Picture Perfect

Chapter 38

NIALL'S POV:

True to Toni's word, she keeps on task and works the entire afternoon shooting photos of me and the lads for the album and liner.  Somehow, she keeps it light and fun.  Even the guys are having fun, something they don't typically admit to when dealing with mundane undertakings like photos and posing.  This includes the constant change of clothes in the four to five hours we've been at this task.  They are actually laughing and joking.

"Niall, where have you been hiding this lass?"

"She's a bossy little thing, but cute."

"She can boss me around anytime."

Toni sighs and puts the camera down.  Looking at the guys she shakes her head.

"Do you guys ever shut up" she asks?

They turn around and look at her red faced, but her huge smile makes them realize she's teasing them.  They begin laughing with her.

I laugh at their embarrassment and Toni's ability to get them there.  She really can hold her own.  I can see why people enjoy being around her.  Always a lady and able to hang with the guys.  She giggles along with me and winks at them.

Jake finally manages to stop dying of embarrassment long enough to ask a question. 

"Are we done taking photos now, Toni?"

"Yeah, Jake, we're good now.  Thanks, guys, you were all really very patient.  I promise, you'll all look fabulous." she tells them.

"Niall, I can see why you like her" Jakes says with a wink.  "She's cute, smart and has a great sense of humor.  Try to keep her around, will you?"

Conor laughs and says "Yeah, Niall, you really should be nice to her.  She's worth keeping around."

"Miss Toni, if he doesn't want to treat you well, I will be more than happy to treat you like the fine lady you are" John tells her as he gets on bended knee.  "Run away with me, I'll show you the world."

She laughs and shakes her head. 

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind, John" she says as she winks at him.

I laugh at them and shake my limbs, stiff from all the posing. 

"Thanks, Toni.  I can't wait to see the photos."

"I'll be sure to get the proofs to you by tomorrow.  I need to get them edited tonight and make sure the lighting is right.  We'll go through them tomorrow so we can get them to the record company and they can send them to the printer."

"You really are on top of things, aren't you?  How do you keep all this energy to do all this?  Seriously, you've been going and going – I can see why Nico was saying you are like the Energizer Bunny" he says.

She laughs.

"Yeah, Nico always tells me that.  I can't help it, that's just me.  I've always been like this.  Photography does this for me.  I get into this zone and it energizes me in a way nothing else does."

"Not even yoga or golf?  You seemed to be pretty energized after all that bending you were doing and definitely after hitting all the golf balls at the driving range."

"Part of that is the adrenaline I get from a great shot. You know that feels.  The endorphins you get from exercise, you can't help it" she smiles.

I chuckle.  I do understand what she is saying.  Golf is a high for me.  The honest truth is there's no place I'd rather be than on the fairway.  It's relaxing yet challenging in a way the stage isn't.  Don't get me wrong, I love being on stage, but there is something about the way playing a round or two of golf against myself, challenging myself against the course.