Inked Chaos (23 page)

“Is the sky blue?” I joke and squeal as AJ
grabs my hand and pulls me out of my seat, starting to run towards the house.  After
a quick change into Jeans and T-shirts, we head out to the garage to find Tiny,
Wade, Martinez and Spencer ready and waiting with their own Harleys.

“It’s a convoy!” I cry, raising my arms
into the air laughing, which causes all the guys to laugh out loud, even
Spencer.

“Goof.” Smiles AJ.  I just grin stupidly at
him.  On this occasion I agree.

We hit the road, and for a little over two
hours I hang on to my man, feeling the wind and the sun on my face.  There’s nothing
like riding on a Harley, but riding on a Harley holding onto the man you love
is phenomenal.

Having no idea where we are going.  I’m
surprised when we all turn into the zoo car park, and ride as close to the
entrance as we can.  We then watch and wait patiently as Tiny climbs off his
bike and walks towards the entrance kiosk.  Within minutes, several staff
arrive and show us a private entrance into the zoo.  They explain that they
couldn’t shut the zoo at such short notice, to which AJ clarifies that we
didn’t expect them to.  We want the true experience of the zoo.

I have to admit I’m not only worried but
confused.  Okay, there are the four security guys, but can they keep us safe
amongst the crowds we are bound to encounter, and what about the threat?

So with my one hand in AJ’s, the other
holding further up his arm, I move closer and on tiptoe whisper in his ear.

“AJ, is it safe?”

“It’s all good Babe.  We’ve
sorted everything.”

I have to trust him and the guys.  I know they
wouldn’t do anything rash or stupid concerning the security.  So I keep silent
and wait while all the details are ironed out.  What I didn’t know until later,
was that AJ had been planning this for days.  We weren’t arriving unannounced
as I thought.  Also, just because the four guys had travelled down on the bikes
with us, it didn’t mean they were the only ones present.  For mingling amongst
the crowds was an invisible army of security.

We make our way around the zoo, sometimes
feeling more like the exhibitions than the visitors.  Yes, we are spotted; we
even have fans asking for photos with AJ.  A few even asking for some with me
in them, although, I try to stay in the background as much as I can; the
security issue in the back of my mind constantly.

Unfortunately, AJ has other ideas and isn’t
averse to pulling me into the shot with his arm around me.  Whether the fans
appreciate the fact that I am in the shot, I very much doubt, but at least they
got their photo with AJ.

Even with all the circumstances involved,
it feels good to be out with AJ, having fun like any other person.  Eating ice
creams and enjoying ourselves.

We leave the zoo, with AJ suggesting a run
down to the beach before heading home.  With everyone in agreement, we head
down to Coronado beach, where we park the bikes, and stroll down to the sand.  The
guys keeping a respectful distance behind us, letting us have as much privacy
as possible.

Like I did the last time we were at the
beach, I walk along hand in hand with AJ, sometimes stopping to pick up a
pretty seashell, sometimes stopping to make out and sometimes stopping to just
enjoy the view.

We find a spot and settle down on the sand,
just enjoying the moment.

“Thank you for today Birdie, even putting
up with Melody.” AJ says.

“Nothing to thank me for.” I laugh “I
should be thanking you.  So thank you babe.” I reply leaning towards him to
gently kiss his lips.

“It’s been awesome.”

Sliding his sunglasses to the top of his
head, he gazes into my eyes.

“Love you Birdie.  With a love I never knew
existed before now.” Before I can retaliate, Tiny appears at my side, all
excited and puffing as if he’d been running, holding out a shell towards me.

“Jorgi, I just found this; isn’t it
amazing.” He declares handing me a shell.

Looking down at it, it seems just like a
normal clam shell.  Yes, it’s quite pretty, but nothing out of the ordinary.  I
don’t want to seem ungrateful, so with a smile and a thank you, I take it from
him; looking at it briefly, before placing it down on the sand next to me.

Tiny strolls away, in a happy, jauntily
manner and I smile to myself, before directing that smile towards AJ.

