Love Thy Neighbor

Chapter 54

After Shawn's family leaves, everything settles into a routine. It's a new routine, but I love it.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I maintain my same work schedule, working from 8:00 until 4:00 each day while Marian provides child care. Lila and I go over to Shawn's when I am done working. It's nice to get out of my house, and Lila feels totally at home at Shawn's. He bought a real crib (shocker) and moved it into the guest bedroom. The room is stocked with clothes for Lila and all of her diaper supplies. The bathroom now has a little tub for her plus her shampoo and soap.

We stay over at his house on my workdays. After breakfast we'll hang out a bit before going to my house, often taking a long walk instead of going directly from his place to mine. We spend the afternoon together, cook a nice dinner, and then he stays over at my house on my days off. He leaves early the next morning.

Weekends we play by ear. Our plans usually depend on when David and Perri schedule their day with Lila.

All in all, it's wonderful.

At the end of January, Shawn is scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards, which are being held at Madison Square Garden. He's also in contention for Best Pop Vocal Album, which is his first Grammy nomination.

After days of begging and pleading, he has convinced me to attend with him. Somehow I avoided the red carpet during our first round of dating, but now I have a hard time finding an excuse not to go. It's in Manhattan, so it's as convenient as it can be. David and Perri have offered to watch Lila that night. We can be back home by 1:00 AM if we skip the after parties.

The idea of dress shopping terrifies me, so Shawn arranges a stylist to outfit me. She comes to my house with dozens of dresses. We pick the one I feel best about, and she takes it away for alterations. She'll be back the day of the event, along with a team to do my hair and make-up.

I've reluctantly told my friends and family to watch. I hate the thought of everyone seeing me on live TV, but I know I will be on deep trouble if I don't give everyone a heads up.

The day of the show arrives. Shawn's wearing a very simple slim cut black suit with a blue dress shirt and no tie. I notice he's wearing the cuff links my mother gave him.

I am wearing a long sleeved full length blue dress, several shades lighter than Shawn's shirt, but on the same spectrum. I put on the diamond encrusted heart necklace he gave me years ago. The stylist thinks it is too simple, but I make it clear it is staying on my neck. I wear simple black heels and carry a cute guitar shaped clutch that Kendra found in a shop in Queens.

"You know, you are my first red carpet date," Shawn says as we head to the limo waiting out front.

I look up at the door and see Lila waving at us. I wave back, feeling a tiny stab of guilt for leaving her.

"Did you hear me, Jess?" Shawn asks as he helps me in the back seat.

"I did, and that only makes me more nervous."

"No need to be nervous. You are going to be the most gorgeous woman there."

I do feel pretty. I love my ensemble. My hair is up and my make-up is simple but designed to bring out my eyes.

"This is it," I say. "You are officially going public with our relationship."

We'd been spotted out and about in Brooklyn, and there was speculation that the baby from Shawn's Instagram was mine, but no statement had been made, and he had not yet posted a picture of the two of us anywhere.

Traffic is fine until we get close to MSG. At that point it slows to a standstill. Shawn but his hand on my thigh to distract me from my nerves.

Eventually we pull into the red carpet drop-off line. Shawn exits the limo first and then helps me out. Dozens of photographers start taking pictures, and reporters who have not earned a coveted spot on the red carpet start yelling Shawn's name, hoping he will come over and talk to them. He just takes my hand and smiles and waves to those calling his name. I put a big smile on my face.

We make our way down the red carpet stopping for short interviews. Each one is identical. Shawn confirms that I am indeed the same Jessica Levine he dated over three years ago and that yes we are back together. When people ask how that happened he says fate put us in the same neighborhood again, though I know it was less fate and more Shawn. I agree that it makes for a good story, so I play along. He's asked about his hiatus, which he promises won't last forever. Finally, he's asked about his performance tonight. He won't tell any of the reporters what he is performing. He hasn't even told me.

After being grilled and photographed a million times, we enter the building. Shawn gets me to our seats but has to leave since he's one of the first performances. He gives me a kiss and heads backstage. The show won't start for a bit, so I check my phone.

I have tons of texts. Pretty much everyone I know has let me know that they saw me. I'm slightly embarrassed by all the compliments.

Perri texted me a short video of Lila pointing and yelling "mama!" at the TV screen. She still can't say Shawn but she pointed to him and clapped her hands in excitement.

The house lights dim and the award show begins. It's very different from when you watch it on TV. With no fancy editing, it's a bit grittier and less polished, but honestly that makes me like it more.

Before long, Shawn is being introduced. There's only a stool on stage and he walks out carrying an acoustic guitar. He's changed into a patterned Armani shirt which he wears untucked. He takes a seat on the stool and performs a soulful, slowed down, acoustic version of Never Getting Over You. He finds me in the crowd and holds eye contact with me through some of the most personal lines in the song. I should care that the tears in my eyes might be ruining my make-up, but I don't. All I care about is that the man I love is singing to me. When he is done, the crowd erupts in cheers and many people, myself included, stand.

He joins me, dressed again in his suit, about half an hour later. I whisper in his ear that his performance was amazing. I also tell him I love him.

Shawn does not win the award he was up for, as it goes to Ed Sheeran. Shawn is overjoyed for his friend and is the first to stand and clap when Ed's name is announced as the winner.

The night is a blur of awards and performances. I'm in awe of everyone who takes the stage. This is the first time I've been a part of Shawn's music life, and it leaves me rather star struck.

When the show is over, we mingle for a bit in the lobby as Shawn congratulates winners and gets tons of kudos for his performance. I talk to some people I had met earlier on the red carpet and actually feel relatively relaxed.

"Our limo is out front," Shawn leans in and tells me. "Ready?"

I nod and he takes my hand and leads me towards the exit. Of course he gets sidetracked several times, but eventually we make it out to the limousine. Inside, an open bottle of champagne is waiting, along with two glasses. There's also a basket with an assortment of small sandwiches.

"I figured you'd be hungry," he tells me. "I'm always famished after an event like this."

We finish the bottle on the short drive and eat our fill. Shawn tips the driver generously before we walk up the steps of my townhouse. It was a lovely night.

Author's note: I HATE writing stuff related to the music world because I know nothing about it. This was kind of filler, but I also felt like I couldn't just continue to ignore who Shawn is. At some point, his career has to be a part of the story. In my next story (that I've started but not posted) he won't be a musician or celebrity so I can avoid this stuff.