much underneath the blankets, I pulled the duvet up to my chin and struggled to sit up without exposing myself. "Thank...you." I stammered, having trouble taking everything in.

"Mr. Hudson is waiting downstairs in the green drawing room, on the west side. Tea is brewed and waiting for you." She smiled warmly. "Can I get you anything?"

Feeling self-conscious I quickly dragged my fingers through my hair to try and make it a little presentable. I thought for a moment and nodded, remembering the ready envelope I had for National Geographic. "Yes actually, could you pass me that bag? I need something mailed." I pointed to the small sofa across the room.

She took my satchel and brought it to me, I thanked her as she patiently waited for me to retrieve the large yellow envelope. "It's all ready, it just needs to be mailed. Thank you Mrs. Davies." I smiled politely, even though I was embarrassed with the way I looked this morning.

"Of course." She smiled before leaving the room and quietly closing the door.

"Well...that was awkward." I chuckled to myself before getting out of bed.

Properly dressed in actual clothing after taking a quick shower, I made my way downstairs and had to ask one of the help to direct me to the green drawing room. I entered in through the large doors and smiled when I saw Hudson sitting in a winged chair reading.

"Good morning, Mr. Hudson." I lightly laughed, casually taking a seat across from him.

He smiled and lifted his eyes from his book, "Good morning, Mrs. Hudson." I opened my mouth to give a cheeky reply, but I stopped when I noticed a painting of mine in the room, on the floor leaning against a book case. "Are our belongings here?"

"Not all of them, I requested that one specifically." He replied as he poured a cup of tea. I sat down, "Why that one?" I lightly laughed. It was a skyline painting of New York City at night, the canvas stretched out six feet in width.

"'cause I want to put it in the restaurant." He smiled at me, I couldn't help but smile back. "Really?"

He nodded, "I think it'd be nice to have a piece of New York to go in the London location."

"Wow, this is really cool, thanks babe. " I grinned excitedly, taking my cup of tea and inhaling the aroma of English Breakfast. He set down his cup and saucer before rising from his chair, "You're welcome. But now I'm gonna go take a quick shower, and then we'll get going. I told my friends to meet us there at noon hour." He began walking out of the room.

I nodded and felt the nervous butterflies in my stomach as I sipped at my tea.

I followed Hudson after we got out of the car and were pursued by the paparazzi, I trotted after him in my heels while smoothing out the creases in my dress. While he was unlocking the doors of the restaurant, I gazed up at the large sign overhead that read "La Maison London."

Two men followed us in, carrying my painting. Hudson pointed to the exposed brick wall, "Right there, there's already mountings on the wall, hang it up please." The men did as they were told and hung the painting up. I smiled when it was up, it really was a nice piece of New York to go up in this posh restaurant.

Hudson stepped back and extended a hand to his side, showing off the rest of the place. "What do you think?"

I turned and looked around the place, it looked a lot different from the first La Maison, but it was really nice. Sort of an upscale rustic feel, if that makes any sense. The tables were made from planks of wood that look old, vintage. The bar was pretty swanky too, and I loved the lighting throughout the place.

"Hudson, this place is gorgeous, I love it." I grinned.

"I like the way it turned out too, it's really nice." He smiled back. I started to lightly laugh as I looked him up and down. "What?" He chuckled.

Shrugging my shoulders, I took a step back and looked him over again, "I'm just not used to seeing you dress this way, first it was a new haircut, now a new wardrobe."

"I always dress this way." He laughed, shaking his head. I gave a laugh, "No you don't. This is different from you. Different from the Hudson I knew almost a year ago."

"You're delusional." He smiled, "But come now, our visitors will be here soon. They don't know yet about the pregnancy, and we don't have to tell them or anyone right away if you'd like. But love, don't be nervous, they really are nice people."

I smiled but before either of us could say anything more, we were both startled by a loud voice. "Look who's in town, if it isn't Holby Hudson!"

Hudson started to laugh as he turned around, "Ben Hudson, welcome to my restaurant."

A tall attractive guy walked in with three other people, he had bleach blonde hair, he was with two women and another man. After he hugged Hudson, he approached me, "You must be Avery, I'm Ben. Hudson's friend. It's so nice to meet you." He pulled me into a hug and I laughed, "Hi Ben, it's nice to meet you too."

I looked at him and quickly realized that I had written an article on this guy, he was Mr Hudson, the recording artist. "I wrote a piece on you, in Rolling Stone mag."

He smiled, "I know. When Holbrook told me who you were, I knew he married the right girl."

I blushed.

Hudson interrupted us, "Avery, I'd like you to meet my other friends, this is Charlotte and Poppy, and this fellow here is David."

I was expecting a similar greeting as Ben's, but they stood there with a tight-lipped smile on their faces and judging eyes. I extended my hand to the first, Charlotte, she was raven-haired and had dark eyes. "I'm Avery, it's nice to meet you."

