Chapt 36

"Claire, look at you woman you look breathtaking." Claire turned to see Stephen standing in the doorway, a large bouquet of flowers in hand, smiling at her. She smoothed down the hemline of her dress self-consciously and touched her neckline, bare but for fine scars from the attack that had nearly taken her life.

"You think so huh?" She smiled flirtatiously up at him and walked across the room to where he stood. "As long as I look okay I'm good, cause inside I'm a wreck! I'm so nervous that my palms are sweating and my throat is constantly dry."

"Don't be nervous sweetheart, this place looks wonderful. You've done an outstanding job here. The decorations are perfect, everything is perfect. Right down to you." He leaned down and softly kissed her lips.

She sighed and leaned into his muscled chest for a moment before standing. "The flowers are beautiful. Let me get something for them. I know just the place to put them to make them the center of the night."

As she filled a short round bowl type vase with water and trimmed the stems down so that the flowers would fit just so Stephen asked, "So is Matt really going through with this?"

Claire nodded. "He said if I can do the things I have done this should be nothing at all. I just hate that I feel like I've pushed him into it. And I hope I didn't screw up with something I did."

"Oh my love do I even want to know what you have done now?"

Arranging the flowers she picked up the vase and began to walk to the main room. "I may have invited his mom and brother down here for today."

"And let me guess, he hasn't a clue about it all?"

Claire shook her head. Glancing up at the clock she was shocked to see that there as only ten minutes until everything was to begin. "We had better get outside Stephen." She let him take her small, petite hand in his oversized one and allowed him to kiss her lips one last time before they started to walk out.

"Claire, I'm proud of you. This is big, and it is yours. I cannot wait to see the lives that you help with this."

"Thank you," she whispered as they walked out into the bright Tampa sunlight.

The mayor spoke about what a ray of light this place was going to be for the community and surrounding areas, singing the praises of Claire Ryan. "Before I let Claire come to say a few words I want to give someone else the microphone. Matt," said the mayor, holding out the microphone for Matt to take it.

As he held the microphone in his hands and took a deep breath Claire felt her stomach clench for him. She couldn't believe he bravery he was about to show to the audience today.

"My name is Matt and I will be helping Claire out here at the offices part time. First of all I want to say that Claire is the most genuine person you will ever meet and I am blessed to call her my friend. She is my inspiration in this life. Some of you may have seen me work. I'm a professional wrestler, so I'm used to crowds like this one, and even speaking on a microphone, making sure that my words get across but today, well today may just be the hardest promo of my life. Yes, I am a professional wrestler. I am also gay. There is a large misconception I think that in professions like this one that being gay isn't allowed, or that you can't be gay if this is what you do for a living. You would be surprised how many gay athletes, men and women there are today. We have no ulterior motive; we are just like anyone else doing what we do. We do it because we love the sport f it, no other reason at all. Am I taking a risk coming out today? Possibly, but it is time to be who I am, the man I was born to be. It's time to step out and be an example for others who are confused and afraid. Thanks to Claire and this amazing organization, I can help those who have lived life as I have. I can give back and make a difference to one person." He sat the microphone down and started to walk away when his brother let out a yell from the audience followed by his mom.

"That's my son and I love him!"

Claire saw from her vantage point that Matt's eyes filled with tears, hearing the words that he'd longed for all of his life. She felt her eyes misted over with tears as well. She quickly brushed them away and took her place at the podium.

"I want to thank you all for coming out today to support this organization. It is my belief and thoughts that people don't reach out because they believe that no one is there who really understands what they are going through. I want the people of this community to know that no matter what it is there is someone here who knows what you're going through, who has come out on the other side of it, and wants to help you to do the same. We have toll free numbers set up that you can call anonymously to speak to someone who is familiar with your situation and knows where you are and can meet you at that place to bring you into a new and happier place. From group meetings to one on one sessions and everything in between we will do whatever it takes to help you."

Claire took deep breath and continued. "My name is Claire Ryan. I was once married to a professional football player who was not only mentally, emotionally, and verbally abusive but he was physically abusive as well. My final blow was the day he burned me with a hot spatula on my stomach, and beat me until I miscarried a child that he didn't even know existed. I ran and filed for divorce. I'd love to tell you that was the end of his abuse but I can't. He broke into my mother's home and attacked me there and again he broke into my home here and attacked me. That last attack landed him in jail for attempted murder and it landed me in the hospital barely alive. I was given transfusions and medications while in a comatic state for the longest of time. But one day I woke up and in all honesty I never look back. You see that day when I woke up I had the same choice that anyone else has. I could let my past break me, or I could use it to become better than I had ever been before. Today I stand before you all better than I have been since the day I said I do, when I really should have said I don't. I'm not here to tell you that it's easy because it isn't, but I am here to tell you that myself and all of the staff here at The Heart Of The Matter Center are here to help in any way that we can. I look forward to meeting you all, and helping any who need it! Now, let's get inside and have some refreshments."

Before Claire could lead the crowd in Stephan took the microphone from her and spoke. "I just want a minute to say a word please. Claire, from the day I saw you I knew that you wouldn't be easy to forget or to let go of. You got under my skin that day and worked your way straight to my heart, even when you did your best to push me away. I love you Claire and there was a time I thought I would lose you before I ever had you. I don't want to live through that feeling ever again. I don't want to ever know what breathing without you by my side is like again." The big Irishman looked straight into Claire's eyes and smiled a smile that warmed her to her toes. He dropped to a knee and took her hand and the tears she'd been battling spilled over. "Claire, you are what I've been searching for. You saved me from myself and I know that you are that piece that I couldn't find until I saw you face. I'd be blessed and honored to have you as my wife, if you'd have me as your husband of course." He held a ring up and waited without breathing for her answer.

"I said I would never marry again, especially a guy like you, but you sir have broken down every wall in my life and you helped me fall in love for what feels like the first time in my life." Claire spoke so that only he could hear her. "I'd be insane to walk away from you, when all I really want if to wake up beside you every morning until forever."

He slid the ring on her finger and wrapped her in his oversized arms, hugging her close. The crowd applauded and followed the happy couple into the office space as the first day of forever began for so many.

Sequel coming soon….