Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story (44 page)

“Yeah,” he replied, wondering where she was leading the conversation.

“I helped you find the driftwood to burn and then together we watched it blaze for hours.”

“Yes.”

“I want you to think about that night for a moment,” Annie requested, searching his eyes for acknowledgment.  Slowly, Michael began to smile.

“Why are you smiling?” she asked.

“Because I’m remembering what we did beside the fire, on the blanket in the sand.  A spark shot out and burned my ass.”

“Yes, you’re right.

Tears quickly pooled in her eyes and collected on her eyelashes.  Then she took his hands and placed them on her lower belly.  “Michael, the fire isn’t the only thing we made that night.”

“What do you mean?”

“We made a baby.”

“You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“I had a blood test the day you arrived in New York and that confirmed it.  By my calculations, I’ll be due around April.”

Michael stood and ran his fingers through his hair.  “You’re really pregnant?” he asked again, staring at her on the floor in disbelief.

“Oh God!  You’re not happy.” She said, her shoulders slouching in regret.

“Happy?  Happy doesn’t even come close to describing how I’m feeling right now.  Come here,” he said, pulling her up against his body in a soft embrace.  “Having you in my life is a complete treasure.  You having my baby is the ultimate gift, Annie.” 

He shook his head and kissed her mouth.  “I’m happy when room service doesn’t screw up my order.  You having my baby is way beyond being ‘happy’.”

His hands drifted down between their bodies and cupped her belly.  “You have no idea how happy I am right now, Annie.”

She slid her fingers around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers.  Their connection was hot like the flames in the fireplace that were beginning to burn through their clothing.

He made love to her that night on the floor beside the fire.  They took their time in an unhurried sweet surrender.  Their souls collided and coupled in a way that left them both speechless and awed by the perfection of their love.  When it was over, he held her close to his body, almost afraid to let her go.

“Are you all right?” he asked, noticing streaks of tears on her face.

She nodded and smiled, cuddling tighter against his lean body.

“Why are you crying?” Michael asked.

“Because I’ve never felt loved like this before, and now we have a baby on the way, it’s so perfect,” she answered, gazing into his clear blue eyes.

“I know exactly what you mean.”

He turned to her and combed his fingers through her hair.  “I want you to know I will be a great father to this baby.  I promise.”

She smiled proudly.  “I don’t doubt that for a minute.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Two weeks later, Annie was neck deep into plans for her first tour with Lace.  Michael contacted two of his own security people and called them into action.  He wasn’t taking any risks with the security force put in place by Lace’s management, especially with Annie being pregnant.  She was nervous enough without having to worry about the behind-the-scenes issues that plague every band tour.

The tour was set to begin in New York City.  It was ‘home turf’ for Lace and where their biggest fan base was located.  On the other hand, Annie felt like an outsider.  She didn’t know anyone in New York and had no existing fans to speak of.

“Where would you rather kick off the tour?” Michael asked, as he watched Annie frantically pace the floor of the rehearsal studio.

“Anywhere but here, maybe in Worcester or even Boston, for that matter.  At least I’d know people there.”

Michael laughed and pulled her into a tight hug.  “Annie, Lace is too big a band to kick off a major tour in Worcester.  You should be happy about that.  They want to target their largest markets.  You have to remember, this is a business.”

“I know, I know.”  She spun around to face him.  “You’ll be there, right?”

He laughed again.  “Annie, I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”

Her shoulders relaxed.

“I’ve already talked to Brian and arranged our schedule so I can be here with you,” he said supportively.

Unbeknownst to Annie, Michael had made reservations for Gary, Buzz and Ivory to be in attendance, front row and center.  Even the members of Thrust were going to be there for the kick off of the tour.  It would all remain a surprise until Annie took the stage.

The first concert was set for the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  A few days before the show, Taylor entered the hospital and had the heart surgery necessary to prolong her life.  The operation proved successful, but Taylor would remain in the hospital for weeks before heading home for several more months of recuperation.  Lacey had hoped by spring, Taylor would be able to return to the rigors of performing with the band.

