Chapter Forty-Three
"MICHAEL! Look over here!"
"Hey! Michael! Why are you at the Airport?"
"Michael! Give us a wave! Smile, Michael!"
The reporters were like vultures that always seemed to be waiting and hovering around, even when you didn't think they were. Michael had made it to the Airport unseen, and with the help of his body guards, was able to have a few private moments to say goodbye to Jaiden.
But once she was safely on the plane, he had asked Airport security to help him leave and apparently someone who worked there decided to make a few bucks and tipped off the press.
Michael and his body guards hurried to the car which was waiting for him at the private Airport entrance... ...or so they thought it was private. A few reporters managed to sneak to the spot and were waiting for him.
With long strides, he made his way tot he car and got in.
"Oh man. That was unexpected." he said to Dan, one of his body guards.
"Sorry about that, Sir. We had checked the area prior to parking there and all was clear. Those reporters really know what they are doing." Dan said.
"They are just doing their job I guess, but there are times when I'm just not ready to be faced by them and this one of those times." Michael shook his head and looked out the tinted window to see the paparazzi still snapping away even though they weren't actually able to see him anymore.
"Well, I'm pretty sure they didn't get a chance to see you saying goodbye to Miss McKinnon." Dan said.
"I hope not. I don't want the world to see into my private life." Michael looked away from the window and at Dan.
"Of course not, Sir. So did you want to go back to the hotel?" Dan asked.
"Yes." Michael said.
"I need to get in touch with Ian."
Dan told the driver to take them back to the hotel, but Michael knew it wasn't because he had to call Ian. It was because he was so overwhelmed with emotions at that moment and he needed to be alone.
He honestly had no idea how hard saying good bye to Jaiden was going to be. He had held her and wiped away her tears and kissed her before whispering into her ear that he would be expecting a phone call from her as soon as he was settled back in Chicago. He held back his own tears as he watched her plane take off and suddenly felt like she was a million miles away.
He just wanted to be in his hotel room so he could do whatever it was he needed to do to get back on track emotionally so that he could carry on with business in France...and then get the hell back to the States where at least he'd be in the same country as Jaiden.
Once he was back at the hotel, Michael stuck the key into the lock and opened the door to his room. Instantly the smell of Jaiden hit his scenes. He squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply. Then he looked to the right and saw the painting he had given her... he would send it to her soon.
Michael walked over to the painting, picked it up and placed it upon the messy bedsheets where he and Jaiden had lay hours earlier. He looked at the painting and reached his hand down to stroke the cheek of Jaiden's painted image.
God she was lovely. He had been away from her for only an hour, yet his heart was already aching. How was he going to manage to be without her every day and every night for Lord knows how long?
He decided to go into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face and try to feel a bit better. Once in the bathroom, he glanced over to the shower stall and there on the side of the tub was small bottle of honey scented bubble bath. Jaiden must have left it there. Michael walked over and picked it up. He twisted off the cap and smelled the contents of the bottle. At that moment, Michael could not hold back his tears any longer. He sat down at the edge of the tub and sobbed like a child. Never had he felt so connected with a woman. After a few minutes, his sadness turned into determination. Michael was going to do everything he could to see Jaiden sooner rather than later.
He put down the bubble bath and walked into the bedroom to call Ian, but before he could do so, there was a knock at the door.
Going over to it, he opened it to see Ian standing there with a smirk and a quizzical look.
"So I was watching the news about 20 minutes ago and who should I see but my friend Mike dodging reporters and cameras." Ian said.
Michael gestured to Ian to come into the room and shut the door.
Ian sat down in one of the over sized chairs.
"Usually you'd tell me when you go somewhere, especially somewhere like an airport. Why were you there?" asked Ian.
"Well, since you already know I was there....I guess I will tell you why, but Ian, please keep this between us, okay? Dan and Ron know, but that's only because I needed their protection at the airport." Michael said and sat in the chair across from Ian.
Ian could tell Michael was dead serious and also noticed the he looked upset.
"Sure, Mike. You can always talk to me. It's just between you and me. You know that." Ian reassured Michael.
"This is different, Ian. I just want to make it absolutely clear, that's all. And I know I can talk to you and tell you stuff, but I guess I'm just a bit freaked out after it leaked to the press that I was at the airport." Michael began.
"I was there because I was saying goodbye to someone." he lowered his head and forced away the pain in his chest.
"A woman." Ian said. Normally he would tease Michael, but he could plainly see how sad his friend looked.
Michael nodded silently.
"So this is why I couldn't reach you in your hotel room from time to time. It also explains the massive smile on your face that I've become accustomed to." Ian smiled.
"Listen, Mike, I'm not going to ask any more questions, but can I assume she doesn't live in Europe?" Ian asked.
"Yeah. She lives in the States." Michael said, still looking down at the floor.
"It hurts, Ian. I miss her." he said.
"Well, lets get to work. Lets hurry up with all the things that still need to get done here in Europe and get you home, okay?" Ian suggested.
Michael finally looked up from the floor.
"Ian, that sounds really good." he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sky was getting darker instead of lighter as Jaiden's plane flew backward in time from Paris to Chicago.
It was like starting the day all over again. Jaiden sat motionless looking out the window at her seat on the plane. She was happy that no one had reserved the seat beside her and she was free to let any tears fall. The clouds were white and puffy and made her think of pillows, which then made her think of lying in Michael's bed.
She closed her eyes and pictured him holding her. She felt his strong arms around her. She felt his breath in her hair and she felt his warmth on her body. Jaiden's comforting thoughts were jostled by the turbulence and the sound of he captain's voice reassuring all passengers that the turbulence would end soon. Jaiden looked around and saw a flight attendant who smiled at her and must have noticed her tears, because soon she was beside Jaiden.
"Are you alright, Miss?" the red haired woman asked.
"No. But I have to be." Jaiden answered honestly.
"Would you care for a drink? Water? Some tea?" asked the flight attendant.
"Wine. White wine, please." Jaiden said.
"It will only take a minute." said the attendant and walked down the isle.
Jaiden wished the plane also had a bubble bath she could slip into. She really needed to relax.
The woman returned quickly with Jaiden's drink.
"Here you go, Miss. Can I bring you anything else?" the attendant asked.
"No. Thank you." Jaiden said, forced herself to smile and then returned her glace to the plane's window.
