Their return flight left Boston at 2:48 pm. All Lance could do was be there for her. He knew she was in shock. But, she hadn’t cried. She didn’t talk about it. She didn’t really talk at all. She just held on to their Ellie.
"Would you like some tea?" Lance asked her as he saw the Stewards coming forward. Mercedes shook her head, ‘no.’ "Please, Mercedes. Talk to me." She looked out the airplane window. Silence. A few more minutes passed. "Don’t punish me. Let me in."
Mercedes just stared at him, blankly. "I’m sorry. I just can’t talk about any of this right now."
Frustrated, Lance brought out his lap top and went over his emails. There were the usual emails from Darren and Kerri, Stacey and his Mom. One from Meredith and another from Wendy at Happy Place. He answered the important questions concerning the shooting schedule for "On The L" and the final release date for Meredith‘s first single. And he tried to sound happy and buoyant to his friends. Gave some last minute updates to Darren who was probably just about to leave his house for the airport and might never read this until the weekend was over.
Lance was just about to sign off when an IM appeared on his screen.
BeaconHill57: Good Afternoon, Lance. Meet anyone special at the Hospital this morning?
Lance stared at his lap top screen for a moment, and then slowly mumbled, "Shhhhit. Oh Shit."
Mercedes turned to him, "Please don’t be angry with me, Lance. I don’t think I could handle that right now."
Lance put his hand on hers, "No, Baby. I’m sorry, that outburst didn’t have anything to do with you...ROB!"
The Private Investigator walked calmly over to Lance’s aisle. "What’s up Lance?"
"Check this out, man." Lance told him, as he put his fingers to his lips in concentration.
"Do you think that’s Victoria?" Rob asked him, kneeling next to his seat.
Lance glanced over at Mercedes, then nodded his head. "Yes, I do. This address is the one I only give out to family and really close friends, business partners...I gave it to Victoria a long time ago to give to Mercedes."
Lance reached for Mercedes’ hand. "It’s her."
"Ok. Then, let’s see where this will take us. Let’s answer her."
Laurel79- Good afternoon, Victoria.
BeaconHill57- So, you know it’s me.
"Be casual, Lance." Rob prompted him.
Laurel79- Just guessed.
BeaconHill57- How’s your daughter?
Lance tensed up and just about lost it. "Jesus Rob."
"Don’t go off on her, Lance. That’s what she wants. She wants to get a rise out of you."
Laurel79- Fine.
BeaconHill57- I haven’t quite decided yet. Should she be an orphan like I was? Or should Mercedes be all alone in this world like I ended up being?
Rob saw it on the screen and grabbed Lance’s shoulder. Lance bit his lip, took a deep breath and squeezed Mercedes’ hand. "What should I answer?"
Mercedes withdrew her hand and looked away from the lap top. She tried to distance herself emotionally. She inched closer to the plane window and hugged Ellie to herself, in an effort to physically distance herself as well.
"Let’s try something." Rob said.
Laurel79- Why would you want to harm your daughter or grand daughter?
After a few minutes, there was still no answer.
Laurel79- Why Victoria?
BeaconHill57 is no longer logged on
"Shit." Lance said. Then, he glanced over at Mercedes as she stared out the window. Lance closed his eyes, and sighed.
"I’m glad we decided to beef up security, Lance. I’m glad I’m going to be in Tampa with you."
Lance took a deep breath. "Me, too."
Rob tilted his head towards Mercedes and Ellie. "You should send them to Mississippi." Rob said quietly. Lance gazed upon her, lovingly.
The sadness in his eyes displayed the depth of his devotion to them. "We made a promise to one another. We’d face everything together."
"You and I both know, if there IS some kind of plan going down, and it looks more and more as if there is, then they won’t expect her and your baby girl to leave town over Super Bowl weekend." Rob spoke a little louder, "It would put US on the offensive, instead of always waiting for them to act. It would throw a wrench in the works for them."
"I promised her." Lance stated. He wanted desperately to reach for her hand, but even though she was mere inches away physically, she was no where within reach for him emotionally.
