This caused some laughter of the memory as everyone was depositing dishes in the sink and generally cleaning up. Anabella continued to frown. “Though the threats we keep getting here are worrisome. I guess some people are just afraid of what they don't understand.” This caught my attention, my anger was building and I almost opened my mouth but Sarina shot me a “later” look. Evil crystal ball wielding, mind reading, gypsy queen!
Nick nodded and continued as he sat back down, “You know, if you could use some help, I'm currently unemployed as my former employer has just retired.” He winked at me and I stuck my tongue out at him as he spoke. “My next gig is doing some promotion for this hip little music school in Vancouver. But that is a few weeks off, since there is rumor of it being renovated first. I'm pretty good at this publicist gig.” I exchanged a smile with Sarina when I noticed the surprised look on her face at this news.
Bella, smiled warmly at him, playing with my fingers as she spoke. “Thank you for the offer Nick, but we are actually on a negative budget and couldn't afford you.” He shook his head at this, a sincere look on his face. “Completely in a volunteer capacity.” At this, I joined in “Bullshit, you're getting paid for this and I'm pretty sure a large chunk of funding is about to be anonymously donated to the campaign for it, and any advertising needed to battle egg salad puss.”
I shot off my patented 'I dare you to argue or I'll feed your entrails to my fire-breathing basset hound' glare at everyone. Nick nodded with a 'help me' look to the people at the table. “Okay.” Bella gave an cautiously amused look, like she was fond of her entrails “Then welcome aboard, Nick.” I'm quite fond of her everything.
Terry spoke up. “Well this is all touching, but the manager of the venue Mandy abandoned, is demanding double face value on the refunded tickets and projected concession sales, or he'll litigate. Unless we reschedule. That's over two mil. Not to mention my cut just evaporating up the River Styx.”
I sighed. “Calm down, oh soulless one.” I spoke evenly locking eyes with him. “I just got reunited with my 'family' and my Bella. I think rescheduling is just not in the cards. I'll just... we'll just, eat it.” He had a shocked look on his leathery face.
Then Bella broke in. “Wait, you don't need to forfeit all that money, and you need to finish that tour M! Not only are your fans counting on you, but it is like the last piece of yourself that you need to finish healing, then you can be whole. If you can get it rescheduled for next Monday night. I can take two days away from the campaign to go support you.” My heart skipped a beat at this.
I started, “But...” Nick cut me off. “That's perfect, I can use those two days to get caught up on the campaign and all the petitions so I can formulate a plan of attack. I'll be up to speed when you two get back.” I started again, “But...” Terry cut me off already dialing on his phone. “Great! I'll get this all set up. I'll fly back tonight.” My eyes were darting around between everyone.
I opened my mouth again, is this thing even working? “But...” Sarina was looking at me the whole time, her eyes twinkling, on the verge of laughter as she spoke, “Don't fight it Mandy. Ana took down a city, you think you can stop her?”
I simply closed my mouth and sighed in defeat.
Chapter 19 – Sendoff
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of planning on both fronts. Terry flew off to commune with his fellow undead on the east coast, getting things set up for my great sendoff concert.
Serious discussions were made on the threats that Bella and the Rand's were receiving. If only we had an intimidating 6'-4” guy to hang around all the time like a bodyguard to keep things safer. Oh wait, we happened to have one of those things lying around gathering dust. Cue Darryl.
He was hired on the spot and arrangements were made to get his Tina over here, it seems that with Bella dedicating so much energy to the campaign and other causes at the moment, someone is needed at Harmony's front desk. Cue Tina. It was like everything was just sliding into place, like it was meant to be.
Mrs. Wellington got back from Seattle and spearheaded the Harmony renovation and planning.
Darryl stayed behind to keep a protective eye on the Rands and to help Mrs. W get the contractors set up for the renovation and expansion of Harmony into the next space over. Leaving a little space of the expansion's storefront for the new headquarters for Bella's campaign and the Ana West's Kids.
