The Sanctuary (17 page)

“I understand.” Vicki giggled. “So when’s the date?”

“We’ll talk later!” I hung up the phone as Val approached me, paperwork in hand. “Are we all set?”

“Yes.” He held my hand as we began to walk to the car.

“If my staff acts a bit odd when you meet them, it’s because they know about the engagement. But I told them to keep mum on the subject until business is over.”

Val laughed. “You told them already?”

“They’re all excited to plan our wedding. Little do they know I already have a plan.”

“Oh? Do you mind sharing it with me?” His eyes were twinkling.

“Small, intimate, close friends and family. Nothing fancy. I wanted to hear your input first.”

“Whatever you want, darling.”

“Ahh, a smart groom.” I kissed him as we entered the car. “I suppose we’ll have to wait until your touring schedule is finalized before we set a date.”

“Why not get married now?”

“Because it will take me months to wrap up the loose ends here. When we get married, I want to be with you without responsibilities over my head. The only responsibility I want is loving you.”

John stopped the car, and I nodded to the doorman as he held the door open as well. I entered into my building with Val following closely behind. I inserted my key into the elevator and hit the letter “P.”

The doors opened, and I stepped directly into the foyer of my apartment. Edward, my butler, was waiting for me. “Good afternoon, Eve. Wonderful to have you home.”

I handed him my jacket. “Good to see you, Edward. Val is the new master of the house.” I nodded toward Val.

“Welcome. Anything you need, I am at your service.” Edward opened the main door, which lead into the great room of my apartment.

I stepped inside. Immediately the room grew silent. I walked to the dining room table, and everyone immediately followed suit. I caught Val staring at me in the reflection of the mirror on the wall.

“Where’s the tailor?” I addressed Sharon.

“He should be here any minute. Stuck in traffic.”

“And the stylist?”

“In the office, with several racks of suits as you requested.”

“Show Val to the office, please. Where is my ceremony team?” Five hands shot up in the air.

“Good. Let’s begin reviewing the program…”

For the next hour, we toiled over the details of the ceremony, making sure everyone knew what was expected of them. I made sure the groom would be equipped with an earpiece so his vows could be read to him in case he forgot his lines or in case the groomsmen fed him too much alcohol during the pre-wedding activities.

“Let’s take fifteen.” I got up from the table and headed into the office. “Tell me good news, Kenneth.” Kenneth, my stylist, was trying to outfit Val. Val shot me a glance. He was obviously vexed over something.

“I wanted your opinion. It’s a toss-up between these two.” Kenneth held up two options.

“Let’s see them on.” I sat down on the couch, waiting for Val to change.

“Will you give us a minute?” Val asked Kenneth.

Kenneth waited for my direction. I nodded and waved him out.

“Eve, this isn’t me.”

“Okay, we can bring in more suits then.”

“No, Eve, this…
this
isn’t me.” He waved in reference to the pomp and circumstance.

“It’s only one day.” I got up from the couch and opened the door. “Go with the Dolce suit. It’s a better cut for his frame. And find shoes too.” I walked out of the room, leaving Val behind.

Three hours later, the best laid plans were laid. I was confident the wedding would go off without a hitch. Everyone proceeded to leave, except for Vicki and my assistant, Sharon.

Val was sitting on the couch, taking it all in.

“I need hair and makeup here by eight, and I need the car to be here for an 11:30 pickup. Oh and I need my nails done too.”

Sharon scribbled down a list.

“Jodi should be here soon,” Sharon said.

“Tell her to go home. I don’t feel like training. I want to enjoy my time here.”

“All right, but you said you wanted the usual.”

“I did, but I’m tired from the flight.” I yawned. It was only nine-thirty p.m. I plopped down next to Val on the couch.

Edward approached, bowl in hand. “I prepared your favorite, Eve.” He presented me a bowl of Caesar salad.

I took the bowl and smelled it. “Thank you, Edward, but the smell is making me nauseous.” I handed it back. “Do we have any hot dogs in the house?”

“Hot dogs?” Edward gasped. “I do not believe so.”

“Can you find me some?”

“No wonder you’ve gained weight. You’re eating junk,” Vicki interjected.

“All I’ve been craving is a fucking hot dog. Did you know there are no hot dogs in Finland unless I special order them?”

