Hey guys! Summer is over and I'm back! Did you miss me? Did you miss James, Francie, and Kendall? I missed writing, I can tell you that!
During my hiatus both of my stories have picked up new readers and followers and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart! MMMUAH! I'd love to hear from you so please review or pm me...I'll respond, I promise.
Okay enough...read and enjoy!
"They offered me the part?!" James stood in the center of his recording studio/man-cave that used to be their basement. "No audition?!"
"Straight up gave it to you, man." The glee in Tyler's voice rang through the phone, "Derrick wants to work with you again, he loves your work ethic and admires your talent. He put pressure on casting and - BAM - the part's all yours! Congratulations!"
Tyler had been James' manager for nearly eight years and the two had become like family. Tyler always kept James' best interest at heart and truly shared in James' joy. From landing the role of James Diamond to James' singing and acting career, Tyler had been with him every step of the way.
"I can't believe it." James rubbed his chin, "W-when does filming start?" James stammered, still wrapping his head around the fact that Derrick put himself out there for him.
"If all goes well, early February."
February?! Oh no... "Damn, February?" The displeasure was clear in James' voice.
"Yeah. Is that a problem?"
James ran his hand through his bangs - longer now that he's been growing them out - and held them off his forehead for a moment before releasing them and dropping his hand to his thigh with a soft slap.
"Uh, yeah...Valentine's Day, Francie's birthday, our couples's shower..." James' voice trailed off.
"Oh," Tyler released his breath slowly, unsure how to make his plea sound rational to his lovestruck client, and friend. "Look, James, this is a great opportunity for you. You have one of Hollywood's up and coming directors practically begging to work with you. An opportunity like this doesn't come along every day."
Rolling his eyes, James conceded the point to his manager. "I'm aware of that, Ty, but a woman like Francie doesn't come along every day either, I'd like to keep her, ya know?"
"Who says you can't?"
Unceremoniously flopping down on his favorite leather chair, James remained silent, deep in thought.
"Listen, Jay, think about it, sleep on it, talk it over with Francie. I think she'll understand."
"I'm sure she will," James began to feel the irritation building in his chest, "but that's not the point. I don't want to let her down. I want her to know that I'll always be around for birthdays and stuff...like a normal husband and father would be."
"Come on, give Francie some credit. She knew when she stepped into this relationship that you weren't just any normal guy. You're an actor, a musician...an entertainer. There's nothing normal about that."
Wanting to appease Tyler and just get off the phone, James replied in a monotone voice, "I get it, Ty."
"Think about and call me after the holiday."
A heavy sigh flowed from James' lips, "Yep."
"This could be a very happy new year for you, James." The optimism oozed from his manager.
"With or without the part, it's going to be a great new year," James smiled knowing that in a few short months he would marry Francie, and that's all he truly needed. Gigs would come and go, but Francie would be in his life forever.
"That it will," Tyler agreed knowing how much James loved Francie and how badly he wanted to marry her. "Have a Happy New Year, Jay. Don't get drunk and do anything stupid," Tyler laughed.
"Who? Me? Never!"
"Uh-huh."
"I'll be good, Francie will keep an eye on me. You have a Happy New Year, too."
Goodbyes were exchanged and James hung up his phone, throwing his long legs over the arm of the overstuffed chair. Shutting his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck to relieve the tension from the decision he faced from the news Tyler presented him, James wondered what in the hell he was going to do.
Francie did say that she'd go to LA with me when I had to go back, Kendall could keep Marley. We could fly back for Francie's birthday to celebrate with family and friends and, of course, come back for the shower.
Taking his lower lip between his teeth, James pondered another solution. I guess if Francie can't go to LA I could fly back for Valentine's Day and stay a couple of nights for her birthday then come back for our couple's shower. God, I hate leaving her. The last time I left we had that big misunderstanding over Amber and Francie got into her accident and lost our baby. The pain of that loss gripped at James' heart bring the sting of tears to his eyes.
