Authors Note: I see a few new countries are reading, thanks for reading. Thanks to my Betas and my muse. My readers are the best. Please read and review it helps a lot: End Note
Chapter 17
Life Changes
Candy wakes to her phone ringing she squints at the screen in the darkness broken by the light of her phone. Sluggishly she answers "Hello" Alarm bells went off in her head when she hears the voice of Nicole the little girl she had been a big sister to through a community program.
"Hey Candy I need to come over. My dad's back from um college and he went nuts. I think he's um high. He punched a hole in my wall I'm scared, with my mother not here to fight with him he keeps picking on me. He's kicking my door and my highboy is not that heavy if I don't leave now he'll hurt me for sure. Can I please come over please?"
Candy can hear emotion in the girl's voice and the man beating on the door in the back ground yelling for Nikki to open the fucking door. "No, Nikki remember the book store, go to the book store go up the side stairs and wait for me. Okay" Nikki says O okay twice and the call ends. Candy franticly pulls on her jeans hops around putting on her shoes and grabs her phone as she runs blindly into the hall in to Joshua.
Joshua was coming down the hall heading towards the kitchen when he was almost taken off his feet by a bundle of flying blonde hair. "Whoa Candy are you okay did you have a nightmare or something?" She shakes her head no and when she opened her mouth he got a dose of information overload. She spoke quickly about Nikki and asked him to either take her or let her drive his truck to Sophie's bookstore. "The bookstore is closed right now it's like 12:30 at night."
"She wanted to go to my house and if Kyle is lurking around I didn't want him grabbing her. Please Josh I told her to meet me there, because if anything I know if she is on the steps no one will see her unless Paula's girl Tracy decides to go home early. Nikki was in freak out, her father sounded like he was losing his damn mind, she was afraid he was going to beat the shit out of her, she thinks he's high. I've met the guy when Nikki first entered the program, and he's a big dude. If he's violent with he'll hurt..." Joshua's concerned expression turned dark as his anger rose.
Joshua was beaten up by his birth parents on a regular basis when he was 10 to the point he got hospitalized. His parents did drugs and drunk like fish. If Nikki's dad was high, he could seriously hurt the little girl. Hell he'd met Nikki a few times she was a good kid, and didn't deserve her dad going upside her head. Sally had saved him if he could help Candy save Nikki he would. "No he won't, let's go" he said through clenched teeth as he grabs Candy's hand. They head towards the garage, he grabs his wallet off the table by the key block. Letting her go he ducks into the mud room, and grabs one of his knife belts just in case the fucker caught up to them. A few of the STOP team members starts up their vehicles as they left the gate.
As they fly down the hill Candy glances at her home, something caught her eye but they were going so fast she couldn't tell what it was. Where Candy was afraid, anger came off Joshua in waves. He was wearing one of the knife belts that had two blades instead of one. He took the back way, and they stop in back of Paula's bar in 5 minutes flat. Candy grabs the door to get out Joshua says Nikki knows what he looks like she'll come to him. "Yeah but you don't know what her dad looks like." He says for her to stay in the truck, if something jumped off, try to get Nikki in the truck and beat it the hell out of here. There was no time to argue she concedes "Okay" Joshua jumps out of the truck points his thumb down telling her lock the doors. As he walked in front of the truck the steel on his crossed knives reflected as he rounded the building. Candy prayed that he would not have to use them.
Joshua pulled his jacket closed, the rain had slowed but the wind was harsh. When he looked up the stairs that lead to what used to be Paula's apartment. He saw who could be Nikki the person was folded in on them self. "Nikki?" it was Nikki she popped her head up at his voice stood and unfolded herself from the ball of Nike windbreaker that was two or three sizes too big on her. As she walked down the stairs Joshua looked around when she got to the bottom he escorted her back around the side of the building Candy gets out and runs to Nikki. Joshua told them both it was time to go. They all get in, Joshua looks in the rearview mirror at Nikki as she tries to fasten the seat belt across her. He reaches back snaps it closed as he pulls out of his homemade parking space and heads back toward home. Nikki speaks about how her mother had went off on her father and left again. Candy was about to say something but stops. As they hit Candy's street on their way up to Ivey Mansion, Joshua slams on the breaks at the sight of Candy's house on fire. Black smoke rose from the top of the house the rain had died down but the wind had picked up sending pieces of her roof into the street.
The temporary shocked silence in the truck is broken as Candy screams "My House" Multiple thoughts run through Candy's mind. Had her father thought she was home and torched it? Was he tying up loose ends? Was this part two of Evie fucking up her life? Did she honestly think she had competition for Roman? Thinking about Roman sent a chill down her spine Roman and Deon had words at the bar. Had Roman followed Deon here and? She couldn't finish the thought. She pulls her phone as she tries to pull the door open Joshua grabs her and yanks her back in the truck, as a fire truck blares its horn. They pull to the side of the street in front of Jonathon's house. Police and News crews and Fire trucks swarm her yard. Her unspoken fear flies from her mouth in the form of a scream as she pulls against Joshua. "Deon could be in there."
"Candy, Stop the last time I checked you're not fireproof. Call Deon any firefighter or police worth anything aren't going to let you in that house." She dials Deon's number as his picture slides across her screen for two seconds then stops when the call is connected. Candy asks him where he is, his answer took some of the fear out of his friend's gaze. Candy then tells Deon that her house is on fire and Joshua can hear him asking her is she okay. She looks up at her house as the fire is being brought under control. Joshua hated to see the tears streaming down her face for the second time today he felt helpless to help his friend.
Candy answers Deon "Truthfully no I'm, not okay. My fucking house is on fire. I thought." She takes a breath "I'm glad you were able to dispel one of my fears. I got to go" Deon says he's sorry for what happened at the bar. "Not now please." Candy presses end. 45 of the longest minutes of her life pass Candy tells Joshua that the fire is out as she hops out of the truck. Joshua takes off his knife belt and gets out as well. A reporter shoved a microphone in her face and asked her a barrage of questions that she had no answers to. Joshua steps in the way and backs the guy up growling that she had no comment. Candy watches as someone on a stretcher with a sheet over them is taken out of her home. With her heart in her throat she wonders who the person under the sheet was. It was too small to be Roman and too large to be Evie. One of the police waves her over, Candy felt like lead had taken up residence in her limps. Joshua comes to her side and tells her to take a breath. She does and the smell of smoke and something chemical hit her nose and makes her cough. The police officer lifts the sheet and asked her did she know the deceased. Candy looks down at the bloated dead person's face and her world spins. He was in her house, her father was in her house, no doubt waiting for her. This was too much It was one thing to think it, but to have that thought confirmed he'd come for her. "I. He's… His Name is or was Kyle Rabinenvitch he's… he was my father." The officer asks was she aware he was wanted. "Yes" The officer tells her to stay put and walks away. Joshua tells her he's calling Sophie something is up. Minutes later a man the size of Mark walks over and starts throwing questions at her. They thought she had let Kyle hide in her home to evade the police. "No it's not like..." The officer says he is taking her for questioning. Cold dread washed over her. "W... why" he starts reading her the Miranda grabs her and cuffs her hands behind her back in one fluid motion. Joshua asked if they were just asking questions why he was detaining her. The officer told him if he didn't shut his mouth he do it for him.
