A/N *plays the trumpets* And Alex is heeeeeeeeere!
Alex watched the middle aged man's apologizing smile with pity before returning one. The poor man looked exhausted. 'Well with those kids, I would be too.' he mused. The hotel seemed to be run by a family, although he wasn't sure where the Sofia girl worked into the equations. The Birchmeiers were all blue eyed blondes but the petite brunette was welcomed as if their own. Obviously she was helping them from the looks of it, and god did they need it. But she didn't look like hired help. And Mrs. Birchmeier had mentioned something about her being a guest. But there's no way someone staying at the hotel would actually be working? Would they? He wasn't getting anywhere with this, it had been a long flight and he wanted nothing more than food and sleep. He shook his head and turned back to listen to the group in front of the desk, his eyes resting on the slim brunette. She had been eyeing him up earlier he remembered with a conceited smirk.
"Good afternoon, welcome to Bellevue hotel, I am Dario Birchmeier. May I have the reservation names?" Birchmeier asked tiredly. Alex's heart went out to the man,
"Good afternoon! We have a suite booked under name George Daniels." The young man, George presumably, smiled, motioning to his three female companions.
Alex rolled his eyes and shared a smirk with Matt.
"Ah yes, Daniels. Here it is. The Kinselli, one of our most popular." Birchmeier beamed at the group.
"The Kinselli? What about the Panorama?" the short redhead asked.
"Oh, you know about the Panorama? You've been here before?"
"Yes, three years ago" the pretty brunette smiled. 'She has nice smile.' he thought absently.
"Ah, I see. Well, yes, that one is probably the most popular but it is already booked out to someone." Birchmeier explained, spreading his hands out palm up in apology.
"Oh, that's OK, we were just wondering, we've seen the Kinselli too, it's great." The brunette grinned. Her companions didn't seem to share the sentiment Alex noted amusedly.
Dario quickly sorted out the payment method and identification of the group before sending them on their way. This day was just getting longer and longer.
The second ('and thank god, LAST')group walked up to the reception desk.
"Good afternoon. I'm very sorry, sirs, about the long wait. I'm Dario" he apologized to the long haired one in the front.
"Oh it's really no bother. The little ones were very entertaining," one of the four replied, "Let's just get us our rooms, I am exhausted!"
"Of course. You are all in singles," he looked up to see affirming nods, and went back to the computer, "That's odd. I only have three reservations here for... one Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley, and a Matt Helders." He glanced up frowning at the fourth member of the group who stood to the right. "And you would be...?"
" ... Alex Turner," the man with the quiff stated politely.
"Oh, SHITE!" the one named Jamie cursed, slapping a hand to his forehead.
"Hey, language! There's a very impressionable toddler running around!" Sofia said smacking Jamie in the arm on her way around the reception desk. Nick, Alex, and Matt raised their eyebrows at Jamie who shrugged in response.
"What's wrong?" Matt? Nick? One of them whispered to Jamie. Loudly. Loud enough for Dario to hear anyway.
"Sofie, sweetie, could you please get the keys to rooms 302, 303, and 304? They're in the drawer at the top right of the desk!" Dario called out as her back disappeared into the office. She raised a hand in acknowledgment.
'Why are there so many people checking in today?! Thank god I came back early. And I STILL haven't gotten my soup! Or eaten lunch! Arghhh!' Sofia quickly grabbed the keys and hopped outside.
Alex watched as Sofia came out of the office holding three small envelopes. She'd changed out of her flowery dress into a studded white sleeveless blouse paired with bright red shorts. 'Does she dress so...dressy all the time?' He then remembered her conversation earlier with the little girl...Sandra? Something about dresses. Must be a city girl he figured. Her curly hair was arranged in a messy bun but even now a few tendrils escaped loose to frame her face prettily.
He felt movement beside him and turned to see Jamie smiling at the girl. He rolled his eyes and stifled a laugh.
"Here you go, they were the last three!" she yawned, putting three envelopes on the counter, moving to go back into the office.
"Hmmm. Okay, stay here for a bit Sofie, " Birchmeier turned back to face them."This is really odd, are you sure you were booked?" he asked looking at Alex.
"Well, Jamie was supposed to have a suite booked for all of us, but there were none so then he had to book them separately. I guess something went wrong..." Nick turned to a sheepish looking Jamie.
"The system crashed and I was drinking and I told Alex to remind me to finish his reservation –"
"And I reminded you!" Alex sighed exasperatedly.
"...Oh, then I guess I forgot... again..." Jamie sighed rubbing his face.
"Great. Now what?" Alex turned to Birchmeier.
Just then, a slender man in an apron came jogging down the hallway carrying a bowl whose contents seemed to be slopping dangerously close to the edge, stopping at the desk. Alex edged away from him.
"She's gonna kill me. Here's the soup. Pretend it's been sitting here for a while" he planted at Birchmeier before turning around to leave.
