So here we are, the morning after. And also a certain wedding.
I hoped to have updated sooner but i've just had quite a bit going on and now it looks like a hospital stay for me in the next few days. Nothing extremely serious or anything but just will be so relieved when I can just move on from it all.
I am quite tired so haven't really edited this chapter, I wrote it quite a while ago so I apologise if there any typos etc.
Hope you like it.
Twenty-six
Waking up entangled in Shane is indescribable. Letting out a yawn he greets her 'good morning', runs a hand up her bare side, kisses her tenderly.
"Morning." She replies, sounding more cheerful than she thought she actually was, "Last night was everything I though it would be."
"And more?"
"And more." She giggles, moving to rest on his torso.
Looking down at him she cannot help but beam and he rubs her arm, "How does room service for breakfast sound, beautiful?"
"Sounds wonderful. I get that we are in a foreign country and all, but can we just lay like this all morning?"
"What ever you want."
"You don't regret anything do you?"
"Nothing at all." He responds, "When you look me in the eyes like this Mitch, i'm in heaven."
"Sounds like a song." She jokes, kisses his jaw.
"It kind of is a song now actually. I wrote it while you were off on your own tour. I tweeted the lyrics one night."
"Do I get to hear it?" She bites her lip in anticipation, because really the songs Shane writes are amazing and it's been a while she's heard one that he's written her.
"It would involve getting up and moving to the piano."
Mitchie pretends to contemplate this for a moment before rolling off him, taking the sheets with her and wrapping them around her body leaving Shane completely exposed.
"No fair." He pouts, getting up and locating his boxers on the floor.
"Fair for me." Mitchie grins as he puts them on.
"Like what we see, do we?" He smirks, coming over and kissing her sweetly. It makes her knees weak and she smiles into the kiss before pulling away to look him in the eyes.
"I love you."
He kisses the top of her hand and leads her out to the grand piano, sitting down and cracking his fingers in preparation. She sits down on the bench next to him, facing away from the piano but her body twisted around enough to face him.
"Nate helped me out with this one, it is actually called 'When You Look Me In The Eyes'." He explains as he begins to play.
She is in tears by the time the first chorus is over, he's singing about how he just needs her in his life. That he just needs her. She kisses his bare shoulder as he keeps singing and she really doesn't know how she got this lucky. How she was so lucky that he loved her.
Honestly, it is all extremely overwhelming and by the end of it she is bawling. Just full on crying hysterically. He brings his arms around her so she can rest her head on his shoulder and she is staring at the wall in front of her while he is still facing the piano.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry." He apologises, kisses the top of her head.
"It's fine, happy tears." She dismisses it, just letting him hold her, "It's such a beautiful song and I know how you feel about me, but hearing it all in a song like that just means so much."
"I may or may not expect a song in return." He teases her.
"I have a bunch, but none that can compete with that right now." She laughs.
She is surprised when he gets up and takes her in his arms again, carries her back to the bedroom and lays her down on the bed. He grabs the phone besides the bed and orders room service before joining her.
"I wish we could just stay like this forever, that the world could just let us be alone." She says softly, her fingers tracing up and down his bare chest.
He wraps an arm around her so she can snuggle in closer to him, "I know it can be hard being in the spotlight, but we may have never met each other otherwise."
It's just how things are, they both wanted this lifestyle. To be a recording artist. Yet so much came along with it that had to be put up with to do what you loved.
"This is all i've ever wanted, the price of fame just comes with a cost. There are so many disadvantages, luckily they are outweighed by the advantages though."
"Like what?" He smirks, "Having a super hot rockstar in bed with you?"
She snorts, actually snorts in laughter, "You're not a rockstar Shane." Mitchie loves the sound of his laughter and looks up at him with a smile on her face.
"Why am I in bed with some little diva anyway?" He playfully sighs.
"Because you love me."
"Because I love you." He repeats, kissing her sweetly.
…
Flying back to Los Angeles that night in first class really isn't too much of an issue. Mitchie isn't the biggest fan of flying but she definitely is getting used to it, especially in first class like this.
She cannot help but bite her lower lip nervously every time Shane's hand brushes against hers. In such a confined space when just last night they were more than affectionate with each other, she really wants nothing more to kiss him.
He's watching some movie with headphones on and she lays on her side to face him and just watches him for a while. Observing the way the corners of his mouth curl up into a small smile every time he finds something amusing.
She reaches for her phone and snaps a few photos of him discreetly before putting it away. It's only when the movie finishes half an hour later that he notices her watching him.
"Hey." He says gently, taking his ear phones off and reclining his seat to be level with hers.
"Hey." She replies, smiling, "I like watching you."
"Well that doesn't make you sound like the world's biggest stalker." He teases.
"Well maybe I should be down in coach."
"No, you belong here by my side." He says rather seriously and Mitchie cannot help but just gaze into his eyes before closing her own, ready for sleep.
"I love you." She lets out a yawn, letting sleep overcome her finally.
