Our decision to do a swap of property with Damien was temporarily put on hold. At least the legalities of it. As the property on the island Damien and Julia owned was in both their names, Damien could do nothing for the time being as far as selling the property, much less trading it with us. It was a minor kink we knew might be a possibility. We decided to go ahead with it, sort of making it as a rental agreement. The only down side for Amadeus and me was we couldn’t begin renovations until the deed was in our name.
Damien filed for divorce, but with Julia’s disappearance—well it made it complicated and a lot more interesting than most divorces. Papers were filed with Julia’s copy being served to the island house, her last known address. With no physical address listed anywhere for the bogus business she had started, the house was the sole delivery point.
The move was quickened after Amadeus and I put Logan back in his old school. Our intention was to let him finish out the school year. Until Amadeus went back on the road to finish the tour, either he or I would take and pick Logan up from school. That all fell apart when Amadeus discovered a couple of joints in Logan’s backpack. And no, we’re not like that. Amadeus suspected it, and one day when Logan came home acting a bit goofy, he confiscated the backpack in question. Time to sever the ties.
As for Scotland, we decided once the tour was over, we’d make a trip back over, along with visiting London. Make a family vacation out of it over the summer.
****
We arrived at our new home quietly. I dropped Amadeus and Logan early that morning at the marina where the Tudor Queen had been taken out of dry storage and made sea worthy. The two of them sailed the Tudor Queen across the sound to her new home. I was surprised when we pulled up and saw the two of them walk out of the house to greet us. The day was perfect for sailing and Amadeus took advantage of it. He looked happy as he hadn’t had the opportunity to sail his craft in quite a while. His sable brown hair was windblown, sticking out wildly from under a turned around baseball cap he wore.
“How did you beat us?” I asked as I handed him Elizabeth, who was demanding her daddy.
He leaned over and brushed his lips over mine, taking the kicking and demanding baby from my arms. He hadn’t shaved in days, and he made sure to brush the roughness against my cheek.
“The wind is perfect for sailing today. I headed her out and sailed her hard.”
“Zara, he had the boat over on its side!” Logan exclaimed, running up to join us. “It was awesome! I want to do it again.”
“He did? Did you sit outside and on the high side?”
“Yeah, I did everything he did. I’ve never been on a sailboat before.”
I could tell, and was grateful, that he and Amadeus were getting close, not that there wouldn’t be tough times ahead; he was a budding teenager. I walked to the back of the SUV and began to grab things out. I took them to the house.
Once the vehicle was empty, we all collapsed in the living room. I knew I had to make a run to the grocery store for some serious shopping, but what Elizabeth and I had grabbed at the local market would suffice for the day. Unless I got a second wind…
It was a good day, everyone finally getting some time to relax. Amadeus had placed his baby grand in what we dubbed the music room. It was an oversized room overlooking the sound with floor to ceiling windows, just like he liked. What we didn’t know was that Logan could play, and play very well.
I had put the baby down for a nap and decided I would make a run to the grocery store while she was down. When I descended the staircase I found Amadeus standing outside the music room listening. Listening to Logan play the piano. He had a vague smile on his lips of a proud papa who had just discovered something wonderful about his offspring.
He put his finger to his lips so I wouldn’t say anything and cause Logan to stop his playing. I stealthily approached Amadeus and wrapped my arm around his waist. I recognized the piece Logan was playing. It was classical, Mozart if I wasn’t mistaken. No wonder Amadeus was smiling.
“He’s good, Zara. Damn good!” Amadeus whispered in my ear. He kissed the shell of my ear afterward, pulling me closer. We stood there like that until Logan finished the piece. When he did, Amadeus and I strolled into the vast room. By the look on Logan’s face, he was surprised to see us.
“That was excellent, Logan. I didn’t know you played classical,” I said, smiling.