"Oh, buddy it's your funeral, she's sitting in the office right –"
"CEDRIC! You jerk! Do you know what time it is? Three! I've been back since two, for the soup, the soup that you promised me three days ago, and I didn't even eat lunch today because you told me you would have some when I came back and now I'm hungry, and tired, and cranky and it's all your fault!" Alex's raised his eyebrows. For a little person she sure had a pair of lungs. There were tears in her eyes that she was furiously trying to blink away and it reminded him of the little boy she had been playing with earlier. Her fists were clenched and she looked ready to do murder.
"Ugh, I hate you, you...you idiot!" she snapped, stomping her foot for emphasis, before grabbing her soup and brushing past the dumb struck chef towards the lounge. Alex stared after her amusedly not knowing whether to feel sorry for her or to laugh at her sulking. Maybe this week would be more fun than he thought.
"...I need help with dinner. Oh god, she's not gonna help me is she?" the man, Cedric?, Turned around looking at Birchmeier worriedly.
Dario sighed, "You should have kept your word, idiot. She's been having a rough week and frankly, you're the chef, so stop relying on her, she's a guest for god's sake! Now get, dinner has to be prepared, we're fully booked!"
'So she is a guest. Then why the hell is she running around like an employee?! Maybe Jamie can ask Birchemier.'
"Oh god. Kill me now." Cedric took one last look towards Sofia who was busy throwing mutinous stares at him in between eating her soup and glaring at the fireplace across the sofa she was seated on. Sighing, he turned back towards the way he'd come mumbling about cheesecake and bad dreams.
"So where were we? Oh, right, Mr. Turner. Unfortunately, we can't provide you with a new room. BUT, if you are willing of course, I'm sure we can make arrangements for you to maybe room with someone. One of your friends perhaps?" here he looked over towards the other boys who nodded their heads.
"Alright, for now, why don't we get the three of you settled in your rooms. Here are the keys," he pushed the three envelopes towards Jamie, Nick, and Matt. "You can take that elevator to the third floor and then turn right for your rooms."
"Great! Thank you, we're just going to go grab the rest of our luggage and then you send our mate up to one of us eh?" Matt grinned, patting Alex's shoulder.
"Yeah, great. I'm not rooming with this prat." Alex said pointing his thumb over his shoulder towards Matt. Matt winced, bringing his hand to his heart and exaggerating a fall before grinning and joining Nick and Jamie to grab his luggage.
Alex frowned watching the three of them take the elevator up to their rooms before turning back to Birchmeier who was now talking to his wife.
"Oh you poor thing, I'm so sorry. I'm Livia, and you've already met Dario" Alex started as Mrs. Birchmeier placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder offering him an understanding smile and indicating her husband.
Alex stared for a moment before smiling back. This whole anonymity was great! No one here recognised their band and if anyone did they didn't say anything. No need to worry about people trying to cozy up. That's all the boys and he had wanted!
"So, what are we going to do with you?" The question was directed at Alex but she turned to her husband.
Alex watched Bir – Dario – turn to his wife and felt a pang of jealousy. Not because of Livia, no she was beautiful enough but that wasn't it. He watched Dario place an arm around Livia's shoulders and she unconsciously leaned into him. They were so at ease with each other it was subconscious and the way they looked at each other spoke volumes of the love they shared. That was something Alex had always wanted. He had had it at one point too but he'd lost it so he settled for the next best thing; writing songs about it.
Sighing, he looked up just in time to hear Livia's outraged voice.
"You must be joking Dar, you're going to make the poor boy wait until you can find an extra bed and then have one of the staff members move it into another room? Love, that's going to take too much time and he looks exhausted!"
Well than what do you suppose we do, we can't send the poor guy out!"
"Of course not, that's ridiculous," she waved her hand flippantly and looked over Alex's shoulder. "Hmmmm, what about Sofia?"
Dario frowned. "Sofia? What about...Oh. You mean ask her to share her room with him?"
Alex frowned. "Oh, Mrs. Birchmeier that's really not necessary, I can room with one of my friends. There's no need to inconvenience anyone else. I'd much rather be sharing a room with someone familiar than not, it it's just the same to you."
"See, the boy says so himself." Alex pursed his lips in amusement. He had a sneaking suspicion that Dario didn't want him sharing a room with the girl. She may not be his biologically but he certainly saw her as a daughter. Apparently Livia was thinking along the same lines.
"Shut up Dario, we can't have him waiting and upsetting people. Of course we have to get Sofia's consent - " Dario coughed but Livia just rolled her eyes, "and most likely she'll say yes. Sweety, Sofie's amazing and she'll understand and ...oh! Right, of course you're looking at me like I'm crazy!" she smacked her head, "I should have started with this but Sofie's staying in one of the two suites. There are two rooms in it and she's staying by herself, it's really very spacious. No, don't give me that look!" Alex looked at her innocently, "There's really no need to share with your friends, especially if they're in singles! It'll be much more comfortable and they view is breath taking, you'll love it!"
