AN: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Chapter 14
As soon as that door shut the screaming erupted, with obvious crying. Alex and Derek made up that bunk for Kevin while changing clothes, and then slipped off the bus, leaving them to argue.
"I feel really bad," Alex told Derek as they walked around to see they were at the venue and headed inside with their passes on.
"You didn't do anything," Derek said, "You just talked to Danielle, trying to explain why you had to mess with him, you had no idea it was going to this."
"I know. I feel like I shouldn't have even bothered to come."
"Ali, don't start with that again," he said, "Kevin dug his own grave."
"No, not just Kevin, but everyone. I should've just went back to Texas and stayed there when they got home."
"Ali, my god, stop being such a drama queen," he said, "Just stop it. They all love you and you know what tour does to people, especially your family, everyone's stressed out."
“Sorry,” she then storms off.
"Alex!” he said, chasing after her, "Don't be like this; don’t be angry with me."
"I'm not."
"Then why are you storming off like this," he said trying to pull her into him.
"No one sees my point. Yes I know in two more days this tour is over. We can go back home and relax and enjoy our company." She smiled, "And finally plan our wedding."
"I do see it Alex," he said, “You thought coming back here would make everyone happy, but you feel like its only making things worse. I get it, but if they are freaking you out, and then let's just concentrate on us, and when we get home, we'll start planning our wedding. Okay?" He kisses her lips. "Agreed?"
She kisses back. "Okay."
"I can't wait to call you Alexis Hough," he whispers draping his arms over her shoulders.
"I like the sound of that."
They stand there making out for a few as they hear someone clear their throat.
Alex and Derek stop and they see Joe and Nick standing there smiling.
“Good morning,” Nick said.
“Morning,” Alex smiled.
“Since you had our sister all night, could we have her for a few?” Joe asked.
“Sure, as long as I get her back, and I tag along with you,” Derek told him.
“Hey, I’m not a toy,” Alex told them.
“NO you’re not a toy," Joe said, "But you are a very prized possession...."
“Is that a good thing or a bag thing?" she asked.
“It's a good thing," Nick said smiling, "Means your priceless."
She smiled. "Thanks." She looks down at the ground. "So, does this mean I'm performing tonight, or not because it'll mess up the timing again. Because I really don't feel like performing."
“Of course you are," he said, "Why don't you want to?"
"Because it's only three days until the end, and I really don't remember the set... and the band is so use to not playing for me for four weeks..."
“They still been practicing, just in case," Joe said, " but it's up to you. Not gonna force you."
“Maybe we should go talk to dad?" Nick asked.
Alex made her ugly face, "I really don't want to face mom and dad right now. Not after last night."
“It's totally up to you Alex," Joe said, "We'll figure it out."
“Why don't you boys go talk to dad and see what he says," Derek suggested.
"Alright," Nick said and off they went.
"I really don't think I should sing. I mean that's a lot of work for my jaw Derek."
“Alright," he said, “It's whatever you feel up to."
“Maybe I could go out and sing with Nick or some other songs."
“You could," he said, "Baby, I can't tell you what to do or choose for you. It's up to you."
"I know. I know that the fans have all been told that I'm back and surprised the boys."
"Then do whatever you feel is right, honey," Derek said, kissing her lips.
She kissed back.
“Now, let's go get something to eat," he said, "I'm starving and I'm hoping they have breakfast."
“I think there is breakfast around here some where," she smiled and calls Rob to check in and ask.
~*~*~*~
Joe and Nick walked into their dressing room and looked around for their dad. They spotted Paul in the back of the room and walked over to him.
"Hey dad," Nick said, "Can we ask you something?"
"Sure boys, what's up?" he asked smiling at them.
"What are we gonna do about Alex?" Joe asked, "I mean as far as her and the show?"
"Well," Paul said, "As much as I'd love for Alex to go back to normal, we only have a few days. Trying to redo the whole set is just unreasonable, and kinda not do able right now. I mean she's welcome to join in on a couple songs, she has time to rehearse, but it's just not possible to go back to normal these last few dates."
"We would like her to do some songs with us. Like old times. Hey, could we do one song of hers at least?" Joe asked.
"You'd have to figure out what song of yours to cut," he said, "the time just isn’t there, we're already pretty tight."
Nick looks at Joe. "Let's go get Kevin, and the band. I think if we do this as a band, it would work out, everything."
“You better check with Alex," he said, "Last we knew she wanted to go home, you better make sure she's up for it."
"Alex wanted to go home?" Dad asked in shock.
"Yeah she felt like you guys were angry with her about being gone, than you were happy she was back," Joe said.
Dad sighed, "Just that not telling us where she was is what worried us. But after she told us the reason... your mom and I understood why she did it."
"Then it sounds like you need to talk to her Dad," Nick said, "She scared to talk to you."
"Why would she be scared of me and your mother?"
"We don't know," Joe said and looks at Nick. "Let's get the band, Alex, and Kevin."
The boys left the room and got Rob's help to get everyone on stage for the meeting.
~*~*~*~
Alex walked into the venue, laughing and playfully pushing Derek as they walked till she came face to face with her dad.
“Alexis," he said, "Can we talk?"
"Sure, I guess," she said.
"Alone?" he asked, "If you don't mind Derek."
"Of course not," Derek said, kissing her forehead, "I'll be in your dressing room."
Derek walked away and Alex looked at her dad.
"What's up dad?" she asked worried.
"Sweetie," he said, "Joe mentioned something about you being afraid of your mom and I. You wanna explain why?"
