Chapter 16
The days that followed were somewhat of a revelation to him.
The only girl he had introduced to his parents as his girlfriend in the past had been Rhea.
They had never passed judgement once until the day he rang to tell them it was over.
His father breathed a sigh of relief, commenting that he had never liked her.
His mother had backed that up with a rather brusque, ‘Thank the lord.’ Now here they were fawning over Grace like she was the chosen one.
His mother spent time teaching her how to cook basic stuff, and Patrick, well, if he patted Alex on the shoulder whilst winking at him one more time he thought he may just go mad.
They had spent the days as a foursome either at the lighthouse or walking along the cliff top.
In the evenings his parents had discreetly retired to their temporary room leaving the couple to explore their newly formed relationship to the full.
Tomorrow was Thursday; they had agreed to fly back to London in the morning before heading to the naming ceremony at the weekend.
Alex had phoned Chris to organise a contracts meeting with the band, only to be told that there was a promo gig in the diary that he had been unable to get the band out of.
He had no choice but to honour the arrangement; it would cost the company and the band a small fortune if they were to pull out at such short notice.
Alex was sure that if he put his foot down, refused to perform, then Chris would have to sort it out.
He also knew that if he did want to remain in the industry, in whatever capacity, then he had to make sure there was no bad press surrounding him.
Anyway it would give him a chance to introduce Grace to everyone before the shit hit the fan.
Sitting out on the decking that encompassed the base of the lighthouse the four of them shared a bottle of wine, sitting beside the fire pit as they chatted. “Why don’t you bring your guitar out, son? Play something for us. We haven’t heard you play alone in such a long time.”
“I don’t know, Pops. Mum looks cold.”
“Well then bring a blanket too. Go on, please?” Grace reached over to nudge him encouragingly. After his rendition of her mother’s lullaby the other night she was desperate to hear more.
“Really? You really want me to play?” Raising his eyebrow he questioned her, wanting to make sure she wasn’t trying to appease his parents.
“Yes. Really, really.” She smiled at him as he stood.
Winking at her he bent to deposit a gentle kiss on her lips before fetching his guitar.
He returned a few minutes later with two blankets, handing one to his mother before wrapping one around Grace.
Sitting back down he began strumming out chords to Stand By Me, his mother’s favourite.
Recognising it instantly Ann began to sing the words softly as Patrick grinned stupidly at the pair of them.
It was easy to see where Alex got his talent from; the woman sang beautifully.
Grace sat captivated as they finished the song.
“Would you do Fallen? I really love that one. Please?” Grace asked cautiously, not wanting to appear like some strange fan girl to his parents.
“Sure, but it’ll cost you. Do you know how much I get paid to sing my own material?
” Chuckling as he began the haunting melody, it felt strange doing the song on his own.
Normally he had Ben at his side playing guitar so he could just concentrate on the lyrics.
He was sure the fact that it only required him and Ben was the real reason that the others had protested so hard about it being included on the last album.
He had penned it with the intent of it being released as a standalone single, not an album filler, but that fight was just one step too far.
The adoration in his parents’ eyes astounded Grace. They were evidently so proud of him and all he had achieved. Holding out a hand Patrick helped his wife to stand before they bid their goodnights, retiring to bed ready for the flight back in the morning.
“That was beautiful. I didn’t know you played too. So talented, Mr Carter. Play something else for me.” Grinning he began to play as Grace closed her eyes letting his voice wash over her senses.
First class flying was a wonder to behold.
As if it hadn’t been enough that they had been shepherded into the VIP lounge at the airport they were now safely seated in Upper Class being drip fed alcohol and nibbles.
Each of them sat in their own well equipped little pod, none of the normal two-three-two formation seating to be seen anywhere.
Grace gazed around a little intimidated and very scared.
Flying was her biggest fear. She wished to God that Alex hadn’t insisted she fly with him.
She would have been much happier on the train but the discussion had soon turned very heated with Alex stating that he could afford the best and he wanted to treat her, he wanted her to travel with him.
He had downright refused to even consider the train as an option so here she was sitting in her own mini suite on the upper deck of a very famous airline, trying desperately not to let her fear show.
Glancing across, Patrick and Ann were happily flicking channels whilst sipping on their complimentary drinks.
Alex played with his TV screen, adjusting his earphones.
Sensing her watching him he glimpsed up flashing his trademark smile.
The smile suddenly disappeared when he saw the look of terror spreading across her face.
Whipping the earpieces from his ears he was out of his seat and kneeling at her feet in seconds.
“What’s wrong, babe?” His voice was tight and anxious.
“I’m not good with planes, sorry. I told you I should have gone on the train.