Alex looked at her consideringly and then looked over his shoulder to see Sofia eating soup and talking into her phone. He turned back to see Dario eyeing him warily. Livia's argument was sound but the idea of staying with a stranger wasn't very appealing. However, everyone in the hotel was enamored with the girl so how bad could she be? And it was only for a week, maybe two. 'Who're you playing Turner? You just want to be in the suite. Well, go ahead, say yes you hedonistic bastard.'
He smiled at Livia, who squealed in delight, "Alright then, let's go ask her!"
Dario acquiesced and walked around the desk with Livia in tow. He picked up one of Alex's suitcase, "Do you have more?"
"Oh, yeah, just let me grab my guitar." he walked outside to their tour bus that was parked across the tennis court and popped the luggage door. He grabbed his guitar, and one more suitcase before slamming the door shut. The others had agreed to leave the instruments inside the bus but he liked having his acoustic with him.
He walked back in through the door where Livia and Dario were waiting. Dario made to take his other suitcase but Alex waved him off. "So, what did she say?"
"Well, let's go ask her. Sofie will take our word for it but she'll probably want to make sure you're "OK"," she winked before moving towards the lounge.
"Hey, Livia, this hot chocolate is great! How do you expect me to go back home and use the powder?" Sofia beamed.
"Just buy some chocolate and melt it in sweetheart," Livia said flippantly and motioning Alex and Dario to take a seat, "Dario and I have something to ask you."
Sofia watched as Dario and Livia sandwiched Alex between them in the sofa opposite of her, to Dario's credit he tried valiantly to hide his discomfort. She glanced over at Alex and something flickered in her brandy eyes. She knew. Alex was sure of it; she knew who he was.
"This is Alex." Livia motioned towards him.
Sofia extended her hand, "Hi, I'm Sofia. Sofie's fine though," she smiled.
Alex grabbed her small hand in his own. He couldn't help noticing how soft and delicate looking it was.
"So," Sofie retracted her hand, leaning back into the sofa, tucking her legs underneath her. "What's up?"
Alex didn't listen as Livia caught Sofie up. He watched the young woman sitting across him with narrowed eyes.
Sofie raised an eyebrow at Alex, sipping some hot chocolate.
"So, you gonna be making a lot of noise with that?" she pointed to his guitar after Livia had finished.
"Well... it's acoustic..." Oh no! What if she said no because of the guitar? He should have left it in the bus!
Sofia laughed, eyes twinkling mischievously at the stricken look on Alex's face, "I'm just joking, it's fine. Come on, I'll help you take your things up!" she finished the rest of her hot chocolate and handed the empty dishware to Livia.
"Well, you two go on get settled and dinner will be in two and a half hours. So at 6:00, OK? Great!" Livia beamed at the pair before turning to a fidgety Dario.
Sofie took another peek at Alex who was busy grabbing his luggage. Well, who would have thought she'd be rooming with Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys. In Switzerland. Life sure was funny.
She was about to grab his second suitcase when someone cleared their throat behind her. Sofie turned to Dario wondering why Alex was fighting – and failing miserably – to fight a smirk.
"Sofie, dear can I talk to you in private?" Dario mumbled twiddling his thumbs.
"Dario? Oh, for god's sake! She doesn't need –"
"Well I think she does! I don't want her getting hurt!" Dario snapped at Livia
"Dario, don't you dare –" Livia narrowed her eyes, one hand on her hip.
Sofie turned an irritated look on Alex who was trying valiantly to cover his "cough" before turning back to the couple, "Yes?"
"Well...see, I know that's you're a responsible young girl and I know that you're rooming with Mr. Turner here out of the goodness of your heart, but..."
"Oh my god." Sofie hid her face in her hands, wanting to die of mortification. Alex's coughs were getting more violent. She turned and kicked him in the shin before turning back to the Birchmeiers. "Dario, I know you're saying this out of love, and you can't even begin to understand how touched I am that you would worry for me. But I'm fine. Really, I can manage him, he's not all that he thinks he is," she smirked, pointing behind her towards an indignant looking Alex who was nursing his leg. "Besides, being the looker he is, he must have a girlfriend, no" she turned too innocent eyes upon him.
Alex snorted, rolling his eyes, "Of course. And I put great importance upon my life; no point in losing it over a tiny little girl." Alex smirked. If there was one thing he knew, it was that short people didn't like being reminded of the fact.
"Excuse you, I'm 5'1! And I'm totally worth losing a life over," Sofie huffed, flipping her hair. "Now let's go and show you our room pretty boy." she smiled grabbing his guitar.
"Bloody controlling, this one," Alex muttered under his breath reaching down to pick up the other two suitcases.
"I heard that. Prat." she called back.