Following the Stars

Chapter Seventy One

A few days after the sentencing, Johnny decided that in all the chaos of France and then heading back to London for the trial, they hadn't had time to truly celebrate their news. Lexie was nearly 14 weeks pregnant and they were both extremely excited now that the shock had finally sunk in.

They decided on dinner at a quaint little restaurant fairly close to Lexie's house. It was on the river and across many levels of an old listed building. Johnny had arranged for them to have the top floor to themselves for the evening. The only problem being what she would wear. Lexie was stood in just her underwear in front of her wardrobe with her hand stroking her small bump that had bloomed in the last week or so. Nothing seemed to fit properly anymore, and nothing did a good enough job to hide the bump, she was starting to panic when Johnny walked in the room, he had been downstairs smoking and on the phone to the children. They were due to arrive the next day for a week long stay and it would be the first time they would stay at Lexie's house alongside Johnny. He wanted them to all to be together and start getting used to the idea of living with one another.

"Not that I don't love this view. But didn't you want to leave at 7?!" He asked making her smile. "Johnny, I know you love the view but help me find something that fits!" She said stomping her little foot on the carpet. "Are you saying we need to get you maternity clothes?" "You are not spending any more money on me!!" Lexie giggled as he approached wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. He lent back and looked in her wardrobe, he began going through the rack, he pulled out a grey midi chiffon pleated skirt and handed it to her. "This has some give in it." He said pointing to the elasticated waist. "Charming!" She giggled. After he looked through all of her tops he scratched his chin. "See it's not easy is it?" Lexie said kissing his cheek, "you're just looking at it the wrong way." "What?" She asked as he headed over to his side of the wardrobe that was now rapidly filling up with his belongings. He went through it and pulled out a black tee it was a band tee and not just any band, his band, The Hollywood Vampires. He handed her the top, and then grabbed her leather jacket out the wardrobe and said "There you go. My Little Rock chick." Lexie smirked before trying the outfit on. She loved it and was pleasantly surprised at his taste and style. She grabbed some black heels and saw his face. "I promise I'll be careful." He nodded as she slipped them on, "as if you'll leave my side anyway." She smirked.

The next morning Lexie was up bright and early ensuring that two of the many guest bedrooms she had would be suitable for Lily-Rose and Jack. She had filled them with essentials and treats for them wanting them to feel at home. She headed downstairs in just her robe and Johnny soon joined her wrapping his arms round her middle from behind. He rested his hands on her growing bump, and whispered in her ear "Baby D is growing rapidly quick." "I know. It's crazy isn't it? My tummy was nothing a week or so ago and now look at it. It's a tiny baby." "Well our baby was never gonna be huge was it?" "Hey. I'm not that small!" She giggled as he pulled back, tapped her on the head and grabbed a mug of coffee.

Later once the kids had arrived, Lexie began showing them round. Johnny was following the group nervously. "Guys just try to be respectful ok? I don't want you to break anything." "Don't listen to him, treat it as if it was your own home ok? Help yourself to whatever, and if you need anything let me know or stick it on the list on the fridge ok?" Lily nodded before Lexie opened the door to the room she had chosen for her. It was blush pink, with grey elements and overlooked the garden through a big bay window. "It's beautiful Lex!" Lily said hugging her. She rushed over to the dresser where Lexie had placed the basket of goodies. "There's some stuff in there from my mum too, stuff is sent for her to try all the time so enjoy!" They then moved onto Jack's room which was just over the landing, it was equally as big but fairly neutral. He was happy and began unpacking quite quickly. As he ushered his father and Lexie out the room, the adults headed downstairs "I think when we are in America in September I'll have people come in and decorate their rooms how they would like it." Lexie said sitting next to Johnny on the couch. "You don't need to do that. Didn't you only have this house refurbed last summer?" "Yes, but that's not the point. They should feel at home here, I want to do it, especially if we are all going to be spending a lot more time here." "I really am lucky to have a girl like you aren't I?" Johnny said kissing her.

