After the show ended, Lila walked with the guys the short way to the first after-party they would attending. "Do you really have to go?,"Kevin whined.
Lila smiled, "Yes, I do. I promised Lucy that she'd have a chance to flirt with Nick."
He raised an eyebrow, "She got a crush on him?"
"She thinks he's cute, let's put it that way."
He placed a gentle kiss on her lips before sighing, "Okay..but I'm letting you go under protest."
She smiled, "Ok..see you later?"
"Yea..I'll try to be quiet when I come in."
She nodded, "Ok..have fun."
"I will."
Lila turned and nearly ran into Nick and AJ who were heading towards the dance floor. "Hey you two, have a good night."
"You leavin' already?," AJ asked.
She nodded, "Yea..Lucy wanted to come party so I told her I'd come relieve her of Justin-duty."
"You sure you wanna go by yourself? I can come with you...," Nick said.
She shook her head, "No, I'll be fine. Marcus is taking me back so I'll be alright....don't get too wild AJ, he won't be there to help you."
"I can take care of myself..," AJ said smiling.
"I know..but thank you anyways for the offer Nick."
"Give Justin a hug for us?"
"I will..have fun...and congrats guys."
Both grinned like they were proud papa's. And in a way they were....they had actually taken home a coveted Grammy award that night. Lila didn't think she had seen ALL five of them almost in tears...but she had that night.
She found Howie and Brian and the girls and said goodnight to them all before finding Marcus. He led the way to the limo and sat in the back with her while the driver took them back to the hotel.
"Don't think AJ'll get in too much trouble, do you?"
Marcus shook his head, a wry smile on his face, "Lord, I hope not. Or I may have to have a talk with that child."
Lila laughed, "I think he'll be good till you get back...by the way, thanks for making sure I got back alright."
"No problem...gets me away from tattoo-boy for a little bit.," He joked.
The driver pulled to a stop about ten minutes later and opened the door a second later. Marcus got out first and Lila followed. "You can go on back, I'll be fine going up on my own."
"Are you sure?"
"Yea..go on and get your freak on Marcus."
He laughed, "Yea right!"
She smiled, "Bye Marcus."
"Goodnight Lila."
Lila walked inside with little interruption and entered the elevators, taking it up to the floor they were on.
She knocked softly on the door and it was pulled open a minute later. Lucy was decked out in her clubbing gear, ready to go. "How was he?," Lila asked quietly.
"Perfect. He just went down about an hour ago and he's been fine all evening."
"Oh good...you look..wow."
Lucy grinned, "Ya think?"
"I know. Have fun tonight."
"Thanks.....you're not upset about having to leave the after-party are you?"
"No..not at all. I told you, those kinds of things just aren't really me..."
She smiled in relief, "Good.."
Lila handed her a check, "Here you go for tonight...I know it wasn't your idea of a great evening but I really appreciate it."
Lucy smiled, "It was no problem at all.."
"Well..you'd better go.."
"Thanks Lila."
"Go on and have fun."
"See you later!"
Lila slipped off the shoes from her aching feet and sunk down on the edge of the bed. She was tired and her feet hurt and she was just ready to go to sleep.
She took down her hair, washed her face free of the make-up and changed into her pajamas before checking on Justin. He was sound asleep. She smiled before gently touching his forehead; looked like his cold was finally over.
She then turned off all the lights and made sure the door was locked before getting into bed and falling asleep mere seconds after her head hit the pillow.
Kevin stepped inside the room, nearly silent, at about 3:30 that morning. He made his way slowly to the bathroom, trying not to trip over anything or kill himself on anything. Luckily, the trip to the bathroom was without incident. He changed clothes and checked on Justin, who was asleep on his back, his arms flailed out beside him. "Night little guy..," Kevin said quietly.
He sat on the edge of the bed as gently as he could, as not to wake Lila, and pulled his t-shirt off, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kevin?"
He turned, "Yea..did I wake you?"
"Kinda..," She replied sleepily.
He smiled and laid down next to her, "Sorry.."
She smiled, "It's ok...have fun?"
"Woulda been better if you were there too..but yea."
"That's good..."
"Did you do anything when you got back here?"
She shook her head, "Nope...I was tired.."
He yawned, "I am now.."
She smiled and pulled the covers up, "Well get under here and get to sleep."
"Yes ma'am."
After finally situating himself, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. He gently kissed her lips before asking, "Think it's always gonna be like this?"
"Like what?," She asked, sounding as if she was already going back to dreamland.
"You coming home early from a show for Justin..me coming in at like 3 in the morning..."
"Maybe not all the time...just sometimes."
"You'd put up with me that long?"
"you've put up with me this long Kev...I think I can put up with you for a little while longer.."
He laughed softly, "Just a little while?"
"Did I specify how long is a little while?"
"No."
"Ok then."
"Lila?"
"Hmmmm?"
"Don't fall asleep on me here yet.."
She smiled, "Sorry.."
He kissed her forehead, "S'ok.."
"What is it Kevin?"
"Nothin...I love you.."
She smiled, kissing him, "I love you too..now, can we go to sleep?"
"Yea.."
"Good."
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