Press Conference Part 1
Andrea's POV
Andrea had sat in the living room of her apartment for several minutes thinking about the phone call she had received from Prince. She remembered back to the day she had done the first interview with Prince and Carlos and how embarrassed she had been when she realized how inappropriate her conduct had been after she had first seen him performing on the LA morning shows just as his first Album was about to drop. Meeting Bella and seeing her and Prince together had a profound impact on her. Bella was so calm and kind when she had wished her well in her healing that day. Both she and Prince had forgiven her for her trying to seduce Prince despite knowing of his relationship with the young Bella Borden. Andrea had made a promise to herself and to her God that whatever she could do to help the young Royal Prince, she would. She had recognized that day what a unique creation he was and that he had been given a mission by the Creator Himself which he, his music and his band were making the effort to fulfill. She had realized that he did not understand it completely himself, but he was determined to be obedient and do all that he could to bring it to fruition. The phone call this morning was the first time he had ever asked for her help. She had been in contact with him though in that she was one of the few reporters allowed to interview Bella when the news had come out about her book being on the best sellers list. She of course had known for some time of the miracles associated with his music, but it was now becoming apparent to the world and Prince was concerned about the safety of Bella and Elaine and about the quality of their lives if they did not somehow get the media to back off. He explained what he wanted to do which she thought was genius but also knew would probably involve a legal challenge at some point and she would do all she could to assist. It was also a major opportunity for her to have worldwide exposure as a serious journalist! She was scheduled to meet her Bridesmaid of Honor to go shopping to select the earrings she had decided to give each Bridesmaid as their gift but was pretty much free until then. Jax had been very generous with her budget for such things. She would make some calls and find the studio from which she could moderate the Press Conference. She would go with the first that had availability for one of the dates involved. She would start with one of the NY Times Cloud Stream Networks and Studios. She picked up her phone which was laying on the table beside her and dialed the NY Times Communications number. It was picked up on the second ring. "Yes, this is Andrea Williams and I need to coordinate some Global Skylink airtime to be used from the local NY Times studio. "Please hold" the operator said and then connected the call to the Global Skylink coordinator.
Prince's POV
It was Sunday morning and Prince awakened to the bells of St. Paul's Cathedral summoning the faithful to Holy Communion at 8:00 AM. They would fly to Milan today, but he knew that Bella wanted to attend Mass at the famous Westminster Anglican Cathedral before they left. They would fly at 4:00 PM so would attend 10:00 AM Mass and then would have a late breakfast around 11:30 AM and then an early supper on the plane. Prince looked at Bella. She looked so peaceful, he would let her sleep for awhile. He got up and did his morning business and made coffee. After the coffee was on he went to the door to retrieve the morning paper. Sitting down in the living room, he scanned the headlines but saw nothing out of the normal in the area. In looking at the Entertainment Section he saw a wonderful review of their performances and could not help but smile.
The review said that "The Royal Prince was a high energy performer whose voice, music, band, dancers and personal moves were pure perfection". It went on to say if the performance had been missed they had really missed something special but could possibly get to see it as there were still a few...and that was a very few tickets to the Friday performance in Milan, Italy. The Saturday performance was totally sold out. Seeing nothing unusual, Prince went back into the bathroom to grab a cup of coffee and then went back into the living area and turned on Cloud Stream. He was scrolling through the channels which were primarily religious programming and some old movies when he saw one of them had the Breaking News Banner appearing at the top of the screen.
Hospitals throughout London have been reporting something very unusual the Cloud Stream journalist said. Comatose patients had been waking up throughout the night. So far the count was 9 in London itself and one in the suburb of Knightsbridge had also been reported. Further, the peace that had overtaken Paris some months ago and still continued there had taken root in the city of London overnight as well. Not one major crime had been reported on a Saturday night in the ancient city, nor any of its suburbs. Many believed that the peace and the incident with the crashing plane and train that were rescued, some said by Angels in Paris were tied somehow to the Royal and the World Changers concert and they had performed in London last night. It is becoming clear that this band brought miraculous acts with it somehow everywhere they performed. It was reported that the first coma patient to wake up had happened at 11:45 PM. This appeared to be during the time that the audience was chanting the Royal Prince's name at last night's show he knew, but it would be several days before the media reported that. Who were these young people and what power did they have over disease, injury and Angels? No-one knows, but most in our city are very grateful. We will keep you informed as the story continues to develop.
