She Rocks My World
80's Rocker, Edward Cullen, is the frontman for the enormously popular band, Cullen.
He's every woman's dream; handsome, wealthy, and talented, but the elusive rocker has something to hide until an overwhelmingly gifted, doe-eyed beauty steals his heart at first sight and sound.
A/N: I'm very fortunate to have Fran beta my stories. The woman has the patience of a saint and the eye of an eagle! She's also very fast.
Sorry for the week delay for this chapter. I couldn't write it once, but over and over. I hope it portrays all the emotions. This is their turning point.
Chapter Fifteen: The MTV Concert
EPOV
Mark follows me up two flights of stairs to my private office. Again, I can't really call it private when Ali conducts band business and works with all the files. She converts all business transactions into computers documents, but I have duplicates ready at my disposal. I'm not computer savvy, and I don't have the time right now to fiddle with it. She does the business, and we do the creative end. It works.
Mark and I enter the room. He looks around nodding his head. "You've got quite a setup here, Edward."
I laugh. "I'll be honest, this is Ali's domain."
The office is warm and cozy, androgynous in design. Masculine in the furnishing and feminine in the little touches. The walls are a light cream accented by crown molding in a dark wood tone. A chocolate brown carpet covers the floors. We have two mahogany desks that face one another; one has duel computers with keyboards and two phones. "Yeah, Ali went ballistic when Apple came out with the Apple Lisa earlier this year. She said this would cut her time, so she took every computer class."
"Does she handle all the business?" Mark asks as I motion for him to sit. He leans on the desk.
"She's the watchdog over our accountants and managers," I answer. "And these are family friends our dad has known for years. But Ali doesn't trust anyone. She has seen other bands ripped off and is determined we won't be one of them."
"Yeah, I got the impression talking with her. She's very protective over both bands."
I shake my head and sit on the other desk pushing a phone out of my way. The fax buzzes on another mahogany table next to the printer. "She's a force to be reckoned with. Despite all the personal connections, she signs all the checks with me. No one else handles the money aspect. Her line, 'These country bumpkins haven't seen this much money in their small-town lives, and I certainly don't want to open them up to temptation. It would kill Daddy.' I tend to agree."
"She is a good watchdog." He chuckles.
"Well, I should give you some privacy to make your calls." I start to stand.
Mark puts up a hand. "Actually, I'd like for you to stay. You could answer some of their questions. I want to call our executive producer and pitch my idea."
"Which is?"
~*~SRMW~*~
Ninety minutes later, Mark and I enter the engineering room and ask everyone to join us.
Jasper raises his eyebrows, and I barely nod my head. He smirks with knowing.
Bella walks in from the studio and stands next to me. I pull her close, kissing the top of her head, and she mouths, "Everything okay?"
I whisper, "More than."
Mark scans the room and makes eye contact with each person. "First off I want to say you're one group of talented musicians. I got a go-ahead with my idea, and I want to run it by all of you." He focuses on Bella. "Cullen has a great fan base, but I think we can up the world's interest, and help introduce Swan to them with a concert … in New York. Since working with Music Television, I have been exposed to some great people. The producers know me well enough that if I rave about a talent, then there's something to be seen. And in this case, they want to see it. The only twist is that they want it in three weeks. So, can you be ready?"
Bella questions, "How many songs? What about staging? Set design?"
Mark reassures, "Bella, as we speak, they're securing the venue and hiring more stagehands. As long as you can perform your eclectic style, we're talking one hell of a chance." He turns to Ali. "With no cost to Cullen."
Ali smiles and points. "I knew I liked you."
Mark laughs. "I'm going to take that as one hell of a compliment."
Ali squints at me. "What did you tell him?"
With my hands up, I plead, "Nothing bad."
Ria speaks up, "I do have an idea, and I think Barry could do this."
I ask, "What do you have in mind?"
~*~SRMW~*~
With ten days of straight rehearsals, we secure four solid songs for this mini-concert.