There's nothing better than getting home to her parents and into her own bed. She knows she needs to sleep as the Video Music Awards are the following night and she knows she'll need to be fully rested.
The past year or so has all been just a huge whirlwind to her, touring around the country and in other countries. Yawning she grabs her phone and sends Shane a simple text saying she loves him before falling asleep.
…
She wakes up to her phone buzzing besides her bed a little after ten o'clock and as she lets out a yawn she sees it's a message from Shane.
'Bryce Williams and Indiana Dawes have had to drop out presenting at the awards tonight, my manager has just called asking if you and I wanted to present. I told him we would, don't worry. I'll be there besides you. All you do is read a prompter, we'll rehearse briefly beforehand. I love you.'
Instantly Mitchie smiles to herself, glad he has told her not to worry because he knows she'd freak out and she is really.
This was big. The Video Music Awards was one of the biggest award shows in all of America and there would be so many people watching her. What if she were to make a mistake on live television?
Shaking the thoughts from her head, she is welcomed downstairs to her mother who hugs her so tightly she feels like she cannot breathe for a few seconds.
"Oh honey, i've missed you so much. I have been watching Hot Tunes everyday to see you. Your father even had me on the YouTube site."
Mitchie inwardly laughs at the thought of her mother on YouTube and tells her she missed her too, but reminds her she did email her and talk to her every other day.
Breakfast is waiting for her and somehow eating it at the table on her own really suddenly hits her. No Caitlyn, no Shane, no anyone but her.
"You look skinnier by the way." Her mother notes, walking into the kitchen when she is finished and when she says it there is this total sound of hesitance in her voice. Like it's almost wrong for Mitchie to have lost a few pounds.
"I've just been working hard and running around on stage will do that to you I guess." Mitchie shrugs her shoulders, she personally hadn't noticed it. She had seen herself every day after all.
"Just don't overwork yourself, sweetie."
By the time the afternoon has arrived, Mitchie cannot contain her excitement. Her mother takes her to a salon to have her hair and make up professionally done for the show. Her mother is taking photos and being able to do this with her kind of makes her feel like it's the prom she never got. She missed out in order to tour with Connect 3, not that she really would have given that up.
She definitely looks above average in the shimmering, strapless, short gold dress when she gets home. Although so many celebrities will be there and will all look a whole lot more the part than she will. This was all still all so new and sighing, she walks downstairs to hear Shane's voice mixed in with her fathers.
Everything seems to stop when their eyes meet and it's kind of weird that her mum already has the camera out, the flashes going as Shane takes her in his arms and whispers in her ear that she looks beautiful. And he just looks gorgeous, in a black suit and shirt with a maroon tie.
"Come on, stand in front of the window there for some photos for me." Her mum ushers them over to the other side of the room. After a good dozen photos, Mitchie is already over it but knows that a good hundred or so are probably awaiting her in a couple hours on the red carpet.
By the time they actually arrive to said event, Mitchie is already over the photographers within two minutes. Her name is being screamed out and she has to just keep posing. Shane is besides her for the most of it thankfully and once she's inside the venue she just wants to scream in relief.
All around them are artists she idolised growing up, yet she keeps a calm head and holds onto Shane's hand in order to keep herself from running. Every single girl that walked past was model-worthy skinny and Mitchie was sort of glad her mother said she looked skinnier.
The show is great of course and Mitchie really does enjoy herself until she and Shane are going over what they are meant to do only moments before presenting live on television.
"Just read the prompter and you'll be fine." Shane assures her and she honestly trusts him even though her nerves are going crazy.
And she is fine in the end, it all goes smoothly. Thanks to him.
…
December comes around before they know it and Mitchie already has recorded most of the songs for her next album. She'd been working so much and was so busy so it really was a great excuse to attend Jason and Hayley's wedding for a break.
That's how she found herself in the coldness of New Jersey, in a hotel room with Shane, curling her hair in preparation. The media were going crazy trying to work out where the wedding was and a false tip had them under the impression it was happening down in Miami.
"You're looking great." Shane tells her once she's changed into the dress she's picked out accompanied with some killer heels.
"You don't look too shabby yourself." She compliments him with a giggle, he always looked absolutely gorgeous in a tuxedo.
He kisses her gently before wrapping his arms around her tightly, does up the zipper on her back for her. It's kind of weird to think that two years ago Shane was in a hotel room without her on tour and she was at home alone just waiting to see him again.
It's been a while since they've been able to spend the night together, in a hotel room more less, they haven't slept together since that night in Paris nor have they really spoken about it since that morning after. She hadn't spoken to anyone else about it and she wasn't really sure if it was something Shane would want to speak about with his brothers.
Mitchie hasn't had a chance to see Hayley yet and she knows she probably won't be able to speak with her until the reception. She can only imagine how excited and nervous she must be but she knows she will looking absolutely beautiful.
When they arrive at the ceremony, Mitchie instantly finds Caitlyn as Nate and Shane have to take their place up by the pastor with Jason.