Prince's phone began to ring. As he got up to get it from the bedroom, he noticed Bella leaning against the door to the sitting room. "Did you hear", he asked? "Yes", she said as she went back into the bedroom and retrieved his phone and handed it to him. Carlos was on the phone. " Did you hear the story Prince", he asked before Prince could even say hello. "Yes", Prince said. "I think it is time for us to prepare to announce the Press conference", he continued. "So are we still going to go to Mass this morning"? "Yes I think so" Royal said; "and then we will come back here and have breakfast and then go to the airport". No more running Michael had said. "Got it", Carlos replied and disconnected the call. Prince turned around and walked to Bella and pulled her into an embrace. "Good morning pretty girl" he said. She said nothing but nuzzled his neck in greeting. "Let's get dressed for Mass. It starts at 10:00", Prince said. They took quick showers and dressed. Prince called Larry to remind him about attending Mass and was happy to hear they were all up and dressed. At 9:20 AM the 4 were ready and Security came to their rooms and escorted them to the elevator. Christian was on the elevator on his way down to the lobby when they got on and Prince remembered he had told them about going to Mass. They went straight to the garage and got into their air vehicles.
They arrived at the Abbey at 9:45 AM and entered the historic building. It was as beautiful as every picture that Bella had ever seen of it. They went inside after being greeted by one of the ushers who immediately recognized them. He smiled and said" I loved the show last night. You all were wonderful"! "Thank you" Prince said a little surprised that he was meeting a fan of his music in Westminster Abbey. The usher sat them in the 3rd row from the front and then scurried back to the entry doors and told the Celebrants who was worshiping with them today. The Senior Celebrant made a point of smiling at them as he walked up the aisle to the alter. He was known as the Venerable Ronald Hart and was also a fan of The Royal Prince's music. He had attended the concert last night with his co-pastor, John Stokes and the usher who had seated them. He was thrilled to see them in church! The Mass began and then when it was time for announcements, Rev. Hart said, "I want to extend a warm welcome to The Royal Prince of the World Changers , Carlos Rodriguez and their beautiful fiancee's Bella and Elaine. I would like to ask Royal if he would bless us with a song this morning"? Prince smiled, stood and walked to the front of the church. He thanked Rev . Hart for the opportunity to serve the Creator and asked if he might use an Electric or Acoustic Guitar. The Minister of Music was playing the Piano today to accompany the Choir. "Which would you prefer, we have both", he said smiling. Prince smiled too and said "Electric". He stood and brought a guitar to Prince. Prince strummed it, made a couple of adjustments and said The Cross by my great, great, great uncle Prince Rodgers Nelson and began to sing.
The Cross
Prince
Black day, stormy night
No love, no hope in sight
Don't cry, for he's coming
Don't die without knowing the cross
Ghettos to the left of us
Flowers to the right
There'll be bread for all of us
If we can just bear the cross
Sweet song of salvation
A pregnant mother sings
She lives in starvation
Her children need all that she brings
We all have our problems
Some big, some are small
Soon all of our problems
Will be taken by the cross
Black day, stormy night
No love, no hope in sight
Don't cry for he is coming
Don't die without knowing the cross...
As the song ended, applause erupted and Prince said quietly, "Praise the Creator and thank you" and handed the guitar back to the Minister of Music and returned to his seat. As he did he noted the tears on the cheeks of many of the congregants and he saw them in the eyes of Rev. Hart too. Rev. Hart stopped him as he was leaving the alter area and hugged him. "Thank you for the way you honor God" he said. Prince sat down next to Bella and she kissed him on his cheek and it was no surprise that there were tears in her eyes too. A golden glow began to appear around the four of them...slowly as though not to startle those in the building.
