Music Notes (Heartbeat #3) (17 page)

Just as Rand had nightly celebrations after each show, tonight Cecile and I were celebrating my latest novel. It felt wonderful to be dressed up and out to socialize. We followed the waiter and were brought to our table and at first I paused and said to the waiter, “Sir, this must be a mistake. We are just dining, but this table is completely set up with roses. This can’t be our table.”

He smiled at me and said, “There is no mistake. This is your table, aren’t you Madison Rand?” I nodded and then saw the card with the flowers that had my name on it. Picking up the envelope I knew before even revealing the inside that it was from my wonderful husband. I ripped it open to read –

My Love, Enjoy yourself and know that I am counting the hours till I have you back with me…forever! Love, your devoted husband, your sweet daughter, and your stunning son who is definitely a heartbreaker already…we all miss you!

My eyes started to tear up, but I didn’t want to cry here in the restaurant. “Excuse me, I will be right back,” and I headed to the ladies room to compose myself. As I rounded the bar area not watching where I was heading, I ran smack into a solid chest.

“I am so sorry,” I said as I pulled back. Staring down at me were amazing deep, dark mysterious eyes. His eyes weren’t focused on the obvious, my chest, but his eyes were fixed on mine and I didn’t say anything more. I was taking in all his features, from his shiny lip piercing, to his head that was shaved, but still displayed a dark shadow of hair, and finally his body that was solid like a brick wall when I ran right into him.

“No Beautiful, I am sorry. I was in a hurry to see what was bothering one of the patrons at that table over there.” He took hold of my shoulders lightly as if to make certain I was okay, and then slowly released his hold. I was frozen to the spot. I couldn’t keep from staring at him.

“So I see you got your present on your table already,” he continued as he glanced in the direction of the table where Cecile was seated.

“What, you mean the flowers?” I questioned and I still hadn’t moved an inch to the ladies room direction.

“Yes those beautiful flowers—just as lovely as you are.” Wow, he was full of nice things to say. Especially since lately I still thought of myself as pregnant and heavier and just so plain.

“I guess you are wondering how I knew that. Let me introduce myself, my name is Tristan Payne. I manage here on the weekends and a small quieter place down in Philly during the week.”

“Oh,” is all that left my lips and then I said, “I live near Philly.”

Tristan then began to move away slightly and said, “Well Beautiful maybe one day I will see you down that way.”

“Oh, well maybe but I am married,” I let out.

He smiled, and said, “I know. Your husband Max Rand spoke with me earlier to arrange your table, but can’t a guy dream? All the good girls seem to be taken. Well definitely my pleasure to meet you Beautiful, and I’m glad we collided. Enjoy your dinner, and I hope you enjoy the show later.”

I was curious and nervous around him for some reason, but I had to ask, “Does that hurt?” and I motioned to the piercing on his lip.

“No, not at all. I forget it’s even there. I would kiss you Beautiful and show you how it feels, but I respect you are married.” He paused and then said, “Please don’t take offense I’m only teasing you.” I smiled back at him and I did wonder what that would feel like if Rand had one and I was to kiss his lips.

“So Beautiful, it’s my turn to ask you a question. I’m curious, why is a woman so lovely like you in New York and not with her husband?” he smiled while he said this.

“Thank you for the compliments, but I am here with my agent, I am a writer, working on a romance novel. It just got published.”

“That is pretty awesome Madison, but I pegged you for a model. Maybe one day you can make those written words of love come off the pages and to real life.”

With that, Tristan walked over to the table that was having an issue. Before he turned his full attention to his customers he looked back at me. I hadn’t taken my eyes off of him, and he winked with a friendly smile.

Returning to the table after I finally made it to the bathroom, Cecile asked, “Where did you go to pee, China?”

“No I ran into a guy on the way,” I said to her.

“Someone you knew?”

“No not at all, but I physically ran right into him. Turns out he is the manager here and at place in Philly.”

Cecile looked around the room and said, “Is that him at three o’clock?” I nodded to her. She saw that he knew she noticed him and then she said, “Don’t we have enough on our plates with our men already?” and she started laughing. I laughed along with her. It was so nice to catch up with Cecile, and talk something other than baby talk which I was doing so much of lately. We started off with a glass of Merlot, but then the waiter came over with a wine bucket and displayed a really nice bottle of wine. He said, “With the compliments of the manager.” Again Cecile and I let out a chuckle under our breath.

The food choices here were amazing. There were so many choices of tapas, and just the right size for sharing each tiny plate. There were many other small plates sent to us that I know we did not order, and again I assumed they were compliments of the manager or the chef. I wasn’t turning any food away, it tasted so good. Lately juggling twins, one on each hip, and feeding them and caring for them, I was lucky to eat a full piece of cold pizza at one time. No, having my two children was unbelievable. I would not trade one second, even the pain, because that is what brought them into this world. Despite all that, tonight it was so nice to be dressed up and out dining and being waited on. A gentle touch hit my shoulder, “Is everything going well ladies?” Tristan leaned in and extending his hand to Cecile said, “Hello, I don’t think we’ve run into one another,” and he winked at me but was talking to Cecile.

She quickly took his hand and shook it and spoke, “No we haven’t but Madison told me she plowed into a guy in the hallway. My name is Cecile.”

