Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 25

"This is the last stop on our Far East and Antipodean tour, we wish you happy retirement and good wishes in whatever you do wit that studio of yours", said Flea as everyone held up a glass of Pellegrino

"Thanks, guys. Josh and I are almost finished with our album and then I can stat mastering it, I'll have the cats for company since my daughter is going back to college and Josh is going on a tour with Dot Hacker", said John.

Nika drank from her glass of Pellegrino and watched the band get read for soundcheck at the arena in Auckland. They had arrived too late that night to do sightseeing and it rained all morning, making it impossible to do anything today. She saw that after the show there was an end of tour party and then they would fly back to LA, wondering if her and Josh could come back in the future to see the country.

"Everyone I know who's been to New Zealand says it's a gorgeous country, but maybe we can visit another time", Josh mused aloud.

They sat together in pleasant silence for a few minutes. "Hey, since there's two weeks before your classes stat and before I go on tour with Dot Hacker, we can visit our families. We can visit your grandparents in Palm Springs and then we can fly to New York to see my parents, they live up in New Paltz", he suggested.

"Sure, I've been to New York City but not upstate New York. Yeah, I'll just have to tell Dad. Have you told your parents about us?", she asked.

"Yeah, they're glad I have a girlfriend. They were concerned since I didn't have a girlfriend for so long, they're glad about it. Since my Dad is Jewish and my Mom is Christian, they're really chill about whom I date", he chuckled.

"Does your family celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah?", she asked.

"Christmas, but only in a really generic way. Neither Mom or Dad are particularly religious, Mom's family is Irish and from Queens and Dad's family are German Jews from Queens too. So I wasn't raised in any sort of faith tradition", he replied with a shrug.

"My mother's family are Catholic, Pepere and Grandmere are quite Catholic. Grandmere thought you were handsome, but need a haircut", she teased.

"Hah, I like having long hair. It's not as long as your Dad's or Anthony's, back in the day, but compared to a lot of guys, it's still long. When I start going bald", then I'll get a haircut", Josh laughed.

The mood after that night's show was both triumphant and wistful. Nika had gone onstage with the band and done Desecration Smile and Scar Tissue as the crowd went wild, having to play an extra encore since the crowd had demanded it. "John, we are going to miss you, you crazy, non-driving, cat-loving, spacy motherfucker", said Anthony, giving him a hug.

"Thanks, I still don't want to drive and I love my cats, but I'm not sure about the last part", he joked.

"Dad", teased Nika.

"Hah, I know. And have a safe trip, I'll be super-busy with mixing the album. And you better take care of my daughter, Josh", warned John, but his hazel eyes danced with amusement.

"I know, John. I suppose it's a Dad thing", laughed Josh.

The group and their crew went to the hotel ballroom which was set up for the end-of-tour party. The servers were preparing the food and a DJ set up in a booth in the corner as a bartender served soft drinks. The DJ started to play some old-school Northern Soul and funk as Nika's eyes widened in delight. "Strut your stuff, Night Owl", said Josh with a grin.

"Only if you do too", she retorted cheerfully.

Josh laughed as he allowed Nika to lead him onto the dance floor. The fat and furious music soon had everyone up and dancing as Nika performed some very acrobatic moves, her face flushed and her blue eyes sparkling. Josh managed to keep up and his eyes twinkled with laughter as he spun around in a tight circle at the same time as she did and watched as her denim skirt swirled up around her legs. The rest of the band and crew watched the couple dance as John looked on with pride and admiration. Barely two weeks ago, Nika had been a petrified little mouse terrified of performing; now she had gained confidence and played in front of an audience. He watched as she danced with Josh, seeing his two favorite people enjoying each other's company and happy together.

The music stopped and Josh held her close, his arms around her waist as he kissed her. "I love you, Night Owl", he murmured.

The End

Thanks to everyone who voted, read and commented. I am working on a sequel but I also have to work on my senior thesis and other papers for this semester, so just be patient. Thanks for reading.