by Makenzi Star
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“I owed Sam a favor but I would still like to have a talk with you separately before I can sign off on this marriage in good conscious.” Sam rolled his eyes but I just smiled.
“Sure.” I said and led Marco out to the back patio.
“So how did you and Sam meet?”
“My cousin is dating the lead singer of his band. I was dragged out to one of their shows with him and ended up having a one-nighter with Sam. Not my finest moment, nor a habit of mine, he just caught me off guard.”
“I know Sam well enough to know that you two weren’t dating.”
“No it was just that night, we ran into each other one more time but it wasn’t some great lovers reunion or anything. I avoided him after that especially once I found out I was pregnant but when we ran into each other last night. I just couldn’t help it. He’s got this magnetism and as you can see I can’t shake him.” Marco smiled and nodded.
“Sounds about right. If this were any other couple I wouldn’t allow this to continue but knowing Sam. He’s always been impulsive and reckless but not about family. Family is everything to him and I think you may be just what he needs.” I smiled and shrugged.
“I’m insane for doing this aren’t I?” “I’m afraid I can only confirm that.” He said with a smile and motioned me back inside. I was surprised to see another young man sitting on the couch laughing and joking with Sam.
“Tempest this is Fred, he’s going to be our witness.”
“Hi!” I said and stuck out my hand for him to shake but he pulled me into a hug instead.
“It’s great to meet you and welcome to the family.” Fred said.
“Fred’s our nephew.” Marco said and I smiled at the teenager. After a few more minutes of getting to know everyone we had a short and sweet ceremony in the backyard. Fred was not only our witness but the photographer for the wedding.
“So when are you two going to make the big announcement?” Fred asked over dinner and I shook my head.
“Not anytime soon. No one knows I’m a mother and I can’t have a spur of the moment wedding in the press without questions coming up. Besides Sam’s band is just getting big and I’m sure they won’t appreciate being looked at as the band connected to Tempest. It’s just not a good time for either of our careers.” I said and Sam frowned.
“So you want to keep hiding us?”
“I’m not saying we couldn’t be seen on a date or something but as far as announcing our marriage and the twins. That’s just not going to happen right now.”
“Right because us dating wouldn’t stir up more controversy for your career but me making an honest woman out of you would.”
“Marrying you hardly makes me an honest woman.” I said and Marco nearly choked on his water with laughter. The rest of dinner we stayed with more neutral topics and I was glad to finally go to bed. “I’m going to go get a few things but I’ll be back.” Sam said and kissed my cheek before leaving with Fred. I didn’t wait up for him and freaked out a little when I felt him climb into bed with me later.
“It’s just me.” He said pulling me close to him. He began to kiss on me and I turned to face him in the dark.
“I don’t want to be fucked tonight. I want to be made love to, this is our wedding night. I want, no I need it to be more than just blind lust.” I hated the pleading tone of my voice but he just smiled and kissed me.
“I want tonight to be special too.” He said and continued to kiss on me.
He took his time, going over every inch of my body like it were a precious gift. He held my gaze the entire time and I saw something different there then the times before. I saw a flicker of emotion that registered as something a bit beyond simple passion. For the next few days we spent getting to know each other and him getting adjusted to life as a father. It was nice having someone to share the duties with around the house but of course it was short lived. His band had a promotional tour and I did as well.
Being a bit more established I was able to split mine to one week away one week at home that way I wasn’t spending too much time away from the twins but Sam was just gone for months. He was good at keeping in contact through emails and video calls but it was mostly just to see and talk about the twins. I was back in the studio again.
My first solo album having done so well there was pressure for there to be a second and although I had fun with the first I wanted to do something different, more edgy than the acoustic pop that I was known for. I was just messing around with my guitar between recordings and came up with a particularly raunchy recounting of my first time with Sam. No one else was in the studio so I thought I was safe but suddenly a male voice cut in and began to rap along with my playing. It sounded great but once I was done I blushed.
“That song was hot, I’ve got to get on that.” The guy said and I laughed.
“I was just messing around.” I said and he shook his head.
“No seriously, I’m recording in the next studio. We need to lay this down right now.” He said and grabbed my hand. The room went silent when we entered and I couldn’t help the shy blush in my cheeks as I was surrounded by a new group of people.
“What’s this?” I recognized Breese because he had worked with my father once.
“We’ve been looking for a hit and I think I’ve found it.” The guy said pushing me forward. The song was very personal to me obviously but put on the spot my stage persona finally kicked in. I started to play and sing and the guy jumped in at the same place. The room was silent as we played off of each other but when we finished Breese just smiled.
“Alright let’s get that down and then I’ll work my magic to make it more hip hop.” He said and the next thing I knew we were in the booth and a few hours later we had a rough cut worked out for Voyeur.
My people having gotten word of what was going on worked up a deal with Breese to have him reproduce the rest of my album. My second album would be a double album, one acoustic version and one R&B or club version. I was excited because it finally had that edge that I wanted.
