“What about Celeste?” I asked. It was quite different deboarding from the band’s private plane than it was when we flew commercial. We hadn’t made that flight on the beginning of the tour because Rob had decided to take us on a detour through Florida and then to Aruba, I remembered, smiling fondly as Rob took my hand when we hit the tarmac.

California was as beautiful as ever, cotton clouds floating through the sky above, the warm breeze on my face welcome after the stale plane air. Twelve hours was a long time to fly, even if you did have a bed on the plane.

“She’s coming on a later flight. She always stays an extra day or so to tie up loose ends.” Rob slipped an arm around me and kissed the top of my head. “It’s all taken care of, baby. I had the movers tow your car and haul all your stuff. It’s here in storage. We’ll go over and sort it out after we’ve had some time to unwind.”

“And Katie and Sarah flew in last night?” I asked, even though he’d told me already, a hundred times.

“Safe and sound. Sarah texted me when they landed.”

“Are you sure you have enough room for all of these people?”

“Have you seen my house?” He snorted. “Sarah and Tyler have lived with me for over a year and we can all go days without even running into each other.”

“And... who is Sarah again?” I nudged him. “I mean, besides your transition management specialist when Tyler gets some girl hooked on drugs?”

Tyler I’d known about, of course—there had been plenty of articles and even and MTV’s Cribs show on Rob’s. They billed it as their “bachelor pad,” Tyler and Rob being two of the most eligible bachelors in the country. It made sense, because he and Rob were close and had been bandmates since they were teens. But I still couldn’t fit Sarah into this living arrangement puzzle.

“I told you. She’s an old friend.”

“She’s awfully young,” I mused. “How long have you known her?”

“Are you jealous?” He grinned down at me as we walked.

“No.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“You have no reason to be jealous.” He gave me an extra squeeze as we approached the car waiting for us, getting close to my ear to murmur, “I can’t wait to get you back to our bed.”

“I’ll have to be quiet, with all those people in the house.”

He laughed.

“Jesse!” I cried, when the limo’s driver got out and I saw who it was. I ran up to him, putting my arms around his neck. “It’s so good to see you!”

“Glad to see you too.” He smiled, looking over at Rob, who scowled in his direction.

“I didn’t get that kind of reception.” Rob complained as we climbed into the limo and settled together in the corner. It seemed like such a waste, this giant car for just the two of us, but Rob said their record company insisted. There were appearances to keep, apparently.

“Do you want me to say, ‘welcome home’ to you now?” I purred, sliding my hand along his denim-clad thigh.

“I’ll save my strength for tonight.” His eyes lit up when I unbuttoned the top button of my blouse, teasing him. “I’m gonna rock you. All. Night. Long.”

He punctuated each word with a kiss. Jesse must have loaded the bags because the limo started moving. I tucked my head under Rob’s chin, watching L.A. fly by, remembering the first time I’d arrived, late at night, in a limo like this one. It looked different during the day. And so much had changed since then.

“So, Tyler’s home already?” I asked. I was surprised when he wasn’t on the band’s plane with the rest of Trouble.

“Yeah, he flew commercial.” Rob stroked my hair. “He couldn’t wait to get back to Katie.”

That made me smile. If anyone deserved some happiness, it was those two. I closed my eyes, letting the miles fly by. I thought I would be homesick at the thought of not going back to my little house, but I wasn’t. I had a little twinge of guilt and sadness thinking about all my kids, but I would fly back, sometime after the baby was born, to say an official goodbye. And maybe Rob and I could play and sing our new song for them. But mostly, I was glad we were on the ground and going home.

Home.

“Is that your stomach rumbling?” Rob murmured,

“I’m starving.” I opened my eyes, seeing he had his head tilted back, half-asleep.

“Here, drink more water.” Rob sat up, reaching to open the little refrigerator and pull out a bottle of water.