I then interrupted them both, “Tristan thank you for the wine and this food is so good, but please don’t feel you need to treat us special.”

“Oh, Madison it’s nothing. I’m just glad to make your evening memorable.”

With that, someone made an announcement into the microphone, “Ladies and Gentleman tonight we have some entertainment, let’s give him a hand and get Tristan Payne to the stage.” I was stunned at the audience’s loud cheers like they’ve already heard him play. It was packed inside the restaurant now. There were many people standing in the front reception area still waiting on later table reservations. I was about to tell him we were enjoying our evening, but I looked and he had already left to go play his music.

I turned my chair because I wanted to face the stage and get the full show. He opened with, “Hey everyone I know what day it is because a packed house here at
Wicked Bites
means it’s the weekend and I’m playing for you all again.” The patrons cheered more. He played several cover songs, and did them well. Then he slowed things down and said, “This is a song I have been working on, and until I find the girl of my dreams I will continue to alter it. It’s called
Looking for Her.
I don’t know if I was having a hormonal episode, but when he finished that song, I was about to bawl my eyes out. I looked at Cecile and she too was already weeping and swiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. It was a great song, but more than that, he had a way of touching you with his words. He was such a treat this evening, truly an awesome singer. I would have to remember to mention him to Rand. As we left the restaurant I glanced back to thank him for the evening. I didn’t see him anywhere, and Cecile was already hailing a cab out front.

Chapter Eleven – Collapse

I had just laid Mick in his crib, already fast asleep. He looked so peaceful. I could hear Madison singing softly to Maxine. Having her back home was wonderful. As I turned to sneak out and enjoy some romance with my wife, I never got too far. The worst pain ripped through my back, and I fell to the hardwood floor. Although I was in terrible pain, I remained conscious. The thud of my fall woke Mick, and he began screaming. I couldn’t get up as the pain just wouldn’t cease. Madison came running in to quiet Mick as she just put Maxine down. Madison almost tripped over me on the floor curled in a fetal position. “Rand, oh my God, what’s happening?” She was on the floor with me.

“I don’t know, my back—the pain, it’s shooting through so bad.” I tightened my position hoping to get it to subside. Mick was now full blown screaming. Madison took him into her arms and was comforting him when I saw her reach for her cell phone. She told me she was calling Maxwell.

“No, I don’t know what’s wrong he is lying here in pain. It’s his back, he is doubled over on the floor. Can you please come and help me with the children so I can get him to the hospital? He is refusing an ambulance. He says he must have pulled something. Maybe they will have an orthopedic doctor that can check him out.” Madison was walking around bouncing Mick to calm him, and also saying to me, “Babe, Maxwell is coming now. Don’t move it will be okay, we’ll get you to the hospital to get you feeling better.” The calmness of her in the situation brought some relief to me. Finally Mick whimpered and then quieted. I guess I was giving everyone a scare. I tried to make light of the situation and told Madison that I was trying to catch up with her. She had the record when it comes to falling down, but now we were tied. She smiled but that didn’t make her laugh, I knew she was concerned, it was written all over her face. Tonight I had planned to play my new song for her after the children were asleep. I knew that wasn’t going to happen now.

*     *     *

It was a slow process, but I helped Rand up from the floor and got him down the stairs. It took so long, but getting him to the car was worse. I needed to get him to the hospital as soon as possible. I had never seen him in so much pain. Maxwell was the first to arrive at the house, but I knew Jillian and my mother weren’t far behind. As soon as I hung up with Maxwell, I called in the cavalry. I was so glad they could all help. I needed to know my babies were being well taken care of because right now, Rand needed me.

Although the hospital wasn’t too busy, I began to pace the hallway in the waiting room area while Rand was taken away to have some tests run. “Just routine,” I heard the nurse say as they wheeled him off. I now know how Rand felt after my accident…helpless. I sent Maxwell a text to let him know that we had arrived and thanked him for coming over so quickly to baby-sit. I told him that I would let him know the moment I was told what was happening to Rand. After two hours passed, I was certain that any orthopedic doctor would have put his back in place by now. I got up to get some sort of word on his status. The nurse behind the desk had a name tag on that read Chelsea. I let out a little chuckle as it reminded me of Rand’s comment about a girl named Chelsea that he dated when we were choosing baby names.

“Excuse me Chelsea, I wonder if you could update me on my husband, Max Rand?” I asked kindly.

“Oh, of course Max Rand. Yes, Mrs. Rand, I’ll go get someone.” She left immediately in another direction. Chelsea never did come, back but I saw a doctor heading toward me as I was the only one camped in the corner of the waiting room.

“Madison?” he called out.

“Yes?” I stood and greeted him.

“Come with me, I need to go over some things with you regarding your husband,” he said in a stern manner.

I kept walking beside him and I had to ask, “Is he okay?”

“He’s comfortable now,” he replied. I released a pent up breath in a sudden burst of air at knowing that he was no longer in pain, and glad that he was comfortable. When we walked down the corridor I thought we would be heading to where he would give me instructions for Rand, and then I would retrieve my husband, fill a prescription of an anti-inflammatory, and get him home to bed. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when the doctor opened the door to the hospital room. Rand was in the hospital bed propped up slightly, not seated waiting for me to take him home. He was so pale and darkness was surrounding his sad eyes. I also saw them fill with his tears.