Julie's POV

"Mam, what if it's too cold?" I asked, she had got me a change of clothes. I wore the crop top and shorts feeling like a right idiot. It's November for god sakes.

"Bubba, it's still hot over there! See I changed too" She had warn a blush pink summer dress along with matching sandals - I guess I wouldn't be the only one looking like an idiot

"How long until we land?" I asked, taking my seat beside her

"About thirty minutes" She said looking at her watch and giving me a smile

"So what are we going to do? Are we just going to go to meetings the whole time?" I asked, putting my seatbelt back on - I glanced out of the window; we were flying through the clouds, I had never dreamed to ever be in the position I was currently in; traveling - with my Mam.

"I have about two meetings today, and two more tomorrow.. And that's it. I booked extra days so we could spend sometime together" She said making me smile, it was something I had never experienced before - even after being with my parents for about a year, I was still trying to get used to all the attention. I'll never get used to it.

"Where are you going to take me then?"

"Will go to the beach, do some shopping, I'll even take you to learn how to surf if you want" She said, leaning in and giving me an unexpected kiss against my cheek

"Mam?" I said, lacing our fingers together and leaning my head against her shoulder

"Yeah?"

"Have you always wanted to become a pop-star?" I asked, playing with her fingers

"For as long as I can remember, is it something you'd want to become?" She asked, I didn't have to take it into thought before answering her

"No.. I like my privacy" I breathed, suddenly getting anxiety just thinking about the men bombarding into my personal space

"I told you this is me last year doing this.. I'll do more private things like produce music" She tried to reassure me, untangling our fingers and wrapping her arm around my shoulder - bringing me into her

"But its not like they'll stop following us" I looked up at her once she didn't answer, she looked deep in thought

"Can I tell you something?" She asked, looking closely at me - I nodded encouraging her to go on

"When I was first married to Ashley it was worse than this, and when we were going through a divorce they used to camp outside me old house.. just waiting for us to come out.." she trailed off, looking at nothing in particular - she must have had a flashback, her facial expression had turned into a sad frown

"I practically felt like a prisoner in me own house, then your Mum came and saved us. She basically kidnapped us and took us to Thailand.. It was then that I realized just how much I loved her.. She always put us first and she still does" Her smile returned to her face with just the mention of Mum

"She's me hero.. Don't go telling her that, she'll probably get big headed about it" She laughed

"She would" I joined in, I didn't believe in the meaning of love until my parents came into my life - they had a love so strong that they shared it. They shared their love with me; because she had the same look on her face when she spoke about me, when she held me, kissed me, and when she simply told me those three words.

**

Julie's POV

"You weren't lying" I huffed, it was hot - no it was boiling. I could already feel myself getting a sunburn and I was standing just outside of the automatic doors at the airport. I was able to hear my own thoughts then suddenly I realized. Silence. I looked around in confusion - my face beaming into my biggest smile yet

"Mam!" I giggled, giving her a shake - she looked at me like I had lost my mind

"They're not here.. Look" I pointed around; we were deserted from the paparazzi - not a single one in sight. I began to dance and twirl in my spot - my hands thrown in the air, as I took in the hot California air - the smell of sea and sand lingering in the air.

She grabbed me by my waist - spinning me around like a child, my legs swinging in the air, we must have both looked like two loons giggling and laughing at nothing but our sudden freedom for strange men. Our moment was interrupted with Lilly pulling up and obnoxiously honking her horn

"Come on" Mam set me down and held my hand in hers leading us to the suv

"Hey Lilz" Mam said, climbing into the car and slamming the door shut - the cool aircondition relaxing us instantly

"Hey guys! Okay Cheryl you'll need to be quick with check-in! The meeting is in about two hours" She informed Mam, getting a groan and huff in return - we were both exhausted from the flight, I don't know how she manages to keep up

The ride to the hotel wasn't too long; it was a ten-minute drive from the airport. Lilly told Mam what the meeting will be about - I found myself zoning them out; leaning my head against the window - taking in the 'The City of Angeles' Palm trees and sun, I couldn't wait until Mam shows me around. I always enjoyed spending time with Mam, we both enjoyed the same things, laughed about the same silly jokes - we didn't need to be chatty, but when we were; you couldn't get us to shut up. She was my Best Friend.

"Jules, grab your backpack" Mam said bringing me out of my daze, we were parked in front of the hotel entrance - valet already taking care of our cases. My body worked on its own, grabbing my rugsak and following Mam closely - I felt out of place. The accents, the people, the atmosphere - all of it; I was still home in someway, Mam was home.

She checked into our room - grabbing my hand and leading us to our suite. The hotel was luxurious, from its gold painted ceilings, to its extravagant chandeliers - it was breathtaking. Our suite was even more beautiful, modern and trendy - from its black and white theme. The only thing I could think about was the bed I would be sleeping in, but right now wasn't the time because we had a meeting to get to.

"You can stay here if you'd like, until I finish me meeting" She said, already opening her case and throwing items around - she was always messy

"No I want to come with you" I wasn't feeling myself; I needed to be next to her - clinging; its what I did best.

"If you're tired its o-"

"No I want to come with you" I repeated, standing beside her - needing to be as close as possible; it was one of my bad qualities. I was a clinger, and I didn't know how to control it.

"Aye okay" She pouted, reaching out and stroking my cheek - I guess she must have sensed my uneasiness. She took me into her arms giving me a cuddle, a much needed cuddle.