Our bandaids take to the road, a week ahead, with all the equipment in our two semis under Seth's management. Ria and Barry happily travel to New York on our jet a few days before the rest of us. With Ria's drawings and Barry's know-how, this is one project, I for one, will be happy to see to fruition.
A day later, Christy and Kate join us as we fly into JFK, late morning. With my hair in a ponytail and my hoodie over my head, no one bothers with me through the airport. Bella and I look like an average couple holding hands as we walk to the baggage claim.
After we retrieve our bags, we find the limo out front. With Mark's instructions, the driver drops Kate and Christy at the hotel with all the luggage, and Bella and me at Radio City Musical Hall.
I have to admit I feel my adrenaline pumping as we walk into the grand hall. I turn to look up at the two balconies and the lower mezzanine. My eyes slowly rise to the height of the ceiling, and I hesitantly gulp with a dry mouth, mumbling, "How high is the ceiling?"
"I think it's eighty-two or eighty-four feet. I don't recall, but it seats over sixty-two hundred."
I continue to assess the height and mumble, "It looks like a sunset."
"Does the height bother you?"
"Only for you."
She shakes your head.
We begin to walk down an aisle, meeting Ria and Barry halfway. I show my concern. "I see you have all the cables in place."
"It's working perfectly, Edward," Ria offers. "I'm a little heavier than Bella and the five times I tested the harness, it worked like a dream." She holds Bella's hands. "You're going to love this." She broadly smiles. "Just a cool sensation."
"Man, I can see the look on your face, and I wouldn't allow Ria up there if I didn't believe things were secure," Barry reassures. "Besides, I did a half a dozen runs myself and no problems."
All of a sudden, Emmett zips past us hooting and hollering, "This is amaziiiiiiiiing."
Bella laughs. "Let me try." She runs to the stage holding Ria's hand.
I turn to Barry. "You're sure?"
He smiles. "Ah, Emmett?"
I watch Emmett land on the stage in one piece. "I'll feel a lot better when this concert is over."
Barry pats my shoulder. "It'll be fine. We also created a semi-circle platform for each drum set, back to back. Once we finish our set, the platform will turn with Garrett's drums avoiding any extra time for a change. The band-aids only have Bitsy's harp to move."
"Sounds very thorough."
"To the second."
~*~SRMW~*~
All under Alice's supervision, Bella, Ria, and Bitsy are in the dressing rooms being fitted for costumes.
The rest of us meet up with Mark in a conference room. We sit around a large, oval table in very comfortable, suede, swivel chairs, and each of us receive an itinerary for the concert.
"We'll go over this when everyone else gets here," Marks says.
I scan the pages and read about opening intros, interviews with each VJ, staging for each band, information about the orchestra, and closing.
Ten minutes later, Bella walks in with Bitsy and Ria talking with Nina Blackwood. Emmett gasps. He has a fan crush on her.
"Wow," Emmett whisper to me. "She looks great in person."
Danny and Barry follow with Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson, and Martha Quinn. Man, she's tiny.
As they sit around the table, Mark introduces everyone and gets down to business.
"The producers have comprised a tentative schedule for filming. We may change the one-on-one interviews before the concert. I think, making them informal would show more of your personalities in a comfortable surrounding instead of a hectic backstage setting. We may film both and decide which fits best for the TV special," Mark explains.
Alan adds, "The rest of us are looking forward to rehearsals."
Nina leans on the table and smiles at Bitsy. "Yeah, I'm stoked about the use of the harp. As I mentioned to Bitsy, I'm classically trained in the harp and piano, too."
Emmett blurts out, "You are?"
"Yes, Emmett," Nina answers with a huge smile. "I'm more than excited about seeing how Bitsy uses it."
J.J. asks, " Are you playing rock or classical?"
Bella answers, "We combine genres. We'll take a classical piece and give it a taste of rock."
J.J. nods. "I feel ya. Any R & B?"