She looked at her watch. God. Six more hours to go. How on Earth would she be able to get through six more hours of flying? She didn't want to be flying. She wanted to be in Paris. She wanted to be with Michael.
She wondered how he manged to leave the airport and hoped her got back to the hotel okay. Dan was an amazing body guard and Jaiden could tell that Michael trusted him.
Both Dan and Ron had asked security at the airport if there was a private room in which Michael could be alone with Jaiden.
They were directed to one and Ron and Dan stood outside the door, arms folded across their chests and a tough expression on their faces. No one would get into that room.
At first, all Jaiden could do was cry --quiet crying that couldn't be heard by the body guards, but could be felt by Michael as he held her tightly and kissed her on the top of her head.
"It will all be okay, Jaiden. We are going to see each other soon. We are. I promise." Michael tried his best to soothe Jaiden.
"You don't know that. You don't know for sure. Michael, I don't want to go back. You don't understand." Jaiden wept.
She was right, he didn't understand. He didn't know why fear struck her eyes each time she avoided answering why she had to go back to Chicago. But from what she had told him about her family, he knew that she'd be in good hands and that her mother would be so happy to see her.
"Think of your mother, Jaiden. She wants to see you. She's missed you so much. You're going to be happy to see her, right?" he looked at Jaiden and smiled.
"Of course, but...." Jaiden couldn't expect Michael to fully understand. He didn't know why she had to leave Paris.
"No 'BUT'...she will be happy to see you and you will be happy to see her. Try to concentrate on that. And as for you and me --yes I CAN promise that we will see each other soon."
"No you can't." Jaiden said quietly.
"Yes, I can. And I can seal that promise with a kiss." Michael said.
He held Jaiden's face in his hands and his soft lips kissed hers. They shared that kiss until the announcement over the airport intercom told Jaiden it was time for her to board the plane.
"I'm trying to be grown up about this, Michael. I am." Jaiden whispered into Michael's chest.
"I am too." Michael whispered back.
And that was that. Jaiden took her bag that she was carrying onto the plane, and with a smile, she turned at the door and faced Michael. She knew if she smiled that he would smile and she wanted to see it. And she was right. He smiled --a beautiful smile, and Jaiden's heart skipped a beat.
Now she sat on the plane, a drink in her hand and hoped the wine would make her tired enough to sleep the rest of the way to Chicago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are approaching the airport and are preparing to land. Please fasten your seat belts and return your trays to an upright position."
The voice startled Jaiden. She opened her eyes to see tiny squares of land below. They were landing. Everything was so familiar. If she had been sitting on the other side of the plane, she would have been able to see the road leading to her parent's house. She pushed her tray up and a flight attendant came by to collect her wine glass.
"You look better than you did a few hours ago, Miss." she said.
"It's home." Jaiden said and looked out the window.
"Oh! Well then you must be very happy to be back home." smiled the woman.
Jaiden turned her head to look at the woman. She nodded, but said nothing. The flight attendant couldn't possibly understand how Jaiden was feeling knowing she was minutes away from landing back in the windy city, but 'happy' wasn't how she would describe how she felt.
When it was time to get off the plane, Jaiden gathered her bag and hung it over her shoulder. She walked through the long tunnel into the airport, waited for her bags to arrive on the baggage carousel and made her way to the exit. As she did, she made the realization that she hadn't told anyone when she'd be coming home, therefore she would have to call a cab to get to her apartment. That was likely for the better since she really just wanted to be alone before calling her parents to say she was back.
Jaiden saw other people holding signs with names on them as people waited to greet family members or friends who had just landed. She heard people's named being called, followed by squeals of happiness and saw many hugs being handed out.
Just then she heard her own name being called.
"Jades! Jades!!"
Jaiden turned her head and saw Sam rushing toward her, her arms wide open and the hugest smile on her face.
*THUD*
Sam's body slammed into Jaiden's as she embraced her in the tightest hug she'd ever given Jaiden.
"Oh my God! I've missed you soooo much! I can't believe you're back! I wanna hear everything! Tell me EVERYTHING!" Sam said, he voice full of enthusiasm in true Sam style.
Jaiden couldn't help but smile.
"How did you know I was back? How did you know I'd be here right now?" Jaiden was borderline bewildered.
"Oh Jades, you know I have my ways." Sam winked.
"Plus it helped that I've been calling the airport every day for three days to see if your name was on their passenger list from Paris." she giggled.
"Wow, Sam..." laughed Jaiden.
"Come on. Lets go. Your parents are waiting." Sam said and grabbed Jaiden's suitcases and began to pull them.
"Wait. What do you mean they are waiting for me?" Jaiden stopped walking and looked at Sam.
"They want you to go over and see them." smiled Sam.
"Oh." Jaiden said quietly.
"What do you mean 'oh'? I thought you'd wanna see them right away." Sam questioned.
"Yes, I want to see them, but...well...I'd hoped to go to my place first. You know. Have a shower, rest a bit." Jaiden tried to get Sam to understand that she really just wanted to go home to her own apartment.
"Uhm...you can't." Sam stumbled over her words.
"What do you mean I can't?" Jaiden asked.
"I can't say." said Sam with a half smile.
"Sam......." Jaiden said suspiciously.
"Ohhhh, Jaaadesss...I can't say. Pleease don't make me. Just come on, okay? Please? Your mom really wants to see you. Please, please? Pretty please with CHERRIES on top?" Sam practically begged.
"Okay! Alright. Fine. But I don't want to stay long. I hope they will understand. Anyway, do you have a dime? We need to call a cab." said Jaiden.
"No we don't." smiled Sam.
"Your parents gave me their car to come get you." she said and began pulling along Jaiden's suitcases once again.
With a giant sigh, Jaiden followed Sam out of the airport and was soon headed towards her parent's home. She hoped for a quiet time with them before leaving for her cozy apartment and a much needed shower.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Welcome home!" Brandon said as he stood at the front door to Jaiden's parent's home.
"Brandon! What are you doing here?" Jaiden said and hugged her big brother.
"Like I wouldn't be here to welcome back my little sister!" he smiled.
"Mama and Dad are waiting for you in the kitchen." Brandon said and took Jaiden's hand to lead her to the kitchen.
