Forever and Always
Prologue
Common Threads
Life works in mysterious ways. Opposites attract, as they say. That was the case for Tori Vega and Jade West, who were engaged.
Together since the 11th grade, theirs was an interesting journey, to say the least. They were last two people their friends thought would ever hook up, given how things started out with them. No one saw their romance brewing. But, it was fate. Destiny. From their first date, they had an instant chemistry that had grown stronger over the years.
Like the line from the John Lennon song, life happens when you are busy with other plans. And for Tori and Jade, that was never more true. Two polar opposites, who, on the surface, appeared to have little in common. Except...they did. And it was that common thread, that brought them together.
That common thread, as it turned out, was that they were both living a lie. It was their attraction to each other that helped them realize they were gay. That made it easier for them to come out – which they did. Together. They had each other to lean on, which was the turning point for them, as they became best friends. The crush each had on the other eventually brought them together.
It all started shortly after Tori appeared on the Platinum Music Awards. That night, Jade truly realized what an incredible talent Tori really was – even if she would never openly admit it. That night was as close as she came to actually calling Tori a friend. She began to see Tori in a different light.
Things began to really change for them, though, after they did Sikowitiz' play where they were a married couple. They began to hang out more after their "date" at Nozu. And the wall around Jade slowly started to topple. She became less angry. Her softer side began to come out. And she knew it was because of Tori.
The mutual attraction made it easier for them to come out to their friends and family. It was soon after that when Tori made the first move and asked Jade out. They shared their first kiss days later in Tori's pool. That led to Jade asking Tori to be her girlfriend. And they hadn't looked back.
Now, nearly a decade later, they were still very much in love. Their willingness to put each other's needs ahead of their own, their devotion to each other kept the spark alive. Their desire to make it work, kept the flame alive. Their happiness came from being together as they graduated high school and went on to college.
But coming out wasn't the only significant development that changed Tori's life.
What was once a dream for her, was now a reality. Tori was now the pop star she had always envisioned. Signed on the Galactic Records label at 17, she was not only a pop star, she was currently the top grossing female artist in the world. Her generation's Katy Perry, to whom she had been favorably compared. Lady Gaga. Taylor Swift. Beyonce. Christina Aguilera. Music critics and radio deejays were of the opinion that Tori was better than all of them. She had even been compared to Madonna when the legendary singer was in her prime.
Tori had it all. Fame. Money. Endorsement deals: Covergirl. Pantene shampoo. Antiperspirant. Merchandise, which included a doll in her likeness. Gold records. Platinum records. Awards. Beside her impressive collection of Grammys – most of which she won before the age of 25; she owned an Oscar for Best Original Song for the movie On the Flight of the Doves – an award she shared with Andre – whom she insisted Galactic sign with her in a partnership. She added an Emmy to her collection for her guest appearance on the FOX music themed drama Empire.
But none of that mattered to her as much as Jade did. This was a woman for whom she would give up everything if it meant they could be together. She had stated repeatedly that she would give all that up just to be with the woman who used to torment her. But she also knew, that she wouldn't be where she was, without Jade at her side.
All she had accomplished was because Jade had been there with her. Pushing her. Encouraging her. Supporting her. Loving her. Jade never let Tori doubt herself. Nor did their friends. It was while she was out on tour, during a performance in Madison Square Garden, when Tori brought Jade – who was singing backup for her – down to center stage and stunned her with a marriage proposal. That was almost three years ago.
Through it all, Tori was still the same person she had always been. She never wanted her fame to change who she was. She never wanted to forget where she came from and how she got there. She didn't want to forget the people in her life that helped her get where she was. That was something Sikowitz told her as she gained fame.
Tori peered deeply into her fiancee's beautiful blue green eyes. Jade 's eyes were always so alluring. Tori thought they were her best feature. Her long fingers were laced with Jade's.
"Baby...relax," she said, her trademark smile spreading across her face. "We're ready to do this." She brought Jade's hand to her face and kissed it.
Her appearance hadn't changed much since high school. The one major difference, was the fact that she wore glasses all the time now. She grew tired of putting in contacts every morning. These days, she only wore her contacts when performing. Wearing a blue dress, her brown hair had grown out, falling to her thighs, and still parted down the center. The manicured nails were painted purple.
Jade nodded. "I know. Just a little apprehensive, I guess." She met Tori's gaze. Those brown eyes could still make her melt. "I mean...this is a big step for us, babe. What if we don't find a suitable donor?"
Her raven hair spilled to the shoulders. She had long since abandoned the blue streaks she had in high school and into college, opting for a more mature look. That was the only visible change in her appearance.
Though they weren't married yet, they were still eager to start the family they had always talked about. Another common thread. With Jade having established herself as a promising writer for FOX's successful Gothic themed drama The Cul de Sac, the time seemed right for them to explore their options for parenthood.