“Or turkeys,” Val reminded me.

“That’s right. Or turkeys. We have enough of Rudolph to go around though. Edward, please find me hot dogs. Sharon, I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Have a good night.” I was tired. I leaned my head on Val and extended my legs on the couch.

“You know,” Vicki said in a whisper, “the way you’ve been acting, the food, the smells, the weight gain, the mood swings…Are you sure you’re not, you know?”

I shot her a cold glance. “I’m tired, I have jet lag, and I’m hung over from my sleeping pills. I’m hungry for a taste of New York, and I’ve gained weight because I’ve been eating meat again. All I want to do is get changed, eat, and watch TV.”

I got up from the couch. “I’ll be back. Val, do you mind coming with me for a minute?”

He followed me past the kitchen and the great room. I opened a panel in the wall and pressed the combination to the bedroom. The walls shifted to the side into seamless pockets, revealing my master suite.

We stepped inside my bedroom, which had wrap-around floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace offering an impressive view of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park South.

“Eve, why are you with me?”

I undid my jacket and tossed it to the side. “Because I love you. Why?” I pulled off my pants and top, throwing them alongside the jacket.

“Your lifestyle is exquisite. People would die for the type of life you lead. Even when we tour, the record company doesn’t offer us such extravagance. And our home in Finland is half the size of your apartment.”

“So? All of this can go away in an instant. This is all material. It’s insignificant. Would you prefer living here instead of Finland?”

He approached and wrapped his arms around me. “That’s not what I’m getting at. I had no idea how successful you were until now. Why choose me?”

“Why not? You’re everything I ever wanted, and I love you.” I pulled away to get a better look at him. “I value our life together more than I value my own possessions. I am willing to give all of this up for you. Do you understand how big of a commitment that is for me?”

“I want to make sure you’re going to be happy.”

“Don’t do this to me. If you start doubting us, you’re going to cause me to have doubts.” I began to choke up. What was he doing? “Are you trying to break up with me?”

“No, Eve, come on. That’s not what I’m saying at all.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I’m not extravagantly rich. I can’t provide the lifestyle you are used to. We’ll be comfortable, but this…this is not what I can provide for you.”

I turned around and gazed at the beautiful skyline. “For almost two months, I’ve lived with you. Tell me, have I ever complained about where we live, what we do, what you buy me? Don’t you get it? I ran away from this life, a life that provides me with luxurious, tangible goods but can’t provide me with what you can—and that is love. All I have ever searched for in life is love, and I love loving you.”

I turned to him. “You know what I want more than anything else? To be back home, on our couch listening to you play guitar.”

“I’m sure if you wanted me to play you could summon a guitar for me.”

“I could.” I giggled at the thought of my own power. “I love you.” I kissed him.

“Excuse me, you two love birds.” Vicki stepped inside the bedroom. “Your hot dogs are here, and Vivian called to say she’s dropping by.”

Hearing the words “hot dogs” and “Vivian” in the same sentence was a dream come true: my oldest friend and food.

I hurried into the kitchen. “Thank you, Edward.”

“Anything for you, Eve.”

“Would you mind calling for pizza too?”

All eyes shot toward me.

“Relax, I’m only here three days, and I want to splurge on all the food that I’ve been missing.” I rolled my eyes at them.

Twenty minutes later, Vivian rang the bell, and I ran to the door to answer it.

“Viv! Oh my God! I completely forgot you gave birth!” I swooped the baby out of her arms. “What’s her name?”

We exchanged hugs and kisses. “Her name is Joy.”

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Well, I was overseas the last time you were in New York.”

“And look at those little chubby cheeks. Oh how I want to pinch them.” I walked into the kitchen with Joy in my arms.

“Aw, she likes you. Look at her smile,” Vivian said.

“Vivian, this is Val, my fiancé.”

“I had no idea you were engaged again. Congrats. Let’s see the ring.” She cut Val off before he could even say hello.

I held up my hand, and both Vivian and Vicki crowded around.

“She wouldn’t let me inspect it before.” Vicki told Vivian.

“Oh, will you two stop?” I rolled my eyes and withdrew my hand. I sat down next to Val in the kitchen, placing Joy on the counter in front of me. “You are too cute. You look like your daddy though. But don’t tell mommy. She may get jealous.” Joy made a happy sound, almost as if she understood what I meant. “And she’s smart too. She understands me. She definitely takes after daddy.” I winked at Vivian.