Jaiden smelled food. She smelled her mother's home made soup. She smelled pasta. She smelled freshly baked bread and she smelled apple pie. Her mother had been cooking and baking a LOT. Jaiden hoped this didn't mean Olivia had been preparing a large meal for a large number of people. She just wanted to be alone.
As she and Brandon rounded the corner to the kitchen, she heard whispers from the kitchen and in moments, her fear was realized.
"Welcome back, Jaiden!"
There was a sign. There were balloons. There was a cake. There was food on the table and on the kitchen island and on the kitchen counters. There were pots on the stove and things in the oven. Worst of all, there were people in every inch of the kitchen.
Jaiden's face was a mix of shock and dread, topped off with a plastered on smile. She mustered her strength to say something.
"Oh.....my......." she managed to say.
Then her mother made her way through the many guests.
"My Bambina! My darling." Olivia kissed Jaiden on the cheek and held her close.
"Welcome home." she whispered in Jaiden's ear.
"Thanks, Mama, but....this is....it's too much." Jaiden said quietly.
"Nothing is too much for you, Bambina." Olivia smiled.
Clearly her mother wasn't understanding what she meant by 'too much'.
"Jaiden! There's my girl!" Thomas' voice rang out in the kitchen.
"I've missed you." he said and hugged his daughter tightly.
"I missed you too, Daddy." said Jaiden.
She took time to look around the room. All her parent's neighbors were there. Even her father's band members were there. She did her best to smile at each person.
"Now that the guest of honor is here, lets enjoy some food." Olivia said with a smile and gestured toward all the dishes she'd prepared with the help of Sam.
Sam worked her way through all the guests who were wandering around the kitchen and nibbling on everything Olivia had to offer.
"So, happy to be back? See THIS is why I couldn't tell you why we had to come here." Sam said and loaded her plate with fresh homemade pasta and a piece of Italian bread.
"Yeah, I can see that now." Jaiden looked at the food in front of her. She wasn't hungry. She was happy to see her parents, happy to see her brother and happy to see Sam. But she needed to be alone. She was flooded with thoughts of Michael and all she wanted was to hear his voice.
"Sam, I want to leave." she was about to cry and lowered her face so Sam wouldn't see.
Sam looked up from her food and even though Jaiden tried her best to hide it, she could see the sadness in Jaiden's eyes.
"Jades...what's wrong? I thought you'd be so happy to see us again." Sam was concerned.
"I just want to be by myself." Jaiden said.
She spotted her mother across the kitchen and went over to her.
"Mama, thank you for all of this. I appreciate everything, I do." she began.
Her mother looked at her and smiled. She touched her arm and spoke softly.
"But you want to go home." she said.
Jaiden nodded.
"I understand, Bambina. I'll ask Brandon to drive you. We will talk soon." Olivia hugged her daughter and then walked over to Thomas whose arms opened for her.
Jaiden knew her mother understood, and as soon as she saw her father embrace her mother just then, she too understood something. She understood why her mother had done all this. Her mother wanted Jaiden to forget. She wanted her to forget everything --even just for a moment-- the reason she was called back home.
Jaiden noticed her brother waiting for her at the kitchen door. He knew. He didn't even need Olivia to tell him to take Jaiden home. Brother's instinct told him. Jaiden walked over to Sam to say goodbye.
"I'll call you soon, okay? I love you." she said and hugged her best friend.
Sam nodded and soon Jaiden was in her brother's car on the way to her apartment; the place of solitude she longed for.
Brandon hugged his sister and offered to help her with her luggage, but Jaiden politely refused the help and dragged her things up the stairs to her apartment.
She dug into her bag and reached for her apartment key and unlocked the door. Jaiden opened the door, dropped her things to the floor and walked over to her couch and flopped down.
She grabbed her throw blanket that was always left on the back of the couch and wrapped herself in it.
Immediately the tears began. Immediately her head began to ache. And immediately her chest filled with pain and want for Michael. She wanted to call him, but she wouldn't be able to form words. The tears needed to end before she could possibly talk to him. She didn't want him to know how much she hurt or have him hear the pain in her voice.
She took in deep breaths and tried to feel comfort in being in her own home.
It did feel good. She was on her couch. She was snuggled in her own blanket. She smelled all the familiar smells of her apartment: Her orchid on the table behind the couch. The fabric softener scent on her blanket. The furniture polish that Sam had obviously used to dust Jaiden's apartment before she got there.
All the scents were so familiar and wonderful. She snuggled deeper into the blanket and as her face moved closer to her chest, a waft of Michael's scent rose from her shirt to her nose.
Jaiden closed her eyes, took the front of her shirt and brought it close to her face. She inhaled deeply and imagined Michael cuddling with her in the blanket. She pictured his arms around her. She imagined the smell of his hair and the taste of his mouth....
She needed his voice.
If she couldn't have his body, she could at least have his voice.
Jaiden wiped her face of tears, pushed the blanket off her and went over to her bags. She unzipped the front pocket of her suitcase and reached her hand inside. Feeling around, she found what she was searching for. Jaiden took out a small piece of paper. On it Michael had written down the number to their hotel along with his room number, which he underlined several times. Like she would forget it.
She sat back down on the couch and reached for her phone which sat on a small wooden table beside the couch. She could barely contain her excitement. Her fingers couldn't seem to dial the numbers on the phone fast enough. It was taking FOREVER. After a short pause, the lines finally connected and Jaiden heard the ringing of the phone as it ran into the reception area of her former hotel. She was greeted by the concierge and she asked to be connected to Michael's room number and obviously didn't give his name.
Any second she would hear his sweet, delicious voice.
The phone ran. It rang again. It rang another time. ....It rang several times. No answer. Where could he be? God, she needed to hear his voice so much. She closed her eyes and refused to hang up. She made a determined wish.
"He'll answer. I know he will." she said out loud.
And like magic, the phone stopped ringing and her wish came true.
"Hello?" came the sexiest and sweetest voice Jaiden had ever heard.
"Hi back!" Jaiden's face lit up with a smile.
"Jaiden!" Michael beamed.
"So you are home safe and sound? God. I miss you. I miss you sooo much. Is that crazy? It's only been half a day, but....I think I'm going nuts." Michael said.
The words Michael spoke were exactly what Jaiden needed to hear.
