Leather and Lace (Eddie Roundtree)

Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

"I'd like to know that your love/ is a love I can be sure of/ So tell me now, and I won't ask again/ Will you still love me tomorrow?"

Layla Dunne: Thankfully, Teddy was okay. I stayed with Simone that night, while we all waited to find out. Then we had a couple of shows before Pittsburgh and I just did my best to avoid Eddie and Camilla. I just remember going through the motions, I wanted to get off of tour. It's hard to turn it on and be this shiny happy person everyone wants to see when you're breaking down. And then we were going home and I hadn't been home in almost ten years.

Eddie Roundtree: It might have been the hardest part of tour. It was like I didn't exist to Layla and I couldn't believe how much I missed her being mad at me. I was so close to having her back. And what she saw really was nothing, but she didn't trust me. She couldn't even stand being close enough to me to sing one duet together.

Layla was nervous as the band's jet touched down in Pittsburgh. She could see the crowd waiting for them, this time though it was family and friends, not just nameless fans. Layla had never felt more alone. She didn't have friends in Pittsburgh, she hardly spoke to her mother, she didn't have anyone.

"You okay?" Karen asked her.

"Just haven't been home in awhile." She forced on a smile.

Layla got off the plane after her brothers, so she was able to see the warm reunion they were having with their mother. And surprisingly the warm welcome Camilla and Daisy were receiving from the mother. Layla wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans.

"Hi, mom." She said, approaching the group.

"My goodness, Layla. I almost didn't recognize you, it's been so long." Her mother hugged her. It could've gone a lot worse, but Layla still felt like an outsider as her mother turned to gush over the boys, Daisy, and Camilla. Silently, Layla stepped back.

"Oh my! Is that my favorite trouble maker?" She heard the sweet voice from behind her ask.

"Hi, Mrs. Roundtree." Layla couldn't help but smile at Eddie's grandmother. The woman had been a staple figure in Layla's childhood.

"Please, sweetheart, it's Carol. Or have you forgotten, since you've been off being a big star?" She teased as she embraced the girl. "It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too." The whole exchanged tugged at Layla's heart. "Is Ms. Marie here?" Layla asked looking around for Eddie's mother. Before she saw her, she locked eyes with Eddie, who was taking in the sight of his grandmother and Layla with mixed sadness and fondness.

"I'm right here, honey!" Eddie's mother called, hugging her as well. "My God, look how beautiful you are!" She exclaimed. "Eddie, isn't she beautiful?"

"She is. She's always been." He agreed softly. Thankfully, his mother kept speaking, which minimized the tension the moment was creating.

"I can't believe how long it's been! Oh, but you have done so well for yourself! All of you! Every time one of your songs comes on the radio at work I tell all the girls that little Layla Dunne was like a daughter to me. Always sneaking around the house as a teenager." She paused to share a laugh with Carol at the memory. "Thick as thieves, you two!" Layla's heart clenched a little. "And here you both are again, like nothing has changed."

Eddie and Layla looked at each other. Of course, everything had changed, but there was no point in upsetting two women who cared so much for them.

"Here we are." Layla smiled and hoped that she could get through the home show.

The crowds went to disperse, all heading back to childhood homes or hotels. Eddie approached Layla for the first time in days.

"Hey, I just wanted to say thank you, for being so nice to my mom and grandma." He was clearly nervous. Layla hated the way she found it endearing.