Tour of Farewell

Making the choice wasn't simple.

My life has revolved around my work for years, serving as a means of expression, healing, and advocacy for issues close to my heart.  But now that Alec Stanton was gaining more control over all I had created, Damon was battling his own issues, and the burden of the past was finally coming up with me, I knew it was time.

It's time to take a break.

I wouldn't, however, go quietly.

I would make sure this exhibition was remembered if it was to be my last big one before I moved on to something new and more subdued.

As we flew into Paris, the first destination on my farewell tour, I gazed out the private jet window, watching the dawn spread over the horizon.

Sitting opposite from me, Damon's eyes were intently observing me.  "This is not necessary for you to do."

I smiled slightly as I turned to face him.  "Yes, I do."

His mouth tightened.  "Emma, stepping back is one thing.  A farewell tour, though?  That sounds... conclusive.

I held his hand and squeezed it a bit.  "Damon, it's not over.  It's a change.

As his hands wiped over his face he let out a relief breath.  "I simply don't want you to feel bad about this."

I gave a headshake.  "I won't.  It's the correct thing to do.  After Alec's power play, the foundation has to be restructured, and I need to concentrate on the future.  I want to close this chapter on my own terms first, however.

He looked at me for a long time before nodding.  "Then let's make it an incredible tour."

Paris was a magical place.

Longtime admirers, collectors, and newcomers crowded the gallery to see what was being referred to as my "final masterpiece."

My whole career's worth of artwork was displayed on the walls, including early pieces from when I was just a budding artist, daring, poignant paintings from when I first met Damon, and the most current, impactful pieces that reflected the path we had traveled together.

Standing in the middle of it all, with the weight of a lifetime's effort bearing down on me, seemed unreal.

Then I caught sight of her.

One of my most intimate paintings, Resurgence, which showed my path of overcoming my past and assuming my own authority, was standing next to a lady.

She wasn’t just any lady.

She was my mom.

The breath rushed out of my lungs as my heart tightened.  Our relationship had been broken by unsaid words and ancient scars, and we had been apart for years.  I was unable to understand  her face while she was standing in the midst of my room, observing my work.

I could feel Damon's presence behind me, even before he could say a word.

"If you're not ready, you do not have to meet her." He said calmly.

I turned my head  both ways and swallowed hard.  "No.  I must, I replied.

With each step seeming heavier than the previous, I took a reassuring breath and started approaching her.

She turned to face me when I finally got to her, adoration and remorse mixed together in her eyes.

Her voice was softer than I recalled when she remarked, "This is beautiful."  " What you have created is something truly remarkable."

Confused on how to react, I placed my folded arms on my chest.  "I'm grateful."

Between us, there was a hush that was heavy with everything that we had not discussed.

At last, she spoke once more.  "I wanted to view your work one final time, so I arrived.  Additionally, since  She sighed after hesitating.  "Because I should apologize to you."

My heart was racing.  "For what purpose?"

“For not believing in you.  for abandoning you when you most needed me.  She took a deep breath.  "I let my own resentment and anxieties skew everything.  And now that I see everything, I know how mistaken I was.

A lump started to grow in my throat.  I had carried the burden of that rejection and that grief for so long.  It was overwhelming to hear her acknowledge it.

I could have remained quiet and allowed her comments to linger.  However, I said, "I wanted you to be proud of me,” instead.

Unshed tears gleamed in her eyes.  "I always was.  I just couldn't bring myself to say it.

There was a slight crack in the wall between us.  And I sensed the potential of something fresh between us for the first time in a long time.

We traveled to London, Rome, New York, and Tokyo after Paris.

Every city has its own vitality and importance.  I put my all into each exhibition, ensuring that every display told a tale—a nod to the people, events, and challenges that had influenced me.

I was worn out but satisfied by the time we arrived in Tokyo last night.

On our hotel's rooftop, gazing out over the city lights, Damon stood next to me.

"You succeeded," he said, putting his arm around me.  "This chapter was closed in your favor."

I relaxed my head on his shoulder and rested my weight on him.  "It feels right."

My hair was kissed by him.  "So, what comes next?"

I grinned.  "Something fresh.  something that we jointly construct.

He turned me in his arms and gazed down at me with that intense, unwavering love that had carried us through so much.

"I like the sound of that," he said before giving me a long, intense kiss.

For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at ease.

However, as we were dissecting, Damon's phone buzzed.

His whole body tensed as he looked at the TV.

"What is it?"  With a knot in my gut, I asked.

He gave me a gloomy face as he glanced up.

He said that there had been another break-in at the gallery.  "But they didn't just take a painting this time."

I gasped.  "Then what—"

Damon looked at me and spoke in a somber tone.

"A message was left by them.  It was also intended for you.

Thick red paint was used to scrawl the statement on the gallery wall:

"NOTHING STAYS BURIED FOREVER."

My chest pounds heavily as I observe  those words, it gets me tensed as the weight beats down in my chest.

I said, "This isn't just about the stolen paintings anymore." "This is a personal matter."

Damon's jaw tightened. "This person wasn't motivated by money. They are attempting to communicate.

My mind raced through the possibilities. Alec Stanton? The disgruntled investors? Or an old friend who came back just when I thought I was over it?

"We have to return to New York," I murmured steadily, but my stomach churned with anxiety.

Damon nodded, then grabbed for his phone. "In an hour, I will have the jet ready."

With my reflection in the glass, I looked back at the Tokyo skyline. The final tour was intended to be a celebration and a first step in a new direction. Rather, it was a warning that I couldn't ignore.

Damon stepped closer, his hand warm against my lower back. "We face this together, no matter what it is."

I took strength from his presence and leaned into him.  “Always.”

However, I felt in my heart that whoever had left that note wasn't finished.

And they were coming for me.