Andrew Stark a member of the federal STOP team had stood by for a moment watching this train wreck. The officer was from Grandville North. When he was following Davenport down this street earlier he caught a glimpse of a car out of place. Angel's husband was seconds from getting a ride on the tax payers. He walks over to the Local cop and asked for a minute of his time. When the cop ignores him and pushed Angel's friend towards his car while glaring at her husband. Andrew squares his shoulders flips open his badge and tells the cop with the Captain's bars "Look I know you think you're going to take her somewhere but you're out of your area. What house are you out of?" the cop says the 119. "That's real North and I just have to know what makes you think you're going to take her all the way back into your jurisdiction with all these South blue boys right here?" The cop gets in his face telling him Federal had nothing to do with his case. Andrew raises and eyebrow was this crooked piece of shit serious? "Back off Local, Maybe you missed the badge. I know what you are and why you appeared and I'm telling you right now un-cuff her. If you don't I'll take you into federal custody and have your whole division investigated, tonight" Andrew watched as the man's mouth worked but he said nothing when he turned un-cuffed the woman. Andrew told Angel's husband and her friend to get back in his vehicle. The woman nods and drops her gaze to the ground as she rubs her wrists and followed Angel's husband back to his truck.
Back in the truck Joshua glares through the windshield at the asshole that had cuffed Candy. When she gets in Nikki asked was she okay. Candy looks at her for a brief moment and nods buts says nothing. He knew that wasn't true but he understood her not saying much Nikki had already been through a lot. He was glad she didn't just come to Candy's house then call her she could have been one of the people coming out on a stretcher. Sophie pulled up a car pulls up behind her and three men in business suits get out. She points to him and one of the suits heads to Candy's door. Not wanting to get into it with the fucker that cuffed her He let the window down when Sophie walked pass the guy and the Fed that had for lack of a better term saved their bacon.
Sophie had received Joshua's call after telling him to slow down he was talking so damn fast he was starting to stutter. Angel had wondered where he went it was now three in the morning. After telling Angel what she could gather from her newest brother-in-law's rambling she suggested Angel stay in the house since part of the STOP team was already gone. Angel only trusted a few of the agents. Sophie didn't trust any of them except for the two field commanders Bobby and Harold. Bobby was with Chase and Harold though he was a phone call away wasn't outside. Luke had a department head doctor call off tonight, and was at the hospital covering that shift. Sophie didn't do criminal. Three of the lawyers from Strickland law offered to ride with her she told them to meet her at that scene because things were elevating quickly. She touched the pepper spray hidden in a penlight Chase had given her after the fiasco at Angel's reception he'd spoke of hiring his on security team one that he could trust. The problem with that was they had to be federally cleared since there was already a team in place. She wasn't naïve enough to believe he'd left it at that, the minute she called Strickland three lawyers offered to ride with her at three in the morning where she would usually have to threaten them to get them out of their beds this early. She had a feeling Chase Willie had spoken to a few people.
Hours later Candy had been questioned she was a person of interest but not fully a suspect. With Angel's sister's legal team standing by no one else tried to take her anywhere. She could go another lifetime without that experience. The federal agent that spoke up for her had told everyone that questioned her where she was for the pass 18 hours. Her house was a crime scene. Her home insurance was through a branch of Ivey Enterprises which was the carrier for employees that worked at the Davenport lucky for her she did not change carriers when she became an owner. She was thankful that Sophie had come. Candy had never had to try to file a claim. She was so glad that the company went paperless a few years ago all of her major purchases were in a detailed listing. She'd bought the hot tub and had it installed months after they had did Mania and got paid so well she called it her treat to herself. Sophie's stern demeanor kept Candy focused in a step by step process. Joshua had taken Nikki up to Ivey Mansion when she revealed to Candy that she was getting nervous around so many strangers and that the Windbreaker and her pajama shorts was all she had on. Kyle had been shot in her home. It was unofficially reported that his body was pulled from her hot tub. The fire Chief told her and Sophie that it was caused when water hit the electric motor under the hot tub it caught fire and set the top bathroom ablaze, but since it was an add-on it luckily tripped the breaker and shut off the rest of the house. So the fire stayed upstairs. When the flooring gave way under the hot tub the water destroyed what used to be her kitchen.
The next few days go by Angel is in the kitchen with Janet and Nikki making breakfast. Angel knew this was a big step or leap of faith for Janet to be cooking with someone else in the kitchen after Rachel had freaked her out, she'd been afraid to cook. She and Nikki were in the kitchen when Janet came in and asked could she help. It warmed Angel's heart that her cousin trusted her. Candy comes in the kitchen she'd basically stayed up in Joshua's music room with him or in the bedroom she'd claimed. Angel missed her friend, and just wished that they could return to how they were. Candy asks to speak to her alone. Angel says to the girls "Hey Janet, Nikki can you girls go set the table this is almost done?" the girls say sure and grab silverware and plates when they leave. Angel leans on the sink and looks up at her friend. "Candy, I know I should have told you but I didn't and I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"
This last few days Candy had a lot of time to think. She leans on the sink looking at her friend that had let her and Nikki stay in her home. Yeah it was Joshua's home as well but Angel could have made it difficult in many ways Candy was sorry that Angel felt the need to avoid her in her own home. She had really let her mouth fly that day then that night to need the two people she'd been so rude too. She'd apologized to Joshua and he forgave her she really stuck her foot in it with her girl. Anytime Angel saw her coming she would find something else to do and politely excuse herself if caught in the same room with her. "I can forgive you, if you can forgive me. That day was emotionally bowling me over. I made you uncomfortable in your own home. I let my feelings guide my mouth. I was in the wrong for that. You let Nikki and I stay, you can't even fathom how much that means to me. I'd like us to just go back to how we were."
Angel says "Candy I understand, if anyone understands about being emotional you're looking at her. I want our friendship as it was too. This may sound weird but I missed you girl." Candy tells her it doesn't sound weird to her because she missed Angel too. Angel laughs. They talk for a few more minutes just catching up until Paula comes in the kitchen and asks about breakfast. Angel hands her a huge platter of bacon. "Hey Paula you'll never guess who helped me cook those." Paula's face lit up with a smile. As she looks between the two of them "No, it wasn't Candy, it was Janet she asked could she help."
Paula was so happy her big girl was slowly conquering her past fears. "Hey Candy what's going to happen with Nikki? She's the first girl from this town around Janet's age that she gets along with. Janet is once again the youngest one in her class. My big girl is thriving in her studies, but with her best friends hours away, in Houston it's like they get to just be kids. When Nikki and Jan gets to chatting and giggling it's like music to my ears."
Candy had a big decision to make. She could wait to see if Nikki's mom returned or she could call Child Protective Services. They found out what Nikki meant by messing with her. The first night she kept it to herself until Candy noticed her swollen hand. The dick head had slammed it in the window making her fall out of her window the night she ran away. She'd said she'd literality hit the ground running and he laughed at her. That was why it was so hard for her to close her seat belt that first night. Keeping Joshua in the house after finding out was a chore. Luke was genital with Nikki when he asked to see her hand. He told her that it wasn't broken, explaining that the soft tissue around her knuckles were irritated and were going to be sore for a while but that it'll go away soon. Candy rubs a hand over her face. "I don't know, Paula, this is the longest her mother has gone without coming back. Nikki is afraid to go home and I don't blame her. The fucker called me because my number is in the paperwork for the big sister program. He called demanding that I return her and threatened to call the cops on my ass. I sent him a picture of Nikki's hand and asked him did he really want to explain why her hand was bandaged. Or why she felt in danger to the point she ran from home in the middle of the night. He said that I'd return her bad ass when she got on my nerves enough..."
"Nikki?" All turned to Janet in surprise. "She's not bad, please don't send her back." Paula asked why they were eavesdropping. "Mama we weren't snooping, we came back to get the food to put out on the table."
