A Rock & Roll Romance

Ninety One

Two evenings later, as Johnny finished up some business in his office he was disturbed by the sound of music coming rather loudly from where he assumed was the bistro bar area in the courtyard. He smirked as he heard the Hollywood Vampires most popular tracks and decided what the hell, he was on vacation after all. He slowly stood lighting a cigarette and wandered through the house closer to the music. As he came out the glass doors he stopped and watched.  It was a great sight, the sun was setting over the French hills. Meg was sat on a table, her legs dangling aimlessly, she was holding a glass of her new favourite white wine they had discovered in recent days since being in France. Lily was sat in a seat close to her, giggling and singing to his girlfriend, with Jack playing air guitar in front of them. Meg threw her head back in laughter as Jack attempted his father's solo. "Very good Jacky!" She called out before sipping her drink. Lily took a big breath and stood holding her hand out to the elder woman before they both jumped up, dancing on the spot singing the chorus loudly to one another. Johnny couldn't help but beam, their attitude and the fun they were having was contagious. He jogged down the few steps and joined them as the song came to an end.

"Well don't you guys look like you're having fun?" He asked kissing Lily's head, taking a step closer to Jack and ruffling his hair before pecking Meg on the lips. She tasted like wine making him lick his own lips after pulling back. "Well you are the greatest bar band in history." She said raising her glass. "Yeah and I wanted to show Megz how good I am at guitar!" Jack announced making Johnny chuckle "where's your strings?" He asked his son who shrugged. "Can we camp out tonight Dad?" He replied eagerly. "Tonight? It's getting quite late bud and everything is in the attics. How about tomorrow?" Jack thought for a second and nodded. "Yeah cool!! That gives us time to get scary stories ready to spook the girls!" Jack chuckled making Lily scoff. "No way!! We are so gonna beat your asses at scary stories right Meg?" Lily said looking at the woman making her eyes go wide. Meg assumed the "camp out" was just for Johnny and the kids, she had heard the kids mention it a number of times, and even heard Lily say it was a tradition so she never imagined being included. "Umm yeah. Of course." Meg said a little shocked. "You wanna camp?" Johnny asked in a hushed whisper. "Course!" Meg said enthusiastically. "I mean, if it's ok? I don't wanna gatecrash or ruin anything?" "Nonsense. You always make things better." Johnny smiled before taking her almost empty glass. "I'll top you up.." he said with a smile making her blush. She was still not used to being waited on hand and foot. "I can get it.." she said with a smile. "God no. After that delicious dinner you cooked us earlier, you should be relaxing."  Meg smiled and sat back at the table, making small talk about the camp with Lily.

A while later, the four had been chatting about their plans for next day when Lily yawned interrupting Johnny, "Sorry Pops but I'm gonna hit bed. I don't know why I'm so sleepy!" Johnny smiled as his daughter stood. "You've had a busy year and all your exams, your body is probably just finally coming down y'know." Johnny said stubbing his cigarette out. "Night my Angel." He said as his daughter lent in and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Papa. I love you. Night Megz. Love you." Lily said leaning into hug the woman, leaving her startled with the last comment. Meg swallowed nervously as Lily pulled back. "Goodnight, Love you too." Meg said rather emotionally, resulting in Johnny gently squeezing his girlfriend's thigh. "If you catch your brother in the kitchen tell him to hit bed soon too please." Johnny said before smiling sincerely at his daughter's affection for Meghan.

Once the teenager was out of sight, Meg's eyes widened and she immediately turned to her boyfriend. "She loves me??" Meg questioned in shock. "She actually said that didn't she?" The woman gushed. "That she did. I told you not to worry, my kids adore you, as do I. Even more so now you've agreed to spend the night in a tent with us." Meg smiled. "It will be fun! I loved camping when I was a kid. My father loved taking us. I've not actually been since, well the last Summer he was.... That he was here." Meg said quietly slowly blinking. Johnny lent in and kissed a stray tear that fell from his girlfriend's blue eyes. "Well let's do it for him. Just like you did it then." "Johnny I don't want to ruin traditions." "we can make new ones. I'm sure your father was a wonderful man. It would be my pleasure to honour him in some way." Meg bit her lip not knowing what to say to her thoughtful boyfriend. "What would I do without you Mr Depp." "Oh I don't know be the president or something? Maybe some successful independent woman?" He said chuckling before grabbing the almost empty bottle of wine from the ice bucket and topping their glasses up. "Incorrect.. I wouldn't be anywhere near as happy as I am by your side." "Ditto darling." Johnny said raising his glass to hers.