Chapter Twenty-Four

Ada

My heart almost stopped when Charlie got shot. I couldn’t process what had just happened. Despite the fact we’d been under threat of it happening before, when it happened I just couldn’t believe it. I thought I’d lost him. He was so weak and there was so much blood.

It had taken me a while to realize this was related to something completely different than my father. After we talked for a while in the hospital about everything, we determined my father had actually threatened Charlie the night Jimmy had fought him in the bar. I had started to form a picture of my father that was completely different than I thought he was. We both decided no matter what, when it came to our fathers, we wouldn’t let them ruin us. Having shitty dads was just another way Charlie and I were able to bond.

Physical therapy had been hard on him. He found it difficult to be weak in front of me. I told him that was silly, but he still couldn’t get past it. I still went to as many of his sessions as I could so I could support him.

Now he’s feeling a lot better. He’s had his last physical therapy session and he’s ready to try the guitar again. I’m so nervous for him and hope he can do it. It’s Tuesday and the first day back teaching the kids. Surprisingly despite the place being shot up and then Charlie actually getting shot, they let their kids come back.

The studio is no longer in the same place though. Charlie bought another place that’s much bigger in a better part of town. There are bars and restaurants around so people are always close by. Having the students there probably saved his class. The parents are careful not to say anything about the incident to him having already learned everything on the news and then pulling me aside to fill in the details they didn’t know.

Even Shelia showed genuine concern for me when I recounted a shorter version of what had happened.

Braleen, on the other hand, was not shy at all about finding out what happened to him.

“You got shot?” She asked as soon as the parents were gone. “Cool, I want to see.”

Out of all the kids, I would have thought the boys would be the ones who’d want to see the wound. Nope, a tiny little girl in bright pink bows. He doesn’t show her of course but it is the cutest inquiry I’ve seen in a while.

I’m on hiatus from the school after the incident. I decided to take some personal time and I’ve built up so much vacation and sick days I could be out for a couple of months. I have the meanies substituting for me and I hope my students are okay.

I want to check in but then that would be considered work, and I’m staying away from it for now.

Charlie is getting ready to lift his guitar for the first time since he completed physical therapy. I wanted him to try by himself, but he said doing it in front of the kids will help him motivate. A new student to the class sits by me and watches in anticipation.

Paulie is a really nice man and someone Charlie says he’s known forever. Paulie wants to learn to play so Charlie said he’d easily be able to teach him with the kids. He sits waiting with as much anticipation as I have.

“Here goes nothing,” Charlie says and lifts the guitar putting the strap around his head. So far so good. He adjusts and then plays a chord. I look at his face for any signs of pain, but he seems to be doing okay.

He starts teaching the class and I just observe. Paulie joins the kids in lessons and seems to be a natural. The class goes by and Charlie plays just like he used to. A couple of times he takes the guitar down and stretches, but I think that’s normal.

He’s been off the heavy painkillers for a couple of weeks. It made recording a little tricky because they made him so sleepy. It was another good reason for me to be off work. I needed to make sure we could get the album done. It was a miracle we pulled it off. Twelve songs and Bring on the Water was going to be our first single if it came to that. We were able to mix in my students singing and the song just sounds amazing.

The parents come to pick up their kids and we play some songs for Paulie. I’m enjoying getting to know him.

Charlie’s phone rings and he looks at it. His eyebrows raise and I wait to see if it’s something from Thomas.

“Wait, dad, say that again.” He puts the phone on speaker phone and I hear an older man with a loud voice. He speaks every word very clearly and it’s obvious he’s angry.

“Your little girlfriend’s dad. He came up here with some jackass. He tried to beat me up in my own freaking office. I sent his ass to jail. He’s in jail. I don’t want you around her, do you hear me.”

Charlie smiles at me as he hangs the phone up. “Now we’re even I guess. Both our dads forbid us to be together.”

“You know what they say about forbidden love,” Paulie says laughing. “I’m going to go and give you kids some privacy.

As soon as he goes out, Thomas comes in.

“I’ve got your albums guys. They turned out really good.”

Lila is right behind him waving one around in the air. “I want to be the first to get your autographs. As soon as my man finds you the right record company, you two are going to be unstoppable.”