"NO. No you aren't crazy! I feel the same. Michael, I miss you too. I wish you were right here. I wish you were snuggling on my couch with me." Jaiden said and took another sniff of her shirt.
"I wish that too. Was your mom happy to see you? What about your father? Did you see your brother yet? Or Sam?" Michael was full of questions and suddenly feeling so much more full of energy than he had been before Jaiden called. Hearing her voice motivated him to finish his work and get on a plane back to the States.
"Oh yes. I saw all of them. Sam met me at the airport." Jaiden began.
"But how did she know you'd be there? I thought no one knew you were coming home today?" Michael asked.
"Long story short: Sam has her ways. Anyway, she brought me to my parent's place. Michael, my mother invited my brother over and everyone else she could think of inviting. It was too much. I needed to get back here to my own place. I needed to be home. But mostly, I needed to hear your voice." she said.
"Wow. Sometimes crowds bother me too, Jaiden." Michael said compassionately.
"Crowds bother you? Yet you can sing and dance in front of thousands of people?" Jaiden asked.
"It's true. Those are two different things. It's easier to do that...to dance in front of thousands of people. It's easier than being in a room with a bunch of people." Michael tried to explain.
"I think I understand what you are saying. Anyway, I just wasn't in the mood to be around a lot of people." Jaiden said with a sigh.
"I guess you are tired from the flight. And...you didn't get much sleep last night." Michael giggled.
"That's true." smiled Jaiden, remembering the night they had shared. But really it wasn't because she was tired that she didn't want to be around anyone, but she didn't want to have to go into that with Michael.
"I miss you." Michael said quietly. He leaned back on his bed and looked out the window in his room.
"I miss you too." Jaiden said back. She coiled the phone cord around her fingers and pulled the blanket up to her chin. The sun shined brightly into her apartment, it was now just past noon.
"How am I supposed to move off this couch? Because I just want to stay on the phone with you." she said.
"If I didn't have a business dinner to get to, I'd say lets talk all night." Michael said.
"Well, it's still daytime here, so you'd be talking for a long while." Jaiden kidded.
"And I would, you know." Michael said and was quite serious.
Jaiden grinned.
"I know you would." she said.
Michael sighed.
"I have to go. My driver will be here in a few minutes. I'm so glad you are back home safely." he said.
"I wish you didn't have to hang up." Jaiden said, suddenly beginning to hurt again all over.
"I'd suggest you stay on the line until I get back, but that could get expensive." Michael laughed, trying to make Jaiden smile. Which she did.
"You're so silly." she said.
"Have a good day, Jaiden. Get off that couch. Go out. DO something. Call Sam." Michael tried to inspire Jaiden to become motivated enough to not let herself stay on the touch all day.
"I'll try." she said.
"Please try." Michael said softly.
"I will." Jaiden answered.
"Good." Michael replied.
"We'll talk again soon, okay? I don't know how long my dinner will be, but I will call you." he said.
"It's okay, Michael. Go to your dinner. I'll be alright." Jaiden said and noticed a tickle on her cheek as a tear fell from her eye.
"Alright. I'll say goodbye then. Goddd...I miss you. I keep saying it. Sorry. Okay. I'm hanging up now." Michael said.
"Goodbye, Michael." Jaiden said and waited for the line to click, knowing that he'd hung up the phone. She placed the receiver back on the base and put the phone on the end table. She leaned her head back onto the arm of the couch and looked over to the window. Her curtains blew slightly in the breeze. She has left her living room windows open a small amount when she left for Paris. She risked burglars and a freezing cold apartment, in exchange for knowing that she'd come back to a fresh smelling place rather than a stuffy one.
"Get up, Jaiden." she said to herself, yet she moved herself deeper under her blanket.
"No, seriously. Get up." she tried to convince herself once more. Yet once again began to get more comfortable on the couch.
Jaiden turned her body to face the back of the couch and took in a big breath. She caught herself smiling as Michael's voice and their conversation echoed in her mind.
Just then she heard a knock at her door. Who could know she was home? Maybe it was someone knocking at the wrong door.
*knock knock knock*
Apparently not.
Jaiden got up and went to her door. She wished for a peep hole in her door like the one in her hotel room door. Perhaps she'd have to invest in one. She opened the door to see Sam standing there with a small basket she recognized as being her mother's. It was clear that Olivia had asked Sam to bring it over.
"I hope it's okay that I'm here, Jades. Your mom wanted you to have this stuff." Sam said and lifted the basket up a bit.
"Sure, Sam. It's okay. Come in." Jaiden said and waited until Sam was inside before closing the door.
She took the basket from Sam and brought it over to the coffee table. Now smelling her mother's food was making her hungry. Speaking to Michael was what she needed to help calm her a bit and her appetite returned. Jaiden and Sam sat side by side on the couch. Jaiden opened the basket and her face brightened when she noticed her mother had packed some freshly baked bread sticks.
"Mmmmm..." she said, her mouth watering.
"Want me to get some plates?" asked Sam.
"Yeah." smiled Jaiden.
"And I'll get some glasses. Mama packed juice."
The girls went into Jaiden's kitchen, grabbed two plates and two glasses and went back to the couch.
"Are you doing better now, Jades?" asked Sam, and she took the bottle of juice from the basket. Grape. Her favorite.
"I am." Jaiden said and pulled a bread stick from the basket, followed by a small container of pasta which was still warm.
Sam poured each of them a drink and then sat cross legged on the couch.
"I'm glad you're back." she smiled.
"Really? I had NO idea." Jaiden joked.
"Aren't you at least a little glad to be back in your apartment again? Did you see how well I took care of your orchid? It's not dead!" Sam smiled and pointed behind her to the purple orchid.
"Yes. I did indeed notice. Thank you. And yes, I am glad to be in my apartment. I love it here. I just......" Jaiden's words trailed off.
"I know." Sam said quietly.
"You know what?" asked Jaiden.
"I know that you aren't really happy to be back. I know why you had to come back. Your mom told me. I guess...well...I guess we all just tried to focus on you coming home. We tried to make it a positive and happy time. But...we all know. I'm so sorry, Jades." Sam said and her eyes filled with sadness as she spoke the words no one was yet brave enough to utter.
....But Jaiden was actually going to tell Sam she was unhappy because she missed Paris. She had pushed away any other reason. Her mind was not yet strong enough to deal with the hell she soon had to face.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey! Michael! Why are you at the Airport?"