With Terry gone, and a threat that their grandchildren would feel the kick to the nuts we would give Nick and Darryl if the secret got out, we reintroduced June to them as my daughter. An expected “Duh. Oh wait, what a surprise!” coming from Darryl. He is definitely on the list now!
Sarina and Dave cornered me to let me know that Sar wasn't kidding about the godmother thing. They asked if I'd be Eve and Zoey's. I cried, damn plumbing.
Anabella and I were kicked out for the night to go to my place, with complaints of them not getting any sleep the previous night or some such nonsense. Keeping Bella and I blushing for quite some time. Poor Tammy giving everyone a “please help me” look to them, as we dragged her along to watch June while my angel and I, umm, reacquainted ourselves with each other.
Sunday and Sunday night pretty much mirrored Saturday. With the addition of the two of us packing for an early morning flight back to the east coast before we went to bed. Well, the bed was involved some of the time.
I woke on Monday with Bella's head on my chest and her arm around me, like the past couple mornings. It seemed to be our natural state. I'm already used to waking up with her every morning, and couldn't imagine life without it. I traced little circles around on her marvelously kissable stomach, my fingers barely brushing.
Causing her eyes to flutter open and her biting her lower lip. “Hi M. What a wonderful way to wake up.” She smiled and I melted. I kissed her gently behind the ear then sat up, feeling her shiver then pulling her grudgingly up with me. “We've got an early flight, so up and at em my love.” I spoke with a sympathetic smile on my face.
After an enjoyable time showering and dressing, we wandered out to the nursery with our bags in tow. Tammy was already in there changing and feeding my baby. “Oh hi ladies. I'm surprised your awake in time, after all the noise you made last night. Thank God you are leaving, maybe I'll get some sleep tonight.” We both blushed.
She rolled her eyes in amusement and we both grabbed diapers from the stack and threw them at her. I took June in my arms, her kicking her tiny legs. I was amazed at how much joy I got just looking down into her tiny face. “Goodbye precious, mommy and Bella will see you tomorrow night.” We both gave her and Tams kisses then dragged ourselves to the car and off to the airport in silence, just basking in each others company.
While we were on the plane, a couple pretty teen girls, who were obviously together, approached us. I was amused when the smaller of the two nervously said, “You're Anabella West, aren't you?” Bella smiled warmly at them, nodding. “Yes, I am.” The girls looked at each other then back at Bella, getting excited. “Can we get your autograph? You're our hero! I loved what you did to that jackass at city hall.” Ana happily signed the magazines they had with her face on them. I was truly enjoying watching this all unfold. I was beaming with pride for her.
Then Anabella looked at me thoughtfully, tilting her head as the girls went back to their seats excitedly. “So that's what it's like to be you, huh?“ Shooting me a sexy look that did things to me not appropriate for public places.
“Only you're hotter.” I shot back, crinkling my nose in a poor attempt to parry her goddess charm attack on me.
She slapped my arm. “Don't do that here, you don't know what that nose crinkle does to me, I'm going to be walking funny for a while!” Huh? It actually works! Woohoo, now I know how to battle this vixen on her own t... Then she bit her lower lip. Damn, she wins. I crossed my legs.
Terry met us at the terminal holding a sign that read “Nutcase and Anabella West” Much slapping and loading Terry up with our baggage later a
nd we were in the car headed for the hotel next to the stadium that I would be performing on stage for the last time. I didn't feel nervous at all, I felt, I don't know, relief. Like I was writing the last chapter in that part of my life, ready to move on to the next book. Maybe Bella was onto something here.
We said our goodbyes to Terry and headed into the honeymoon suite. Very funny Terry. Then I ordered some room service, telling my shining light that we only had five hours before sound check and prep in the dressing room. Things finally slowed down from that hectic weekend.
We ate, taking turns taking bites seductively. In a battle of arousal, I'm quite positive she was winning. Then I thought of something. “Wait, I have something for you.” She looked at me with twinkling eyes. “What is it?”