With Taylor safely out of surgery, Lacey and Annie pulled together the final details of the New York concert.  Annie’s stomach was in such a knot on Thanksgiving Day, that she wasn’t able to eat a thing.  Michael even dragged her to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade just to try and keep her mind off the concert.  Nothing seemed to work.

Showered and dressed hours before she had to be, Annie paced the floor to their Trump Tower hotel suite, waiting for the arrival of the limousine.  After changing into three different outfits, she had decided to go with the short, black satin skirt with a very fitted double-breasted sleeveless tuxedo coat with white collar and accents.  Her arms were encased in long black opera gloves and thigh-high black leather boots adorned her legs.  A professional hair stylist and makeup artist had been by earlier to put the finishing touches on her.  They had piled her hair in a tight French twist on her head and applied make-up that made her positively glow.  The last detail was jewelry.  Without a second thought, she selected the diamond necklace and earring set that Michael had given her back in June.

He came out of the bathroom adjusting a white silk tie around his neck.  He was dressed in an informal Armani double-breasted black suit coat with tight leather pants and black silk shirt.  His thick curls spilled over his shoulders and his face was freshly-shaven.

“So, what do you think?” he asked, searching for a compliment.

Annie was busy staring out the hotel window down at the city traffic below.  “I think we’re going to be late,” she complained, missing the meaning of his question completely.

He joined her at the window and slid an arm around her while consulting his watch for the time.  “You’ve got two hours before show time.  Relax.  The limo will be here soon.”

“Oh God!  I think I’m going to throw up again,” she screamed, and ran for the bathroom.  Morning sickness had become an all-day affair for her and sapped her energy.

Michael shook his head and wondered if the tour was going to be too much for her now that she was pregnant.  Maybe she’d relax a bit after she saw Lacey and the other guys in the band, he hoped.  A smile slid across his face as he remembered the surprise guests he had waiting for her in the front row of the Music Hall.  If nothing else worked, they would calm down her nerves.

Annie appeared from the bathroom, her face pasty white and her eyes brimming with tears.

“You look beautiful, babe,” he commented.

“You’re full of shit.”

Before Michael could say another word, the phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.  It was Bull calling from the limousine to let them know he was on his way up to the room.

“Okay, I’ll see you in a few minutes,” Michael said, and placed the phone back in its cradle.

“Who was that?” Annie asked.

“Bull is on his way up.” They arrived at the Music Hall on time and Annie quickly disappeared into the back dressing room.  Lacey was already there, applying fresh lipstick in the mirror.  Michael stayed his distance and chatted with Bull by the door.  He knew from his own experience what Annie really needed to do was warm-up her voice and go over the song sets with her band.  Every band had their own pre-show routines to go through and anyone in the business knew never to interfere with it.

Several reporters arrived, sniffing around the dressing room, trying to get copy for the latest music publications.  Bull and his assistant kept them all at bay.  “No pre-show interviews tonight, boys,” Bull kept repeating over and over.

Tonight Lace was the solo act and would perform for two hours.  The following week, they would be the opening act for Crosby, Stills and Nash and zig-zag their way across the country, ending an eight-week tour in California.  Most of the venues would be small theaters and music halls.  Tonight the show was sold-out.

“Ten minutes, everyone,” the stage manager announced, sticking his head into Annie’s dressing room.

She squeezed Michael’s hand.  Her eyes reflected the horror sweeping through her body.

“Listen,” he said, grabbing her face gently with his hand.  “I want you to focus on the first song only.  Don’t think of the whole set, just that first song.  That’s it.  The rest will come naturally once you hit the stage.  Okay?”

Annie nodded her head and quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks.  “I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.

He kissed her lips.  “I
know
you can do this.  I've seen you do it many times before.”

“Not like this,” she protested.

“You’ll be fine, I promise.”

“Where will you be?”

“Right behind the curtain,” he reassured.