"Michael! Give us a wave! Smile, Michael!"
The reporters were like vultures that always seemed to be waiting and hovering around, even when you didn't think they were. Michael had made it to the Airport unseen, and with the help of his body guards, was able to have a few private moments to say goodbye to Jaiden.
But once she was safely on the plane, he had asked Airport security to help him leave and apparently someone who worked there decided to make a few bucks and tipped off the press.
Michael and his body guards hurried to the car which was waiting for him at the private Airport entrance... ...or so they thought it was private. A few reporters managed to sneak to the spot and were waiting for him.
With long strides, he made his way tot he car and got in.
"Oh man. That was unexpected." he said to Dan, one of his body guards.
"Sorry about that, Sir. We had checked the area prior to parking there and all was clear. Those reporters really know what they are doing." Dan said.
"They are just doing their job I guess, but there are times when I'm just not ready to be faced by them and this one of those times." Michael shook his head and looked out the tinted window to see the paparazzi still snapping away even though they weren't actually able to see him anymore.
"Well, I'm pretty sure they didn't get a chance to see you saying goodbye to Miss McKinnon." Dan said.
"I hope not. I don't want the world to see into my private life." Michael looked away from the window and at Dan.
"Of course not, Sir. So did you want to go back to the hotel?" Dan asked.
"Yes." Michael said.
"I need to get in touch with Ian."
Dan told the driver to take them back to the hotel, but Michael knew it wasn't because he had to call Ian. It was because he was so overwhelmed with emotions at that moment and he needed to be alone.
He honestly had no idea how hard saying good bye to Jaiden was going to be. He had held her and wiped away her tears and kissed her before whispering into her ear that he would be expecting a phone call from her as soon as he was settled back in Chicago. He held back his own tears as he watched her plane take off and suddenly felt like she was a million miles away.
He just wanted to be in his hotel room so he could do whatever it was he needed to do to get back on track emotionally so that he could carry on with business in France...and then get the hell back to the States where at least he'd be in the same country as Jaiden.
Once he was back at the hotel, Michael stuck the key into the lock and opened the door to his room. Instantly the smell of Jaiden hit his scenes. He squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply. Then he looked to the right and saw the painting he had given her... he would send it to her soon.
Michael walked over to the painting, picked it up and placed it upon the messy bedsheets where he and Jaiden had lay hours earlier. He looked at the painting and reached his hand down to stroke the cheek of Jaiden's painted image.
God she was lovely. He had been away from her for only an hour, yet his heart was already aching. How was he going to manage to be without her every day and every night for Lord knows how long?
He decided to go into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face and try to feel a bit better. Once in the bathroom, he glanced over to the shower stall and there on the side of the tub was small bottle of honey scented bubble bath. Jaiden must have left it there. Michael walked over and picked it up. He twisted off the cap and smelled the contents of the bottle. At that moment, Michael could not hold back his tears any longer. He sat down at the edge of the tub and sobbed like a child. Never had he felt so connected with a woman. After a few minutes, his sadness turned into determination. Michael was going to do everything he could to see Jaiden sooner rather than later.
He put down the bubble bath and walked into the bedroom to call Ian, but before he could do so, there was a knock at the door.
Going over to it, he opened it to see Ian standing there with a smirk and a quizzical look.
"So I was watching the news about 20 minutes ago and who should I see but my friend Mike dodging reporters and cameras." Ian said.
Michael gestured to Ian to come into the room and shut the door.
Ian sat down in one of the over sized chairs.
"Usually you'd tell me when you go somewhere, especially somewhere like an airport. Why were you there?" asked Ian.
"Well, since you already know I was there....I guess I will tell you why, but Ian, please keep this between us, okay? Dan and Ron know, but that's only because I needed their protection at the airport." Michael said and sat in the chair across from Ian.
Ian could tell Michael was dead serious and also noticed the he looked upset.
"Sure, Mike. You can always talk to me. It's just between you and me. You know that." Ian reassured Michael.
"This is different, Ian. I just want to make it absolutely clear, that's all. And I know I can talk to you and tell you stuff, but I guess I'm just a bit freaked out after it leaked to the press that I was at the airport." Michael began.
"I was there because I was saying goodbye to someone." he lowered his head and forced away the pain in his chest.
"A woman." Ian said. Normally he would tease Michael, but he could plainly see how sad his friend looked.
Michael nodded silently.
"So this is why I couldn't reach you in your hotel room from time to time. It also explains the massive smile on your face that I've become accustomed to." Ian smiled.
"Listen, Mike, I'm not going to ask any more questions, but can I assume she doesn't live in Europe?" Ian asked.
"Yeah. She lives in the States." Michael said, still looking down at the floor.
"It hurts, Ian. I miss her." he said.
"Well, lets get to work. Lets hurry up with all the things that still need to get done here in Europe and get you home, okay?" Ian suggested.
Michael finally looked up from the floor.
"Ian, that sounds really good." he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sky was getting darker instead of lighter as Jaiden's plane flew backward in time from Paris to Chicago.
It was like starting the day all over again. Jaiden sat motionless looking out the window at her seat on the plane. She was happy that no one had reserved the seat beside her and she was free to let any tears fall. The clouds were white and puffy and made her think of pillows, which then made her think of lying in Michael's bed.
She closed her eyes and pictured him holding her. She felt his strong arms around her. She felt his breath in her hair and she felt his warmth on her body. Jaiden's comforting thoughts were jostled by the turbulence and the sound of he captain's voice reassuring all passengers that the turbulence would end soon. Jaiden looked around and saw a flight attendant who smiled at her and must have noticed her tears, because soon she was beside Jaiden.
"Are you alright, Miss?" the red haired woman asked.
"No. But I have to be." Jaiden answered honestly.
"Would you care for a drink? Water? Some tea?" asked the flight attendant.
"Wine. White wine, please." Jaiden said.
"It will only take a minute." said the attendant and walked down the isle.
Jaiden wished the plane also had a bubble bath she could slip into. She really needed to relax.
The woman returned quickly with Jaiden's drink.
"Here you go, Miss. Can I bring you anything else?" the attendant asked.
"No. Thank you." Jaiden said, forced herself to smile and then returned her glace to the plane's window.