“We’ve got to do a smoking video for this.” Juris, my unexpected rap partner, said.
“I was thinking something a bit more abstract. I wouldn’t want to be banned from TV or anything.
“No way, this song deserves a hot video. We can make it a bit more tasteful if you are worried about your main audience but you already have that part as a stripper in a movie so it might be best you try to break the mold a bit now.” Breese said and I shrugged.
“I guess.” For the past few weeks we’d all been working together pretty closely and had formed a kind of friendship.
Juris was just breaking out in the mainstream so if this song did well it would do wonders for his career. The day of the video shoot was really hectic. I was a little out of my comfort zone with all the love scenes I shared with Juris but he managed to make a joke out of it which helped. The concept was that I was a waitress at a sex club and Juris was a regular customer. He had his eyes on me but I was a novice not into it but I kept running into a couple having sex everywhere. Then at the end it’s revealed the couple I was seeing was actually Juris and me together.
“You’re coming out with us tonight. No excuses this time.” Juris said after the shoot was wrapped up.
“I don’t know I’m kind of tired.” I began but he just shook his head.
“Nope, we are heading out right now.” He said taking my arm he led me to a waiting car.
It was pretty late already so we went straight to the club. I forced a smile for the paparazzi as I walked in with Juris and after a few minutes inside and a drink I loosened up a little. It had been a long time since I had a night out like this and so I let myself go. Maybe a little too much but I was having fun. It wasn’t until Juris tried to kiss me that I was brought back to reality. I turned away his kiss landing on my cheek but the flash of a camera told me that I would have some damage control to do.
“
Sorry, I thought I was getting a vibe.” He said and I sighed.
“You are a nice guy but I’m not looking for anything more than friendship. I’m sorry if I gave you some mixed signals.”
“No problem, just if you ever are looking.”
“I think I should go.” I said and left quickly.
My gut was telling me that maybe just once I should have come clean. Never once did I think about what Sam would think about the video. We’d done really well with keeping our private life together separate from our professional lives but this in hindsight might have been too much. I had barely made it home before I got a call from Storm.
“So you’re dating again?” He asked and I rolled my eyes.
I hadn’t even told my family about my marriage to Sam and I cringed at how quickly the tabloids had pushed out rumors about Juris and I.
“No, I’m not. I told you I was working on a new project. We just wrapped up the video and the crew wanted to celebrate. Juris got the wrong idea and I set him straight.” I said and he sighed.
“No need to be all defensive. Just know it would be nice to see you around sometimes instead of only hearing from you to clear up tabloid rumors. I know you want to keep things private but maybe you should just come out about the twins already.”
“I can’t and you know that. It’s too late.”
“Just be careful. It will do more damage if it’s revealed by anyone other than you.” He said and I sighed.
“I know but anyway how have you been?”
“I’ve been good. I’ll be getting some time off soon which I’m looking forward to. I thought maybe I could spend some time with my niece and nephew.”
“Of course you can.”
“Good I’ll let you know when I’m free.”
“Sure thing.” I said and hung up. I wasn’t entirely surprised that Wesley called almost as soon as I hung up.
“I’m not dating Juris.” I said and he laughed.
“I know that. He’s not your type.”
“Then why are you calling so late.”
“Because what kind of cousin would I be not to rub it in your face that you’re back in the tabloids.”
“Goodnight Wes.” I said and finished tucking the twins in for the night.
Feeling gross and drained I decided to hold off calling Sam that night and just went to bed after taking a shower. The next morning Sam didn’t answer when I called which wasn’t unusual but when I didn’t hear from him for two weeks despite knowing he was in town. Not that he hadn’t been by the cottage or taken the twins on outings but it was like he was purposefully avoiding me. I was surprised when he showed up one night. Sliding into bed with me, he didn’t let me speak, he just kissed me and penetrated me. We made love all night long and again in the morning but as soon as I tried to talk to him he got up and left. That became our routine, when he was in town we didn’t talk or spend any time together outside of bed and when apart he only called to talk to the twins.
To make matters worse I was busier than ever so I didn’t have as much time to try and fix things between us either but soon things were out of my control. I found out I was pregnant again and there was no way I could let things continue the way they were. I was waiting with the lights on when he came striding in around midnight.
“We need to talk.” I said and he rolled his eyes as he stripped naked before me.
“Fine I’ll talk you listen. I have an idea about why you are pissed but nothing happened between Juris and I. I admit the video was a bit much but I told you my work life is completely separate from my personal life. Still I’m sorry I didn’t even give you a warning about the whole thing.”
“Just a bit much! My wife, the mother of my children, naked, making love with another man even if it’s just for TV is not what I want the world seeing!”
“I’m sorry. In all honesty I pushed for a more abstract interpretation of the song but I was out voted.” He climbed into bed with me and kissed me.
“You’re mine Tempest and it’s about time you get with the program.” He growled and kissed me. We made love until we both collapsed with exhaustion.
“I’m pregnant.” I breathed and he propped himself up to look at me.
