Chapter Forty-One

"Archer, let's have you move this way after you sing that line and let Alison take center stage," the choreographer says as she gestures to where she wants me to go.

"Got it." I slide to the right a bit making room for Alison. I bow at her as she passes by me. She giggles as she goes, almost losing her footing.

The choreographer rolls her eyes and shakes her head at us but a smile is pulling up at the side of her lips.

We continue dancing and singing the rest of the song, making a few minor tweaks on our placement throughout. Everything worked well with the show before our holiday break but since we had time, we wanted to make a few adjustments. It just means more time with Alison for me so I don't complain about it.

After about an hour or so of rehearsal, we are finally dismissed for the night. The second we're done, Alison runs up to me and grabs my hand, practically dragging me off the stage. She has an enormous grin on her face and a mischievous look in her eyes.

"What?" I ask, a smile automatically coming to my face. She has one of those smiles that you can't help but smile back when you see it. Or maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for her.

"Nothing. I'm just happy. I like being up there with you. Now more than ever." Her eyes are shining as her grin remains glued to her face.

"Oh, is that so? Well, me too." I pause for a second. "But there was something that's been bothering me all night."

Her face drops a bit. "Oh no. What? Is it something with the choreography? Because we can always change that. It's not set in stone."

I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her towards me, then push her back against the wall being careful not to do anything that could cause her pain.

"This." I bend down and connect our lips. She only hesitates for a second, taken by surprise, before she's all in.

"Oh, get a room already!" one of the bandmates says as he passes by. "This better not happen every day."

"Don't worry, Ronan. It won't happen here. We'll make sure to do it right in front of your dressing room. Front row seats for you," Alison shoots back as she sticks her tongue out at him.

He answers back with the same gesture and then starts laughing.

That's one thing I love about this whole experience. Everyone is like family here. Alison does a great job making sure the atmosphere on her tours is one that everyone loves to be a part of. One that everyone feels included in.

"Maybe we should go somewhere more private," I say wiggling my eyebrows at her.

She puts her finger on her chin in contemplation. "Hmmm, yeah I guess so." She grabs my hand again and drags me to her dressing room.

After a few more distracted moments, Alison turns on some music and we lay on the couch soaking in the music and the privacy.

"So, I've been thinking," Alison starts.

"Uh oh. That doesn't sound good."

"No, it's not bad. Just something that's been on my mind."

"Okay, hit me with it," I say as I run my fingers through her hair. She lets out a breath of air before she continues.

"Well, I was kind of just wondering what all of this was going to look like after the tour is done."

"What do you mean?"

"Well . . ." I can hear the hesitation in her voice.

"Alison. It's okay. Just talk to me."

She shifts so that she is leaning her chin against my chest and we're eye to eye.

"After all of this," she gestures her hand in a circle. "Where does that leave us?"

"Together," I say without hesitation.

"You know, it's going to be harder though. We aren't going to see each other all the time like this. Spending hours rehearsing and then all of our free time hanging out. It's going to be more difficult than it is now. My life is just so chaotic. Are you sure that it's something you can handle?"

I look her in her eyes. I understand her concern, but I don't know if it's just that or if there's more to it.

"Alison, what's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

She looks away for a second then turns her shockingly blue eyes back on me. "Do you want to handle all of this?"

I keep my eyes on hers so that she knows I'm serious with my next words. "I've never wanted anything more in my life."

Her lips start to pull up at the corners.

"There's that smile that I love so much." I softly kiss each corner of her mouth. "Alison, I need you to know that I'm in. Like all in. I'm here and I'm not leaving. I'll do whatever I have to do to make this work. If that means traveling with you. Long distance video chats. Missed calls. Text messages answered days later. I'm here for it."

A tear rolls down her cheek. "I'm a lot to handle."

I wipe the tear from her face with my thumb. "All of it."

She nods her head, gives me a quick kiss, and then lays her head on my chest. We stay like that for awhile, saying nothing. Just enjoying being together.

She is right about it being harder. We aren't going to have these perfect moments like this very often.

But I meant what I said. I want to do this with her. I'm willing to get through the hard times and fight for our relationship. No one has meant what she means to me. I haven't felt this way about anyone ever. I may not know a lot but I know this is something that I don't want to lose.

Something I can't lose.