Hello all! I hope I still got readers. Sorry for the hiatus. The fanfic is getting close to an ending. I hope to make it an interesting one... On another note, the later part of Chapter 52 was inspired by the "Partition" song. :p
Please drop a line to let me know what you honestly think!
And most importantly please continue to pray for Bobbi Kris. May she have peace in her mind, body and soul. #Prayforkrissy
Clive Davis looked up from the end of the long table and gave out a beaming. smile. A&R mogul Karen Douglas and the rest of the J Records executive staff echoed Clive's glee. They sat along side the table
At the other end of the table, Whitney forced a small smile back and then turned to Kevin who was with her and gave him a glare. Smiling and tapping his fingers on the table, Kevin cleared his throat so he wouldn't burst into laughter at the strange scene that was being played out in front of them. They both felt like they were a part of a scene from the "The Godfather". My have the tables turned…..literally Whitney thought.
A couple of weeks had passed since Whitney did her showcase and she no longer could keep away from the public's inquiries about her coming out with more material. After careful consideration about it, she decided to finally answer Clive's countless calls to her and have a meeting to see what kind of ideas the record label had for her. As always, Kevin was supportive, and Whitney promised she would only do what was the absolute best for the family. That was why she made sure that he was right by her side at this meeting; after all, he was not only her support, he was like her main business partner and knew a great deal about making deals . A person does not have a net worth of over $350 million as well as countless sound investments on the side without being as business savvy as Kevin was.
Finally, Clive spoke up. "Whitney, we're so glad that we finally could meet up with you and Kevin. It's been a crazy few weeks with the showcase and everything." Whitney nodded towards him. "Well it wasn't something that I had not been anticipating on doing. But Clive, you convinced me that it would be a good thing to do." "And my oh my, has this truly been!" Clive went on. "People have been calling here for days asking were the new songs in your performance material for an album, or is this just a one and done deal for you."
Karen Douglas finally spoke up. "We don't know what to tell them. The fans love and want more of you Whitney. You have been missed from the public for quite some time. The showcase only made them hungry for more." "The outpouring from everyone has been wonderful" Whitney agreed. "Honestly, I didn't expect for the showcase to become as big as it did. I just wanted to help out Faith and feel out the stage a bit."
"It turned out to be phenomenal." Clive jumped back in. "The concert is worth millions. It was great that we were able to film it all. Now all we have to do is get a distributor while this is still being talked about. We will get legal on that ASAP." Whitney and Kevin nodded in agreement.
Clive took a sip of his coffee before taking a deep breath. "Now that we got that out of the way, I wanna get to the point of this meeting. We really would love it if you came back with us. Whatever you want musically, you know that we would supply that to you." Whitney was taken aback by the offer and looked over to Kevin who gave a blank stare. She grabbed his hand, and he squeezed it, giving her assurance that he had her back. "I don't know Clive, guys. I did really enjoy performing again, and all of the positive feedback has helped to ease my worries of me still having my voice. But, I would have to make sure that this would be a good decision for my husband and family too. I have growing kids and I like waking up and being there with them when they come home from school." She summed her thoughts up as much as she could. Whitney was torn at the prospect of doing what she loved full time again and it was a bit frightening. "Listen, if Whitney is looking to come back, it would need to be something that makes sense on both sides." Kevin simply stated. Whitney nodded her head in agreement. "That's right." She loved her man having a say in her business matters because she knew that Kevin had her best interest at heart.
"That's exactly what we were thinking. We wouldn't have it any other way. As long as we have been a team Whitney, I think you know that I try my best to take good care of you" Clive started. "That's why we wanted to introduce you both to a Music Executive that I'm sure you will really like. His name is Kyle Wells and he has had years of successful experience with many top artists. "Okay…" Whitney said becoming slightly interested. "Is he available at any time soon?" "He's here outside as a matter of fact." Karen smiled. Whitney and Kevin gave each other a sarcastic look. No words needed to be said: Clive and J Records were waiting for them to say yes by any means necessary. "I guess it would be okay to meet with him now," Kevin spoke up. "Great!" Clive said as he got up to bring him in.