Candy excused herself and went after Nikki who'd run from the room. She saw where the blue jeans darted up the stairs to and followed. Nikki had run in Joshua's music room. When Candy walks in Nikki was sitting with Joshua as he was doing something to his microphone bay. "Nicole, can we talk?" Joshua looks up from the floor where he was unhooking cords and asks why she was trying to take his newest sound girl away with a mock frown. Joshua had really taken Nikki under his wing and showed her how to work with sound. "Joshua times are different, you can't hire her she's too young, besides breakfast is ready."
Joshua sits up "I checked it out, and she wouldn't be working the bar she would be working the stage and sound she's really good at it." Nikki chimes in that she is like the only freshman in her school that can run the backstage when they have programs and plays. "With us taking over the building next door to expand we are going to need someone that can run the equipment. I wasn't going to hire her without bringing it up at our next meeting. Wait did you say breakfast was ready that means you were down there with Angel." Candy says yeah and they had talked it over and were on their way back to themselves as they were saying it was what both of them wanted. "It's about time, my wife take me on a tour of the stores you two go to one more time and I was going to buy bigger head phones and download more game on my phone. I don't shop I go in, I pick up what I need, buy it and I leave." Candy cracked a grin "Don't you dare laugh at me, Angel drug me all over the baby department for three hours. I love my son, don't get me wrong, but most of the stuff we bought he won't be able to use until he is a toddler." Nikki asked why he didn't tell her to go by herself. Joshua's teasing mood shifted as he says "Not going to happen" he looks at Candy "You said breakfast was ready I'm going to go grab something to eat." Joshua leaves the room.
Nikki looks at the cords on the floor anywhere but at Candy. "Nikki we need to talk. I wasn't calling you bad I was repeating what you dad said that night. He's wrong do you know if your mom will come back this time? I know a few weeks ago you said he went back to college and your mom up and disappeared again. I need to know what you meant when you say he's in college. I think I know but I don't want to assume. What happened the night you called me? I know about you jumping from you window and him hurting your hand. What lead up to that?"
Nikki looked at the floor again. The word was spoken in almost a whisper. "Jail, his friends started calling it that. It sounded better than saying that he wouldn't be home for months at a time because he can't keep his hands to himself or he can't keep his addiction under control. My mom used to love us both. I think she still loves me but she hasn't even called me since before I went to your boss's birthday party. My neighbor has been great letting me stay at her place when he gets picked up, but she's going to real college in a few weeks, and I don't want to be there with him by myself anymore. He teases me, and when he's just doing drugs, he says stuff that creeps me out. He showed up at my school and told my teacher that I had a death in a family, so he could get me out of class early one Friday. When I went back to school the next week, I had to pretend that I was saddened about a relative that didn't even exist in the first place. I was so scared that he had caught up with my mom. He said he didn't that's when he told me we're going to look for her. His driving scares me for two reasons, one he hasn't had a real license in like three years, he says if we get stopped he's not going down without bang, he has a gun in the car, and he drives like he's contending for Daytona. The night I ran away, mom had called him, and they had argued over the phone. He had made up in his mind that we were going to find his bitch of a wife. I should have not said anything but I did. I don't like it when he call us names. Anyway he started calling me names, I started crying he called me more names and got closer. When I told him that I wasn't going in a car with him because he was high he pushed me in to the hall table yelling that I didn't have a choice. That's when I ran in my room, pushed the Highboy in front of the door, and called you." Nikki lifts her bandaged hand "the rest you know." They talk a few more minutes Candy tells her if her mother doesn't come back soon she really didn't want to but she may have to get the authorities involved. They go down to eat when Nikki's stomach told off on her.
The next morning is the day of the surprise party, Angel and Candy go shopping for house warming stuff for her dad's home. With everything that had gone on Candy confessed to Angel that she hadn't picked up a gift yet. Joshua had told Candy to keep Angel out of the area since he had to take a few pieces of his equipment to Jonathon's house for the surprise party. That was surprisingly easy to do. Angel didn't want to go to Grandville South Mall she wanted to go to the new one in Dallas since she had someone to go with her that liked to shop almost as much as she did.
Angel knew Joshua hated shopping and had kept the flyer in her purse about the grand opening Sophie was super busy with planning her wedding and working that Angel only saw her in passing here lately. They sit in a food court Andrew had got clearance to go with them since they were leaving the city. He sits a few tables away if you didn't know he was with them it would not appear so. Unless you followed them for a time that thought made Angel jolt from that train of thought. "So Candy you found the kitchen decoration and I found a larger photo frame for over the fire place. I just hope he didn't get rid of the fire place then my gift will be stupid. I can hardly wait to see what he's done to the house. Dad says it looks nothing like… before."
Candy had seen the inside of the house when she had disappeared to go help set up the party decorations. This morning she'd also grabbed Angel's gift that had come in the mail. Since her clay was all now glass from the fire at her place she went with a suggestion she'd seen online. "Hey girl he'd find something to do with it but never fear your girl Candy can tell you the house still has a fire place. That's all I'm telling the rest you will have to see for yourself."
As they are about to leave Angel sees a store she saw when she was with Joshua. "Candy I am so glad you could come this was fun. I went to Grandville South Mall with Joshua and he really hates shopping. Did you want to stop in Express Men I saw a silk shirt and thought of Deon I still think Deon is harvesting silk worms and dying then different colors to come up with those silk shirts he wears. The shirt I saw was mint green but I didn't know his size and well I didn't call you. We have time if you want to stop in there." Candy briefly says no they should really get going Deon could live without one shirt. Angel had saw Candy's ring and didn't want to seem intrusive they had been doing so good. Candy would have been in the store the minute she saw the Express Man 70% off sign. Now she just stood there and said he had enough shirts. "Is everything okay?"
Candy looks down at her ring and closed her eyes everything was still raw with Deon. His snooping in her messages and writing as her. The fighting he'd made it clear he didn't believe her about Roman raping her. One while he was loving and kind then in a few hours he's scared the shit out of her grabbing her and shaking her. His outburst embarrassed her he'd thought she was cheating with Roman of all fucking people. She'd told him that wasn't the case he'd shoved her out of the way to fight with Roman. Emotion rushed up before she could put a cap on it. Her voice shuddered as she says to Angel "I don't know what to do or think anymore. One minute he says he loves me and proposes and promises he'll stop accusing Joshua of shit he then flies off the handle and accuses me of getting back with Roman. He embarrassed me in public." Angel stops walking and hugs her telling her if she wanted to talk it out she was there for her. That was it, where Candy had been trying to hold back, the damn broke and she clung to her friend crying. They walk out of the mall and to Angel's truck. On the ride back when Candy can once again form words she talks about Deon and her issues.
At Jonathon's home Joshua sits on the back porch drinking a beer he'd put the equipment up and was taking a much needed break, he'd been going since before 6 this morning. He was so glad that Angel and Candy were back to talking, having your wife and best friend avoid each other in your own home was hell. He glances at the work going on over at Candy's house. Sophie had got the inspection and Logan had offered to do the repair since he would be paid through Candy's insurance and his company was on their list of construction and renovation companies. Deon walks out on the back porch and breaks Joshua's reverie. They had not spoken since the day at the Davenport. Joshua was tired of everything that came out of Deon's mouth.
Deon had felt like shit while at home. Candy had called him to make sure that he wasn't melted into her house and that was the only communication she had with him since his major fuck up at the Last Ride. Now he needed help he didn't know how to repair this with his queen. Looking at Joshua he knew where his band lead's allegiance would lie where it should with his best friend. "Joshua I need your help. You were right at the Davenport I have been an asshole and I tried to give Candy time to cool off she was pissed at me still is."