I jumped up and ran to my purse. I took out the envelope that I instructed Terry to get for me then walked back to Bella. I reached inside the envelope, locking my eyes to Bella's electric blues, getting lost for a moment. Then remembering what I was doing, I pulled out the only backstage pass for the concert, in Bella's name and draped it around her neck.
I don't know what I was expecting, but I can't remember much about it except pure pleasure, as Bella thanked me over and over with her lips, overloading my capacity to think. Rationality returned when the phone rang, Terry asking where the hell I was, sound check was in ten minutes.
We dressed between desperate kisses, and marched across the way, flanked by security, pressing through the crowd and reporters to the stadium. I was signing autographs and ignoring questions the whole way there.
We entered the back gates and we were rushed into the dressing room, where, to my shock, was a single daisy in a blue vase on the table. I excitedly ran to it and sat by it, staring at it as if in prayer for a minute, Bella just stood watching me, a look of wonder on her face. “They really helped didn't they?”
I beamed back at her. “You have no idea, they are part of what kept me from the brink while I was here.”
“Your family is one of the most amazing things that has ever come into my life, their impact is on par with June, who IS my life.” I fought the tears of happiness that were threatening. Bella looked to be doing the same. “We all feel... I feel, the same. My life wouldn't be the same without you, my love.” We grabbed each others hands, letting our fingers intertwine.
I saw Terry walk in tapping his watch. “I'll be back in ten minutes, Bella. Sound check, hair and makeup awaits.” I gave her a whisper of a kiss, conveying all the emotion we shared, time slowed down, then I was rushing off, Bella calling, “Hurry back, M.” I still got excited shivers every time she called me M.
After sound check, hair and makeup, I showed Bella where to stand backstage for the best view of me during the concert, a speaker I had setup backstage for her to sit on. She seemed awed by the experience. Then I wandered onstage alone into the roar of the crowd. To the speaker sitting in the middle of a stage devoid of everything but my acoustic guitar in its stand and a microphone.
I sat down and raised my hand for silence. Even then it took a bit for the place to settle down. Darting a smile offstage to my Bella, and almost falling off the speaker when she shot a thousand watt one back at me. “Hi, folks!” They went crazy again, but settled down after a few seconds when I raised my hand again, my face scanning the crowd.
“As you know, this is my final performance EVER!” More cheering ensued. “You might have noticed I don't have a band with me here today. Today is all about me sharing with you, sharing this chapter in the book of my life with you.” I had to wait a few seconds for the crowd to die down again, they were insane tonight, the energy was palpable. “This music is a part of who I am, I thought I'd give you a glimpse inside of me, the way it is supposed to be. Now what song should I start out with?”
As one, 52,000 people shouted “Oceans of Blue”. I sat tuning my guitar with a smile on my face, nodding. “I thought you might say that.” I paused for a second. “You may know that I wrote this particular song about the love of my life. Knowing that I'd never obtain the unobtainable. That I poured all the emotion I had for them into this song.” I paused for effect again, playing the crowd. “What if I were to tell you all, that that person is here tonight?” They roared back to life in excitement.
I raised an arm, waiting yet again for them to settle. “I'd like to introduce to you, the love of my life, and a legend in HER own right, Miss Anabella Marie West!” I looked toward her and she looked terrified as the crowd exploded into a wall of sound that threatened to blow the stage out of the stadium. I coaxed her out, holding out a hand toward her. Just when you couldn't believe it could have gotten any louder in the stadium, the roar of cheers doubled as she walked across the stage, beet red and sat beside me, grabbing my upper arm with both of hers and she snuggled into me, trying to hide.
When the crowd settled again I looked into her eyes and spoke. “It's okay, Bella, just keep your eyes on mine. It is only you and me here, nothing else matters.” I just stared into the namesakes of the song and started strumming with a smile on my face, radiating my love for her.
I have done this song dozens of times, with my eyes closed, trying to picture the love I see in her oceans of blue. But everything pales in comparison to the real thing, I was just willing my soul into her as I sang, the world melted away and there was only her. The crowd was really into it, never quite quieting, energy buzzing.
