Cover Band
Chapter One
New York City – city that never sleeps. I have lived here all my life. I love this city and I would never trade it for the world. I was born here and I will probably die here, as my parents did over 10 years ago. My name is Isabella Marie Swan, but if you call me Isabella, I will give you a right hook. I like to be called Bella. My parents were Charlie and Renee Swan. They died when I was 16 years old after my sweet sixteen party had ended. Drunk driver hit them on the sidewalk as we were walking home from the catering hall.
God, I miss them so much. They were the best parents any kid could have. I mean, they gave me what they could, but emotionally, they gave me all their love and I gave them my love. We were the three musketeers. They were so in love and that love just transcended to me. Mom was a waitress in a diner and Dad was a NYPD cop. There was never a day we didn't tell each other we loved each other. We lived in Little Italy. Mom was ½ Irish and half Italian. Dad was 1/2 Irish and ½ Puerto Rican. They both were lookers. I didn't think so of myself but they reminded me daily that I was most prettiest girl in the world.
Mom was the best. At first I was the clumsiest thing in the world. Mom was concerned and the doctor has found that my legs weren't as strong as they should be. That had explained why I didn't walk until I was almost two. They suggested therapy and organized sports and dancing. Dad was determined that nothing was going to happen to me. See, Mom and Dad were married a while before I came along. I remember them telling me that I was their miracle. Once Mom got pregnant, she was in bed rest because her body was trying to reject me. Even though medicine wasn't as advanced as it is now, my Mom was determined to have me. I was born a premie, but I fought the battle and won.
Mom and Dad had me take all types of dancing lessons and music lessons. They loved music all their lives and it wasn't one type of genre but all. I cannot recall a day where I didn't here the radio on or when Mom or Dad weren't singing or dancing. They taught me that music and books were the best friend that anyone can have. These two things would teach me so many things. They would take to me concerts and plays and opera. We enjoyed our weekly outings.
After a while, I did excel in dancing. I wasn't into ballet much, but I took it to help me advance in other forms of dancing like modern and jazz. My music lessons consisted of playing all types of instruments. I excelled in drums, piano but I adored my violin and guitar. I also took voice lessons. Many thought I had a beautiful voice, though I never saw it.
Now I am 26 years old and a single mom of my beautiful daughter, Samantha or Sami for short. She is almost 5 years old. I know, it has been tough, but well worth it. Her father – he isn't in the picture. It was a one night stand. I was depressed, went to one of the clubs, danced my head off, got drunk, had a very short dressed, saw a good looking man, we had sex in the club and I left. I didn't realize the condom broke and well, three months later when I realized I hadn't gotten my period, I came to found out I was pregnant. I was stunned and worried. I knew I could take care of my child, I was just worried about her health.
Thank God I had Jacob in my life. He was my best friend since grade school and we were two peas in a pod. We are like brother and sister. He was so worried for me. He was a mechanic in the city and made really good money. He got married young to his high school sweetheart, Nessie and they lived in Washington Heights. She was a teacher in the NYC public schools. They were also my only friends that I trusted and were godparents to Sami.
Now, I am working. I graduated from Baruch. I doubled major in Accounting and Literature. I am now working for Random House in midtown as a staff accountant in their fiction / non-fiction area. It is a 9 to 5 job, it pays ok, but the benefits are great. My Sami is one hell of a kid and we still live in the same apartment I lived in with my parents. It is an old apartment but it is rent stabilized. Everyone in the neighborhood still remembers my dad and the area still cared for me and now my Sami.
Alice POV
"Baby, wake up"
"Mmm"
"Jasper it's time to wake up. It's 9:30. I thought you had a meeting today".
"5 more minutes please baby. I will get you anything, but please baby."
Hmm, I know how to wake you.
I start to kiss him on neck slowly, nipping here and there. I here him moaning and getting goosebumps. My kisses start to trail down on his beautiful and well sculpted check. He flexes his pecs from the sheer desire I am providing him. Man, I can be an evil pixie. I trail my fingers so lightly and start nipping and sucking his nipple. He moans harder… ha I have him. Then when I start going down I hear someone screaming, "You little evil hard headed pixie!" The door slams open. Oh shit! I know what this is about. Jasper shoots up and holds me tight.
"You have some major explaining to do little wench!"
"I have no idea what you are talking about my dear Rosalie." I smiled.
Jasper held me tighter. Rosalie is a dear, but shit, when her eyes start changing colors everyone hold back.
"You know what I am talking about. You fired Tanya. She was our best singer yet. We have a fucking gig in two days."
Jasper lets go of me. "Pixie, why did you do that?"
She was a bitch and I had to take care of her. She was corrupting my brother, Edward and I had caught her red handed with James's dick in her mouth.
"Rosie, we can find another singer today. She was a bitch and I caught her giving a BJ to James. She wasn't worth our time or Edward's time."
They both shut up. "You are to find me another singer by today. If you do not little pixie, you will be pounced and become smaller than you are now. As well, I will take all your clothes and cut them up!"
I got angry there. No one touches my clothes, "You wouldn't dare!"
Rosie stares back at me, "Try me bitch."
I knew she was serious. She left the room and I apologize to my Jazzy and promised him heaven later. He knew he had to get up, but his morning wood wasn't behaving. Oh how I hate to provide my wifely duties…hee hee hee!