Joshua turns around "I'm fucking tired of this shit." Deon says he was sorry for pushing her down to fight with Roman. "You what?" Deon quickly explains what he thought he saw and how his reaction he also told him how Jonathon showed him he was dead wrong about everything. Joshua jumps to his feet and into Deon's face with fist clenched. "I thought you guys had argued she didn't tell me you had gone out of your fucking mind. You could have seriously hurt her. When she thinks no one's watching she cries her eyes out over you." Joshua thought of the times he walked in the living room and Candy would be sitting on the couch crying and looking at Deon's picture on her phone. When she would realize he was there she would tuck her phone back in her pocket. He'd stopped letting on that he was in the room. Joshua couldn't believe he was even about to help Deon but it wouldn't be for Deon. When they were together Candy was happy and that's all Joshua wanted for his best friend. "The only reason I swear that I'm willing to help you isn't for you just so you know." Deon hashes out his plan. "You think that's a cure all, man you really don't know her." Deon says he knows his plan won't work on its own but he hoped it would at least get them some much needed talk time. "Whether it works or not you hurt her, I'll end you. Are we clear?"
Deon looks Joshua in the eye and says "Crystal" He waits until Joshua moves then walks back in the house. Joshua was going to help him. If he had any doubt that was the last of it. If Joshua wanted Candy in the way that he sometime thought he would not help him fix this mess. He'd said he was doing it for Candy. They called each other friends but Deon had just been threatened like Josh was her older brother or something. This was so much to take in. When he first joined the band he noticed their chemistry, they acted like friends and bickered like siblings. When Angel came back and he found out that Joshua was going to marry one of his high school friends, he wondered if there was more between Joshua and Candy too. He should have believed his queen she called them her favorite couple. He never asked why he assumed it was because she wanted to secretly be with Joshua. When she befriended Angel he didn't know why his doubt didn't stop there the closer they got. He was so far off base. He heads into the living room and is almost run over by two little girls. "Hey there coming" Janet says as she and Nikki run from the atrium in to the living room.
Angel parks in Jonathon's drive way and turns to her friend who was removing and reapplying her makeup. "Well besides the color it looks the same as it did before. Are you going to be okay, Candy you know Deon could be here?" Candy says just because Deon is present doesn't mean she has to speak to him other than hello. "I know but I just wanted to make sure you knew he could be here." Angel didn't want to hold any information from her friend she wouldn't risk her friendship like that again if she could help it.
Candy finishes her makeup and turns to her friend. "Angel thanks for letting me unload on you I needed to get that off my chest." Angel tells her anytime that's what friends are for. To help you through rough stuff even though she really couldn't do anything but listen. "No, you helped a lot, telling someone made it better because I didn't have to hold it all in anymore." Angel asked did she tell Joshua. "If I told Joshua what I just told you, there would be even more tension between them that's not what I want."
Angel had been in some very hairy relationships in the past and didn't want her friend to get hurt again. "Candy, Joshua tells me don't worry about what his reaction will be, not to hide anything from him. I want you to hear me on this your my friend and I love you. Deon grabbing, pushing, and shoving on you no matter what the purpose isn't cool. I'm not going to sit here and tear him down because he makes you happy and it's not my place to, but please be careful, and don't ever feel you can't tell someone. I know feelings are involved but if he goes that far again he really could hurt you."
Candy knew where the fear in her friend's tone came from. She wanted to think Deon would never take it that far she guessed every girl did though. He scared the hell out of her and the emotional tidal wave that he seemed to be riding that day didn't fill her with any warmth or security. Looking at the house she turns back to Angel and wanted to not think about him right now. She wanted to party she wanted to see the look on her friend's face that would hopefully replace this apprehensive look she wore right now. Candy says "I hear you loud and clear girl. Hey enough about Deon let's go check out this house. I know Jonathon is dying to find out what his "Baby girl" thinks. " Candy said baby girl in Irish smiling at her friend as they get out of the truck.
They walk in the door and everyone jumps out screaming surprise. The look of shock on Angel's face as she grabs Candy's hand is so priceless Sophie and a few others take pictures. Joshua has his phone pointed at her. Angel looks around a huge banner read Happy Birthday Mrs. Angela Davenport, with music notes surrounding her name. Each note contained a name of one of the guests. She searches it to make sure Evie's name wasn't there and takes a breath. They all watch her "I don't know what to say." She turns to Candy and asked her did she know too.
A devilish smile claims Candy's face. "Yep, I knew there was going to be a surprise party for my friend that throws everyone a great party but never seems to get to celebrate her own. I know last year you were touring really hard around this time. I couldn't pass up the chance to see that look on your face." Angel swallows and says last year seemed so far away from right now. Catching the emotion in her friend's voice Candy says "I hope that's a good thing."
Joshua turns off his video and walks to his wife. Angel looked reflective then smirked at him. "What's going through that head of yours?" Angel asked when he found out about this. "I Sort of helped plan it. I mean Dad wanted you to see the house but you never got time to see it with everything that was going on so I figured if I tried to get you out of the house on your birthday you would guess that something was up. So less than 10 hours from the day you came into the world was as close as I dared get without tipping you off. I love you babe and I hope you have fun this is your day." They kiss.
"Son if you can tear yourself away from trying to inhale my daughter I have another surprise for my girl." Jonathon says with a smirk. His newest kin had taken to calling him dad. Jonathon had called him son but didn't expect anything from it. He'd even told Joshua he didn't mind what he called him as long as it was respectful. After the wedding and the turmoil that went on at the reception with his blood brother Joshua had started calling him dad saying that they had their moments but he made him feel a part of a family.
Angel is showed around the house by Jonathon it looked nothing like before her parents broke up and Chase came into the picture. The whole house was redone nothing was the same. When he showed her what used to be her bedroom the change was great he'd taken it as his own. The room that used to be her mother's room was his den and it looked like more of his style at his work space but she could see some of Gloria's style included. The softer touches were a nice add-on. The living room and dining room were opened up with huge windows and she swore a wall was missing. Logan asked what she thought before her dad could. "It looks great I still can't believe you guys did all this in such a short time."
Sophie gets a call, looks at the screen, and asks where she could take her call, Jonathon tells her she can use his den if she likes. She thanks him and leaves the room. Sophie sits in Jonathon's den and closes the door she opens the call and one of her employees that worked part time for the police department called to give her a heads up "Phil are you sure it's Annika Eveliina Helena Vencini's remains? Well she did say to my sister that Matt Hardy was after her. Well damn that's one way to make damn sure you get her and you're sure it's Mathew Hardy's remains as well? So about how long before this shit hits the air. That soon, no you did right there's someone I have to tell before she sees it and loses it. Yeah I do have to. If Evie's parents get wind of this the first thing they are going to do is call this person and I don't want them in the dark about something like this. Alright thanks again."
Luke walks in when he no longer hears her speaking and sees Sophie lay her head down on Jonathon's den desk and quietly drop the f bomb. "Everything okay?" She pops her head up and asked him to come in and close the door. "Okay" he says as she gets to her feet and paces the room.
Sophie tells him making him aware that Evie is dead and that it is about to be in the news. "I have to tell her because he said they are about to contact her parents and the minute they get wind of this shit they are going to call the only person they associate with her and America which is Angel. Though Evie thought she was a family friend her parents knew who she was closer to between the two of us." Sophie walks to the door and peeks out at Angel dancing with Joshua. Joshua catches her watching and smiles like he is about to out her to Angel. Sophie puts her hands together in prayer fashion silently mouthing to him begging him not to tell Angel she's watching. Something in her gaze must have told him she was serious this time not just playing their outing you game. He nods and led Angel further away from the door with a nod. Sophie closes the door.
"With all the shit Evie did to Angel you think it's going to be that catastrophic?" Luke asks as he walks to Sophie as she leans her head back on the door with her eyes closed. Sophie tells him Angel may have never spoke to Evie again, but she was surely going to feel it that Evie was gone. Considering Evie managed to wiggle her ass back into Angel's life the first time after the shit she pulled tells Sophie that Angel had a soft spot for the girl. She may have been done with her after the theft and setting up Candy but death is forever.
