A Rock & Roll Romance

Sixty Five

"Jack.. I thought I taught to you to knock!??" Johnny said rushing up the drive with his daughter by his side. "You said she invited us and wanted to see us!" The boy said carrying a large flower arrangement. "I did and she does, but it's still polite to knock." "Even though it's your house?" Lily said cocking an eyebrow to her father. "I may own it on paper but it's Meg's home, you'll do well to remember that young lady." Johnny said sensing his daughter's tone as he stepped into the house about to call out but Meg came out the kitchen slightly flustered. "I thought I heard you guys." She said wiping her hands on her apron and smiling. "These are for you, thank you for inviting us for dinner." Jack said handing the flowers over and kicking off his trainers. "Oh they are beautiful!" Meg gushed. "Did you choose them?" She smiled at both the children, Lily simply responded "Jack and Dad did." Meg nodded and thanked them once again. "Come in, dinner shouldn't be too long. I stole a recipe from Hilda so I hope you'll like it." She said as the children wandered slowly into the sitting room. Johnny lingered before putting his arm around his girlfriend, kissing her discreetly on the cheek. "Hey doll." "Hey you." She said nervously smiling.

"This is delicious!" Johnny said tucking into his meal at the dining table. "Yes it's so good Meg!" Jack said say beside the woman. Noticing her father staring at her, Lily sat up "Yes it's alright, I mean Hilda's is better." Johnny opened his mouth and sighed before taking a sip of his drink. "Oh I couldn't agree more." Meg said before adding "I'll have to keep practicing.. who knows Hilda might even offer me cooking lessons." "You don't need lessons doll.. you're food is sublime." Meg smiled before they resumed their meals. "So your father told me you've taken up piano lessons too now Jack?" Meghan said genuinely interested in the children. The boy seemed only too pleased to speak and to get to know her. Lily on the other hand was more reserved, more protective of her father and wasn't taking any chances. "And Lily, when do you jet off for fashion week?" "Not for another two weeks." "Oh well that's exciting. Do you attend all the shows with your mother?" "Yes." "Well I hope you have a wonderful time, I've always admired from afar." Lily looked up confused. "You have??" She asked. "Well yes. Chanel has always been a firm favourite. It's classic, chic, elegant. Everything your mother and you are." Lily's eyes widened. "Oh umm thank you. She's taught me everything I know." Lily said quietly. "That's clear to see, you're a force to be reckoned with. You'll be the face of Chanel before we know it." Meg giggled. "Woahh let's wait until you finish school at least!" Johnny added with a smirk. "Yeah yeah." Lily said rolling her eyes resuming her dinner.

"So are you boyfriend and girlfriend?" Jack asked with a raised eyebrow sat on the couch in Meg's sitting room. The four had gathered and Johnny had told his children that they should be as open as possible and ask any questions that they had. Meg bit her lip and turned to Johnny, they had told each other they had loved one another but they hadn't ever officially put a label on their relationship. "Yes bud, I guess you could call it that. See, when you're older it's harder but we've dated a while and got to know one another and I can safely say I'm very happy and I'm falling in love with Meg." "You love her??" Lily asked abruptly. "Yes Lily, I do, and I hope one day soon you'll both love her too." Jack nodded with a smile before Lily sat back. "Of course I only just want to be your friend, I won't be stealing your father away, or taking up any more of his time. You two are the most important thing." Meg added hoping to soothe the children's worries. "Yeah yeah we've heard that line before." Lily said bluntly. "Lily!!" Johnny scolded. "I'm just saying! Last time she was exactly the same... oh let's be friends, I love you as if you're my own blah blah blah and little did we know what she was actually capable of. I'm not fooling for it again." Meg nodded slowly understanding. "Apologise to Meghan right now.. how dare you compare Meg to HER." Johnny said gesturing to his daughter. "Apologise? Why should I apologise?" Lily said standing. "Because I've asked you to, Meg has worked hard on cooking us dinner this evening and wants to get to know you, and you're being very rude." "Fine.. I'm sorry Meghan. Happy now?" Lily said sitting back on the couch. Meg smiled and moved to sit beside the girl. "I'm sure you are very protective of your father. I was of mine, and I totally understand you've been hurt before, I just want to be friendly, and hopefully with time I can prove to you I mean well." The woman said quietly. "Was?" Jack said with an even more confused face. "What?" Johnny said to his son. "Meghan said was??? Why is she not anymore?" "Oh umm..." Meg paused biting her lip. "My father passed away." "I'm sorry." Jack said quietly. "Yea, me too." Lily said very sincerely. "Recently?" Jack asked. "I was just about to turn 16." Meg said closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Johnny reached across and squeezed her hand. "Meg was very close to her father, it's very hard for her to talk about, even still." "I really am sorry." Lily said with a sincere smile. "Thank you Lily." The woman said with a smile before sitting up straight and saying "Who's got room for dessert? I made it especially for you guys.." she stood and headed into the kitchen whilst Lily apologised to her father and hugged him. "I can't ever imagine loosing you Daddy. I'm sorry for being harsh on Meg." "You won't loose me darling not for a very long time." Johnny said ruffling his hands through his daughter's hair as she embraced him tightly.