I stupidly thought we’d be sitting next to each other downstairs and that would somehow make it easier for me but now I can’t even hold your hand.
Alex, you’re too far away. I don’t know if I can handle this.
” Grace tried desperately to stop the tears that were about to fall.
“Shit, why didn’t you tell me how bad it was?
Babe, what can I do?” Alex recognised the signs all too easily; he felt it every time he had to get on stage.
The sweaty palms, the cold clammy hands and the heart beating out of his chest. He could see it all in her eyes right now.
Reaching up he placed his palm on her cheek, cupping her face as she leaned into his hand.
Grace shook her head; there was nothing he could do, they were sitting on the bloody plane now with nowhere to go.
She was just going to have to endure the nightmare for however long it took to get to London.
“Shall I see if we can move downstairs? There might be a few spares. Is that going to help? Grace, tell me what to do. I’m lost here, baby,” he pleaded with her. He could see she was frightened and he wanted to fix it. Protect her no matter what. He wanted to take away the pain she was suffering.
“Alex, you cannot sit downstairs. Christ, I saw what happened when we went to breakfast. You freaked out in case someone would see you. How are you going to cope sitting down there with other people?” She could feel the tingling creeping up from her fingers and toes.
Her vision would start to blur next then the vomiting would begin.
Great. Even his parents were taking note of the commotion now; this was the last thing she needed.
“Just sit down. I’ll cope. I don’t really have a choice, do I? ”
That was it, he wasn’t letting this drop. She needed him and it was sink or swim time. Holding her face with both hands now he kissed the tip of her nose before pressing the button to summon the cabin crew.
“I’ll fix this, baby, just keep breathing with me.
” He lifted her hand from the knots she was trying to wring in her lap, placing it flat against his chest directly above his heart.
“Here, feel it?” She nodded and closed her eyes trying to concentrate, slowing her breathing to replicate the rise of fall of his chest. When the steward arrived he refused to stand as he addressed the uniformed man.
Instead he spoke without removing his attention from Grace for a second.
After explaining the problem the attendant disappeared with the promise of returning.
“Alex, you don’t have to do this. I’m making a scene. Everyone is staring at me and your parents think I am some kind of nut job.” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks right now. You are more important and if I have to sit downstairs then I will. I need to fix this.”
Patrick leant over from his own suite to speak to Alex.
“Son, I can sit downstairs with Grace if it helps. You could stay up here; I’ll take care of her.” Alex thanked his father but insisted if Grace went then so did he. Staying alone in first class wasn’t an option if she wasn’t with him. Seconds later the steward returned to address the couple.
“Sir, we have a couple of seats together but they are in economy, I’m afraid, and a refund would be impossible.
The other option is that you be seated downstairs for takeoff and landing but return to us as soon as it’s safe to move around the cabin.
That way we could ensure your privacy for most of your flight with us today.
” The man looked almost apologetic as he spoke.
Unbuckling Grace’s overly tightened seatbelt he assisted her out of the small booth before turning his attention to the staff again. “Lead the way.” Grace commenced with her protestations but Alex only turned to quieten her with a kiss. “Shh. I’m not changing my mind.”
As they headed down the metal staircase Grace felt his grip on her hand tighten as he pulled his sunglasses down from their resting place on top of his head.
Dipping his head low, he concentrated on the floor as they were led to seats at the front of the cabin.
Alex slid in first, sitting beside the window, pulling Grace into the aisle seat next to him.
Reaching across her body he fastened her seat belt before he attended to his own, then grasped her hand tightly again as she rested her head on his shoulder.
He felt the shudder emanate through her body.
Raising his arm he tucked her into his side holding her tightly in place as he whispered to her, softly reassuring her that he would take care of her.
As the engines roared into life Grace wiped away a stray tear that trickled down her cheek.
This was stupid; air travel was safer than crossing the road but somehow her body didn’t buy into that.
As they taxied down the runway Alex lifted her head to allow her to look into his eyes.
When he was sure he had her full attention he started to quietly recite the words to the lullaby she loved so much.
His voice barely above a whisper, he held her interest. By the time they were in the air he had completed two full recitals and he had seen her visibly relax in front of him.
Smiling softly she mouthed a quiet thank you to him as he rewarded her braveness with a gentle kiss.
The abrupt cough at their side alerted them to the steward who stood now waiting to escort them back upstairs to their rightful seats.
Once safely up there Alex guided her to the bar area where they sat for the remainder of the flight sipping on complimentary soft drinks as they chatted with his parents, who were desperately trying to keep the poor girl occupied before they had to take up their seats in economy for landing.