Following the Stars

Chapter Eighty Six

Six Months Later...

The trial had come to an end, and the verdict had just been ruled in Johnny's favour a week prior. After completing UK tour dates with Jeff, Johnny had decided the best place to rest and relax would be France before he hit the road in September on the American stint of the tour. Lexie had been by his side throughout the ordeal, she had based herself in Virginia and attended court with him every single day. Silently waiting in the wings, and keeping a dignified silence in all matters but he knew he had her full support. The brief statement she released upon the verdict being given said it all. She loved him and wanted to have a future with him and she had never been happier.

Arriving in France alongside the children, Stephen and Gina was blissful, Johnny instantly felt at home in the south, surrounded by the hills that were embraced by the Mediterranean sunshine this was where he felt most content. Obviously the place had a lot of memories including those of only a year before when they found out Lexie was pregnant. That time was full of hope and delight, and he hoped they would have that joy again soon but he knew not to rush it. After all they had only known each other properly for two years and been dating for 18 months.

Lexie had mixed emotions of arriving back at the estate. When she arrived last year she was so frantic and anxious but once they had accepted the pregnancy shock it was such a happy time. That had all gone now and passed. She knew that they may have their time again but she had never truly discussed it with Johnny. She just hoped he was on the same page.

"Lex! Wanna get in the pool?" Jack asked sweetly as they finished breakfast. "Sure sounds good. I'll need to change though." "Ok I'll meet you there." "I wanna come!! Lexie will you lay out with me after? We can read Vogue!" "This is Lexie's vacation too kids, you'll do well to remember that!" Johnny smirked. As his girlfriend stood, he grabbed her hand and smiled. "Thank you." "For what?" "For being the biggest hit with my children." She smiled and wandered off as the kids got themselves ready for the pool day leaving Johnny, Stephen and Gina in the courtyard. "I wanna ask her to marry me." "What?" Gina asked shocked. "Not right now. But soon.. ish." "Soon ish? When exactly does that mean?" Stephen asked stroking his chin. "I dunno, this year maybe." "Wow. Are you sure John?" "I never thought I would ever again, but she's changed something in me and besides she's good for me." "She is amazing but do you know what she wants?" Gina asked sipping her coffee. "Are you saying she might not want to marry me?" "No I'm just saying, she's 32, nearly 33 she's not settled down yet, there may be a reason." "Yeah the reason is, she's only ever dated dicks." Gina nodded slowly. "Well I think it's nice that you feel that way again. I was worried you would be alone forever." "Look, I'm not gonna rush in to things I know how it must look, but I just wanna have a future, show her some commitment you know?" "We get it John, you do you, we'll always be here for you." Said Stephen. "Thank you, that's all I ask is for your support." Gina nodded smiling. "Well you've got it. Just don't go rushing anything, there's always time." "I know and I won't, I wanted to marry her as soon as she told me she was pregnant but she told me it was too soon and not a good enough reason." Johnny said smirking.

Meanwhile, Lexie donned a red bikini, grabbed her book and headed downstairs, before she reached the living area she heard Lily and Jack talking quietly.
"Jack it's none of our business."
"I think it is, we have a right to know"
"They'll talk to us if they wanted to tell us anything."
"Oh great so we are the last to know anything AGAIN."
"Jack it doesn't work like that."
"I just wanna know that's all"
"I don't think it's something you can ask, especially so soon."
"What about if I ask just dad!?"
"No"
"Lily, how can you not want to know?"
"Because it's just not the done thing."
"I don't understand you sometimes. You were excited before."
"And I'll be excited again IF it happens but it might not."
"I hate being the baby, I was so excited to have a brother."
"It could have been a girl you know."
"Oh great more know it all's like you... if they had a baby and it was a girl I would have to insist they had another and another and another until we got a boy."
"Jack! You can't say that, you would love any sibling that comes along."

Lexie although was touched by their conversation couldn't help but feel emotional. It seemed that everyone was desperate for the baby, the baby she had miscarried. Putting all negative thoughts aside she made herself known and entered the living room and found two sheepish looking kids. "Ready for the pool?" She said smiling. "Sure!!" "Can't wait!" They instantly responded and headed out to the pool area laughing and giggling.