Another thought crept into his head, planted there by Amber. I don't want to leave her here with Kendall...alone. James hated to admit it but he had slight distrust issues and he wished he could blame Amber for them, but the truth was they were there from the beginning of his relationship with Francie. She and Kendall shared a history and a daughter. Kendall admitting he still loved Francie when they were in Miami didn't help matters.
But he's with Tiff now, they're in love. Surely those feelings have subsided. Haven't they? James nodded his head with force, as if trying to convince himself. Yes, yes they have! They're gone. He's over Francie.
The little devil on James' shoulder whispered another damming issue in his ear. "Don't forget what Chris said, James."
Chris' words rushed to mind. "Some of us don't need to travel far from home, for extended periods, to work, leaving our loved ones to wonder what we're doing...or who we're doing." James' jaw clenched. "You know, you can't leave a woman alone for too long, they have needs." His blood boiled. "Some women may tire of waiting and realize that another man is right in front of them wanting to love and care for them. Someone who will make that woman his priority."
James rocketed to his feet, fists clenched at his sides. "That bastard!"
"James?" Francie whispered, peeking between the spindles on the stairs. "Is everything okay?"
The fire in James' eyes subsided as he looked at the concern on his fiancée's face.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, everything's fine," James stepped toward Francie with arms outstretched and a grin on his face. "Did everyone leave?"
Descending the stairs and settling herself into James' embrace, Francie nodded, "Nikki, Logan, and Piper left just after your phone rang and Marley just left with Kendall. She'll be back after they watch Frozen for the hundredth time," Francie let out a soft laugh causing James to chuckle, too.
"Poor Kendall."
"Oh, don't let him fool you, Bello, he loves that movie."
Placing his index finger under Francie's chin, he tilted her head back to meet her eyes with his, "Yeah?"
Drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, Francie nodded slightly, "Uh-huh."
"Well," James leaned in close, inches from her lips, "I love you." He softly kissed her.
With eyes still closed, Francie sighed, "Mmmm, I love you, too."
James swiftly scooped up Francie amid her giggles and made his way up the stairs with his bride-to-be in his arms. "Come on, let's make good use of our alone time."
"I must say, that was a splendid attempt to change the subject." Francie's head rested on James' bare chest as she drew lazy circles on his rippled abdomen.
Eyes closed, enjoying the feel of the sheets - and his fiancée's nude body on his skin - James stroked Francie's dark hair. "What are you talking about?"
"Who was on the phone?"
James sighed, not wanting to discuss the matter right now but he knew Francie and he was sure she wouldn't drop it until she had her answers, the answers she deserves. "It was Tyler."
Francie raised up on her elbow and set questioning eyes on James. "Why is he a bastard?"
Tucking a curl behind Francie's ear, James gazed at the woman who stole his heart and could only hope that he wasn't about to break hers. "He's not. It's just - ," James abruptly stopped speaking. Think about this, James. It has to done delicately. "Derrick is directing a new movie and specifically requested that I was cast as the lead."
A proud and excited look came over Francie's face. "Bello, that's fantastic news! Wow, what a great opportunity!"
"Yeah, well, the jury is still out on that." James pressed his lips together in a show of displeasure.
Shaking her head slightly, Francie asked, "What? Why?"
Absentmindedly rubbing Francie's shoulder, James drudged on. "They're scheduled to start shooting the first of February."
Francie dropped her gaze to the spattering of hair on James' chest. "Oh, I see." Don't do this, Francie. You want this for him, remember? You want him to have his career, you swore you'd wouldn't hold him back! You said you'd make it work...so, dammit, make it work!
With a small shrug to her shoulders, she looked into James' hazel eyes and smiled, "So, when do we leave?"
James couldn't believe what he heard! Astonished, he blinked several times, processing her words. "W-what?"
Francie's smile grew larger, "I said, when do we leave?"
"Are...are you...serious?"
James' amazement made Francie laugh. "Yeah, I'm serious."
James eyes widened, "You'll come with me?"
Francie nodded, "Sure, if Kendall can keep Marley and I need to be back for our shower," Francie lifted one shoulder to her ear, "I'd like you to come back with me but I'll understand if you can't." Francie's heart broke at the thought of James not making it to their wedding shower.
