Ballad:Rockstar 05(16)
I pull back, licking my lips, watching as she opens those beautiful eyes that are just a little dazed.
"I told you before and I meant it. I knew when I finally had you I'd never be able to let you go. This is as real as it gets. This is forever. Do you want forever with me?" I ask.
She nods frantically and I chuckle.
"That'd be a 'yes'," Lucy announces with a sniffle.
"Well, it's about fucking time, Kingston," Sera says.
I ignore them all. Instead, I pull my girl back into my arms and hold her close, breathing her in, and for the first time since we started Falling Down, I found my peace, my sunshine, and myself.
Coley
Now that the fight for Ben Kingston's finally over, I realize just how tired I am. I'm exhausted, so exhausted that I fall asleep in the arms of the man who I've wanted more than I've wanted to breathe, the man who's just made me his forever.
Holy Hannah.
Lucian
That sucked. Hell, it still sucks. It sucks big time. But she's happy with him in a way she never would have been with me. Knowing that doesn't take the sting away. Looks like after the show, it'll be a night for me to chill with Jack and Coke.
"It was a good thing you did," Lucy tells me.
I nod, biting back the words I want to say. I want to say it's not right that this dick screwed Nicole around for months and just like that she takes him back. He treated her like shit and I treated her like a queen-granted I've only known her a couple days-but still. But Lucy already knows I'm eating those words. Anyone who knows what's going on knows that.
"I still want to punch him in the face five or a hundred times."
Lucy laughs. "I'm sure you do." She rubs her hand on my arm. "Your girl is out there, Lucian, and she's waiting for you."
"Well, I wish to hell she'd step out of the shadows so I can find her already. I'm not much on hide and go seek."
She leans in and gives me a hug. I wrap my arms around her small frame and wonder how the hell she's going to push those babies out-how the hell is she able to walk around with all that weight?
A growl comes from my right and I throw a grin at Jesse.
"Get your hands off my wife, Cordero."
"Hey man, she hugged me. I'm only returning the embrace. Your wife's really, really soft," I taunt.
Lucy snickers and Jesse growls again.
"But seriously, how are you able to stand upright? Or, for that matter, how can you even move? You're so damn small and that belly, those babies," I say, making a gesture with my hands to exaggerate the largeness of Lucy's baby belly.
"Don't you even worry about it," Jesse tells me, wrapping a hand around Lucy's shoulders and pulling her into his side. "She's getting around just fine and when she can't, then I get her where she needs to go."
I nod and grin. This is a Jesse Kingston I never thought I'd see.
"Good for you, man. Really. Marriage looks good on you," I admit.
"Thanks," Jesse mutters. "Now," he says, scooping Lucy up into his arms, "let's get you back to the bus so you can rest before the show tonight."
Lucy's smile is so wide it almost looks like it hurts. Maybe it does, but I'm sure it's in the best way.
"Who said chivalry is dead?" she asks with a wave, and I stand here watching their retreating forms. A chivalrous Jesse Kingston. A married, monogamous Jesse Kingston. I shake my head. The man who swore all relationships were doomed to fail. He spouted that shit like it was a religion. And now, it seems, Mr. One-Night-Stand is reformed.
Where do I sign up?
Chapter 10
Sera
Two more cities, two more shows, and still nothing to incriminate Misty. It's starting to piss me off. You just don't fuck with my family-especially my sister-and think you're going to get away with it. Never gonna happen.
"Hey," Lucy calls out. I stop and wait for her to catch up.
"Where are you headed?" I ask.
"To the bus. Do you know that guy right there?" Lucy asks, tilting her head in the direction of one of Cage's new security guards.
"Yep. Cage brought some new men in to help with the load." I hate lying to her, even if it's a half-lie. But my sister has enough to deal with right now. She needs to remain stress-free so she can carry those babies as long as possible. Dr. Mackenzie already told us carrying to full term isn't likely, that most women carrying triplets go into labor around the thirty-two to thirty-four week mark. That's scary stuff. It's not known if they're going to be big enough to survive, and I know if anything happens to one of those babies, Lucy will never be the same.