They were sitting in the doctor's office of a local sperm bank. Their search for a compatible donor was underway. They knew it could take anywhere from days to months, even a year, for them to find a suitable specimen. The good thing was, they weren't in a hurry. Just eager. They were hopeful, however, that they would find a match before the approaching holidays.
A moment later, the female doctor glided into the office. Her name badge identified her as Dr. Amanda Barrett. She looked to be in her late 30s to early 40s. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a pony tail. She had a thick, three ringed binder, tucked under her right arm.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ladies..."
San Francisco's annual Outside Lands Music and Art Festival always drew huge crowds. Held in Golden Gate Park's polo yards, in early August, some of the biggest names in the music industry had participated in the event: Elton John. Tom Petty. Black Eyed Peas. Lionel Ritchie. Third Eye Blind. Tori had added her name to the list. She was this year's headlining act. She was a regular attendee. This would be the third year in a row that she would participate.
She and Jade had flown up from Los Angeles following their meeting with Dr. Barrett. They were staying at the home they owned, in San Francisco's Corona Heights neighborhood. Their friends would be joining them for the festival, flying up tomorrow. They would all be staying at the house.
Tori and Jade enjoyed a late night soak in the hot tub after dinner at their favorite restaurant. San Francisco was where they liked to come to get away from things in Los Angeles. Their safe haven. One of Tori's cds provided background liked that they could walk around town in relative anonymity, without being pestered for an autograph. Not that she minded signing autographs. It came with the fame. But there were times when she just wanted to be a regular person.
Tori sat with her long legs on the bench, crossed at the ankles. Her wet hair floated behind her at the shoulders. Jade sat beside her, head on her shoulder. They were both naked. The city's majestic skyline provided a perfect backdrop. The house offered a stunning view of the city and San Francisco Bay.
Jade slid beneath the bubbles for a moment, then resurfaced and slicked back her hair. When wet her hair resembled a sheet of fine dark satin. "You OK, babe?" she queried. "You've been awfully quiet since we got here."
Tori smiled at her. "Yeah...I'm fine. Just thinking."
Jade squeezed water from her hair. "Yeah...about what?"
Tori sighed. "The future...our future."
"What about it?"
Tori pulled Jade onto her lap. She swept a wet clump of hair off Jade's face and gazed into her eyes. "Baby...what are we waiting for?"
"I don't follow."
"Jade...we've been engaged forever. I know we haven't been in a rush to get married, but we've been engaged longer than anyone we know," she continued. "And now that we've decided to start a family...I think we should get married...I want to get married."
Jade had gotten really good at reading her over the years. Her heart leaped. She moved her arms to Tori's shoulders. "Tori...are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
Tori smiled and curled her hand around Jade's neck. "Yes, my love, I am. It's time. We both know it." She started playing with Jade's hair - something she loved to do – especially when it was wet. "I think we should set a date..."
Tori and Jade were still tight with their friends. Why wouldn't they be? The group had been inseparable since the day Tori first showed up at Hollywood Arts. They were all busy with their own lives and careers these days, but they still got together as often as they could. Her friends had as much a hand in her success as Jade had. They had all been there with her from the beginning, as her biggest fans, her biggest supporters. She would not be where she was without them. Nor would they without her.
She wasn't the only one in the group who was living the dream. Each of them were making their mark within the entertainment industry. And they all been there to share in each others' success. Their bond was unbreakable. For Tori, they were her best friends.
Beck was considered one of Hollywood's rising young actors, building a solid body of work. His most current film, Vagabond, had opened to excellent reviews, and was being talked about as a possible Oscar contender. Beck's performance in the film was so powerful, there was talk that he could get a nomination himself.
Robbie had taken his love of comedy and ventriloquism to TV. His sitcom, Robbie and Rex – loosely based on his life – finished its second season on CBS as the network's top rated show. It was a bona fide hit. Many critics considered it the best show on TV. His friends never missed it. Robbie was the show's executive producer, lead writer and star. He recruited Tori to write the show's theme song, which she recorded with Cat – at her insistence. Tori also appeared in the series' pilot, which earned her a second Emmy award. Since then, she had made two more guest appearances. He'd also made his mark as a stand up comedian - with Rex as his trusty sidekick - with appearances on the late night TV circuit.
He started dating Cat during senior year and married her after college. She now worked with him on the show, doubling as makeup artist and wardrobe mistress. She appeared with Tori in the series' premiere and made occasional cameos since then, but preferred to stay behind the scenes. Motherhood kept the former Cat Valentine too busy to consider acting. She recently gave birth to the couple's second child, a daughter.
And, as for Andre, no one had enjoyed watching Tori's ascension to the top of the recording industry as much as he had - besides Jade. And, why shouldn't he? Like Jade, he'd been at her side the whole time, from the day they first signed their contracts. Tori wouldn't have even gotten into Hollywood Arts if it weren't for him.