“I’m not dehydrated.” I rolled my eyes, opening the water bottle and taking a drink to appease him. “I’m just hungry. Does Daisy know we’re coming?”

Daisy—and Daisy’s food! I hadn’t even thought of it until now and my stomach rumbled even more loudly. My mouth literally started to water. And the baby, for good measure, decided to kick and let me know she was hungry too!

Rob laughed. “She’s got pork roast cooking right now.”

“Oh my God.” I screwed the lid back on my water bottle. “I just said yesterday how much I was craving pork roast.”

“I know.” He grinned.

“You spoil me.” I tossed the water bottle aside and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“You’re mine to spoil.” His mouth was warm and full and open under mine, making me moan and slide closer to him on the seat, as close as I could get. Would I ever stop wanting this man?

“Hey, I think we’re home.” I murmured as the limo rolled to a stop. I leaned over to look out the tinted window on the driver’s side. “Huh. That’s new.”

There was still a keypad at the gate, but now there was also a camera, a monitor and a speaker. Jesse waved. I could see him on the monitor.

“More security remember?” Rob’s arm tightened around my shoulders.

“You don’t really think Catherine—?”

“It’s just a precaution,” he assured me. “But she hates to lose.”

“I still can’t believe we won.” I sat up, watching as the house grew bigger in the window, the big double gate closing automatically behind us. “So how long before the divorce is officially final?”

I hadn’t asked him yesterday, when we got the call from the lawyer. We’d all been in the middle of packing and getting ready to go home and the news had brightened Rob’s spirits considerably. I hadn’t wanted to dampen that, even a little.

“Well, she can still appeal,” Rob said. They’d struck her lawsuit down based on the copyright information Rob’s lawyer had presented, proving the songs were his. “It’s a victory, but it may be temporary.”

I sighed. “This baby is going to be illegitimate at this rate.”

“I’m sorry, Sabrina,” he apologized, looking guilty. “I’m pushing them as fast as I can, believe me.”

“You know what, I used to care but I don’t anymore.” I smiled, squeezing his hand. “We’re a family already. Me, you, the baby, Tyler, Katie, Sarah, Celeste... no wonder you hired a cook.”

He laughed. “Thank God I have a twenty-car garage.”

“And six bathrooms.”

“Look, we’re home,” he said as the limo stopped in front of the house.

I remembered seeing it for the first time, how beautiful, how intimidating it was. Now it was home. Except it didn’t matter, in the end, where it was. We’d lived in my little yellow house in Ferndale, we’d lived in hotel rooms across Europe, and we’d lived here, but none of those places were home. Home was where Rob was in the world, and I would follow him anywhere.

“Thanks, Jesse,” I smiled and took his offered hand when he opened the limo door.

“I’ll get your bags,” Jesse said, waving me toward the house. “You go on inside.”

Rob took my hand as we walked over the cobblestone bridge up to the front door. It opened just as Rob was reaching for the handle.

“You’re home!” Sarah practically jumped into Rob’s arms and he laughed as she hung on him and kissed his cheek. “I hope you’re hungry because Daisy’s been cooking since dawn!”

“I don’t know about him but I’m starving.” I stepped into the foyer as Sarah disengaged herself from Rob to hug me too. I could smell something delicious cooking and my stomach rumbled again.

“Welcome home.” She gave me an extra squeeze, smiling at me as we parted.

She hadn’t been this affectionate the last time we’d met, but of course, then we’d been dealing with a sick Katie.

Katie! Where was Katie?

“Daisy!” I exclaimed, seeing her rushing around the corner, wiping her hands on her apron.

“I thought you might be hungry, so I put a little snack up in your room,” Daisy informed us, still out of breath. “But don’t overdo it because I’ve got a pork roast cooking. And I made a tres leches cake.”

My mouth was watering at the thought.

“You’ll want to shower and change before dinner.” She nodded toward the stairs. “I’ve got to get back to my roast.”

“Thanks, Daisy!” I called but she was already gone, like a whirlwind, back around the corner toward the kitchen again.