Bella smiles, "I'd like to do a few Smokey songs."
Martha sways. "Maybe some Marvin Gaye."
"We're up for it," Ria giggles.
"Okay, let's take a few run-throughs and tape the interviews," Mark suggests and stands.
I sit between Jasper and Emmett in the center front row with Garrett behind me, leaning on the back of my seat. Bella and the band play their first song without the theatrics.
All four VJs sit next to us. Mark watches knowing what to expect from Swan but keeps an eye on his fellow VJs, and their reactions are pure gold. Nina's eyes travel back and forth to each musician as she twirls her shaggy blonde hair between her fingers and with one leg over the other, she kicks her foot. Martha sits nodding her head moving to the beat and repeating the chorus line the second time. Alan has a huge smile, keeps looking at the stage, then back at me with his eyes wide open. J.J. is the hardest to read. He watches with intensity and a poker face. When they complete the song, he vigorously claps and mumbles, "It's cool, man."
Bella subtly takes charge expressing what she wants out of each song. Ria and Bitsy follow along with ease, as Barry and Danny curve their own style to fit each melody.
The interviews are short. I believe they will show them between each song and set.
Each VJ respects our privacy and sticks to the music.
~*~SRMW~*~
It's showtime. Mark and Alan Hunter walk onto the stage. The crowd cheers as they stand in the center.
"Good morning, everyone. It's great to have all of you join us so early in the morning," Mark announces.
Alan adds, "Who knew Radio City would open their doors at three AM for us?"
Mark continues, "Well, it's worth it. And you guys will be excited about this impromptu concert. We have an orchestra in the pit and a new band presented by Cullen."
The audience shouts and stomps.
"So, let's get this party started. This band has a great sound from the Seattle area. I'm telling you, you're going to be very surprised. Give it up for Swan."
Alan and Mark exit the stage as Ria, Barry, Danny, and Bitsy settle into their instruments.
I watch from the wings, as the orchestra begins the intro to the finale of Swan Lake. Swan joins in. The guys wear white, long-sleeve shirts and jeans, while Ria and Bitsy have drapes of sheer pastel fabric flowing to their calves.
Bella's sweet, but strong operatic voice sings out with the melody in surround sound. Bitsy's harp overshadows the horn, as she sits center stage plucking her strings.
Swan
Swan Lake Finale
La
La la la la la la la
La La
La la la la la la.
I hold my breath, as the music changes from classical to rock, and Bella, wearing a corset and tutu of glittery white, leaps off the second balcony flying toward the stage, singing into a microphone and pointing her toes in white ballet slippers. Her huge white wings flutter from the draft. As she descends over the crowd and orchestra, people react in awe and approval staring up at Bella's daring flight.
The crowd applauds this glorious sight.
Once Bella's right foot touches down, I finally take a breath while two stagehands and Seth quickly remove the harness and exit the stage. As the orchestra continues the melody, Bella removes her feathered headband, wings, and tutu skirt to reveal a sheer, flowing fabric to her knees. They all holler as she moves easily with every turn. She places the microphone on a stand and grabs a violin on the side of Barry's drums playing along with the music. She begins to sing again into the mic, holding the violin to one side.
Night
Falls upon the secret lake
I wake
More Woman than a swan.
I
Dance upon my pointed toes
I pose
More woman than a swan.
This lake of tears
Sees me lift my chin
Sees me stretch my wing
Knows the hopes I cling
These slender reeds
See me twirl around
See me stroke the ground
See me fly unbound.
You
Chance upon my lonely lake
You take
The arrow from my heart.
We
Dance upon the moonlit stream
We seem
Quite destined for this part.
The dawn of hope
Sees us form a pair
Sees us tour the air
Sees us bound to share.
These skies of fire
See you lift me high
Sees us soar and fly
Sees us turn into one.
At light I'm gone
Back to a swan
Woman no more.
Magician condition enchanted
Only love that is loyal can grant it.