He couldn't refuse her when she suggested a partnership. She owed him. He'd written, or co written many of her hits – including Make it Shine. He was touched when she first proposed the idea. In addition to being her writing partner, he was also now her band manager and main keyboards player. There was no one she trusted more with that job.
Andre, like Robbie, had gone down the matrimonial path. And, it was to whom he was married that had Hollywood talking. People still recognized her face and name. Carly Shay, former internet star of a very popular web show, was now Carly Harris.
After dancing together a few times at Kenan Thompson's party, they exchanged emails and cell phone numbers. They stayed in touch for a while, until Carly moved to Italy. But it wasn't until she returned to America to attend UCLA - where Andre was enrolled along with Tori and Jade - that they reconnected. A coffee date led to dinner, which ended with Carly waking up the next morning in Andre's bed. A year later, Andre proposed to her in Griffith Park.
As for Carly's pals, Freddie had moved down to the area with Gibby to attend Pepperdine. He and Sam did not rekindle their romance though. But Freddie, having discovered that she in fact really did have a twin sister, started seeing Melanie, who had moved here to be closer to her sister. They were now married and the parents of a two year old. Melanie also had a child from a previous relationship.
Ironically, Freddie was now business partners with Sinjin and Burf in one of the biggest visual effects firms in the country. They met at Pepperdine and became fast friends. Sinjin was a husband and father himself now. They were the firm Tori always used to provide lighting and for her concerts.
They were all sitting in the back room of the restaurant where Tori booked them a table. The restaurant provided a breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay from its location along the Embarcadero.
"Glad you guys could all be here for the festival," she spoke up.
"Are you kidding, you know we would never miss the change to watch you perform, Tori," Beck replied. When he was between projects, Beck often moonlighted on Tori's crew, helping with sound and lighting.
"You are gonna rock it tomorrow night, babe!" Jade exclaimed. She sipped her mineral water. She was on orders not to consume alcohol until further notice. Part of her preparation for the IVF procedure.
Jade's current schedule was a little more flexible at the moment than was Tori's. She was just too busy at the moment to get pregnant. Personal appearances. Filming commercials. Charity work.
Tori laid her head on Jade's shoulder. "Aw...thanks, baby."
"So, Beck...you ever gonna get rid of that beard?"Andre inquired. He still sported the corn rows, but his hair was shorter these days. Otherwise, he still looked as he had in high school.
Beck sipped his beer. His face sported a full beard. He'd grown it for his role in Vagabond and decided to keep it, at least for now. "It's kinda grown on me, actually. No pun intended. And...Allie likes it."
"Too bad she couldn't join us," Tori chimed in, swirling the straw in her club soda. She didn't drink as a rule, saving it for special occasions. She didn't want to damage her vocal chords.
Beck nodded. "Yeah, she was bummed, too, but she's working tonight." Allison was his girlfriend. They met while on the set of his last movie, the action thriller, Don't go to Sleep.
"New movie?" Andre asked.
"No...she's got a guest spot on LA Blues."
"Oh...I love that show!" Sam declared. These days, Sam Puckett was patrolling the streets of Los Angeles as a motorcycle cop. Ironic, given her penchant for getting into trouble in her younger days. But those days were gone. Even more ironic, was that her watch commander just happened to be David Vega.
"Yeah...it's a good show," Beck agreed. LA Blues, a gritty police drama, aired on ABC.
Tori shifted topics. "So...how was your honeymoon, guys?" she asked, her eyes locking on Andre and Carly. They had just returned from their honeymoon. They were married at Seattle's iconic Space Needle a month ago.
"It was awesome!" Carly gushed, smiling. Her raven hair was about an inch shorter these days than it was when she was doing her web show. Otherwise, she pretty much looked as did back then.
She was finding her niche in acting these days, thanks in part to the fame she attained with iCarly. She was recently cast as the female lead of a new sitcom slated to air on NBC this coming fall. Filming would start in a month.
"Yeah...it was," Andre agreed, grinning. "We hardly left the room."
Carly playfully smacked him on the shoulder. "Andre!" She was looking tanned and refreshed from two weeks in Curacao.
"Yeah...neither did we," Freddie recalled with a grin.
Melanie wiped her mouth. "Honey, if you'r gonna share stuff like that, please tell the truth; we never left the room!"
Her response drew a laugh from the group.
Robbie drank his beer. "So...what about you two?" he asked, looking at Tori and Jade. Aside from thinner frames and shorter hair, he hadn't changed much physically.
"What about us?" Jade countered.
"Are you two ever gonna get married?" Cat inquired. Her long hair was still as red as always. "You've been engaged forever."
"Yeah...you ever going to set a date?" Andre quipped.
Tori and Jade traded smiles. It was Tori who answered. "As a matter of fact, Andre...we have..."