“Where’s Katie?” I asked Sarah, watching Jesse as he moved past us, carrying our bags up the stairs.

“Right here.” Katie appeared around a different corner. This house was so big!

“Katie!” I met her halfway into the foyer and we hugged. Tyler followed her, giving me a little wave before heading past me.

“Glad to be home, bruh?” Tyler asked, slapping Rob on the shoulder.

“Beyond.” Rob clasped him in a one-arm hug.

“You look so good,” I said to Katie as we parted. “Really... healthy.”

“I am.” She laughed. “And you look pregnant!”

“I know right?” I stood sideways, smoothing my shirt over my belly. “Finally starting to really show.”

“Hey Katie, good to see you.” Rob hugged her too. “Did you run that errand for me?”

“Oh... uh.” She flushed, glancing at Tyler, who just grinned. “I was actually just heading out now. I got... distracted.”

“Really?” Rob looked at his watch. “Jesse could have done it by now!”

“No, I want to do it!” she protested. “I’m going, I’m going!” 

“I’m coming with you.” Tyler started after her, but Rob grabbed his shoulders.

“Oh no, you’re not.” Rob steered him in the other direction. ”I have to talk to you.”

“Aw man, what did I do now?” Tyler protested as Rob steered him down the hall.

“Can I have your keys, Sarah?” Katie asked, holding out her hand.

“Maybe I should drive you...” Sarah frowned, digging in her jeans pocket.

“No, I want to talk to you too!” Rob called over his shoulder. “Follow me!”

“Fine.” Sarah sighed, rolling her eyes and handing over her keys. “Just be careful with it, okay?”

“Will do.” Katie waggled her fingers at me as she headed to the door, keys in hand.

“What is this all about?” I called after her, but she just mimed locking her lips and disappeared out the front door.

“Go ahead, Sabrina,” Rob called from down the hallway. “I’ll be up in a minute.”

I was tempted to follow Katie and drag it out of her, whatever it was—or follow Rob and find out what he so urgently had to tell Tyler and Sarah—but I could almost hear Rob’s big, giant bed calling my name. Upstairs, I found Jesse had put my bag just outside the door to Rob’s room—our room. I couldn’t help thinking of my little yellow house, which now had a For Sale sign out front. I’d seen it on the internet. And most of my stuff was now in storage here in California. This was home now.

We’d flown all night and I was exhausted. I grabbed some cheese off the tray Daisy left, climbed up onto the bed and curled up while I waited for Rob. I knew he’d want to shower together, a prospect that made me smile in anticipation, remembering the last shower we’d taken here together. It felt like a million years ago now, so much had happened. My life was entirely new, something I’d never imagined and living it now was like heading down a road I’d never traveled before.

I must have drifted off because the next thing I knew, Rob was kissing me awake like Sleeping Beauty. I smiled, kissing him back, not opening my eyes, just feeling the warmth of his body, the soft press of his lips, smelling that scent I’d come to associate with him, leather and aftershave and sweet cloves.

“Come on, beautiful,” Rob whispered against my lips. “It’s almost time for dinner.”

“I’m hungry,” I agreed, smiling. “So’s Esther. Feel.”

I took his hand, pressing it to my belly, where the baby was doing gymnastics.

“Esther?” He raised his eyebrows. “We’ve decided then?”

“It’s growing on me,” I admitted. “Are we going shower and change?”

“I have a surprise for you first.” He kissed the tip of my nose, standing and holding out this hand to me.

“You and your surprises.” I took his hand, letting him help me off the bed. I didn’t want to leave it, but my stomach was growling again, only partially sated by my small cheese snack.

“One more thing to check off your list.” Rob took my hand as we started down the stairs. “Katie’s coming up the driveway with it now.”

I was about to ask him how in the world he knew Katie was driving up but then I remembered all the security cameras he’d had installed.