"I'll make it happen!" James' hug was like a vice on the petite brunette. "God, I love you so much, Sweetness!"
"I lo-," Francie's response was left hanging as James kissed her. Never breaking their kiss, he shifted his body and rolled, pinning Francie underneath his muscular bulk.
Pulling away slightly, James smiled at her, "That makes up for me not seeing your dress earlier."
A playful laugh filled James' ears. "Good, I'm glad, cause you're not seeing it."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Kendall's a lucky shit."
"Kendall? What about you?" Francie swooped her hand down the sheets the two were wrapped in, "you get all this."
A smirk played on James' mouth. "That I do, and I want it all again."
Francie was willing to let him have it. Hell, she wanted it, too, but knew their time was limited. "Marley will be home soon," she whispered to James.
"She's not here yet," James' lips met Francie's and sparked their desire, soon engulfing the pair in the flames of their passion.
Kendall, being the conscientious friend and father, sent a warning text to the lovebirds that lived next door, giving them time to dress if they needed it, and they did.
"G'night, Daddy," Marley kissed Kendall.
"Night, baby doll."
"G'night, Uncle James," she kissed James.
"Good night, Blondie."
Marley turned to her mom and they went up to the little girl's room to change for bed.
Standing and clapping his hands together, James asked, "How about a beer, man?"
"Yeah, please, but just one. I have a feeling that I'm going to have plenty tomorrow night." A knowing smirk made its way to Kendall's face.
James laughed and called over his shoulder while he walked into the kitchen, "Yeah, well, you shouldn't have sent me and Logan to buy the alcohol for your party."
"I know, my bad."
James returned with three bottles, handing one to his friend, placing one on a coaster awaiting Francie's return, and took a swig of the third that belonged to him.
With Kendall's first sip of the cold, amber liquid his mind unwittingly flashed back, hours earlier, to seeing Francie both in and out of her wedding dress. Kendall was still a little uncomfortable with what went down even though James had seemed to move past the awkwardness. He tried swallowing that image along with his beer but he was unsuccessful and trapped in a daze.
James' voice snapped Kendall back to reality. "We have something to discuss with you, if you have the time."
Uh-oh, what did I do? Maybe James hasn't gotten over what happened earlier. Trying to be nonchalant, Kendall nodded, "Sure, what is it?"
"Well, I rather we wait for Francie."
Shrugging, Kendall nodded and replied, "Okay." He hoped he gave off a calm vibe.
The two friends made small talk waiting on Francie's return. Thankfully, for Kendall, it wasn't a long wait.
"It won't take long for Marley to fall asleep. She's beat."
James handed Francie her beer when she was comfortably situated on the couch. After taking a sip, she looked at James, "Did you tell him?"
Laying a hand on Francie's thigh, James shook his head, "No, I thought it best if we did it together."
Francie glanced down at his hand and watched James' thumb stroking her denim covered leg. Her only response was a curt nod as silence settled over the room.
Fuck! This is killing me! Somebody talk! Am I in trouble?!
Unable to take the suspense and paranoia any longer Kendall spoke up. "So, what's up?"
Dark eyes met green ones as Francie leaned forward slightly. "I've got a big favor to ask you Kendall. It's about..." Francie paused for a deep breath.
She looked so intense that Kendall felt his breath hitch in his chest. The seriousness in Francie's demeanor told Kendall this could only relate to one thing...
"...Marley,"
Kendall's nervous state took his brain automatically to the worst case scenario. James wants to adopt Marley after the marriage! He wants to take my daughter from me just like he took Francie! Mom was right, he wants to take my place in my Marley's life! No fucking way! No!
"No!" Kendall's entire body tensed, he was braced for a fight. He stared down James with a ferociousness that exceeded the level of intensity they reached when Kendall first found out about Francie and James's relationship.
James and Francie were both so taken aback by Kendall's unexpected outburst, all they could do was stare at the unrecognizable man before them. Mouths slack and eyes wide in shock, they couldn't even begin to form the words to head of the awaiting attack.
"No, you're not taking my daughter from me, too, James!" Kendall sprang to his feet. "Not while I'm still breathing!"