Monarchy of Roses

Chapter15

Nika appeared to have a permanent grin on her face as the group prepared to board the plane to Perth. "Now you see why girls like musicians", teased Anthony.

"Yeah, we were all real Casanovas back in the day, but we got old. Leave the kids alone", laughed Flea.

John just laughed as he moved closer to the young couple. "The guys are just messing with you, it's amusing to them. I'm too old to be chasing after girls", he said ruefully.

"Dad, you're not that old. You're only 39", chided Nika.

"In years, yeah, I'm young. But I've done all sorts of bad stuff when I was a young guy, in my first time with the band. I was young and stupid, but everything was a learning experience", said John thoughtfully.

"Yeah, but maybe one day you'll find someone. I hope you're not going to be single forever", said Josh, raising an eyebrow.

"I made a vow of celibacy after getting sober, I treated women like dirt when I was a young dickhead. Maybe I'll find someone, maybe I won't. But I'll be celibate until I find someone", said John with a shrug.

The group boarded the plane and soon they were airborne and heading southwest towards Perth. "It's summer in the Southern Hemisphere, I can't wait to visit the beach. Australia has the best surfing", said Anthony.

"Yeah, but I'm covering up. I don't want to people to freak out when they see my arms", said John with a frown.

"Dad, you can swim in the pool", said Nika.

"Yeah, but I don't want people to see my arms, period. They make me look like a burn victim. You guys go to the beach, I'll do some yoga and relax", said John.

"This'll be a first, I've never been to a beach outside California. I'll have to wear extra-strength sunblock with my pasty self", Josh chuckled.

"It'll be interesting, all the years I've lived in southern California, I can count the number of times I've been to the beach on one hand", said Nika.

"Same here, but I want to see a beach in Australia", said Josh. He wondered what sort of bathing suit she had brought, having an image of her in a classy old-school bikini or one-piece. His mouth suddenly went dry at the idea of Nika in a bikini as he fidgeted in his seat and tried to control the flush which threatened to spread on his face.

Josh shook his head and tried to think of something boring, hoping to calm the sudden uncomfortable feeling in his baggy sweatpants. He took a deep breath and saw that Nika had already fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. Her dark brown curls brushed against his cheek and the slight touch made him smile as he gently tucked a loose curl behind her ear.

Under most circumstances, he would have fallen asleep on such a long flight but with Nika resting against him, he found that impossible. Josh felt alert and aware but not a jittery, cranky way. Instead it was a pleasant, dreamy feeling as though he was looking down on the city from the windows of his art room at home, watching the sun go down and the lights illuminate Los Angeles below. He glanced out the window and saw the expanse of the ocean below, dotted with islands which registered to him as little limps of brown barely outlined against the dark blue water. He lifted his gaze and could see the thin line where the horizon met the sea, inky black sky meeting the dark blue water. "Good night, Night Owl", he whispered, putting his arms around her and kissing her cheek.

"Wake up, Nika. We're here", Josh whispered in her ear.

Nika slowly opened her eyes and blinked at the early morning sunlight coming through the plane windows. "Oh, we've landed?", she murmured.

Josh nodded, momentarily stunned by her big blue eyes were now shining like polished sapphires in her pale face. "Oh, I have to move", she said apologetically.