A Saviour

Four

A few weeks had gone by and the tour was going well. Belle and Kate had adapted to being on the road with the band and Belle loved the extra attention she was receiving. Kate adored being a mother but in their day to day life in between working, childcare and household chores she didn't get to spend much quality time with her child so this was a real treat even though on some occasions it was even harder work than the norm.

Tonight was the big night in London, the band had sold out the venue months ago and everyone was super excited for the show. Johnny had kindly invited Kate which also in turn meant Belle too down to the sound check where Gina was capturing content for his social media pages. Katie and her daughter hung around in the wings whilst the mother worked from her phone and Belle was being fussed over by the road boys and sound tech guys. She really had a lot of them wrapped round her finger including Johnny's two security guards Sean and Travis. Belle was sat on the floor with her two teddies muttering incoherently when Gina approached. "So there's a big party tonight back at the hotel. Are you coming?" "Oh goodness, I couldn't, it's bad enough she's missing her bedtime for the show but I'll need to get back asap once they wrap up." Katie said looking at the glamorous woman. "You know Stephen and I have been to more after parties than we care to imagine, I don't mind watching her for a few hours if you wanna let your hair down?" "Oh Gina, that's so thoughtful but I couldn't leave her, thank you though." "Let us know if you change your mind." She said before setting her phone up to film more of the sound check.

Later the band had just finished a phenomenal show, and although they left the stage a good two minutes prior, everyone could still hear the roar of the crowd. Belle was in Kate's arms clapping and the mother was sure that the toddler didn't fully understand but loved her enthusiasm anyway. The wings were alive with motion, various band members ditching their instruments, tech guys removing mics, soon Kate got swept up in it and bundled in a car with Stephen and Gina. A child's seat had made its way onto the tour too which was incredibly thoughtful and Belle was happily strapped in watching as the lights of London went past on the way back to the hotel. As they arrived back, a group of press were stood at the entrance, and the fact the three adults weren't huge points of interest not much fuss was made. Kate rushed in protecting her child from the crowds and made her way up to their suite. Gina followed claiming she was changing before the party. As they reached their room doors, Kate wished the woman a good night and headed in with Belle.

As she put the toddler down, she ran riot, clearly the sleepiness from earlier had worn off and the 18 month old was more than happy to be reunited with further toys. Kate sat down and kicked her shoes off, there was somewhat of a heat wave in Europe right now and she was struggling slightly with the heat. It was never the same when you weren't on holiday. She enjoyed the peace for a moment too long because soon she heard a crash. Belle had pulled a few things off the coffee table. Nothing too fragile though thank goodness. "Annabelle Baxter! Pick those things up now!" She said sternly. The toddler began to slowly pick up the items one by one putting them back. "Good Girl!" Katie said proudly knowing her daughter wasn't really a bad kid.

An hour or so later, Katie had just finished tucking Belle in, she had put up quite the fight being overtired but after a few stories she was content and Kate was just leaving the bedroom door ajar when a gentle knock came on the main suite door. It was late, gone midnight so she peered through the peephole and saw Johnny there. She opened the door. "Hey, is everything ok?" She asked panicked. Wasn't he meant to be at his big after party? "Yes, is everything ok here?" "Yes it's fine. Why?" Kate asked. "I just wanted to make sure, I know the late nights have been getting to Belle but I hate thinking of you tucked up in the hotels all alone so it's nice having you at the venues." "It's all part of the job." Kate smiled but only half heartedly. She was beginning to get tired of travelling and a little homesick. "Johnny, aren't you guest of honour at some big party tonight?" "How do you know about that?" He asked. "Gina invited me, but obviously I couldn't go for well obvious reasons." "Ah. You didn't fancy it? I'm sure we could have found somebody willing to babysit." "I won't leave her unnecessarily." "I get that. Mind if I bring the party to you?" He held up a bottle of wine and two glasses. Katie smirked. "If you mean can you bring a rockstar style party in here where you're doing drugs, hanging with strippers and up all night then the answer is a firm no, if you want to come in for a glass of wine though, you're more than welcome." Kate giggled. Johnny chuckled "I'm clean, you know I am. Strippers is something I've never been interested in. Why have a cheeseburger when you have sirloin at home, and as for all night, I'm no where near as young as I used to be, I bet we are asleep within two hours" "did you just compare women to burgers and steak? And as for sleeping, I'll raise you.. I think we will be sleeping in less than hour." "Together?" Johnny winked making Kate blush as he entered the suite closing the door behind himself. It was then he noticed she was in cute loungewear shorts and a little cami vest top. She sat down on the couch and waited for him to join her. He was still very much in his stage outfit, dark fitted jeans, a black shirt and waistcoat and multiple items of accessories and jewellery, he had a red bandanna pushing his hair out his face too and looked every inch his usual handsome self.

They were sat fairly close together on the couch as Johnny poured their second glasses of wine. This was an indulgence that Kate rarely did, she wasn't a huge drinker and never saw the point in opening an entire bottle just for one glass. This was an incredibly delicious white wine and she knew Johnny had good taste when it came to these things. "I hope you're enjoying this tour and it's not all work and no play." Johnny said looking at her. "Goodness I've more than enjoyed myself. I've done less work than ever. You'll probably end up firing me." "No ways man. You work far too hard, sometimes you've briefed things before I even think of them." Kate smiled, she like to think she worked hard so it was nice to get the credit. "What will you do after the tour?" Kate asked sweetly. "I think I'm gonna spend some time at my place in France. It's my proper home. I love it there." Kate nodded. "I've heard how much you like it there, France is renowned for its anonymity." Johnny nodded sipping his wine. "And you?" "Me? I've got to get back to reality, I'll have to get a child back to the idea that chicken nuggets don't always come when you lift up the phone receiver." Katie giggled. "It will be a shock to her I'm sure." Johnny smirked. "Yeah but you were right..." "right about what?" "Saying we both needed this, that it will be good for us, it has been." "Don't go telling everyone but I do have the occasional good idea you know." He smirked and placed his wine glass down before sitting back. "Like this.." "like what?" Kate asked mirroring his actions. "Like ditching the over the top party to search for you. This is much more my thing." Kate smiled "Well thank you, I appreciate it, sometimes it's hard when you're only company is a child who doesn't really talk much sense if at all." Johnny looked down realising how hard it must be for the woman beside him.

"You must be relieved now it's over?" Kate asked quietly an hour or so later. They had finished their wine and began a very deep conversation about Johnny's past. "I just can't hate anymore, it took so much energy. I'm not looking back, only forward." Kate nodded. "I get that. I liked what you said to Greg. Hate is an expensive emotion." "It is." "So what's your story?" "My story?" "Yes, you've very closed off, your cards are never on the table, what's the big story.... Of course you don't have to tell me but there's not much you don't know about me, fuck half the world knows my story." "Well, umm.." Kate began and then stopped she looked down at her hands and clearly was agitated and nervous. "My story, is umm, just one step behind yours, well without all the fame, fortune, and big court case." Johnny nodded before his eyes widened. "What?" He said shocked. "I umm, I know what it's like." Kate muttered but Johnny still heard. "You were abused?" He asked before gently placing his hand on top of hers. She nodded biting her lip. "Yes." "And now?" "Now I'm far far away from him, and do everything in my power to protect me and my little girl." She said stronger than he expected. "I'm so sorry Katie." "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault." She said finally looking up into his eyes. "Who?" Johnny asked. "My ex. My ex of 5 years." "God, and then what, it didn't work out with Belle's father either?" "Johnny, he is Belle's father." Johnny's eyes slowly closed and he took a deep breath.