I look at the album. It feels surreal. Sarah, my student, designed the covers for us. Her dream is to be a graphic designer. Not a singer. She made a design with a C and an A intertwined and incorporated water. It’s a gorgeous cover, a gorgeous collection of songs, and a gorgeous couple if I do say so myself.

“I’ll autograph it Lila, but we’re not going to get our hopes up.”

“I am,” Charlie says. “My hopes are up for us baby. We’re going to have the lives people only dream about.”

“As long as we’re together, we’re already there,” I tell him.

Lila squeals and Thomas makes a gagging sound.

“You never know,” I say, but I am truly just happy being with him and our friends. Right now, the world is perfect.

After everyone’s gone and we’re home in bed I wonder truly what our future holds.

“Are you happy?” I ask Charlie as he puts his phone down and rolls over to hold me.

“Very happy,” he says and I slide myself down his body to kiss his stomach. I want to try to make him happy with my mouth. I’m still so inexperienced and curious.

“You’re not doing that tonight my dear. I’m making love to you and then we’re going to cuddle all day tomorrow.”

“That sounds perfect. But I will get my mouth around you one day.” I say as he tickles me and then kisses me deeply before we come together as one and all my cares fade away.

“I'll take you up on that,” he laughs.

“I need you,” I say. I mean it in more than one way. I really do.

“I want you, Ada, always.” His words turn me on and I move closer to him.

Without looking away from him I undress so he can see me. As soon as I’m naked I feel my nipples perk up and feel heat all over under his gaze. I’ve become quite the bold lover.

I don’t want him to make love to me, I want him to take me. I don’t know how to express that so I hope I can make it clear with my actions.

He reaches for me, but I hold up a hand.

“Strip,” I say boldly.

He smiles but does what I say. He looks into my eyes and takes off all his clothes. His body is perfect and I want to put my hands all over him but instead, I drink him in with my eyes.

I stare him down wondering which of us is going to give in first. I think he’s going to be the one to break. Just to toss him over the edge I reach up and cup my breasts rubbing my hands over them and throwing my head back a bit.

With a growl, he moves forward and grabs my hips pulling me to him. Our bodies touch sending sparks everywhere. His hardness is pressing into my belly as he kisses me. I press my tongue into his mouth and take his cock in my hand boldly. I stroke it and listen to his breath quicken.

I like having power over his body. I like the way his breath catches with each stroke. I bring my hands back up his stomach and rest on his shoulders. He moves forward capturing my breast in his mouth and flicking the nipple with his tongue. I moan and press myself into him.

He moves down my stomach until he reaches my core and leans down to get a taste. I moan and my legs become weak. His fingers dig into my hips as he moves down to deepen the kiss into my center. I almost spill over the edge right then but catch myself and bring it back. My legs start to shake and I pull him back up to my mouth tasting myself on him. I’m beyond turned on and almost lose my mind when he puts a finger inside me and curls it back. My stomach aches and I move against him.

I don’t want to come this way. I want to do it with him inside me. I’m breathing heavy and the only word I can manage to say is, “Please.”

Somehow, he knows what I need and moves to place his hardness at my entrance. As he pushes me back on the bed I raise my knees up so they are pressed into his chest. He enters me swift and deep and I gasp clinging to my thighs as he begins to thrust.

His mouth finds mine and our bodies move together in a rhythm as we climb together. He takes my legs and pushes them back so they are close to my head allowing his cock to sink deeper inside me. I cry out with the pleasure as my orgasm builds to the point of no return and I explode around him as he moves faster and faster my feet hitting the headboard.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the way it feels for us to be joined completely. I know he’s the first one and I hope he’s my only, but I feel like we have a connection that goes beyond sex. It’s what makes it so much better when we’re doing it.

After we catch our breath he kisses my forehead and moves beside me.

“Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime Ada Springfield?” He asks me in an almost whisper.

“I can’t wait.” I answer honestly and snuggle into his arms to sleep looking forward to the future.

Epilogue

Two years later

Ada

“Encore, encore,” the crowd is chanting, but we’ve already had two encores and we’re behind schedule. I smile at Charlie as we run behind the stage and try to catch our breath before we have to talk to people again. We take a minute to embrace and he kisses me.

