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Chapter one
Micky Dolenz shuffled his drumsticks nervously from hand to hand as he waited for Mike Nesmith, the band's unofficial leader, to introduce them. The Monkees were waiting to begin a gig. Micky had never felt so nervous in his life, he looked down at the monogrammed drumsticks Lori had given him six months before, then out at the audience at the woman he loved. Lori Tyler was sitting at a table with Mike's girlfriend and her roommate, Lana Tork. Lori smiled at him and blew him a kiss. Tonight was the night. Micky had a table booked at Lori's favourite restaurant after the gig and the small square box stashed safely in the pocket of his trousers.
"Don't make any plans for after the gig ok, I'm taking you out for dinner" Micky had told Lori the day before.
Micky patted his pocket for the millionth time to check the small box was still there.
"You ok Mick?" Micky was jerked out of his thoughts by the sound of a voice drifting to his ears. He looked up and saw his band mate and Lana's brother, Peter Tork looking at him with concern etched on his face.
"Sorry Pete I'm a little distracted at the moment, what's the matter?" Micky asked.
"Michael just introduced us we're waiting for you to count us off" Peter told him. Micky looked out at audience again and everyone was staring at him, including Lori who looked as concerned at Peter.
"Oh sorry" he was about to start but then paused and looked up at Peter "Which song are we starting with again?" He asked.
"Let's dance on."
"Oh right ok here we go" So Micky finally counted them off and the music started.
"Is Micky alright?" Lana asked Lori.
"I don't know, I've never seen him so distracted before, have you?" Lori replied.
"No I haven't. I wonder what he's up to?" She said. Lori was wondering the exact same thing.
After the gig had finished the girls stayed behind to help the guys pack up. Despite their shaky start the gig had gone really well and the manager had asked them to play again in three weeks. Lana and Mike were standing in the corner engrossed in deep conversation their arms wrapped around each other and every now and then they'd plant
affectionate kisses on each other. Lori was helping Micky take apart his drums ready to pack into the boot of the Monkeemobile. Lori kept glancing at Peter who was standing in the corner alone.
"Hay Mick you think maybe we could try and find a girl for Peter he hasn't had any thing serious in all the time I've known him" Lori asked him. Micky looked over at Peter.
"Yeah we could try I guess, Davy keeps teasing him about Cait's roommate Joni so you could try her" Micky suggested.
"Yeah that's a good idea I might try that. And what about Davy isn't it about time he had someone he could be with for longer then a week?" Lori said.
"What is it with you becoming little Miss Match-maker all of a sudden?" Micky asked coming over to her and slipping his arms around her waist. Lori shrugged.
"I dunno I guess I just want my friends to be as happy as I am right now" Micky smiled and kissed her "So where are you taking me later?" She asked.
"It's a surprise I'm not gonna tell you am I."
"But I don't know if I'm dressed ok."
"You look beautiful you're dressed fine."
"Thank you."
"Have I told you how much I love you today?" Micky asked. Lori looked at Micky's watch.
"No not in the last six hours, you're slipping," She said with a grin.
"I love you."
"I love you more" Micky and Lori kissed passionately just as the forth member of the Monkees, Davy Jones, walked past them.
"Oh jeez guys get a room will ya!" He said Micky shooed him away with out stopping kissing Lori. Davy walked over to Peter.
"So do you know what was up with Micky tonight?" Davy asked Peter and Peter shrugged.
"No idea" he said.
"You ok man?" Davy asked.
"Yeah I'm ok, it's just look at those guys, Michael and Lana, Micky and Lori they're so in love and happy it just makes me realise how single I am at the moment" He sighed.
"Don't worry about it Pete you'll find some one, I expect Joni would be glad to have you" Davy said.
"Oh don't start that again David! Joni and I are friends that's all" Peter protested.
"Uh huh yeah ok whatever, look I know you like her and I'm pretty sure she likes you, trust me I know about these things, just ask her out she can only say no" Davy told him.
"Look for the last time I am not interested in Joni like that can we just get on with packing away these instruments please!" Peter replied, slightly irritated.
Mike and Lana had been quite happily wrapped up in their own little world and hadn't noticed what was going on around them at all.
"Why did it take us so long to get back together?" Mike asked and brushed some kisses against Lana's neck.
"Because we are both very very stupid," She replied closing her eyes to enjoy Mike's kisses even more.
"The stupid thing was to break up in the first place," He said in between kisses.
"I know but come on, we really should help pack away the instruments babe," She told him. They turned around and were met by Peter and Davy glaring at them, they had their hands on their hips and Davy was tapping his foot.
"You could've packed the instruments away if we hadn't already done it, you guys were so busy being in love we got fed up of waiting and did it ourselves" he told them.
"Didn't Micky help?" Mike asked. Peter looked over at the drummer and Mike and Lana followed his gaze to see Lori and Micky in the middle of a passionate embrace.
"No he's in love too he hasn't even realised his drums have gone" Davy told them.
"Aw bless him" Lana said putting her arm round Mike.
"Do you think maybe we should separate those two, I don't see how they can breathe" Peter said, he was watching Micky and Lori, who were kissing again.
"Hay Mick, where are your drums" Mike called. Micky pulled away from Lori, the irritation at being interrupted during one of his favourite pastimes was clear.
"Mike they're right..." He looked down and his eyes widened and he started to panic "They're gone...but they were right here" He turned in a circle to see if he could see them. Mike, Lana, Peter and Davy were laughing at him and Lori looked almost as panicked as Micky.
"Where'd they go?" She asked as she and Micky began searching the bandstand.
"It's ok Mick they're in the Monkeemobile, Pete and me shifted them for you" Davy told him. Micky and Lori glared at them.
"That's not very funny," Micky said.
"It's not our fault, we were getting fed up of waiting for you so we did it ourselves" Peter protested. Micky turned back to Lori.
"We better get going or we'll be late" he told her and ignored Peter's comment. Mike dropped Micky and Lori off at the restaurant and then took Lana home. They were sat in the front of the Monkeemobile.
"Call me tomorrow?" Lana said.
"Absolutely. I love you" Mike told Lana.
"I love you too, speak to you tomorrow" And with that she said goodbye to Peter and Davy and jumped out of the Monkeemobile and walked in her front door. Mike then drove, himself, Peter and Davy home.
Micky and Lori had finished their starter and were waiting for their main course. It had been a good night and Micky was gazing at Lori unable to take his eyes off the beautiful creature that sat before him. His nerves had subsided a little and he was enjoying being in the company of the woman he loved.
"What's all this in aid of anyway?" Lori asked.
"Well the Monkees had an extremely successful gig, I've been paid a bucket load of money so I thought I'd take my woman out for a slap up meal" Micky said puffing out his chest with mock arrogance.
"You're woman?" Lori questioned "Carry on like that Dolenz and you'll be eating dinner alone" She told him with a smile.
"Ok sorry" he reached over and entwined his fingers in hers <Ok Dolenz this is it it's now or never> with his free hand he reached inside his pocket and pulled out the small box, keeping it under the table for the moment so Lori wouldn't see it.
"You know, I realised something the other day" He said.
"Oh yeah what's that? You finally find that brain you've been missing for so long?" Lori asked with a grin.
"Oh yeah you're so funny" he said sticking out his tongue then he continued "Any way, I don't know you're maiden name, I mean Tyler is you're married name right?" He asked.
"Yes Tyler is my married name, my maiden name is Sorrento."
"Sorrento, really? You're Italian?"
"Well half Italian, my dad is from Naples but my mother was from New York, I thought I told you that?" Lori replied a little confused.
"No I don't think you did."
"Oh sorry, My dad came to America for a vacation, he was only suppose to stay for two weeks but he met and fell in love with my mother, so going home for him was not an option, they married six months later then had me and the rest is history" Lori explained.
"Wow that's kind of beautiful," Micky said dreamily.
"It is, isn't it. I didn't realise you were such a romantic" Lori said.
"Well don't tell the guys but I have my moments" He replied then suddenly remembered why he had brought up the subject in the first place. He cleared his throat "Um...so why didn't you change your name back after your divorce?"
"Because I wanted to keep the same name as Annie" Lori explained.
"So if you married again, would you keep Tyler or change it to your husband's name?" Micky asked. Lori considered the question for a moment then said.
"I don't know, I'm not really sure, I guess it would depend on what the name was," She told him. Micky took a deep breath and opened the box.
"What about if it was Dolenz?" He asked and put the box on the table and pushed it towards her. Lori's eyes widened with shock when the box appeared on the table, inside was a gold engagement band with a cluster of small diamonds on it.
"Micky, what are you doing?" She asked unable to take her eyes from the ring. Micky rose from his chair and picked up the box and stood in front of Lori.
"I think it's customary for me to do this down here" He said he got down on one knee. He held her hand in one of his and with the other hand he held up the open box "Loretta Marie Tyler you have made me the happiest man on earth these past nine months and I can't imagine spending the rest of my life without you, would you do me the great
honour of becoming my wife?" He was so nervous his voice was cracking and also a few decibels higher then normal. Lori didn't say anything, she stared at the ring for what seemed like, to Micky, forever.
"Micky I..." Was all Lori could say before words failed her completely.
"I understand this is probably a bit of a shock for you" Micky told her "I've gotta visit the bathroom so that'll give you time to calm down" He said. With that he stood up, put the ring on the table kissed Lori on the top of her head and left. Lori looked at the ring, she closed the lid and picked it up. She had just one thought in her head.
"He's gone, here's your chance. Get the hell outta there," She said out loud. She got up grabbed her purse and jacket and ran out of the restaurant as quickly as possible, her left hand still absent mindedly clasped the small box as she fled. Micky came out of the bathroom and headed to his table. He got a shock when he realised Lori was not there. Then he noticed her purse and jacket were gone also. He threw his hands in the air.
"Ah jeez not again!" He shouted and dropped down into his chair just as the main course arrived.
Micky arrived home forty-five minutes later. He trudged in the door and headed towards the veranda. The three other Monkees were still up and seated around the table playing cards with Mr Schneider, and it looked as though Mr Schneider was winning.
"Hay Mick where's Lori? I thought she was staying over tonight?" Peter asked. Micky turned to face him.
"Yeah so did I Pete but I guess there's been a change of plan" he told him.
"Oh and I got my bed ready an' everythin'!" Mike said he pointed to the sofa where a blanket and pillow had been set up. Since Mike and Micky both had girlfriends and the relationships had gotten to the point where the girls often stayed over, and because the two Monkees shared a bedroom, they had reached an agreement. When one of the girls stayed over they pushed their beds together to make a makeshift
double bed and the Monkee whose girlfriend wasn't staying over would sleep on the sofa. Neither Monkee minded because the sofa was actually extremely comfortable and sometimes the Monkee who got the sofa would stay at their girlfriends pad anyway.
"Sorry Mike I guess you can have your bed tonight after all" Micky told him.
"What happened at dinner?" Davy asked, concerned for the drummer who looked completely miserable.
"I asked Lori to marry me" Micky replied. All three Monkees eyes widened with shock and Mr Schneider's mouth dropped open. Davy was the first to find his voice.
"You did? What did she say?" He asked.
"I dunno she left while I was in the bathroom," Micky told them.
"I thought she'd given up the habit of runnin' out on you" Mike put in.
"Yeah so did I but obviously not, I have no idea where she is. I called round Lana and Ben's on the way home and neither of them have seen her."
"They could be covering for her," Peter offered. Micky shook his head.
"No I don't think so. Ben had a date with him and Lori knows Lana detests lying so she wouldn't ask her to" he told them "I'm gonna go sit out on the veranda for a while."
"Do you want some company?" Peter asked.
"No thanks big Peter I'd rather be alone right now if that's ok," Micky said.
"Yeah of course" He replied. Micky disappeared out the back door. When he was gone Mike stood up and headed for the front door.
"Where you off too?" Davy asked him.
"I've got a pretty good idea where Lori is, I'm gonna go check it out in case she wants to talk about it" Mike explained.
"If you've got an idea where she is why didn't you tell Micky?" Peter questioned.
"Because if she is where I think she is then she won't want to see him. She told me of a place she goes to sometimes to clear her head when things are getting to tough for her, I'm gonna go check it out, make sure she's ok" He explained.
"Oh right ok then" Davy replied.
"And if Micky asks don't tell him where I am ok, I don't want him to know Lori has this place cos he'll be determined to find it" Mike told them and he left.
Chapter two
Mike headed for the park and when he arrived his suspicions were correct. He spied Lori sitting on a bench that was partly obscured by trees and if any one didn't know it was there they would walk right by it. He smiled slightly and walked over to her. He leaned against a tree and folded his arms across his chest.
"Isn't it a bit late for a young lady to be out here all alone?" He asked. Lori's head jerked up and the moon reflected her tear-stained face.
"I knew I should never have told you about this place" She replied quietly. Mike's smile faded into a worried frown and he went and sat down next to her. It was then he noticed the small box Lori was clutching.
"You gonna tell me what's goin' on? Micky is worried sick he doesn't know where you are" Mike told her.
"He asked me to marry him."
"Yeah I know. Is that the ring?" Lori nodded "Can I see it?" Mike added. Lori sighed and handed him the box.
"There" She said. Mike opened it.