A few minutes later, a tall, burly bald Black man came in and wasted no time shaking Kevin's hand and kissing Whitney's hand. "Mr. and Mrs. Costner, I can't say how much of an honor it is to meet the two of you. Whitney, I've always loved your music and Kevin I went to watch Bull Durham like five times! " "Thanks." they both responded with a warm smile back. Although he was probably trying to get on their good side, they could tell that Kyle had a genuine unshakable energy about him. "So I'm sure you both are very busy, so let's cut down to the chase. Whitney, old and new fans alike are going crazy over your showcase at The Vanish. You have been the talk of the town again and everyone….and I do mean everyone, is waiting for a Whitney album to drop! I'm not sure what you feeling after your epic performance, but we are looking to have you in the studio with Benny Medina".
"Benny Medina?! Wow." Whitney took a long sip of her tea. She knew that he was a top producer who could turn anything to gold." Kyle laughed. "You act as though you don't deserve the very best!"
Kyle paused before going on. "Let's cut to the chase shall we? Whitney, we want to offer you a four album deal for $85 million." Whitney looked at an equally surprised Kevin before straightening up. "Eighty- five million dollars?" Whitney repeated. "Holy shit, that's a lot of money." Kevin couldn't help saying.
"Exactly. But, I don't see why it wouldn't be." Kyle stated. "Whitney deserves it; she's a legend who set up the standards of what a pop diva truly is. I definitely don't see her status changing any time soon." "And there are no other stipulations?" Kevin asked. "None. We just need her to continue to put out good music; however she wants to do it." Kyle said. Whitney exhaled, letting what she heard sink in. "While this sounds really good….. I truly need to think about it. It's different now. I have Kevin and my kids to consider. Can we get back with you guys in a few days?" Everyone agreed that they would hear back from her towards the end of the week. "You'd be foolish not to do it," Clive went up to them before they all left. "Give me a call later," he said.
Whitney turned to Kevin. "How about I take my handsome husband to lunch so we can discuss all of this?" Kevin smiled. "As much as I would love that, I have a doctor's appointment." Whitney gave him a concerned look. "Oh that's right. Do you want me to come with you?" Kevin shook his head. "It's just a yearly check-up. I don't want you to have to wait around. Besides, I know how you don't like being in a doctor's office unless you necessarily have to be." Whitney chuckled. "How you know me so well." Kevin continued to smile. "Call you from the car."
After they went into separate vehicles, Kevin immediately called her. "So what do you think baby?" Whitney asked. "This could be a great opportunity for us! I mean, I'm not crazy at all about touring again, but you know that I love to perform. And 85 million bucks?! We could build us a house from the ground up, just how we want it. Together. With a custom made studio, and maybe a family ranch and well…everything we want!" After a few more moments of her gabbing away, she finally noticed that Kevin hadn't said much back or answered her question. "You haven't said anything." She said. "You know I could buy us anything right now, including a custom made house if that's what you really want."
Whitney cleared her throat. "I know you can buy us the world baby, that's not what I meant to say. But the money can only help us….you know what I'm saying?" Kevin paused before continuing. "You know that I support whatever you want to do with your career sweetheart. But being obligated to do four albums is asking a lot from you. One or two are fine, but four to me is just TOO MUCH to ask for." "Four albums can be a lot, but not if I did them close together." Whitney somehow tried to reason. "You know that it can be very hard to do close albums, especially if you want them to be quality albums," Kevin countered. "And not to mention tours, promotion, and everything else in between. You've done it all before. It's no different."
Whitney swallowed her throat. As much sense as Kevin was making, she wanted to make it all work out. She felt like it was something too good for her to pass up. "I understand what you are saying baby, but it really can't be as bad as it sounds. I'll have security in knowing that I have albums that I can work on in the future. I can still be able to support your music and films and projects too and I'll still be a great mother to our kids. We can work it out!" "Remember the other night when we talked about maybe having one more baby before it gets too late? How can we do that if the both of us are off doing our own things?" Kevin stated.
Whitney couldn't believe what she was hearing out of her husband. "It can be worked out somehow Kev!"
Kevin knew that he was being a bit difficult. But he was hesitant to tell Whitney that he was afraid that all of the touring and singing would possibly bring on stressors that could led her to use again. He trusted Whitney's judgments but he remembered that the sober coach deliberately told her to separate herself from things that she did in the past that could make her crave. He knew that the musical world was not a safe place for her to be fully ingrained into. Plus he thought that some of her enablers would become co-dependent on her to employ them again. He only wanted to protect his wife as he felt a husband should.
"I just don't think it's a good idea." Kevin stated. "Why not? You know how much singing means to me. I thought you out of anyone in my life would understand that." Kevin pulled up to the building. "Listen, I just pulled up, so we'll talk later." "I don't like your answer." Whitney whined. "We'll talk later baby okay? See you later." He hung before Whitney could get something else in.
