My Lighthouse

Getting ready

Sheila breathed in the African air, when she walked out of the plane. Hmmm back into the sun, she loved it, but she also felt the memories coming back from the moment she left here a few days ago. Gillian was ecstatic about it all. Oh Sheila! I can't thank you enough for what you did for me and Shane. I can hardly wait to see him. Sheila looked at the woman beside her, who became her best friend and put her arm around her while she kissed her on the cheek. I wish I could see his face too, when he sees you walking into that concert hall. Gillian looked at her friend and smiled with a sad expression on her face. You could see it, if you want to. Oh no! I won't even think about that! Well let's talk about something else, she grinned without meaning it. Because the desire and pain she felt inside, to see Mark again was indescribable. And that was exactly what she wanted to avoid. If he couldn't even behave after two days, what will it be after weeks of being apart when he was on tour. As much as she still loved him, she had to protect herself too.

Mark looked at his watch. She's now landed. His heart was beating wildly and he couldn't wait to look into her beautiful green eyes again. Nicky, Shane and Kian looked at each other and they all hoped, Mark wouldn't get disappointed by Sheila. They knew she could be very angry when people hurt each other, no matter who it was. Shane smiled when he thought about the last argument he had with her, as he got some more bacon and eggs from the breakfast buffet. He realized all of a sudden, that the food this afternoon, would finally be perfectly arranged again too, by their sweet Sheila. Deep inside his heart, he really hoped Sheila would come to her senses and she would give Mark another chance, something he truly deserved. He always had great conversations with Sheila, about everything. He hoped he would get an opportunity to do so too, this time. He turned around and saw Mark poking his food, but hardly eating it. They would be leaving to the concert hall, within half an hour for the rehearsals of tomorrow's show. Maybe Mark would be feeling better if he stood on that stage again. Shane was always glad when they could sing. He liked the recordings of the video, it was something else for a change, but still...... Standing on that stage , looking at all those happy faces was the most beautiful thing he could imagine in life. Well not the most beautiful thing, but the second most beautiful thing for sure. He thought about Gillian and missed her so much, all of a sudden, that it hurt him inside. He realized it would almost be the same feeling as Mark was having now.

As soon as Sheila came into her hotel suite, she started to work. Gillian had a hotel room of her own, a few floors down, but Louis had booked a suite for Sheila on the top floor. Sheila smiled when she saw the breathtaking room and an even more beautiful view outside the window. Louis felt guilty about everything and for once Sheila was glad he did. She opened the double doors and walked onto the large balcony, which went all the way along her suite. Beautiful furniture was placed on the balcony and in the corner she saw again a luxury jacuzzi. She frowned and said softly, maybe I will use it again, but than just by myself or maybe Gillian wants to join me. She bit her lip while she thought about the last time she sat in a jacuzzi and she felt her body getting turned on again. Oh Mark, get out of my head, she whispered with tears in her eyes. Get out of my heart......please.

The rehearsals were going very well and the whole team couldn't believe how smooth everything was going. What happened? Freddy asked Kian after the rehearsals where almost done. Sheila's back, Kian answered in all honesty. What!? Where? I haven't seen her yet. She's at a different hotel, than we are and I don't know how she does it, but things are finally back to normal. Mark coughed a little bit and his eyes said more than a thousand words. I am sorry buddy, Kian said. Not everything is back to normal. One last song, they heard the stage director calling and the whole machine went back to their usual routine. As if nothing had happened the music started for the last time that day and Mark started to sing one of Sheila's favorites "as love is my witness ". It felt like if she was there in the concert hall, but he knew for sure she wasn't. Maybe tomorrow? But he didn't know, how much he was mistaken. Sheila stood behind a curtain in the corner of the hall. She felt his pain and sorrow, when he sung his lines. She was shocked how much it did to her body and mind, to see him again. Just hearing his voice during rehearsals, made her heart go wild already, but now she secretly saw him standing there on stage, she couldn't hide the feeling she felt for him. Whatever happened, she didn't care anymore. She loved him so incredibly much, she couldn't push him away, even if she wanted to.