"Whoa! That's gorgeous and it looks so familiar," Mike told her he searched his memory trying to figure out where he'd seen it before. Suddenly it hit him "Oh I remember now, Micky showed it to me once it was his grandmothers she left it to him in her will" He explained.
"It is really?" Lori asked taking the box from Mike and studying it again more closely this time.
"Yeah if memory serves he was supposed to give it to his one true love" Mike told her. Lori didn't know what to say. She burst into tears again and Mike pulled her towards him and embraced her in a one armed hug. They didn't speak for a few moments; Lori was trying to decide whether to reveal something to her Texan best friend when suddenly she just blurted it out before she could stop herself.
"I think I might be pregnant," She said. Mike eyes widened with shock.
"Excuse me?" He asked. Lori pulled out of the hug and sat up properly to face him.
"I think I'm pregnant," She repeated. If it was possible, Mike's eyes widened even more
"You are!" He stammered "I didn't think you and Micky were
doin'...that...yet" He added, his cheeks going a brilliant shade of red. Lori rolled her eyes.
"Well we weren't exactly gonna announce it on the evening news Mike!" She said.
"Yeah of course sorry."
"You and Lana do don't you?"
"Well yeah we do but I mean Lana and I were together a long time before we reached that decision you and Micky haven't been together that long really" Mike told her, his cheeks going a deeper shade of red with every word he spoke. Lori giggled a little.
"It's ok, you don't have to worry, I can take care of myself you know" She told him.
"You obviously can't if your suspicions are correct."
"Hay cut it out ok, I didn't plan for this to happen you know" Lori said defensively.
"I know I'm sorry," Mike said then he thought of something
else "Micky didn't push you into anything did he? I mean he didn't force you? Because if he did then I'll..." But Lori cut him off.
"Oh jeez no! You can tone down your big brother instincts ok. I was the one who brought up the subject. Micky was against it at first he didn't want to rush into anything. It's only a recent thing anyway like in the past couple of months," she told him.
"Oh ok" Mike replied not really sure if that was meant to make him feel better or worse "And you really think you could be pregnant?"
"Yeah I do it's only a maybe nothing's been confirmed yet but I'm scared Mike."
"Hay it's ok I'll take care of you" He told her "Does Micky know?"
"No, I was gonna tell him if it was confirmed but now he's proposed it's scared me off. I don't want people to think he's only marrying me because he got me pregnant."
"I know sweetheart and I know it's difficult but you need to see a doctor you need to know if you are or not before you can make a decision about Micky."
"Yeah I know, I've been thinking about going home for a few weeks, give me a chance to clear my head" Lori confessed.
"You mean home as in England?" Mike asked a little shocked.
"Yeah I do. I need to see my dad I've been missing him so much lately, a lot more then usual, and then that way I can also see the doctor who helped me thought my pregnancy with Annie" Mike didn't really know what to say. He knew Micky would hate that idea but he also knew Lori needed to be somewhere she felt safe to sort her head out "Will you come with me?" She added which snapped Mike out of his thoughts.
"Me?" He asked.
"Yes you, you're my best friend and I don't want to go alone please Mike."
"Lana's your best friend too, can't you take her?"
"I would ask her but there's no way she'd agree to it, you know she's got a fear of flying she wouldn't even fly to New York that time, we had to drive" Lori explained.
"That's true, so when were you thinking of leaving?"
"As soon as I can get a flight, tomorrow maybe or the day after."
"That's a bit short notice Lor" Mike said.
"I know but I need to do this I need to see my dad please say you'll come" Lori pleaded. Mike sighed.
"Of course I'll come, whatever you need I'm here you know that" He told her.
"Thank you Michael" Lori told him and they hugged.
"Just one thing though."
"What's that?"
"If Lana kills me I'm totally blaming you" Mike told her and Lori laughed.
"That's fine," She said.
Micky didn't sleep at all that night. He knew Mike had gone looking for Lori because Davy and Peter had never been very good at lying, and their excuses as to where he was were so lame.
"<I hate that he knows her better then me>" Micky cursed to himself. He was lying in bed staring at the ceiling. He had separated the two beds but figured Mike had chosen to sleep on the sofa anyway because he never came in the room that night. Micky thought about going down and talking to the Texan but he knew what kind of mood Mike would be in if he was woken up in the middle of the night by an angry drummer so he decided against it and wait until morning to quiz him. Micky finally managed to fall asleep sometime before dawn and woke up just before ten. He walked downstairs and was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of Peter humming happily as he tidied away the breakfast things.
"Morning Mick I've saved you some coffee and your cereal is awaiting its orange juice," The bassist told him with a cheery smile.
"Thanks Pete" Micky sat at the table and poured the juice over his cereal "Is Mike around? I want to talk to him about something?"
"No he's not he left about five minutes ago to run some errands" Peter told him "Oh by the way Lori called she's gonna come by later."
"She is! Really?" Micky asked getting a little excited. Peter nodded.
"Maybe she's got an answer for you."
"I better go get dressed" And with that the drummer disappeared upstairs leaving his barely touched cereal behind.
It was at times like this Lori wished she had a car. The walk to the Monkees pad was taking far too long. She just wanted to get there and face Micky as soon as possible, while she still had some courage left! She reached the front door, took a deep breath and walked in. The pad was empty apart from Peter, who was sitting on the bandstand
hunched over his guitar strumming a bass line Lori didn't recognise and also Mr Schneider sat quietly at the table playing checkers, by himself evidently. Peter looked up when he heard the front door open and smiled as Lori entered.
"Hi Pete" She said.
"Hi sweetheart, how are you today?"
"Oh you know, ok I guess. Is Micky around?"
"Yeah he's upstairs" Peter told her slightly concerned by Lori's answer.
"Thanks babe" She replied and headed upstairs and Peter began on his song again.
Lori knocked on Micky's door and let herself in. Although he had been expecting her, Micky couldn't help but feel a little surprised when Lori came in.
"Hi there" He said and it wasn't long before his `Lori's here' grin covered his face.
"Hi" Lori replied. She closed the door and came over and sat next to him on the bed.
"Well...don't I get a kiss?" He asked.
"Oh yeah of course sorry" Lori said and gave him a quick peak on the lips before sitting round and crossing her legs on the bed to face Micky properly.
"You ok hun?" Micky asked.
"Yeah look Mick" She said getting straight down to business "I wanna apologise for my disappearing act last night, I was a bit stunned and my legs started to head for the door before I could stop them."
"Well it "was" kinda embarrassing, all those people staring at me," Micky told her.
"I know and I am so sorry."
"It's ok, so...have you come to give me an answer?" Micky asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not, I've come to say goodbye," She told him.
"Goodbye! I only asked you to marry me you don't have to break up with me!" Micky yelled.
"Oh no baby I'm not breaking up with you I'm just going home for a couple weeks that's all" She told him smoothing the curls away from his eyes.
"Home? As in England!" Micky asked.
"Yeah I need to see my dad I need some time to think, some where away from here," Lori confessed.
"Oh...I don't really know what to say I mean I ask you to marry me and you flee the country!" Micky said, anger rising through his body.
"For goodness sake Mick don't be so dramatic I'm not fleeing anything. I had hoped you'd understand but obviously I was wrong" Lori said as she started to get up to leave. Micky reached up and grabbed her arm.
"Lori sit down please I'm sorry, it's true ok I don't understand so explain it to me" He told her.
"Ok" She sat back down, let out a little sigh and turned to face him "I need to get away for a while, I've been missing my dad so much lately I need to see him and I need to be somewhere I can think straight and I can't do that with you distracting me" She told him.
"Thanks a lot!" Micky replied.
"No, I meant that in a good way, just seeing your face makes me feel like agreeing to anything and marriage is a big *anything* I should know, I've been there and if I go there with you I want us to do it right I want it to be perfect so I need to go home where I can think clearly about it" She explained "Do you understand now?" She added
and Micky nodded slowly.
"Yeah I think so" He said "And you'll only be gone two weeks?"
"I think so I doubt it'll be any longer. It's gonna be so hard to be away from you but we need to do this before it's too late, I don't want us to rush into anything we're not ready for" Lori told him, trying desperately to keep the fact that she may be pregnant from her mind.
"When did you become the voice of reason in this relationship, I feel so used" Micky quipped.
"There is one other thing," Lori said.
"What's that?"
"Mike's coming with me."
"He is! When was all this decided?" Micky asked starting to feel angry again.
"Please don't be mad Mick, he found me last night in my thinking spot, I told him of my plans and asked him to come with me. I don't want to go alone and there's no way Lana will come with me, she'd rather jump off a bridge then board an airplane" Lori told him. Micky sighed, realising she was right.
"Yeah I know, actually to tell the truth I'm kinda glad Mike's going with you I don't like the idea of you on a plane by yourself to London" He confessed.
"So are we cool?"
"Of course we are. You will call me as soon as land, let me know you arrived safe?"
"I will do, I love you so much Micky Dolenz."
"I love you too Lori Tyler" Micky laid down and pulled Lori down next to him and they tangled their bodies around each other "I'm gonna miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too" Lori sighed a long contended sigh "I love looking at you from here" She told him as she repeatedly ran her fingers through the curls in his hair, and lightly kissed his nose.
"You do? Why?" he asked, returning the kiss.
"I don't know, I think it's because usually when we're both here you're asleep and you look so peaceful, well apart from the occasional loud snore."
"Hay!" Micky said slapping her lightly he paused then said "We're gonna be ok aren't we" It wasn't a question but she responded anyway.
"Yeah I think we are," She said and they melted into a passionate kiss only to be interrupted by a loud crash from downstairs "What's that?" she asked.
"It's Peter's turn to cook, just ignore it" Micky told her. They hadn't been sleeping together very long but they had found out relatively quickly what turned each other on. Micky was suddenly in the mood. He knew kissing Lori's neck would get her excited so first he caressed her cheek with his finger then moved down and started kissing her neck lightly. Lori tightened her grip on him, she was
obviously enjoying it, but the neck wasn't enough. He moved his kisses down her chest and pulled up her shirt. He had only found out recently that if he wanted to really turn her on, all he had to do was kiss her around the tummy button, something he didn't quite understand but it was obviously one of her weak spots. He started to kiss her and she moaned slightly with pleasure. A small smile tugged
at his lips, it was working. However, almost as soon as he started, Lori loosened her grip on him and pushed him away.
"No Mick not here" She said. Micky looked at her, his face filled with disappointment.
"Huh, what? Why not?" He asked.
"Because Peter is only downstairs, he could barge in at any moment and to be honest, I don't want an audience."
"Yeah you're right" He replied and moved back up so he was lying next to her again.
"Let's go to my place" Lori suggested and Micky's face lit up but suddenly he groaned in disappointment.
"But Lana's home."
"I know but I've got a lock on my door remember" She told him.
"Oh yeah" He said bighting up again.
"Come on let's go" Lori said. She took hold of his hand and they launched off the bed and out the door as fast as they could.
Chapter three
Lana was sitting at home in the living room writing a letter to her parents when she was interrupted when the hall door burst open and Micky and Lori flew in.
"Hi Lana" Micky said. Lori was leading him into her room as fast as humanly possible and the only response Lana could manage was.
"Hi Mick" Before he and Lori disappeared into her room, the door slammed shut and she heard the key being turned in the lock she smiled knowingly to herself and then returned to her letter. Lana was still in the sitting room when Micky and Lori finally emerged from the bedroom. Micky was fully clothed but Lori was in her bathrobe. They walked over to the front door and whispered something to each other, kissed goodbye then Micky left. Lori watched him disappear
from sight then came and sat on the sofa with Lana.
"What's for lunch, I'm starving," she announced.
"What ever you make, I've already eaten" Lana replied she was smiling to herself "So, Mike called while you and Micky were in there denting the wall with your headboard," She said.
"LANA!!!" Lori squealed, going a brilliant shade of red.
"What?" She asked innocently.
"What goes on in my room is none of your business."
"I know but it's a little hard to ignore when I'm sitting here quietly trying to write to my parents and all I can hear is you and Micky going at it in the next room" Lori was too stunned to speak she just stared at Lana open mouthed, her face redder then a beetroot "Anyway I deserve to tease you, after all you are stealing my boyfriend for two weeks."
"Oh yeah look about that..." Lori started to say but Lana stopped her.
"Lor don't sweat it ok, its fine I admit I was a bit annoyed at first but I understand why you need to do it, and I don't want you to go alone."
"Thanks Lan...so how much did Mike tell you exactly?"
"Just that you were missing your dad and that you wanted to go home to sort some things outhe told me Micky proposed to you."
"Yeah he did, I've still got the ring actually I really should give that back" Lori said then she thought of something "So um is that all he told you?" Lana didn't reply but she looked really guilty " It's ok, I don't mind if he told you the other thing, I know you guys don't keep secrets from each other so if he did tell you I'm ok with
that."
"Well he did say you think you could be pregnantis that true? Are you pregnant?"
"I don't know yet, that's another reason I'm going home, so I can see the doctor that helped me with Annie."
"Oh fair enough, so this may seem like a weird question but do you want to be pregnant?" Lana asked.