She looked at her watch. God. Six more hours to go. How on Earth would she be able to get through six more hours of flying? She didn't want to be flying. She wanted to be in Paris. She wanted to be with Michael.
She wondered how he manged to leave the airport and hoped her got back to the hotel okay. Dan was an amazing body guard and Jaiden could tell that Michael trusted him.
Both Dan and Ron had asked security at the airport if there was a private room in which Michael could be alone with Jaiden.
They were directed to one and Ron and Dan stood outside the door, arms folded across their chests and a tough expression on their faces. No one would get into that room.
At first, all Jaiden could do was cry --quiet crying that couldn't be heard by the body guards, but could be felt by Michael as he held her tightly and kissed her on the top of her head.
"It will all be okay, Jaiden. We are going to see each other soon. We are. I promise." Michael tried his best to soothe Jaiden.
"You don't know that. You don't know for sure. Michael, I don't want to go back. You don't understand." Jaiden wept.
She was right, he didn't understand. He didn't know why fear struck her eyes each time she avoided answering why she had to go back to Chicago. But from what she had told him about her family, he knew that she'd be in good hands and that her mother would be so happy to see her.
"Think of your mother, Jaiden. She wants to see you. She's missed you so much. You're going to be happy to see her, right?" he looked at Jaiden and smiled.
"Of course, but...." Jaiden couldn't expect Michael to fully understand. He didn't know why she had to leave Paris.
"No 'BUT'...she will be happy to see you and you will be happy to see her. Try to concentrate on that. And as for you and me --yes I CAN promise that we will see each other soon."
"No you can't." Jaiden said quietly.
"Yes, I can. And I can seal that promise with a kiss." Michael said.
He held Jaiden's face in his hands and his soft lips kissed hers. They shared that kiss until the announcement over the airport intercom told Jaiden it was time for her to board the plane.
"I'm trying to be grown up about this, Michael. I am." Jaiden whispered into Michael's chest.
"I am too." Michael whispered back.
And that was that. Jaiden took her bag that she was carrying onto the plane, and with a smile, she turned at the door and faced Michael. She knew if she smiled that he would smile and she wanted to see it. And she was right. He smiled --a beautiful smile, and Jaiden's heart skipped a beat.
Now she sat on the plane, a drink in her hand and hoped the wine would make her tired enough to sleep the rest of the way to Chicago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are approaching the airport and are preparing to land. Please fasten your seat belts and return your trays to an upright position."
The voice startled Jaiden. She opened her eyes to see tiny squares of land below. They were landing. Everything was so familiar. If she had been sitting on the other side of the plane, she would have been able to see the road leading to her parent's house. She pushed her tray up and a flight attendant came by to collect her wine glass.
"You look better than you did a few hours ago, Miss." she said.
"It's home." Jaiden said and looked out the window.
"Oh! Well then you must be very happy to be back home." smiled the woman.
Jaiden turned her head to look at the woman. She nodded, but said nothing. The flight attendant couldn't possibly understand how Jaiden was feeling knowing she was minutes away from landing back in the windy city, but 'happy' wasn't how she would describe how she felt.
When it was time to get off the plane, Jaiden gathered her bag and hung it over her shoulder. She walked through the long tunnel into the airport, waited for her bags to arrive on the baggage carousel and made her way to the exit. As she did, she made the realization that she hadn't told anyone when she'd be coming home, therefore she would have to call a cab to get to her apartment. That was likely for the better since she really just wanted to be alone before calling her parents to say she was back.
Jaiden saw other people holding signs with names on them as people waited to greet family members or friends who had just landed. She heard people's named being called, followed by squeals of happiness and saw many hugs being handed out.
Just then she heard her own name being called.
"Jades! Jades!!"
Jaiden turned her head and saw Sam rushing toward her, her arms wide open and the hugest smile on her face.
*THUD*
Sam's body slammed into Jaiden's as she embraced her in the tightest hug she'd ever given Jaiden.
"Oh my God! I've missed you soooo much! I can't believe you're back! I wanna hear everything! Tell me EVERYTHING!" Sam said, he voice full of enthusiasm in true Sam style.
Jaiden couldn't help but smile.
"How did you know I was back? How did you know I'd be here right now?" Jaiden was borderline bewildered.
"Oh Jades, you know I have my ways." Sam winked.
"Plus it helped that I've been calling the airport every day for three days to see if your name was on their passenger list from Paris." she giggled.
"Wow, Sam..." laughed Jaiden.
"Come on. Lets go. Your parents are waiting." Sam said and grabbed Jaiden's suitcases and began to pull them.
"Wait. What do you mean they are waiting for me?" Jaiden stopped walking and looked at Sam.
"They want you to go over and see them." smiled Sam.
"Oh." Jaiden said quietly.
"What do you mean 'oh'? I thought you'd wanna see them right away." Sam questioned.
"Yes, I want to see them, but...well...I'd hoped to go to my place first. You know. Have a shower, rest a bit." Jaiden tried to get Sam to understand that she really just wanted to go home to her own apartment.
"Uhm...you can't." Sam stumbled over her words.
"What do you mean I can't?" Jaiden asked.
"I can't say." said Sam with a half smile.
"Sam......." Jaiden said suspiciously.
"Ohhhh, Jaaadesss...I can't say. Pleease don't make me. Just come on, okay? Please? Your mom really wants to see you. Please, please? Pretty please with CHERRIES on top?" Sam practically begged.
"Okay! Alright. Fine. But I don't want to stay long. I hope they will understand. Anyway, do you have a dime? We need to call a cab." said Jaiden.
"No we don't." smiled Sam.
"Your parents gave me their car to come get you." she said and began pulling along Jaiden's suitcases once again.
With a giant sigh, Jaiden followed Sam out of the airport and was soon headed towards her parent's home. She hoped for a quiet time with them before leaving for her cozy apartment and a much needed shower.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Welcome home!" Brandon said as he stood at the front door to Jaiden's parent's home.
"Brandon! What are you doing here?" Jaiden said and hugged her big brother.
"Like I wouldn't be here to welcome back my little sister!" he smiled.
"Mama and Dad are waiting for you in the kitchen." Brandon said and took Jaiden's hand to lead her to the kitchen.