I sailed away with her, swirling through time and space, knowing only one truth; that I wanted to be with her for the rest of my days. When I hit the chorus the crowd started to join but then they stopped dead, as a pure and innocent note joined mine, in a harmony that would have brought the angels themselves to their knees.
She sang with me, my eyes wide in shock, our voices a single promise of love and hope. Sharing our dreams, our lives, our souls. Touching each others hearts in a way that words could never describe. We became the music, flowing out to the world. Then it was over, I heard nothing but her heart. I was told later that the cheering that continued for almost ten minutes could be heard for miles, as we were lost in each others eyes. But still it was only her heart that I heard.
When I finally realized that we were just sitting there, I turned reluctantly to the crowd and simply stated, “My Bella.” Motioning my hand to her. They erupted in cheers again.
She sat there the entire concert, lending me her strength, each of us feeding our heat to each other through the upper arm she held. With her just smiling at me, just silently watching me the whole time, and me knowing she could 'hear' me. It was a truly ethereal experience for me.
When the concert wound down, I started to lean into the mic to thank the crowd, but before I could say anything, Bella leaned forward. Locking eyes with me, saying three words into the microphone that I will cherish until the day that I die, in front of all these people, in front of the world, she simply said in that musically melodic, perfect sing song voice. “Marry me, M.” My heart stopped.
I just sat there nodding and sobbing as the thunderous roar of the crowd crashed around us. I heard nothing, I was with my Bella, that was my universe at that moment. The lights were killed and after a long while the crowd finally stopped cheering.
I mused to myself. “Not a bad sendoff.” We finally stood, and I proffered my elbow to my heart. “Shall we?” Bella nodded back. “We shall.” Then we marched off the stage toward the happiest chapters of our lives.
Epilogue
As I'm sitting here in front of the mirror, in the restroom of city hall, checking to make sure my hair and makeup are okay. I find it hard to believe that everything that happened with Bella and I, was just three months ago. I sigh at the memories with a happy look playing across my features, as the door behind me opens.
Sarina smiles at me in the mirror. “Hey, lil sis, let's get this done. Ana only has an hour for this little side-trip before she gets sworn in as councilwoman in the chamber. Oh my gosh, you look amazing! If you weren't taken, and I wasn't married, I'd
be tempted.” She winks.
I giggle. “I had the same thought when we first met, right up until the moment I opened that sound-room door and saw an angel.” We bump hips giggling, and wander out the door into the hall.
I'm nervous, what if I'm not good enough for Bella? What if she changes her mind when she sees me? “Is this dress okay? I mean, I want to look good for her.” She rolls her eyes “You look fantastic, and it's not like she's going to leave it on you very long after she gets sworn in.” I blush, slapping her shoulder as she unsuccessfully dodges. “Sar!”
I smile mischievously at the woman I truly look to as a sister, biting my lower lip and whisper, “She wants more children.” Sarina performs her patented shoulders up, nose crinkled, head scrunching smile of mirth.
We turn in the corridor and into the chapel, and I stop dead. Anabella is standing by the minister, looking stunning in her matching pure white sundress, our eyes lock. My knees go weak. I don't even notice all of our friends and family sitting in the pews. The gurgling and cooing of Eve and June sitting with Tams barely registers. I can only see Bella's sparkling blue eyes as I walk up beside her.
I think the minister is saying stuff, but I'm not sure, just being close to her is having an effect on me. My heart is beating double-time and I can feel the warmth radiating off of her. She says “I do,” with meaning beyond the words glistening in her eyes. I get lost in them again until I hear the minister clearing his throat. Oh. “Oh, yeah, I most certainly do.” I nod my head vigorously with a silly grin on my face.
Stifled laughs come from the peanut gallery. The minister says something about us preparing short vows or some such nonsense, I'm not really listening, my attention is solely on the oceans of blue before me. The love of my life looks deeper into my eyes and speaks. “I promise to always support you, and give you a lifeline to keep you sailing into the wind. To love you completely, with all my soul.” She slips a simple platinum ring with daisies etched on it onto my finger. Our smiles are one.
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