Middle of a Memory

Chapter 10

ACM AWARDS ---April 2015- Dallas Texas

Delilah stepped from the bedroom into the living room of the massive suite. Cole was buttoning his vest. His head snapped towards her. "Wow." His eyes twinkled. "You look amazing."

She smiled. "You think?"

He looked her up and down. Her light purple dress was the same shade as his shirt but her dress hugged in all the right places and the straps crisscrossed her back.

He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. "Yes. Damn, baby you look hot."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. You don't look so bad yourself." She pecked his mouth. "Put your jacket on so we can go."

He released her and picked up his jacket. "Alright. Let's do this. ACM's here we come."

Cole squeezed her hand as the limo pulled to a stop. "Ready?"

"Yes." He stepped from the limo and straightened his jacket before reaching for her hand. The screams got louder as she stepped out. Immediately fans were calling his name. She smiled and gave him a gentle shove towards the crowd. "Your public waits."

He posed for pictures and signed autographs. "See you guys later." He called out walking back to his wife.

He wrapped an arm around her waist as the camera flashes went off. "You look beautiful." He whispered in her ear.

"Thank you." She smiled up at him.

"And the winner for ACM New Artist of the year is...." Justin opened the envelope.

Delilah squeezed Cole's hand. "Win or lose. I am proud of you." She whispered.

"Cole Swindell!"

The tears filled her eyes before she could move. Cole's smile spread across his face as he got to his feet pulling her with him. He cupped her face and kissed her mouth. "I love you." She nodded. He pecked her mouth again before hugging Caroline who was crying.

"I love you too." Delilah pushed him gently into the isle. "Go."

He made his way to the stage as Delilah sat back down gripping Caroline's hand. "He actually got it. He did it."

"He's earned it. All of it."

"Wow!' Cole took the statue. "Wow. Fans! I said I wanted to thank you from Dallas, Arlington. And here we are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's because of you I get to do this. Live my dream. My record label, Warner Nashville, my management, my band. Michael Carter, my producer, Kerri Edwards my manager, my family back home. My brother in law, Luke, Luke, thank you for being my brother before you actually were. My beautiful wife, Lila. Thank you for putting up with me and this crazy ride. I love you, baby. We're celebratin tonight! Thank you so much to country radio, the Academy...all of you. The fans! Again thank you so much! I won't let you down."

Delilah couldn't take the smile off her face as Cole stepped from the stage. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

Once the awards where over she went back stage to find her husband. He was talking to Nan Kelly. She waited until he was done before walking over.

"Hey Mr. New Artist of the Year." She wrapped her arms around his waist. He was beaming. "I can't believe this is real. That I actually won."

"Well believe it. You did. You earned it, Colden. And I am so very proud of you. And so blessed to be your wife."

"You only call me Colden when I've done something wrong..."

"Not this time. You've done everything right. I mean it, Cole. I am honored to be the wife of the new artist of the year. You blow me away everyday but tonight... you've shown the world that you're a force to be reckoned with."

He caught her mouth with his. "We are celebratin....."

"Let's find the Entertainer of the Year and the Male Vocalist and go get a drink...."

"Let's."

They found Luke with his arms around Caroline and talking to Jason and Brittany. "There they are.... The newest power couple." Jason teased.

"HAHA." Delilah goosed him. "Congrats, Jase." She hugged him tight. Then turned her attention to Brittany. "Wow, Britt. You look...."

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself. And Jason's right... you two are the new it couple.... Welcome to the club." She hugged her friend.

"Thanks."

"How about we ditch this place and go find us a drink?" Jason suggested.

"Deal." Cole wrapped his arm around Delilah's waist. They trailed behind the other four. He kissed her temple. "I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled up at him. "I am so proud to be your wife."

Jason's band was pouring drinks in the parking lot. "Let's get the after party started!" Rich passed out red solo cups.

Delilah slipped back to the bus to change her clothes. She was pulling a long sleeved Georgia Bulldogs tee shirt over her head when he came into the bedroom. Without saying a word he pressed his mouth to hers. Her arms wound around his neck. His hands slipped under her shirt as he walked her backwards towards the bed. They fell on top of it in a jumbled pile. He never broke the contact with her mouth as she started unbuttoning his shirt.

She was about to shove it down his arms when there was a knock on the door. "Yo! What are ya'll doin in there? The party is out here!" She heard Jason yell. "Stop groping each other and come have a drink! We earned it!"

She froze as he lifted his head. "I guess we better go outside. We'll pick this up later." He kissed her gently. "I don't want any more interruptions."

She nodded as he buttoned his shirt back up. Cole pulled her to her feet. "Come on, gorgeous. Let's go party."

"Ok."

They drank and laughed with their friends and family until nearly two am. Finally they managed to climb back onto the bus. Delilah's eyes were heavy. "I'm gonna shower..." Cole dropped a kiss onto head. "Go get in the bed."

By the time he wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the bathroom door his wife was sound asleep on the bed. He grinned and pulled his boxers on. It had been a long day and he knew she was exhausted. He kissed her cheek and climbed into the bed beside her. Instinctively she rolled towards him. He wrapped his arms around her. "Good night, darlin."

The next morning she woke to see Cole sleeping on his side. She smiled and kissed his mouth.

"It's early, Lils..." He mumbled.

"I know but we are alone for just a little longer." She whispered.

His eyes flew open. "What?"

"We are rollin out in a couple hours remember?"

"Well, Mrs. Swindell, what do you suggest we do?"

"We only have about an hour and a half before we are supposed to meet everyone for breakfast."

"I know what we can do in the meantime..." Cole rolled over her. "Since you fell asleep on me last night..."

"Hey I was tired..." She laughed wrapping her arms around his back.