"She's out there happy right now and well she should be I just don't want to wait too long and have this shit knock her on her ass in the middle of her party. She's already in so many ways told me her party fail rate is up too high and she doesn't want to mess up our wedding or my bachelorette party. I keep telling her the shit that has been going on had nothing to do with the fact that she had a hand in planning it. Her dad got drunk and lashed out her, at his party because he fucked up. I still intend on finding out who switched that fucking disc at her bachelorette party. All Bobby could tell me was that it wasn't Joshua's sister and that it was professionally put together. There is a window of security footage missing which is when the switch happened. The reception she says it was because she agreed to change the location. She said she seems to be the common factor of fuck up when it comes to parties here lately me and Joshua has told her that's bullshit, but you've known her for a while you know that thing she does when she's agreeing with you just to stop the conversation she does that more and more now. I swear if she tries to bail out of coming to our wedding to, in her head save my ceremony I'm going to clobber her. JC will be here by then. She did that shit with Paula and Mark's wedding. Luke if Angel decided not to come not only would that piss me off but that would sting."
"She's got to realize going to another state for her wedding could have been much worse with the players that showed up. The people that got on that boat had inside connection somehow. That was what Chase was trying to prevent but hell that shit wasn't her fault. Hell if she wants to compare notes of fuck up, if I had not of hired Kris Barns in the first place he would have not been close enough to mess with her. If he wasn't there in the first place to fuck with her he would have had no reason to join the underground and be a part of trying to hurt Paula."
"Look, Luke I don't want to hear you say that shit anymore. You were able to save both Paula and Katie Jade, hell you treated Candy with all the shit flying around I don't need you falling into some blame shit too."
Luke rubs a hand over his face and sighs "Fair enough. Sophie I'm saying this right now. I don't care how large or small our ceremony is my goal is to marry you plain and simple. If small like this is what it will take to have the people that are important to you there and it will still put a smile on your face then so be it." She says what about his mother's planner. "Mom wants to give us her wedding big and showy but babe we both know at the end of the night none of that shit matters. I'd be just as content in having a private ceremony at the house or hell rent out one of the bars, as long as the end result is you becoming my wife I'm down with just about anything. Okay back to the issue at hand, it's still going to take some time for them to get the story out and everything. My suggestion is waiting until after the party is over." Sophie nods and says she's glad she can talk him. "Anytime" they reenter the party and dance until Joshua asks everyone into Gazebo. Everyone walks out into the backyard and oohed and awed over the rather large steel structure octagon shape that held seating for everyone with video and music equipment set up on a raised platform on one of the sides.
Joshua asks for everyone's attention after he shows Angel to her seat front row center in a chair that was easy for her to get in and out of. She sits down and Joshua walks up on the raised platform. Candy walks behind him and sits at two keyboards that Joshua had let her barrow for practice. Deon gets up to join them but Jonathon waved him back into his seat. Vash walks near Deon and tells him it was for the best because he had not had a chance to practice with them. Deon catches Candy watching him she then quickly looks away but he hadn't missed the anxiety in her gaze she probably thought he was going to put up a fuss.
Joshua rubs his hands together he had practiced this for a time and Candy had told him he sounded fine. This would be the first time he'd sang anything since making Angel the front woman after he'd been kidnapped. Stepping up to the mic he says " Angel I'm so glad the music room is sound proof, Candy says it sounds good but you know her bias." He says with a smirk. Rubbing his hands on his pants he grabs the mic of the stand. "I can't believe this I'm nervous." Angel says with a smile he shouldn't be they'd done way larger crowds than friends and family. "Yeah, but not since…" he stops that train of thought and says instead "Let's just hope Candy wasn't just sparing my feelings." Candy says not on his life. He turns back and says "Thanks I think" she sticks her tongue out at him. He lifts his hand and drops it to cue the band. Joshua sings "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith.
Angel sat in total shock. Where the hell had she been when he was practicing this? He'd chosen to sing it in tenor closer to the original sound and had hit every note including the held ones. Her Band lead was back. The moment he cues for a stop. With a huge smile on her face she says "Babe Candy wasn't kidding you sound great thank you so much." He jumped down and Angel gets up and kisses him. He tells her he meant every word.
Candy and Vash go back to their seats, Jonathon grabs the mic and says that wasn't the end he had something to show her. Jonathon watches as his girl looks alarmed his son takes her hand and they sit side by side. He'd heard about the video from Cassandra via Facebook and from Gloria the night of his Angel's bachelorette party. It was a relief to find out that Cassandra was telling the truth in her letter. "Honeypot I'd shut off the power to the entire house if anything like what happened at last ride happened here. Anyway a few people felt the need to celebrate from a far." Jonathon hits play.
Hinder's lead singer appeared on the screen. Joshua runs a thumb over her hand as she looks away. "Hey Angel I heard from Jonathon that some asshole used my music to mess with you. I hope they had fun because our legal team has joined the hunt Happy Birthday from Hinder." his image blurs out and another replaces it. Angel lit up with a huge smile as one of her favorite bands came on the screen. "Hey Angela this is Kings of Leon Joshua said it was your birthday so we'd like to say happy birthday. Damien Rice was next and a few other performers that Angel either liked or had worked with sends her birthday wishes.
Cassandra walks on to the platform. "Hey Angel I figured it would be safe to show you this here because I didn't load it." Angel tells her it's not necessary they had settled this. "Yeah it is you're my sister now and the whole reason I did this was because Josh came running in the den when you guys first came together to visit in CO and he asked did I have any picture of him as a child. I neglected to tell him I knew where the pictures were but when he gave me a second chance I put this together with help from Sophie. Joshua has seen the original and so have Sophie, Gloria, and Jonathon." Cassandra was just as nervous as Angel. She stands in front of the screen if this didn't go right she was going to owe Joshua some equipment because she would shut it down the old fashion way. She has her foot on the cord if anything but her song started she was unplugging the whole damn set up. Here goes nothing. She thinks as she hits play and did not move or turn up the sound until she heard the song she had selected which was "One and Only" by Adele. The first video snippet was of Angel as a preteen running after Sophie with Joshua behind her. Cassandra starts to speak as the images fade in or pieces of video play. "Who would have thought these two would be married by now. I guess it was in the cards from the beginning." Joshua is featured in many shots as a preteen, just before he met Angel. Angel is featured in shots that ranged from just before they met up until high school. Rare footage of the talent contest that lead to Angel's music career, Angel and Joshua practicing in the den and their first kiss on a ride at the amusement park.
Angel, smiles at the memory that lead to their first kiss. They had just won the talent show hands down and Joshua was just as excited as she, if that was possible. They had practiced every day after school in the den of Ivey Mansion, until Chase would threaten to cut the power and offer to take Joshua home for the night. That night Chase had taken them to an amusement park to celebrate. They rode one of the top rollercoasters and Sophie had snapped the picture when Joshua tried to swallow her sister as she had put it. Him kissing her first surprised her and was one of the treasured moments from her childhood that she held dear. That action was also the beginning of her crush. The video ends with a heart shaped collage of different pictures of them that ranged from them just standing together to the one that pops up in the middle which was them on stage at the grand opening of LEGNA USA Dallas kissing and at the close of the show.
Sophie says "see Joshua you have been trying to swallow my sister for years." Joshua smirks and kisses Angel. Angel puts her hand on his cheek drawing him back for another. He whispers something in her ear and she blushes. "It's rude to whisper care to share." Angel covers her face as the blush didn't go away when Joshua tells Sophie to be careful what she wished for. "Blah, you little nasty"
Janet asks "what did he say?" Paula tells her it was an adult secret. Janet says to Nikki "He must have told Angel a dirty joke or something because my cuzo is still blushing." Everyone cracks up laughing.
