71. Chapter Seventy-One
Through the entire night, I lay beside Poppy, holding her tightly in my arms. The noises coming from inside the building and the constant sirens made it impossible for me to sleep. With just one day remaining before I have to fly back to New Zealand, there is an overwhelming amount of things to take care of.
The removalist confirmed they’d be here at ten to pack up Poppy and Alex’s stuff, so we didn”t miss our flight at noon. Kit gave me the good news that Lionel is lending us his private jet to fly home to save time. And she also mentioned that we have a new band manager for our time in New Zealand. I know Lionel is doing everything to keep us with the label, but I can”t wait to go out on our own.
While I never asked Poppy what happened in her mother’s house yesterday, I can see that whatever it was has deeply affected her. She tried to fake a smile for me and Alex, but I could see right through it. I get shitty parents. My asshole father is like the poster boy for fucked up parents.
The crack in the blind allows a soft, golden light to filter into the room, filling it with a warm glow. The sound of footsteps hitting the wooden floorboards reaches my ears. Alex must be awake.
With utmost care, I gently adjust Poppy’s position to free my arm without interrupting her peaceful sleep. Putting on my boxers and jeans, I head out to meet Alex.
When I step into the family room, I see Alex on the couch, a glass of milk in his hand, watching cartoons on the television. The moment he lays eyes on me, a smile breaks out across his face, and I can’t help but notice the milk mustache on his upper lip.
“What are you watching?” I ask, moving further into the room.
“Bluey,” he says, diverting his attention back to the show.
I glance at the television and notice a talking blue dog. I sit with him for a moment, watching it briefly before I get off the couch and go search for some coffee.
While I wait for the coffee to brew, I make my way over to the many boxes that Poppy packed last night. Curiosity got the best of me when I asked her why there were fewer vinyls than before. Reluctantly, she confessed she had no choice but to sell a few of them in order to cover the bills. It’s painful to hear she’s been struggling all these years and had to sell the things she loved. There’s something I haven’t shared with her yet. I haven’t told her about the grand piano that sits collecting dust in my house. Now I wonder if I subconsciously bought it for Poppy, not knowing the twists and turns our lives would take.
Never in a million years did I expect my life to unfold the way it has. Reflecting on the younger version of myself, the one who craved it all, the fame, the fortune, and the groupies, I now realize just how na?ve I was. Even if I hadn’t achieved success in this industry, I would have continued creating music no matter what. However looking back now, I understand that a desire to prove all the assholes wrong, to show them I was not some worthless piece of shit like they thought I was, fueled my initial drive. People like Poppy’s mom, who still hold disdain for me, can simply go to hell. I’ve accomplished tasks that exceed my wildest dreams.
I have a job that brings me immense joy. I love being able to create music and travel the world with my band of brothers, my chosen family, who would go to great lengths to protect me. Above all, I have my own family - a woman whom I have loved for years, and she has blessed me with the most precious gift imaginable. I am deserving of it all. Though I couldn’t see it back then, I now know that I am so much more than what they think and how they treat me.
Upon hearing the sound of Poppy’s voice, I turn around. “Hey sweetheart,” she says, making her way over to Alex still seated on the couch.
“Hey Mom,” he says, his gaze fixed on the television.
Poppy moves over, planting a kiss on the top of his head before reaching for the empty milk glass sitting next to him on the couch. When she approaches me, a radiant smile lights up her face.
Her sleepy eyes and unkempt hair only add to her beauty, making her look even more enchanting.
As she places the empty glass in the sink, I notice her gaze lingering on my chest, her eyes fixated on the tattoo she adores tracing with her fingertips in bed. At first, she may have questioned my declaration of love. However, her doubt vanished the instant she laid eyes on her name forever engraved on my skin.
She wraps her arms around my waist, resting her cheek against my chest. As I hold her close, I can feel the warmth of her body melting into mine, creating a sense of deep comfort.
“What time did you wake up?” she asks, tilting her head back to look at me.
”Not that long ago,” I tell her. “Just made a fresh pot of coffee.”
She rises up on tippy toes and kisses me before turning away. “I’ll get us a cup.”
My gaze drifts down to admire her ass in those tight sleep shorts. Last night, all I wanted to do was get her naked and sink into her, but with Alex in the next room and the paper thin walls, I knew it was best to just hold her. However, tonight, when we get back to my place, I’ll indulge in all the dirty things I want to do to her. Need to get my fix before I fly out for a week without her by my side. It”s killing me to imagine not having her there with me, not being able to touch her. I’ve endured years without physical contact, but now, seven days seems unbearable compared to all those years.
As Poppy grabs two coffee cups from the cupboard, I move over and lean against the kitchen counter. “Are you nervous about leaving everything behind and moving somewhere new?”
She turns her head and stares at me while holding the coffee pot. “Why… are you having second thoughts?” she asks.
“No. Never. I want this for us, for our family,” I tell her.
“So, what do you actually mean?” she asks, going back to pour our coffees.
“I know that you have your mom here, as well as Mrs. B,” I say, accepting the cup she offers me. I take a sip, tasting the bitterness on my tongue. Despite its unpleasant taste, I do my best to drink it, realizing that tomorrow, when Poppy wakes up, all she has to do is press a button to have a perfectly brewed coffee, unlike this awful crap.