"I really don't know to be honest, I've been thinking about it a lot since I suspected that I might be. Part of me does because it would be Micky's baby too you know and I can't imagine anything greater then creating a life with Micky. But the other part of me doesn't because I know Micky's not ready to be a dad he has a hard enough time taking care of himself and to throw a baby in the mix I don't think he could handle that yet. Then there's the money issue, the
Monkees struggle just to pay the rent each month as it is, and I know Micky would leave the band to get a proper job to take care of us and that's the last thing I'd want. The Monkees is his life and his ambition and determination is part of what I love about him, I dunnoif this had happened later, if the Monkees had been discovered and had a record deal then I'd be saying yeah let's do this, let's be parents but I just don't think now is the right time for that" Lori explained.
"Wow you really have thought about this haven't you" Lana said "I suppose that is the sensible plan but man, it would be so great if you guys had a baby I mean you love each other so much."
"I know and I thought that too but then I just kept thinking will Micky resent me in the coming years, will he look at me and think; you're the reason, you're the reason my life is crap, I left a great band to get a crappy job to support you just because you had to have a baby. He would leave the band he's told me so many times, the music is important but it's not as important to him as I am, and he's told me so many times he'd give it all up just to be with me and that's the last thing I want."
"That just proves how much he loves you. I don't think Mike would give it up for me. Music has been a part of his life longer then I have, it's much more important to him then me."
"I don't think that's at all true," Lori said.
"You're damn right it's not true!" Came a voice from behind them and they both jumped round in shock to see Mike leaning against the hall doorframe with his arms folded across his chest.
"Jeez Robert, are you trying to give us a heart attack! How long have you been standing there?" Lana asked.
"Long enough" He replied as he walked over to her.
"Maybe I should go" Lori said as she started to stand up.
"You stay right where you are I want you to witness, so the guys will know I really said it" Mike said, he sat on the coffee table and held Lana's hands in his.
"Mike I..." Lana tried to say but Mike cut her off by putting his hand up.
"You know me" He said "I'm not someone who shows how he feels very often and I probably don't tell you this enough but I love you Lana, I love you so much I would sacrifice anythin' to be with you, including' my music."
"You would?" Lana asked, not quite sure whether to believe him or not.
"Of course I would" He paused for a moment as a thought suddenly came into his head "that is why as soon as I can afford it I'm gonna buy you a ring and make you mine for the rest of my life...if you'll have me" He added. Lana didn't reply.
"I don't understand," She admitted finally. Mike smiled slightly.
"I'm asking you to be my wife Lan" he whispered "I heard what you said to Lori and I realised that I was stupid to let you go once and I'll be damned if I lose you again, I can't imagine spendin' the rest of my life with anyone else. Lana will you marry me?" Mike asked again. Lana stared at him again, which was making him feel a little
uneasy. Suddenly she burst into tears and flung her arms around him.
"Of course I will I love you so much," she said. Mike had been a little stunned by Lana's sudden outburst but as soon as she spoke he relaxed and gripped her tightly
"I love you, thank you for making me the happiest man on earth," He whispered and they kissed. Lori was standing to the side watching them with tears falling silently down her face, she was so happy for Lana and Mike but felt guilty about Micky. Lana had been so sure she wanted to marry Mike and she has answered him straight away, why wasn't Lori that sure? She knew she was in love with Micky and couldn't imagine being with any one else but something was stopping
her from accepting straight away. She slipped quietly into her bedroom and pulled out a dusty old photo album from under her bed and opened it. It was an album full of pictures of her mother and also Annie. She flipped slowly through the pages and looked at the ring in the open box on her nightstand, then back at the photos again.
"Oh Mom I wish you were here to tell me what to do. I miss you so much, please tell me what to do," she begged. She finished flipping through the pages and lay down on her bed and started sobbing quietly. She didn't know how long she'd been there when someone knocked on the door.
"Lolo, It's me can I come in?" Mike called gently. Lori sat up and wiped her eyes.
"Yeah sure Mike, it's open" She replied. Mike opened the door and peered in.
"Hi" he said.
"Hi."
"You ok hon?" He asked as he came in and closed the door behind him.
"Yeah I'm great thank you" She replied and Mike frowned.
"Liar!" He said as he came and sat beside her on the bed "What's up?" He asked, pulling her closer and putting his arm around her. Lori leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Nothing, I'm just being Lori, can't go more then ten minutes with out worrying about something. I'm surprised your shoulder isn't permanently damp the amount of times I've cried on it."
"Hay don't think like that ok, now somethin's botherin' you and I'm not leaving here `til I find out what it is" Mike told her. Lori sighed.
"I dunno I'm just being stupid it's just watching you and Lana out there earlier made me think about a few things that's all. Lana was so sure she wanted to marry you she didn't even have to think about it but when Micky asked me, I have to flee the country."
"You're not fleeing anything, don't you dare say that. You've been through a lot Lolo; you've got a right to be cautious. You've felt pain most people have never felt, you know things people your age shouldn't know."
"That's true, but I also know I'm in love with Micky so shouldn't that be enough?"
"No not really" Mike sighed and looked over a the closed door then back at Lori "Ok listen I'm gonna tell you somethin' now that you can not tell anyone ok? If someone finds out then that's the end of our friendship ok? I mean it Lor I'm putting a big trust in you here" Mike said. Lori couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"Ok sure."
"I mean it Lori you can't tell anyone, not even Micky because if she finds out I've told you she'll kill me."
"Who will?"
"Lana. I'm about to tell you why we broke up in the first place."
"Right ok" Lori said. Mike glanced at the door again and lowered his voice a little.
"Ok, here goes" He took a deep breath "Lana and I had been together a little under two years when Lana discovered she was pregnant."
"You and Lana broke up because she got pregnant!" Lori blurted a little louder then she intended.
"Sshh!" Mike hissed, " No of course not just let me finish."
"Ok sorry, please carry on," Lori said and Mike continued.
"I admit I was a little freaked at first, I mean we were pretty young. Lana had only just turned nineteen but after I got used to the idea I started to get really excited. We were gonna get married but decided not to tell anyone anythin' just yet. We liked the idea of bein' the only two people who know, you know?"
"Yeah, actually I do" Lori admitted
"We were in bed one night at her place and she started to complain of really bad cramps in her abdomen, then we realised she was bleedin'. We both started to panic and I drove us to the hospital" Mike explained. Lori had a feeling she knew what was coming, she put her hand on Mike's.
"She had a miscarriage?" She asked mike nodded.
"We tried to stay together but it wasn't the same, so in the end we split up. We both thought it was for the best but it hurt a lot, losing the baby then losing Lana. I think that's why I'm so protective over you, I understand the pain you went through because I went through something similar, your pain was more though, you lost a daughter, I lost an embryo. It's not the same."
"Of course it's the same you were going to be a father, you were a father. You really are Papa Nez" Lori said with a small smile. "Did you know the sex of the baby?" she asked. Mike shook his head.
"No. The baby wasn't developed enough to determine the sex. Anyway what I'm trying to say is, Lana and I are so sure we want to be together because of what we went through "together". We understand each other's pain because we both went through it. Micky wasn't there when you lost Annie he doesn't know what it's like to lose a child. You're just being cautious that's all, you're making sure you make
the right decision, not just for you but for Micky as well. I'm sure he'll understand that" Mike told her.
"I hope so, I'm sorry Mike, I've spent all this time moaning about my life when you've had it just as bad as I have. I hope you can forgive me"
"Of course I can, there's nothin' to forgive. Let's just concentrate on our future's ok. You've come a long way these past few months and I'm so proud of you" Mike told her.
"Thank you. I love you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you and Micky," She admitted
"I love you too Lolo and you may not realise it but I need you as much as you need me" He said. They embraced in a comforting hug. Lana knocked and came into the room a few moments later and saw them hugging.
"Hay what's going on here" she said with a playful scowl "If I didn't know you were best friends I'd be very worried right about now" She added. Mike and Lori dispersed.
"Sorry Lan" Lori said.
"It's not a problem" She replied with a smile " Anyway there's an airline on the phone for you I think they've managed to get you some flights to England."
"Oh thanks" Lori said. She smiled at Mike and the two of them seemed to have an entire conversation with there eyes. Lori patted his knee and got off the bed and walked over to Lana "I love you Lan" She said and hugged her stunned friend.
"Where did that come from?" Lana asked.
"Nowhere I just wanted you to know how much I care about you and our friendship" She replied. Lana was genuinely touched by Lori's words.
"Thank you Lori, I love you too," She said returning the hug and casting a suspicious glance at Mike who was trying to look as though he had no idea what had got into Lori and failing miserably. Lori left the room; Lana closed the door and turned to Mike "You told her didn't you?" She asked. Mike did his best to hide the guilty expression that covered his face and opened his mouth to speak but only managed a small squeak. Lana rolled her eyes "Oh Robert!" She sighed.
"I'm sorry hon, please don't hate me I had to tell her she was really panicking about Micky's proposal."
"I don't hate you babe," Lana said coming over to the bed and climbing over to him "You did the right thing."
"I did?" Mike asked, a little surprised by Lana's comment.
"Yes you did, you've got such a kind heart and I know you wouldn't have told her unless you thought is was really important."
"Thank you. I love you, have I told you that lately? You're probably the greatest woman I've ever known" Mike told her.
"I love you too but you do realise I have to tell Peter now."
"You do? Why?"
"Because he's my brother, you know how close he and I are and it's been killing me keeping this from him I hate keeping secrets from him" Lana explained.
"Ok you can tell him, but no one else ok, let's just keep it between the four of us."
"Ok I won't tell anyone else" Lana replied and they kissed just as Lori came back in the room.
"Hay Mike you better get packing, we've got a flight to London tomorrow at ten am" She said.
"Jeez that was quick! How'd you manage that!" Lana asked.
"The airline had a cancellation. I called earlier today just before I went to see Micky to ask about flights and they didn't have any until the day after tomorrow but they said they'd let me know if they had any cancellations" Lori explained.
"And evidently they did" Mike said.
"Yeah, apparently this guy was running off with his secretary but his wife found out so he had to cancel! Isn't that great!" Lori said excitedly, then reading Mike and Lana's look, she added, "Well not the part about the guy leaving his wife you understand, just the part where we get their tickets."
"Oh yeah, that's great" Lana said.
"So how much is this gonna cost anyway?" Mike asked.
"Well I wanted to talk to you about that, I'm gonna pay for your ticket so it wont cost you a thing" Lori told him.
"Hay no wait a minute I won't let you do that" Mike tried to protest.
"I'm not gonna have any arguments on this Robert, I know you guys are barely making rent there's no way you can afford a ticket to England. This is my treat and that's final!"
"Lolo, no you can't!"
"Didn't I just say I wanted no arguments? It's my fault you're going to England in the first place so it's only fair I pay your travel expenses" Lori said firmly. Mike spent the next thirty minutes trying to change Lori's mind but she had a stubborn side to her and when her mind was made up then that was that, there was no changing it. So
Mike had no chance no matter how hard he tried! Lori got dressed and then headed to Ben's while Mike stayed with Lana so they could some time alone together before he left.
Chapter four
Lori arrived at Bens and knocked on the door, and he came and opened it.
"Lori! Hi, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" He asked.
"I've come to say goodbye. I'm headed back to England for a couple of weeks," Lori told him.
"Oh really? You taking Micky?"
"No Mike is coming with me," She said. Ben looked a bit confused.
"Oh I see...why do I get the feeling I'm missing something here?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Let's go inside, I'll explain everything," Lori told him. So they went inside, Ben made them a cup of coffee and Lori told him everything.
"Pregnant?" Ben asked in disbelieve "Oh baby girl, not again!" He added in almost disappointment.
"It's not confirmed yet, that's another reason I'm going home, so I can see Doctor Suggett."
"And if it is confirmed? What then?"
"I dunno really I guess I'll have to see" Lori told him "You're not very happy about this are you?"
"Well it's none of business so I can't really comment" Ben said.
"Please Ben I'd really like to know what you think" Lori told him. Ben sighed.
"Ok fine, to tell you the truth, I'm a little worried about you," He confessed.
"Worried about me! Why?"
"You're still recovering. You're almost there you're almost better and a lot of that is to do with Micky but you still have your off days, I've noticed that and I don't think Micky has. To be perfectly honest I don't think you're ready for such a big commitment yet" Ben told her.
"Well you're wrong about one thing. Micky does notice when I'm having and `off day' as you put it, and he takes care of me."
"Then maybe that's the reason you're not completely there yet. You're allowing Micky to take care of you instead of taking care of yourself" Ben countered "Look I know that in the next five seconds you're gonna get really angry with me, tell me that I'm wrong and walk out but I'm only telling you this...."
".... Because you care about me, yeah I've been hearing that a lot over the past couple of years" Lori interrupted.
"It's because it's the truth. A lot of people care about you Lor and we all want to make sure you don't get hurt again."
"I won't, not with Micky. He won't hurt me Ben I know he won't he loves me and I love him."
"So why are you finding it so hard to give him an answer then? If you're so sure of your feelings for him and his feelings for you, shouldn't it be a done deal?" Ben asked. Lori was a little stunned by the question and covered not being able to answer by saying.
"I don't think that's any of your business."
"You don't know do you!" Ben said. Again Lori avoided answering by changing the subject.
"I better go. I've got a lot to do before I leave. I'll see you in two weeks. I'll see myself out" And with that she stood up and left before Ben could say a word.
