“That lands in Frankfurt, but they don’t have a flight to London that day. The closest is Wales. That’s like a 10 hour drive.”

“Well how far is London?” He asks.

“About 7 depending on the ferry.”

“Poor guy.”
“Am I chopped liver?” Darin interjects.

“We could use his frequent flyer miles, and he could fly first class for free.” I shrug.

“Can we really trust him in first class alone?”

“So a few old ladies get offended, what’s the big deal?”

“Eh, I won’t witness it therefore I’m off duty so let’s book it.” He says.

“Okay, I’m going home, night guys.” I grab my laptop, and keys, and head out the door. I played motionless in white and falling in reverse up at full volume so i wouldn’t fall asleep, but it’s starting to fail. Okay Lace, stay awake… stay awake. My car runs over the rumble stripps set up on the side of the highway making me jump. The jolting experience gives me motivation to stay at full attention the whole ride home.

-------

When I finally reach my house it’s a little bit before 5, and I can not fathom how I am going to fall back to sleep. I guess I can work on the light show. My foot catches on one of the stairs, and I tumble onto the porch with a loud thud. Stairs are not my friend. With an eye roll that would make any mother cringe, I pick myself up and walk inside.

Ashley and the dogs aren’t up yet, the house is engulfed in a peaceful silence, and the couch looks oh so inviting. The bright, morning sun shines through the windows casting everything in an angelic glow. There are footsteps up above, telling me that Ashley is awake. I hope I didn’t wake him, I would feel so bad. “Did you fall just now?” A shirtless Ashley asks from the top of the stairs.

“Oh, you heard that did you?” Crap.

“Pretty hard not to,” he grins. The dogs come running down the stairs, and jump up on the couch when they reach it.

“Did I wake you up?” I ask the dogs in my baby voice. Tokyo and Killer vie for my attention and I gladly give it to them.

“Nah, they had a hard time sleeping once you left, they felt cold and lonely.” He states, walking in my direction. How can he make my heart flutter like this so easily?

“Oh the dogs said that did they?” I smile coyly.

“Yes they did,” He places a light kiss on my forehead. “I speak dog, didn’t you know that?”

“Well aren’t you just full of surprises.” I smirk. A gentle smile rests on his face, and he motions for me to sit up so he can sit behind me. Once we get settled in I ask him why he is up to early.

“I told you,” he says gently. “The dogs were so overcome with worry that you weren’t coming home, and I had to console them.” Ashley takes my hair out of its ponytail, and starts playing with it.

“I highly doubt that's true.” I mumble.

“Believe it babe.” He chuckles, and rubs my scalp from forehead to my neck. His touch is lulling me to sleep. “So what’s the plan for today?”

It takes me a few moments to process what he said and I reply, “I’m going to work on light stuff, and then at one, I’m going to the FIR technical run through.”

“Radke is going to be up for one?”

“I guess so,” I shrug. “Andy has to be up by two, and he was out with Ronnie last night so that’s just as bad.”

“Will you use the LED’s?” Ashley asks mischievously.

“Of course my love, of course.” I smirk. I imagine a hungover Andy stumbling around the brightly lit stage, and it makes me happy. Ashley kisses the top of my head again, and I snuggle into him. Ashley makes me so happy. I feel so loved when he has his arms around me. I am so relaxed that my eyes begin to droop.

“Get some rest Rose,” Ashley whispers, his lips brushing against my ear. I mumble some incomprehensible drivel about having to work on the light show. “You can work on it later.” He pulls me closer to him and adds in afterthought, “I promise I’ll wake you up in time.”

“No Ashley I have to work,” I protest meekly. My efforts to pick up my laptop are thwarted by Ashley’s strong arms.

“Shh… Just go to sleep Rose.” He gently pushes my head onto his shoulder, and rests his head on mine. “I was roaming around I was looking down, and all I see…” He sings softly. His voice is so beautiful that I can’t help but drift off to sleep.

(Time skip to 12:30)


“Are you almost ready to leave?” I slowly open my eyes to Ashley and feel at peace.

“What time is it?” I yawn.

“12:30.” I spring up and jam mu shin into the coffee table.

“I have to be there at one!” I exclaim, and run up to the bedroom. “You said you would wake me up!” I yell into my dresser.

“I did.” He replies from the doorway.

I gather my outfit, and frantically pull on my clothes. “I meant at like ten.” I grunt. “Where’s my other shoe?”

“It’s right next to you hun.” Ashley is leaning on the doorframe with a cheesy grin on his face. I tie my other shoe and ask him why he is smiling. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered.” I roll my eyes, and try to push past him, but he blocks the way.

“Ash I really have to go.”

“Only a kiss from the fair maiden can open the gate.” Now I’m the one to smile. My fiance draws me closer, and places a loving kiss on my lips. “Now you can go.” He pulls away and steps out of the way.

“Oh no you don’t.” This time I’m the one to pull us together.

“I thought you had to go,” he teases.

“Shut up and kiss me.” I murmur.

“Gladly.” He puts his hands in my back pockets and picks me up off my feet for a moment. I wrap my leg around his waist, and he slams me into the doorframe. My eyes open for a second, and I stare at him hungrily before we start kissing again. Ashley kisses down my jawline to my neck sending white hot pleasure to my body. I claw at his back, making him growl and bite my neck. I moan his name when he grinds his hips into mine. “All this and more will be yours when we get back.”

“I don’t wanna go.” I whine.

“Now now let’s not be hasty.” He says while nibbling my earlobe. That bastard knows that’s my weakness! “You wouldn’t want to disappoint Darren would you?” At the mention of my boss’s name all of the passion leaves my body.

“Well that’s a boner killer.”

“I figured that would work.” Ashley chuckles. He puts me down, and tucks a loose hair behind my ear. “See you in an hour, I love you.”

“I love you too.” I turn to walk out and he smacks my ass hard. “Ooh baby.” I sing. “Are you sure I can’t stay?”

“get outta here.” He pushes me along by my butt, and I reluctantly head down the stairs and out to my car. He is so going to get it when I get home...

Notes

Let me know what you guys think of this. Again, I'm really sorry for changing it but I think it will be better in the long run. As usual thank you for reading, and have a great night :)