Michael's POV
"Hey--" Karen says looking over at me. "There's a phone call for you, it's Bill." she says walking past me as she sets out her makeup. I jump out of my seat. "I better go get it--I'll see you in a bit, Tati..."
I really didn't want to leave her alone with Karen--not because of what Karen would say to Tatiana, but would Tatiana would do to Karen. I look over at her as Karen has her back turned mouthing "Behave."
She rolls her eyes as I chuckle walking out the room. I go down the hall to my dressing room swinging the door open as I see Frank look up at me. "Yeah Bill, he's right here..." he says handing me the phone.
"Mike?"
"Bill..."I chuckle looking over my shoulder making sure Frank was out the room. "I've been waiting for you to call..."
"I know Mike...but it wasn't exactly easy getting a hold of Rachel's final arrangements."
I sit down slowly, tangling my finger in the phone cord. "Well..."
"Kid...the funeral was this afternoon. I went--"
"And?"
"I don't think you have anything to worry about anymore."
I close my eyes sighing out. "You mean..."
"She's dead, Mike."
"Are you sure?" I whisper.
"Mike, I saw her with my own eyes. She's dead. I went to the morgue before to double check."
I swallow hard running a hand over my face.
"I didn't expect for you to be happy about this but at the same time, I thought you'd be relieved." he says as I stare at the wall.
"I-I don't know what to feel. I guess I'm relieved...It just doesn't answer any questions I have, I guess." I mumble lowly.
"Like what?"
"Have you heard what's been going on?"
"Frank and Wayne filled me in..."
"Maybe it's just--I don't know." I sigh. "I can't shake off this feeling..."
"Kid, listen." he says seriously. "I think all of what is going on and what has happened is stressing you out and you're being paranoid. Does Tatiana know--"
"I'd prefer for her not too. She's been put through enough..."
"And you need to let that guilt go. You remember all the craziness you and your brothers went through when you kids toured?"
I smirk before letting out a chuckle. Those were the days of crazy fans breaking into hotel rooms, stalking, ...
"I guess your right." I chuckle softly.
"Just worry about this tour and keeping that girl happy." he laughs out making me blush as I put a hand over my face laughing.
"I'm working on it." I chuckle. "I gotta go. I'll talk to you tomorrow.." I laugh as we say goodbye before hanging up.
**
I walk in the room where everyone is gathered around. My eyes immediately lock on Tatiana's who's giggling with Sheryl. I couldn't help but smile just watching her.
Just to think everything I wanted or ever needed was standing right in front of me.
As if she hears me she turns around her eyes lighting up as she bites her lip, attempting to hold back a smile as I feel myself relax winking at her as she looks down blushing.
I walk towards her as everyone gathers in a circle. "Ricky can you--"
"Sure thing." he looks around. "Can we all join together, and bow your heads?" he asks. The room grows silent as I gently brush my hand against Tatiana's who gently takes my hand in hers as we intertwine fingers. I smile gently bowing my head giving her hand a slight squeeze.
"Oh Lord, please bless this music that it might glorify your name. May the talent that you have bestowed upon me be used only to serve you.
Let this music be a witness to your majesty and love, and remind us that you are always watching, and listening, from your throne above.
May your presence and beauty be found in every note, and may the words that are sung reach the hearts of your people so they will draw closer to you.
May your Spirit guide us through every measure so that we might be the instruments of your peace, and proclaim your glory with glad voices.
Amen."
"Amen!' everyone shouts out as they start into a slow clap, before going faster bursting into wolf whistles.
As everyone begins to walk out, I grab Tatiana gently by the arm as she spins around. "Wh--"
Before she can finish I let out a chuckle, grabbing her by her hips as I pull her towards me, kissing her lips. She kisses me back sweetly, before we gently pull away. "What was that for?" she laughs as I smile.
"For being more than I ever wanted..." I smile as I intertwine our fingers, as we walk out hand in hand.
Tatiana's POV
"Man, that was fun!" Greg crows as we all walk down the hall. It was the end of the concert and I was dripping in sweat, my heart pumping hard from the adrenaline rush.
Michael had already disappeared in his dressing room before anyone.
I sigh out as I take off my heels going in my dressing room as I snatched the multiple belts I'm wearing off, peeling my dress off.
