Looking Back From L.A. (7 page)

After spending a few months in rented accommodation, we finally moved into the perfect house an hour out of L.A. I'd nearly had a fit when I'd arrived back from a meeting with my agent to find Charlotte up a ladder painting the ceiling. No matter how much she tried to tell me she was fine, I put my foot down and hired some guys in to do it all. I made her sit on the couch and 'supervise'. There was no way that my seven month pregnant... girlfriend I guess, was going to put herself and my baby at risk over the perfect color combination. She’d ranted at me for a full hour about it, but I inherited my stubbornness from my mom, and I stood my ground and she eventually gave up and did as I’d asked.

The elder kids had gone down to Texas to spend some time with my parents during their vacation time when Charlotte woke me up at three a.m. to tell me that her waters had broken. Cue a Weston panic of epic proportions; after what felt like a lifetime, I managed to get her into the car and to the hospital. In just over three hours, I was holding my daughter, sobbing.

I stood in front of the altar with Callaghan at my side as the traditional wedding march began. My heart jumped into my mouth as I looked at the pastor, smiling weakly. I turned to see my baby girl walking down the aisle with her brother and sister, sprinkling yellow rose petals onto the ground as she walked. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as Cass grinned my own smile at me. I made a mental note to check I had enough ammo in the gun cabinet down in the basement; I was going to need it as she got older. At just under four years of age, she was already a stunning child, and that wasn’t me being biased.

"You okay bro?" The seriousness in Callaghan's voice shocked me, I nodded and looked past him as Charlotte began to float towards me, my eyes getting more and more misty, the closer she got.

"Perfect."

Two Years Later…

Living just outside L.A. had its benefits, even if it did mean having to deal with abysmal traffic on a regular basis whenever we needed to head into the city itself. These excursions had to be timed perfectly.

“Darlin’, if we don’t leave now, we’re gonna be late.” I hollered up the stairs.

“We’ll be right there.” Yeah, sure. I’d heard that one before.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs, checking my tie was straight for the hundredth time, just for something to do. Smoothing down my jacket, I checked for dog hairs. Buster, as if summoned via osmosis, ambled passed me from the kitchen, his white hair taunting me.

“I’m watching you buddy.” I mumbled at the white shepherd the kids had picked out a few months previous. Buster, on the other hand, completely ignored me as he jumped onto the couch and began to lick his balls. “Show off.”

“Daddy!” Cassidy came flying down the stairs, jumping off the bottom step into my arms.

“Hey my mini darlin’. Don’t you look pretty as a picture?” Gently, I placed her onto the floor and knelt down to look into her eyes that were the mirror image of my own.

“Mommy looks prettier.” There was no way I was going to disagree with her as I looked up. Charlotte walked down to us, her glorious legs on show from under her short black dress.

“Damn darlin’.” Keeping hold of Cass’s hand, I stood to kiss my wife. “You look amazing.”

“You look pretty nifty yourself there cowboy.”

“Ready to go? Hey, kids. Come on.” Grace and Sam came in from the den, just as suited and booted as the rest of us. I led the way out of the house, and down to the limo that had been sent to pick us up.

“Wow, this is
sick.
” Sam’s eyes near popped out of his head as we travelled through the streets, people stopping to stare as we glided past them.

“Dude, that word...  really?” I would never understand the way kids spoke; it made me feel old and out of the loop.

“What? All the kids at school say it.”

“I know buddy, I know.” Charlotte and I sighed. This boy was growing up way too fast and there was nothing we could do about it. School had let out for the summer, and soon all three would be heading over to Cape Town to spend a month with Dermot, Alice, and the new baby; our family was growing. When they got back, Sam would be heading into sixth grade, and Grace was starting High School. Within a year she’d have her learner’s permit and be taking driving lessons. Charlie had regular private breakdowns over her kids and the way they were fast becoming young adults.

It got worse a couple months ago when Cass was accepted into the local Elementary school; she broke down for a full ten minutes. It scared the hell out of me too, but I wasn’t at home as much as she was. Luckily, she’d been offered a job at the same school, so knowing she’d see Cass everyday calmed her down.

“What happened to the dress shoes I bought you?” Charlotte’s voice, her British accent still strong unlike the kids, cut into my thoughts. Smiling at her, I looked down at my feet which were clad in my fifteen year old boots.

“They pinched my toes, so I went and got these resoled.”

