Part 492

"See? Right here, this is what I mean …" Becca played the third page again, frowning at the chord changes.

"Bec, it sounds fine."

"But it doesn’t, Nick, there’s something missing."

Nick ran his hands through his hair and sighed. Becca had been fretting over this same phrase for what seemed like hours, and they weren’t getting anywhere. Glancing off to the side, he saw Garrett sitting peacefully in his carrier, chewing on his fist and making sucking sounds. "Hey buddy," he said with a grin. "Getting hungry?" He chuckled when the tiny boy began to kick his feet. "Oopsie. I’m afraid I can’t help you there," he said, "your mom has the right equipment, not me." Looking over at Becca he sighed. "Damn, does she have the right equipment. I need to start planning a special night for your mom, GT. A couple more weeks and we can get back to our old selves again. I miss it and I know your mom does, too."

Becca was oblivious to the secret conversation between the two men in her life. She played the bridge once, twice, then again. She reharmonized it and tried once more, finally slamming her hands down on the keys in frustration. "Damn it!"

"Bec, let’s take a break."

"Not until I figure this out, Nick." She plunked away again, the notes of the song flowing from her fingers. She changed one chord, right near the end and gasped. Stopping abruptly, she did it again. And again. "YES!"

"Bec?"

"That’s IT! I did it!" Jumping up, she ran and wrapped her arms around Nick. "Come on, come sing with me!"

"But GT-"

"Bring him with you, he likes to listen to you sing." She giggled and sat back down at the piano, rearranging the sheets of music in the proper order. "Okay, it’s just like you suggested. I’ll start with the first verse."

"After you talk to the crowd."

"Right, after I talk to the crowd." She paused. "Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Baby," Nick laughed, "don’t go getting cold feet on me now! Sweetheart, it’s going it be perfect. Just start the music again, and remember that by the time you get to the second verse I’ll be right there with you."

Becca took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a brief moment and then began to play, losing herself in the words. The verse came to a close and just as he’d promised, Nick was right there, talking up the melody where she’d left off. In the final refrain, their voices blended together perfectly, and she smiled as she played through the changes she’d made. For one last repeat, she and Nick once again sang together, their voices fading off into silence.

"Wow," Becca whispered.

"Wow," Nick agreed.

"We’re gonna kick ass!" Becca giggled.

Nick smirked, but thumped her playfully on the head. "Watch your mouth in front of my son, woman."

"How ‘bout I watch yours instead?" she whispered, pulling his face closer to hers and kissing him sweetly.

Nick pulled away from the kiss as Garrett began to squirm. "Let’s do it one more time, and then we can polish up tomorrow at sound check. Besides, this little squirt is getting hungry." Just then Nick’s stomach began to growl and they both giggled. "And so’s his dad."

"Okay, once more with feeling, Blondie. After I feed Garrett we’ll head back upstairs and see if Sarah and Howie are back yet."

Part 493        Index