Recollection

The next morning was a whirlwind of activity. It was the first show of the tour!

The guys had to make it from the hotel to the O2 Academy for their performance and from the looks of outside the hotel walls, anxious fans were going to make that difficult.

They had gathered either during the night or early morning hours to catch a glimpse or score an autograph from their favorite member.

We were all gathered in our room, Anna stated I would go down first, bringing a spectacular-looking cane with her for my support. CC and Jinxx would follow behind a few minutes later, then Ashley and Jake. She would hold up the end with Andy and Hunter. I wasn't comfortable leaving Hunter so far behind but I couldn't hold him properly and it wouldn't have been a good idea to have Ashley carry him out for all eyes to see.

I made a mental note to ask Ashley what he thought on the subject of revealing to his fans that he had a son.

Putting that aside, it was show time!

Ash came close with Punk so I could give him a quick kiss. He then placed his hand aside my face, letting his thumb make swirling patterns atop my cheek before leaning in a giving me a kiss.

With the use of the cane, I managed my way out the door. I could have sworn I heard Ash whisper 'I Love You!' but I wasn't sure.

I pondered it all the way down in the elevator. It really wouldn't be a bad thing if he did. I did love him in my own special way. It was just hard to tell him that I did. I was never good with words. I just hoped he knew I did in the ways I tried showing him.

Once the elevator opened, I made my way to the entrance of the hotel and exited. It was hard navigating through the crowd that gathered but I made my way through to the bus that waited. I looked back at the entrance to see some of the fans looking oddly at me, possibly wondering why this half-crippled woman was boarding the bus meant for the band.

I couldn't be bothered with that now so with help from the driver, I boarded the bus and took a seat on one of the padded benches.

I watched as CC and Jinxx came down and signed a few autographs before boarding. Jake, Ashley and Andy did the same. As much as I wanted to see Ashley, there was someone I wanted to see more. I heard his cry as soon as Anna exited the hotel, I guess too much of a whirlwind for him and I was sure he wasn't used to Anna yet either.

He still got cranky with Jinxx, CC, and Jake around. He was accustomed to Andy and I, as well as his father which was no surprise to me. Ash could make anyone love him despite their age!

Once everyone was boarded, we headed off. The guys made their rounds familiarizing themselves with the bus that would get them from tour date to tour date.

It wasn't far to our destination and as we pulled up, the outside was packed worse than it was at the hotel. With this stop, only the boys and their bodyguards would disembark around the back of the facility. Anna, Hunter and I would wait until the bus pulled up near the side.

I watched as each of the guys walked off. Before Ashley walked off, he finally put Punk down in his little bassinet that the bus came equipped with. It helped that he had already eaten his cereal and was napping at that certain moment. He came over to me for a tender kiss and a 'I'll see you inside.'

I didn't readily go inside after the bus pulled around to the side. I was eerily tired and told Anna that I was going to nap myself. She thought it was a good idea saying I looked tired so I laid down on the padded bench seat I was sitting on and instantly fell asleep.

I awoke later to Anna gone and one of the guys' bodyguards on board with me. Punk had disappeared as well I found when the bodyguard, aptly named Barrett, spoke to me in his English accent and stated that Anna took him inside with her once he awoke and I was still out like a light.

I thanked him and he said when I was ready he would lead me inside. I hopped up and went into the tiny bathroom to try and manage some of my appearance. I tamed my wild hair as best I could and wiped down my face with a small towel. I tried smoothing some wrinkles from my clothes but to no use so I gave up. Hopping out, I grabbed onto the cane and the bodyguard led the way.

I was led into a massive building only to be met with a series of interconnecting hallways. Thank goodness Barrett knew his way around, for I would have been lost within seconds.

He led me straight to the guys who were on stage already for sound check. Punk was encased in a portable playard in the center and the boys performed around him. I thought it was absolutely adorable that he had on skull and star printed headphones to protect his little ears. Even with them, he still bounced along to the music.

I stood side stage and just watched. Even though, they only 'performed' for the few in attendance, I was mesmerized at how easy everything came to the boys. It was like second nature. They incorporated Punk into the set wonderfully.

Andy would scoot down and sing to him, while Jake and Jinxx would shred on their guitars on either side of him. Ashley would go and make funny faces at him while doing his jobs on bass and background vocals.

Once they finished, I couldn't help but applause and offer up my screaming skills! I caught all of them off guard but each smiled as I hopped over.

"Hey Hop-Along!" CC greeted as I hugged him tightly.

I just laughed as I gave hugs to Jinxx, Jake and lastly Andy.

"You still look tired, babe." Ash came to wrap his arms around me.

"I still feel tired honestly." I answered into the side of his neck before babbling took over my eardrums.

We turned to see Jinxx holding our baby boy, who was still bouncing himself to music he must have been hearing in his head. We all laughed and while the crew took care of their instruments, we all followed the bodyguards to their dressing room to finish preparations for the concert that evening.

Notes