The past few months have been a whirlwind of touring and going on talk shows. People really like that we love each other and we sing together. It gives them hope there’s someone out there for them to make music with. Lila and Thomas are always with us. I was able to pay Lila to become my personal assistant and we both were able to leave the high school.

I felt terrible when I left, but I was able to see the last group through graduation before we blew up and I let one of the other teachers take on the new ones so they wouldn’t get used to me.

The set was amazing. The fans were so full of energy for us tonight. Now we’re going through the usual press junket behind the scenes. I feel completely woozy. I haven’t told my husband yet the good news. I want to wait until we’re alone.

The dress I’m wearing feels a little tight and I try to move around so it loosens a little. I’d give anything to be wearing sweatpants right now.

“The two of you just recently got married,” the reporter says like we don’t know. “How has that affected all of Charlie’s female fans that wanted him to stay single for them?”

“It hasn’t,” I say laughing. Charlie reaches for my hand. “They still throw their panties, sneak into our hotel rooms, and send love letters every day.”

“There’s only one lady for me,” Charlie says sweetly and kisses my hand.

“This is the third album for you guys in two years. That’s quite an accomplishment. What keeps you motivated?” The same reporter is asking all the questions.

“We keep each other motivated. I write about her and she writes about me. We’re both really stubborn and really creative. I think you have to have someone to write with who just gets you.” He smiles and squeezes my hands. “We released so fast because we have so many songs between us. This last one is just covers of some great songs and it’s sponsored by the Everyone Sings foundation. We’re giving all our proceeds to the charity.” Charlie says winking at me.

We field a few more questions and then it’s time for the meet and greet. Our lives have been such a whirlwind it feels like we haven’t slowed down.

When we walk into the green room there are the usual loud screaming girls waiting to fawn all over my husband. I have fans too, they just aren’t as passionate.

After an hour of signing autographs, I’m feeling really woozy. I stand up to go to the bathroom. I figure the line can wait for me to pee. I have to pee so much lately. Immediately I faint. It’s only a few seconds I blackout but it’s enough to find me on the floor.

Thomas rushes forward and security does too. It’s like they think I’ve been struck. For a while, Jimmy had stalked me but he went to prison after he almost beat his new girlfriend to death a year ago. My dad hasn’t bothered us. One day the other shoe may drop but for now, we’re safe to travel the world.

I can’t really talk and try to catch my breath to tell them I’m fine. It’s too late though. My husband has called the ambulance. Thomas is yelling at everyone to give me air and Lila has managed to squat on the floor beside me despite being eight months pregnant.

The ambulance comes and all the fans are given vouchers or something Thomas has to appease them because they don’t get to meet Charlie.

“Honey, you can meet with them.” I am on the stretcher and they are taking me to the hospital as a precaution. I haven’t been able to tell them anything and I plan on doing so when they close the ambulance doors. The press is still close by and I really want to keep our privacy.

‘I’m not letting you go to the hospital by yourself. That’s not happening.” Charlie says and he climbs into the back with me.

“Okay miss, tell me what’s going on with you today,” the paramedic says.

The ambulance is already pulling out of the venue and I find myself feeling nauseous. I breathe through it earning a concerned look from Charlie.

“She just wanted to start a rumor she’s pregnant passing out in front of all those girls,” Charlie jokes.

I can’t help it. The grin that spreads across my face is a dead giveaway.

“No, really?” Charlie says. “Really?”

“Yes, I’m pregnant. I wanted to tell you in a much more special way then the back of an ambulance.

“So, you fainted because of the baby. Is everything okay, is it okay? Our child.” The anxiety is building and he stands up hitting his head on the ambulance. It’s like he forgot where we were for a minute.

“Yes, it’s common for this to happen. They are going to take me to the hospital as a precaution but we should be just fine.” I say. I put my hand on my belly and he does too.

‘I’m going to be a daddy,” he says. The look of wonder and amazement on his face is worth a thousand pictures.

“Yes, you are, how does it feel?” My heart swells when I see how happy he looks.

“It feels great. We’re done with this tour. We’re cutting it short. You need your rest. We need to build a nursery. Oh God, Addy, we need a house.”

“Charlie. One thing at a time. We have nine months.”

“I love you, Mrs. Maxwell.” He leans down and kisses me. I feel terrible but I’ve never been happier and I can’t wait to start our family life together.