Caroline

My phone rang and woke me from a deep sleep. Once again Gizmo is spooning me, but he is still snoring.

"Hello," I said in a groggy tone.

"I woke you." I heard a man's voice.

"Cody?" I asked.

"Yeah, what the hell is that noise?" He asked.

"I shared my bed with a loud snorer last night," I said.

I heard silence.

"Umm..you what? Who?" He asked.

I laughed. "An Irish beast who is spooning me." I struggled to get up.

"Huh?" He's completely lost.

"Gizmo, he snores." I answered.

Cody laughed. "Oh my God, I had no clue what to think."

"I don't know why people think I need a man. This one snores, farts, and slobbers all over me in the morning. I think Gizmo has me covered." I said and he chuckled.

"You're probably right. I hope you still got some sleep." He said.

"I did, thanks." I laid back in my bed.

"Are you available today? I thought maybe we could work later." He asked.

"Well, yeah, I have brunch with my mom and sister, but I should be back by 2 or so," I answered.

"Great, is your place okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, that sounds great." I said.

"I'll see you this afternoon, Caroline." He said.

"See you then, Cody." I said.

I set my phone down and looked at a now awake Gizmo. "You have got to start sleeping in your own bed." He licked my face, and I squealed as he got way too excited, and I pulled the covers over my face.

A few hours later, I'm sitting across from my mother and sister, Amanda.

"Tell us how you ended up singing with Cole Reid!" Amanda was way too excited.

"His daughter is one of my students. He wants to hire me to collaborate, and help him write some new songs." I said.

"Sweetheart, that is so exciting. What a great opportunity, but he knows you will be in Vienna this fall?" My mother Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, he actually asked me to go on tour this summer." I said.

"What? Oh my God! All those guys are so hot! Tell them you need an assistant!" Amanda was still way too excited.

"That will really give you some experience, will you be going?" My mother sat down at her kitchen table with us.

"I haven't decided. We sang together, and that alone sparked rumors. He's married and for some reason, people don't focus on the relationship I'm building with the rest of the band." I said.

"That's because everyone is always looking for the drama. Don't give them any, and you won't have a problem. I think after everything that happened with Matthew, its a great idea." My mother encouraged me.

"What about dad? I can't control what the tabloids make up. There are already rumors about our chemistry." I said.

She shook her head. "After what he did, I say screw him." Mom laughed, and my sister and I sat in complete shock.

"Go, go live your life, both of you. You've both grown to be beautiful woman with integrity and self-respect. I'm proud of the women you both became, and I don't want you thinking you have to live up to any certain image. Go on tour, then go to Vienna. Enjoy your lives now, because someday you'll become mother's, and your babies will be all that matters." She stood up and hugged me.

"Thanks, mom."

I got home just in time to walk Gizmo, before Cody is due to arrive. As soon as I saw that black truck coming down the road, Gizmo started to get excited. This is something new.

He pulled me over to Cody's truck, and I could barely keep up. I don't think it was Cody he was looking for, so I laughed. "What's wrong with him?" Cody had a smile on his face, while he opened his back door and pulled out his guitar.

"I think he was looking for Jessie." I said as Gizmo was sniffing around the truck.

"She does tend to have an effect on animals." He chuckled.

"Come on Giz, let's go inside." I practically had to pull him inside. I offered Cody a water, and we went straight downstairs to work. We sat quietly and jotted down our ideas.

I set down my pen and looked at Cody with a smile. He must have sensed it because he looked at me with his own smile.

"What?"

"Well, your question yesterday?" I answered with another question.

"Yeah." His smile grew.

"I talked to my mom today, and she really just confirmed my answer." I said.

"And?" He looked so hopeful.

"Yes! I'll go on tour." I said.

He hopped off his seat and picked me up into a hug.

"Yes! Thank you!" He swung me around.

He set me down, and I just smiled up at him.

"I'll take care of everything, all you have to do is show up at the airport. You have two weeks of school left, right? I'll check the schedule to see where we will be. You have no idea how much this means to me!" He's wearing a huge smile.

"Let's go celebrate!" He took my hand, and pulled me upstairs.

"I should let Gizmo out first." I said.

"I'll do it, you just grab what you need. What you're wearing is perfect, so don't change. Oh, and grab your guitar." He winked as he put the leash on my dog.

"You better take him out back. Giz attracts enough attention." I reminded him. My neighbors would go nuts if they realize he is the man in the truck.

"You're right." He took Giz around back, and I freshened up then went back down. I watched him outside and he was on the phone talking with so much excitement, and I presume it was Dean on the other end.

"Are you ready?" He asked when he walked back inside.

"Sure, where are we going?" I asked.

"Somewhere nobody will see us." He winked.