“Is it mine?” He said but the glint in his eye told me he was joking. I punched him and turned away from him.
“You’re such an asshole.” I said and he laughed pulling me close again.
“But I’m your asshole, just like that’s my baby in your belly. Just like I planned.” He said and kissed me before turning off the lamp and snuggling to sleep. The next morning I woke up with two little rugrats in my face.
“Morning babies.” I said giving them each a kiss on the cheek.
“Perfect timing.” Sam said coming into the room with a tray of breakfast. I sat up and positioned the twins between Sam and I.
“I didn’t know you could cook.”
“You never let me.” He said taking my hand. He slid a huge diamond ring on my finger.
“What is this?” I asked, and he sighed.
“Something I should have gotten you way sooner. I’m done hiding us.” He said, and I sighed.
“I know I just need a little more time. We don’t need to rush, there is still plenty of time before I start to show.”
“I’ll give you until the music awards to do it your way but if it doesn’t happen. I won’t be held responsible for what I do about it.” He said, and I rolled my eyes.
“Let’s just focus on us right now and worry about the public later.” I dug into the pancakes. I tried really hard to come up with a way to spin things so that it wouldn’t be a big deal but I couldn’t.
◆◆◆
“We are going to walk the red carpet together tonight,” Sam said that morning. “Sam.” I bega, but he put a finger to my lips. “I gave you a deadline, we go public with us tonight. I’m not saying we have to bring the kids into it just yet, but I’m not doing this anymore. I was so nervous for the rest of the day as I went through the torturous day of preparation. He had it easy just throwing on his usual dark pants and makeup, no shirt of course while I was being poked and prodded by stylists and makeup artists until I was picture perfect.
“You look beautiful,” Sam said when he saw me and I couldn’t help but smile.
“You look like you,” I said, and he laughed.
“Perks of being a rocker but you, my dear are missing one major accessory.” He said, sliding my ring on my finger.
“Oh look we match.” He held up his hand to show his own wedding band encrusted with black diamonds.
“Let’s go before I change my mind,” I said, and he laughed, leading me out to the waiting limo. I took a deep breath as the car door opened at the red carpet. Sam got out first before helping me out, and literally, everyone went silent as he pulled me tightly to his side. Then all hell broke loose as cameras flashed everywhere and people yelled all sorts of questions at us. Thankfully Sam skipped the interviews, but we posed for a few photos before going inside. Being rather last minute, Sam was sitting in a different area with the band, but I was somewhat thankful. Unfortunately, I was sitting next to Storm as usual, and I hadn’t broken the news to my family yet either.
“So you and Sam?” He asked, and I sighed.
“He’s the twin’s father, and we got married a few months ago,” I said, and Storm just started laughing.
“Seriously Sis, you take the privacy thing way too far, but with Sam, I can’t say I even blame you.” He said, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m surprised you’re not pissed off.”
“You’re a grown woman, and he’s the father of the twins. I could be angry, but he’s doing right by you, and I’m sure the red carpet was his idea and not yours meaning he’s not a pushover. You need that.”
“Whatever.” I countered, and thankfully the show was starting, so I had something else to focus on.
I would be performing Voyeur with Juris later in the show which I wasn’t entirely exc
ited about. At least it wasn’t going to be as risqué as the video. The performance went great and then Juris, and I accepted our award for best collaboration, and I knew I should have mentioned Sam specifically, but I chickened out and thanked my family instead.
“That’s a nice ring you got there,” Juris said as we walked off stage.
“No hard feelings,” I said, and he smiled.
“Nah, I kind of had a feeling your song was from a personal place and well when I saw you with him. It’s not hard to put it together.” He said, and I blushed. I changed quickly and made my way back out to the audience just in time for Sam’s band to get the award for best new rock group. I gripped Storm’s hand as Sam stood in front of the podium. I knew it was coming, I’d gotten fair warning, but it was a completely different thing for it to actually be happening.
“I’d like to thank the mother of my children, my soul mate, my wife Tempest I love you, baby.” He said, and there was a collective gasp in the room. I just smiled and blew him a kiss. It was silly, but the only thing I could think to do. Not only was that the first time he said he loved me but he not only ousted our relationship but our children as well. After the show, I met up with him, and we quickly made an exit. The driver had to take a super roundabout drive to shake off the paparazzi, and I was just so glad when we got home to the twins safely.
“What the hell was that?” I yelled as soon as we were inside.
“My declaration to you.” He said and kissed me.
“I know, but you said you would leave the kids out of it for now.”
“I’m sorry I just got caught up in the moment but is that really all you care about. I just declared my love for you to the entire world.” He said, and I laughed.
“I already knew you loved me. You wouldn’t have been so pissed about Juris if you hadn’t.”
“So that’s it.” He said taking a step back and I pulled him close and kissed him.
“No I love you too Sam, but right now I want to kill for what you just did, no matter how awesome and sweet. The damage control is going to be major.”
“What damage control. We are going to live our life together like any other couple, taking our kids to the park and having picnics.”