Richie rounded the car opening the door for his wife. The diner had filled him up but the end result was a greasy brick in his belly. He wasn't sure if it was because of nerves or the gravy fries.
Smiling down at Elena he linked fingers with her. "As much as I like your ankles in the air, it was nice to get out with you for a change." He pulled her in and looped his arms around her waist. "I've been cooped up in busses and hotels for weeks now." He lifted his face to the cool winter breeze off the lake and took a deep breath. "Man, I love that smell."
She reached to brush a stray bit of his hair from his face, the cool breeze bringing a rosy hue to her cheeks. "I have to admit, seeing you out of doors, relaxed and well normal, it’s a good thing." She winked, "Although there’s something to be said about ankles or butts in the air at the appropriate time."
She glanced over to the lake and nodded, "So shall we walk off that greasy feast you insisted upon?"
He leaned back and rubbed his belly. "Tasted good going down." He smoothed his thumb over her brow. "It's good to see you smiling too, darlin'. I worry about you." He slid his finger over her mouth. "Eh, I see the arguments." He smiled and replaced his finger with his mouth until she sighed into the kiss.
She wrapped her arms around him briefly and enjoyed the simple non heated kiss. "Well I worry about you too you know. You look so tired sometimes."
He pressed his forehead to hers. "Those two sometimes three hours on stage make it worth it, but yeah. I'm tired, baby. It's draining when you don't have anything to do but stare at each other some days."
She shook her head, "Well considering what you have to stare at, I can understand that." She winked up at him as she laced fingers through his and started to walk towards the lake, "However, it seems they've left you hardly any down time, if the schedule you showed me is still right?"
He sighed. "It's probably got a few more actually. I swear Doc has it in his head that we have to be everywhere. I lost my voice for a few nights and had to rely on Dave to do my Wanted parts." He looked down at her. "Not good, I tell ya," he laughed.
"Oh I'm sure you're being unable to talk or sing really made you crazy. Explains that week you didn't call at all though. Always wondered bout that." She stopped close to the lake shore to watch the ripples on the water. "Still that’s why I worry, If you won’t take care of yourself, well This Doc guy doesn’t seem to wanna."
He reached down for a rock and skipped it. Watching the rock flip four times he pushed his bangs out of his eyes. Each one of those ripples overlapped making him think of the life and the business of music. He wished it was just about the music. He was happier that way. "I'd like to say he's there to take care of us, but it's beginning to seem that the definition of caring is a little skewed when it comes to money."
She watched him skip stones and remembered the day in St. Maartin when he did the same. The two moments in time blurred for a moment as he held his tongue just so for the maximum skippage. She smiled at the moment before settling beside him. "I already think I dislike this Doc who loves money better than the well being of his band. Doesn't he get it? Your making it big, but damnit Pony if he kills ya in the process how’s that gonna help?"
He turned to her and cupped her face, pressing a quick kiss on her nose then her lips. "I thought that way too, once upon a time. Unfortunately, there's always going to be somewhere for him to go. Some band to promote. We're one of many for him." He pulled her in front of him and put his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her head. "We're just the big bread winners for now."
She watched the ripples fade out to the center of the lake for a few moments, "You're more than that though, and you deserve to be treated with more respect." She leaned her head back against his chest and peeked upwards at his intense gaze. "You're well being means a lot more to me I guess, but then you're more than Mr. Guitar to me."
He laughed. "Good thing. I need to be something more than a right hand man sometimes. You make me feel invincible." He twirled her around. "I miss not having you by my side every night. I miss those dark eyes," he swiped his thumb along the tissue soft skin, "Looking at me like everything's going to be all right. I need it," he leaned in kissing her softly. "I didn't know how much until I met you."
Her body melted into his as she returned the kiss, her thoughts halting suddenly as she lost herself in the simple sensation that was Richie. Pulling back she blinked to clear her mind before smiling. "I always felt pretty self sufficient ya know, big bad me leaving the family and making it on my own. I ended up lost more often than not as I tried to make my way. I won’t tell ya how many times Kate had to come fetch me because I ended up way off base when going to the store just five minutes away."
"But then I found you and you keep me balanced. You keep me centered, and never let me lose my way. Baby, I miss that when you're not around." She reached up to tweak his ear, "Amongst other things."
"Well, you don't have to do it all alone anymore, love." He curled her into him, pressing a kiss into her temple. Some of the snakes coiling in his belly eased. Just maybe he wouldn't have to feel guilty about taking her on the road with him. Maybe she'd want to come. "Speaking of that, how's the thesis coming?"
She bit her lip a moment then snorted. "Do you even read my letters Pony?"
"Um," he paused. "I did, I swear I did, but then you get all flirty and I forget the important stuff."
She shook her head and pressed a kiss to his chin. "You're forgiven for forgetting that tidbit of info cuz you just complimented my flirting. Just so you know, thesis is finished, already turned it in."
"Well that's even better." He linked his fingers at the small of her back. "I won't feel nearly so guilty asking my next question."
"Never feel guilty for any questions Richie. We're married you can ask me anything you like, probably get a yes most of the time." She offered up a wink and a grin. "Most of the time."
His eyebrow winged up. "I'll remember that." He hooked his fingers in her belt loops and dragged her closer. "Believe me, I'll remember."
Her hand splayed out over his chest, her fingers sliding into his shirt, which was as usually mostly unbuttoned, to brush over the light chest hair he sported. "So, what’s your question handsome?"
"I want you to come on the road with me for awhile." His fingers slid under her jacket. "Try it out for a bit."
Her eyes widened as the words sank in. "I didn't think there was room for that?"
"I talked to Jonny today." He leaned down and bumped noses with her. "That's why I didn't come play in the shower with you. I wanted to make sure it was okay before I asked."
A bright smile moved from lips to echo in her eyes. "You mean get to see you every day? Make sure you eat, sleep and take care of yourself?"
"Well, you can take care of me," he grinned. "Eating is pretty much something I'll never forget to do. I like my food," he laughed. "But, there's this thing about sleeping. That one we need to discuss."
A slender arched brow rose, "What about sleeping?"
"Might not be much of that one unless we're passed out from sex or exhaustion." He waggled his eyebrows. "The road is a crazy life, just warning you." He would be watching her that was for sure. There was a part of being on the road that wouldn't be very good with helping her learn to sleep normally. But maybe, just maybe she wouldn't need the pills to do it.
"I can handle crazy Richie, I married you didn't I?" She studied that expressive face she loved and knew something was being left unspoken, and it worried her, "I can handle idiot jackals and cocky mop tops, I can handle just about everything but missing you, so if its ok with your people then I'd love to see your world, from the inside."
"We've never really let girlfriends in on the action. Even wives, really. Tico was married for a bit there," he said conversationally. "But Jon knows I need this. And we're starting to actually make some money on this tour, so I'm willing to carry the cost if it comes to that." He hooked his arm around her neck and dragged her into him, sighing when her soft cheek rested on his skin. "I need you."
She held him tight, relishing the feel of his breath whispering over her cheek, and his heat that kept the chilly wind away. "I’m glad you feel the same way I do, would be a bit of a problem if you didn't."
"You'll never have to worry about that, Lains." He rubbed her back. "Never."