"This is kind of really exciting!" Caitlyn exclaims as they take their seat amongst the other guests. Everyone has had their cell phones taken away until after the ceremony and Mitchie can spot Shane's parents in the front row.
"I know, one of Connect 3 will be off the market." Caitlyn gives her a confused look at this, "Officially." Mitchie adds with a giggle.
"Well Jason will be happy to take that purity ring off tonight won't he?" Caitlyn whispers, trying not to be overheard.
Mitchie stiffens at this and just nods, trying to put a smile on her face and instantly she knows Caitlyn knows something is up and sure enough a few seconds later it clicks.
"Later." Mitchie says simply, seeing it register on Caitlyn's face.
All too soon, they can hear the wedding march and Hayley's bridesmaids begin to walk down the aisle. Standing up, Mitchie sees Hayley walk through the doors in a beautiful white gown that makes her look like a real-like princess.
One day Mitchie hopes she can be as beautiful as that on her wedding day, that one day she will get to walk down the aisle. Glancing down the aisle she can see Jason with tears in his eyes and looking over at Shane she sees him looking right back at her.
The ceremony is absolutely beautiful and by the time Jason and Hayley get to their vowels, Mitchie can feel herself wanting to cry.
"Jase, we met each other by chance on holidays when your career was just taking off and somehow through the years we managed to keep our love going. There were times we didn't see each other for months while you were away touring, having thousands of girls throwing themselves at you every night. Yet, I knew how much you loved me and I loved you so much that all those hard times away from each other was well worth it just to be standing here today. You're my best friend in the entire world and I cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives together. I promise to love you not only forever but for longer than forever. I'll love you, always."
"I was never truly alive until I met you, Hayley. I don't think I have ever recalled a moment in my life where everything has just fallen into place like it has right now with you in front of me. I never knew what real love was until I fell into with you, i've just never felt this way in my life about anyone. I cannot picture spending the rest of my life with someone who isn't you, I love you so much and really cannot wait to start the journey together."
Watching them kiss as husband and wife for the first time, Mitchie cannot help but feel a tear roll down her cheek. More than anything she wanted this for herself one day with Shane, she really wanted to be a bride one day. Not anytime soon but hopefully in five years or so.
Whilst the bridal party are having their professional photos done, Caitlyn drags Mitchie off to the bathrooms and after making sure no one was in any of the stalls, she gives Mitchie a knowing smile, "So Shane was the first of the three to lose his virginity, I can't say it surprises me though."
Mitchie suppresses a laugh and playfully slaps her on the arm, "Shut up."
"When, where? Please share the details."
Mitchie blushes, bites her lower lip, "Back on tour, our last night in Paris. Shane and I had discussed it the week before and wanted it, we were just going to wait until we got home but it just happened."
"What about the ring?"
"He gave it to me, i've been wearing it on a necklace around my neck. I know it will takes the fans about a nanosecond to work out what happened if they see it on my finger."
"I meant how does he feel, breaking his promise you know?"
And the question kind of stumps Mitchie for a moment, the wording really made it sound like they had done something wrong, that they shouldn't have let it go that far, "He assured me it was fine, he'd only consider breaking the pledge for me because he can see us married one day. He wants to get married one day...i'm assuming he hasn't told Nate or Jason then."
"Not that i'm aware of, Nate would have mentioned it to me I think. He's probably worried about what they think, they all made that pact together...how was it anyway?"
"Indescribable." Mitchie decides, glad she can speak to her best girl friend about this type of thing.
"Have you slept together since?"
"No," She shakes her head, "I've been so busy recording my new album and we've only spent a couple nights at his place together. We haven't exactly spoken about it since it happened."
"Well tonight your spending the night together in a beautiful hotel room in Jersey. Take advantage of it without having to worry about what the world thinks."
Mitchie smiles at this, asks her not to talk to Nate about it just yet so Shane can do so first.
…
After dancing the night away at the reception, Mitchie is so elated to get back to the hotel room a little after one in the morning. It was an amazing evening but she is so happy to be able to be alone with Shane.
"Caitlyn knows." She says softly as he locks the door behind them. "Knows about that night in Paris." And there it is, out in the open and she doesn't know how he'll take it.
"I haven't spoken to my brothers about it yet."
"I asked Caitlyn not to say anything to Nate."
"It seems so long ago we were truly alone like this, without parents or roommates." He says pulling his tie off. Before she can have a second thought, her lips are on his full of lust. There he was saying how long it had been and she wanted to give everything to him. She wanted him and felt bad she hadn't done this sooner.
She pushes his jacket off his shoulders and he pulls away, tells her to stop, "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant." He knows exactly what she is thinking.
"No, don't worry about it. I really shouldn't have made you wait this long." She says shakily, tries to kiss him again but Shane holds her back from him.
"You haven't made me wait at all...just go take your make up off and get ready for bed." He says softly, getting up and going over to his suitcase.
Dejectedly, Mitchie heads into the bathroom and wipes away a couple tears she didn't realise were there. Here she was in a gorgeous dress with heels on, her hair and make-up all done and he didn't want her.