Ch 13. In New York.
Becca..
I got up the next morning to the smell of coffee brewing. I'd had three meetings last night to finalize various arrangements for the concert. Today I had about five more, plus the spa date Natalie had planned for us girls.
"Alice." I said her name softly, she'd picked the bedroom that overlooked the New York City skyline. So I took the one that overlooked the park.
"Good Morning." she chirped, appearing in the kitchen. I sat at the breakfast nook, cup of coffee in one hand, my phone in the other.
I'd texted Taylor already about the agenda for today but there was something else I wanted him to bring. Or rather someone else.
I focused on Alice while I waited for him to answer me.
Taylor...
"Phoenix." I called into the other room. Phi was helping Natalie and Kate get the younger kids fed and dressed.
I had my phone in one hand and two year old Viggo on my hip. I set him down just as Natalie came to get him.
"Daddy?" she asked, appearing at my side. I've gotten quite used to the fact that my daughter is special. She's nine and a half but can pass for thirteen.
"Text your mother. Tell her we can meet in an hour for breakfast." I told her, handing her the phone.
"Sure Dad." she replies, already typing a message as I walk away.
Becca...
"You ready for today. We've got five meetings, and a spa date with Natalie and the girls." I tell Alice while waiting for a reply.
'Dad says we can meet in an hr.' I read the text from Phi. I smile. I've missed my baby greatly.
I don't like not getting to see her all the time, but it was for her safety after Caius died that I sent her away. Aro thinks she's at a boarding school.
Actually she's been living with Taylor in Oklahoma. I'm planning on taking her back to Timmins with me.
"Sure." Alice answers, snapping me from my thoughts.
"Great. Lemme go brush my hair and dress real quick. There's a couple of people I want you to meet."
Alice...
I'm going to get to meet Taylor after all. But Becca said a couple, does that mean Natalie too? I can't help but wonder.
"I laid out a couple outfits on your bed." I call quietly after her retreating form.
"Thanks Alice." she calls back. I'd laid out a simple concert tee and skinny jeans. Or a skirt and blouse for a more business like look.
She chose the black pencil skirt with the forest green blouse, and has braided her long blonde hair.
"The other outfit will be good for tonight." she says, as she steps into her sparkly black heels.
"Ready?" she asks, picking up a matching black and green Gucci handbag. I nod as she checks the bag to make sure she has everything.
"So where are we going?" I ask, as we step out of the hotel onto the busy city streets. She hands me a pair of Chanel sunglasses. I've got a silk scarf wrapped around my head, to keep the sun off my face. She'd donned hers already.
"The Starbucks just up the block." Becca answers starting towards the coffee shop. I follow her, the noise of the city instantly surrounding us. It's pretty overwhelming, even to my enhanced senses. Only years of practice had me tuning it all out and following Becca.
The smell of coffee hits my nose even before Becca opens the door. The line is so long, but Becca walks past it. She's scanning the crowd, looking for Taylor I assumed.
So imagine my surprise when the shout of 'Mommy!', and a dark blonde haired child comes running right into Becca's open arms. The hair is long and wavy which tells me the child is a girl. The long black skirt, and red top confirm it.
A man I know instantly as Taylor follows her seconds later. I'd seen him when I'd looked up Hanson online, but a picture did not do him justice.
He wore a plain black baseball cap, hiding his dark blonde hair. Though a few wisps escaped to frame his face. Laughter was evident in his deep blue eyes.
Since the girl is now talking rapidly in Italian, and she hasn't relinquished her hold on Becca, Taylor simply wraps his arms around them both.
"Hush, Phi." Taylor admonishes the girl, and she falls quiet. Her smile remains in place and it's a genuinely happy smile. It lights up the whole of her face, and her blue eyes sparkle.
Becca has to lean up some to graze his cheek with a kiss. However he turns his head in time for her kiss to land on his lips. I clear my throat quietly, but the girl and Becca both look at me.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Alice." Becca says.
"Taylor, Phoenix, I'd like you to meet my friend Alice." she cuts across the words I'd opened my mouth to speak. I see it the second Taylor looks over to me.
It's his blue eyes that sparkle in the child's, Phoenix, must be her name's face.
"It's nice to meet you, Alice." Taylor's voice snaps me back to the present.
"Pleasure's all mine." I insist, hoping he missed my space out. I shake the warm hand he'd held out to me, gently. Mustn't break him.
"Nice to meet you Miss Alice." Phoenix chimes in, drawing my attention back to her. I smile at the girl, who has a higher pitched version of Becca's bell like voice.
"I'm glad to meet you too Phoenix, but please call me Alice." I tell her. She nods her head.
"Let's go sit down." Taylor says quietly, as he begins to guide Becca and Phoenix towards the back of the coffee shop.
Phoenix walks between them, arm and arm with Becca. I notice as they walk that Phoenix is swinging Taylor's hand back and forth as she holds it.
Becca...
"Mommy." I hear Phoenix's voice over the noise of the coffee shop. Seconds later I have my daughter back in my arms. She's grown a bit and her hair is both longer and slightly darker then it was last month.
We start conversing in rapid fire Italian as Taylor joins us. Phoenix hasn't let go of me, so he makes do by hugging both of us. Alice looks surprised at the sight before her.
"Hush, Phi." Tay quietly tells our daughter, and she falls quiet yet still smiling between us. Not bothered at all by the slight scold in her father's tone.
Leaning into him a little bit, I aimed to kiss his cheek. But he turned his head, as usual so I got his lips instead. I don't mind, but we are in public. Where we must be careful.
Alice clears her throat softly, but I hear her. She's smiling, golden eyes twinkling. I forgot about her for a minute. Phi has looked at her too I see. Phi's hearing is about as good as mine.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Alice." I apologize for my lack of manners. She opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.
"Taylor, Phoenix, I'd like you to meet my friend Alice." I say, directing their attention towards her. I see it in her eyes when Taylor looks over at her. She knows.
I'd noticed her checking him out earlier of course. Now she was looking quickly between us all, connecting the dots. Before she can decide to say anything, Taylor extends his hand to her, in greeting.
"It's nice to meet you Alice." he says politely, which snaps her back and she focuses on him.
"Pleasure's all mine." she says, hoping her pause went unnoticed, at least by him. Gently she shakes his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Alice." Phi must've noticed the tension. So she spoke to break it. I pat my daughter's back, proud of how polite she is.
"I'm glad to meet you too Phoenix, but please call me Alice." Alice replies smiling at Phi, to which Phi nods.
"Let's go sit down." Taylor whispers, guiding me and Phi both towards the back of the shop.
We walk with Phoenix between us, one of her arms is intertwined with mine. In her other hand, she holds one of Taylor's, and swings it as we move. I can feel Alice behind us, and I hope she can hold off on questions till we are someplace private.
A.N. Sorry bout the wait. I'm busy working out some things. Got a lot planned for this story though, so please bear with me.