Romantic quite frantic I sigh.
For the love that is sudden can lie;
Can lie, can sigh, can die.
Light
Falls upon the secret lake
Less
Woman than a,
Woman than a
Swan.
Bella places the violin under her chin and stands between Ria and Bitsy as they play with great passion as tears flow down their cheeks.
When the music stops, the crowd roars. People jump up vigorously applauding.
Bella, Ria, and Bitsy stand together and bow.
The crowd continues to roar as Bitsy returns to her harp and Bella switches the violin to an electric guitar. She smiles into the mic. "Thank you."
Bella looks at Ria as she applauds her.
With a kidding stink eye, Bella moans, rolling her eyes, "Stop."
They roar.
"C'mon, I'm going to get a big head."
Laughter fills the theater and dies down until there is silence.
"That's a little taste of what we do, but it's not our only style."
They begin the next song.
"I hope you like this," Bella sings.
SWAN
Just to Be Me
He says he likes my curves ... Do do do
And settles my nerves.
He likes to touch my hands ... Do do do
He really understands.
I like to taste his lips … Aw aw aw
More than potato chips.
He's got a crooked smile ... Aw aw aw
That sets me off my wiles.
He does this to me.
Anyone can see.
He makes me feel free
And just to be me.
Writes me a little song … Oh oh oh
That isn't very long.
It tells a little tale … Oh oh oh
About being a male.
Love a girl with your heart ... Mm mm mm
And never be apart.
Tell her than you care … Mm mm mm
And she'll love your hair.
He does this to me.
Anyone can see.
He makes me feel free
And just to be me.
The song ends, and the crowd applauds shouting, 'more, more' to the band.
Bella removes her guitar and speaks into the mic, "We're all good. We have one more for you."
She places her guitar on a stand and brings her Uilleann Pipes to the front as a stagehand brings her a chair and another mic. She thanks him and lowers it, sitting with the pipes on her lap. "I see you're all wondering what the hell is in my lap, right?"
The crowd laughs.
"These are the first bagpipes of Ireland. I'm not going to bore you with details, but they truly fit this next song. We all wrote this a few days ago … so I hope you like it."
Bella's fingers swiftly play the pipes. The Irish twang and quick melody blends into a hard rock rhythm. Barry's sticks roll across each drum, Danny nimbly works the neck of his guitar, while Ria's bass thumps out the beat, and Bitsy's harp flows with the pipes.
Not a sound comes from the crowd. All watch in utter amazement as each musician plays their part and Bella begins to sing.
SWAN
The Fate of Nettie O'Shay
My Italian ma and Irish da
Gave a heritage made of true gold.
I'm strong in mind and stubborn with thoughts.
Allow this family's tale to be told.
When I was a wee girl of seven
My da took me to the country fair.
Hens and pigs and pies to be brought home;
A promise of marriage to declare.
Ma was happy with this fate to be
For the boy will grow to a fine lot.
I would be given the best of life
Until the boy was tragically shot.
He defended his family's land,
When two robbers came one fine day.
He held his stance and told them to go,
But the men had other plans to stay.
Jamie McClaren was to be mine
And I was to be his bride and friend.
But he was taken from me too soon.
I was left all alone in the end.
At seventeen, I did jump the broom
And married the constable's one son.
He loved me true and showed me the ways
To live a life until we were done.
Seven sons I share with John McShane
All tall, strong and ready for a fight
To protect what's theirs and stand up straight.
There's no one no how will steal their right.
I learned in a very young age in life
That not everything's written in stone,
That you have a fate and a purpose
To certainly not be left alone.
Danny leans his guitar against the drum platform as Barry jumps down. They stand next to Ria, Bella, and Bitsy bowing to the screaming crowd.
Mark walks out from the other side of the stage, taking the mic and announcing, "Give it up for Swan. Yeah, they were great."
The crowd reacts with cheers.