“But they’re brown... and your suit’s black.” She rolled her eyes. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I can think of a few things, I’ll fill you in later.”

“Ewww, Gage. That’s gross.” Grace screwed up her pretty face, making both Charlie and me laugh. The car began to slow down.

“Oh, we’re about to arrive; everyone ready?” I shifted across the seat to position myself by the door. Within seconds of us coming to a stop, the driver had made his way around the car and opened the door, blasting us all in the face with a barrage of flashing from the cameras in the press pit.

Climbing out of the car, I plastered on a wide smile as I held out a hand to help Charlie get out. Once the kids were out, I lifted Cass up into my arms and took hold of my wife’s hand— linking our fingers, so we could start walking along the dark, denim carpet that led to the entrance of the TLC Chinese Theater.

“Gage, this way!”

“Gage, give your wife a kiss for the camera.”

“Gage, Gage...”

I was being assaulted by voices from all sides. Cass snuggled her face in against my neck to hide from the flashing lights. Gripping her tightly, I smiled at everyone as I continued to walk towards the door.

Once we were inside, I put Cassidy on the floor and held her hand as we walked over to the bar where my agent, Nina, was waiting to take the kids for some food while Charlotte and I sat and watched the film. I had a couple of interviews to do after the screening, so we couldn’t duck out early.

“Go with Nina honey. Mommy and Daddy will see you soon.” I knelt down to give Cass a kiss on her cheek. “Save me a dance for the party?” With a serious face, she nodded before skipping off with Nina to eat.

“That was... intense.” Charlie took my hand as we made our way to take our seats.

“I’ll never get used to it, that’s for sure.”

I thought back over the last eighteen months, when I was offered the part of Johnny in
‘The Devil’s Track’
, which was a movie adaptation of the Charlie Daniels’ Band song, The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Nina had received a call from the casting director who had seen a video online of a Pocket’s gig, and wondered if I’d be interested in playing the lead.

Once the contract was signed, I was asked if the band would be interested in appearing on the score. I didn’t have to ask them twice; as huge fans of the song, we all jumped at the chance. Since then, we’d had a lot more attention thrust upon us and our gigs were packed out every time.

“I’d worry if you did. Don’t ever become complacent Gage, it’s not you.” She kissed my cheek as we settled down to watch the movie.

:: ::

“So, now that the movie’s been wrapped up, what’s next on the cards for Gage Weston?” The female interviewer had been flirting with me throughout the entire recording, and it was driving me insane. I wanted to get the whole thing wrapped up so I could get back to my family.

“I’ve been in the studio with my band, Pocket Full of Lyrics, as we’re fixin’ to release a new album within the next few months, but for now, I’m concentrating on spending time with my family.”

“They accompanied you tonight didn’t they?” My eyes found Charlie who was stood to the side of the set with the kids, smiling at me.

“Yes ma’am they did.” She must have noticed the change in my demeanor as she turned to see Cass struggling against Charlie’s grip to get to me.

“It’s okay, if she wants to join us, she’s more than welcome.” At those words, my baby flew into my arms. “The rest of you can sit with us too, we’re almost done.”

I couldn’t help but grin as Nina ushered my family on set where more chairs were quickly brought out for them.

“I have to say, that is one beautiful family you have there Mr. Weston.”

“You’re not going to get an argument out of me.”

“Any plans to extend it?” I felt Charlie stiffen beside me at the question.

“Well…” She rubbed her stomach as she spoke softly.

:: The End ::

Tammy. As always, thank you for being the star that you always are. I wouldn’t get half of what I get done without you. You’re the best cheerleader an author could ever ask for.

All of my pre readers and beta readers, thank you so much for being amazing and catching my silly mistakes. I’m just glad you didn’t tell me that this story sucked and that I should scrap it completely.

Rach, your editing helps make me better – something I appreciate more than you know. Having said that, thanks for going easy on me.

Leigh, I realised I never thanked you for making Texas look amazing. You’re a superstar of the highest order, and I can’t thank you enough. As Himself said, it ‘looks like a real book’. Love you chick.

To everyone in my Facebook group,
Feeney’s Fabulous Friends
, you have pimped me, recommended my books, and generally make me feel special. I can’t ever repay you, so I hope this is a start.

Lastly, everyone who has taken a chance on me and my words. You own a small piece of my heart, as cliché as that sounds. Even if you only read one book of mine, you’re there, forever.