“What is it?” I looked sideways at him, trying to figure it out. What had I mentioned that I wanted that he hadn’t bought or made happen yet? He’d made all my dreams come true, every one of them, from the small things like swimming in the ocean and snorkeling in Aruba to the big things like loving me and giving me our baby girl.

“You’ll find out in a minute.”

The foyer was empty when we reached the bottom of the stairs, the house quiet. I wondered where Tyler and Sarah were, but they could have been anywhere in this giant house and I wouldn’t have heard them.

We stepped out onto the porch into the sunshine and I saw Katie behind the wheel of a brand new, electric blue Mustang—no wonder Sarah had been worried about her car!—coming up the long driveway. There was a woman sitting in the passenger seat.

“You ready?

I squeezed his hand in anticipation, trying to imagine what it could be, but I was drawing a blank. Katie stopped the car at the end of the cobblestone bridge, getting out and waving before opening the back door, reaching in. The woman in the passenger’s seat bent to get something.

“Now?” Tyler asked from behind us and I turned as he huffed onto the porch carrying a giant pink house, Sarah behind him, her arms full too.

“Damnit Tyler!” Rob rolled his eyes, but Katie was already carrying the crate across the bridge toward the front porch. “Not yet!”

And I knew what it was as soon as Katie put the crate down, opened the front, and an eight-week-old Mastiff burst out and made a beeline for us.

“A puppy!” I exclaimed, picking her up and burying my face in her fur. She wiggled and squirmed, licking my face with great enthusiasm as I laughed and cuddled her in my arms.

“She’s going to be huge!” Tyler exclaimed, setting the pink dog house down. “Look at those paws! No way this dog house is going to be big enough!”

“You said you wanted a big dog.” Rob grinned, watching me fuss over my new charge. I kissed her little black nose, exclaimed over her gorgeous brindle coat. “And Tyler’s right, that’s her starter house.”

“And you’ve got all these things too.” Sarah set a fluffy dog bed overflowing with toys and treats and brushes and shampoo next to the dog house. She shut the big French doors behind her, so we were all standing out on the front porch steps.

“Isn’t she the sweetest?” Katie put the crate down on the ground beside us and reached over to scratch her behind the ears. “Oh, Rob, the lady insisted on coming with me. She said she wanted to give you guys some tips on how to crate train. I guess big dogs are harder or something? I don’t know.”

Katie glanced over her shoulder at the car, the woman still sitting in the passenger’s seat.

“Vanessa?” Rob glanced toward the car, frowning.

“Oh, no, she wasn’t there.” Katie laughed as the puppy squirmed out of my arms and into hers. She cuddled him, giggling as the puppy licked her face. “It was her friend, Jennifer. She said she knows you?”

The dark-haired woman was out of the car, coming across the bridge toward us. She was very tall and Hollywood. She reminded me a lot of Celeste in that way—completely put together. She wasn’t dressed like any dog trainer or breeder I’d ever seen. She was more dressed for a funeral—black dress and heels, sunglasses. Her hair was short, dark, cut into a bob. I didn’t recognize her and glanced up at Rob to see if he did.

“Hi Jennifer!” Katie waved as the woman approached.

The woman smiled, digging through her purse for something, heels clacking on the cobblestone, again reminding me of Celeste. But it wasn’t Celeste, of course.

“Catherine.” I heard Rob breathe the word beside me and he grabbed my arm, gripping it so hard it hurt and made me yelp.

Catherine?

But it couldn’t be Catherine. Catherine was tall, blonde, bright and fresh. This woman...

“Hello Robert.”

This woman was Catherine. Her hair was dyed, cut short, her face partially obscured by those sunglasses, but it was her.

And she was standing there holding a gun.

Pointed directly at me.

“You didn’t think I’d let you win, did you?”

“Catherine, put down the gun.” Tyler took a step toward her and she snapped her wrist in his direction, pointing it at him now. Sarah and Katie huddled against him, the puppy still squirming in Katie’s arms.