Rev. Hart began his message for the service. "This morning there were reports of two miracles in our city overnight. The first was that there was absolutely no crime in London overnight. The second was the awakening of 10 coma victims one of whom had been in a coma for 17 years. Each of them awoke and immediately began to speak. Some asked for water, others for a specific loved one...but all had said that while they were sleeping they heard someone singing a song about tears in the eyes. One of them, Craig Stone said he followed the sound of the voice singing and had arrived at a place where he could open his eyes. Once he did, he could not hear the song anymore. But he wanted to very much. He wanted to hear that song every day of his life from now on he had said. Craig had been comatose for 2 years after a head injury sustained in a car accident. When he was told how long he had been "asleep" he said I could hear much of what was going on around me all of that time, but it was not until I heard that voice singing 4 The Tears In Your Eyes that I was able to find my way out of the suspended state I was in. I am forever grateful to whoever was singing and I will ask God to bless them forever. The man that sings that song and sang it last night just led us in musical worship. His name is The Royal Prince and the song is on his first Album, If I Love You. He performed it in concert last night and I along with John Stokes and Mark Treadwell attended. It was wonderful and he was phenomenal. I have no idea what is happening in the cities where he is performing. I just know that where he does miraculous things follow. No my brothers and sisters, this is not the first city to experience such things. It has happened all over the US and then in Paris at New Years and again just a week ago. I am sure you all heard the stories about the airplane and the train that were saved from crashing by Angels. Those things happened right after a performance by The Royal Prince and the World Changers. I would ask him how all of this is happening, but I think that when it is time for us to know, he will tell us and"...the Reverend Hart stopped speaking in the middle of his sentence as he saw the golden glow around the 4 performers and noted that it was spreading throughout the interior of the entire church. As the congregants also noticed it, people began to praise God. Some sang, some just said Praise the Lord, others just rocked from side to side. Prince and his party began to say "Praise the Creator". As the members of the Congregation all began some form of praise, the golden glow surrounding the 4 grew brighter. Soon the entire church was on their feet praising the wonder of God. After awhile the praise began to die down just as it had begun. The Rev. Hart continued his message and then it was time for communion. The faithful lined up to take communion, Prince joined them still glowing. As a non-Catholic there were no constraints on him not to do so. As his turn came, the Rev. Hart blessed him and he took communion. "Praise the Creator, Amen" he said. Returning to his seat, his emotions released and tears slid down his cheeks. Bella took his hand and smiled but said nothing. This man is so incredibly blessed she thought as she offered a silent prayer for him for wisdom, direction and protection. If her love acted as a shield for him...nothing on earth or above or below that was not from God would ever breech it. She loved him so. The service ended and Prince and his friends, led by security, left the church. As they did the golden glow followed them. They noted no one had alerted the press of their presence as there were no cameras outside waiting for them. For this they were very grateful. "God bless you Royal", someone shouted and then the congregants began chanting, "God bless Royal". Sometime after the performers were on the plane to Milan, the story of today's happenings would be reported on the news. There would be some skeptics, but the faithful would hear the message and be moved by it. Many would pray for Royal and all those in his band and life before they went to bed that night. Prince would simply give thanks for all that had happened while they were in London. The only things he would ask from his God was protection for his Bella and all in his party and the courage and strength to do what he must, to continue to deliver the message as the Creator intended.
When they returned to the hotel , they ate, packed and at 2:30 PM headed to the airport along with their band members. After security had cleared them to get on the plane, their passports were checked and they took their seats. The began the taxi down the runway just before 4:00 PM and were in the air at 4:00 PM straight up. While they were in the air. Andrea Williams had awakened, dressed for the day and received an email confirming that they had the studio and Global Skylink connection for next Wednesday at 11:00 AM Milan, Italy time. It would be 12:00 AM in New York but it would be well worth it Andrea thought. The conference would be linked to the NY Times Cloud Stream Milan studio. This was going to be some story. She had no idea how big the story would get.