"Lance," Rob asked quietly, "The Tampa police and FBI have confiscated the video cameras from the Hotel lobby and they want you to take a look at them. There might be someone there you recognize. It might help us solve the other night’s break in. And lead us to Victoria. You never know."
Lance kept staring at his wife and daughter. The baby was peacefully sleeping, and Mercedes was embracing her, apprehensively.
"Did you hear me Lance?" Rob asked. Lance just nodded his head. "Lance, is there someone you can call...you know, a psychologist or something?"
Lance rubbed his hand over his tired eyes and then through his hair. "No, she’ll be fine." He whispered.
As they disembarked from the aircraft upon arrival in Tampa, Mercedes put Ellie in a front pack to carry her. Lance was helping them and playing with the baby. But, Mercedes barely looked at Lance. He put a protective arm around them both as they walked through the airport terminal.
"Oh, she’s wet." Mercedes said, with her hand patting Ellie’s bottom. "Umm, Lance I’m going to take her into the rest room." Lance motioned for LuAnn to accompany them.
"Okay, Darlin’." Lance said. He watched them enter the Ladies’ room as his cell phone rang. Lance stepped over against the wall, and out of the traffic flow, to answer it.
When Mercedes exited the rest room, she didn’t see Lance right away. But, she did see Drew and he was standing over next to the magazine stand. As she made her way across the floor, she was bumped by a man who appeared to be in no great hurry. He bent down to pick up his USA TODAY, "Excuse me maam. I should watch where I am going." They both looked directly at one another.
"No harm done." Mercedes said.
"How old is your baby?" The stranger asked.
"She’ll be a month old next week." Mercedes said, caressing Ellie’s sleepy head.
"She’s very lucky to have such a loving Mother. I’m sure you’d lay down your own life before you’d let anything bad happen to her."
Mercedes started to feel apprehensive. She looked over towards Drew.
"Well, good luck." The man said as he scurried off just as Drew came walking towards them.
"Anything wrong?" Drew asked.
Mercedes just shrugged her shoulders. "No. I guess not."
Shrink69- She looked right at me. Didn’t recognize me at all. I think we can proceed.
BeaconHill79- Good.
Diane and Jim, Stacey, and Darren arrived in Tampa only to be greeted by security people they barely recognized and swept away to the beach house.
Lance hated to worry his mother, but there was no way they could keep her in the dark after they were forced to make the change in accommodations.
"Please don’t go all emotional on me, Mom. Right now, with very little sleep these last few nights, I don’t think I could handle it." Lance said. "I just need you guys to stay at the hotel and behave as normally as you possibly can. We will meet you at each of the events. And I’ll have a car pick you up to bring you out here tonight to stay with the baby if you’d like Mom."
"You and Mercedes are STILL going to that Maxim’s party?"
Lance glanced over at Mercedes, and then nodded. "Yes, we are. We’re not running scared."
Diane was not only concerned about the safety of her son and his family, but she noticed that Mercedes was withdrawn. This was not the daughter-in-law she knew in Mississippi over the holidays...or even the woman who returned from NYC after the near fatal shooting on New Year’s Eve.
Mercedes had taken Ellie upstairs, and Diane cornered her son in the kitchen as he was fixing himself a cup of coffee. Lance and Darren were talking, but when Diane entered the kitchen, she politely asked Darren to give her a minute alone with her son.
Lance leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms on his chest. "Mom, please."
"Lance, you don’t even know what I want to talk with you about yet."
He rubbed the back of his neck and closed his eyes, "Alright, sorry. What would you like to discuss with me?"
"What’s wrong?"
"Oh, gee Mom...let’s see." Lance realized he was being sarcastic. "Sorry."
"I KNOW there’s been a threat against you and Mercedes and Ellie. That’s not that I’m talking about. Mercedes seems..."
"Mom," Lance shook his head. He brought his hands up through his hair. His eyes filled up with tears. He looked away from her.
"Lance, are you two having problems?"
Lance turned back around swiftly, "NO. Mom, no. Mercedes just found out something about her Mother. She’s hurting and she won’t talk to me about it. I feel so...helpless. I just want to..." He gasped. "Help her."
Diane put her arm on her son’s shoulder. "You need to tell her what you just told me."
"I thought I did on the flight home. She just turned away from me."