That evening, Tom had kindly invited Lexie, Johnny and the kids to his show, a live Saturday night prime time programme, it was lighthearted, and full of entertaining games for the audience. Lexie knew a lot of the crew baring in mind Tom had worked on this show since she was around 14 so she instantly felt at home as she went into the green room. "Lexie darling, how are you?" "Hi Claudia, I'm good, how are you?" "Rushed of my feet darling, your dad has been back to back this year it's crazy. And who is this Devine man?" "Claudia this is Johnny, Johnny this is Dad's PR agent. "Absolutely wonderful to meet you my darling." Claudia lent in and kissed Johnny's cheek. "And these are his amazing children, this is Lily-Rose and Jack." The kids said hi and Claudia greeted them equally as affectionately. "So are you going on tonight?" "What do you mean?" "Well didn't you hear the star guest announcer has pulled out? Apparently sick." "Oh for fuck sake. He goes live in two hours." "You're telling me. AND next week's singer has bailed too." "Well you're just full of positivity aren't you Claud!?" Tom said as he walked into the room holding a suit jacket. "Hi darling, sorry I didn't come see you sooner, rehearsal ran late and I've only just got out of wardrobe. Hey Johnny, Hi kids, good to see you again!" "Don't worry Dad. Claud said your star guest announcer pulled out?" "Yep, they are trying to get somebody now but doubt they'll fill it. Why? Are you up for it?" "I mean I'll do it if you need me to but I'm sure they'll want somebody better than me won't they?" "Oh come of it, to be honest it's been quite some time since you were on one of my shows. Do it?" "Seriously? I mean what will I wear?" "What you've got on is fine. Hang on... Claud. Grab wardrobe will you." "Lexie are you seriously doing this?" Lily asked excitedly. "It appears so!"

After an hour, an outfit had been found for Lexie and luckily as she would only be doing the announcing they would shoot from the waist up because the top did little to hide her growing bump. Her mum had managed to work her hair into a bit of a bouncy blow dry and added some glam make up. The kids were ecstatic that they would get to see both Lexie and her Dad live on telly and Johnny felt strangely proud of her too. They stood in the wings watching as the audience filed in and some shouted out to Lexie who was stood on the side of the set in a make shift sound booth. Finally the titles rolled and Lexie's voice was booming across the studio.

"Hello, we are live from ITV tower in London, coming up on tonight's show, one lucky audience member is in with a chance of winning a place on the plane, the cast of This Morning get the shock of their lives with undercover, and we have the incredible Olly Murs here performing his brand new single but first, for one night only... your star guest announcer, and the boss man's daughter it's me Lexie Donnington, here's your host Tom Donnington."

The audience went wild as Tom made it onto the set and waved at everyone, he introduced the show and undertook his duties as Lexie slipped off to the wings, "you're so cool!!" Lily whispered "Am I?" "Yes!!! This is so much fun!!" Jack exclaimed. Johnny smiled on as the kids fussed over Lexie.

Finally the evening came to an end and Lexie wrapped up the show with her father, as the producers walked onto the set declaring they were off air, Claudia approached "Tom, we have that charity thing remember?" Her father nodded as he approached Lexie "wanna come with?" "What do you mean?" "Oh it's one of those make a wish things." Lexie nodded and the Depp's followed.

"Hi! I'm Tom, did you enjoy the show?" The man asked a small boy who was sat on his mother's knee.
"It was so much fun!! Thank you for having us." The little boy smiled.
"You're so welcome, when we heard your story we were inspired. You're incredibly brave."
"Thank you. Hi, are you Lexie?" The little boy asked making Lexie smile. She knelt down "Yes I am, Tom is my dad. Is this your Mum?" The little boy nodded and Lexie was introduced to the family, making small talk with them and learning more about the little boy's condition. "He spends a lot of time in Great Ormand Street. So it's wonderful to be here tonight." His father said and Lexie smiled. "Ah, yes actually my boyfriend Johnny's daughter spent time there, it's a wonderful hospital isn't it, they really work miracles." "They do such incredible things." At the mention of his name Johnny slowly approached, "Hi man, I'm so sorry to interrupt but I heard your story and my god, I know how hard it can be. It was one of the darkest times of my life when my little girl was in there. You're incredibly brave all of you." Johnny shook hands and greeted everyone before pulling Claudia aside. "Do you think we could organise a visit to the hospital? I'll bring Captain Jack, Lexie and Tom could both come? It would be good for the kiddies right?"