After that night, things went back to seemingly normal, except for the fact that she sat closer to him now, held his hand more, and would kiss his cheek at random times. She admitted she still didn't remember him, but asked if the butterflies she felt for him were mutual when he saw her. He said yes, and she smiled and kissed him. Eventually though, Jack brought it to his attention that they would have to start touring again. He wanted to protest, but it was true. They hadn't said much of anything about touring since the accident, and he had kept himself out the light for months.
“Lizzie?”
“Yeah?” She looked up from him, sprawled out on her bedspread with a book in her hand, something spinning on her record player that gave a small crackle through the air. “I wanted to talk to you,” sitting down next to her while she sat up. “Me and the guys, we're going to start touring again.”
“That's a good thing!”
“Yeah but...we're gonna be gone for a few months.”
“Oh.” She knew that was part of it, but he had become as constant in her life as her parents. “Will you call me?”
“Every night.”
Her arms wrapped around him tightly and suddenly, a small hitch in her breath. “I'm going to miss you...”
“I'll miss you too..”
The next several weeks were filled with getting things in order, practicing, and packing. Lizzie was happy to help him pack, claiming that he wouldn't remember everything, and sure enough she did remind him of several things. It was a cold September morning, standing in front of the bus. Everything had been loaded on, but Alex didn't want to get on, not yet. Lizabeth was standing next to him, hands stuffed in the puffy black jacket she wore, wearing his beanie. Her nose was red from the cold, but her smile made him feel better.
“You better get on there, I don't think you want to be late for your first show.”
“I wish you could come.” He said suddenly.
“I know, but I don't trust myself with traveling just yet.” Glancing up to the behemoth of a van. “Or large vehicles in icy weather.” A soft chuckle escaped her, coming out in the thick puffs.
“I understand. I'll call you as soon as we get there, okay?”
“Okay.” There was a pause before he leaned in, kissing her. He made it last before Jack honked the horn, opening the door and shouted: “Sorry to be a cockblock, but we were supposed to have left five minutes ago. Get on before Flyzick gets even more pissed!”
She laughed and gave him a final kiss, watching him get on and waving her hand until it disappeared from sight, and trekked the block back to her home, waiting on his phone call.
He stayed true to his word. Every night he called her, and once a week he would call her on Skype. The rest of the guys would sometimes join in, and she would ask them how they were all doing, the shows and when they would be back. He told her it would be some time in December, making it a short tour. When the rest of the guys weren't around, he said they would be doing a special show in a theater in Baltimore. Excited, she asked if she would be invited. “Of course you will!” He laughed, watching her blush over the camera.
Sure, he got teased by his band mates every now and then, opting to stay in over going out with them to bars.
It was the longest four months of his life, but he was glad they went on it. Meeting tons of fans who offered their condolences to his wife, giving him small gifts and even something for his wife. One fan particularly stood out.