Diane squeezed his shoulder, "Then, you have to try again."
Lance wiped his hand over his eyes. "I love her so much, Mom."
"I know. And she loves you, too." Lance lowered his eyes. "Oh, yes that’s very obvious. She’s head over heels in love with you. Only, today you might not be able to see that. Whatever it is, do you think she’s having a hard time opening up because she knows it’s just one more thing on your plate?"
"Mom, I don’t see her situation OR ANY of this threat stuff as being Mercedes’ fault...I hope you don’t."
"Of course these things are NOT her fault. Your Father and I don’t think she’s to blame...and I know MY SON, wouldn’t find anything his bride was going through a burden or an inconvenience to his otherwise perfect life...but, knowing how much she loves you... Do you think maybe Mercedes worries that she’s a liability and not so much an asset to you?"
Lance hugged his Mother, "I think she so much as said that to me the other night. Thanks Mom. I need to go and talk to her again."
"Lance, me and your Dad...Stacey, Darren, we’ll meet up with you and Mercedes later. We’ll give you two the house alone for awhile. Or as alone as you two are able to be right now."
He squeezed her and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Mom. You and Dad have been so supportive of us since we committed ourselves to one another. Thank you for being a source of awesome support for us."
"I have two sons and two daughters now Lance. Now and forever."
Lance waved goodbye to the family and Darren. Checked in on Ellie asleep in her crib, and heard the shower running in the bathroom.
As he crept closer to the bathroom, and quietly turned the doorknob, he could hear his wife crying.
Lance removed his jeans and shirt. He took out his shaving kit and stood in front of the sink, wiping the steam off the mirror. As soon as he knew that she knew he was in the bathroom, he approached the glass door. The silhouette of her lovely body was still evident through the steam covered glass. But, she had been bent over with her sobs. Lance noticed that once she became aware of his presence in the bathroom, she stopped.
"Mercedes?" Lance called to her. He opened the door. She turned towards him. "Baby, please talk to me."
Mercedes shook her head and covered her face with her hands. Even though he still had on his boxers, he stood next to her in the shower and held on to her. She tried to push him away.
"Don’t push me away, Mercedes. I need for you to talk to me. Yell. Scream. This was a shock to you, I know. It’s crazy! Don’t shut me out, Baby. I can’t take that. Hit me. Scream in my face. But, don’t ignore me. That hurts me more than I can tell you."
"Lance. Lance..." Mercedes began to sob uncontrollably. He held on to her.
"I love you, Mercedes." Lance kissed her forehead, "Go on, get it out. Go on, I’m here. It’s going to be alright."
When her weeping subsided, Lance said. "You are still the same woman I fell in love with all those years ago. None of this changes who you are INSIDE you. You’re the most beautiful and compassionate woman I know. All the things I have always loved about you and always will love about you are constants. They were there in December. They were there yesterday, and they are still here today." Lance put his hand around her head and kissed her. Then, he nuzzled her ear and said, "You are my everything. I need you."
Mercedes brought her arms up and around his back, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Make love to me." She whispered to him.
"Oh baby." Lance sighed as he places his hands tenderly on her face and kisses her lips. "You know how much I live for these moments together. But what you give me is much more than just that physical comfort and thrill."
Mercedes places her hands inside the waist band of his boxers. "Make love to me." She whispers as she kisses his neck. "Please?"
Lance rolled his head back and let the water run down his face. "You do know what you’re doing to me here, don’t you?"
Mercedes continued to tease him with her antics. Rubbing her breasts against his chest. Feeling his penis rise as she stroked his scrotum.
"Baby, Ooo, man. You FEEL so good." Lance grabs her tush and presses himself up against her. She turns in his arms and he feels her breasts from behind, she raises her hands and puts the palms of her hands against the glass and above her head. Her tush pushes back into him. He starts to grind. She leans over, pressed against the glass.
Lance whips his boxers off and throws them into the corner of the shower. He starts to feel her up again. Going from her shin, over her knee, inside her thighs, touching her crotch. He rubs her as she moans. Lance kisses the back of her neck. Mercedes can hear him panting now. "Lover, take me." She begs him.