“Bless him, he knows I love shells.”

“Let me see it.” AJ asks, reaching over me
to pick up the shell.  Holding it in his hands, he turns it over and frowns. “Seems
like a normal shell to me.” He states before saying “Hold on, what’s this?”

I watch as he holds the shell in both hands,
opening it up before turning it towards me.

The breath leaves my body and my eyes fill
with tears, for sitting inside the shell, is the most beautiful princess cut
diamond ring, I have ever seen in my life.

I glance at AJ to see him smiling, but
apprehension hovering in his eyes.

“As I was saying.  I love you
Birdie.  When I thought I’d lost you, my world stopped revolving.  I can’t face
that world without you in it.  Will you marry me Birdie?”

I can’t speak; I open my mouth only to
close it again.  The tears start to flow down my cheeks, and I can feel my
heart thumping like it’s going to jump straight out of my chest.

“Breathe Birdie.  You’re going to pass out.”
AJ reminds me and I take in a shuddering breath that seems to release my voice.

“AJ!”

“Tell me Birdie.  Will
you marry me?”

“Yes.”  I squeak out
before repeating on a stronger whisper

“Yes.”  

I watch as AJ takes the ring out of the
shell, and places it on my finger.  I don’t know how he did it, but it fits
perfectly.

“It fits!” I exclaim with
a smile.

I lean towards him and kiss him.  His arms
go around me and he pulls me tightly against his body, slowly lowering me down
onto the sand, taking over the kiss.  When we finally prize our lips apart, AJ
brushes my hair back from my face and tucks it behind my ear, before leaving
his hand cupping the side of my face.

“Do you realise how happy you just made
me?” On seeing my smile he continues, “I have to admit I was worried.  After
James, I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to try marriage again.”

My mind goes back to the conversation I had
with the girls, just after Jens and Razors wedding, when I had said I wasn’t
sure about marriage.  When AJ asked me, I accepted immediately, without
hesitation.  I guess I made my mind up instinctively.

“Have you been speaking
to Jen?”

“No why?” he asks
quizzically titling his head.

“No reason.” Of course he couldn’t have,
they were still on honeymoon for a start.  Boy! Are they in for a shock when
they return!

“Umm excuse me AJ, Jorgi, but we’re going
to have to get a move on.” We hear Tiny say.  Turning my head, I find him standing
behind me, an expectant glint in his eye, as he looks between the two of us.

“Yes Ross.  She said yes.” AJ tells him,
and I laugh as Tiny turns around to face the others, and does a little dance,
as he gives them the thumbs up.  The others start to walk towards us clapping
their hands, as AJ stands, grabs hold of my hands and hauls me to my feet.  Standing
with our arms around each other, we accept the congratulations from the four of
them, then start to make our way back towards the bikes.

“Needless to say guys, I don’t want this
leaked yet okay.  There’s people we need to tell before we go public.”

Tiny stops walking, with an expression of
disgust on his face.  Taking a glance at him, AJ laughs and apologises, telling
him he knows that none of them would leak it out, that he’s just feeling
protective, with it being new and all.  Tiny smiles and gives AJ a man hug with
each tapping the other on the back.

“Congrats’ man, happy for you.” Tiny says
in his gruff voice and I’m relieved that the tension has eased.  We reach the
bikes, start them up and roll out, as I hold on to my
fiancé
tightly all
the way home to LA.  Feeling like the luckiest woman in the world.

“WHAT!” Davy squealed
down the phone after I gave her the news.  AJ and I have kept the news to
ourselves for a few days.  Just enjoying each other’s company, spending our time
talking and planning.  AJ declaring, that he doesn’t want to wait too long
before we marry, even joking that he wanted a ring on my finger, before we had
another setback in our relationship.