"Well, you've been so upset with me after last night and mom, that I didn't think you'd want to talk to me or see me for a day or two."
"Alex we weren't angry," he said, "We were scared! You might not understand it right now, but when you have children, you'll understand. Not knowing where our daughter was scared us so much. We were worried, we couldn't help it."
Alex frowned. "Sorry. I didn't think that..." She said. "I remembered that..." She couldn't talk about it. "I've been so use to not having you guys in my whole life. And almost a year and a half ago, we met for the first time. I didn't think I had to tell you because you didn't raise me. I could take care of myself. I guess I forgot that the meaning of family and how important it is to this family.”
"Alexis," he said, "Family is number one with us! You can always come to us. You will never ever ever be a burden. You're my daughter, my baby girl. You don't ever have to be afraid to come to us."
Alex nods, "I'm sorry dad," she lets the tears fall.
He pulled her into a hug, "Please Alexis, next time if you insist on going somewhere, just let us know where you are, and that you’re safe, so we don't have to worry."
She agreed. "I promise."
"Alright," he said, kissing the top of her head, "Now go to the stage, they are having a band meeting, that you need to be involved in."
"Me? Why me?" she asked puzzled.
"They just want you to feel involved honey," he said.
"Think Derek can go too? He's not wanting me to leave his sight."
"It's fine, Alexis," he said, "Just go, you know how Nick is especially when it comes to work and business."
She smiled, "And Kevin too."
She kisses her dads cheek, and runs off toward the stage and calls Derek to tell him that there is a meeting and is going to have to wait a little bit longer.
~*~*~*~
Nick sat there, tapping his pencil on his set list, trying to figure out how to rearrange everything. He was thinking either between Pushing Me Away and I'm Gonna Getcha Good or between BB Good and Video Girl. Or she could take over Demi's role since she's been out sick and do This Is Me. He was so confused, trying to figure out what would be best. If she didn't do her own song, they had to figure out what songs she could sing with them. Maybe with him during A Little Bit Longer or with all of them during Hello Beautiful or actually singing Pushing Me Away with them. Just as his brain felt like it was gonna explode, Alexis came running on stage.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, "What’s up?"
“ALEX!” the band said as she smiled and hugs the band.
Joe moves over so she could sit down next to him and Nick. “Come sit over here by us.”
She sits down. “Sorry. Dad was talking to me.”
“Is everything okay?” Joe asked.
“Yeah,” she smiled. “I’ll explain later.”
"So what I was thinking," Nick said, "Was if Alex wanted to perform tonight on her own we could squeeze her in between Pushing Me Away and the Shania cover, or BB Good and Video Girl. If she just wanted to sing with us, she could join Joe for This is Me, since Demi's out with laryngitis, or me for Little Bit Longer. Or we can all do a song together. It's really up to Alex." He looked to her, "What are you up for sis?"
"Wait..." she said shocked. "You guys..." points to everyone on stage, "Want me to sing tonight?"
"Of course, sis," Kevin said, "You're back and we wanna end this tour with a bang. It's just we don't know how your jaw is feeling. If you’re up for it."
"Absolutely Alex, we've missed you," Greg ‘Garbo’ the bands bass player said as the other members agree.
"I missed you guys too. I don't know, I haven’t sang for the last few days, and last night was the first time singing..." she laughed, "And surprising you guys was the best."
The band members laughed.
"The looks on their faces, Alexis," Greg said, "It was priceless. That roar from the crowd was amazing. They've said such great things about you at meet and greets. They all missed you so much. No matter what you choose to do, they will just be happy your back!"
Alex tried not to tear up. The fans loved her and missed her. She smiled. "Why don't we practice one of my songs and see how my jaw can handle... and see from there?"
"Awesome," Joe said, "What one do you wanna do?"
"I guess, the smartest thing would be singing With You," she said, "Do our duet. Only makes sense."
"So now we just have to figured out where to put it," Nick said, going over the set list.
"Maybe after Pushing Me Away, it would be a good pick me up," Greg said, walking over to go over the list.
“Yeah that would be good," Nick said, "Alexis you on board with that?"
"It's about three minutes," Alex told them.
"Yeah, we know," Kevin said, smiling, "How many times have we sang that sis? Your jaw was broken, you sure you didn’t get some blonde roots?"
Alex reached over and smacks the back of his head. "I just want to make sure since you're on crunch time.” She then asked, "Should we do it acoustic or let the band play?"
"First of all, Um ow," Kevin said, "and apparently lost her sense of humor too. Geeez...... Anyways, I think acoustic, small set at the end of the runway would be good." He laughed a little and braced himself for another swat.
She smiled, "Sounds great, I love it. Closer to the fans." She grinned. "So, Kev, did you get the boot out of the bed tonight?"
"No," he said, "She's just upset I blamed you, I never should have you, we've just been trying for a while now and I'm just frustrated. I love you sis, and I'm sorry."
"I love you and I'm sorry for telling Dani too."
"It's okay," he said, "I understand, so you up for rehearsal?"
She looks at the list and the markings that Nick did. "Could I ask something?"
"Anything, sis," he said.
She smiled, "We practice this, and I feel good into singing. Could I sing This Is Me and join you for A Little Bit Longer?"
"Of course sis," Joe said, "We'd love that."
The band agrees.
"So, are we ready to do this change?" Nick asked.
"We have the best band ever," Alex said, “we're ready."
They went to work.
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AN: So... what do you think????? enjoy your second update for the week...