Love Notes ((Book Two of the Heartbeat Series))

by Renee Lee Fisher

  Madison –

  Please dress in this for me as we approach another new year together. I want to take hold of you and make love to you and slide this dress up over your beautiful nipples and watch the coolness of the silk bring them to peaks. I want to lay you gently in our bed this year and take every inch of you the entire night until the next year comes. Happy New Year my Love, I am already waiting upstairs for you…

  Pausing a moment to lick my lips, I shifted my thoughts back to my current conversation with Thomas, “I’m good and our holidays were nice.” If only I could let him really know just how nice they were. “Rand and I are both really good. We are going to circle a late spring date to get married so that will be in just a few months. How are you? I heard through the rumor mill that you are dating.”

  “Maddy, I’ve started dating someone, but nothing compares to you. You know you keep putting that wedding date off and it may never come.”

  “Don’t say that. We have all been very busy and now it’s the middle of the winter.”

  “Just saying, I will believe it when I see it happen.”

  “Well let’s change topics. What else is new with you?”

  “Business is doing well at the firm and I heard you and Connor have a nice friendship going on. Too bad there are no females in the band you can fix him up with.”

  “Not to be a cliché but Connor really is a nice guy; I think he feels like I am like a sister to him as he always asks for my advice.”

  “Yeah, he had Cecile a long time ago but from what I heard he really messed that up. Just like I did with you. I am not sure if his efforts worked with her in New York because he hasn’t mentioned her name. But I know he will forever be carrying a torch for her.”

  “Yeah, he’s shared with me that he messed that relationship up. He has a lot to work through. I’m just glad that you and I can talk nicely to one another,” and that we did. We remained on the phone for quite some time. I didn’t let Thomas know that Cecile was really confused about Connor and Kent and which way to go. I didn’t think it was any of his business and apparently Connor hadn’t offered to share what he and Cecile talked about in New York with Thomas either.

  I told Thomas some more stories of the band’s travels, and the new writing project I have decided to start since I got a publishing offer. He praised me again on my release of Rock Notes and told me that he read the story twice. I listened as he spoke of the new girl he had started dating but he just didn’t sound happy. I knew he still thought that Rand and I would break up, but something clicked in my head on the last phrase Thomas told me before we hung up.

  “Maddy, don’t wait too long be with Rand if he is who you really want to be with. Sometimes I am stubborn to think we would get back together, but I wish you well and think you should move on to getting this young guy to the altar.” Even though his tone was sarcastic I knew he was right. This past year had brought us some doubt, injury and a surprise return of his father. I needed to move forward and commit myself to this great guy. He was really going to be my guy, forever.

  “Wow, Thomas thank you for the advice. I will surely take action.”

  We said goodbye and I knew it would be even longer before we would speak again. As I looked out my window, the sky swirled with white and gray and tiny snowflakes were dancing down. I knew in this moment what I wanted our wedding to be like and who I needed to help me pull it together. I made two phone calls. The first was to Joy. Most everyone else called her Killjoy, but to me, off the stage, she was Joy. The second was to Maxwell, who luckily was able to speak to me without Rand and the band around.

  I was watching the weather so closely as this weekend I was to join Rand and the band in Vermont. They were scheduled to play at a winter festival and I planned on heading there Friday. The daily weather report was not looking favorable. It was showing a sizeable Nor’easter storm heading into Pennsylvania and through New Jersey and New York beginning tomorrow. That would surely halt my driving plans. I wanted to be with him so badly on his birthday. I thought I would at least prepare him that I may not be able to get up there. I wasn’t sure if he may be in a practice so I decided to send him a text.

  Babe, the snowflakes are starting and they say the weather here is going to be really bad. I may not be able to get to you Saturday. I will keep tracking the storm. I will make it up to you if I miss your day. We have a lifetime of days ahead. I love you.

  Love, I was just thinking about you. Do not come up here this weekend. I will get back to you after the storm. I miss you so much. It won’t be my birthday till I am with you.