Lori wasn't sure where she should go now. She didn't want to go home because she knew Mike and Lana wanted to be alone so she headed to the Monkees pad, not sure if Micky would be there because she knew he had a lunch date with his sister. Lori opened the door to the Monkees pad and walked in to find it empty, which disappointed her a little; even Mr Schneider was missing from his usual chair in the corner.
"Mick? Peter? Davy? Hello, is anyone in?" She called but got no answer, which made her feel a little disappointed. Now she didn't know what to do, should she stay and wait for someone to come home, or spend some time wondering around the streets of Malibu Beach. The latter didn't appeal to her so she decided to stay and make herself
useful. She went into the closet to grab a duster and then heard the front door open. Peter and Davy walked in and she was just about to come out and greet them when she realised they were talking about her.
"I'm just not sure it's the right decision" Davy was saying, "I mean don't get me wrong I love Lori, but marriage! I'm not so sure."
"You're only worried that Micky will leave the band if he and Lori do get married" Peter said.
"No I'm worried Micky will get hurt. I mean, Lori's not the most stable person is she, she's already had one breakdown, what's to say she won't have another one?"
"Davy that's a little harsh, Lori's better now" Peter defended.
"Is she? I'm not so sure" Davy replied. Lori wanted to burst into tears. She couldn't believe the things Davy was saying, she had always thought they were pretty good friends but obviously Davy didn't agree and it hurt her so much. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the closet to face a stunned looking Davy.
"Hello Davy, I came to do a bit of cleaning for you guys but I don't want you to have to worry that I'll have a breakdown halfway through the dusting so I'll leave it to you" She said as tears started to shine in her eyes.
"Lori I'm so sorry I was only..." Davy tried to say but Lori stopped him.
"Save it Davy because you know what? I really don't care what you have to say" She replied and walked out the front door.
"Oh jeez" Davy said as he dropped into a chair with his head in his hands.
"Well you've really done it this time," Peter told him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know she would be there did I!"
"You should apologise to her, you were out of line!"
"No I wasn't I was being honest, don't tell me you haven't thought about it too?"
"Of course I have but not in that way. Lori is my friend and I care about her I worry about her, not how whatever happened to her would affect Micky. Lori has had a bad time and you've got no right to say those things about her" Peter told him, almost raising his voice, and then he left. Davy could do nothing except stare at the door Peter had just left through. He had never heard Peter speak to anyone in that way and had no idea how to react to it at all.
Peter had managed to catch up with Lori and the two of them had gone for a walk along the beach.
"I'm sorry for what Davy said Lori, he had no right" Peter told her.
"It's ok Pete you don't have to apologise for him I'm just glad I found out who my friends are right now."
"I'm sure he didn't mean it. He loves you, we all do and he's just worried about you" Peter said.
"Well he's got a funny way of showing it."
"I just want you to know that's not my opinion Lori you do know that don't you. I don't agree with what he said."
"I know Pete. You don't need to explain I know how you feel and I appreciate you telling me."
"Good, I actually think it's a wonderful idea. I don't think I know two people more in love then you and Mick, well except my sister and Mike" Peter added with a shy grin. Lori smiled.
"Thank you Peter that's really sweet of you to say so."
"Just ignore Davy ok, he's too busy trying to date every girl in a fifty mile radius for you to worry about what he says. He's not being malicious; he's just being Davy" Peter said, Lori's smiled returned.
"I know, but it still hurts though, I had no idea he felt that way about me that's all but I'll get over it. Do you know of mine and Mike's plans for the next two weeks?"
"Yes I do, Micky said you are going to England. That's really exciting. I know Mike is gonna love it over there, I love London."
"You've been?" Lori asked.
"Only once. My parents sent me and my brother there when my dad was stationed in Germany" Peter explained.
"I always forget your father was in the army, why did they send you?"
"Just for a vacation. My mom's sister used to live there for a while and offered to take care of us for a couple weeks, my sister was suppose to come too but pulled out at the last minute because of her fear of flying. It was amazing, I used to sneak out at night with my banjo and play folk music on the street for money. I didn't make a
lot though and eventually my Aunt found out. She was more laid back then my parents and didn't mind half as much as they did, but she still forbid me from doing it again."
"Wow, you've had such an amazing life" Lori said, in complete awe.
"Well I wouldn't say that but it's been interesting that's for sure. I've got a lot of stories to tell my grandkids, put it that way" Peter said with a grin.
"Hay Peter, Lori, over here!" Called a female voice and Peter and Lori turned to see Cait and Joni sitting on beach towels.
"Hi guys" Peter yelled back as he and Lori headed over to them.
"What are you two up too?" Cait asked.
"Just talking a walk. I needed some air and Peter came to keep me company," Lori told them.
"Oh groovy. Take a seat" Cait said indicating some free space on the towels.
"Thank you" Peter and Lori said in unison and sat down.
"Hi Peter, nice to see you again" Joni said smiling shyly at him.
"You too Joni" Peter replied smiling just as shyly and Lori and Cait rolled their eyes "Hi Cait" He added.
"Hello Peter" Cait replied.
"What are you guys doing so far up the beach anyway, you're miles from your pad" Lori said.
"Why don't you ask Cait, you gonna tell them or shall I?" Joni asked her roommate.
"Shut up Jo" Cait hissed, going a slight shade of red.
"Ok well I guess I will then. Cait doesn't want to go too far up that way because it's too close to The Monkees pad and she's scared she'll bump into Lana or Mike or worse, both!" Joni explained. Earning her a slap from Cait.
"I told you to shut up!"
"I'm sorry but you're being ridiculous ok, you and Mike were over ages ago, get over it already!" Joni told her.
"Joni's right babe, it's in the past you have to move forward," Lori told Cait.
"I wish I could but it's not that simple. I loved Mike and that little bitch stole him from me" Cait realised what she said "Oh Peter I'm sorry, Lana is your sister I shouldn't bad mouth her in front of you."
"You're right, you shouldn't" Peter told her, starting to feel a little angry "In fact you shouldn't bad mouth her at all, it wasn't her fault."
"Well I'm sorry again, but I disagree with you on that" Cait replied.
"Hay guys let's all shut up before someone says something they'll regret" Joni interrupted but Peter and Cait were still shooting daggers at each other "Anyway how's Mick Lor, you guys ok?" Joni asked, trying desperately to change the subject.
"Yeah great thanks...kinda" Lori replied.
"Only kinda? Did something happen?" Cait asked.
"No not really, we're just taking some time out from each other for a couple of weeks. I'm going back to England for a while to visit my dad" Lori explained.
"That sounds groovy. I hope everything will turn out alright between you and Micky, I'd hate it if you guys broke up" Cait said.
"It's nothing as serious as that. We're not anywhere near braking up I just need a little rest and recon that's all" Lori told them "Mike's coming with me too so you don't have to worry about bumping into him for a fortnight" Lori told Cait.
"I wish they would bump into each other I'm so sick of having to walk for miles just to spend some time on the beach" Joni told Lori.
"Hay that's not fair Jo!" Cait said.
"I'm sorry ok! I just think you're being really silly."
"Thanks for the support!"
"I know I'm being unfair but I really miss hearing the Monkees play as well. We used to go all the time but you refuse to come anymore so I'm stuck at home."
"That's not my fault! I told you I didn't mind you going."
"I know but it's no fun on my own. You and I used to have such a great time and it's boring if I have to go by myself" Joni told her.
"If you wanted Joni, you could come with Lana and I, we go to every gig the guys play and you're more then welcome to join us," Lori told her.
"Thanks Lor, I'd like that" Joni replied.
"So would I" Peter said with another shy grin and Joni smiled at him.
"Cait, if you ever want to come too even if you lurk in the shadows and leave before the end, that's ok too" Lori told her.
"Thanks Lori but I doubt that'll happen any time in the next century" Cait replied.
Peter and Lori sat with Joni and Cait for just under an hour, and then Lori headed home hoping the coast was clear so she could get started with her packing. Peter on the other hand decided to stay on the beach with Joni and Cait. Lori arrived home and opened the front door then walked over to the hall door, opening it quietly and peered in. Lana was sitting on the sofa; she turned around when she heard the door open.
"Hay" She said.
"Hi, coast clear?" Lori asked.
"Well Mike's still here if that's what you mean, he's making coffee but you can stay."
"Are you sure? I mean I can disappear again if you still want to be alone."
"No it's ok I can't kick you out of your own home."
"Of course you can."
"Really Lori it's fine, oh by the way Davy called like a bazillion times while you where out, he seemed pretty anxious to talk to you" Lana told her.
"Oh right" Lori replied seeming not at all bothered by it.
"Are you going to call him back?"
"Not in this lifetime" she said.
"Ok there's something going on there that I don't know about, isn't there?" she asked.
"We had words, he's not exactly my favourite person at the moment, I don't really wanna talk about it yet if you don't mind."
"No of course not" Lana told her. Mike came out of the kitchen carrying two cups of coffee.
"Lolo, you're back."
"Hi Mike."
"Do you want a coffee? I can go make you one."
"No thanks, I think I'm gonna start packing I want everything sorted before tomorrow other wise I'll be all in a rush" Lori told them.
"You want some help?" Lana asked.
"No I'm cool thanks, but I would like to borrow your suitcase if you don't mind, mines pretty much fallen apart."
"Yeah sure, I'll go grab it" Lana said and she disappeared upstairs and Lori went into her bedroom, leaving Mike standing in the living room.
"So, I'll drink these myself shall I?" He called.
Lori started emptying her closet and was deciding whether to take any photographs when Lana came in.
"Here you go Lor," She said, placing a large grey suitcase on Lori's bed.
"Thanks Lana."
"I don't mean to be nosy but shouldn't you be spending some time with Micky? I mean you and Mike leave tomorrow."
"He's out with his sister they've had this lunch date planned for a while now but I'll call him later, get him to come here" Lori explained. They heard the phone ring and Lana went to answer it but Mike beat her to it.
"Hello, Tork Tyler residents."
"Hi Mike."
"Oh hi Davy what's up?" Mike asked. At those words Lori's heart sank in to her stomach and she went into the living room.
"I'm not in!" She mouthed. Mike looked a little confused but did as she said.
"Um...sorry Davy she's not back yet."
"Oh ok. Can you get her to call me as soon as she gets back, it's pretty urgent" Davy asked.
"Yeah sure."
"Thanks Mike, see you later."
"Bye" They both replaced the receiver and Mike turned to Lori "Ok shotgun, what's going on?" He asked.
"Nothing's going on, I just don't want to talk to him right now that's all" Lori replied.
"Something must've happened. You guys seemed ok yesterday," Mike countered.
"Mike leave it ok" Lana promoted.
"C'mon Lor this is me remember, you know I'll find out sooner or later" Mike said, as if Lana had never spoken.
"Fine, I went to the pad earlier but no one was there so I thought I'd tidy round and went into the closet to get a duster. While I was there Davy and Peter came home and they were talking about me so I listened. Davy said some hurtful things, I confronted him then left, there happy now?"
"No not really, what kind of hurtful things?" Mike asked.
"Just some stuff. Look I really don't want to get into this now Mike just leave it ok" Lori told him.
"Did Peter say anything?" Lana asked.
"He was defending me," Lori said, "When I left he came after me. We talked and he cheered me up. That's when we bumped into Cait and..."
"You bumped into Cait" Mike interrupted.
"Yeah, on the beach, she was with Joni. That's where I left Peter" Lori explained.
"How is she?" Mike asked.
"Joni? She's fine although I think she's got a crush on Peter which is cool because he so has a crush on her" Lori said with a grin.
"No not Joni, Cait. How's Cait doing?" Mike asked earning him a glare from Lana.
"Oh sorry, yeah she's ok. Coping is the word I'd use" Lori said. A pang of guilt filled Mikes body, he still felt so bad for the way things had ended between him and Cait. Lana was starting to feel slightly irritated now.
"Jeez it's been months, get over it already" she said under her breath.
"That's exactly what Joni said" Lori told her and Lana's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, she wasn't meant to say it loud enough for any one to hear.
"What did Cait say to that?" Mike asked.
"Robert Michael Nesmith, go home and pack!" Lana told him.
"I was just curious" Mike defended.
"Never mind, just go" She told him.
"I've got ages yet. We're not leaving until tomorrow."
"Robert!" Lana said and Mike sighed.
"Ok I'm gone, I'll see you later" He said to Lana and kissed her "I'll call you tonight to arrange tomorrow" He told Lori then left.
Chapter five
Davy was sitting on the sofa watching the door intently when Micky came wondering in.
"Oh it's only you," Davy said.
"Thanks Davy it's nice to see you too" Micky told him.
"Sorry Mick I was hoping you were Lori."
"No, only on weekends."
"Oh yeah you're very funny" Davy replied.
"What do you want Lori for anyway? You guys aren't having a passionate affair behind me back are you?" Micky asked him.
"No not me, but Peter and Lori are. No I just wanted to apologise to her for something" Davy explained.
"Why, what did you do?"
"Well I said some stuff and Lori heard me, I guess I was out of line."
"Oh, you wanna tell me about it?"
"No because I don't want you to be mad at me too, I just want a chance to apologise to Lori that's all" Davy told him.
"Ok" Micky replied, he was just about to climb the stairs when he turned back to Davy "Hay Davy?"
