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Damian did see the photo as well, but still couldn't bear to look at Raquel's face without breaking down inside. So, he diverted his attention to the dinner, saying nothing about the photo.
"It all looks beautiful..." he said, doing as he had been told. Soon everyone was seated, though Lorey needed a bit of help sitting down. Again, he saw how beautiful things were between her and Richard, and even cared to notice how Teagan and Nat were exchanging witty banter on nearly everything. They were so happy... and he was still miserable.

There was table wine set out, which gave him an idea of a toast. Lorey may have been keeping herself free of it, but he could still raise a glass.
"Before we begin," he said in his best Centurion voice. "To Lorey and her baby... and her future child." A smirk was sent to Richard before he raised his glass. And to you, my dear, he said inwardly. Saying it aloud would ruin the mood, and so he let it go.

Damian's own eyes softened.
"Amongst friends again... I'm sorry I didn't try to reach out more," he said suddenly. "It's been... very hard."

Lorey reached out her hand to his, though it was a bit of a reach over her stomach and the table. Damian met her halfway.
"We know, Damian. And we're here for you, just as we always have been. You aren't the only one who feels it."
Indeed. Lorey looked over to Nat specifically. Maybe if they could talk in private after dinner, the healing process would truly begin. She wasn't so sure how Richard got Damian to even come out of his house, but it was an excellent first step.

Teagan had her hand in Nat's as everyone related to what had happened almost a year ago. It had been terrible, though she only knew Raquel for a short while compared to everyone else. Poor dear, she thought. It was completely unfair.

Although it pained him to be so singled out, Damian had to relent. Slowly, he raised his glass, and said her name with such a gentleness it almost made Lorey cry.
"To our Raquel... our beautiful angel now."
And he left it at that. If he could be allowed a bit of silence, he would be most grateful, and it seemed judging by the solemn looks everyone had, he would indeed get to keep everything else in.

"You know," Teagan said. "I heard her story... and I don't think I could have made it through life like that. She was strong in every sense, gorgeous, proved herself to be smart as a whip in school, and with you, Damian, she was happy. I know she was..."

Lorey nodded. "I remember when you brought her in the hotel room where we all used to stay. She was a beaten prostitute then... but somehow you two turned all that and yourselves right around. Just like me and Richard. We all came this far together... and even if Raquel got called home a little earlier than expected, we still have each other, and always will."

It was then that his eyes began to mist up. All this credit given to him, but she was the one who in the end made that decision to change. But it was over then, and all Damian could do was smile and nod.

"Yes, and I plan to help you all when you need it. I promise you."

Lorey was eating for two, so it took her a bit longer to finish of her meal. But once she did, her eyes went right to Richard's.
"A surprise? You do always have the best surprises... does it have anything to do with that room you haven't been letting me into?"
She gave her own sneaky look, because of course she had noticed how he wouldn't let her know what he was up to. though, try as she might, Richard had been fantastically secretive and she could make no guesses to what was going on.

"Ooh, surprises," Teagan said, looking to Nat. He knew what she was talking about. The best surprise she ever got besides having him come chasing after her in the rain was watching him chuck his stash into the water. That had been not only surprising, but definitely lifted her heart knowing he was finally safe from the drugs.

Damian raised his eyebrows at Richard. "What have you been up to?"

"Oh, Richard..."
Lorey stepped into the room that still smelled like fresh paint. It was so beautiful to her, made even more wonderful because she had no idea that Richard could paint so beautifully. The leaves, she thought, were most impressive, while the flowers held an impressionistic style. Then again, seeing as life had never given him an opportunity until now to paint, Lorey couldn't be too overwhelmed by the sudden talent.

"Oh, it's beautiful. And ah-" Lorey held her stomach and laughed. The baby had given a squirm again. "Feels like they like it, too... Come here, you." Lorey held out her arms to Richard. One thing she would be grateful for was being able to hug him properly once the baby was born, but that could wait. Having the three of them together like that wouldn't ever happen again once that time did come.
"I love you," she whispered.

Damian was very impressed with Richard's handywork. Raquel could have done better, he thought for just a passing moment, but seeing the beautiful couple, he stopped. Once again, he saw what he had one day hoped to achieve and never could have. No pregnant Raquel, no baby's room, no shared moment with little kisses and passed words. That was over.

Though the good intention was felt, the weight on his heart was felt still, too. There was no lifting that just yet.
"Thank you, Nat," he said as he inched his way further into the hall so he could be hidden from their affectionate display. "But right this moment, I cannot really see myself being with anyone but a memory."

Especially not when he kept driving himself deeper into it. He even began trying to learn how to play guitar on Raquel's old instrument, just to keep that part of her alive. His notes were off and his fingers had started to become raw, but he would learn for her memory. Already he had inscribed some sheet music for songs she used to sing or play so those wouldn't die, either. So many things he had done to hold on to what he had lost that there was barely any tie for anything new.