  As I watch the snowflakes falling down, I wish I could push them back up in the clouds and make my way to you.

  Love, I will always make my way to you. Please stay in and stay safe and hopefully the storm won’t be what they are calling for.

  Unfortunately, the latest weather update showed it hitting into Pennsylvania a bit earlier than planned and they just increased the snow fall totals to 18-20 inches and said it could go higher. I dressed in a warm comfy sweater and prepared myself for the weather that was starting to build. I also hoped that Rand would still have a nice birthday in Vermont. Their show was still scheduled to go on as the storm was not supposed to lay much snow up there, only a coating.

  Saturday came so quickly although the week to get to it dragged along. Finally, it was the morning of my fiancé’s birthday. I reached over to the bedside table and dialed his number.

  “Happy birthday my love! I wish I was there with you but you can see on the news how much snow accumulated in Philly. I love you so much and I have a present waiting for you that I think you will surely love.”

  “Madison you are the only present I need. I will unwrap every inch of you when I see you next, which will be very soon. As soon as we’re done playing tonight, if the roads are clear I’m heading home to you tomorrow.”

  “I’m just laying here thinking of you and waiting for your hands to hold me. I cannot wait to be your wife. I decided about our wedding and have set the date and where I want it to be.”

  “Madison, I’m sorry I didn’t hear what you just said, the guys just burst into my room and are wishing me a happy birthday already.”

  “I’ll let you go and be with them. I’ll talk to you later before the show. I love you so much. Happy Birthday Rand.”

  “I love y…”

  His words cut off as I heard all the guys yelling, “Yes, he loves you Madison, but he’s our birthday boy now!” I had to laugh. I bet he was in for a fun day with that crew. I laid my head back on the fluffy pillow and let it cushion my head. My head that was so damaged by the hurt of a failed marriage, my head that hurt with love for and confusion about the sexy Rand, and my head that survived a major impact to the ground from the accident. I was a survivor and I was about to have my future become the brightest ever in marrying Rand. I closed my eyes and knew although I wasn’t with him right now that I had him in my heart.

  Their Vermont show was a packed crowd. Rand and I spoke moments before he was set to take stage. He wanted to make sure I had plenty of food, heat and that the electricity was still on as he saw many areas in Pennsylvania and New York had power outages from the heavy, wet snow. I had assured him I was fed, very warm for him and had bright light shining. He was hanging on the phone talking to me up until Maxwell pulled him off and told him to get to the stage.

  After we hung up, I opened up my computer as I knew I would be able to watch the feed of the concert. There was my man walking out to the center of the stage. “Good Evening Mount Snow, Vermont!” Rand hollered to the crowd. “How are you all doing in this cold?” He continued, “I promise that we are going to heat things up for you tonight.” With that, the crowd roared. They began to play and I stared at the screen and sang along with all the songs on their set list. As the concert came to the last song the band paused for a quick break. As they drank some water and wiped their dripping faces someone yelled from the audience.

  “Happy B
irthday Max Rand!” and with that the crowd cheered and began to sing Happy Birthday to him.

  Rand walked up and took hold of the microphone and said, “Thank you all so much.”

  Someone in the crowd broke his speaking and yelled, “I heard you have a new solo album launching. Why don’t you play something from it since today is your birthday?”

  Rand looked out toward the audience but with the lights in his face, he answered the person with, “I would love to but the song I wanted to end tonight with was for a person dear to me that couldn’t be here because of the weather.”

  “Play it for us anyway.” The audience hollered along with that one shouting fan.

  “Well, I can only hope that person is watching and I wish she was in my front row.”

  I watched as Kent took hold of the microphone and yelled out, “This next song is from Max Rand’s new solo album “Simply Mad”. It’s not yet been released. The song is titled, My Front Row.”