"You okay?" She asked, pulling me back to get a better look at me - her fingers racking through my hair and tying it into a messy ponytail

"Mhmm" I closed my eyes, loving the feel of her fingers running through my hair

"Come on I'll get you something to eat before the meeting" She said, grabbing her bag and walking us out of the suite and back out to the California heat

"What you in the mood for?" She asked, I guess we weren't driving - we walked through the streets freely. Our moods set at a high, it's as if we were imprisoned and now we were free. Freedom was calling us, and we were free of paparazzi

"Is it always like this here?" I asked, walking hand-in-hand down the busy streets

"Nobody knows us here" She smiled widely

"So why is your meeting here then?" I asked with a confused pout

"Because me management is here" She rolled her eyes, pulling me into a local café - she seemed to know her way around

"Have you been here?" I asked, watching her closely - she seemed so relaxed. Her smile hadn't left her lips and eyes the second we landed in LAX

"Loads" She said as we stood in line - no workers said 'Mrs. Tweedy-Walsh I'll take your order over here' No instead we waited in line just like everyone else - she wasn't complaining. In fact, she was loving it.

"What can I get for you?" The worker behind the counter asked

"Let me get a chicken roll, and a... What do you want bubba?" Mam asked, her accent changed - she was speaking slower, almost in an American accent; I guess she wanted the worker to understand her

"I'll have whatever you're having" I said, she went to order our on-the-go meal; quickly paying for it and waiting on the side for it to be made

"Let me get a chicken roll" I mocked her in my best American accent

"If I spoke in me Geordie accent we'd be here for days waiting on that fcking chicken roll" She said in an annoyed tone

"It better be good" I joked, getting a playful poke - nobody was giving us a hint of attention. The men and women would take second glances at Mam, but that was pretty much it. Maybe it was because she was beautiful - but not because they knew she was famous

"You're going to love it here" She whispered, standing behind me and pulling me into her - her arms wrapping around my shoulders

"How long do you think the meetings will be?" I asked, studying the atmosphere around me - it was all so hipster like. The guys were wearing cut off shirts, showing the muscles on either side of their torsos, swimming shorts seemed to be the trend. We were close to the beach so it was filled with surfers walking around, skating on their skateboards - even the girls had this 'cool vibe' to them

"Probably two hours each.. we can go back to the hotel, take a nap and go out for dinner" She said, kissing my head and releasing me from the affectionate cuddle to get our order - she signaled for me to hold her hand as we walked back out to the streets. Eating our food as we chatted on our way back to the hotel - finding Lilly waiting for us, we wordlessly got into the car and let her drive us to the meeting.

"Oh shoot! I forgot to call your Mum" Mam groaned, pulling out her phone and quickly dialing her number. It was 8:30pm now, the sun was slowly setting - giving the sky that romantic orange glow.

"Hello?" Mam said, scrunching her face - trying to figure out what Mum was saying. By the sounds of it she was telling her off - Mam moved the ear piece away from her ear and put it on speaker

"Calling me at three o'clock in the morning! Did I not tell you to call me the second you landed!" Mum snapped

"I kn-"

"No you didn't know! Obviously if you knew you would have called!" She continued

"Now.." she took a deep breath

"How was your flight?" She asked, getting me to laugh - Mam's face looked like she was sh*tting herself. She stuck her tongue out at me and took it off speaker, speaking to her more privately

"It was good, I miss you already" She whispered, Lilly looked at me through the rearview mirror with a smile

"They're dead cute" She cooed, and they were - they couldn't get enough of each other.

**

Cheryl's POV

Julie's been acting odd all day, she keeps zoning out every so often. I can't help but wonder if everything is okay. She sat in the corner of the conference room - gazing out of the window. She doesn't seem sad, she's always in her own world - the world she keeps locked and sealed away from us

"So promotion is going to be very busy this time around" Me management spoke, I was so lost in me own thoughts I didn't hear a single word

"What do you mean by busy?" I asked, needing more information

"Lots of interviews, photoshoots, radio and t.v. Promotion! It's going to be a busy two months for you" He said, I noticed Julie's face crumble into a sad frown

"I'm sure I'll have some breaks tho" I said, needing to get that smile back on her face

"Most likely not, We'll have your diary setup for the next two months and sent to you through email" He said, standing up - along with everyone else. The meeting was over; finally after two hours

"Jules" I called her over to us, she walked over with a light smile playing on her lips

"Can we go back to the hotel now?" She asked, I took her hand; pulling her onto me lap

"Do you not want to go out for dinner?" I asked her, she shook her head - resting against me chest; playing with the locket she got us for me birthday

"Are you tired?" I asked, placing kisses along her forehead

"Mhmm" I pulled out me phone, seeing a text from Lilly letting us know she was outside waiting for us

"Come on, Lilly's outside"

**

Julie's POV

I pretended to be asleep as we lay in bed - the film playing on low volume; filling the air with soft voices. I could feel Mam's eyes on me as she lay facing me. Her fingers brushing through my hair lightly. She was whispering affectionate words to me - thinking I was well away in dreamland

"I wish I had watched you grow up" She whispered, her voice was barely audible - and I think she wanted it that way. She didn't want me to hear her confessions.

"You'll always be me little girl to us, you'll always be a baby. No matter how old you get" She continued, leaning in a placing featherlight kisses against my forehead

"My beautiful girl" I heard her take a deep breath - she was trying to control her emotions

"I'm so happy you wound up on me Mam's front lawn that night" I did too, I always think back to that night - my life would have been so different; I would have been a mess. I would have been dead - I wanted to give my life up; because I gave up.

"Life is so much more perfect with you in it now" She placed a final kiss before climbing out of bed, I opened my eyes slightly watching her take her phone and go out to the terrace. Just as the glass door closed I let my tears stream down my cheeks.