Embrace You: Book (Loneliness) (16 page)

"Yes, luv, I know. We don't have to leave the U.K. unless it's the best move for the band. We can focus on the tour and raising Lizzie," he says.

I hear a slight hitch in his voice. Looking up, I see tears sliding down his cheeks.

"Let's go before the slavering hordes descend on us," Tim says.

We slip out as a group and go to the studio. Nigel is waiting for us.

"Well?" he asks.

"Both got life terms with no parole," Tim says.

"Let me call my mum," I tell the others. Calling her, I wait.

"Mum? We're staying in Britain! They got life terms, both of them! No parole!" I squeal.

"Oh, thank the Lord! I'll see my grandbaby grow up! That means you can unpack the extra suitcases in your garage," mum says.

"Yes, thank God. That and the instruments and equipment," I say, wiping tears from my face.

We invite everyone over for an impromptu party at our house. Tim, Linny and Laslow all bring their families and partners. Lizzie shyly watches as other small children troop into the house. Soon, she is sharing her toys and playing with them.

We discuss how it feels not to fear what's going to happen that day. We talk about the "slavering hordes" Tim referred to in the courtroom.

"Well, you'll have to deal with them, regardless. Now that Cara can't stalk me, they'll lose interest in that. Instead, they'll focus on your music and fake broken marriage reports and unintended pregnancies," Marcus predicts.

"All we can do is live our lives in a way that we would be proud to see recounted in the headlines. No drugs, drinking to excess, violence, stunts. None of that," says Nigel. "Speaking of which..." he looks at the bottles of whiskey and ale arrayed on our kitchen counter.

"Oh, no! We aren't drinking all that tonight," I say. "I don't want to be trying to board a flight with a hangover!"

After everyone leaves, Marcus and I relax in the living room. Lizzie is upstairs, sleeping. The day was a long one for her, being cared for by her beloved gram. On top of that, she met other kids and wore herself to a nubbin.

Upstairs, Marcus and I talk quietly as we unpack the "extra" clothes we had packed in preparation for a quick getaway.

"Luv, I am so grateful you stuck with me through all this. What would you say to having another baby, when we get back from Europe?"

"Oh, Marcus, I love that idea! Yes!"

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After Cara Wells, a crazed stalker, is put behind bars, Johanna and Marcus Hadley are ready to move on with their lives and careers. When they receive word that Marcus€™ sister, Millie Smythe, will be arriving back in the UK from a minister school in the US., Johanna, eager to meet her new sister-in-law, prepares for her arrival.

Unfortunately, Johanna and Marcus discover that Millie isn€™t the caring sister she used to be when she denounces their marriage and claims their children to be illegitimate. Soon, all hell breaks loose when the bigoted and narrow-minded Millie puts a plot to destroy Johanna€™s band and the Hadleys€™ marriage into motion.

Together, the Hadleys must entrust in their family and friends to help them overcome a menace that clings on the fringes of their hearts.

Will Marcus be able to cope with shunning a sister he once loved? Will Johanna be able to keep her growing family intact while maintaining a positive character with the band?

Or will their tight-knit family fall to shreds from within?

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