So, we've all decided-without Lucy knowing, of course-to say a few prayers and ask for healthy babies with good sets of lungs. I secretly hope they all weigh enough they can go home soon so they can scream and wail and drive Jesse crazy. What? It's what sisters-in-law do, right?
"It's good that he's able to do that, but he's spending entirely too much money on this tour. I sincerely hope he's getting more than he's putting in," Lucy confesses.
"Little mama, don't you worry about money. My husband is amazing with numbers."
Lucy grins. "I just bet."
"Oh, how he can work those numbers," I tell her. That man. Just thinking about him gets me aroused. I will never, ever stop wanting and loving my husband. Ever. He's my other half and without him, I'm not whole.
Lucy snickers. "I haven't had much number working lately. It's just too uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry Luce. You're what? Twenty-one weeks now?"
"Twenty-six, thank you very much!"
"Sorry! Time's flying on this tour."
"That it is."
"So, that means we're trying to keep your vag corked for another six weeks. You better not have sex. Knowing Jesse and the size of his cock, he'll pop that cork way too early," I tell her.
"Oh my God. That's not possible," she tells me.
"Please. You told me about his ginormous-" She cuts me off with a smack to my arm.
"Yes, he is, but if we do anything we're careful. Very careful," she admits.
"I figured. I just worry about my little nieces and nephews in there."
She runs a hand over her swollen belly.
"Is Dr. Sexy Voice going to do another ultrasound?" I ask.
"Yep. He's got it all worked out for when we hit New York. Since we've got a couple off days there, it'll work out perfectly."
I nod. "Good. Can I come along? Maybe if their Aunt Sera is there, they'll be nice and let Dr. Sexy Voice see if they're boys or girls."
Lucy huffs and rolls her eyes. "Absolutely. You can talk Jesse off the ledge. He thinks they're all going to be girls."
I can't help it. I laugh. "Oh, that would serve him right, wouldn't it? That great big dish of Karma."
Lucy smiles. "Right? From manwhore to father of three girls? He'll go insane when they start dating."
"He won't let them date until they're thirty," I tell her with a laugh.
"That's the truth. But, seriously, yes, I'd love if you went along. Both Jesse and I could use your support. You know whenever you're there I'm much more comfortable," she tells me.
"Only because you know if someone messes with you I'll kick their ass."
She nods. "That too."
Lucy and I are about to board the bus when we hear it. Such a sad, soulful voice-anguished. He's singing straight from the heart, from the gut, and he's broken.
I stop Lucy on the stairs and we listen to him sing Forever Blue.
*Why did you walk away, where did you go
I've been looking for you, but you never show
Your heart is empty, you left me behind
Your soul is broken, do I ever cross your mind
You left me alone, something I never thought you'd do
You walked out the door and left me forever blue
You turned away, why, I haven't a clue
You broke my heart and left me forever blue
You left me alone, something I never thought you'd do
You walked out the door and left me forever blue
You turned away, why, I haven't a clue
You broke my heart and left me forever blue
If I ever see you again, I hope you're whole
If you ever find love again, I hope he touches your soul
If he loves you like I did, you'll never be sad
Mine will be the purest love you've ever had
You left me alone, something I never thought you'd do
You walked out the door and left me forever blue
You turned away, why, I haven't a clue
You broke my heart and left me forever blue
Forever Blue*
When he starts singing All Out of Love by Air Supply I cover my mouth to swallow my gasp. Tears well in my eyes and I see them mirrored in Lucy's. She grabs my hand and squeezes gently. I can't hold back from going to him when he sings the lines:
*I want you to come back and carry me home
Away from these long lonely nights
I'm reaching for you, are you feeling it too?
Does the feeling seem, oh so right?*
I sit on one side of Xander and Lucy on the other as he strums the guitar and sings with his eyes closed. A small, sad smile forms but quickly disappears. Lucy and I both put an arm around his back and we start singing softly, harmonizing for him while he pours everything out that's tearing him up inside.