Cassandra walks down and off the platform as Deon gets up and walks up on it. Taking the mic off the stand he watches as Joshua gets to his feet and walks up on stage along with Vash, Jonathon, and Janet. They all take their places. This was last minute but they all knew how to play the song. When he meets Candy's surprised gaze. Deon puts the mic up to his lips. "Um Happy birthday Angel but this is for my queen." Deon looks back at the three men and little girl he'd begged to help him. He points at Janet she plays one of the keyboards then Vash who was the most impartial or at least he made it seem that way starts and Joshua joins in with his violin and lastly Jonathon plays guitar. Deon sings "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" in the style of the band Chicago.
Candy was shocked speechless. She saw how nervous he was and knew he must have really wanted to do this for her. He was far from his comfort zone simply behind his guitar. Deon didn't even sing backup vocals he played bass guitar. His low melodic voice combined with the heart felt lyrics washed over her. When he drops his hand to cue a stop and asks can they please talk because he really didn't want to lose her. She breaks eyes contact. This was too much. Firming her lips closing her eyes to prevent them from tearing, Candy soon hears a light thump. When she opens her eyes Deon is standing in front of her holding out his hand inches from her when she meets his gaze his hand hovers than drop to his side. He begged her not to cry.
Angel gets to her feet and walks over. Ignoring the stares she taps Deon on the shoulder. "Thanks for the birthday wish. I'll keep it respectful but Deon I want to talk you before you say another word to my friend." Deon looks between them. "Before you start accusing anyone of anything, please know that I am doing this of my own volition." Angel didn't want him thinking Candy had put her up to this, but after what Candy had told her she felt she had to say something to him.
Candy didn't want to even think about the ramifications of a conversation between Deon and Angel before he spoke to her. She had told Angel everything on the two hour drive back to town. Some of it she had not filtered because she didn't even know how strongly she felt until it left her lips. If Angel said half of the stuff that came to Candy's mind if the roles were reversed, Unlike Angel she wouldn't promise to keep it respectful. Candy also knew Deon had lashed out at Angel a few times verbally and she didn't want Angel pissing him off, because if he lost it and touched her here of all places, there wouldn't be much left of him. Months ago the thought of Deon becoming physical with any female no matter how angry he got would have never crossed her mind but now the thought made her shudder. She had to stop this "Angel please don't, I told you that stuff in confidence. Pissing him off isn't the best of ideas." Paula asks was she talking about the marks on her back and her forearms from her clumsiness. Paula dragged out her last word with a hiss. Candy gets up and runs out of the backyard. Joshua went after Candy.
Deon looks at Candy as she runs off and then back at Angel. He figured he probably deserved anything Angel chose to say to him. His time at his home thinking things through after talking to Joshua at the Davenport and the complete fuck up at the Last Ride that night, had reminded him that he'd on many occasion here lately tried to either pull Angel into his paranoia about Joshua and his queen's relationship. When she held fast to the truth and wouldn't be pulled into his insecurity. He'd struck out at her verbally attacking her with accusations and blamed her for things that were not her fault. "I promise you, I won't get angry please tell me what you were going to say."
Jonathon wouldn't hamper communication between his talents but he'd watched Deon push Candy to the floor at Last Ride. He wanted it clear that if such a thing were to happen between Deon and his girl. Deon and he would have more than issue. "You have right to your emotion, but if you touch my girl…" Deon holds up his hands saying he wasn't going to touch Angel because he wasn't ready to meet any of his ancestors, via Jonathon's personal collection of weaponry. Angel asks could they use the den.
Joshua and Candy had spoken. He'd asked what Paula was talking about and she'd said she fell. He'd said yeah with Deon's help and asked her not to start lying to him. Candy apologized for the partial truth they sit on the front steps as Joshua tells her that Deon told off on himself. Joshua asked her was she going to be okay. She told him she was fine. He told her how much he hated that phrase. They talk a few more minutes and get up to go back to the back yard. When Candy walks back in the backyard and sees that Deon and Angel are missing she walks towards the house but is stopped by Jonathon that tells her he and his talent had reached an understanding.
Deon follows Angel into her father's den. He sits the furthest from the door, Candy had told him about Angel's trigger of feeling trapped. Angel stands by the door that she had left ajar. Deon sits with his forearms on his knees on the sofa and looks up at her as she speaks. "Deon, Candy told me about what happen at the Last Ride." He goes to say something Angel timidly puts up a hand and says "Please let me finish" He nods motioning with his hand for her to continue. "I told her not to hesitate to tell someone if things escalate like that again. She loves you and only you, if you can't see that you're blind. You hurt her, and yeah if I had of walked in on what you thought you saw I would have been upset as well, but all the manhandling her has to stop. You're twice her size. That's bad enough but you have another weapon that you are fond of using that hurts her even more. This" Angel points to her mouth. "When you verbally go into attack mode most of the things that spewed from your mouth were like sending knives into her. Ever since a little before Roman forced his way into the picture and yes I said forced. You've done nothing but verbally or even physically attack Joshua, Candy, and myself. I can tell you with certainty even if she doesn't take you back it's not because of some guy she has waiting in the wings. Deon, I know we aren't close and you could probably care less on what I have to say but Candy's my friend and she deserves so much better than to be abused in any way. If you really love her, trust her, and please don't hurt her any more than you already have. That's all I wanted to say to you." Deon asks can he speak now. "Sure"
"Bottom line, Angel I fucked up and because of my own insecurity I took shit too far." Running his hand through the curly mop on his head he continues. "That night Candy left with Joshua and left my ass at the Last Ride. It was Jonathon that made me see just how much of a public embarrassment I was. He showed me the video footage and I watched my own behavior which if someone else had of put that look on her face, I would have been ready to clobber them, but it's kind of hard to kick your own ass. These past few days I have really been thinking. That side of me is what you say I've unleashed I didn't realize until I saw the video just how bad my actions were. It also made me reflect on earlier conversations and things I said to you and Joshua. Angel I know it will take some time for you to trust me. I love Candy and I won't hurt her anymore, I know the times I have is way too much but I can't change that. Jonathon gave me a reality check that night and hopefully Candy will give me a second chance."
Meeting his eyes Angel says "If she does I just pray you're telling the truth." With that said Angel walks out of the room. Deon leans back in the sofa he knew that was hard for her. The fact that she felt compelled to talk to him spoke volumes about his behavior. Sighing he gets to his feet and walks out in search of his queen.
Angel walks out into the kitchen and Candy asks her is she ok, she says. "Candy I'm fine I didn't go into any real detail I just kept it to that I knew what happened at Last Ride and his action towards us." In the two hour drive Candy had said way more but Angel wanted her friend to understand why she felt she had to say anything about the parts that scared her the most. "I asked him not to manhandle you anymore, I also told him his words shredded you, I don't want to see you hurt either way. He apologized and says he wouldn't." Candy asked did she believe him Angel didn't trust Deon but she was team "Candy Happy" so this was a difficult question. Leaning on the marble kitchen island, Angel says "He wasn't mad when I was speaking to him but I really have no gage on him I don't really know him that well. I just told him that I pray his sorry was sincere and that he stops with the "me against the ones that care" attitude. I didn't tell him this but if he continues the shit he pulled on you in public my dad suggested that we replace him. Our fan base seeing one of their "cute" guitar guys sending another of our girl members to the floor is not the publicity we need. I was once "saved" by a fan that punched Braden in the back his of his head when he slapped me in a bar parking lot. It did nothing for our fight later that night but give him fuel. That's why the whole Deon accusing you of cheating and then manhandling you scared me. I know that your relationship isn't half as bad as mine got but I don't want it to go there."