Jaiden smelled food. She smelled her mother's home made soup. She smelled pasta. She smelled freshly baked bread and she smelled apple pie. Her mother had been cooking and baking a LOT. Jaiden hoped this didn't mean Olivia had been preparing a large meal for a large number of people. She just wanted to be alone.
As she and Brandon rounded the corner to the kitchen, she heard whispers from the kitchen and in moments, her fear was realized.
"Welcome back, Jaiden!"
There was a sign. There were balloons. There was a cake. There was food on the table and on the kitchen island and on the kitchen counters. There were pots on the stove and things in the oven. Worst of all, there were people in every inch of the kitchen.
Jaiden's face was a mix of shock and dread, topped off with a plastered on smile. She mustered her strength to say something.
"Oh.....my......." she managed to say.
Then her mother made her way through the many guests.
"My Bambina! My darling." Olivia kissed Jaiden on the cheek and held her close.
"Welcome home." she whispered in Jaiden's ear.
"Thanks, Mama, but....this is....it's too much." Jaiden said quietly.
"Nothing is too much for you, Bambina." Olivia smiled.
Clearly her mother wasn't understanding what she meant by 'too much'.
"Jaiden! There's my girl!" Thomas' voice rang out in the kitchen.
"I've missed you." he said and hugged his daughter tightly.
"I missed you too, Daddy." said Jaiden.
She took time to look around the room. All her parent's neighbors were there. Even her father's band members were there. She did her best to smile at each person.
"Now that the guest of honor is here, lets enjoy some food." Olivia said with a smile and gestured toward all the dishes she'd prepared with the help of Sam.
Sam worked her way through all the guests who were wandering around the kitchen and nibbling on everything Olivia had to offer.
"So, happy to be back? See THIS is why I couldn't tell you why we had to come here." Sam said and loaded her plate with fresh homemade pasta and a piece of Italian bread.
"Yeah, I can see that now." Jaiden looked at the food in front of her. She wasn't hungry. She was happy to see her parents, happy to see her brother and happy to see Sam. But she needed to be alone. She was flooded with thoughts of Michael and all she wanted was to hear his voice.
"Sam, I want to leave." she was about to cry and lowered her face so Sam wouldn't see.
Sam looked up from her food and even though Jaiden tried her best to hide it, she could see the sadness in Jaiden's eyes.
"Jades...what's wrong? I thought you'd be so happy to see us again." Sam was concerned.
"I just want to be by myself." Jaiden said.
She spotted her mother across the kitchen and went over to her.
"Mama, thank you for all of this. I appreciate everything, I do." she began.
Her mother looked at her and smiled. She touched her arm and spoke softly.
"But you want to go home." she said.
Jaiden nodded.
"I understand, Bambina. I'll ask Brandon to drive you. We will talk soon." Olivia hugged her daughter and then walked over to Thomas whose arms opened for her.
Jaiden knew her mother understood, and as soon as she saw her father embrace her mother just then, she too understood something. She understood why her mother had done all this. Her mother wanted Jaiden to forget. She wanted her to forget everything --even just for a moment-- the reason she was called back home.
Jaiden noticed her brother waiting for her at the kitchen door. He knew. He didn't even need Olivia to tell him to take Jaiden home. Brother's instinct told him. Jaiden walked over to Sam to say goodbye.
"I'll call you soon, okay? I love you." she said and hugged her best friend.
Sam nodded and soon Jaiden was in her brother's car on the way to her apartment; the place of solitude she longed for.
Brandon hugged his sister and offered to help her with her luggage, but Jaiden politely refused the help and dragged her things up the stairs to her apartment.
She dug into her bag and reached for her apartment key and unlocked the door. Jaiden opened the door, dropped her things to the floor and walked over to her couch and flopped down.
She grabbed her throw blanket that was always left on the back of the couch and wrapped herself in it.
Immediately the tears began. Immediately her head began to ache. And immediately her chest filled with pain and want for Michael. She wanted to call him, but she wouldn't be able to form words. The tears needed to end before she could possibly talk to him. She didn't want him to know how much she hurt or have him hear the pain in her voice.
She took in deep breaths and tried to feel comfort in being in her own home.
It did feel good. She was on her couch. She was snuggled in her own blanket. She smelled all the familiar smells of her apartment: Her orchid on the table behind the couch. The fabric softener scent on her blanket. The furniture polish that Sam had obviously used to dust Jaiden's apartment before she got there.
All the scents were so familiar and wonderful. She snuggled deeper into the blanket and as her face moved closer to her chest, a waft of Michael's scent rose from her shirt to her nose.
Jaiden closed her eyes, took the front of her shirt and brought it close to her face. She inhaled deeply and imagined Michael cuddling with her in the blanket. She pictured his arms around her. She imagined the smell of his hair and the taste of his mouth....
She needed his voice.
If she couldn't have his body, she could at least have his voice.
Jaiden wiped her face of tears, pushed the blanket off her and went over to her bags. She unzipped the front pocket of her suitcase and reached her hand inside. Feeling around, she found what she was searching for. Jaiden took out a small piece of paper. On it Michael had written down the number to their hotel along with his room number, which he underlined several times. Like she would forget it.
She sat back down on the couch and reached for her phone which sat on a small wooden table beside the couch. She could barely contain her excitement. Her fingers couldn't seem to dial the numbers on the phone fast enough. It was taking FOREVER. After a short pause, the lines finally connected and Jaiden heard the ringing of the phone as it ran into the reception area of her former hotel. She was greeted by the concierge and she asked to be connected to Michael's room number and obviously didn't give his name.
Any second she would hear his sweet, delicious voice.
The phone ran. It rang again. It rang another time. ....It rang several times. No answer. Where could he be? God, she needed to hear his voice so much. She closed her eyes and refused to hang up. She made a determined wish.
"He'll answer. I know he will." she said out loud.
And like magic, the phone stopped ringing and her wish came true.
"Hello?" came the sexiest and sweetest voice Jaiden had ever heard.
"Hi back!" Jaiden's face lit up with a smile.
"Jaiden!" Michael beamed.
"So you are home safe and sound? God. I miss you. I miss you sooo much. Is that crazy? It's only been half a day, but....I think I'm going nuts." Michael said.
The words Michael spoke were exactly what Jaiden needed to hear.