“Well,” the youngster hedged. “I know a lot of people think classical music is for geeks…”
Amadeus ventured to the piano bench. “Oh, well, if folks think classical is just for geeks, I must be one of them.” Logan got up and let Amadeus sit in his place. Amadeus lit into one of his favorite compositions. Logan stood there, his mouth hanging open in awe.
“You…you play classical, too?”
“Yep, long before I ever started fooling with rock music. I still do. Zara and I even came up with a new addition to my shows where I play classical and acoustic versions with some of my rock music. People seem to love it.”
“Well,” I interrupted proudly, watching the two of them. “I’m going to go make a trip to the grocery store while the baby is sleeping. Amadeus, don’t forget to check on her. You know she doesn’t always cry when she first wakes up.”
“Yes, Mother,” he joked looking up at me from the piano. “We’ll be fine, Zara. Go enjoy yourself for a while.”
“Hmmmph…” I replied. “Funny, I never saw grocery shopping as something enjoyable. I’ll be back shortly.” I approached him, leaned over, and kissed him square on the lips. He returned the kiss with his tongue—until we heard the sound of Logan clearing his throat. Then Amadeus pulled away, grinning. I quickly turned and left the room. Grocery store, here I come!
****
Chapter Ten
Zara
Before we realized it, it was time for Amadeus and his brothers to reassemble and finish the dates they had postponed when Julia had done her disappearing act. No one had heard a peep out of her or her co-conspirators. Oh, there had been supposed sightings of her here and there, but nothing that could be substantiated. Secretly, I fully expected her to somehow show herself during the final phase of this tour. Perhaps something splashy and grand, defending herself and all the mayhem she had caused. She’d have some far-fetched explanation. It simply amazed me how one person could completely change like Julia had. She left her family, her home, her daughters, and her husband. For what? Money? I also secretly hoped if she did make her presence known, and if she came across with a sob story, which I fully expected, that Damien wouldn’t be swayed. I was ninety-nine percent sure, as was Amadeus, that Damien wouldn’t let her try and fool him.
Angus was the one I felt sorry for. Although detective Franco and others had come to his side and cleared him of any alleged wrong doings, Angus’ wife, Ashleigh, was slow to come around. With good reason. While the boys were away, it would be a perfect time to have Ashleigh over to the island. Even though Logan was from way in Amadeus’s past, Logan’s mom could have exposed his existence at any time.
****
Opening night of the final shows was held in Denver, CO. As Logan just so happened to have a teachers work day the following day, Amadeus and I decided the kids and I would fly and meet up with the band. It would be Logan’s first experience of seeing his dad, the rock star, perform up close and personal.
The flight would have been a nightmare, me a woman traveling alone with a baby, if it hadn’t been for Logan. He did what was needed throughout our trip without being asked. It made the trip much smoother for all involved. I was sure the other passengers were quite grateful that Elizabeth wasn’t among the wailing children.
While I was overseeing the three brothers as manager for the final tour dates, I never made or suggested to any of them—barring Amadeus of course—that they sign a contract giving me exclusivity. I felt after the ruckus Julia caused, they simply needed to get through the remaining dates. Afterwards they could each make their own decisions. Right now the
y needed to finish the nightmare Julia started.
So I was quite curious when the morning after the first show, while we were all in route to the next evening’s town, Damien took me aside. He’d been approached for a solo venture, and he needed advice. We agreed to get together in his room once we had all settled in, and before the boys went on to rehearsals.
The two of us sat down at the small table in his room, typical of hotel furniture. I brought with me a bottle of water along with a notebook. “So what can I help you with, Dame?”
He slid back in his chair, a shy grin coming over his face. “I need some professional advice, Zara.”
“Such as?” I was curious. Had he been approached by a major record label? This would be a major coup for Damien.
“I’ve been asked to do a photo shoot, Zara.”
I abruptly sat up and tried not to look too surprised. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that Damien wasn’t a good looking man, it was simply unexpected. “A photo shoot? Who wants you?”