"I wasn't sure what you would say to him I told you so much. You forget I used to be one of the fans reading the tabloids and making my own love, hate scale when I read something bad I'd vow not to buy any of Braden's stuff which is probably why I ended up with a lot of Angel, shirts or posters with just the name of …" Candy stopped speaking as her eyes stung and her throat constricted. Her little collection of fan girl clothing was gone in the fire. She should have put it somewhere else, but since she wore or used most of it. It was in her closet upstairs. Her posters, her shirts, her CDs, most of the purchases were at the shows so the stuff wasn't even sold in stores. Angel rises off the counter and walks towards her with concern in her gaze. "My stuff, though it was on my listing, most of the Angelic Impression merchandise isn't even sold anymore. I tried to bid on eBay for a shirt I used to own the one with you on the front with the names of all the members on the back. It was 2 x but shit beggars can't be choosy right? I lost the bid this morning. I guess that's why retail therapy sounded so great this morning when we were thinking of a way to get you out of the house." Candy says trying not cry. Angel hugs her. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Please let go or I'll starting crying on you again. You're supposed to be the pregnant emotional one, not me."
Angel laughed as she released her friend "Candy I've been accused on many occasions of trying to fix everyone problems. This merchandise issue I can so solve. I can't replace the memories that went with the purchases but if you want I can get images from my old laptop and have the shirts and hoodies you lost redone in extra small. I mean 2x Candy unless you were going use it as a gown or a blanket I don't see you wearing one." Candy asks what about the fact that she lost her classification to join the label saying she didn't want Angel to get into trouble. "As part of my contract I own my shit though I'm under the label I can still access any of my own material. So please stop crying. This is my birthday party and you've just given me something I can do to help you. Truth is I kind of felt helpless with you because there was nothing I could do to undo any of the shit that was going on." Candy wipes her eyes and says if it wouldn't get her into trouble she would love to get the stuff back. "Consider it done girl." Candy tells Angel she's going to hug her and does so. Deon walks into the kitchen and asks to speak with his queen. Angel jolts at his sudden presence and Candy lets her go. "I'll see you guys outside in a few?" Angel asks, Candy nods, and Deon remains motionless at the mouth of the doorway from the den into the kitchen.
Candy wipes her eyes and sits at the breakfast bar with her hands in her lap as she looks down at his ring and turns it around on her finger. Swallowing the lump of emotion that rode in her throat she says to Deon. "For right now please stop calling me that." He says but she is his queen and he loves her. "You don't trust me but you claim to love me. One minute you're kind and loving and the next you accuse me of going with my ex turned rapist and yes he did attack me. Yes I was sitting in a public place with him when you walked in, but for you to say he supposedly raped me said you didn't believe me. I opened the fucking door that day. That was my mistake, that's the only thing that I'll take the blame for. I can't change that. I can't change any of it. I'm not going to go through life trying to convince you every day that what he did to me in my own fucking home and on that boat was rape. I thought you knew me. You don't if you believe I wanted that. Candy describes in vivid detail what happened, their talk before Roman lost what was left of his sense and attacked her the first time she then describes what happened on the boat. "At Last ride when Roman first got there I tried to get up and leave but fell on my ass. What you saw was him warning me of…"
Deon had heard their conversation he'd seen and heard what happened at the bar. He saw that her retelling the events of the last few months were tearing her up as they were him. Hearing the anguish in her tone was shredding him. He steps closer and puts his hand on hers stopping her fidgety motion. "Candy you don't have to do this. Please stop I believe you a part of me believed you then as well or I would have never asked for your hand." She says but he said. "I know what I said and I'm so sorry. That came out of a really insecure place inside me. Sometimes I get jealous at the thought that someone could make you happier than I could." Candy says Roman scared her on more than a few levels that's wasn't love, also that Deon was the only guy she loved in that way. She admitted to loving Josh but as a big brother. Saying that Joshua and Angel were her favorite couple for lots of reasons but the most important reason was that they both finally got who they deserved, each other and she got both of them as friends. "I know words will not ever be able to express how sorry I am. I saw the footage of you and the biker and you and Roman, and myself. I know why you jumped at my sudden grabbing you." She asked him when "After you left with Joshua, Jonathon felt he had to speak to me and when I accused him of butting into my personal life he told me off and showed me. I can't change what I said or the fact that I. As Angel put it manhandled you. In the footage I saw me for the first time losing my fucking mind. To say it opened my eyes would be a gross understatement. I won't do that to you ever again. That is my promise to you. What can I do to make this up to you? I take full responsibility for my bad behavior towards you. Please Candy, tell me what I can do in hopes of mending us. I don't want to lose you." Candy moved her hand from under his and takes off his ring handing it back to him. Deon's mouth dropped open as he drops his head and stares at the ring in his palm. Closing his fist around it he says nothing.
Candy had heard him and he was really good with words but they weren't ready for marriage. There was so much she hadn't told him. His curly dark hair drops in his face as he looks at his closed hand. "Deon we aren't ready for marriage. I accepted and loved you when there was no one else, and all you did was end up hurting me. You said you believed me but that your insecurities sparked your behavior towards me. The emotional rollercoaster shit has to stop I can't deal anymore." She fights off the thickness in her throat and continues "I can't do this anymore. I love you Deon but I'm afraid of this shit getting worse between us. If that shit happens again it will hurt like tearing off a piece of me but I'm not up for round two. I didn't fight this hard to be normal just to end up in a relationship that hurts me. You don't think I have had my own share of insecure shit to deal with?"
His head snaps up as he looks her in the eye and says "My Qu… Candy, you have nothing to be insecure about. You're smart and beautiful that's why it gets to me when I see someone trying to take my place in your heart. When we met at my audition to join Davenport Lightening you didn't even know but I saw you and all the positive energy that surrounds your personality and I was drawn to you like a magnet. I know I'm not a handsome man. When I came to this country I mumbled, I tried being social like so much of the television that came from the US. That backfired, I'll never be a magazine idol or the perfect American movie romance guy, this relationship is my first on so many levels. I don't know if this is the right thing to say but I need you." Candy tells him he smart, Cute and can be funny and he has lots of good things about him. If anyone is insecure but tries not to show it, is her. She reveals her fear that since this is his first relationship that he will get bored with her soon. Since they do shows and have a fan base from playing local that some groupie will convince him she's better for him than the blonde with all the baggage. She tells him that though he knows about some the stuff from her past she has tried to keep certain things off his radar."
"For you to overcome the shit that has happened to you that I do know about and still have a positive energy amazes me. Please tell me. I've told you my secrets." She tells him about her past and the things she had held back for fear of him leaving her. She ends it with she felt she had to give him a chance to run if he wanted to.
Deon sat down next to her. He hugged her to him as raw emotion clogs his throat. "Run you thought I would run? Candy there isn't much you could have said that would change my love for you. Your fear, that some girl that has a delusional image of me from a part I play in a song will replace you, that idea is complete garbage and here's why. You hold and have held my heart in your hands ever since you agreed to be my girlfriend 1102 days ago from this day. I want you to take this ring back put it on your necklace until I've proven to you that I can treat you right. I know that I didn't destroy your trust in me in a day and I won't be able to reclaim it in a day either but if you give me this chance." he holds the ring in his open hand.
"Deon I'm going to take this last chance on us. Now you know all there is to know. You know why I do certain things and why I don't do some stuff anymore. You know stuff now that not even Joshua knows about me. This chance will also include my band mates. If you start that attacking people shit again it was just a matter of time before you turned it onto me. I know that we won't always agree on everything but we have been able to resolve our past issues with conversation."