"Yeah?"
"That thing you said about Lori and Peter having an affair was just a joke, right?" Micky asked and Davy smiled.
"Yeah mate, you've got nothing to worry about."
"Ok, just checking" Micky said then went upstairs into his room.
Davy was getting really anxious by the time Mike arrived home, even the slightest sound made him jump and he almost leaped out of his skin when Mike threw open the door and came trudging in, then slammed the door behind him.
"Jeez Mike, come in the door a little louder next time!" Day said.
"Sorry shotgun, what are you so jumpy for anyway?"
"Nothing just forget it."
"Ok, um...is Pete around?"
"No, I guess he's still out with Lori. I haven't seen him since he went after her" Davy told him.
"Oh right, well if anyone needs me I'll be upstairs packing."
"Packing? Why, are you going somewhere?" Davy asked, getting a slight feeling of Déjà vu.
"Yeah, Micky didn't tell you?" Mike asked, Davy shook his head "Oh sorry, um, Lori and I are going to England for a few weeks."
"England! When was all that decided?"
"Last night, it's a bit if a long story I'll explain it to you later ok."
"Yeah ok."
"Good, will you let me know when Peter gets back please?"
"Yeah sure thing" Davy replied. Mike went upstairs and walked into the room to find Micky lying on the bed.
"Micky, you're back. Are you ok?" He asked.
"Yeah I'm ok, just having some down time you know, recharging my batteries so to speak."
"Oh, do you want me to leave?"
"No it's ok its your room too. What you up to anyway?"
"Packing. Lori's gonna call later she's got something to tell you" Mike explained.
"She told me about the England thing if that's what you mean."
"No, something else. So, are you ok with the England thing, me going along as well I mean?" Mike asked as he went to Micky's closet and pulled out Micky's suitcase and held it up to the drummer, Micky nodded.
"No I don't mind. She explained everything to me and I'm glad you can go with her. I know you two have a unique friendship and it's good to know that if I can't be there for her, she'll always have you" Micky told him. Mike started filling the suitcase with some clothes.
"She'll always have you Mick I'm just standing on the sidelines in case she needs both of us that's all."
"Well I don't know about that. Sometimes I feel like I'm the one on the sidelines. I hardly ever know what's going on with her."
"You shouldn't think like that Mick, she tells me all the time that you saved her life. She doesn't know where she'd be right now if it wasn't for you. You're the thing that keeps her grounded, you're the thing that helps her get through each day, knowing she has you by her side that's all that matters to her" Mike explained.
"She told you that? Really?"
"She "tells" me that, almost everyday."
"I didn't realise that, I hope she realises that I need her as much as she needs me."
"I'm sure she would if you told her, you two always seem to talk about everything except how you feel about each other. I mean you tell each other that you love each other, but never why you love each other."
"What, and you and Lana do I suppose?"
"Well that's different."
"It is? How?" Micky questioned. Mike sighed and turned to face Micky.
"I don't know exactly, Lana knows how I feel about her because of what I gave up..." Mike cut him self off "...no, never mind" He added and turned back around again.
"Because you gave up...what?" Micky prompted.
"Nothing forget I mentioned it."
"Because you gave up Cait to be with her! That's what you were going to say wasn't it!"
"No! Of course not."
"Yes it was, that is totally what you were going to sayyou did love Cait didn't you?" Micky said, realisation suddenly filling his brain.
"No!" Mike almost yelled, trying to cover his tracks.
"It all makes sense now" Micky said to himself "Do you still love her?" He asked Mike. Mike had forgotten how persistent the drummer could be when he got an idea in his head and Mike was wishing he'd never mentioned it in the first place and to his great delight, there was a knock on the door to save him from the interrogation.
"Come in" He yelled, trying to hide the complete relief in his voice. Micky screwed up his face and made a vow to quiz the Texan more about the subject later. The door opened and Peter came in.
"Hi guys," he said.
"Hi Pete" Micky replied.
"Um, Michael, Davy said you wanted to speak to me?" Peter said. Mike suddenly remembered why he wanted to talk to Peter and looked at Micky, who had a devious grin on his face.
"Yeah come out here" Mike told Peter and led him out the door onto the balcony. Davy was still sitting down stairs watching the front door intensely in case Lori came in. He glanced up briefly when he felt someone watching him but his eyes soon returned to the door. Peter closed the bedroom door and came over to Mike, who was standing at the far end of the balcony as far away from the stairs and bedroom door as possible.
"What's up Michael?" He asked the Texan.
"I understand you saw Cait today" Mike said, leaning against the wall and folding his arms across his chest.
"Yeah she was on the beach with Joni."
"How was she, how did she seem?"
"Who...Joni?"
"No, Cait!"
"Oh, she's ok I guess, a little...hang on a minute, why are you asking about Cait?" Peter asked.
"Just curious" Mike replied, trying to keep his facial expressions neutral. Peter eyed him suspiciously.
"Ok" he said, not believing a word of it.
"You have nothing to worry about Pete, I'm just asking about Cait because I still feel a little guilty about how we ended that's all. You know how I feel about your sister I'm not going to do anything to lose her."
"I know, it's just I don't want to see her go through anything like what she went through when you guys broke up" Peter said.
"Believe me Pete I don't want that either and you have my word it won't happen again ok?"
"Yeah ok, I know I just worry about her sometimes."
"That's ok Pete, you're her big brother it's your job to worry" Mike told him with a smile.
Later on Davy had dragged himself away from the door long enough to go to the bathroom and Micky was in the kitchen when the phone rang, so he went and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Oh thank goodness it's you Mick" Came Lori's voice.
"Hi Lo..."
"Don't say my name, pretend I'm someone else" she said.
"What?" Micky asked.
"I don't want Davy to know it's me on the phone so just pretend I'm someone else" Lori told him. Micky sighed.
"Ok Mom" He said.
"Thank you, listen are you free for a couple hours? I need to talk to you, could you come over?"
"Yeah sure I'll be right there," He told her. At that point Davy came out of the bathroom and saw Micky was on the phone "Ok Mom see you in minute" Micky put down the phone.
"I was hoping that was Lori" Davy said.
"No it was my Mom, she's got some leaky pipes, wants me to go look at them. See you later" And with that said, he bolted out the door.
Micky arrived at Lana and Lori's place half an hour later; he knocked on the door then let himself in. Lana came out from the kitchen.
"Oh, hi Mick she's in the bedroom" Lana told him.
"Thanks Lan" He replied so he went over and knocked on Lori's bedroom door.
"Come in Mick" Lori called. So he opened the door and went in.
"How did you know it was me?" He asked.
"I'm psychic," She told him. Micky raised an eyebrow "Ok, so I heard Lana say hi to you" she admitted and Micky grinned.
"So are you gonna tell me what's going on between you and Davy?" He asked.
"Nope" Lori told him "Do you know we've been in the same room almost thirty seconds and you haven't kissed me yet" She told him.
"Don't think this means you're gonna get away with it" He said, going over to Lori and kissing her "Hello."
"Hi" She replied.
"What did you need to tell me?" He asked.
"Let's go for a walk on the beach" Lori told him, she went over to her nightstand and slipped something in her pocket, Micky didn't see what and then they said goodbye to Lana and left.
They were strolling down the beach hand and hand less then fifteen minutes later, it was a perfect summer afternoon, the perfect day for a walk on the beach.
"Lori, you're gonna have to tell me what's going on soon because it's driving me mad not knowing" Micky told her after they had been walking in silence for about ten minutes, just enjoying each other's company.
"Sorry, well I guess I'll dive right in" Lori said and paused for a moment to try and find the right words before continuing "I had a phone call earlier and there are some flights to England available tomorrow so Mike and I will be leaving tomorrow" she told him.
"Oh I see" He replied, not really knowing what else to say. He knew she would be leaving but it hadn't really hit him until now.
"Are you ok with that?"
"Well I have to admit to being a little stunned but if it's what you want then of course I'm ok with it" Micky told her. A big smile covered Lori's face.
"Thank you Mick, thank you for being so understanding" Lori said and kissed his cheek.
"So now will you tell me what's going on with you and Davy?" He asked.
"No, let's go back inside shall we, it's starting to get chilly."
"Lol" Micky said, he had only just started to call Lori this and just like Mike's pet name for her, she couldn't remember exactly when he assigned it to her "It's like a hundred degrees out here, stop trying to change the subject" He told her.
"Please Mick I really don't want to talk about it ok."
"No babe, it's not ok. If he's upset you then I wanna know why" Micky told her.
"It's nothing, he's just being Davy. I've already forgotten about it and so should you" Lori said, Micky eyed her suspiciously.
"If he upset you that badly how come you're defending him?" He asked. Lori was starting to very annoyed now.
"Jeez you can never let anything go can you!"
"Not when it comes to things to do with you, no. I don't like to see you unhappy is all" Micky told her and Lori smiled.
"I know but I'm fine I promise. I have to learn to let things go myself and what Davy said shouldn't bother me because I know it's not true. I have nothing to worry about I am better and I won't get ill again, not while I'm with you."
"So I guess he's worried your going to have another breakdown?" Micky questioned and Lori sighed.
"Yeah he is. He's worried what it will do to you. I guess I'm just angry that he doesn't care what it will do to me, just how it will effect you" She said, Micky put his arm around her.
"He's got nothing to worry about, he knows that you are my first priority and I'll never let anything bad happen to you, so there's no way you'll be having another breakdown because I won't let it happen" He told her and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you" She said. Lori put her hand in her pocket and pulled out the small ring box "Here you better have this back, I'm sorry I took it, I forgot I was holding it when I...um...left the restaurant" She told him.
"It's ok, keep hold of it for now. I know you'll keep it safe," Micky said. The two of them walked for another forty-five minutes or so before returning to Lori's place and then Micky went home another hour later.
The next day Lana and Lori pulled up outside the Monkees pad. They had gotten a taxi over because they didn't want to carry Lori's luggage all the way over to the beach house.
"I really don't want to go in there Lan, can't you just go in and ask Mick, Pete and Mike to come out here?" Lori asked as they got out of the taxi.
"You have to go in there Lor and face him sooner or later, come on its only Davy."
"You didn't hear what he said, he really hurt me and I don't want to go in there and listen to him give me an apology he doesn't mean."
"Maybe he will mean it. Come on because if you stand out here contemplating whether or not to go in it'll be time to go to the airport and you won't get chance to see Micky at all before you go" Lana told her. Lori sighed.
"Yeah ok I know, you're right as usual," Lori said. So Lana paid for the taxi while Lori heaved her luggage over to the Monkeemobile. Then they went inside. The room was empty apart from Davy who was sitting on the sofa. He jumped up when he saw Lana come in.
"Lana, is Lori with you?" He asked almost urgently.
"I'm here Davy" Lori trailed in behind Lana, trying not to make eye contact with him. Davy went over to her.
"I'm so sorry Lori, I really didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't mean for me to hear you more like" Lori said.
"No, that's not it at all."
"Yes it is Davy you wouldn't have said it if you didn't mean it. If you hadn't of said it then I never would of found out how you really felt so I'm glad I heard because now I know how you really feel about me" Lori said.
"Hay there you are" Came Micky's voice. Lori turned around and saw him coming down the stairs.
"Hi" She said, walking over and meeting him at the bottom of the stairs.
"Mike will be down in a second, he's just finishing up" He told Lana and then looked at Lori "You all set?" He asked her.
"Yep all packed and ready to go," She told him.
"Where's Peter?" Lana asked.
"He's just popped out for a moment he'll be back in a second," Micky told her. Then Mike came out of the bedroom.
"Oh great, Lori you're here, let's get this show on the road" He said as he started down the stairs.
Chapter six
A few minutes later everyone was outside gathered around the Monkeemobile. Peter had arrived back shortly after Lana and Lori had arrived. Lori was trying her best not to make eye contact with Davy. Peter was trying to decide who to say goodbye to first while Micky helped Mike load the suitcases into the boot of the Monkeemobile. Lana was watching with great enjoyment. She was standing behind Mike, who occasionally had to lean over to pick up a suitcase and she was enjoying the view.
"Man, am I gonna miss that tiny little butt" she said as Mike leaned over again, Micky sniggered a little.
"Lana, behave please!" Mike said, going a slight shade of red.
"What? I can't help it if you've got the cutest butt I've ever seen" She said defensively.
"Well actually, mine's a lot cuter, right babe" Micky called to Lori and he turned around and lifted his coat to show her.
"I have seen your butt before Mick you don't need to show me again, but I'm sorry I'll have to agree with Lana, Mike's is a lot cuter" Lori replied with a grin.
"Hay!" Micky pouted.
"You're so easy to wind up!" Lori said grinning a little more.
"You see what I have to put up with Mike!" Micky told the
Texan, "Your girlfriend is nice to you; mine spends the whole time insulting me. Do you wanna swap?" He asked, which made Mike laugh.
"Hay!" Lori said.
"I'm game if you are!" Mike replied.
"Hay!" Lori said again and was joined by Lana this time. The two Monkees laughed.
"That's it Nesmith, you're in trouble now" Lana told him.
"Oh dear" Peter chuckled; he had been watching the two couples banter with great amusement.
"Don't blame me babe, it's Lori's fault" Mike told Lana.