He thrusts into her. "Oh Baby." His hands are fondling her breasts and holding on to her pelvic bone. The involuntary movements he makes as he grinds into her stirs a monumental arousal in Mercedes and an orgasm bursts upon her almost unexpectedly. Strong and fast Lance keeps thrusting. Touching her is his ultimate thrill. As his semen flows into her body, he holds her lovingly around the waist. Kissing her back and catching his breath.
The clock on the bedside table read 9:35. Lance had told the guys he would arrive at the party sometime around 10. There was no way they’d be there by that time. But, it didn’t really matter. Mercedes was asleep in his arms. All was right with the world. Her damp curls were framing her beautiful face.
The phone rang beside them, Lance could have cursed. "Yeah. Lance." He says instead, as quietly as he could.
Mercedes stirred. It was Johnny reminding him about the photo op. "Yeah. I was planning on getting a move on." Lance rubbed Mercedes’ naked back as she opened her eyes slowly.
He tossed the cordless. Mercedes rose up on her elbows and rested her head on her hand. "You seem smug with that glazed over look of satisfaction on your face, baby." Lance told her. Her head dipped, and her arm covered her face as she grinned with embarrassment.
"We have to get ready to go?"
Lance nodded. "Sorry. You don’t HAVE to, but I do. So, PLEASE don’t make me go alone." Lance laced his fingers inside hers.
"Didn’t you tell Rob that we promised each other we’d face everything together?" Mercedes said softly.
"You were listening." Lance commented, kissing her fingertips.
"I was." Mercedes kissed his chest. "I love you Lance. If there’s any way for me to make this time easier for you, tell me. You want me to take Ellie away for a few days, I will do it. Whatever eases your mind."
Lance pulled her up closer to him and embraced her. "Baby, I don’t see how that would help. If you aren’t beside me, I’ll worry even more."
"WHAT am I wearing?" Lance chuckled in the back of the limo.
"I LOVE those jeans." Mercedes told him.
"By the way, Stacey gave this to me, to give to you." Lance held out the ziploc bag with her swan jewelry inside. "I asked her to stop by the house in Clinton and pick them up. Is that alright?"
Mercedes smiled widely. "Very alright." She leaned closer and kissed her husband, "Thank you for thinking of everything."
With his arm around her, he opened the bag. "Let’s see. How about the anklet? I need a leg, baby." They giggled as Mercedes laid her lovely bare leg over Lance’s lap. "Oh, this is WAY too tempting." Lance grinned suggestively.
"It’s beautiful, Lance."
He admired it for a moment. Then, he tilted his head and looked into her eyes. "What are you thinking?" Mercedes asked him.
"I used to tell you that this was the only thing I really liked to see you wear." Lance chuckled. "I mean THE ONLY THING."
After everything that they shared between them you’d think his statement wouldn’t make her blush, but it did. Lance hugged her. "My Darlin’." He kissed her forehead, "Ok. What else. How about a bracelet?!"
"I see earrings." Mercedes says. "It’s Christmas all over again."
The grin on Lance’s face dims, just a little, thinking about the box in their garage back home in Mississippi. But, today is what matters. Not yesterday. So what if she didn’t remember the bench, she was alive and she loved him.
That is truly all that matters.
"Here, baby, let me help." He says, helping her clasp the bracelet closed. "You are beautiful." The love glowed in his eyes, as she thanked him and kissed him.
Mercedes fluffed up her hair and pushed the curls aside a little to look at the earrings in her makeup mirror. "I should have blown my hair dry, Lance. It’s a little wild."
Lance kissed her cheek, "I like it." The smile she gave him, made his heart swell with love.
Oh God, please protect her and Ellie.
He felt some fear and apprehension over the upcoming weekend. Lance was glad that his Mom came back to be with Ellie, with his Dad, Ellie’s Nurse, Drew and another of Rob’s hand-picked personal bodyguards. Especially after what Drew brought up before they left.
"Mercedes, did you tell Lance and Rob about that guy at the airport?" Drew had asked.
Lance was holding Ellie while his Mom and Dad fussed over their grandchild. "What guy at the airport?" You could hear the concern in his voice.
"It was nothing." Mercedes told him.
