What If I Can't Forget You?

{30}

Claire's POV

Alex pulled me to a sitting position.

"Can you stand?" She asked.

"Yeah. I've got a massive headache. I smacked my head on the floor... Hey, have you always had seven fingers?"

"Um, no. No, I have five. Claire, I think you have a minor concuss-" Ian roared and thrashed against the boys, interrupting her. "Why don't we move to the hallway?" I nodded, and she helped me stagger to the hallway, disoriented.

I can't remember how long it was until the police got there. Vic must have over-exaggerated the situation BIGTIME, because cops, paramedics, and firemen rushed into the building, most of them armed with firearms as if to take down a terrorist. As soon as they realized they were only working to restrain one guy, the fire department left looking disappointed.

"Ma'am. Ma'am, will you look at me?" Asked a paramedic. I didn't know she was talking to me.

"Whaa?"

"Will you look right here, please?" She shined a light in my eyes.

As I halfheartedly complied with her requests, I saw Ian being ushered out behind her. He fought the cops that held his handcuffs and screamed that he was innocent. I caught his eye, and he jerked himself in my direction, screaming obscene things at me. The police around him successfully restrained him, and I heard his rights being read as they shoved him out the stage doors and into the night.

Alex's POV

The paramedics handled Claire by the wall, and I went to go find Mike, Vic, and Tony. I passed Ian being dragged down the hall by cops. Well, I thought, that relationship's over.

The boys were in the dressing room, looking a little shaken, and being questioned by a policeman. The cop looked over at me as I entered.

"We'll just be a minute." He said. I nodded, and sat toward the back of the room.

"Just sign here, here, and here." He said to the boys, pointing to some kind of witness document.

I didn't notice Jaime until I was inside. He sat next to Tony, holding his bad shoulder. I had no intention to speak to him, but I couldn't help stealing glances his direction.

The cop finished his business with them and thanked us for our cooperation. Vic was on his heels out the door, probably to go see Claire. I was sure she'd be okay- she was a little traumatized and might have a minor concussion- but okay nonetheless.

I plopped down next to Mike.

"God, this was all my fault." I stared at the floor, feeling beyond guilty. Everyone remained silent. "I never should have asked him to come on the tour. Guys," I said, looking up to face them,"I'll be catching a flight in the morning back to San Diego." All three of their heads instantaneously turned to my attention.

"What? No." Tony stood.

But I was already gone. I strode down the hall towards Claire and Vic, both slumped against the wall and tangled in each other's arms.

Yelling from behind me caught my attention, and I spun around.

"I need a lawyer for Mr. Davis. Immediately." Mr. Becker stormed down the hallway yelling into his phone. "No, Gregory- I need- No! I-- Claire?" His jaw hung slack as he stared at his daughter. "Gregory, I'll call you back."

She smiled timidly. "Hi, daddy."

"Claire bear- what are you doing here?" He looked bewildered. "And why?"

And so she explained. Everything that had happened the past few months, everything that happened between her and Vic. And he took it well.

But then she began telling him what had happened that night. He picked up his phone.

"Yes, Gregory. Break the record contract with Ian Davis. Also, contact the Arizona court system and inform him that I will not be providing him a lawyer. Yes. Thank you."

He hung up. He fell to his knees. And he cried.

It was strange seeing him cry, this powerful stoic man. But he did, and he apologized for not just what had happened tonight, but for how he had treated his daughter. How he had neglected her.

And they held each other, finally mending the home that had so long been broken.

Once they had calmed down, Vic pulled Bob aside. They spoke softly for a few moments, and I caught snippets of the conversation. "Sir- I know this is sudden-"
"Son, I trust you-"
"Thank you- thank you, sir-"
"Make me proud-"

Claire's father finally smiled and said, "Yes, yes." And they hugged.

They hugged? That's weird. Claire and I gave each other a look.

Vic turned to Claire.

He took a deep breath.

He smiled.

He pulled out a little black box.

He dropped to one knee.