"Me! How'd you work that one out!" Lori protested.
"Well if you'd been a good girlfriend and complemented your boyfriends butt then he wouldn't have wanted to switch," Mike explained. Lori considered this for a moment then said.
"Yeah you're right. I'm sorry Mick you have the best butt I have ever seen in my entire life."
"Aw thanks hun" Micky replied, "It's ok Mike I don't want to switch anymore," he said, putting an arm round Lori and kissing her head.
"Ok, me either" Mike replied.
"That's much better" Lana said "In that case you're not in trouble anymore."
"Thank you. Now can you stop staring at my behind long enough to come over here and give me a kiss?" Mike asked.
"Oh it'll be hard but I'll try my best" Lana told him. She took one more long stare then walked over to Mike and gave him a kiss. She put her arms around him and slid her hands down to his behind "Oh yeah that's much better, can't you leave it here while you're in England?" She asked.
"I would if I could babe, but I'll need it to sit on the plane with" Mike told her with a smile. Lana stuck out her bottom lip.
"Dumb airplane, big spoil sport" she whined then kissed Mike again.
"Oh good you guys are still here" Everyone turned to see Joni running towards them.
"Joni! Hi! How are you?" Mike asked, not able to hide the surprise in his face and voice.
"I'm ok thanks. I hope you don't mind me dropping round but Peter called and told me you and Lori were leaving today so I wanted to call round and say goodbye, I hope that's ok" she said looking from Mike to Lori then back to Mike again.
"Yeah of course it is, it's great to see you" Mike said. Lori was watching Peter; as soon as Joni appeared a big smile covered his face he seemed so happy to see her. Lori nudged Micky and indicated Peter. Micky looked round and saw Peter's facial expression.
"I think he's in love," He whispered to Lori.
"I think you're right" She whispered back with a smile.
"So...um...is Cait coming?" Mike asked, earning him a nudge in the ribs from Lana "I was just asking" he whispered, rubbing his ribs.
"No, she sends her apologies but she can't make it" Joni explained.
"Why not?" he added, trying to hide the disappointment from his voice, and only Lori and Micky picked up on it. They looked at each other Lori shrugged and Micky laughed a little.
"Oh because she had a thing, and she couldn't get out of it" Joni explained.
"Yeah like living in the past," Lana said under her breath and only Mike heard.
"Lana!" He warned.
"So when do you guys set off?" Peter asked Lori and Mike, totally unaware of the glares that were exchanged between his sister and Mike. Mike looked at his watch.
"Pretty much now I guess" He said looking at Lori for confirmation. Lori looked at Micky's watch then nodded.
"Before you go though Mike and I have an announcement to make," Lana told them.
"We do?" Mike asked feeling a little confused.
"Yes Michael, we do! Remember, that thing you asked me and I said yes" Lana prompted.
"Oh yeah right of course, sorry" Mike replied. Mike was hoping Lana wouldn't bring that up in front of Joni because he knew the first thing she would do would be to run home and tell Cait, and that was the last thing he wanted. He still felt tremendously guilty for the way things had ended between him and Cait and the fact that Cait would find out about him and Lana being engaged would make it so much
worse, he still had a small hope that some day he and Cait could be friends. Granted, it was a very small hope considering Cait had refused to speak to him since the day they split but nevertheless, the hope was there.
"Well?" Micky asked.
"Mike and I got engaged yesterday afternoon," Lana told them.
"To be married?" Peter asked.
"Yes Pete, to be married" Lana confirmed with a slight smile.
"Oh my! That's so great!" He squealed and ran over to his sister and gripped her in a bear hug.
"It is?" Lana asked, returning the hug.
"Are you kidding? Of course it is I'm so happy for you" he told her. Lana couldn't help it she began laughing.
"Thank you Peter. You have no idea how glad I am that you're happy about this" She told him.
"Why wouldn't I be happy?"
"I dunno really I was just worried you'd be upset about it for some reason" Lana said.
"Don't be silly. I know how much you and Mike love each other and as long as you're happy then I'm happy. You being happy is the most important thing in the world to me," Peter told her.
"I am happy and I'm also very lucky to have such a great big brother, you're the best Pete and I love you" She replied.
"I love you too," Peter said. While the others took it in turns to congratulate Lana, Peter went over to Mike "Well I guess we truly will be brothers now huh Michael" He said and Mike smiled.
"Yeah shotgun I guess we will" He replied. He held out his hand but Peter walked past it and gripped Mike in a hug. Mike was a little uncertain of what to do at first but he soon relaxed and returned the hug.
"Welcome to the family" Peter told him.
"Thank you Peter. I'll take good care of her, I promise" Mike said.
"Yeah well you just make sure you do" Peter replied with a smile.
Everyone took it in turns to congratulate Mike and then he and Lori left for the airport. Lana and Micky went as well for two reasons; one, so that Micky could drive the car back and two, so the two couples could say goodbye properly. Peter, Joni and Davy waved goodbye until they were out of sight and then Davy turned to his two friends.
"So that's that then, no Mike or Lori for two weeks," He said.
"I know, it's going to be weird isn't it" Peter said.
"Yeah it sure is" Davy said they were silent for a moment then Davy said, "So Joni, you wanna stick around for a while? Hang out with me and Peter?" He asked, with a wink to Peter, which luckily Joni didn't see.
"Yeah I'd love to, thanks Davy" Joni said.
"Groovy" Davy replied. As they walked back to the pad Davy nudged Peter and winked again. It took all the self-control Peter had not to grab Davy by the throat and strangle him right there and then. Peter knew what Davy was up to and he was certain the Englishman's plans weren't going to work, he and Joni were friends and that was all he wanted from her, friendshipwasn't it? Sometimes even he didn't know.
He knew he liked Joni a lot she was fun to be around and made him laugh, they always had a good time together and he always felt really sad when they had to leave each other but he didn't know if she wanted anything more then friendship. If he knew how she felt then maybe that would help him decided how he felt, and what was it. Michael always told him `If you don't ask then you'll never know'.
Asking has certainly gone in Micky's favour after all, he had asked Lori to be with him and she had said yes and the same with Michael and Lana, he had asked Lana to be his wife and she had said yes so maybe he should ask Joni how she felt about him.
"Not right now" He told himself out loud.
"Did you say something Pete?" Davy asked. Peter looked at him.
"No" He lied as they went in the beach house and Peter closed the door "Soon though" He added under his breath.
Mike, Micky, Lana and Lori arrived at the airport. They grabbed their bags from the boot of the Monkeemobile and walked into the arrivals lounge. The place was surprisingly empty and Micky couldn't help but be reminded of the last time he had been there, to stop Davy's grandfather taking Davy back to England. He still chuckled at the memory of Peter running around in fake wings. Lori got the tickets
and she and Mike checked in their luggage and now all they had to do was wait. They sat on some rather uncomfortable plastic chairs and no one spoke for a moment, mainly because they didn't know what to say. Mike was feeling excited and nervous all at the same time. He's never been to England before, he'd only been out of the country once, when he and the other Monkees went to Mexico for a few days, and what a disaster that had been! Davy had fallen in love with a waitress and managed to get them all in trouble again and almost killed to boot! Most of the trouble they got in had something to do with Davy falling in love Mike observed with a mental snigger, no one could say his life was uneventful that was for certain!
Micky was dreading Lori leaving, he missed her so much already and she was sitting right next to him, resting her head on his shoulder <She'll be back in two weeks> He told himself <That's only fourteen days, it's not that long really> He added. He was trying to figure out how many hours that would be when Lori suddenly jumped up and
yelped, making the other three jump a little with surprise.
"Oh jeez!" She said, slapping her hand on her forehead.
"What's up babe?" Micky asked reaching up and holding her hand.
"I forgot to call my dad! He has no idea we're coming! What if we get there and he's not in!" Lori said. Micky thought about that and looked around the lounge, spotted something and caught Lori's attention.
"Hay hun, pay phone" He said pointing to a line of pay phones over in the corner. Lori looked over and saw them.
"Oh thank goodness," she said "I hope I've got enough change for a long distance call" She added, digging around in her bag to find her purse.
"I've got some money if you need it" Micky offered. Lori found her purse and looked inside.
"Thanks babe but I think I'll be ok, come with me though?" She asked.
"Yeah sure" Micky replied and the two of them walked over to the phones while Mike and Lana stayed sitting on the chairs. Lana was leaning against Mike savouring every last moment she could be in his arms before he left. Mike pulled some hair away from her face.
"Tell me what you're thinking about right now?" He asked and kissed the top of her head. Lana smiled.
"You" She told him "I was just thinking how hard it will be to be away from you for so long and also how wonderful you are. You care about so many people and you'd do anything for them, you've got such a good heart Michael Nesmith and I love you so much" Lana told him, she looked up at him and smiled again.
"I love you" Mike told her "Are you sure you don't mind about this, the going to England thing I mean?"
"No, I really don't. Lori needs you. I know the kind of friendship you have, you rely on each other. Lori is in a time of need and it's only natural you go with her" Lana told him.
"Thank you. I will make things up to you I promise" Mike said.
"You already have. Just being able to be with you is all I need," She said. Micky came jogging back over to them and dropped into the chair next to Lana.
"Everything ok Mick?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, Lori just wanted to talk to her dad alone for a minute" Micky explained.
"Is he ok with me visiting too?" Mike questioned.
"I think so, I didn't really listen but I did hear Lori say something about she was pleased he was ok with you coming."
"That's good. She better hurry we'll be boarding soon" Mike said looking at his watch.
"Here she comes now," Lana said. Lori rejoined her friends and sat next to Micky, putting a hand on his knee.
"Well that's all sorted. Dad's fine about everything. He's gonna meet us at the airport Mike, I hope that's ok?" Lori asked.
"Of course it is" Mike told her. Then came the boarding call for their flight.
"Well this is it" Lori said, standing up and pulling Micky up with her.
"I guess it is" Micky replied quietly. Mike and Lana had stood up too and were saying goodbye to each other.
"I'll be back in no time at all you'll see. The two weeks will fly by like two minutes and before you know it, I'll be back here with you" Lori told Micky, trying to make him feel better.
"I know, it's just going to be weird that's all" Micky told her, slipping his arms around her waist "Not being able to see your face for two weeks will be one of the hardest things I'll ever have to do" He added. Lori slipped her arms around him too.
"Well you have plenty of photos of me" She replied teasingly "Get a large one of my face and tape it to Mr Schneider's head, I'm sure he won't mind" She said with a giggle. Micky rolled his eyes.
"Why do I put up with you huh?" He asked with a smile.
"Because you love me sir that's why" Lori told him.
"I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'm going to miss you too" She replied and they kissed. Micky reluctantly let Lori go so she could say goodbye to Lana and Mike came over to him.
"I'll see you in a fortnight then Micky" He said offering his hand.
"Yep see you in a fortnight" Micky replied taking Mike's hand in his own and shaking it "Take care of her for me" He added.
"Of course I will" Mike told him "You've got nothing to worry about" He said.
"I know" Micky replied but he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about it. The flight was called again. Lori said one more good bye to Micky, gave him a kiss and told him she loved him while Mike and Lana said goodbye to each other again then Mike and Lori headed for the tunnel.
As he watched them walk to the tunnel a small pang of jealousy hit Micky's body. Mike and Lori were talking and giggling to each other and it made Micky feel worse when they both instinctively reached for each other's hand. He'd seen them do it a thousand times before, they were best friends after all and that's what best friends did but this time it felt different, it felt wrong. It wasn't the kind of hand holding he and Lori had become accustomed too, fingers laced together almost like they'd become one hand, it was a casual best friend hand hold but he still had to refrain from running after them screaming at them to stop. For the first time in his life Micky was jealous, he was jealous of Mike and the friendship he had with Lori. She had chosen to confide in Mike and not him and that infuriated him! Why didn't she trust him enough to tell him where she went to think about stuff? Why hadn't she wanted to take him to England with her instead of Mike? He was using every piece of restraint he could find not to run after Mike and Lori and pull them apart to scream those questions at her right there and then, he watched, almost in what felt like slow motion, as Mike and Lori disappeared into the tunnel together and then she was gone, and Micky was mortified he hadn't tried to stop her. He stared at the empty tunnel for what seemed like forever until he felt a light touch on his arm.
"You ready to go Mick?" Came a soft female voice. He turned in the direction the voice had come from and was almost surprised to see Lana standing beside him he had completely forgotten she was there, he glanced at the tunnel one more time then said.
"Yeah come on, let's go home."
Chapter seven
Mike and Lori were about forty-five minutes into their flight. Mike was reading a magazine and Lori was gazing out the window thinking about what Ben had said to her the day before. She looked at Mike for a moment.
"Mike, can I ask you something?" She said.
"Of course you can, what's on your mind?" Mike replied, closing the magazine and sitting round to look at her.
"Do you think I rely on Micky too much?"
"What do you mean?" Mike answered, not really understanding the question.
"It's just something Ben said to me, he said I'm still not one hundred per cent better yet because I rely on Micky to take care of me rather then taking care of myself. Do you think that's true?" She explained. Mike thought about it for a moment then said.
"I'm not going to lie to you Lolo I do think it's partly true but there's nothing wrong with that. Micky wants to take care of you because he loves you."
