Just Breathe

Chapter 5

That afternoon, Dannii made a phone call for the rest of the group to meet up. That plan was that they were going to meet up at Suzie's place because she had a visitor. You see, Dannii didn't tell the others that Eddie was with her. So when she knocked on the door, and Suzie opened it she was so surprised to see that Eddie was with Dannii. "Oh, my god. Eddie isn't it?" she asked, "That's right." He replied looking ever so shy. You'd think being shy wouldn't phase Eddie, since he's a rock/grunge star but he was so shy in person. He'd only ever done a few interviews during his career. "Come on in" Suzie said with a smile. Dannii and Eddie entered Suzie's home.

When they entered the living room, they saw Phoenix sitting on the sofa. He'd only arrived in London yesterday, much like Eddie. Phoenix stood up from the sofa, and Suzie introduced him. "Dannii you know phoenix right?"

Dannii smirked, "Yes, I know phoenix. How you doing?"

"I'm good thanks he responded." Dannii introduced Eddie. "This is Eddie he's...my friend."

"Nice to meet you." They both shook hands. The only two people missing were Sadie and Lizzy. "Where's Sadie and Lizzy?" Dannii asked. "Not sure, they should be here soon though." Everyone got settled and began talking, Phoenix began asking Eddie what he did for a living.

"So Eddie, what do you do?"

"I'm in a band." He replied, "Wow, that's awesome. What you called?" Phoenix responded wanting to know more.

"Pearl Jam." Eddie responded. "Huh, so...what music do you make? And that name...how'd it come about?" Phoenix said intriguingly. "My grandmother married a Native American and cooked up jam with peyote as an ingredient. But funny enough, that wasn't our original name. We were originally called Mookie Blaylock." Eddie laughed embarrassed. "Mookie Blaylock?" Dannii questioned smiling. "Yeah...we changed the name because of legal reasons, plus I like the name Pearl, its surfer slang for submerging the nose of your board."

"Eddie loves to surf don't you?" Dannii stated, "Yeah." He replied smiling, looking down to the floor." Suddenly a knock came to the door. "I'll get it." Suzie said. When she opened the door Sadie, Lizzy and her partner Courtney were standing outside. "Hey, what took you guys so long?" Sadie stepped through the doorway, "Lizzy and Courtney were arguing." Another argument was about to occur, Lizzy and Courtney entered the apartment. "Well it's not me who has the trust issues." Lizzy stated. "Well, how the hell do I know what you're doing when you're touring in different countries?"

"Guys please" Suzie said trying to end the conversation, as Dannii, Eddie and phoenix could hear the talk from the hallway. "I'll tell what I'm doing when I'm touring shall I? If you're that desperate." Lizzy stated. Courtney crossed her arms, "Go on."

"I play instruments." Sadie smiled and chuckled, she shook her head and walked into the living room. Suzie followed. "Hey girl" Sadie said as she and Dannii had a heartwarming hug. "Hi Eddie, what brings you here?" Sadie asked, "Dannii was kind enough to show me around London." He responded. "Nice. Phoenix good to see you again. I guess you and Suzie are a thing now?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say so." He said with a smile.

Courtney and Lizzy remained in the hall. "Look, I'm not going to keep going through this with you. And especially not in front of my friends" Lizzy said with frustration. "If you can't start trusting me then maybe we shouldn't even be together." She continued. Lizzy left Courtney speechless. She walked into the living room. "Hey everyone, I'm really sorry if you heard."

"Oh don't worry...we did." Dannii stated with a hint of sarcasm."

"Hey Eddie good to see you again." Lizzy shook his hand. She then went on to hug Dannii. "Hey phoenix, how are you?" she said. "I'm good, although I'm not sure if you are."

"Oh don't worry about it. It's just my girlfriend being an ass." Courtney then entered the room. "Sorry girls. So Dannii, introduce me to your friend." She said as she sat down. Dannii introduced Eddie. "It's a bit of a coincidence that you both are from the U.S. and you both arrived yesterday." Sadie stated, "Why are you hear anyways? Is it business or just a getaway?" Lizzy said. "Getaway." Eddie and Phoenix said in unison. They both looked at each other and chuckled. "Hey Eddie, would you like to go for a drink sometime?" Phoenix asked. "Sure thing." Eddie replied. Everyone got to talking and was interacting with each other. The only person who wasn't saying much was Courtney, she only stayed for one drink and then she went back home. Was it guilt? Or was she just so stuck-up her own ass? "If you guys want to make it work then this has to stop." Dannii stated. "This is exactly what I've been telling her, she has had so many bad relationships in the past and when she finds the one true person...she still isn't satisfied." Lizzy proclaimed, sitting on the couch, legs apart, and hands crossed.

"I know it's not my place but..." Eddie started. "I've been in this situation before, I've had a few failed relationships. I mean...that's why I wrote the song black. I was going through such a bad time back then. And to tell you the truth I broke up with my last girlfriend three weeks ago. But I think I found the right person." Eddie made eye contact with Dannii, held her hand and smiled. "That's so sweet you guys." Sadie said smiling. The afternoon was over and the evening rose, everyone except for Suzie and Phoenix of course were about to leave the apartment. "Thanks so much for coming guys." Suzie said, showing everyone out. "Eddie it was nice seeing you again."

"Thanks, you too." He responded. He left the apartment with Dannii, "I'm dreading going home." Lizzy said to Suzie. Suzie pulled her aside. "Look, what are you still doing with her?" she asked. "I really don't know. Every time I go home, I just get accused of everything and she assumes that I do everything behind her back."

"Look honey, I hate seeing you like this. You clearly aren't happy. Something needs to be done."

"I'm pretty much the innocent victim." Lizzy came close to shedding a tear. "Hey." Suzie said passionately, as she moved a few strands of hair away from Lizzy eyes. "No matter what happens, we'll always be there for you. You just need to do what's right." Without thinking Lizzy hugged Suzie and held on tightly. "Thank you." Suzie kissed Lizzy on the cheek and she went on her way. Suzie walked back into the living room "She's having a tough time huh?" Phoenix asked. "Yeah, but she's strong, she'll pull through. All we violets do." She said this as she sat next to phoenix, he kissed her on the lips.

Back at Dannii's apartment, she and Eddie were watching television. Dannii sat with Eddie, "Thanks for saying what you said at Suzie's."

"What...uh...what did I say? He responded with curiosity. "When you said that you may have found the perfect person. And the way you looked at me. You're just so damn cute."

"It's only because you make me that way." Eddie responded smiling. "Did you have this type of connection with Beth?" Dannii asked. "To be honest...no." Eddie responded, looking a little confused. "Then why would you want to marry her?" Dannii asked. "She told me it was always her dream to marry, but I guess I wasn't to be with me." He responded, looking down. Dannii leaned in and turned Eddie's cheek. "I'm never going to leave you Eddie....ever." She kissed him on the lips. "Do you think we could have an early night?" "Sure." Eddie smiled. Dannii switched off the T.V. and they made their way into the bedroom. They had passionate sex all through the night. They stayed up to watch the sun rise in bed. Dannii had Eddie right where she wanted him. In her arm, never wanting to let go.