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: This chapter at this time is not beta'd. Please, excuse all my errors.
Early tomorrow morning (Friday), I am scheduled for hernia surgery. I wanted to get this chapter to you. Please, be patient for chapter 23. Thanks, Everyone… Hugs, Gabby
Chapter 22: The House in Cali (part two)
BPOV
I inwardly eye all three men not focusing my outward attention on their beady stares with a modicum of composure. I want to burst out laughing.
Edward shakes their hands and introduces each one. "Bella, this is Monte Baird, the kingpin of Baird Productions."
He quickly grabs my hand turning it upright. "It's quite a pleasure to meet you, Bella," Monte smiles through his huge, buck teeth purring through his English accent and bending to bestows a sloppy wet kiss to my knuckles. His eyes look up to mine. "Your voice haunts me."
I shyly smile pulling my hand away and quietly say, "It's a family secret; old spirits …" I emphasize, "Linger." Monte shrinks in his stance swallowing hard.
Edward follows along squeezing my waist biting his bottom lip. "And this is Marcus Townsend and his brother, deFarus, of Twin-Light Records.
Both men nod. I find them oddly enchanting with their coffee-colored skin, pale green eyes and full, blonde afros.
"I read about your company moving to the States," I offer.
It's deFarus who answers in a pronounced Jamaican accent, "Yes, it appears Miami is the place to be, Miss Bella. Balmy breezes, gorgeous sunsets and a Latin beat that might tempt you to visit our new studios."
I turn to Edward. "Are we scheduled for Miami on the tour?"
"Yeah." He smirks at me.
"Then, we'll do our best to stop by, deFarus." I smile.
Marcus grabs another chair. "I hope you'll join us." He looks at Edward. "Maybe, you'll both take the mics, tonight?"
Edward pulls out a chair for me, I sit and he wraps his arm behind it sitting close. "That's all up to Bella."
"Then, you speak for yourself?" Monte questions.
I snark, "Since I was about two. Another family thing. The Swan women are very liberated."
"But you signed with a novice," deFaurs playfully pokes at Edward.
I raise my eyebrows and challenge. "You could hardly call Edward a novice." I slowly kiss my Edward's lips. "He knows the business like the back of my hand. I trust him explicitly."
deFarus huffs, "Not to be the bearer of doom and gloom but relationships do fall to prey in this circus."
I giggle. "Only if you don't know the clowns behind the masks."
Monte laughs, "I think we're learning not to question this lovely, young lady. She stands quite well on her own. And as for Edward, I've never seen him so taken. Let's order food and drinks, and possibly the fair damsel and her 'music man' will grant us a song."
The place fills up as we finish dinner. Edward didn't disappoint me by eating a steak and vegetables and taking his supplements.
"What are you taking there, Edward?" Monte asks with great curiosity.
After swallowing his pills, Edward wipes his mouth and answers, "Vitamins. Bella has brought me back from the near dead."
I lightly shove him. "I did not and you weren't near death."
"I did read the article in 'Rolling Stone'. Are you feeling better?" Marcus sincerely asks.
"Never felt better."
"Do look into coconut milk from Jamaica. We have a younger sister who had something very similar," deFarus shares.
I ask, "Is it doctor prescribed?"
"Noooo, our mother believes in old family remedies," Marcus adds. "She's well-versed in herbs and ointments."
"I'd love to meet her. Does she live in Miami, too?" I ask.
Marcus continues, "No, she remains in Kingston with our sister, Bernadette. She doesn't like the glitz."
"She sounds amazing."
Marcus grins. "She is." He nods. "She is."
"You sound as though you miss her."
deFarus adds, "We both do." He clears his throat. "I was hoping to see you perform with Edward. Maybe, you will grace us with a song … or two?"
I smile. "Well, two guys who love their mother just makes me want to sing."
Edward smirks and whispers in my ear, "I love my mother."
I kiss his nose. "I know you do."
"So, sing with me?" he pleads with our foreheads together.
The host, Manny Marvin, a little short man with long gray hair, baggy T-shirt and jeans, walks on stage and grabs a mic from a stand. With his glasses on the end of his nose, he reads from a piece of paper, "Hey, glad to see a full house."
The audience applauds with a few whistles.
Manny continues, "Got a good lineup. Jon and Richie will be here later tonight. Ah, Pat Benatar has a new song, and Steve Perry said he wants to hang out. Go figure."
Everyone laughs.
"Monte Baird ordered me to send Edward and Bella on stage or he'll set the place on fire." He laughs. "Or maybe they will set us on fire." He shakes his head, scratching it and mumbling, "I don't know. I don't know." He looks at Monte. "Well?"