"I know he does and I love him so much but shouldn't I be the one taking care of myself? I need to start living my own life again, I don't want to be a burden to Micky."
"I don't think you will be Lor, look you're in a relationship and part of being in a relationship is taking care of each other, you take care of Micky too, I've seen it. I don't think you've got anything to worry about because you and Micky care about each other and that's all that matters" Mike told her.
"Yeah I guess you're right."
"I am right. I see you two together all the time and I think what a great couple you are because of how much you take care of each other. It's a relationship full of love and respect for each other and I know if you'll accept Micky's proposal you'll live a long and happy life together," Mike said. Lori smiled.
"Thank you Mike. What about you! You're getting married, how exciting is that. I'm so happy for you and Lana. I know you're going to have a wonderful life together."
"I hope so" Mike replied.
Lana and Micky had stopped off on the way home to get something to eat at Micky's suggestion. They were sitting at a table with their food but Micky hadn't touched his cheeseburger, instead he stared at it occasionally picking it up but then setting it back down again.
"Something on your mind Mick?" Lana asked, "You've been awfully quiet," She added. Micky looked across at her she looked genuinely concerned.
"Yeah kinda. It's nothing really just thinking about some stuff is all" Micky replied.
"You wanna talk about it?"
No, well...yeah...but...oh I dunno I guess I'm just being silly, letting something bother me that shouldn't" He explained.
"The Mike and Lori thing?" Lana asked. Micky looked at her again for a second then sighed.
"I'm being silly right?" He asked and Lana shrugged.
"I dunno. Tell what it is that's bothering you and I'll tell you if I think it's silly," She told him.
"Ok, well I've just realised...I'm jealous."
"Jealous?" Lana repeated "Of Lori and Mike?"
"I guess so, it just hit me when they disappeared into that tunnel at the airport. I'm jealous of the relationship they have" Micky said. Lana mealy nodded, signalling him to continue "It just bothered me that Lori chose to take Mike to London and not me."
"Well she had a good reason she's got something she needs to figure out" Lana told him.
"Oh so you know about that huh? What do you think?" Micky asked. Lana looked at him, she wasn't sure if he meant the pregnancy thing or the marriage proposal. She had no idea if Lori had told Micky she could be pregnant, so Lana chose to take the safe option.
"I think it's great I'd love it if you guys got married" she told him. If Micky meant the pregnancy thing then he would correct her but Lana was pretty certain Micky didn't know.
You would?" Micky asked. Lana was right, Micky didn't know.
"Of course I would! Are you kidding! You guys are soul mates I can tell and you're going to be very happy together."
"Thank you Lana. Hay here's an idea, how about you come stay with us at the beach house while Mike and Lori are in England. You can sleep in my room and I'll crash in with Peter and Davy" Micky suggested.
"Thanks for the offer Mick but I'll be ok" Lana told him.
"Please Lan I don't like the idea of you having to stay in that apartment all by yourself, especially at night" Micky said and Lana smiled.
"Ok but not until tomorrow ok, Mike's gonna call later and obviously I want to be home for that."
"Fair enough but I'm sending Peter to stay with you, otherwise I'll just worry about you" Micky told her.
"Yes Dad" Lana replied with a grin. Micky finally took a bite from his burger and Lana watched him for a second before continuing "So, you ok?" She asked. Micky looked at her.
"No not really. I'll feel much better once Lori and Mike get back," He told her.
"You and me both" Lana replied.
Mike had managed to fall asleep but Lori was staring out the window again watching the sky and thinking about Micky. She hoped she had done the right thing by leaving but she didn't feel comfortable seeing anyone except Dr Suggett and plus she really did need to see her dad. Things were a little confusing for her at the moment and she needed the comfort of her father. She felt as though she should try
and get some sleep but for some reason she just couldn't she felt tired but just couldn't sleep. She looked over at Mike and watched him for a moment his chest lightly rising and falling as he slept peacefully. Lori sighed and gently lifted the magazine that lay open on his lap. It was some kind of car and motorcycle magazine, she flipped through the pages trying to find something that interested her then, when she found nothing, carefully placed it back on Mike's lap. He stirred slightly but didn't wake. Lori returned her gaze out of the window then shortly after the pilot announced they would be landing in London in about half an hour, they had caught a little tail wind and would be arriving half an hour earlier then expected.
Lori gently lifted Mike's arm to look at his watch, which was still on Californian time, nine in the evening, which meant it was around five the next morning in London, no wonder she felt so tired. She thought about waking Mike but decided against it. Micky has warned her many times about the mood Mike would be in if he was woken up by someone, rather then naturally. Mike must've sensed the decision Lori was trying to make because when she decided not to wake him up he woke up by himself anyway.
"Have we landed?" He asked groggily, bringing his hands up and rubbing his face.
"No yet, almost" Lori told him.
"Oh. Did I sleep long?
"No not really, about forty minutes," She said and Mike nodded.
"Feeling any better?" He asked sitting up properly on his chair.
"I think so, just a little queasy but I do get a little air sick."
"Or it could be morning sickness" Mike said as he looked at his watch and adjusted the time.
"Oh jeez don't say that!" Lori told him.
"Sorry. So any idea on when we'll be landing?"
"About half an hour they reckon" Lori explained "Mike, you really sure you're ok with this?" Lori asked him.
"If I wasn't it would be a little late to turn back now wouldn't it" Mike replied as he stretched a little. Lori looked at him.
"Mike!"
"Lolo I'm teasing. Of course I'm ok. Come on, you know me, if I wasn't ok with it I wouldn't be here would I."
"Yeah I know sorry. I'm just a little nervous about this and I'm glad you're here. I'd hate myself if I knew you only came because I made you and not because you wanted too."
"You've got nothing to worry about because I do want to be here" Mike reassured her.
"Thank you" Lori said.
The plane touched down smoothly and Lori and Mike walked into the arrivals lounge. Lori was looking everywhere for any sign of her father.
"Do you see him?" Mike asked.
"No not yet, oh yes look there he is" Lori said, Mike wasn't really sure where he should look because he didn't have any idea of what Lori's father looked like. Lori ran forward "Papa!" She said, throwing her hands around a gentleman standing near the entrance.
"Oh, my sweet Loretta I've missed you so much!" He told her.
"I've missed you so much too" Lori replied. Mike had followed Lori over and was standing behind her, feeling slightly awkward. Lori let go of her father and turned to Mike and motioned him forward and taking his hand "Papa this is my very dear friend Michael Nesmith, Mike this is my father Henry Sorrento" She said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir" Mike said, offering his free hand.
"You too Michael but please call me Hank" Hank said taking Mike's hand and shaking it.
"Then you must call me Mike" Mike replied.
"Ok Mike. Well come on let's get you kids home I expect you're very tired" Hank said "Mike, you're not a vegetarian are you?"
"No sir" Mike told him.
"Great for dinner later I'm going to treat you two to the best burger in the whole of England!" He told them. They went back to the house and went in and put their bags in the hallway. Lori stopped by the front door and looked around, she hadn't realised how much she'd missed that house until she was standing there. The front door opened
into a long hall way with a flight of stairs in the wall to the left. Along the right wall were two doors one led to the lounge and the other to a dining area. A door in the dining area led the kitchen with large bay windows and a back door to the garden.
"Sweetheart are you ok?" Hank called. Lori jerked out of her thoughts and looked at him.
"Yes I'm fine. I'm just so glad to be home," She said.
"I'm glad you're home too. Now you kids get to bed you've had a long day. Mike, the spare room is all set up for you it's opposite the top of the stairs and Lori's room is on the right near yours and the bathroom is on the opposite wall to your room, my room is in between the bathroom and Lori's just in case you wondered what that door was for" Hank explained with a warm smile.
"Thank you Hank" Mike replied.
"Come on Mike. I'll show you" Lori said. They picked up their bags and went upstairs. Lori opened the door to Mike's room "There you go Mike, I hope it's comfortable."
"I'm sure I will. Thanks Lori."
"You're welcome, you sure you're sure with the whole being here thing?"
"Yes Lori I'm sure already" Mike said, rolling his eyes.
"Ok well good night...er...I mean good morning. Don't worry about waking up just get up when you're ready ok."
"Ok, see you later" Mike told her; Lori kissed him on the cheek then put her bag in her room and went back downstairs again.
"Loretta, what are you doing? I told you to go to bed," Hank said as he came out of the living room after hearing someone come down the stairs.
"I know but I just wanted to do this" She replied and gave her father a kiss and a hug "Thank you Papa I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart, why are you thanking me?"
"For allowing Mike to come with me without questioning it and welcoming him into our home. It's very important to me that he's here," Lori said.
"I guessed that much but one thing does puzzle me though and that is, why didn't you bring Micky?"
"Oh Papa you already know why I didn't bring Micky" Lori told him.
"Do I?" Hank asked.
"Yes I told you on the phone" Lori said defensively.
"Ah yes, the marriage thing" He said. Lori looked at her father, she hadn't told him the whole reason she hadn't brought Micky and she knew Hank probably knew there was more to it then she was letting on but Lori was adamant she wasn't going to mention it unless she really needed to. There was no need to make him worry over nothing. Still,
the glance he was giving her was making her nervous.
"I'm going to go to bed" she said, trying to avoid any more talk on the subject "See you later Papa" She said as she turned and headed up stairs.
"We'll talk about this later on" Hank called and Lori rolled her eyes but didn't reply.
Mike had settled in to bed and woke up a few hours later. He looked at the clock and noticed he's only been a sleep for four hours, he didn't feel tired at all yet but he was sure some sort of jet lag would hit him eventually. The bed he had slept in was so much more comfortable then his own bed back at the pad and he had fallen asleep pretty much as soon as his head hit the pillow. He lay in bed for a
moment, looking around and taking in all the features of his room for the next two weeks. The walls were painted a soft blue colour and there was a large window on the wall opposite the door as you came in the room, the double bed was on the wall to the right as you came in, a luxury Mike was going to enjoy. He's bed at the pad was single and
even when his bed was pushed with Micky's for a make shift double, he shared it with Lana so he was looking forward to sleeping every night in a double bed just to himself. Not that having Lana lying next to him was a bad thing of course, far from it but it was nice to be able to stretch out and not have to worry about the fact Lana might not
have enough of the covers. The bed had a nightstand on either side with a desk lamp on each. There was a wardrobe and small chest of draws on the wall to the left of the door and a large mirror over the bed. The bed frame was pine, as was all the other furniture in the room, except a wicker chair positioned under the window. Mike got out
of bed and walked over to the window. He opened the curtains and was met by brilliant sunshine "And I always thought it rained all the time in England!" He mused mentally. He walked over to his suitcase opened it and pulled out some sheet music and a pencil, as he was hit
by sudden inspiration and started scribbling down some lyrics. The sunlight shone through the window lighting the room and he felt so comfortable there, almost homely. He wasn't used to staying at a complete strangers house but he felt right at home almost like he was part of the family, although he missed Lana and the other Monkees he was glad he came.
Lori woke up, happy to find herself in her childhood bedroom surrounded by all her old belongings. Her dad had kept her room just how she had left it when she had moved in with Ben and his family. The walls were painted pink with the single bed against the same wall as the door, but to the left of the door. A desk stood against the wall opposite with a wardrobe next to that. The wall to the left had a window that looked out over the garden and the wall to the right was empty except for a cluster of old photographs pinned to it, ones of her mother and father, Ben and Annie. The only pictures missing were ones of her new family in America which she would rectify later, knowing that she would want photos of them there too, she had brought some with her and were in her suitcase waiting to be placed on the wall. A photo of Micky in a silver frame already sat on her nightstand, which she had placed immediately when she came into the room. Next to that sat the small box with Micky's engagement ring in it. Lori had no idea why she had brought it with her and she knew Micky would probably not be too happy if he found out but there it was, the lid open so Lori could look at it. It really was a beautiful ring and she was honoured Micky wanted to give it to her. She looked at her clock and realised she'd been asleep for almost six hours. She got up and dressed and went downstairs, wondering if Mike was up yet. He was, she found him in the kitchen with Hank, helping him fix
lunch. Mike heard footsteps and turned around.
"Good afternoon sleepy head" Mike told her with a smile.
"Hi Mike, Hello Papa" Lori said.
"Good afternoon sweetheart. Did you sleep ok?" Hank asked.
"Yes I did thank you it was wonderful to wake up in my old room" Lori told him "Is it ok if I use the phone Papa? There's a phone call I need to make."
"Of course it is, are you gonna call Micky?" Hank asked. Lori's eyes widened.
"Oh no! I forgot! I promised Micky I'd call him as soon as we landed but I completely forgot!" She said.
"Go and call him now" Hank told her. Lori looked at the clock in the kitchen.
"I can't it's only five in the morning over there, he'll be asleep I don't even think Peter will be awake yet I don't think they'll appreciate being woken up so early in the morning" Lori explained.
"That's true" Mike replied.
"Have you called Lana yet?" Lori asked.
"Yeah Hank very kindly let me call her when I got up. She was waiting up for me," Mike said. This made Lori feel even worse.
"What if Micky has been waiting up for me to call him!" She said. Mike looked at her.
"Lolo, this is Micky remember, If he doesn't get his usual twelve hours sleep he'll be miserable all day. Call him later, tell him you forgot it was a simple mistake to make, I'm sure he'll understand."