As the performers winged their way to Italy, the story broke of what had happened in the Abbey. It not only was broadcast in England but was also picked up by the Italian Press. The Pope, Pope John Paul the 25th, was advised of the story. He insisted that his assistant get them tickets for this Royal Prince's performance in Milan. He would see for himself what this young man was about. No-one was to know he was attending until at least the day after. He would dress in street dress and would attend with two of his assistants. They would attend on Friday night as the Saturday night show was sold out.
As the plane landed at the Malpensa Airport in the province of Varese, just outside of Milan, the press was assembling in huge numbers. They were just outside of the front doors to the VIP terminal. There were representatives from all of the stations and papers in Italy, England, France and the US. They would be surprised as Prince would speak with them briefly. As the plane taxied to a stop Prince's phone went off. It was Andrea calling. "This is Royal" he said. "Hi, this is Andrea. We are set for the Press Conference for Wednesday, at 11:00 AM Milan time. Your link will be in the NY Times Cloud Stream Milan studio. Please let Christian know I need that list of invited journalists ASAP so I can prepare". "Thank you so much Andrea. I will speak to him as soon as we get to the hotel and we will get it to you right away. I owe you one". Andrea laughed and said..."that wedding present better be huge". He laughed too. "My best to Bella", she said. "And mine to Jax", Prince responded disconnecting the call. As soon as they deplaned, the press began to surge toward the fence that surrounded the VIP terminal. Prince, accompanied by Larry and Frank walked up to the fence and asked for a microphone. The representative from NY Times Cloud Stream Milan shoved his through the links in the fence. "Good evening all", Prince said. "My name is The Royal Prince, and I know you have heard many things over the last few hours. In order to allow you to be able to ask your questions, I will tell you this. I am holding a press conference on Wednesday morning at the NY Times Cloud Stream Milan studio. Journalists will be invited within the next 24 hours. I must ask you to let me and those in my band and my other performers exist without being hunted down and harassed until then. We will do our best to answer all of your questions at that time. Be aware though that any journalist who insists on hunting us down or harassing any member of our entourage will be banned from this and all future Press conferences to come...forever! That will also include any members from the network or paper represented by the offending journalist. Thank you. I will take no questions at this time".
Security had seen to it that Bella, Elaine and Carlos, Christian and his wife and the band along with their instruments were in the appropriate vehicles while Prince spoke and Prince was whisked away to join them. As soon as he and the rest of security were safely inside, they took to the air and to their hotel. They were performing at The Mediolanum Forum in Assago, Italy and were staying at the Mandarin Oriental Milan. As in the past, the instruments were left on the provided bus and the band, the performers and Christian and his wife were allowed to do ID check in and were taken to their rooms immediately.
Bella absolutely loved their rooms and began to unpack as Prince called Christian and told him of his call from Andrea. Wednesday was fine by Christian and he would call Barry and Lou shortly to get the list of journalists and also get it to Andrea in New York. She would have it in a few hours he promised. Needless to say, the trusted staff members delivered and Andrea had her list in email within an hour and a half. They also sent copies to Christian and Prince and Carlos. Prince and Carlos would get together to review it over drinks and finger sandwiches in Prince's sitting room at 7:00 PM. Bella and Elaine sat in on their meeting. There were 30 journalists invited who had RSVP'd to attend in person either in New York or Milan. 23 more would attend by Global Skylink. It should make for an interesting Press Conference. Tomorrow was Monday, they would sleep in a bit and then go out for breakfast. They needed a little down time before getting into the rehearsal, meeting or performing schedules. Prince sent a copy of the list to Frank for security planning and then after Carlos and Elaine returned to their room, Prince and Bella ran a bath and climbed into the lovely soaking tub in their suite. They talked about the upcoming press conference as well as the concerts themselves. They were really looking forward to finding out how the press would respond to what they had been told today. They would not have long to wait to know. Tomorrow would bring some interesting developments. But tonight, Prince would moisturize his woman, and she her man and then they would make delicious love on and off throughout the night. Tomorrow would arrive with its challenges soon enough. Tonight they would only concern themselves with each other and their time together was, in a word, Sublime!