“Did you guys have a good time?” I ask my family.

“More fun than we had last time.” Greg tells the window. “Tell my why we always pick flights that leave before dawn?”

“So we can get home at a semi reasonable hour.” Uncle Derek replies. My eyes start to droop so I take a big gulp of coffee.

“We’re not landing in Dublin until 12:40, and then we have to drive an hour home!” He whines. Oh my god I want to go back to bed. My alarm went off at 3:30, and Ashley and I went at it until 1. I smile at the memories, and run over the rumble strip.

“Jesus Christ Tum are you trying to kill us!” Greg exclaims.

“Sorry, I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” I yawn, and the car jerks. “My bad.” I take a deep breath and get us back in the lane.

“Tum have you been okay?” Stephen asks.

“Yeah I’ve been fine, work has just been keeping me up a lot lately.” I turn into the exit and pull into the airport.

“Don’t push yourself too much Tum,” Uncle Derek says gently. “I don’t want you to go too far.” He’s referring to the time when I was working for Stephen’s band, and I worked so much that I stopped sleeping entirely and ended up a horrible breakdown. They had to transfer my work to the executives and I wasn’t allowed to have my laptop for a few months.

“I promise that I’ll never get that bad again Uncle Derek.” We pull into the parking lot, and get out of the car.

“Tummy you don’t have to come in with us.” Uncle Derek tells me.

“I’ve always waited for you guys, why would this time be any different?” Stephen chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulders. We walk to the building in silence, the cold morning air bites through my clothes.

We get inside, and through airport security before stopping at Starbucks for breakfast. The beautiful smell of coffee wafts through the air and makes me feel like I’m in heaven. The sleepy airport goers wander around in a tired stupor, and trudge along to their designated gates. “Why is everyone so tired?” Uncle Derek asks.

“Maybe because it’s four in the morning!” Greg snaps.

“I’ve watched you not go to bed until six before do not start with that crap.” Mark retorts.

“Guy s are you seriously going to fight, it’s too early and you have a long day with each other.” I groan.

“A few moments of silence pass before Stephen pipes up, “Tum's right.” Then adding, “As usual.” They nod, and continue to sip their coffee. Ronnie would be up right now…I pull out my phone, and find Ronnie’s contact. Meet me at the gym at 5. I’m not going back to sleep so i may as well get my workout in. My phone buzzes, Leg day?You know it! :,O Okay…..

“Who ya texting?” Greg teases. “Is it Ashley…”

“I never thought i would see the day our little Tummy would get married,” Mark smiles.

“And before you three too.” Uncle Derek adds. I smile down at the black engagement ring glistening on my finger. I can’t believe it either. The thought of marrying Ashley makes me giddy inside, and I just want to skip around the airport and sing. “Have you guys set a date yet?”

“No, but I was thinking of maybe having it in the fall after I graduate because that’s when we’re off.”

“That’s a good call,” Uncle Derek nods. “Are you going to have it here in America or Ireland?”

I was really hoping he wouldn’t ask, “Um, we haven’t really discussed plans yet.” That should pacify him for now.

“Flight 1813 to Dublin will be boarding in ten minutes.” The lady on the loud speaker informs us.

“That’s us.” We all rise from our seats, and hug goodbye. When I hug Stephen he whispers in my ear, “I’m still here for you Tum, even though you have Ashley now, I’m still here for you when you need it.”

Ugh I’m not a depressed teenager anymore! “Thanks Stephen, I love you.”

“I love you too, stay strong Tum.” He gives me one last squeeze before letting go, and following the other three to their gate. I remain stationary until their silhouettes blend in with the crowd of the other airport goers. I’m going to grab another coffee for the car ride. I walk over the the unenthused worker and order my drink. *bzzzz* Leaving the house now, see you in ten. Hopefully the traffic isn’t murder, the manager side of me hates being late.

(Time skip 20 minutes)

When I walk into the gym, Ronnie is waiting for me in our usual spot on the track. “What took you so long?”