  As the tune began to play and I heard it dance in my head. I closed my laptop as I knew this would be one that would make me sad that I wasn’t in the front row with him tonight of all nights. Tears began to fall from the corner of my eye. I got up and stretched my legs and walked from the room. I reached down to the table and lifted the birthday cake decorated with a guitar on top. I wanted Rand to blow out the candles and make a wish. I slowly began to walk through the concert fans and they all parted to let me by. I stood back from the stage hidden in the glow of lights that fanned the entire stage. As the song came to a close I noticed Rand looking directly at the front row seats and there was a deep lost sadness in his eyes. The blue that shined so brilliantly was cast in gray. I stepped forward in my thigh high leather boots and tightly fitted crème mini dress. I watched his eyes roll from the floor off the stage to climb up my boots to my waist and then focus on my eyes. Rand’s eyes were locked onto mine. I held his birthday cake in my shaking hands. My cuff bracelet danced with sparkles in the bright lights.

  “Happy birthday my love,” I leaned up toward the stage.

  Rand jumped down. I carefully set his guitar decorated cake on the edge of the stage. Rand shook his hair back from his face and let out a deep breath. He came to me and brought his lips over mine and leaned his body close to mine. His kissed me deep and he didn’t try to end it or pull back. After a long moment, he pulled back from my lips and brought the microphone to his mouth. After he slowly traced his tongue on his upper lip and smiled, he said, “Everyone, this is my Madison, my true front row.” The audience roared. I was taking all this in as I was just so caught up in his kiss and staring as his tongue slowly traced his lip. Knowing it just tasted so good dancing with mine and I was forgetting all the people surrounding us. I wasn’t nervous and felt very confident. I did have to laugh as I looked back to the stage to see Kent and Isaac both with fingers full of cake icing and sneaking a taste already.

  “Now this is the best birthday present I could ever ask for.” Rand placed the microphone down and took me in his arms.

  “Well there is more to your present than me being here, so let’s get you in a clean shirt.”

  “Madison, really you are enough of a gift for me.”

  “Rand the show is over and I really need you to listen to me right now.”

  Maxwell came up to us and was holding a clean, fresh shirt for Rand and a towel to dry off his drenched hair. A few young girls remained in their seats with their eyes burning with desire as Rand pulled his soaked tee up over his head and displayed his chest. He then slowly toweled himself dry and I wanted to grab his hand and lead him away with me and keep him shirtless, but I still had a huge surprise for him. With the band now all coming off the stage, Rand looked at them as they came to hug me and said, “Did you guys all know about this?”

  They shook their heads no, but a voice did speak up and said, “I knew all about Madison being here…hey Rand why don’t you play a song from your solo album you have been working on.” Killjoy stepped up and shouted. She had been the loud shouting fan at the end of the show that Rand couldn’t see in the brilliant stage lights.

  “Hey Joy, that was you I heard scream out?” Rand embraced her and then she came over to me.

  “Thank you Joy for coming and helping me pull this off.” I was sincere in liking her now and appreciative that she jumped in to come here.

  With Rand’s hand in mine and his clean shirt on, I pulled him toward the exit door and his eyes looked heated and he said, “Guys and Joy, I think Madison is whisking me away for a private birthday present so I will see you all later.” Rand was smiling and I knew he thought we were heading to the nearest closet, bed or bathroom to be alone, but as I opened the exit door…

  Outdoors there was a huge musical note ice sculpture that glistened the night’s light. The chilly air kept it solid without any meltdown. The only thing sweating was my palms as I locked my hand into Rand’s and lead him into the large white tent out back of the concert venue. “Madison, what’s this? A birthday party for me?” I pulled him along with me and soon we entered the tent that was decorated with twinkling white holiday lights. Rand didn’t say a word. His eyes widened. In front of him was a beautiful winter themed altar and there stood a minister. To one side with a smile that was miles wide, was Maxwell and across from him was Jillian holding a winter bouquet of flowers for me.

