The Back Up Benefit

It's Been Waiting For You

Over the next few weeks I managed to move from my flat into a different one slightly nearer Ricky. I considered handing in my notice at work due to the stress of James's attack. I reasoned with myself that he wasn't going to come back while he was in custody so at least until his trial I would be safe. Then depending on which way it went I could put a restraining order on him which would stop him from coming near me or contacting me.

All the stress of this was exhausting but I didn't sleep well. When I did finally get to sleep I would have bad dreams which usually featured being followed, hurt or watched by disembodied eyes. When I woke up I was alone and in a cold sweat of fear.

It didn't help that I was alone seeing as Ricky was away on tour in North America. I was staying at home to work and speak at the trial. I was going to fly out after the trial to meet Ricky and was looking forward to escape the gloom to spend time with my friends.

I was offered leave at work during the run up to the trial but I didn't want to stay at home alone unless I strictly had to.

The day after I gave my statement to the court I was free to fly to America to see Ricky and the guys. I still hadn't packed my suitcase until the night before my flight. I hastily put the things I'd need in the bag. In the bathroom my hand hovered over the pack of sanitary towels as I frowned to myself. I was due my period that week but it hadn't come yet. I shrugged and put it down to stress. This wouldn't be the first time stress had messed up my periods so I wasn't overly worried. Once I got the call from my lawyer about the verdict in a few days I could relax properly and maybe then normal service would resume down below.

All five of the band were there to greet me when the plane landed in New York. I grinned with excitement at seeing my favourite Yorkshire men again. Simon was the first to greet me at the arrivals gate as he slipped through the gaps in between the other people waiting for family and friends.

"How are you flower?" he asked and pulled me into a hug.

"All the better for seeing you." I said into his skinny chest.

"Hey! Get off my girlfriend!" I heard Ricky protest. "I should be the first one to hug her!"

"Hi handsome!" I grinned and I slipped out of Simon's arms and straight into Ricky's. "I missed you."

"I missed you too!" he grinned and kissed me.

We kissed a little too passionately and maybe too long in front of our friends. The guys started to laugh and joke at us. We separated, giggling a little.

"Sorry but I haven't seen him in weeks and we're still in the honeymoon phase." I blushed.

Well, that was partially true. They'd been away for three weeks but in the week before they left me and Ricky hadn't been in the mood to be intimate together. We hadn't been in the honeymoon phase for very long at all before things got between us. Luckily Ricky understood my stress and respected my lack of desire at the time. I felt awful for pushing him away and combined with other things it had left me crying in his arms as he tried to soothe me.

After I'd been hugged by the guys we headed out of the airport to get taxis. Ricky took my hand in one of his and my suitcase in the other while we walked and he explained the plan for the day.

"I got you a hotel room tonight cose I didn't think you'd want to share the tour bus with us after a long flight. We'll take you there to drop off your case then we can all go out and do something before the show if you want. We've got a day off tomorrow so there'll be more time to see sights and stuff then." he explained.

"I'll do anything as long as you're there." I smiled.

"Aww!" he cooed. "That was so cute it was almost sickening!"

"Yeah, I'm not good at this romantic stuff!" I laughed.

We heard the others talking and laughing ahead of us.

"But I don't want to ride with the love birds!" "Neither do I!" "Well I'm not being the third wheel!" they were saying.

"All right you lot! Shut up!" Ricky told them. "I'll take Lizzie to the hotel while you guys do whatever guys do on tour. You're just jealous I've got my girlfriend!"

The babble of joking and teasing started up again. "You just want to have some time alone don't you?" Simon asked while Whitey peaked over his shoulder and made kissy noises at us.

I blushed and laughed at their silliness. It was pretty obvious that me and Ricky both wanted time together and they made it sound a lot funnier.

"Yes, I want to get a little bit of peace from you noisy lot with my sexy girlfriend." Ricky told them outright.

I waved and smiled as we got into the taxi and drove off but as soon as we were out of sight of them I turned and kissed Ricky.

"I love you." I whispered between kisses.

"I love you too." he grinned.

We kissed in the back of the taxi for most of the way to the hotel. The driver kept interrupting us with conversation. I tried my best not to show that I was annoyed at being disturbed from catching up with my handsome boyfriend.

"So where are you guys from?" The driver asked in a broad New York accent.

Ricky groaned as we broke apart. "From England." he sighed not taking his eyes off me. I rolled my eyes to show him I agreed.

"Where about in little old England?" the driver continued.

"I'm from the north. She's from the south." Ricky replied.

"So you live together?" was the next question.

"No, separately in London though." Ricky replied. "I don't mean to be rude but I haven't seen my beautiful girlfriend in a long time. I'd quite like to snog her."

I giggled quietly at Ricky's honest way of excusing us. I ran my fingers along his jaw as we resumed kissing.

"You've had a shave." I smiled.

"I wanted to look good for you." he grinned. "And I know you hate pash rash."

"That sounds like a nasty disease!" I laughed. "I love smooth kisses much more."