Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 21

Nika and Clara watched from backstage as the band came onstage and the roar of the crowd washed over them like the mating call of a herd of dinosaurs. Unlike other times she'd watched the band, Nika knew that sometime during the show, she would be onstage playing with them. Clara gave her a reassuring smile and Nika returned it, her clarinet case open as the smooth black wood shone in the backstage lights. Nika was dressed soberly in black trousers and a black and white striped t-shirt with a black blazer over it, her shiny black patent leather wingtips catching the lights of the stage.

She tried to calm herself and concentrated on the show. From her vantage point, she had a clear view of her father and Josh performing as she watched intently. Her father's intensity and passion while playing was such a contrast to his soft-spoken, chilled-out demeanor but she couldn't keep her eyes off of Josh. Unlike the others, he wore a baggy black t-shirt which exposed his thin, tattoo-less arms and his brown hair flopped around his face. His long, thin fingers manipulated the guitar and the action made her blush and giggle when she remembered the night before.

"We have got a real surprise for you beautiful people tonight in Perth. There's a lovely lady who's been part of the family for over ten years, and who is super talented and a very sweet girl. She's kind of shy so I want you all to make her feel welcome. May I present to you John's daughter and our niece Nika Lacroix", said Anthony.

Nika took a deep breath and walked onstage carrying her clarinet. There was a buzz in the crowd as 20,000 pairs of eyes focused on the tall, dark-haired woman in her simple black and white ensemble as John gave her an encouraging smile before playing the intro to Desecration Smile.

Nika placed the the bell of the clarinet about a foot away from the microphone and began to play. She closed her eyes to concentrate on the song and followed the melody by the sound of the guitars as she played the part she had transcribed for the clarinet, playing a lower register as a counterpoint to the guitars during the verse and higher during the chorus. The crowd was quiet as the music floated over them and focused on the woman playing the clarinet.

When the song ended, applause slowly gained steam until the entire arena was clapping. Nika stood straight and wide-eyed at center stage with a nervous little grin on her face. "Take a bow, Nika!", yelled John, a proud smile on his face.

Nika blushed as she took a bow, the smile on her face slowly growing until it stretched from ear to ear. "Give a hand to John's daughter and our niece, Nika! You knocked 'em dead, girl", said Anthony as John gave her a hug.

Nika walked on shaky legs backstage with the grin still plastered on her face. "You were amazing, NIka!", exclaimed Clara as she hugged her.

"I was so nervous, I don't know how Dad does it. But I closed my eyes and tuned it out while i was playing", said Nika with a nervous giggle.

"The crowd loved you, Nika. This isn't that high school concert, those girls were jealous", said Clara.

Nika was still riding high when the band came backstage after the encore. John gave her a hug and Josh put his arms around her waist and kissed her hard, much to everyone's amusement. "I told you people would love you, Night Owl!", he exclaimed.

"The last time I played in front of our audience was in high school", she giggled.

"This is much bigger than high school. And don't listen to the jerks on social media, I went through the same thing", he said.

Josh drank some water water and gave her one more kiss before heading towards the showers. Clara smiled knowingly at the slightly dazed look on her face, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Josh has got it bad for you", she teased.

"Dad just had a talk with him, I was really concerned but everything worked out", said Nika.

"My dad never had that talk with my boyfriends, he's not that kind of guy. I imagine he might be more protective of Sunny since she's the baby", laughed Clara.

Soon the road crew dismantled the equipment for the next show in Melbourne. "The best way to see Australian would be to take a train across the country, flying in the middle of the night you can't see anything", said Clara as they prepared to board the plane.

"I guess I'm not familiar with Australia. Maybe one day", Nika mused aloud.

She was going to sit next to John but he just shooed her away, an amused gleam in his hazel eyes. "Are you ditching me for an older guy?", teased Josh as he hugged her from behind.

"I just wanted to go over the performance, but don't you sit with the band?", she asked.

"Josh, go sit next to your girl so she doesn't feel jealous", laughed Chad.

Josh just laughed as he led her towards the empty seats. "Sorry about that, Night Owl. I just want to be around you, since we're going to be playing and doing soundcheck", he said.

Nika sat next to him and sighed when he put his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head. "I'm all new to this, it's all this soft, fluffy feeling. I have no idea how to have a relationship", she said.

"Relationships aren't work, they're supposed to be fun, at least at first. I guess after a while, you have to work at it so you're not bored and break up", said Josh.

"How many girlfriends have you have had?", she asked.

"Real ones? Only two, my first girlfriend I met at a show I did with Bicycle Thief in Venice Beach, we were together for three years. I was single for a year and then I met my next girlfriend at an art gallery during my friend's exhibition, we were together two years. I've had a few random dates here and there, but it's been six months since I had a date since I've been busy", he replied.

"Okay, so you can teach me how to be a girlfriend", she teased.

"Haha, there's nothing to it. We just need to be faithful to each other and enjoy each other's company. I'm actually going to do my first gallery show in January at the Night Watch, I want you be my date", he said.

"Of course, I've seen your album covers with Dot Hacker", she replied.

Josh grinned and softly kissed her. "I want my girl to cheer me on, there's some amazing artists in LA. Dot Hacker is also playing, we've played a lot of art galleries", he chuckled.

Soon the plane was airborne and flying eastwards towards Melbourne. Nika started feeling drowsy as she relaxed in his embrace and closed her eyes. Josh held her close and kissed the top of her head and then her cheek. "Good night, my Night Owl", he murmured.