The cool air hits my skin as I sigh out going in the washroom, freshening up, before coming back out as I begin to wipe off the makeup from my face.
A knock hits the door, which I recognize as Michael's rhythmic beat. "Come in!" I call out.
He opens the door, coming in. A scarf is wrapped around his neck and mouth to save his voice. He had on his red and yellow Letterman jacket with black slacks.
I smile at him through the mirror. "Hey...you were incredible. God, when you--" I stop talking noticing he wasn't even listening.
He stays silent staring at me as I furrow my eyebrows confused. I blush deeply realizing I was still in my underwear. I clear my throat shyly as his eyes immediately meet mine, as he chuckles pushing his scarf down exposing his face . "Sorry...I was going to see if..." he stops again staring at me. "They all want to go to dinner but--"
"But what?" I say grabbing my sweatpants as he comes toward me slowly.
"I have other things in mind..." he smirks, making me raise my eyebrows. He pulls me in his arms, pressing his lips against mine. It wasn't before long that my fingers were tangled in his hair, earning a soft moan from him.
"Tatiana!" Sheryl calls from the other side of the door, making me jump slightly. Michael completely ignores it all as he moves his head laying soft kisses on my collarbone.
"Yeah?" I call out, trying to move away as he holds me tighter in his arms, moving his lips up my jaw slowly as I try to hold back a moan.
"We'll all meet you down the hall, when you're done getting ready!"
"Okay, I'll be out in a minute!"
"Or more..." Michael whispers before capturing my lips in his making me laugh.
"How can you have all this energy?" I laugh squirming away as I grab my clothes.
"With you it never runs out." he winks as I blush shaking my head.
"You're in an awfully good mood." I smirk as I pull on a pair of sweatpants.
"Aren't I always?"
"During tour? " I snicker. "You can be a little grumpy--"
He rolls his eyes. "I love to tour. What are you talking about?"
"Bullshit."
"I do." he says trying to keep a straight face as I laugh out. I finish getting ready quickly before packing up everything for the crew to take on the loading buss before Michael and I head out.
**
"Never thought I'd see the day of you drinking." Ricky laughs as Michael puts down his beer shyly.
"Why is that?"
"Because you're such a goody two shoes." Greg laughs out. "The strongest thing I thought you'd drink was holy water..."
Michael rolls his eyes as they all cackle laughing. "Yeah, yeah, yeah...very funny..." he mumbles digging in his spaghetti. "I don't drink that often." he shrugs.
"I don't know how you guys can drink that stuff..." I make a face wiping my mouth with a napkin. "It smells awful.."
"It isn't bad." Michael chuckles shrugging. "This one tastes just like root beer.."
I curl my lip up slightly as I grab another french fry. "Still smells bad..."
"What? You mean to tell me that you've never had a drink before?"
"I have..but not beer...and I don't plan on it. I don't even drink much. Just tonight I will." I say before ordering a drink from the waiter.
"Aww come on Tat...why not?" Ricky chuckles.
"Your breath smells..."
Michael looks over at me smirking as he leans in to kiss me. I quickly put my hand up to his lips laughing. "Nuh-uh...you're intoxicating enough..."
He blushes deeply as everyone starts laughing.
"Oooo looks like someone is about to get freaky..." Ricky laughs as Sheryl giggles, as I roll my eyes.
"Why don't you try some?" Michael chuckles pushing his glass to me, as I scrunch up my nose.
"Nuh uh..."
"Why not? On this tour you've made me try something new all the time. Now its your turn." he chuckles.
"Yeah come on, Tatiana..." Sheryl says. "It isn't that bad."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I've never seen you drink either..." I mutter shooting her a look.
"You know something...she's right." Greg says slowly as he raises an eyebrow. "Not even wine..."
Sheryl stays quiet as we all catch her in a tight spot. "Awwwwwwwwwwww drink up, kid."
"Thanks a lot, Tat." she hisses as I shrug.
"You had to put your two cents in."
"Fine, fine.." Sheryl rolls her eyes picking up Ricky's beer taking a small sip, as everyone stares. She smacks her lips together slightly as she shrugs.
"It's actually not bad..."
