The Summer at Lake Minnetonka (Completed)

XVIII

July 17th, 1983.

Sunday

Our return to Minneapolis is unceremonious, as expected. In fact, as soon as we landed, we headed straight for an awaiting car to head to the studio. We were officially starting the work on our first album and we couldn't waste any time.

It was only a few days since we had returned but I was a busy bee, I'm almost sure I hadn't looked up once since we got back. It was easy to lose myself in writing quite often.

"When does the album have to be finished by, Sapphire?" India questioned, setting up her equipment for the session today.

"November, December," I respond quick, not bothering to look on her direction. The pen almost slips out of my hand as I write faster than my mind can process, once I get an idea I write it down before it leaves my mind.

"Well, by the way you're writing those lyrics, I'd think the album was coming out tonight," she laughs as she continues setting up.

"Hey, Fire, there's someone on the phone for you. He says it's important," Our producer's, Kenny, voice fills the entire room from his microphone at the soundboard. I already know it's Prince but I don't know if I'm ready to admit my fault to him just yet. He had been calling every day since we got back, and I told Kenny the same thing every time.

"Tell him I'm busy," And with that, Kenny heads back over to the phone in the room and he makes up another excuse on my behalf. I have got to stop making him do that for me. 

"Girl, you've been avoiding Prince like he's the flu. What's going on with you two?" India questions, adjusting herself before moving over towards me. 

"We got in an argument about the trip to California, I think I was wrong to argue with him about it."

"Wait, you argued? Like an actual couple argument? I have to document this somewhere," India jokes, pulling out her journal from her bag and she quite literally notes this. I can't help but chuckle at her silliness but I quickly get serious again. 

"India, be serious. Was I wrong for wanting to go on the trip?"

"No, not at all. It's not like you were trying to be selfish or anything. This was a trip for our careers." And my solo career, apparently. The execs still wanted me to look into doing solo work but I wasn't budging, I had to talk to the girls about that when I got the chance. We were still in the beginning stages of jump starting our career as a group, there was no time to be a fame hog.

"So, what's this song you're working on?" India looks over my shoulder at what I have written down, it was currently unnamed. But I had a few good titles in the works. 

"I don't know; I was thinking this song would have this subtle bass in it. I can hear the song coming together in my mind, to be quite honest," I explain my idea to India and we begin working on the chorus and how the verses will be sung in the song.

We share ideas with each other until Sam and Poppy arrive, beginning the first session of many to come. Luckily, the execs and Gil liked the demos so they wanted those on the album so we already had three tracks ready. Which meant we only needed nine more tracks. Before we fully started the session, we went through some songs that were written by another writer, some of them were...meh...but others were great.

Out of all of those, we only picked the three best ones. So that was three to be recorded, three ready to go, and three more left to write on our own. This situation actually worked out quite nicely. By the end of the day, we had started a good portion of recording for a few songs. Even though we knew the process would be a lot longer when mixing and cutting content came into play later. 

Returning home to noise was nice, considering that Khalia had returned yesterday. She had plenty of stories to share with us, and I was more than willing to listen to her talk about them. It was really nice to have her back in the house; she really did liven things up around here.

"Honey, you need some meat on your bones, camp made you lose weight," Aunt Rose pinches at Khalia's arm. 

"Running after kids does that, Auntie."

"Speaking of meat, I want a hamburger. I'm going to get one," I scoot back out of my chair, heading towards the door with my car keys. I don't get two steps outside before noticing that Prince is walking towards me from his bike. So either I came out right on time as he arrived or Prince has been sitting here for some time. Either way that creeps me out.

"Can we talk?"

"I guess," I follow him over to his bike. He leans back against the seat and I mimic him, right by his side.

He doesn't say anything so I immediately get uncomfortable with the silence. I guess I'll be the one to break it.

"Look, I'm sorry for what I said. I just realized how selfish it sounded."

"I was about to say the same thing."

"What?"

"I was the one who sounded selfish, as much as I hate to admit this. I thought once you left, you wouldn't come back because you liked it there more. I think once I realized that you were coming back is when I realized how much I really can't live without you." The words don't come out, is he saying what I think he's saying? The anticipation I have is overflowing, I have to know what he means.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I love you, I thought that was obvio- "I don't even let him finish his words before hopping on him, which takes him by surprise. He quickly readjusts himself with me in his arms. I begin a full on attack of kisses before pulling away to let him speak.

"Whoa, slow down a bit, wait till we're married for all this," he jokes, his voice muffled by the fabric of my shirt as I pull him closer to me. I'm so overwhelmed with emotions that I don't even mind that Khalia has come outside to see us this way. She whistles a bit as she cheers me on, which makes me laugh a little bit. Maybe now he'll be more understanding of things between me and the girls among other things.