I told her AJs proposal was romantic and special
to me, but that I’m not going to disclose how he proposed, as I want to keep
that between AJ and myself.  Yes, Tiny and the guys know about the shell, but
they don’t know the words AJ used.  They are mine to keep and mine alone.  As I
am flying back to the UK in a weeks’ time, and it is already arranged that
Davy, Ben and Eva are coming to visit.  I agreed to tell her more when I see
her.  I just didn’t tell her what that would be.

AJ rung and informed his mother and sister
of our engagement this morning, and we are meeting in a few days at a hotel to
celebrate.  As are the rest of the band, and the girls.  Jen and Razor are the
only ones not yet informed, but they will be back just before our celebratory
meal, and I can’t wait to tell Jen.

I turn on hearing the door open, and watch
AJ enter with a small squat of a man carrying a briefcase.

“Davy made me go deaf with the screech down
the phone.” I tell him laughing.

“I bet.” He smiles. “Birdie this is Marcus.
 We need to go over a few things.  Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” I smile. “Hello Marcus, pleased to
meet you.” I say, reaching out to shake his hand.

“Miss Morgan.” he says, shaking my hand.

“Shall we take a seat?” I say as I move to
the couch and sit down.

“Birdie, there’s some
paperwork Marcus needs you to sign.”

“Paperwork?”

“Yes, it’s so we both know where we stand
going into the marriage.  So you know you’ll be looked after.  Should the
marriage……fail?” He says having the grace to look uncomfortable, even guilty.

I know what he’s talking about.  I don’t
even blame him.  What I do blame him for, is the snide attack with Marcus;
instead of discussing it with me first.

“We’re talking a pre-nup aren’t we?” I
query, looking between them.  Marcus nods his head, and starts to remove
paperwork from his briefcase.

“Birdie….” AJ starts to
speak, but I cut him off.

“Pass me the paperwork and a pen Marcus.” I
say holding out my hand towards him with a smile.

“Birdie!” AJ snaps.

“Miss Morgan, I strongly recommend that you
read the document before you sign it.”

“I asked for a pen and the paperwork
Marcus.” I retort, still holding out my hand.

With a sigh and a resigned look at AJ,
Marcus passes them to me, and I lean down on the coffee table preparing to sign.

“Where do I sign?” I ask as I keep my eyes
fixed on the document.

“BIRDIE!” Cries AJ loudly, trying to gain
my attention, but I ignore him.

“Miss Morgan…”

“Marcus.” I say, lifting my head to meet
his embarrassed gaze. “What you don’t understand is that I love AJ.  That would
be AJ alone.  Not his money or his house, but him.  I also have money of my own,
so I understand why he wants me to do this; but please understand me, when I
say I don’t need AJ’s money.  Now please, show me where you want me to sign, so
we can end this fiasco and move on with the day.”

With a sigh, Marcus points out where he
wants me to sign, and I do so with a flourish.  I watch as Marcus signs the
documents as a witness, and I turn to look at AJ, who is now leaning back on
the sofa, his eyes closed and his hands in his hair in a stance of I don’t know
what, frustration maybe, or possibly despair.  Either way I watch as Marcus
turns to him, pen in hand.

“AJ you need to
sign.” He states.

AJ lowers his hands, opens his eyes and
looks at me.  I can see he’s worried by the frown upon his face, but it’s the
expression in his eyes that takes my breath away, a look of hurt, but also a
look of pleading for forgiveness.

“AJ?” Marcus prompts.

“Sign it AJ.” I say gently, keeping my
expression blank, and with a sigh, he leans forward and picks up the pen.  I
watch as he begins to sign his name, before swiftly moving towards the door and
out of the room.  I hear him calling my name, but I ignore him.

Moving quickly upstairs, I enter the guest
room where I first stayed all those months ago.  I close the door and lock it,
before sliding down with my back to it, until I reach the floor.  Wrapping my
arms around my legs, I hug them, resting my head on my knees.

I sit there for a few moments, thinking
over the last few minutes.  I truly understand AJ’s motives.  He has worked
hard on his career for many years, to earn what he has today.  Let’s face it,
there are no guarantees in this world.  Whilst we both go into this marriage
with our open eyes, who knows what’s down the line.  Although, I think he has
been a bit premature, we have only been engaged for a few days.