The stage manager returned and said it was time.  Bull, his assistant, and two other security guards began the slow procession with the band toward the stage area.  Michael grabbed Lacey by the arm and stopped her.

“Keep an eye on her.  I’m worried she may crack when she gets out there.”

Lacey smiled and patted him on the cheek.  “She’s a professional, right?  When she feels the heat from the lights and hears the crowd, everything will fall into place.”

He nodded nervously.  “Yeah.  You’re right.”

The procession stopped by the stage stairs and waited for the introduction of the band.  Then came the stomping and then the cheers.  Michael smiled broadly at Annie and winked.

“Okay, take your places,” the stage manager directed.

One last kiss on the lips and Michael sent a terrified Annie on her way.  “Have fun,” he shouted.  “I’ll be right here.”

The lights came up, instruments were strapped on and the bass drum began an intro beat that the rest of the band quickly jumped on.  Lacey looked over at Annie and nodded, counting off a one, two, three count.  Then together they began the opening song of the night.  It was an old Lace standard.  Every fan in the audience knew the words to it and sang along.  The crowd immediately rose to their feet and roared their appreciation.  Annie was gone, lost in a sea of adulation.  All Michael could do was smile with pride.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Brian asked, jabbing Michael in the ribs.

Michael turned around and saw all his band mates standing beside Brian.  “Thanks for coming, guys.”

“We wouldn’t have missed this,” they all replied.

After the third song, Annie peeled off her long opera gloves in a slow seductive way that had every man in the theater howling catcalls.  She swung them over her head and tossed them into the audience.

“Hmmm, the girl might have missed her true calling,” Brian chuckled in Michael’s ear.  “She’d make a great pole dancer.”

“Only for me,” Michael replied with confidence.  Inside, he was overflowing with happiness that it would be him that had the privilege to take her home that night and every night to follow.

Annie came to the side stage and took another guitar from the technician.  Then before heading back to center stage, she stopped and gave Michael a quick kiss.

“You’re doing great, babe,” Michael reassured.

“You’re on fire,” Brian added.

Annie couldn’t hide the smile that ebbed across her face when she noticed all the guys in Michael’s band standing with him behind the curtain.  She was amazed they had all thought enough of her to come see her opening night show.  She gave them all a wave and mouthed the words ‘thank you for coming’.  Then she ran back to take her place beside Lacey.  Annie plugged into her guitar amp and dragged her fingers loosely across the strings sending a shrill twang out into the crowd.

“Good evening people,” Lacey began.  “I’d like to take a minute to introduce someone special.  Standing beside me and singing her pretty little ass off for you tonight is Annie Logan!”

Annie waved to the audience and was nearly blown away from the noise they were creating in her honor.

“Way to go, Annie!” A voice screamed at her from the front row.  Annie’s eyes instinctively followed the voice and stopped dead center, in the first row of seats behind a burly row of security guards.  Then one by one, she spotted Gary, Buzz and Ivory waving back at her.  Tears quickly filled her eyes as she waved back at them.  Then her attention shifted to Michael.  Touching her heart and blowing him a kiss, she thanked him.

“Annie has been kind enough to fill in for Taylor while she is recuperating after her recent surgery,” Lacey announced to the audience. “Taylor is doing fine and she thanks you for all your cards and well-wishes you’ve been sending to her.  She’ll be back as soon as she can, but, until then, Annie is going to rock your worlds!”

Like a cannon ball being launched into the sky, Lace, catapulted into their fourth song.  Annie gave everything she had and then some.  No one was more pleased than Michael.  Like a proud teacher witnessing the awakening of his best student, he reveled in her success.  When it was over, he was the first to congratulate her triumph.

The back stage dressing room was over flowing with photographers, reporters, family and friends.  The congratulatory sentiments were overwhelming to Annie.  It was something she had never experienced before and she was unsure of how to handle the attention.  An hour into the meet and greet session, Michael stopped the endless procession into the room.  Then he invited her friends back to their hotel suite for an after-party in her honor.