Chapter 66 Chapter 66
"I figured we could use a couple of hours where no one is staring at us or taking our picture," Tony said, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "There's an indie theatre downtown showing classic films. Dark theatre, small crowd, and their security is excellent."
As they walked toward the parking area, Iris felt a sense of lightness she hadn't experienced since before the DNA results had turned her life upside down. For a few hours, she could be a college student on a date with her boyfriend, not the missing Lawson heiress, not the Maxwell girl with two families, just Iris.
At the Lawson estate, Theodore was in his office finalising security arrangements for the Maxwell family's arrival when his phone rang. The caller ID showed Richard Lawson.
"Father," Theodore answered promptly.
"How are the preparations coming along?" Richard asked, his voice carrying the subtle tension that had become his baseline state since finding Roxanne.
Theodore glanced at his computer screen, where the security feeds displayed various areas of the estate. "Everything is proceeding according to schedule. The east wing guest suites are prepared, Bryce has arranged activities for the Maxwell boys, and Victor has reviewed all security protocols with the team."
"And the press?"
"Contained beyond the perimeter," Theodore confirmed. "We've had increased activity at the gates, but nothing our team can't handle."
Richard's sigh carried through the line. "Good. And Iris? Has she arrived on campus safely?"
"Security reports she completed her café shift without incident. Tony Kennedy is with her now. They're planning to attend a movie before coming to the estate."
A brief silence followed, during which Theodore could almost hear his father processing this information. The relationship between Iris and the Kennedy heir added yet another layer of complexity to an already unprecedented situation.
"Tony Kennedy seems to genuinely care for her," Richard finally said. "His behaviour since the revelation has been... unexpected."
Theodore nodded, though his father couldn't see the gesture. "He's defied his mother's expectations at every turn. That takes considerable courage."
In downtown Westlake, Tony guided Iris into the small indie theatre, his hand resting protectively at the small of her back. True to his word, the venue was discreet, a converted historic building with a modest marquee advertising a Hitchcock retrospective. Two security personnel followed at a respectful distance, their presence unremarkable among the scattered afternoon patrons.
"What are we seeing?" Iris asked as Tony picked up the pre-purchased tickets from a bored-looking clerk who barely glanced at them.
"Rear Window," Tony replied with a smile. "I thought you might appreciate the set design."
Iris felt a rush of warmth at his thoughtfulness. Most people focused on her fashion and jewellery designs and overlooked her keen interest in the structural elements behind them. The fact that Tony had chosen a film with notable production design showed a level of understanding that touched her deeply.
"Perfect choice," she said, her smile lighting up her face in a way that made Tony momentarily forget the chaos surrounding them.
Inside the theatre, they settled into seats near the back, the dimmed lighting providing a welcome anonymity. As the opening credits began to roll, Iris leaned her head against Tony's shoulder, allowing herself to be fully present in this moment of normalcy.
"Thank you for this," she whispered. "For remembering there's still a regular person underneath all the headlines."
Tony pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his heart swelling with emotion. "That regular person is exactly who I'm interested in," he replied softly. "The headlines are just noise."
For the next two hours, they lost themselves in Hitchcock's masterful storytelling and meticulous set design. Iris found herself analysing the confined apartment set, appreciating how the restricted space created both intimacy and tension. Tony watched her as much as he watched the film, captivated by the subtle expressions that crossed her face as she absorbed the production's technical elements.
At the Maxwell home, Carol was completing the final preparations for their weekend stay. She had packed with her typical teacher's efficiency, ensuring each family member had appropriate clothing for various scenarios they might encounter at the Lawson estate.
"Do you think they'll expect us to change for dinner?" she asked Leo, who was loading their bags into the family's modest SUV.
Leo paused, considering the question with newfound understanding after meeting the Lawson brothers. "I think they'll want us to be comfortable," he decided. "But maybe pack one nicer outfit for each of us, just in case."
Carol nodded, grateful for her husband's practical approach. "I've included Jakob's science book and Nikolaus's sketch pad. Theodore mentioned they'd have activities planned, but I thought the boys might feel more at ease with their own things."
Across town at the Lawson estate, Dianne emerged from her studio to check on the guest preparations, her clothes bearing evidence of her creative process, clay dust on her sleeves and a smudge of charcoal on one cheek. She found Bryce arranging gaming consoles in the media room, his expression unusually serious as he tested each system.
"The Maxwell boys will be impressed," she said, smiling at her youngest son's dedication.
Bryce looked up, his face brightening at his mother's presence. "Do you think so? I want them to feel welcome here."
Dianne crossed the room to place a gentle hand on his shoulder, recognising the deeper motivation behind his careful preparations. For Bryce, who had grown up as the youngest in a household shadowed by loss, the possibility of gaining four "brothers" represented an unexpected gift.