Livin' on a Prayer: A David Bryan Fiction

Ch 4 - Welcome to Wherever You Are

David smiled as he passed his twins on the staircase, Gabby still trying to make her case for Twilight, and smirked at Xandria. "Got the whole story I see? How about I show you the basement now?"

He led her off the foyer, down another marble and iron staircase that spiraled to the left, into a low lit den decorated in deep red and black. The contrasting colors in this room really gave the home character. He led her around to see his custom bar and the game room complete with billiards and darts.

Xandria sat on the couch, a plush orange with white threaded throw pillows, and put the DVDs on the coffee table. "Sorry, but no way can I watch those. I've heard the story and I love vampires too damn much to spoil them with teen hormones and glitter."

David opened his liquor cabinet to see what he had. "I don't blame you. What type of girl are you? Vodka, tequila...whiskey or brandy? I have plenty of Fireball."

Xandria thought for a minute. "Fireball, please." David took out the cinnamon whiskey as well as two glasses with ice. He handed over the drink and dropped down next to her, grabbing the remote from the table.

She quietly sipped her drink and watched as he flipped through the channels. She kicked off her shoes and snuggled into the sofa cushions, taking out her phone to check her messages and email.

David had gone through three glasses of alcohol before he groaned restlessly and flipped off the TV, tossing the remote onto the couch. They were plunged into darkness save for the dim desk lamp. Xandria decided to take the chance.

"Penny for your thoughts? I know you didn't bring me here to watch you play on the TV."

David drained his glass and brought the reclining part of the sofa up, turning so that he could lay facing her. "One divorce was enough to deal with...brought me to my knees, begging for mercy to make the pain stop. I'm too old to go through that again." His voice broke as the tears started to fall silently.

Xandria reached out to brush away a tear with her finger. "You can't blame yourself, David...she knew ahead of time what she was getting into. She knew your schedule, the projects, recording, tours...everything. I know that's far from being a comfort, but you can't beat yourself up over it."

She studied his face and noticed he was playing with his wedding ring. Slowly he slipped it off his finger and stretched to place it on the side table. "Why don't you take your own advice, darlin'?" Dave asked in the darkness. "You're beating yourself up about something in your past as well."

"That depends on what part of the past. Hell was sprinkled throughout my life..." Xandria's voice trailed off. David nodded. Xandria stood and crossed her arms in front of her chest, walking slowly around the spacious den. "Remodeled yourself?"

"Lucky guess?" David asked.

"It just has that certain...touch. Not completely professional, made with your own hands type of touch."

"I helped to build the entire house. It was much smaller when I first bought it, and the land dominated a larger portion of the property. If I was going to invest in a home, I wanted to be a part of it." David silenced himself, watching as Xandria ran her pale hand over the unique engravings of the archway leading to a spiral staircase with wrought iron railings and zebra print stair runner.

"Keeping it Jersey, huh?" she giggled softly, pointing to the animal print.

"Always. Want to see more?"

"Please," David stood and took Xandria's hand.

He led her up the marble staircase to the second floor, turning left down a dimly lit corridor. It was all beautiful hardwood, lined with family photos at various intervals. The twins, Lily, Gabby with David...yet no sign of April or Lexi.