"Baby, we aren’t in a position to overlook ANYONE or ANYTHING. Tell me about the guy at the airport."
"Well, he bumped into Ellie and I, dropped his newspaper, and said..."
Drew’s ears perked up, "What newspaper? You never mentioned a newspaper to me. I never saw him pick up a newspaper. LuAnn, did you hear that?"
"It’s probably a coincidence." Mercedes said.
"What’s this about a newspaper? You don’t mean to imply that it might be related to that guy in the bakery that was watching Mercedes from the store front window?" Lance was truly alarmed. "What did he say to you, Mercedes?"
"Something about..." Mercedes looked between Lance and Drew. She lowered her eyes to the floor.
"He said something about Mercedes being willing to lay down her own life before she’d let anything happen to Ellie." Drew reported.
"WHAT?" Lance handed Ellie to his mother abruptly. He took a hold of Mercedes‘ arm. "Was that suppose to be a threat? Did he threatened you?"
Mercedes shook her head, ‘no.‘
"He didn’t mention Ellie by NAME did he?"
Drew said, ‘no.’ "And when did you two think you’d tell me about this? For heaven’s sake, we have to let Rob know." The look of concern on Lance’s face almost brought his mother to tears.
Now, in the car on their way to the Pre- Super Bowl Party, Lance kept Mercedes’ leg over his lap. He drew the other one up towards him, too. He put his hand on her knee, her thigh..."Lance?" Mercedes grinned. "If you start that, I’m not going to be held responsible for what I end up doing to you."
Lance had a wide grin on his face as they got out of the limo. Rob, Lonnie and two of Rob’s associates met Wes and LuAnn as Lance and Mercedes started walking into the building. Lance froze for a second when he saw Lonnie. The body guard who had been missing in action New Year’s Eve.
Lance went right up to him and shook his hand. "Welcome back, man."
"Thanks Lance."
Johnny yelled over to Chris and Joey that Lance had arrived. "Time to make the doughnuts guys." They motioned for Lance to get over there for the photo.
"Everything going to be alright here?" Lance said, not wanting to let go of Mercedes’ hand.
Rob had assigned one of his guys to stay with Mercedes along with LuAnn and Lonnie. "I’m fine. Go do your job." Mercedes smiled. Lance squeezed her hand and kissed her.
"Lonnie? She’s my everything." Lance told him, all the while gazing in her eyes.
"Don’t worry, Boss, I’m glued to her."
Aerosmith was also in attendance at the bash. Steve Tyler, Joe Perry and Mark Hudson represented the band.
"Whoa ho, look who’s here?" Steve Tyler said spotting Mercedes from across the room. He elbowed his friend, Joe. "Don’t quite know what it is about that woman, but...tonight’s the night."
"Good luck. What do you plan on telling the wife?" Joe smirked.
"What do I usually tell her?" Steve laughed. "I don’t remember the last excuse. If I’m not back in an hour, don’t come looking for me. I’d like to take my time with her."
Mark Hudson walked over past Joe, "Steve. Steve."
Joe grabbed his arm, "Don’t bother him he’s on the prowl."
Mark and Joe watched Steve amble over towards Mercedes who was standing with Bobbie. "Steve’s not hitting on that blonde chick again, is he?" Mark asked.
"Oh. Steve plans on monopolizing her time this evening." Joe said, with a laugh.
"Joe, I was just talking with Joey Fatone from *N SYNC. That chick is Lance Bass’ WIFE."
"No shit?" Joe asked, slapping his thigh with the palm of his hand. "Oh my God, this is going to be GOOD, man."
"We gotta tell Steve! When Fatone told me, he was amazed that we didn’t know that. Christ, they’ve been in the papers and magazines...and none of us knew?"
"What the fuck, we don’t read the teenie bopper trades."
"They are going to raise hell if Steve hits on her again. We better tell him."
"What? And spoil a good show? No way. Do you honestly think it would STOP Steve? You know him better than that." Joe crossed his arms and asked the waitress for a refill on his drink. "This I gotta see, man."
"Hey, Babe." Steve said. "I notice you don’t have a drink. What will you have?"
"I’m not drinking."