"NO. No you aren't crazy! I feel the same. Michael, I miss you too. I wish you were right here. I wish you were snuggling on my couch with me." Jaiden said and took another sniff of her shirt.
"I wish that too. Was your mom happy to see you? What about your father? Did you see your brother yet? Or Sam?" Michael was full of questions and suddenly feeling so much more full of energy than he had been before Jaiden called. Hearing her voice motivated him to finish his work and get on a plane back to the States.
"Oh yes. I saw all of them. Sam met me at the airport." Jaiden began.
"But how did she know you'd be there? I thought no one knew you were coming home today?" Michael asked.
"Long story short: Sam has her ways. Anyway, she brought me to my parent's place. Michael, my mother invited my brother over and everyone else she could think of inviting. It was too much. I needed to get back here to my own place. I needed to be home. But mostly, I needed to hear your voice." she said.
"Wow. Sometimes crowds bother me too, Jaiden." Michael said compassionately.
"Crowds bother you? Yet you can sing and dance in front of thousands of people?" Jaiden asked.
"It's true. Those are two different things. It's easier to do that...to dance in front of thousands of people. It's easier than being in a room with a bunch of people." Michael tried to explain.
"I think I understand what you are saying. Anyway, I just wasn't in the mood to be around a lot of people." Jaiden said with a sigh.
"I guess you are tired from the flight. And...you didn't get much sleep last night." Michael giggled.
"That's true." smiled Jaiden, remembering the night they had shared. But really it wasn't because she was tired that she didn't want to be around anyone, but she didn't want to have to go into that with Michael.
"I miss you." Michael said quietly. He leaned back on his bed and looked out the window in his room.
"I miss you too." Jaiden said back. She coiled the phone cord around her fingers and pulled the blanket up to her chin. The sun shined brightly into her apartment, it was now just past noon.
"How am I supposed to move off this couch? Because I just want to stay on the phone with you." she said.
"If I didn't have a business dinner to get to, I'd say lets talk all night." Michael said.
"Well, it's still daytime here, so you'd be talking for a long while." Jaiden kidded.
"And I would, you know." Michael said and was quite serious.
Jaiden grinned.
"I know you would." she said.
Michael sighed.
"I have to go. My driver will be here in a few minutes. I'm so glad you are back home safely." he said.
"I wish you didn't have to hang up." Jaiden said, suddenly beginning to hurt again all over.
"I'd suggest you stay on the line until I get back, but that could get expensive." Michael laughed, trying to make Jaiden smile. Which she did.
"You're so silly." she said.
"Have a good day, Jaiden. Get off that couch. Go out. DO something. Call Sam." Michael tried to inspire Jaiden to become motivated enough to not let herself stay on the touch all day.
"I'll try." she said.
"Please try." Michael said softly.
"I will." Jaiden answered.
"Good." Michael replied.
"We'll talk again soon, okay? I don't know how long my dinner will be, but I will call you." he said.
"It's okay, Michael. Go to your dinner. I'll be alright." Jaiden said and noticed a tickle on her cheek as a tear fell from her eye.
"Alright. I'll say goodbye then. Goddd...I miss you. I keep saying it. Sorry. Okay. I'm hanging up now." Michael said.
"Goodbye, Michael." Jaiden said and waited for the line to click, knowing that he'd hung up the phone. She placed the receiver back on the base and put the phone on the end table. She leaned her head back onto the arm of the couch and looked over to the window. Her curtains blew slightly in the breeze. She has left her living room windows open a small amount when she left for Paris. She risked burglars and a freezing cold apartment, in exchange for knowing that she'd come back to a fresh smelling place rather than a stuffy one.
"Get up, Jaiden." she said to herself, yet she moved herself deeper under her blanket.
"No, seriously. Get up." she tried to convince herself once more. Yet once again began to get more comfortable on the couch.
Jaiden turned her body to face the back of the couch and took in a big breath. She caught herself smiling as Michael's voice and their conversation echoed in her mind.
Just then she heard a knock at her door. Who could know she was home? Maybe it was someone knocking at the wrong door.
*knock knock knock*
Apparently not.
Jaiden got up and went to her door. She wished for a peep hole in her door like the one in her hotel room door. Perhaps she'd have to invest in one. She opened the door to see Sam standing there with a small basket she recognized as being her mother's. It was clear that Olivia had asked Sam to bring it over.
"I hope it's okay that I'm here, Jades. Your mom wanted you to have this stuff." Sam said and lifted the basket up a bit.
"Sure, Sam. It's okay. Come in." Jaiden said and waited until Sam was inside before closing the door.
She took the basket from Sam and brought it over to the coffee table. Now smelling her mother's food was making her hungry. Speaking to Michael was what she needed to help calm her a bit and her appetite returned. Jaiden and Sam sat side by side on the couch. Jaiden opened the basket and her face brightened when she noticed her mother had packed some freshly baked bread sticks.
"Mmmmm..." she said, her mouth watering.
"Want me to get some plates?" asked Sam.
"Yeah." smiled Jaiden.
"And I'll get some glasses. Mama packed juice."
The girls went into Jaiden's kitchen, grabbed two plates and two glasses and went back to the couch.
"Are you doing better now, Jades?" asked Sam, and she took the bottle of juice from the basket. Grape. Her favorite.
"I am." Jaiden said and pulled a bread stick from the basket, followed by a small container of pasta which was still warm.
Sam poured each of them a drink and then sat cross legged on the couch.
"I'm glad you're back." she smiled.
"Really? I had NO idea." Jaiden joked.
"Aren't you at least a little glad to be back in your apartment again? Did you see how well I took care of your orchid? It's not dead!" Sam smiled and pointed behind her to the purple orchid.
"Yes. I did indeed notice. Thank you. And yes, I am glad to be in my apartment. I love it here. I just......" Jaiden's words trailed off.
"I know." Sam said quietly.
"You know what?" asked Jaiden.
"I know that you aren't really happy to be back. I know why you had to come back. Your mom told me. I guess...well...I guess we all just tried to focus on you coming home. We tried to make it a positive and happy time. But...we all know. I'm so sorry, Jades." Sam said and her eyes filled with sadness as she spoke the words no one was yet brave enough to utter.
....But Jaiden was actually going to tell Sam she was unhappy because she missed Paris. She had pushed away any other reason. Her mind was not yet strong enough to deal with the hell she soon had to face.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