"I'll take your word for it." I roll my eyes as Michael laughs out.
"Come on..."
"You guys a horrible influences..." I scowl as Michael giggles.
"Think of as part of the initiation..."
I roll my eyes. "What?"
"If you have to swim in lake Minnetoka to be in Prince's posse...you have to drink beer to be in the Bad club.." Greg smirks as I roll my eyes.
"Well there's a lot of stuff you have to do to be apart of the Bad Club..." Michael teases. "Water fights is one...I'll make a list." he smirks. "Don't you want to be apart of the cool kids, Tatiana?" he giggles.
"I taught you cool.."I laugh as he smirks.
"And I created cool." he chuckles nudging my playfully as I roll my eyes. The waiter comes over bringing my drink, which was some type of fruity cocktail called Pink Lagoon. I take a sip and nods in satisfaction before putting it down.
"Pretty good..." I say as Michael chuckles draping his arm over my legs pulling me closer to him.
"Man, I missed eating some ribs." Greg says taking a bite of his hungrily, leaving a smear of barbecue ribs on his mouth.
"We can tell--" Sheryl laughs grabbing a napkin wiping his mouth.
I giggle taking more of a drink, leaving the glass less than half full. I close my eyes feeling dizzy, as I let out a slight hiccup.
"I'm going to use the restroom..." I say as Michael scoots out the booth to let me up. I get up taking a step forward as I lose my balance, Michael catching me quickly.
Michael's POV
I quickly catch Tatiana by her waist before she falls. "Hey there.." I chuckle. "You okay?"
"Mhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm!" she says cheerfully regaining her balance.
"Are you drunk?" I ask furrowing my eyebrows as she pouts slightly.
"Me? No!" she giggles happily.
"She's drunk--" Greg snickers as I furrow my eyebrows.
"I don't know how she can be. She didn't even finish that drink..."
"She had the Pink Lagoon.." Greg says slowly.
"So?"
"That drink gets you drunk within seconds." Ricky says as he comes from the restroom sitting down. "We use to drink that in college at parties..."
"Why didn't you say anything?!"
"I thought she knew!" Greg says defensively.
I roll my eyes as Tatiana giggles. "You look funny.."
I sigh. "I'm taking her back to the hotel. Greg, I'm gonna kill you." I hiss taking cash out of my wallet putting it on the table as I pick up Tatiana in my arms.
She squeals out happily laughing as I carry her bridal style out the door.
"Ohh where are you taking me?" she asks giggling as we walk to the car, Wayne opening the door for us.
"Back to the hotel." I chuckle as I get her in the car, climbing in after her. I reach over to put on her seat belt as she smacks my hand away.
"I got it! I'm not a baby.." she says as she struggles to get it on. I watch her trying not to laugh as she struggles to put it on, before pouting.
"You need help?" I chuckle as she nods sadly. I giggle softly as I lean over snapping it on before kissing her head.
**
"God, I swear I'm never letting you have another drink again." I chuckle once I get her in the hotel room.
"Not eeeeveeen water?" she says as I carry her in my arms to the bed.
"You'd be lucky if I did." I smirk as she plops in the bed giggling. She rolls around staring up at me smiling.
"You're sooooo sexy." she laughs as I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
Oh yeah? Now I know your drunk..." I chuckle.
"Mhhhhhm" she stares at the ceiling absentmindedly. I smile shaking my head as I put her shoes to the side getting up, as I grab a flannel from the drawer. She rolls over on her stomach lazily, staring at me.
"Wanna know a secret?" she says her eyes closing sleepily as I gently begin to slide off her sweatpants.
"Hmm?"
"I knew I was gonna marry from the moment I saw you.." she says quietly as I freeze.
"What?" I say looking up at her. By now she was already sleeping, peacefully-- as my head began to spin.
Did she just say--
I stare at her wide eyed as my heart begins to race, a smile forming on my face as I look down. I look back at her as I take off her shirt changing her into her pajama's before pulling the covers over her. I lean in kissing her softly before whispering;
"I knew that too..."
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Ohmygawd. I'm so so sorry I haven't updated. Please forgive me. A lot has been going on and my attention was fully there. I promise I didn't forget you guys!
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moonwalkergal