"Come on. It’s a party." Steve saddled up closer to her. "You and I sharing the same space again. Something’s meant to happen, sweetheart."
"Sorry, nothing’s meant to happen between us."
"How about we go improve our image in the ladies room, Mercedes?" Bobbie suggested.
Mercedes was happy to tag along and LuAnn went into the lounge with them, while the other two bodyguards hung outside the door.
At first she amused herself with watching Bobbie adjusting her shirt and bra for optimal viewing pleasure. Mercedes missed Dani. Dani had visited her in the hospital and they had spoken on the phone when Mercedes was in Mississippi, but lately Dani was a ‘no-show’ to *N SYNC events. The only time they spoke on the phone was when Mercedes called her. Lance was probably right. Something was seriously wrong between Dani and Chris. Mercedes absentmindedly stood in front of the full-length mirror and messed with her hair, which was bothering her still.
She saw herself reflected in the rearview mirror of the limousine. Her bracelet dangling, her eyes all sparkling and Lance kissing her neck. Lance whispering something about never having done it in a limousine before. The sensation of being willing to surrender to his advances, even as the driver turned towards them.
Mercedes saw herself reflected in the same rearview mirror, horribly screaming...the sensation of Lance pushing her aside, a noise like a firecracker, the sharp pain, the burning smell...
"Mercedes? Mercedes!" Bobbie was splashing water from the tap onto her face and LuAnn was on her walkie-talkie.
"Sit down. Here. Sit." LuAnn ordered her.
Mercedes was shaking. "Where’s Lance?"
Wes and Lonnie came in. "Are you alright, Mercedes?" Wes asked.
"Yes, yes. I think so. Where’s Lance?"
"He and the guys are still doing photo ops. Lance sent me when he couldn’t see where you were...WHAT happened?"
"Wes," Mercedes started to cry, "I saw us in the limo New Year’s Eve. I remembered. It was horrible. Lance got hurt, Wes. He was really hurt."
The big guy sat beside Mercedes and she hugged him. "Oh, Mercedes. Of all the things to remember." He patted her back. "Girl, you remember the fear you had for the man you love. Lance didn’t want you remembering that of all things. Of all things."
By the time they came back out, Mercedes had calmed down. There were mirrors lining one wall of the ballroom the party was being held in and from time to time, Mercedes would catch her own reflection. At first the fear of seeing the shooting again, made her quickly pull her attention away. But, during one glance, she saw herself...and Lance standing with *N SYNC was in the background.
They were all rehearsing for a tour, Joey calling her over. "Mermaid, watch this routine. Tell us what you think." And Lance, hanging back. Quietly gazing at her. Never anything less than a gentleman.
He’s loved me for a long time. And I think, somewhere inside, I’ve loved him, too, from the very start.
McKinney’s Bar. Pool! What was I asking Lance about Danielle Fishel for? I was a married woman, was I jealous? I watched him shooting pool with her and...for maybe the first time...I recognized I had some inappropriate feelings for Lance...I wished I was 19 and single again.
Out at the lake, and that night he kissed me. Now, why did he say that was our first kiss? Be! You lied to me, our first kiss was in the Barn loft...no, on the stairs. Oh, Lord. I thought he was...yeah. Ok, we got through that.
Right now, Mercedes had to sit down. All these memories were flooding back to her now...one after another after another after another...
"Are you alright?" LuAnn asked her.
"LuAnn? I am fine. Just fine. I just want to sit here for a while." Mercedes meekly smiled.
"Hey. I’m not giving up on you." Steve Tyler sat beside her on this comfortably padded dining room chair. "I believe we were meant to hook up with one another." Steve tried to hand her a glass of Chardonnay.
Mercedes raised her hand in protest. "Honestly, I’m not drinking."
Steve put his arm around her shoulders. "You look like you could show a man a good time. Come on, have these BOYS really put you through your paces yet?"
Mercedes started to feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Liam was sleeping with my Mother? I wonder if Liam knew she was my mother? Lance knew Liam was cheating on me. It tore their friendship apart.
Steve saw the look of fatigue on Mercedes’ face. "Sweetheart, we could find a nice, quiet place to be alone."