“Birdie?” I hear AJ call, and I listen as
it sounds as if he is searching our bedroom for me. “Birdie where are you?” he
calls as the door handle behind me rattles.  Obviously realising I’m in the
room, he calls my name softly and begs me to open the door.  Without hesitation,
I get to my feet and open the door, and stand looking at him without saying a
word.

“I’m sorry Birdie.”

“What are you sorry for AJ? The pre-nup? I’m
not.  I actually think it’s a good idea.  Which I would have told you, had we
discussed it beforehand, but then you didn’t give me that courtesy did you?
Instead, you ambush me with Marcus.  That’s not a cool move AJ, not cool at
all.” Without waiting for his reply, I turn and walk further into the bedroom.

“I know, believe me Birdie, I never meant
to hurt you, or ambush you.  I just didn’t think.  I once told you that I would
do stupid things, well the way I went about this is a doozy, just say you’ll
forgive me.”

“I forgive you.” I tell
him.

“Just like that?”
he asks, his eyes wide with shock.

“I guess, yes.  Just
like that.”

“You’re not going to have a fit or leave? You’re
just saying you forgive me, that’s it finished?”

“I’m not going to have a fit, and I’m
certainly not going to leave.  Why would you even think that? AJ we are going to
argue, it’s part of life, of getting to know each other.  We are just starting
out, learning about each other.  There are going to be things that you don’t
like about me and vice versa.  I’d be more worried if there wasn’t.  This is
one of those things.  Now you know you should have given me the heads up, and I
trust you not to do anything like it again, that’s it, done.”

“Done?”

“Done.”

“You do realise that you are a very special
lady don’t you? I swear Birdie I will do my utmost to never hurt you again.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” I smile, folding
my arms in front of me.

He gives me a quizzical
look. “What?”

“For heaven’s sake AJ! Move yourself over
here and kiss me…...  Oh forget it.” I say impatiently and I walk towards him,
place my arms around his neck and kiss him.

AJ takes over the kiss and before I know it,
he’s shuffling me backwards and I soon feel the bed at the back of my legs.

“Now look what I found.  A bed.” he murmurs
briefly, his lips a fraction from my own.

“Well!” I whisper “Fancy
that, a bed in a bedroom.”

“Now that you mention the word fancy……” he
replies against my lips, raising an eyebrow, before gently manoeuvring me so
I’m now lying down on the bed, “I have a fancy for something sweet…” as he
kisses my face intermittently between words. “Kind…wise… and beautiful right
now.”

“You do, huh?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” I sigh.

With a smile AJ lowers his head and shows
me exactly what he means.

*****

I’m adding the final touches to my make-up,
by smoothing on lipstick.  I place the vial down on top of my dresser, turn and
stand looking into the full length mirror.  Not bad if I say so myself.  My
hair is gently falling in waves down my back, partially resting upon the
delicate thin straps of my dress.  A dress that I thought I would never have
the courage to wear.  That’s what AJ has given me.  A confidence in myself that
I never thought I would have.  The dress is emerald green with, as I said thin
straps, so thin, I fear for them breaking.  Soft folds at the neckline hug my
breasts before the material floats down, skimming my hips and falling to the
floor.  It also has an almost not there back, which dips down to the base of my
spine.  

Nope, I would never have dared even look at
a dress like this in the shop, never mind buy it.

I’ve topped the effect off with strappy
sandals, diamond stud earrings and my Tiffany cuff bracelet.  My only other
adornment being my engagement ring.

It’s been a crazy few days.  Once everyone
close to us knew about the engagement, including Jen and Razor; Steve released
the news to the press.  My only reaction to this, could be classed as
astonishment.  The world of media went into madness overload.  It seemed every
magazine, television and radio show, were reporting about nothing else.  Photos
of us appeared everywhere, and even social media trends had gone wild.