Monte gestures for us to get up and whispers in my ear, "Do the new Journey song."
I stare at him.
"Please, do it!"
The man looks as though he has some sort of plan brewing, nodding his head and escorting us to the stage area.
Manny greets us and shouts, "Ladies and gentleman, you all know Edward Cullen of 'Cullen' and newcomer, Bella Swan of "Swan'." He shouts, "Ya think there's a similarity there?"
The crowd explodes with cheers and laughter.
"I thought you were back home in the sticks of the Pacific Northwest, Edward."
"Bella and I took some time off from recording."
"I heard your boy, Benny, rigged you a new home studio." Manny grabs two guitars. "These good?" Edward nods. "And Edward grab those two stools. Go sit, and get the mics set up. I'll talk to your girl." He addresses me, "You are his girl?"
I smile as Edward hands me a guitar.
"We're together." Sitting on the stool. I start to tune the guitar.
Manny probes, "So, you're going to do a cover and then an original?" I frown.
"Monte said."
I shrug. "Whatever Monte said."
"Good. Good. Looking forward to this," Manny sings as he moves to stage right. "Everyone welcome Bella and Edward."
The crowd applauds.
Edward looks at me. "Do you get the feeling we've been set up?"
"Yeah, but it's a good thing we know this song," I say.
Edward begins the intro as I play rhythm. He sings:
"Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind
I sing:
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sending all my love along the wire."
Steve Perry walks out, the crowd goes wild and Edward and I shake our heads, as Steve sings:
"They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line, it's been you and me
And loving a music man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
Oh Girl
You stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully."
We all sing:
"Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns to make us smile
(Manny gives me a thumbs up)
Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am lost without you
And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you
Oh girl
You stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Faithfully
I'm still yours
I'm forever yours
Ever yours
Faithfully.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Faithfully."
Edward and I stand and bow with Steve as the audience goes crazy.
Smiling, Steve nods. "Yeah, we need to talk." He exits the stage, waving to the crowd.
"I was shaking in my heels," I admit. "Wow, Steve Perry." I sit down on the stool.
"Do I have to worry?" Edward taunts as he sits.
"He has such great hair."
"I have great hair," Edward announces.
I point. "Yeah, but it's all over the place."
Everyone 'boos'.
"I thought you liked my 'all over the place' hair," he pouts.
Then, the 'awes'.
I smirk. "I … I love your 'all over the place' hair."
More cheers of 'oohs and awes'.
"Okay," he accepts.
"But Steve Perry." I shake my head. "Wow."
They all laugh.
I can see at the front table that Monte, deFarus and Marcus have their heads together.
Edward takes the mic, "Bella and I were working on this song on the flight here. It's a little rough around the edges."
I add, "But it's all about the feelings."
We both play the intro.
Bella and Edward
Sing Me Your Song
I sing:
"When you find your other half
And finally feel whole,
Colors become so vivid,
Loving becomes so bold."
Edward sings:
"You can finish my sentence
Without another thought.
I can begin your music
With all the keys you sought."
We sing together:
"Sing me your song
And I will give you my heart.
Say we belong
And we'll never be apart.
Nothing is wrong
When we begin the right start.
Sing me your song
And I will give you my heart."
I sing:
"My music is easier.
I can feel it through you.
My lyrics write from within.
Souls connect with the new."
Edward sings:
"You're my day and I'm your knight.
Destined to be a pair
And tied together for life
For all the time we share."
We sing together:
"Sing me your song
And I will give you my heart.
Say we belong
And we'll never be apart.
Nothing is wrong
When we begin the right start.
Sing me your song
And I will give you my heart.
Sing me your song
And I will give you my heart."
I hum:
"Hmm hmm,"
Edward hums:
"Hmm hmm."
We hum in harmony:
"Hmm hmm hmm ."
The audience explodes with cheers and pleas for more. deFarus, Marcus and Monte stand with hungry eyes.
The ride home is quiet. Edward seems lost in his thoughts and I watch the road. Dear God, the man drives like a maniac and worse in the dark.
He parks at the front entrance, gets out and opens my side. Still not a word.
Once we enter the foyer, he looks at me and whispers, "Steve Perry."
I look at him in surprise and it's my turn to taunt. "Steve, Joe … Maybe even Steven Tyler. They all have great hair." I wrap my arms around his waist and sigh rubbing his sides, "But I like them, and love you." He bends to capture a kiss.
I giggle. "But I don't know about your hair thing."
Edward's eyes bug out as he reaches for me, but I slip away heading for the stairs.
Laugh hysterically, I climb with a raging, flaming ginger after me.
"Ed-ward!"
A/N: Song sung with Steve Perry: 'Faithfully' by Journey.
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