“My mom told me straight up that if I didn”t do what she wanted, I meant nothing to her. Mrs. B won’t be around. She texted me saying she”s moving to help her son-in-law with the grandkids. So, there’s nothing left for me here. I”m happy we”re finally doing what we should”ve done ages ago.” She turns and leans against the counter across from me. “What makes me nervous, though, is being in your house without you being there.”
”It”s not just my house anymore, Princess. Looking back now, I realize that when I designed it; I had this vivid image of us sharing a life in it.”
“How so?”
“The media room has this huge ass TV. Even though the designer said reclining seats were a good idea, I wanted a couch. I wanted to recreate the times we spent watching The Real Housewives together. Since Theo watches it with me sometimes, I had to get him his own chair. It was weird having him sit next to me since we used to make out on your mother’s couch. And then, there”s this grand piano, perfectly placed for me to watch you play while I chill on the couch.”
“You have a grand piano?” she asks, her face lighting up with a smile.
“Yeah, even though I suck at playing it, I had to get one. When they were drawing up the plans, I insisted on having a grand piano as the centerpiece of the open living area. I mean, I could just relax on the couch and listen to the sound of you playing, like how I used to sit on your bed and watch you create magic on your keyboard. It was this morning when I realized that everything around me seemed perfectly designed with you in mind. I know I have to leave early tomorrow morning, but remember, this home is the one I built for us. Do whatever you and Alex want to make it feel like home for the both of you.”
“Xander, I—”
“No, please listen. My main priority isn’t the house. You and Alex are what truly matters to me. Paint his room with animals all over the walls if you’d like. It doesn’t bother me. My only desire is for the both of you to be happy.”
“But we are happy. We don’t need extravagant expenses to be happy, Xander.”
Right from the start, I’ve always admired that quality in her. At first, I assumed she was privileged and spoiled, hence the nickname Princess, but she has since shattered that assumption with her actions.
“Okay, but if you need anything while I”m away, just say it.”
“I will,” she says. “But we probably won’t need anything.”
Her eyes speak volumes. I can see the unconditional love she has for me. I”ve never had someone look at me with so much love. In the past, girls have desired me, and I recognize that familiar look—the one that hints at their desire for me to fuck them. Back in high school, Jade, Savannah, and all those other girls used to cast that lustful glance my way. Groupies look at me because I’m Xander Williams, the front man for Broken Oasis, but the look in Poppy’s eyes is genuine, brimming with love, and it shows that I am her everything.
”Mom, I”m hungry,” Alex says as he comes over.
We both glance at him and as I let go of Poppy, Alex tugs at my arm. As I lift him up, Poppy”s smile widens, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
“How about I make us pancakes?” suggests Poppy.
“Yes,” Alex says, full of excitement.
“Alex, why don’t you go get dressed? We have a big day today,” Poppy says, turning her attention to the cupboard as she gathers the ingredients to make pancakes.
“Daddy, can you come with me?” he asks.
“Sure,” I say, gently setting him down on the floor.
Without wasting a moment, he dashes off down the hall to his room. I didn’t get the chance to see his room yesterday. While Poppy packed a few things, I played silly games with Alex to keep him entertained. Last night when Poppy tucked him into bed, I didn’t want to interrupt their special moment between mother and son. After reading Alex another book on the couch before his bedtime, I said my goodnight.
“I’ll be back soon,” I say, making my way down the hall.
I walk in and find him rummaging through a couple of packed boxes.
“What are you looking for?” I ask as he pulls stuff out of a box.
”Just some clothes,” he says, tossing a stuffed gorilla on the floor.
”Hold on,” I cut in. “I don”t think Mom put them in there.”
He stops and stares at me.
Taking a quick look around the room, my gaze lands on a chair in the corner, where I notice a pile of neatly folded clothes. ”Are they the ones?” I ask, pointing in that direction.
His eyes lock on the direction I’m indicating, and he immediately sprints towards it. Something in his room catches my gaze, luring me towards it with curiosity. Holding the metal photo frame in my hand, I settle onto the bed to examine it. The photo immortalizes a moment from years ago, showcasing a younger Poppy and me in our youthful glory, beaming at the camera. The memory hits me like a wave - I was at Poppy’s place, and she wouldn’t let me off the hook until I smiled for the photo. I can’t forget how she made silly faces, and I just had to smile.
To my surprise, she had kept this photo for all these years and gave it to Alex. No wonder he recognized me the first time I met him. Despite all the mistakes I made and the challenges Poppy endured, she never harbored any anger towards me or portrayed me negatively to our son. Instead, she included me in his life, making sure that he knew who his father was.
If only I could go back and tell my younger arrogant self, not to be a selfish asshole, that the key to true happiness is this incredible girl and the life we’d have. Don’t turn your back on her, because she doesn’t deserve to be abandoned. The way she sees you differs completely from how others see you. In her eyes, you are an exceptional individual who means the world to her.
“We should pack that as well,” Alex says, walking over and taking the photo frame from my hands. He puts the frame in the box, then picks up the gorilla and puts it on top.
“I’m going to help Mommy with breakfast,” I say, making my way to the door, and giving him some space to get dressed.
While Poppy skillfully flips the pancakes, I make my way over to her. I wrap my arms around her gently from behind, pulling her closer, and plant a kiss on her shoulder. ”Thank you,” I say appreciatively, my voice filled with gratitude.
”What for?” she asks, her gaze lingering on me as she casts a glance over her shoulder.
“For simply being you, and for including me in Alex’s life.”