Because of the still tight security, we
have avoided leaving the house as much as possible, but that didn’t stop the
paparazzi setting up camp outside the gates, hoping for a photo opportunity.  We
have been inundated with invitations to appear on shows for interviews, all of
which we have declined.  The hype now reaching a stage, that now even I am sick
of hearing our names.

It seems that the majority of fans have
taken the news of our engagement well, leaving messages via social media; but
I’ve also been informed that there have been a few negative reactions.  Which I
wasn’t surprised to hear, although it made me more aware, and grateful, of the
extra security we have at the moment.

This brings me to now, dressed in my finery
ready to go with AJ to a hotel; where we are meeting AJs family and our friends
for an engagement party.  

Turning on hearing the door open, I watch
as AJ comes to a sudden halt at the sight of me.  I watch as he opens his mouth
to speak, only to close it again before a smile spreads wide on his face.

“Wow!” he exclaims.

“I take it you approve
then Mr Lewis?” I say giving him a twirl.

“Baby I don’t just approve.  You look so
damn hot, I’m tempted to call the whole night off, and lock you in the bedroom
for the next millennium.” He says, taking my breath away with his words, as he
walks towards me.

“Thank you.” I smile blushing, as he
reaches me, curling his arms around my waist.

I place my hands around his neck, reach up
on tiptoe and gently give him a grateful kiss.  However, AJ has other ideas,
and it only takes a second for him to light the fuse within me, and I catch
fire as the kiss burns into my very soul.  Thoughts of our night out are lost
to me as it becomes more heated, and of their own volition my hands start to
undo his shirt buttons.

Suddenly, AJ pulls away placing his hands
over my own, halting my progress, and we stare at each other, both struggling
to gain control of our breath.  

“Red.” He says smiling.

“Red?” I repeat confused.

“Yeah babes, red.  Red hot.” He says as he wipes
my lips with his thumb.

“Oh Red!” I smile as I softly run a thumb
over his lips, then turn it towards him, advising him of the lipstick transfer.

“Guessed it.  Worth it.” He states
laughing, as he wipes his mouth with his fingers himself, then looks at his
hand.

Laughing I walk over to my dresser, grab a
couple of wipes and pass one to him; then turning back to the mirror, begin repairing
the damage caused by our impromptu make out session.  Secretly agreeing that he
was right.  It was so worth it.  

I glance at his reflection in the mirror as
we both clean up, and as I apply more lipstick, we share a knowing smile.  A
smile that says we both know that we will finish what AJ just called a halt to,
when we return home.

“Ready?” he asks as he
straightens from the mirror, and with a

nod
I grab my satin clutch bag, following him downstairs to the waiting car, with
what has to be said, a beaming smile on my face.

*****

I’m grateful for the heads up from Tiny
during our journey, regarding the amount of press waiting for us at the hotel.  It
never ceases to amaze me how they find these things out.  However, I guess I’m
learning, that there is always someone willing to sell information for a quick buck.

Still, the heads up didn’t quite prepare me
for the madness, which began no sooner had we turned into the driveway leading
to the hotel.  Glad of the blacked out windows of our vehicle, I watch as the
security keep the press behind a barrier, as we come to a halt.

My nerves taking over, I reach across and
grab hold of AJ’s hand, turning to look at him.

Returning my gaze, whatever he sees, makes
him squeeze my hand.

“It’ll be okay.  Just
keep hold of my hand, and we will be inside

in
seconds.  I promise there is nothing to worry about.  Okay?”

“Okay.” I whisper, with more confidence than I felt.

“There’s always Plan B.”
announces Tiny from the front seat.

“No.” is AJs clipped
reply.

“Plan B?” I query, and watch as AJ closes
his eyes on a sigh, then turning towards me, stares at me, almost gauging how
worried I am, before making the decision to let me in on Plan B.

“We knew it was going to be madness.  It
was suggested, that if we did a mini interview before we go into the hotel,
that it might calm the mayhem down a bit.”