"Charmed." She smiled lightly, shaking my hand with hardly any strength. I cleared my throat and introduced myself to the others, being received the exact same way as Charlotte.

Ben began talking to me again which was a flood of relief to me as Hudson conversed with the others. Tuning in and out of their conversations I couldn't help but overhear Hudson asking Poppy something.

"I thought Nora was going to come with you." He spoke very quietly.

"She's running late, apparently traffic is hell. She's with Comeau anyhow." Poppy waved her hand as if dismissing the subject. I heard a heavy sigh as if he was annoyed, from Hudson.

While we were all in our own little conversations, the front doors had opened and a beautiful woman had entered in with another man. Hudson had been talking to David and hadn't even noticed the beautiful woman. She was stunning really, golden blonde hair that fell below her shoulders in soft curls and waves, green eyes and natural makeup.

Quietly she walked in and approached Hudson from behind, "Holbrook." She softly spoke with a smile. He quickly turned around and grinned, "Nora."

They stood there for a moment just smiling before he gave her a small and brief hug, "It's great to see you." He said in a soft voice. I felt uncomfortable.

"It's great to see you." She lightly laughed, "I haven't seen you since March. I'm sorry we're late, traffic was dreadful." He shook his head and again they were silent for a moment before she blinked as if she just remembered something, "I'm sorry, you must be Holbrook's wife. I'm Nora." She stepped toward me and hugged me.

I gave a small smile, "I'm pleased to meet you Nora, I'm Avery."

"Holbrook was so right about you being incredibly beautiful, you look so lovely. I adore your dress too." She smiled cheerfully. I smiled and thanked her. She was the one to talk, she was incredibly beautiful. And tall.

Hudson cleared his throat and visibly tensed up, shaking hands with the man who came in with Nora, I didn't even notice him. "Blair, I didn't think you'd come."

He smirked and patted Hudson's shoulder, "But I did. It's nice to see you Holbrook, long time no see."

Hudson rolled his eyes and gave a short laugh, before he could even introduce me, Blair had approached me rather quickly. "Blair Comeau. You're Avery Hudson I presume? I've read your contributing pieces in Rolling Stone. You're very good." He leaned down and kissed my cheek lightly, a very British greeting though I'm 110% positive that he's American.

I blushed again, "Oh, thank you."

He nodded and tuned into what Hudson...or Holbrook I guess, was saying. "Welcome everyone to my restaurant. I am pleased that you're all here, but more so pleased that you've all been able to come and meet my wife. Let's have a drink, shall we?"

"Yes, please." Blair spoke as if he was exasperated, he smoothed the lapel on his suit jacket.

"My wife actually makes great drinks, Ave, would you mind helping me make some?" Hudson had asked as he walked behind the bar. I nodded and followed him, "Sure."

So we made drinks for our guests, and while I was making the last drink, a scotch and soda for Blair Comeau, Huds had gone and joined the others in conversation. Finishing up the drink, I served it to Blair.

"You're not gonna have a drink?" He asked while he sipped at his drink, remaining impassive since he first arrived. I gave small and shy smile, shaking my head. I lifted a glass of water and lemon.

"Congratulations." He spoke as he leaned against the bar on his elbows, he glanced over his shoulder at the small party on the other side of the room. I looked up at him.

He leaned in closer and spoke in a quieter voice, "You've probably noticed before you came here, Holbrook yelling over the phone?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Well it was I that he was yelling at. He wanted the job done right and knew that I was the best man for the job. I designed the nursery in your home." He stared at me, not showing any sort of pride or emotion.

I smiled, "You did? Wow...Blair, you've done an amazing job. I am absolutely in love with it."

He cracked a small smile before standing upright again. "I'm glad." I walked around the bar and slowly we walked together toward the others, but he stopped and stared at my painting, almost as if he was captivated by it. "This is stunning. Do you know the artist?"

"Very well actually...I painted it." I bit my lip. He looked at me and stared for a long time until he finally nodded his head, "I like this a lot. You're a painter as well?"

"Hardly. I'm an amateur-"

"I'd love to see more of your work." He returned his gaze to the painting. Hudson's voice boomed again, catching all of our attention, "Oh yes, everyone, you must see this piece of art. Avery painted it."

I blushed from slight embarrassment.

"This is lovely Avery." Nora smiled.

"It's cute." Charlotte added, I could imagine her exchanging glances with Poppy, but Blair chided in. "Shut up Poppy, it's not cute, it's art. I think it's very good."

"It was only a comment, Blair." She snorted.

"Come now, let's not get into anything. Let's sit down, how are all of you? I haven't seen you in a while." Hudson waved his hands, ushering us to have a seat at a table. I had taken a seat next to my husband when David had began telling us all this dull gossip about someone I don't know or care to know. Resting my elbows on the table, I tried to hide my boredom but began to think about him again.

Sometimes I wished that I didn't think of Christian so often, but this became something out of my control.

I sighed and dismissed the thought from my mind.