"I'll earn all of your trust back. I'm not looking for instantly but as long as I have a chance to take the responsibility for my actions and prove to you and the rest of the band that I have learned from my mistakes of being a horrid embarrassing asshole to the only people outside of my bloodline that cared about me." Candy takes the ring out of his hand. When she puts it on her finger instead of her necklace his heart filled with hope. He takes her hand and kisses her. "Thank you my Qu… Candy" she tells him she is either all in or all out, that it would depend on him. "You won't regret this chance."
Candy and Deon return just in time for the gifts to be handed out. All stare at them when they walk out on the back patio. Candy holds up her hand with her ring on and says she was giving her man another chance. Angel and Joshua congratulate them and wish them luck. Angel gets a few outfits that would grow with her. She opens Candy's gift and gets up and hugs her friend. It was the Personal Touch Jacket in black leather in a larger size with her name on the back under her name it read Frontwoman. Candy says with a huge smile "See with Joshua's Lead jacket when my favorite couple is together they'll match." Angel opens Deon's gift Candy tries to peak "what he get you?"
Angel holds up the gift card to her favorite Store. Meeting his eyes Angel thanks him. After a few more gifts Joshua walks over and tells Angel that he wanted to save the best for last. Angel says she thought the song was his gift. Part of it he hands her a large box. She tears off the paper and looks confused. "You bought me a large box of cereal." Sophie snickered and says he could have at least got her the brand she likes. He says open it. Angel shrugs and opens the cereal box and starts pulling out things a voucher for one full body massage from Joshua of course. A gift set of her favorite jasmine sent. Angel lit up like a star as she read the last thing that she pulled from the box. It was a huge card with a picture of Joshua point down towards the booklet that was attached to the card. Angel reads the card aloud. "This card entitles you and one more person to a romantic getaway there are seven trip selections please pick before February 14th 2015. Angel kisses Joshua and says "There is even a chance to see Criss Angel as one of the choices. Babe, thank you so much I have four months to decide but as a warning the Mind freak show is my first choice." Deon says that Angel should watch out Criss could make JC disappear as he flicks his wrist at her if he's holding a magic wand. Angel says nothing, as she puts her hands on her stomach as Joshua gives Deon a WTF look and hugs his wife to his side.
Jonathon tells Deon "Boy-o I suggest you stick to playing guitar. Humor is not one of your talents. Another joke, like that one and I'll make you disappear." Jonathon points his pointer finger at Deon and drops his thumb like that of a hammer on a gun with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Deon says tough crowd and walks off to sit by himself.
After all the gifts are opened and the cake is cut Angel asks could they take the cake inside because she is cold. She is wearing her new jacket but she had tried to just stay wrapped up in it. The sun had set hours ago and the gazebo was lit up with its own lights. Everyone starts moving into the house. Mark tells everyone that he is taking his wife and his daughter back to his home since he had this weekend free. Paula asks Candy if it would be ok for Nikki to come. Candy first asks Nikki did she want to go, when Nikki excitedly says yes, Candy agrees that the weekend would be fine considering she had not heard from Nikki's mother and they weren't taking her out of the state. Paula says well then everyone wins. Janet gets to hang with her friend and Candy and Deon get some alone time.
Before Candy can mention about not having alone time because she wouldn't be at home Deon invites her to his home for as long as she wished to be there. She looks at her ring and says "All in or all out I'll come stay with you until my place is finished, but what about when Nikki comes back with Janet to go to school. Janet goes to Angel and Joshua's house during the school week. Deon says she is welcome to come as well until things are settled with her parents. He reminds Candy that his home was a three bedroom. Nikki asks Deon did he have sound equipment like Joshua.
"I hope that's not the deal breaker because I have a few things that I have to get out of storage and even then it comes nowhere near as much stuff as Joshua has." Nikki tells him she'd help him set up the stuff he has when she gets back. "From what I hear you're pretty good so it's a deal."
When everyone starts leaving after cake Sophie, Angel, and Cassandra help Gloria clean up the kitchen even though she told them they didn't have to. Joshua, Jonathon, and Vash were outside taking down the stage and equipment. Luke was on call tonight and had left a few hours ago. Sophie figured she had been lucky no news had reached Angel about Evie. It was 11:10 pm and the party had gone off without a hitch. She also wanted to tell Angel before it was actually her birthday that news wasn't a birthday present. "Angel, can we speak alone in the den please?"
Angel looks up from behind the open cake box guiltily with frosting on her mouth. "hmmm" Cass walks over and says that was a lovely shade of chocolate lip stain. Angel finishes chewing dabs her mouth and says with a smile "Its triple-decker chocolate can you blame me?" Cass says nah Chocolate is her weakness too. "Sure Sophie I'll be right there." Angel heads into the den. When Sophie walks in and closes the door Angel asks "So what's up?" Sophie asked did she enjoy herself. "This was great this year seems so far away from last year." Last year around this time Braden had accused her of cheating on him and slapped her into her mirror the only thing she could fully recall was the sound of glass breaking then she'd woke up in a hospital for her birthday. No one knew because she was taken to a hospital outside of her network. That was the first time Braden threatened to kill her keyboardist when Angel had threaten to leave him. Angel stayed Braden thanked her and was okay for about three weeks by thanksgiving he was back to beating on her and crying in her fucking lap about how much he loved her. She still felt ashamed to this day that such manipulation worked. Angel mindlessly rubs at her almost gone scar over her eye and whispers "What a difference 12 months and almost 1400 miles makes." A smile claims her face as she continues "I'm married to someone who loves me, and knows what that means. I get to spend more time with you. My father is not only back in the states he's right here down the street. In less than two months I'm going to have JC. If someone would have told me last year that any of this was possible I would not have believed them."
Angel had gone ghost on everyone last year on her birthday. Two days after she sent a text or two but that was because Sophie had threatened to fly out and check on her if she didn't hear something from her soon. Angel had sent a blanket message saying she was fine and she'd call later it wasn't until November near the middle of the month that Angel chatted on any of her social networks. "I know what you mean I'm getting married and it feels real this time. I don't have to read a magazine to try to get Luke to talk to me or listen to what I have to say. I'm seeing my therapist less and sister more. I am a CEO of a 90 billion dollar company." Sophie looks at her watch it was 45 after she had to do this before Angel's birthday. "Angel I called you in here to tell you something." Angel looks alarmed and asked was there something wrong. "Um kind of the two people in the car that blew up was Matt Hardy and Evie." Angel sat down and hugged a pillow. "Sis I didn't want you to find out from someone else or get a call from her parents. Are you going to be ok?"
Angel felt like she should feel more but she didn't. "I - I don't know. If I feel any sorrow it's for her parent's loss, she was their only child. I mean I didn't wish her dead, but just because she died don't make her an instant saint. Candy spoke to Roman the night her house burnt up he told Candy that he'd pushed Evie too far. She sold Candy's address to her father. She stole my money to bail Roman out. I'm afraid, I don't know Matt but I don't see him doing anything to himself on purpose. Then, mere hours later Candy's father, is killed in her house? It happened right on this block. What if there is someone out there after Candy they would have had to be in her house when her father got there. The police thought Candy had killed him by the way he was killed. Candy was at our house when her dad was killed. So someone knew he would be there by the way he was killed. I don't see Roman killing him. I have to warn Candy someone could still be after her."
"Angel wait Candy's father killed his own child there had to be some witness to this because the nurse with the same last name called Luke trying to save her little sister. I don't think Candy was ever the target except from her father. I think that it's more of someone knew where he was going and took him out. The person didn't purposely set the house on fire that would have been the threatening thumb in the eye."