“GQ magazine, if you can believe it,” he replied, his shy grin now sheepish. “They’re going to stop by and talk to me after the show tonight. I agreed, but only on the condition that you sat in on the discussion. As my manager. I hope you don’t mind, Zara.”
“No, not at all. I’m delighted for you, Damien. That would be excellent exposure for you.”
He passed me a business card with the name and information of the person who had spoken with him already. “I need someone who knows about these things. Amadeus said he didn’t mind and to go ahead and ask you.”
“I’d be happy to help you out, Damien. You know I work through Peter’s firm, so I have a lot of help. It’s not just me. If you’re interested in management, I’m sure we can help you out.”
“Well, we both know I’m going to need good, solid management. Especially now, and I trust you and Peter’s staff.”
“Have you thought about a record contract? Or do you want to do it on your own?”
“I thought once the tour was over, while I have some down time, perhaps we could weigh the offers.”
“That would be the smart thing to do, Damien. There’s no reason to hurry, the three of you have that pending project to record what you’ve all written,” I replied. No, Damien wouldn’t have to worry about the offers, recording and otherwise. Angus on the other hand, may be a more difficult sale. “It looks like recording isn’t going to be your only option, either.”
“Well, GQ is a very reputable magazine. They want to show people how I’ve come back from being so ill, how I’ve fought my way back into the spotlight.”
“That they are, and I know whatever they want to do, it’ll be tasteful. How about rather than rushing you and me doing a contract, I just show up and hear them through with you? We’ll worry about the rest after tonight.”
“That sounds good. Thanks, Zara.”
“I’ll see you through this venture, Damien, and I’ll help you choose a new manager. I’m sure Peter’s firm would jump at the chance to sign you on. You know them and they know you. It would be a good match, Damien.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t have to worry about any of them running off with my money or a lover, would I?”
I laughed. At least Damien was trying to maintain a sense of humor through all this. I know, though, it had to be killing him deep down inside, but he’d never let on. “No, you wouldn’t have to worry about any of that.
Leaving Damien, I walked down the hotel corridor to our room. I slid the key card in the slot, and the door opened. Inside I found Amadeus and Logan flopped out on one of the beds, Elizabeth in between them. A movie was playing on the TV while the three of them slept. I grabbed my iPhone and took a picture of them before one of them stirred.
Finally, I bent over Amadeus and nudged his arm, waking him. His eyes flew open at the unexpected touch. Staring at me a couple of seconds, he regained his bearings and slowly sat up. Having promised Logan he could accompany him to rehearsals, Amadeus reached over the baby and quietly woke his son.
That word, it was still unfamiliar, and the only thing that popped in my mind when I heard the word son was Wolfgang. It brought a million emotions to the surface. Anger, jealousy, hurt. He should be here as part of this, part of our little family. But what if’s and might have been were part of the past, and there was nothing I or Amadeus could do to change the past. It had been a long road, but we both had learned to accept what happened and to move on. Still…
With Amadeus and Logan gone to rehearsals, I sat down at the small table. I turned on my iPad, and while I was waiting, I walked over and checked Elizabeth. She was sound asleep still. It amazed me how she could sleep almost anywhere when she was tired. When her batteries ran out, so did she. It didn’t matter to her where, she just passed out.
****
After the show, I caught up with Damien at his room. We waited for Christina Stewart and her associate from GQ, Jack Peel. The pair arrived right on time. Damien showed them in, and everyone settled themselves in the uncomfortable hotel seating.
I started things off, introducing myself. They already knew who I was. It was my subtle way of letting them know I was watching out for Damien.
“What we have in mind is doing a photo shoot of Damien. Actually more than one. We’d like to do one in a studio and another perhaps in his natural habitat,” Christina began.
“By natural habitat,” I countered, “you mean his house?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful. It would show readers how he lives off the road.”
