Music of the Soul (Runaway Train #2.5)(4)
Author: Katie Ashley

Chapter Two

After Jake left me partially sexed-up with no finish in the bathroom, I slipped into the cold shower that I knew was in order to get me through the night. As I lathered up my hair, I could barely contain the excitement that bubbled within me when I thought about my wedding day. I was probably most excited about the honeymoon, which for me wasn’t just about the sex. It would be the first time that Jake and I were actually alone together. The last few months had been so hectic with our touring schedule. Since my brothers wanted to cut a new album, most of my free time was spent working on material with them. Even though I’d helped Jake write I’ll Take You with Me, I still felt like a total and complete newbie when it came to songwriting. Luckily, Micah was willing to lend his skills to our cause.

While I was spending late nights at the studio, Jake and Runaway Train were also working on their next album. Considering the last one had been Grammy winning, the pressure was on to make the next album even bigger. So, between the touring and the albums, we rarely had time when it was just the two of us. And while we would only have a week alone together, I planned on making the most of every single second.

After I finished showering, I got out and toweled off. Grabbing my robe off the door, I slipped into the silky material. At the sound of a squeal in the bedroom, I grinned and padded over to the door. When I opened it, I saw Bella on the bed with Mia bent over her. As Mia blew raspberries on Bella’s naked belly, Bella giggled and kicked her feet. Mia pulled away to c**k her head. “Now can we put on your pretty dress without you pitching a hissy fit?”

Bella replied with a coo and a wave of her arms. Mia glanced over her shoulder at me. “I’m putting her in the one you gave her at her baptism.”

I smiled. “She’ll look beautiful in it, I’m sure.” I had been both surprised and honored when Mia and AJ had asked me to be Bella’s godmother. I felt there were other more deserving family members, especially AJ’s sister. But Mia had insisted. So four months ago I’d stood with AJ’s brother, Antonio, at the altar of Christ the King as Bella was baptized. Among several gifts I’d gotten her was a dress I’d hoped she’d be wearing to her parent’s rehearsal dinner since it was lacy and frilly. But it looked like she was going to be debuting it at mine since Mia and AJ weren’t getting married for another four months.

“Sorry about Jake freaking out like that on you,” I said, as I toweled my hair.

Mia adjusted the enormous lavender bow on Bella’s head. “It’s okay. I’m surprised it didn’t happen to him sooner like it did to Rhys when we were out on tour.”

“Oh no. Did he have a similar reaction?”

Mia laughed. “Worse. He ran into the wall trying to get away from me.”

“Seriously?” I asked.

“Sadly, yes.” With a smile, she shook her head. “Men spend their lives being obsessed with boobs, and then the moment a baby is attached to it, they lose their minds.”

I grinned. “I know, right?”

“Well, when it’s all said and done, I’m really, really sorry that I interrupted you two.” She winked at me. “You guys looked pretty hot and heavy there.”

“It’s okay.” When Mia gave me a ‘yeah right’ look, I shook my head. “Trust me, it was fine. Besides, Jake was trying to break my resolve on abstaining until our wedding night.”

Mia’s dark brows furrowed in confusion. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, I decided to make our wedding night special, we wouldn’t have sex for a week before the wedding.”

“Hmm, maybe I should torture AJ with that in a few months.”

I laughed. “Why not?”

She grinned. “Considering we’ve already done everything backwards, I don’t think we need to worry about our wedding night being very special. In the end, you make your special moments, and they usually happen when you go off the script.”

“The script?”

“Oh, you know. The life script—the way you’ve meticulously planned out how everything is going to happen in your life.” Mia picked up Bella. As she stared into her daughter’s face, pure love emanated in her eyes. “My life script never would have ever included AJ. I mean, a rock star? Who in their right mind would want to marry someone who lives a rootless existence on the road with beautiful women constantly throwing themselves at their feet?” She snorted. “Not me, that’s for damn sure. But that’s where I was wrong. And when I decided to just screw the script, that’s when I found the truest of loves and the greatest of happiness.”

“I see what you mean.” I’d been pretty rigid with my life script lately, and I couldn’t help wondering if it was for the best. “Maybe I should go to Jake tonight after the party,” I murmured.

Mia adjusted Bella on her hip. “And finish what you started?” she asked with a sly smile.

“Oh yes.”

She grinned. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.” She then motioned to the bathroom. “Now go finish getting ready so you can put this plan in motion.”

I laughed. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied, before hurrying to the closet for my dress.

At a few minutes past six, Jake and I made our way down the hillside to the tent. It was already teeming with people as waiters in white jackets hurried about serving hors d’oeuvres. With a champagne flute in my hand, I weaved in and out of the tables as I tried to greet each and every one of our guests. “Don’t you look like a living dream?” Frank complimented when I came to the table full of Runaway Train roadies and their families.

I glanced down at my dress. I had picked a white, strapless, Grecian-styled dress with a glittering bodice for tonight’s party. Around my throat were Susan’s pearls. As I turned to the side, I asked, “You like it?”

“It’s beautiful, but you’re even more beautiful in it.”

“Aw, you’re too sweet.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek, which earned hoots and hollers from the men.

“Hey, now, save some loving for me,” Jake teased from behind us.

“Fine, fine, you can have some too,” I replied, before kissing his cheek.

“Thanks, Angel,” Jake murmured with a wink. As he stayed joking with the guys, I moved on since dinner would be served promptly at seven. While I chatted and laughed with friends and family, there was one table that I kept putting off going to, and that was the one where Jake’s father and stepmother were seated. Taking a long gulp of my champagne, I bit the bullet by plastering on my best smile.