Rob was moving, almost imperceptibly, putting himself between me and the gun.

“When you’re dead, I’m going to tell everyone the truth.” The gun’s aim slowly traveled back towards me, except it was now also pointed at Rob.

“You mean that you didn’t write Rob’s songs!” Sarah snapped. Tyler grabbed her arm, shaking his head and pulling her back.

“No, Sarah.” Catherine turned her attention to the younger girl, a slow smile spreading across her face. “The truth about your brother.”

“What are you talking about?” Sarah looked at Tyler and then at Rob, looking as shocked and puzzled as I felt.

“Catherine, don’t do this.” Rob took a step forward and the gun moved again, jerking toward him. “Whatever you want, you can have.”

“Can I have you?” Her voice trembled just slightly but the hand that held the gun was steady.

“Catherine, please...” Rob pressed me further behind him as he stepped out in front of me. “Don’t do this.”

“What does it feel like to kill a man?” She cocked her head at him, licking her lips. “You know what it feels like, don’t you, Rob?”

What was she talking about? I looked at Rob, at Tyler, but they were too focused on the gun in her hand to pay attention to anything else. Sarah and Katie looked as confused as I felt. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, from the other side of the house—one of those electric carts I’d seen patrolling the perimeter of the gated, fenced-in property. Security. Oh, thank God.

“It ruins you.” Rob’s voice broke and I looked up at him, seeing his Adam’s apple bob when he swallowed, and I remembered the question she’d asked him. What does it feel like to kill at man? Had Rob... killed someone? I felt like my brain was trying to make connections, but everything was moving too fast.

“Don’t do this.” Rob was pleading with her now.

“What do you think the world will say when they find out?” Catherine mused. “When they found out you killed a man at the age of twelve?”

“You can have the royalties,” Rob told her, bargaining now. “Take my songs. Whatever you want.”

“Except I can’t have you.” She offered him a small, bitter smile. “And if I can’t have you, then that little cow can’t have you either.”

Of course, she meant me. I was the little cow. But she didn’t intend to kill me, I realized with dawning horror. She never had. She meant to kill him.

But the cavalry had arrived. The cart pulled up in front of the Mustang and two guys in uniforms jumped out of it. I had no idea what the arrangements were, but I prayed Rob allowed them to be armed.

“No!” Rob shoved me fully behind him and now I couldn’t see anything at all. “Over my dead body!”

Catherine smirked, taking aim. “They say an artist’s work increases in value after they’re dead.”

“Drop your weapon!” Security was armed. Thank God.

Catherine didn’t drop the gun, but she turned. She had been facing us, so she hadn’t even noticed security pulling up behind her. She turned her head, just briefly, but that was just long enough for Tyler to rush her.

“Tyler, no!” Rob warned, but Tyler already had her wrist, the one holding the gun, twisting hard, making her scream in pain. Then Rob was on her too, the two of them tackling her, pinning her down. Catherine screamed and bucked and kicked, trying to fight them off. 

I sank to the ground in relief, covering my belly with my hands, all the pent-up emotion I’d been holding in bursting forth like a dam breaking. I sobbed, seeing Katie and Sarah standing in front of the pink dog house, hugging each other, the puppy in the middle, tears running down both their faces.

Then a gun went off. I thought it was security, firing a warning shot maybe, but the bullet hit the limestone next to me, about four feet from my head to the left. It happened in slow motion. One minute I was looking at Catherine, pinned underneath them both, her arm flung out to the side, the gun still in her hand. Tyler slammed his foot against her wrist and I heard her scream, but I also saw her eyes. Her sunglasses were gone, the wig she’d been wearing askew, and she was looking right at me.

And she was smiling.

“Bitch.”

I don’t know if she said it or mouthed it because I couldn’t hear anything. My ears were still ringing from the first gunshot when the second went off, tearing into my flesh.

Then everything was on fire.