An hour or so later it seemed Johnny had finished chatting to his friends and was sat in the shade watching his girlfriend and two children play in the pool. Lexie had managed to orchestrate a game where they had to keep the ball in the air, she was guiding Jack and encouraging Lily as if they were her own children and it made Johnny's heart swell. He was so lucky to have found her. "Dad are you gonna get in?" He heard his daughter yell. "Sure in a minute once I've finished this smoke." Lexie smiled pushing her sunglasses down her nose. She winked at him and he winked back before she continued the game. Finally, Johnny jumped in the pool splashing the three who were already in there. They started their game again and kept it going for hours, all four of them losing track of the time until Gina came over to explain her and Stephen planned to go out for dinner. Lexie quickly climbed out and wrapped a towel round herself. "Goodness. It's gone 6! You kids must be starving!" She quickly rushed into the house. "I hope she makes that pasta again!!" Jack exclaimed as he helped Johnny tidy up the pool area. "She's not your private chef Jack!" The elder scolded his son. "She told me she loves taking care of me though!" This earned a giggle from Johnny and Lily knowing it was true.

Later that evening, after Johnny had escorted the children to bed, he wandered out to the garden with a bottle of wine and two glasses looking for his girl. She didn't get to enjoy the finer things of French life last summer due to the pregnancy and they weren't even here that long so he was determined to make this summer memorable. He found her curled up on the day bed under the stars reading a book, she was obviously engrossed in it as she didn't look up until he was almost sitting beside her. "Hey you." He said before leaning into kiss her. "Hey yourself. Are the kids ok?" "Yeah they are all good. Lily is finishing a film and Jack is reading. I've told them lights out by 10:30 though. Vacation or not, they need their rest." Lexie nodded as she marked her page and placed the book down beside her bare legs. "I was thinking tomorrow we could go to Cannes for some lunch and shopping, what do you think?" Johnny said pouring some wine into a glass and handing it to her. "That sounds lovely. Shopping as in I'll be paying or shopping as in you plan to spend an obscene amount of money on me and the kids?" She said giggling. "Ummm does it matter?" He smirked knowing she would never be used to him spending money on her. "It does to me!" "Ok well let's call it me spoiling the ones I love." "Hmmm we'll see." She admired her boyfriend as his hair blew in the breeze and how he seemed a lot more relaxed than ever before. "Victory suits you." She whispered. His head abruptly turned to her. "Victory?" "Yes and justice. I know you paid a heavy price, and no compensation will ever repay what she cost you but you look a lot lighter than ever before." Johnny smiled. "Why thank you. I really am trying to let it go. The writing helps." "I'm sure it does." "So what's the big plan now?" Lexie said laying back beside Johnny. "Plan?" "Yes, what's Johnny Depp got planned for the big comeback?" "Comeback? Darling I never went anywhere, but if you're asking where do I see the next few years going.. well I'm working on the French movie from September, I've got the tour with Jeff, the art collection, Stephen and I are working on that film script so I'll be busy. Why? Are you thinking of retiring?" "God no, well not unless work dries up. Which let's face it, it could well do, but let's hope not especially now that I'm dating the hero of the hour, the man who stood up for all victims.." she said smiling. "Darling you never have to work again if you don't want." "I know, I know, I'm your woman and you want to take care of me. Johnny, you know that's not who I am." "I know.. anyway you've got that new project in September. That show.. what's her face in Paris, that's exciting?" "Yes, however I'm scared working with all the French people what if I get it wrong or insult them?" "You won't. The French are good people but they are very straight. You know where you stand with them." "Hmmm I'm still going to pick Lily's brain this summer about it." "You do that. Besides the kids are doing wonderfully teaching you French, so you'll probably be too good by the time your shoot the show. Isn't she a dumb American?" "Not dumb, just not fluent!" Lexie said giggling. "Well you will ace it darling I know you will." "Hope so. I hope I finish in time to come see you on tour at some stage." "I would love to have you but do you think you can survive bunking on a bus with two old boring guys?" "J you're not old..."