Lance lying there next to me, unable to sleep. "Mercedes, I never knew. I never knew it could be so incredible." The love we’ve shared!
Mercedes was bursting at the seams with the sensations she was reliving. The taste, the smell...the jet on our way home from Ireland. What Victoria DID to us! Making love on that BENCH...that beautiful bench!
Before she realized it, Mercedes was feeling Steve’s hand on her thigh. She stood up quickly. "No! Do you have to have it spelled out for you? Leave me alone!"
"You are one frigid bitch." Steve spat out at her.
Steve spun around and Lance was in his face. "What the hell are you doing?" Lance yelled. "You have no business bothering my wife."
"YOUR wife?" Steve hollered back. "What the fuck, nobody told me she was your wife. I thought her husband worked with the crew at half-time and she was just one of your band’s sweet things."
"What did you say?" Lance wanted him to repeat himself. By now, Joey, Wes, Chris and Johnny were on his tail. Joe Perry and Mark Hudson were laughing their butts off.
"I thought she was just keeping the boys satisfied. Your groupie." Steve said with an attitude. "Come on Lance. Don’t get all pissed off about it. These things happen, so what? I hit on your old lady."
"You shit head. It‘s not just that she was married to me. You just said she told you she was married and you still hit on her!"
"What the hell difference does that make?" Steve pushed Lance aside.
"It makes a hell of a lot of difference, you asshole." Lance pushed Steve back. At that point, Johnny and Chris tried to physically intervene. "No, damn it, he’s an asshole."
"Lance, come on. No harm’s been done." Johnny said diplomatically.
"Bull shit. I’m not going to stand back any more and listen to your groupie stories about irresponsible, meaningless sex." Joey and Wes had a hold of Lance at this point, pulling him back. "What about loving someone? What about being faithful to your OWN wife, asshole!"
"You have NO RIGHT to lecture ME, Boy." Steve yelled, lunging for Lance’s shirt.
"Oh, bring it on!" Lance started to dive for him, as well. It took Chris and Johnny to hold onto Steve.
"BE!" Mercedes said loudly.
Lance stopped resisting the guys, his heart stopped. Steve swung and missed his punch. Lance’s body relaxed and the guys let go of him, seeing as he wasn’t attempting to go after Steve any more. As if in a trance, Lance walked over to where she was standing. He embraced her.
"I don’t think there’s anything I don’t remember now." Lance was holding on to her for dear life, tears welling up in his eyes. "So, before your temper gets you into a mess, like that night in Liam’s office...please, my beloved." Mercedes whispered lovingly, "Please Be. Take me home."
There was laughter coming from the master bedroom. Great joy. Great celebration.
"This ice cream is AWESOME." Lance managed to say, as he was kissing Mercedes, sucking off the ice cream as she would place it on her tongue.
"This is the ONLY way to eat ice cream, baby." Lance smiled, mischievously. His mouth worked his way down over her chin, her neck, her breasts.
"Ooo. Do you think we shocked Wes and LuAnn when we were making out in the car?" Mercedes asked giggling. Lance had buried his head against her chest. "That tickles." His eyebrows rose and fell expressively. She dissolved into a giggling fit.
"Do you remember...the desk in the house on the Vineyard?" Lance asked, holding her as they both lay naked on their bed.
Mercedes gave him a sly look, "Oh bay bee. How about the couch on the private plane that took us home to Mississippi?"
"How about the boat on the lake at the house in Mississippi?"
"Ahh! Rocking the boat. Rocking my life...Be. I love you, Be."
"Be for Bass, Honey bees...because you...taste so SWEET!" Lance said expressively as he kissed her on each syllable.
"Be for beloved." Mercedes said quietly. Lance kissed her long and hard. Tilting his head, deepening his contact with each breath.
Sometime before dawn, as Lance put Ellie back into her crib after he changed her diaper and rocked her to sleep. He heard Mercedes awaken with a yell.
"Lance!" Mercedes was sitting upright in bed, looking terribly frightened.
He immediately went to her, "What is it? I thought you were asleep, Baby." He shushed her. "Was it a nightmare?" He kissed her forehead.
"That man in the airport. Be...It was Dr. Fitzpatrick."