“I don’t think that happy giggle was about your compliment,” Val said, wrinkling his nose.

I picked up Joy and sniffed her. “You’re right. And this validates that you really do take after your father.”

Vivian laughed. “That part is true. Here, let me take her.”

“I can change her. Sit, relax. Take five from being a mommy.” I got up and placed Joy on my hip to find a diaper and wipes.

Vivian turned to Val. “So tell me, what do they put in the water in Finland? Because that is not Eve,” she said, pointing at me.

“Oh, will you stop?” I returned with wipes and a fresh diaper in hand.

“You wouldn’t pick up a baby before. As a matter of fact, you avoided them like the plague.” Vivian eyed me.

“So? People change.”

I could feel all eyes on me as I changed her. I picked her up, and she began to fuss.

“She’s hungry. Do you breastfeed or bottle feed?”

“Bottle. Did you think I would ruin these tits?” Vivian said with a laugh.

“Do you boil or microwave the formula?” I asked, pulling a bottle from her bag.

“How do you know about babies?” Vicki questioned.

“Well, the girls, they all have kids. I watch and learn.”

“The girls?” Vicki grilled me as if they were the only two friends I was allowed to have.

“The wives of the band. We get together once a week. I do have a life in Finland. I’m not a tourist anymore.”

“Why bother? It’s not like you’re going to live there permanently.” Vicki rolled her eyes.

“What did you think I was going to do? I am engaged. Or did you assume he was going to move here?”

Both of the women looked dumbfounded. “I don’t get it,” Vicki said. “You wouldn’t do this for Jude.”

“I didn’t love Jude,” I stated somberly. “I’m considering selling the company.”

“What? Why?” Vicki asked.

I looked at Val and then at Joy, who was sitting quietly on my lap. “Because I want to settle down. I want this.”

“Rise and shine, sunshine.”

I heard my electric blackout blinds moving. The sunlight blasted on my face. I opened one eye. “What time is it?”

“Come on, up and at ’em. It’s seven a.m.”

“I don’t have to be up for another hour.” I rolled onto Val, who was also now awake. “Leave me alone, Vicki. I’m tired.” Val and I had been up late last night, fucking underneath the Manhattan sky, and he had completely worn me out. I had no desire to start my day. I pressed the switch to pull the blinds back down.

“None of that. Get up.” Vicki yanked the covers from me.

“Whoa, what are you doing?” I asked, annoyed at her, pulling the covers back over my nakedness.

Val groaned his displeasure. “Vicki, Eve asked you to leave her alone, so kindly do so before I ask you to leave.”

Vicki ignored his comment and continued on her quest. She shook a box in my face. “Go pee and I’ll leave you alone until the rest of your entourage is here.”

I eyed her wearily, trying to focus on the box in her hand. “You woke me up to take a pregnancy test? Are you out of your fucking mind? I told you I’m
not
pregnant.”

“When did you get it last?”

“In September. Now leave me alone.”

“Right, almost three months ago. Take the fucking test.”

“You haven’t gotten your period in three months?” Val questioned.

“What is this, the fucking inquisition? I have an IUD. Not getting your period is normal.” I grabbed the box out of Vicki’s hand. “Fine. I’ll take the fucking test.” I stumbled out of bed naked and walked into the bathroom.

I was irritable and grouchy. Living with Val for two months had made me appreciate the term “sleeping in.” I hated to wake up before I was ready.

Val stood in the doorway and lit a cigarette. He looked incredibly sexy standing in the doorway half-naked in his lounge pants.

“How long do we have to wait?” he asked.

“Three minutes.”

“Is it possible you’re pregnant?”

“Possible, yes, likely no.”

“So, what’s her problem?”

“I have no fucking clue. But she’s going to have hell to pay today. I’m exhausted. I’m so done with this life. I want to go back home.” I stared at the test, only one line. “Is it three minutes yet?”

“Probably.” He looked over my shoulder at the little screen. “What do we have?”

“One line,” I responded. “Not pregnant.” An unexpected shock of disappointment ran through my body. I got up and threw the stick in the trash.