“Sorry, the airport parking lot was really crowded,” I tell him while tying my sneakers. “The usual?”

“Yeah sure,” Ronnie holds out a hand,and pulls me to my feet. “How many laps are we at 6?” I nod, and we start running. Ronnie and I add a lap every two weeks so we don’t plateau. The hard rubber track sends painful vibrations up through my legs and to my knees, if I didn’t love the feeling feeling of running this would stop me. I have a bit of masochism in me I guess.

After running the mile and a half warm up we move into the actual gym, and start the first circuit of our work out. I pick up on of the thirty pound dumbbells and begin the first round of sumo squats. “Your face is really red.” Ronnie smiles.

“That tends to happen when you work hard.” I grunt.

“Are you implying that I don’t work hard?” He feigns offense by putting a hand over his heart.

“No…” I go down for another squat, and my vagina feels like it’s going to tear apart. Leg day was a bad idea after last night! I squat again, and the same thing happens. Embrace the pain Lace, embrace the pain! I finish that round of sumo squats and move on to bridges.

“Are we sharing a bus with BVB?” Ronnie asks.

“Yeah, it’s easier that way.” I reply.

“Tum that’s a very compromising position.” He smirks.

“Keep it in your pants Radke, save it for the fangirls.” I reply from my spot on the floor. I push up with my hips and squeeze my butt together, much to my muscles protest.

“You know I can’ t do anything with the fangirls, they’re all fourteen!”

I finish the bridges, and lie on the floor for a few moments to catch my breath. “You’re doing a lot of talking for someone who’s working out.” I pant.

“Maybe I’m just Superman.” He shrugs.

“Yeah, and I’m Aphrodite.”

“Afro who?”

I facepalm so hard that there must be a red mark, “Oh dear…”

(Time skip to 2:30)

My entire wardrobe is spread out on the bed, and the suitcase is on a chair next to it. I can’t decide what to bring on tour with me. “Ashley darling should I bring the leather pants?” I call from our bedroom. Heavy footfalls echo from the stairs, and then Ashley appears in the doorway.

“Is that even a question?! You know how great your butt looks in those of course you should bring them!” He takes a few steps to the bed, and sits on the empty corner.

“Do you think I can fit some weights on the bus?”

“No Jake, you can’t.” He smirks.

“Ugh, but I can’t not work out for the whole summer!” I groan.

“You don’t need weights to workout,” Ashley says while putting his favorite set of lingerie into the suitcase.

“I need weights to get muscle mass,” I argue.

“You’re perfect the way you are, you don’t need to worry about working out.” He puts in my black tube top, and the shortest shorts I own.

“Ashley that tube top is hideous,” he abruptly takes it out, and throws it into the trash. “Thank you. Now should I pack my black and white blazer?”

“You should pack the plain black one too, just in case you have to look super professional for some reason.” Ashley grabs my military green jeans, and puts them into the rapidly filling suitcase.

“Good call.” I throw him my black blazer, and then fold a few pairs of shorts to put in.

“You’re not going to have enough room for shoes, accessories and makeup.” he warns.

“Ashley what do you think they make that space behind amps for?” i smile.

“That’s how you brought all of that stuff last tour?” He says in awe. “I’m gonna so that!”

“Like hell you are! I need your amp for my other lingerie!” I exclaim.

“Don’t use your sexy underwear against me! It’s my amp!”

“Not if I put my stuff in it first!” I grab the pile of lingerie and make a break toward the door only to be stopped by Ashley’s strong arms.

“Not today Roes, not today.” He chuckles as he places a kiss on my temple.

“Ashley let me go!!!” I whine, and struggle against his anaconda like grip.

“Not gonna happen…” He sings and kisses my neck.

“Ashley baby, don’t get me going.” I say in my sexy voice.

His hands traverse to my waist, and he nibbles at my ear before seductively murmuring, “But that’s exactly what I want to do…”

Notes

Sorry this is all dialogue! Thank you all for reading, please let me know what you think it helps me know if I'm on the right track.