Caroline

I made it home just in time for Jessie to come for her lesson.  When they finally arrived, Gizmo went insane.

"Look mommy, he's like a horse inside the house." She giggled.

"Goodness, that's a big dog." June seemed timid. 

"He's just a big energetic cuddle bug," I reassured her, then offered them a drink. June looked tired, so I offered her to stay for the lesson.

"Do parents usually stay?  Do you mind?" She asked.

"Not at all.  Cody usually stays, and with her age, her attention span won't be that long.  I'm afraid you'll just have to turn back to get her anyway." They followed me downstairs, and we started the lesson quickly.

Again, Jessie seemed more interested in Gizmo.  My point in all this wasn't Jessie anyway.  It was June, to let her get to know me.  I'll be on tour with her husband, and we have started a friendship, so its only right to invite her into my world.

"Will you play me a song, Miss Harper.  Please?" Jessie begged.

I looked at her mom and she nodded, then Jessie laid down with Gizmo. 

I had to smile while I was playing, and Jessie's eyes looked heavy.  I nodded in her direction for June to see, and she also smiled. 

"Well, that looked easy." June laughed.  "I might need to get you to record that for home." She said.

Both Gizmo and Jessie looked so peaceful.

"Can I get you a glass of wine or anything?" I asked.

She shook her head no.  "Wine and pregnancy don't mix."

My stomach just turned. 

"Oh, well congratulations." I said

"Thank you.  Are you excited about the tour?" She asked.

I was until a minute ago...

"Yeah, it's a new experience.  I hope to learn a lot from the band, and hopefully, we will be able to create a whole album." I walked over and sat on the couch next to her.

"I saw Cody's knuckles all busted up, and he wouldn't tell me what happened.  I know it was from the bar, so do you know what happened?" She asked.

Oh boy.

"Ugh, that was my fault.  My ex-husband got a little rough, and I guess Cody saw it." I said.

"Your ex-husband?" She asked.

"Yes, Matthew Harper.  I've only been divorced a few months now, so he isn't too happy with the time I've been spending with the band.  He really has no place to judge me." I said.

"How long were you married?" She asked.

"Nine years.  I just bought this house a few months ago too, but it was before I knew I was leaving town." I answered.

"Do you mind if I ask how you knew it was over with your husband?" She asked.

What's this about?

"Okay, yeah, he came home with a baby that was almost a year old.  He hid the fact he cheated for almost two years, and was even with her through her pregnancy.  She took off, and he brought the baby home.  He thought I would be more forgiving since essentially the affair was my fault for not spending enough time with him.  I hate a cheater, and I feel once a cheater always a cheater." I said.

She nodded with a sadness in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm just...okay we need to talk." She said, and I almost felt panicked.

"Okay." I was reluctant.

"My husband has always been faithful to me.  He is a good man, but I know he feels tempted by you." She said.

I interrupted her.

"I promise you we are only friends.  I have no desire to pursue anything with a married man." I said.

"I know, and he has those same morals." She looked conflicted.

"I don't need people to get the wrong idea about this tour.  I have not just my reputation at stake, but my family's.  Please don't worry that anything tasteless would happen on that tour." I said.

She just looked at me.  "I don't think my husband has any plans on acting on his feelings.  I'm glad you share those morals, but I'm not sure you have as much to lose as he does, Caroline." She said.

I get where this is going.

"My father is Owens Ravenheart." I said.

Her head whipped up, and her eyes grew like saucers.

"I knew he had a family here, but I had no idea it was you." She said.

"I may not have children, or some superstar status, but my father has the whole world looking at him.  I would never purposely do anything to tarnish his image.  What my ex-husband did, well it almost tarnished it enough.  Vienna is a dream come true for me, and I also do not want to do anything to risk that opportunity.  I will be focused on work during this tour." I assured her.

"I can't tell you how much better I feel.  For what it counts, your ex-husband is an idiot.  You are a lovely woman Caroline." She said.

"You can call me Carrie.  That's what all my girlfriends call me." I said.

She smiled.  "Okay, Carrie."

"Do you mind me asking if everything is okay?" I asked.

She nodded.  "It will be, they say things happen for a reason." She didn't elaborate.

"That's right." I agreed.

We talked for a while longer until Jessie woke, then I walked them out.  I guess she just confirmed why Cody seemed so down the last few times we spoke on the phone.  I know he doesn't want another baby.