Whitney sighed in disappointment. She pulled up in front of the house and sat there for a few minutes. She couldn't believe that Kevin (who was usually a very reasonable person) wanted to put his foot down so firmly on something that meant a lot to her. She pulled her phone back out and called her mother Cissy to get a second, mature opinion.
"Can you believe that he didn't even consider for ONE minute that this is something that I really wanted to do?" Whitney asked Cissy as she vented her frustration of Kevin not agreeing with doing the deal. "Yes and no," Cissy began. "What do you mean yes and no?" Whitney asked her mother.
"Think about it. For the past few years, you have been about to be more of the homemaker. You've actually been there to take care of the household more, while Kevin was able to take care of you and his family like a man is supposed to. He can afford to give you everything that you want and then some. I can't say I fault him for that. That's one of the things that I've come to love about him."
Whitney sat in silence taking it all in.
"You taking all of that money may mean to him that you may not need him as much anymore. And I think that he only wants to look out for you as far as help keeping you on the straight and narrow with all you have went through to get better baby. He knows how crazy this business can be. It builds you up to tear you down.
"I'll always need my Kev," Whitney added softly.
"We both know that and I'm sure he knows that. But he's a man baby and he just has your best interests at heart. Eight- five million is an unbelievable paycheck Nippy! But you two just need to come to some kinda compromise." Cissy advised.
Whitney slightly chuckled. "Just when I think I have it all figured out mommy. I can't really be upset then if that's the way he's truly feeling." She sighed. "And I know that he has forgiven me for my mistrust of using in the past, but I'm sure sometimes he doesn't forget. He just needs to know that I would never hurt myself, or my family like that ever again. He needs to know that he can still trust me." "You just need to have a good and long talk with him baby." Cissy said. "And come to a compromise. He's reasonable. But you have to be as well. I think you two can work something out."
Whitney looked down. "I sure hope so. Hey, thanks mommy for being my sounding board. If anybody knows about getting through marriage, it's you." Cissy laughed. "I'll take that for the compliment that I knew it was meant to be. That's what I am here for Nippy. That's what I'm here for."
"It's so nice out here," Whitney said as she walked along side Kevin on their ranch in the brisk night air. She asked him to take a stroll with her after dinner with the kids so that they could talk. Kevin smiled as he grabbed her hand and pointed out the big dipper to her. He knew how much he loved the outdoors and was always happy to share the beautiful moments with the love of his life. "These stars are pretty. But know what looks better?" Whitney smiled back. "What baby?" "You. Your eyes shine just as bright." "Kev….." Whitney always felt weak around him. He still gave her butterflies. She leaned in on him for a few minutes, enjoying the moment and losing herself in the moment. She thought about her deal and second guessed herself on taking it. She wouldn't be here as much for sacred moments like this. "Kevin… about the deal." She finally spoke up. "I'm not gonna take it. I belong here with you and the kids. The stage isn't a place where I need to be anymore anyways."
Kevin cleared his throat. He knew what he had to do. "No. Take it." Whitney gave a surprised look. "Wait a minute…. What?!"
He turned towards her and held her hands. "I thought about it some more and it would be pretty selfish for me to stop you from doing what you love and do best. If you were to tell me not to make a movie because the timing's not right or something unreasonable, I would feel like I could have missed out on something great. So I get it."
"But you were right. Earlier, you said that I don't need the money. We have enough money. So it's not like I need to go back out there." "I know that" Kevin told her. "But like I said, I can't hold you back. That would be very selfish of me. I want you to be happy and I know that performing does that. I can see it when you stepped on that stage a few weeks ago. You love performing to an audience. And who am I to stop the gift that God gave you?"
Whitney nodded in understanding. "I did love the stage and singing again. But I want you to also know that if I do go back, that you can trust me. I know that my past with the addiction worries you and I understand that. But you have to trust me baby. I would NEVER go back to that. No matter how crazy it gets in this music business. I love my family too much to ever do that and hurt you all again. You all come first."
They stopped walking and Kevin drew her in a warm embrace to counter to night air. "I love you babe. And you're right, I will have to trust you. You haven't given me a reason not to since therapy and that's not fair for me to think that I am just protecting you from it all. Life doesn't work like that. "
"I love you too baby. Thank you for giving me that trust. We'll find a way to have it all work out. We always do." Kevin pulls her into him and they embrace into a steamy make-out session under the moonlight.