Damien began to speak but nodded at me. He didn’t want this, but the two of us had another option. I nodded back and went to work.
“I have an even better idea. Rather than photograph him in his home, why not on his sail boat? This is Damien’s passion when he’s not on the road…sailing his boat on Puget Sound.”
“I like that, Christina,” Jack replied. Jack was going to be the photographer, and I would later learn he was also an avid sailor. He and Damien would become fast friends over their mutual interest. “I could get some shots of Damien with the boat moored and perhaps some out on the sound sailing.”
“Damien?” I asked. I could tell he liked it. He was much more relaxed about the idea. He was smiling. A rare expression given what was going on in his personal life.
“I love it, Zara. I have an idea, though. Do you think Amadeus would mind if we did the shoot using his boat? She’s much flashier, and Jack would enjoy the sail a lot more on her.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind at all, Damien.”
“Good, then that part is set. Sailing on the sound,” Christina interjected. “For the studio part, or we could make other arrangements, would it be possible to get Amadeus and Angus together with Damien for some shots?”
“Why?” I replied. “I thought this was about Damien and his recovery and rebirth.”
“Oh, it is. Jack and I felt perhaps since they’ve been touring together, it would be nice to do a shot of the three of them for the piece.”
“Damien?”
“I’m good with it, Zara. You know it won’t take much prodding to get Angus in front of a camera, Amadeus, either.”
“Okay, if they agree to it, you can include a shot of them. Now what about the copy, Christina?”
“If you’d like to email me with what Damien would like included and what not to include, I’ll write something up. I’d also like to perhaps do a brief interview.”
“As long as I sign off on it then we’ll be good.”
“Absolutely,” Christina replied. “All we need to do is set up the time for the shoots. We’re scheduled for the September issue.”
“Okay, let’s wait until they come off the road. Will that work?”
“Yes, and I can begin to work on the copy in the meantime.”
“I do know some good studios in Seattle if that’s where Jack would like to work out of.”
“I’d rather Damien come to New York, but if the trip is too much, I can w
ork with doing it in Seattle.”
“Thanks for understanding, Jack. I think we’re good to go. If you have any questions, let me know. Like Damien told you, I’m going to be representing him through this project.”
“Great. We look forward to working with you both,” Christina replied, rising from her chair. “We’ll leave you now. I know it’s been a long day, and it’ll start over for you in a matter of hours. We won’t keep you. Thanks to both of you for meeting with us at such a late hour.”
“Not a problem. I know Damien’s looking forward to trying something new.”
I stayed behind once they left to make sure everything progressed as Damien wanted. His body language indicated he was at ease.
“Okay, I’m out of here. That is, unless you want to go over anything. If not, you just sit back and let me handle all the details. This is going to be easy, Dame.”
“I know you’ll take care of me, Zara. I’m actually looking forward to something new. I really am.”
“Good. Now I’m off to try and get some sleep before Elizabeth wakes up. I suggest you try and do the same.”
****
Elizabeth’s birthday came around, and after much talk, I finally was able to convince Amadeus that Elizabeth would be none the wiser if he wasn’t there on the exact day. He would be home the following week, and I planned a very small family dinner. In addition to the baby’s first birthday, we would celebrate Logan coming to live with us and Amadeus being home for a stretch.
The iffy May weather cooperated finally with the grey overcast skies giving way to some blue. Amadeus cooked out, hamburgers for Logan, steaks for us. Of course, there was the traditional ‘first birthday’ birthday cake and party hats. Not wanting it made by anyone other than me, I baked a chocolate cake with chocolate fudge icing complete with candle. Elizabeth, of course, obliged us by squishing her hands into one side of the cake, before she squealed at the gooey mess, and what started out clean was now a mass of chocolate. All over her face and little body and birthday hat. Oh, and let’s not forget about the super hyper one-year-old we had to deal with for the remainder of the day.
Tudor Reunion Tour Page 11