Later, after a few rounds and Jazzy leaving for work, my aim was to find a singer. Where can I find this chickie? I was on the train one day and I was alone as well as this other chick. Very beautiful, slim, dark brown eyes, pale, mahogany hair. You could tell she danced. Her body was rocking, I would do her if I went that way. She didn't notice me and had her ipod on. She started singing on the subway. She sang Beautiful by Cristina Aguilera with so much soul that when she got off a few stops later in Chinatown, I had to follow her. As she was going on her way, I closely followed her. Suddenly, when she turn on right and I did too, I lost her. She came right behind me and startled me, "Do you need something?" I introduced myself and told her that she had a beautiful voice. I invited her to coffee and we went inside a small Italian café place in Little Italy. It looked like everyone knew her. She was so elegant. She smiled a lot and it felt like everyone loved her. We exchanged numbers, now I need to talk to her. Aha – found it. Ringing, ringing…"Hello?"
Bella POV
What a surprise to get a call from the little energizer bunny. I mean, she was one hyper chick. She asked what I was doing for lunch and I told her nothing and she invited me to lunch. Hell, why not? I am always up for free food. So I met her at Yama's on 52nd and 5th. They have the best sushi. We started small talk and that is when my life started to go upside down. She told me that she and her "family" had a cover band and they had just fired their singer without realizing that they had a gig in two days. She wanted me to sing. Damn, I usually sang in the shower or at karaoke bars. Never really in a band.
"Please Bella. Please – I know you can do this."
"Alice, I would love to, but I don't even have a babysitter set up and it is going to cost me an arm and a leg for Friday night."
"You have a kid. So why don't your husband take care of the kid?"
"Yes, I have my kid, no man. Sorry."
"Hmmm, ok, I know." I see the devilish eyes as she picks up the phone. Then all of a sudden I hear "Mom"….ugh no.
Alice POV
I knew Mom would do it. Dad was working that night, so I knew she would do it for me. We decided that Bella's daughter would sleep over and Bella would too. After a lot of pleading and begging, Bella agreed. I gave her the address to our place so she could meet the band and start practicing. She told me that she played all the instruments she played and I told her to bring her guitar and violin. We also agreed she was going to bring Sami with her. At least for one gig, but I have a feeling this is going to be a wonderful friendship.
Bella POV
Finally got on a train to go home. I was thinking to myself how I got myself roped into this mess. That pixie was good. I will give her credit. I got home and went over to Mrs. DeSantis place and found my darling Sami shaking her bootie with an ipod in her ears. She screamed when she saw me and ran up to me. "Mami, you are home. I missed you!"
"I missed you too. How was school?"
"I kissed a boy." My mouth dropped.
"What? Why? Who?"
"Mami, close your mouth please. I wanted to try it and it was Stevie. It was no big deal, he didn't kiss back."
My daughter always spoke like she was a grown up. I had no time do deal with this.
"Listen little lady, this isn't over, but we have to go. Someone wants me to sing in the cover band and I said yes."
"Mami – you are going to be a superstar".
I laughed. "We gotta to go. We can pick up some Mcdonalds."
When we got to the address that Alice gave me, Sami and I both said "Wow." It was on Park Avenue. She continued to ask if I was going to be an actual rock star. I laughed and said no baby. Just for one night." I went to the desk and the receptionist called ahead. I could hear Alice jumping up and down and then we were told to take the elevator to 53rd floor. When I looked at it, it was the penthouse. Then I though, what the hell was I getting myself into.
Jasper POV
I heard the bell and I couldn't control my Alice. Boy I loved her but she really needs to take a chill pill. When I opened the door, I saw a very beautiful slim woman with an adorable child. I knew immediately that Edward was going to be in so much shit. "Hi, you must be Bella. I'm Jasper. Alice's husband." She shook my hand and "Nice to meet you and I feel for you. This is my daughter Sami." I laughed at her comment. She is a typical New Yorker. "Hello Sami" as I bent down, "nice to meet you." She replied with a kiss on my cheek.
Come on in. Everyone is almost here. We are just waiting for my younger brother. He's stuck on the midtown tunnel. I knew she was in awe of the place. We had a great apartment. Mom and Dad heavily invested in NYC property since the 1970's. They had gutted this place out and reserved it for us. I lived here with my Alice, Emmett and his wife Rosalie and Edward. The floors were cherry wood and we had it furnished with classic contemporary furniture. No knick knacks, but lots of pictures and memories. I took her to the music room and she got attacked by the pixie. I told her to calm down and then she saw Sami and picked her and twirled her around. I knew Sami loved that.
Bella POV
What an apartment! I was amazed. Man, am I gonna get it from Sami tonight. She is going to ask me why I can't give that to her. I couldn't. I barely struggled with what I made now. I met Rosalie and Emmett. I loved them. They are really sweet, but I knew Rosalie had a mean side to her. I wouldn't call it mean, maybe strong side. I like that in a person. Rosalie seemed to be the business person here and immediately requested to sing. "Sure, are we looking at any type of genre?" She replied that anything would be fine, just looked at me and she curled her finger to me and said it my ear, "Prove her Mami. Show her who is boss lady here." I laughed. So, I took Sami, sat her down on a stool and stood next to her. When my daughters give me that attitude, I know I pull out anything from a hat. So I winked at her and started with no warning as I looked at her:
I keep on fallin' in
And out love with you
Sometimes I love ya
Sometimes you make me
Feel blue
Sometimes I feel good
At times I feel used
I feel you darlin'
Makes me so confused
I loved this song so much. I sang it out for those men that I had allowed in my heart.
I keep on fallin'
In and out
Of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I loved you
I decided that I was going to make this one count as I belted with attitude:
Oh, oh oh
I never felt this way
How do you give me
So much pleasure
And cause me
So much pain?
Yeah yeah
'Cause when I think
I've takin' more
Than would a fool
I start fallin'
Back in love with you
I was going to make it not too long. If they didn't want me, hey, Sami and I go on our merry way.
I keep on fallin'
In and out
Of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I loved you
I stopped after one more chorus with an extreme attitude.
I looked at my kid and she held my hands. Then I turned around as I noticied now 6 people with their mouths wide opened. Shit, they didn't like it.