A Rock & Roll Romance

Eighty Seven

"Woah woah woah Young lady! Less of the stomping around please!!" Johnny said rushing up the stairs behind his teenage daughter. Lily continued into her bedroom before turning on the spot. "What??" She asked as Johnny entered and stood in the doorway. "What was that all about?!" He asked concerned. "What was what??" "The yelling at Meg??" Johnny asked calmly. "Has she upset you?" He asked. Lily pouted and rolled her eyes. "No..." she said quietly sitting on the edge of her bed. Her towel still around her. "So why did you yell at her?" Johnny said slowly approaching. "I'm sick of everyone assuming you're marrying her, or that she's my step mom or whatever. Why can't she just be your girlfriend? Her face is everywhere and everyone keeps asking me stupid questions." Johnny nodded knowing how hard it was for his children to be in the public eye. He gently sat down beside his daughter sighing. "That's not Meghan's fault though. She's doing her best but she can't control what people think. She's doing all she can to keep the press at bay but still supporting me." Lily nodded. "I know.. and the way you said she showed up at Palm Springs that's amazing right? Like SHE would never have done that, if it wasn't all about her?" Johnny nodded "You got that one right.. HER and Meg are worlds apart. I hope you understand, and I know it's difficult but this is as hard for Meg as it is you." Lily nodded. "Why does everyone think you'll get married though? Are you??" Lily asked nervously. "God no. We've not even been dating a year darling. You know what the public are like. Jeez they've married me off with every Co star and every woman I've ever stood by. Remember that time Gina and I were photographed in London? They thought I was dating her didn't they!" Lily smirked "As if.." "Exactly, just because you read it or your friends read it doesn't mean it's true. What matters is what I or Meg tell you ok? That's the truth. We will never hide anything from you." Lily smiled before hugging her father. "I'm sorry." "It's not me you should apologise to. Meg went to a lot of effort this afternoon ensuring you and your friends had a good time, she didn't deserve that did she?" Lily shook her head embarrassed. "I'll umm change and I'll go speak to her." "That's my girl.. and besides can you honestly see her marrying me... I bet Uncle Alice would have a fit." Lily giggled, "he would die Daddy! He's only just used to you dating her!!" Lily laughed before Johnny kissed her head and left the room.

Meg was sat at the large garden table with the children around, she had served the various pizzas and other party nibbles before wandering around and topping up everyone's cup of lemonade, as she sat down she spotted Jack with an exceptionally large slice of pizza, he was shoving it in his mouth whilst talking and she couldn't help but smirk. He caught eyesight with her and smiled "Chew your food! You're an animal!" She giggled before sitting back down. "What are you working on?" One of the girls asked and Meg smiled. "Just editing a reel for Instagram. Lily and Jack's father, directed a movie that's premiering this fall so we are upping the social stuff over the summer." Meg said proudly. "Wow. That's cool. Do you do lots of that kinda stuff?" Another of the girl's asked. "Sometimes. Not always, usually social media and anything for the website. I'm branching off a little so every day is a learning day." "That's so cool!" One of Jack's friends added making Meg feel proud. "Yeah Megz went on tour with Dad last summer too and did a lot for the Vampires." Jack said proudly making her smile. "Oh my god wow!!! Did you spend a lot of time with Alice Cooper?? He's a ledge." Tommy said making Meg giggle. "Wanna know a secret?! He's actually my uncle..." she said making the kids gasp. "No way!!" Jack nodded "He is!!" "That's so so cool.. what's he like?" Meg thought for a second. "He's lovely, but don't let that fool ya, he's a proper rockstar when it counts." "He's a legend." Johnny said coming out the doors and sitting down beside his girlfriend. "Is Lily ok?" Meg asked quietly and Johnny nodded squeezing her hand under the table. "She will be." "I should take her some food before Jack eats it all." Meg said standing and piling stuff onto a plate. "You don't have to." Johnny said knowing how his daughter had treated her. "I want to." She said with a smile disappearing inside carrying a plate and cup of lemonade.

"Lily?" Meg tapped on the bedroom door. "Umm one sec I'm just changing." "Oh that's ok I just bought you some food whilst it was still hot. I'll leave it out here." Meg said. "No.. wait.." she heard Lily scramble to the bedroom door and opened it. She was in a summer dress and her hair was wet and all over her face. "I just didn't want you to get hungry." Meg said with a soft smile. "Umm come in a sec.. and thanks." Lily said kindly inviting the woman in and taking the food. Meg wandered into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed after Lily gestured for her too. The teen placed the plate and cup down on her dresser. "I really am sorry about how I spoke to you. I didn't mean to upset you, I just got overwhelmed with everyone saying stuff about you and Dad and then people assuming you're gonna get married and stuff." Meg smiled biting her lip. "It's ok... don't worry about it." Lily sat beside her "but I do. You love and care about Dad so much and it's not right that I was so mean to you. It just got a bit much." Meg gently reached for Lily's hand. "Wanna know a secret?" Lily nodded "It got a bit much for me too. All the noise and the press and stuff, that's why I didn't go to Palm Springs." "But you did?" Lily asked confused. "I did. I rushed there as soon as I realised what's more important, your father, NOT what people are saying about me." Lily nodded before saying "and Daddy, and you are more important than stupid gossip." Meg smiled before Lily wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you for today it's been awesome. I really am sorry though." "Forget it. And besides I had fun, yours and your brother's friends are great." Meg said returning the hug.