Bella and company exit the stage while our band-aids handle the equipment change.
Alan joins Mark and speaks into the mic, "We're going to let the stagehands set up for Cullen."
The crowd reacts loudly shouting, "Cullen, Cullen, Cullen!"
"This is one crazy morning, Mark," Alan shouts over the crowd.
"Alan, it's a music miracle in the making."
"With the equipment change and the turn of the platform, everything is set for Cullen," Mark says into the mic. "So, if you are all ready?"
Shouts.
"Then, welcome, Cullen!"
Edward and Jasper lead the way as Garrett jumps on the platform and settles into his drums. Emmett waves to the crowd pulling his guitar strap over his head.
"Good morning, New York, thanks for coming by so early," Edward greets.
The crowd shouts their names and cheers.
As Edward maneuvers his guitar over his head, he speaks into the microphone, "So, did you like Swan?"
The crowd favorably whistles, cheers and shouts their approval.
"I'm glad you liked them. We'll be going on tour together in a few months."
Garrett interrupts, "Yeah, Edward's got a girlfriend."
Jasper in falsetto sings, "And she's going on tour with us."
Emmett booms with his bass, "It's going to be a full bus."
"They're going to bleep me. Fucking hush!" Edward laughs.
The crowd reacts.
Edward continues, "All kidding aside when we roll into the Big Apple, I hope you'll come see us."
Garrett beings with a steady tom beat. Jasper joins in with his fast-moving fingers down the neck and Emmett follows Garrett's, steady snare, as I hum with the melody. And the crowd sings along with us.
Older Cullen Song
Taking It
We played dives and paid a lot of dues
Many times over in many towns.
On the road for days and weeks on end
We traveled long and hard and set grounds.
It's not about the money.
It's not about the fame.
It's all the roads we took
To play the stupid game.
Breaking it.
Making it.
Faking it.
Taking it.
We weren't going to turn that around
We took every fucking lick and hit.
No, no one could tell us where to go.
Hey, we knew they were all full of shit.
We're going to enjoy this new life
Filled with new people and great places.
Toured through the UK, Spain and Paris
Looking at the different faces.
It's not about the money.
It's not about the fame.
It's all the roads we took
To play the stupid game.
Breaking it.
Making it.
Faking it.
Taking it.
I laugh. "Yeah, a blast from the past. Thanks for joining in."
The crowd hollers.
"So, we have a new one. It's pretty hot, and no jumping your partner … yet."
Jasper's slow, jazzy intro whirls into a solo of guitar riffs. Garrett sets the beat. Emmett adds a little vibe of bass, as Edward croons in a high-pitched tone.
Cullen
Zinger
There's nothing like the feel of a woman.
Nothing compares to that sexual high,
When she throws her head back and calls my name.
There's nothing better that I can't deny.
The way she wraps her legs around my waist
And follows every movement with my beat.
Every moan, every groan goes to my core.
All I think about is feeling her heat.
Yeah, I'm wrapped around her tiny finger
Oh, man, let this intense feeling linger.
I let loose like a scorpion's stinger,
Our utopian sexual zinger.
Entering her warmth and feeling her joy
Is coming home to that euphoric spot.
Her tightness wrapped around my needy self
Is my pleasure, my death the fire's hot.
With her mouth on mine my tongue exploring,
Her sweet taste, her fighting spirit to love.
She flips me over. I lie on my back
And let her ride me high and deep above.
Yeah, I'm wrapped around her tiny finger
Oh, man, let this intense feeling linger.
I let loose like a scorpion's stinger,
Our utopian sexual zinger.
We end the song, and the crowd erupts. Bella and crew join us on stage, and we take that final bow.
Mark and Alan announce the end and wish everyone a safe way home, and keep an eye out for our tour details.
Lights out.
Curtain closes.
I squeeze my girl.
A/N: Could you feel the concert… See it? What did you think?
A/N: Swan Lake Finale lyrics by Hugh Fraser and music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
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