  “Rand, I want to give you a happy birthday, and that is to become your wife right here and now with all our family and friends present.” As I finished nervously speaking the gang started to filter into the tent. My mom and uncle entered and the band members, Cecile and the crew that set up the shows.

  “Madison, you have just made me the happiest man alive.” His wet lips took over my mouth and I felt a moist drop hit my cheek that shed from his eye. He nodded to me, and then he pulled me without hesitation toward the front as we walked over the music note themed floor runner. In front of everyone we stood. Jillian leaned over and kissed me and handed off the lovely fresh floral arrangement.

  Rand leaned in again and kissed me and we remained with our lips pressed tightly together, and then we parted them and opened to each other. Our tongues tasting and savoring each other. Pulling back slowly Rand, pecked lightly at my lips. Our audience had begun to laugh that we started our ceremony with the perfect ending kiss. We knew we could definitely get that part right. So here we are standing across from one another refusing to let our hands separate. I couldn’t hear what the minister was saying, while I was having my own conversation in my head. Rushing through my mind was the urge to scream out to everyone, I love this man so much! I cannot wait to taste every single inch of him. A devious smile is pursed on my lips, as Rand winked at me. I want to shout to him that these boots are staying on me! As I will let Rand take over every inch of my body and soul, tearing me apart. If I could holler, I would shout out to him, I give you total control to take me, I am yours FOREVER! I heard the minister as he stopped speaking and all eyes were on me, so I assumed I had to answer. I stumbled for words quickly and responded, “Yes, I definitely will take this man forever inside me, I mean beside me forever.” Everyone was laughing so hard. Rand spoke next before the minister had a moment to continue.

  “If she will have me forever there is no other place I would rather be than beside her and inside her.” Maxwell produced the wedding bands from his pocket. They were stunning. They were one of a kind, made of platinum with soft twining etchings on them like the tattoo that trails down Rand’s back. They will bind us and keep us tied together. Inside the inscription read, My heart beats with yours forever. I felt tears fill my eyes and as he slid the ring on my finger I knew this is what a true marriage was. The feeling that rushed through me was this was the real thing, real love. I shook as my fingers placed Rand’s ring over his knuckle and it rested there and he kissed it and then took my chin toward his face and kissed me. I started to lose all the tears at once. I couldn’t stop. They flowed from my eyes to my cheeks and rained lightly onto our lips
, salting our kiss.

  Rand swept away my tears with his thumb and looked at the minister and said, “Can we wrap this up as I need to tend to my wife’s needs immediately.” Normally I would have been embarrassed, but I glanced to see my mother, Maxwell and so many all smiling sharing in our happiness.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Let me introduce to you all to Mr. and Mrs. Max Rand.” I heard that come from the marriage authority. I was Mrs. Rand. I was his wife. He is my husband. My feet left the ground and I felt lightheaded. Oh, I was not going to fall down this time. Rand had scooped me up and was taking me out of the tent for a brief moment. He said he needed to freshen up from the concert and I knew he wanted me to join him.

  The music started to play in the tent. It was a track of the band’s favorite songs. I heard the pop of the champagne bottle opening and knew everyone would be starting the celebration. We were just skipping out momentarily like we were off getting our pictures taken. Rand carried me into the room that the venue had let the band hang in prior to the show. There was no bed there but a long sofa. Rand slowly lifted up my dress and then as I reached to zip down my boots, he grabbed my wrist, “No they stay on.” My husband removed his shirt and I could smell that sweet sweat scent as he pulled my panties down that had Bride written in gems on them. “My bride,” he said. “My wife, all mine,” as he thrust into me.

  “I love you my husband.” Rand took me harder than he had in a long time. Maybe it was the boots that wrapped around him as he pumped into me. I was still floating from the ceremony and being here with him.

  He looked up, “Madison this is the best birthday I have ever had in my life.” His head dropped and was between me tasting all the sweetness that I could ever offer him. I screamed out and held onto fists of his hair. Surges of ecstasy rolled through my body as I cried out over and over.