Okay Louis, you will have it your way, she whispered. I will go in your dress and see them sing. After that we will see, what the future brings us. But just thinking of what could happen after that, made her body lit up with fire and passion. She knew she was lost, when it came to Mark. And she didn't want it in any other way. Fuck this Jacky girl, he's mine! She said softly but firm. Still, she didn't want him to see her now. He would see her tomorrow, at the ball. She couldn't wait to see his face. She laughed softly when she realized, she could see Shane's face now too. Well, let's go to the hotel and use that jacuzzi with Gillian tonight, she smiled and while she walked out the door, Nicky could just see her long blond hair as she was walking out of the door.

He ran out of the door and called her name. She turned around immediately and put her finger on her lips. Sshhh, not so loud! If Mark would know she had been here all the time, he would have gone crazy. Nicky smiled, he was so glad to see her. He hugged her intensely and said sorry a thousand times. Nicky wanted to tell her the whole story all over again, but Sheila asked him to stop. Please sweetie, not now. Nicky looked at her and saw, she was still doubting about the real story. He gently stroke her face, it's okay, you are here and that's all that matters. Don't be to harsh on him, he died inside when you left and now he's excited the whole day. Does he know I am here? Nicky looked at his shoes, well..... yes, he does and he didn't eat since. But he also knows, you don't want to see him yet. You're here to fix everything and that's it. Sheila smiled and kissed him on his cheek, you silly lads, you should have known I love you far to much. You are all I got. You are my family. But despite it all, I need my time to sort things out about Mark and that's why I didn't wanted to see him yet. Maybe tomorrow, but if you need me I am at the Marriott hotel, suite 214 . But don't tell Mark, because I am really not ready for him now. Okay? Nicky embraced her, smiled brightly and said, "it's great to see you are still madly in love with him" and before Sheila could say anything, he kissed her again, turned around and walked back into the concert hall. Nicky bumped into Mark when he walked in. What were you doing? We had to do one more song! Nicky didn't say anything. Mark looked him in the eye, walked towards the outside door and just saw Sheila driving away in a taxi. What the hell was that all about ? Why didn't you tell me Sheila was here?! Nicky slapped him on the shoulder and laughed. She said, she wasn't ready yet, but don't you worry buddy. If you just give her some time, she will be more than ready for you. Mark frowned and smiled. Hmmm, normally I don't like riddles, but yours sounds trustworthy and very promising. Come on let's go home to the hotel and get a drink. Mark saw in Nicky's eyes, that he knew something which he didn't wanted to say, but according to the twinkle in his eyes it was positive. Okay let's do that.

When Sheila woke up the next day, she was nervous already. In her thoughts she saw his gorgeous blue eyes looking at her, like only he could. She felt her body burning and she closed her eyes shortly. Oh Sheila stop it! She said to herself. Don't make it to easy on him, she mumbled, but she knew she would surely fail, as soon as she would see him. Gillian woke up and smiled at her. They had so much fun in the jacuzzi yesterday and they were a little bit drunk, that Sheila asked Gillian to stay. The bed was huge and Gillian agreed on that immediately. As soon as they lay in bed they started laughing and giggling about Mark and Shane and they didn't stop until they fell asleep an hour later. Now it was time to get ready for the charity ball. Sheila first took care of business and called Freddy to talk things through about that evening. Freddy was so glad to speak to her again, she got tears in her eyes of gratitude of having these great people in her life. After that she took Gillian to the hairdressers and the beauty salon for their makeup and nails. Gillian almost cried when she looked at herself in the mirror. I feel so beautiful and that's all thanks to you, she said softly and embraced her friend. Sheila kissed her on the cheek. You should look your best for Shame sweetie, but also for yourself. You deserve that. We have only one thing left to do. Gillian frowned. Why? I have everything now. Sheila smiled with a naughty smile on her face and took her to a luxurious lingerie shop. With bags full of beautiful lingerie, silk nightgowns and a few more naughty things, they walked back to the hotel. Ready to get dressed. It was five in the afternoon and they had two hours left to get ready. Sheila ordered a good bottle of white wine and some tapas to eat. Come on girl, she smiled at Gillian let's get ready!

Mark looked at his watch, still two hours to go before they would start with the show. His body hurt from the tension he felt, knowing he would see her tonight. He didn't know if she would show herself during the show, but afterwards she would definitely be there, Nicky had told him. He never experienced two hours taken so long as he did now. He opened the draw of his nightstand and looked at the little velvet box. It was to early for that now. Maybe next time. He didn't wanted to scare her off. He wanted her back in his life, in his heart and he was determined to show her that the best way possible......