"You think so? Lori asked.
"Sure I do."
"Ok, I'll call him later, but now I better call the other place I wanted to call first" Lori said and disappeared out of the room. Hank looked at Mike.
"She's been my daughter for almost twenty-three years and I still don't always understand her" He said and Mike laughed.
"She does have her moments doesn't she!" He agreed.
"She certainly does" Hank paused for a moment then looked back at Mike "So Mike tell me about Micky, is he good to my little girl?"
"Oh yes sir he is, he loves her very much."
"So if they married he would take good care of her?"
"Absolutely. I don't doubt it for a moment, Micky would do anything for Lori she's his whole world" Mike explained and Hank smiled.
"Thank you Mike that's exactly what I wanted to hear. I hope you'll forgive all my questions but I expect you know Lori's past and I am very determined that she stay as happy as she has been lately."
"I feel the same way Hank. Lori has become very important to me she is a very dear friend and I don't want to see her hurt as much as you don't."
"You are a very good man. Where are you from anyway? You're accent sounds Texan."
"It is. I was born in Dallas but grew up in Houston."
"I see. Lori and I almost moved to Texas not long after her mother passed away, I don't expect Lori remembers she was very young, the deal for our house fell through at the last minute. It has always been a dream of mine to own a Texas ranch it is beautiful out there."
"It is" Mike agreed.
"So, Lori tells me you are to be married yourself."
"Yes sir, I don't think it will be for a while yet. Weddings are expensive and I just don't have that kind of money," Mike told him.
"Will your father not help you out?" Hank asked.
"I don't have a father, he walked out on my mother and I when I was pretty young, I don't have a lot of memories of him."
"Oh I do apologise Mike please forgive me."
"It's ok you weren't to know it's no problem" Mike told him. Hank nodded and changed the subject.
"Its Lana you're to wed is that correct."
"Yes sir, you know Lana?"
"I suppose you could say that, we have spoken on the phone many times, she's a lovely young woman Lori speaks very highly of her."
"She's the greatest. I love her very much" Mike told him.
"That's good to hear. I wish you all the best," Hank told him.
"Thank you Hank" Mike replied. Then Lori came back into the room.
"That's that then" she said and dropped into a chair.
"What's what then?" Hank asked. Lori looked at her father.
"Oh there's a thing Mike and I wanted to do I've arranged it for tomorrow" She said glancing at the Texan, hoping he understood that she meant an appointment with her doctor. Mike's eyes went wide.
"That soon already!" He asked and Lori nodded.
"Yeah they've had a cancellation."
"Really, wow. So I guess all will be revealed tomorrow then" Mike replied.
Chapter eight
Peter had done as Micky asked and gone to stay with Lana for the night. They returned to the pad the next morning to find Micky lying on the sofa watching television. He was worried sick about Lori. Her plane had landed hours ago and she hadn't called yet.
"Hi Mick what are you doing up this early?" Peter asked.
"I haven't been to bed yet I'm waiting to hear from Lori." Micky told him.
"You haven't had a call from her yet?" Lana asked.
"No, why have you?"
"Not Lori but Mike called hours ago."
"Oh" Now Micky was starting to feel really confused. Lori had promised to call as soon as they landed and according to Lana they had landed hours ago. So why hadn't she called yet?
"Don't worry Mick I'm sure she'll call soon she probably just needs to settle back in" Peter reassured him. Micky wasn't reassured, he was angry. If he knew Lori's number in England he'd call her right now and demand an explanation but he didn't so all he could do was wait.
"Thanks Peter" He replied anyway, somewhat hollow. Lana frowned, she knew Micky was having trouble with this anyway and the fact that Lori hadn't called would only make Micky feel that much worse. She gave him a half smile.
"It'll be fine Mick you'll see," She told him. Micky didn't reply.
"I'll help you take your things upstairs Lan" Peter told her.
"Thanks Pete" She replied. She looked at Micky again and gave him another small smile and slight nod. Micky gave a nod back and she and Peter took her bags upstairs. Because Lori had used Lana's suitcase to take with her to London Lana had used a couple of small holdalls to bring her stuff with her. Peter opened the door to the upstairs bedroom and set the bags inside the door.
"Well here you are Lan you're room for the next couple of weeks," He told her "I'm really happy you're gonna be staying with us."
"So am I" Lana replied she turned and looked at her brother she had been trying to tell him something ever since he arrived at her pad the night before but for some reason she hadn't managed to, but she knew now was as good a time as any "Pete can you stay for a minute there's something I want to talk to you about" She said.
"Yeah of course. Is everything ok?"
"Fine everything's fine" Lana said walking over and peering out the door to make sure no one was coming before closing it then turning back to Peter "There's something I need to tell you, something I should've told you a long time ago." She said.
"Ok" Peter replied starting to worry a little. Lana motioned him to sit on the bed, which he did and she did the same.
"Before I tell you I just want to assure you that I'm fine now. I'm feeling great now," She said.
"You mean you weren't before?" Peter asked her feeling slightly confused.
"It's a bit difficult Pete you'll have to be sure you understand what I'm telling you, it's very important."
"Well I won't know if I understand it unless you tell me what it is I need to understand will I" Peter replied and Lana smiled.
"I know, ok, well you remember after Mike and I broke up, I had a really rough time didn't I, you had to move in with me."
"Yes I remember. I felt so bad for you I never want to see you go through anything like that again. I would've done anything to take the pain away from you" Peter told her.
"Thank you Pete it was easier with you there. Anyway I was grieving but not just for my relationship with Mike, although that was a big part of it. I was also grieving for my baby" Lana told him and now Peter was really confused.
"Ok that's a part I don't understand, what baby?" He asked.
"I was pregnant, Mike and I were going to have a baby, but I miscarried before we could tell anyone and we decided it was best if we didn't tell anyone after the miscarriage because we didn't want you all to worry" Lori explained.
"Oh, I understand now" Peter said.
"I wanted to tell you Pete but you were already so worried about me I didn't want you to worry more and you don't need to worry now because I'm fine. Mike and I are together and getting married and I'm so happy. It was hard back then but I'm fine now."
"I can't believe you had to go through all that by yourself. You're so brave" Peter said.
"I wasn't by myself. I had my big brother taking care of me."
"But I didn't know, I could've taken care of you even better if I knew then" Peter said.
"Oh no you did a great job. It was helping me by just having you around. I'm so grateful to have you as my big brother" Lana told him.
"Thank you Lana. I'm glad to have you as my baby sister" Peter told her "So you're really ok now?" Peter asked and Lana nodded.
"Yeah Pete I really am" Lana told him.
Lori and Mike were sitting in the lounge when Hank came in and handed something to Lori.
"What's this?" She asked.
"It's a cheque for the plane tickets I want to pay for them," He told her.
"No Papa it's not necessary I had a lot of money saved I don't need it."
"It's ok sweetheart I want you to have it."
"Really Papa I don't need it."
"Loretta Marie you will take the cheque no more arguments you hear me!" Hank said.
"Yes sir" Lori replied.
"Now I know where you get your stubbornness from," Mike whispered in her ear. Lori glared at him and he chuckled a little.
"Good so now that's settle, tell me, are you going to visit Clarke and Margo while you're here?" Hank asked.
"Not if I can help it," Lori replied.
"Lori!" Hank warned.
"They're Ben's parents?" Mike asked.
"Yes and they hated me. Well Clarke didn't he was very sweet but Margo was a different story she never thought I was good enough for her precious Benjamin, well not until she killed my daughter" Lori told Mike.
"Loretta Marie Tyler!" Hank shot.
"It's true Papa and you know it! Margo couldn't stand me at all until Annie died while she was supposed to be watching her, then suddenly I became like the daughter she never had."
"I know but they were extremely good to you while you lived with them and they are Annie's grandparents after all and I know they would be tremendously upset if they knew you had been home and not gone to visit them" Hank told her and Lori huffed.
"Ok fine, I'll go!" She said throwing her hands in the air with defeat. "And they refuse to call me Lori, even Clarke, they insist on calling me Loretta" Lori said under her breath. Hank looked at her.
"Well?" He said.
"Now!" Lori said in complete disgust.
"I don't see why not, no time like the present."
"Fine" Lori replied through gritted teeth "Come on Mike" She said and stood up.
"Mike can stay here you should go alone" Hank told her.
"No Papa please, I can't go alone. I can't face them by myself, please Papa" Lori pleaded.
"I don't mind going along Hank, it's not a problem" Mike said.
"Ok fine, you can go Mike but you really will need to face them by yourself one day Lori" Hank said.
"I know thank you Papa. I will one day but it's just still a little difficult for me at the moment" Lori explained.
"Ok I understand. Well you kids get going. I've got to pop into work and arrange some time off so I can spend some more time with my daughter."
"Will you be here when we get back?" Lori asked.
"I don't know yet we'll see" Hank said. So Lori and Mike left and as they walked down the road Mike put his arm around her.
"You gonna be ok with this, kid?" He asked.
"I don't know. It's gonna be hard walking into that house again but I've got some demons I need to face so it's probably for the best I get this over with as quickly as possible."
"Good idea. So now we're safely out of the house you can confirm that that phone call you made earlier was in fact to the doctor" Mike said.
"Yes it was, I've got an appointment tomorrow," Lori said.
"Ok and you sure you want me to come with you?" Mike asked and Lori nodded.
"Oh yes I can't go through that by myself again" She looked up at Mike "I'm so scared Mike I can't believe I've messed up again and I'm so frightened Micky will leave me."
"Don't be silly you know how Micky feels about you, he'll support you one hundred per cent whatever the out come of the pregnancy test," Mike told her.
"I hope so."
"I know so," Mike said reassuringly and giving her shoulders a squeeze. They walked for about forty-five minutes until finally Lori stopped them in front of a rather large house.
"Well here we are, this is it," She said. Mike looked up at the house.
"Whoa!" Was his first reaction. The house was huge, at least four stories high and it looked extremely expensive "You didn't tell me Ben's parents are loaded, he seems so normal!" He said which made Lori laugh.
"He is normal and I would've thought you'd guessed with names like Clarke and Margo," she said.
"I didn't really think about it, you used to live here?" Mike asked complete disbelieve in his voice.
"Yep, for two and a half years. I never got used to it though I cannot tell you the amount of times I got lost in there. I stopped counting after around fifty" Lori told him with a chuckle. Mike was just staring up at the building.
"Maybe it's best I don't go in, I am from Texas after all."
"What's that got to do with the price of fish?" Lori asked "Anyway you have to go in because if you won't then neither will I" She added.
"Ok but if they hated you then they're really gonna hate me, I mean I'm an out of work red neck they probably frown on people like me."
"No Mike they frown on people who get their son in trouble, like me. What's gotten in to you anyway, you've never been ashamed of being from Texas before."
"I'm not ashamed of being from Texas, I'm ashamed of being poor" Mike told her. Lori rolled her eyes.
"Now you're just being ridicules, come on get a move on because I'm starting to lose my nerve," She told him.
"Ok sorry, lead the way," Mike said allowing Lori to walk in front of him up the steps to the front door.
"Right here goes" She said taking a deep breath and ringing the doorbell. It took a moment but finally the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man with thick grey hair standing there. He stood staring at Lori for a moment opened mouthed "Wow Clarke, when did you start opening your own front door?" Lori asked with a smile.
"It's Hobson's day off" Clarke replied, not quite believing the image that stood before him.
"Ah" Lori said, "Well, are you going to invite us in?" She asked.
"I'm sorry my dear, forgive me but I have to admit to being a little surprised to seeing you" Clarke added.
"Well I would've called but I hadn't finalised any plans until the last moment" Lori told him.
"Don't be silly, you don't need to call, this will always be your home Loretta you are welcome here anytime," Clarke told her. A big smile covered his face "It's so good to see you again" he said.
"Thank you Clarke, you too" They embraced in a hug "Allow me to introduce my very dear friend Michael Nesmith, he's accompanying me on my visit" Lori explained when she and Clarke had dispersed. She turned to Mike just in time to see him quickly rip of his hat and straighten his hair. She tried very hard not to groan and roll her eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Michael" Clarke said.
"You too sir" Mike replied holding out his hand which Clarke accepted and shook. Mike and Lori came into the house and Clarke shut the door.
"Let's go and find Margo I think she was in the gardens last I saw her" Clark told them and led them through the house. Mike couldn't believe how big the place was.
"Tell me again why you hated living in such an amazing house" Mike whispered to Lori, Lori just looked at him. "Alright, I know I'm sorry," He said.
Back in America the morning slowly faded into the afternoon and Micky was getting more and more anxious. It had been hours since Lori's plane had landed and still no word from her. He knew she had arrived because Lana had heard from Mike so why hadn't Lori called him yet? It was infuriating to him. Lana had gone to work so he couldn't talk to her about it so instead he kept himself busy all day by practising drum riffs, offering to tune Peter's six string that hardly ever got used, reading the paper and actually reading the whole paper this time not just the comics. He had even declined a trip to the beach with Peter and Davy, preferring to stay inside and polish his drums. His excuse was that they desperately needed a clean, which wasn't
true. He had cleaned them only two days before but he wanted an excuse to stay as close to the phone as possible for when Lori finally did call. Davy and Peter had been gone a couple of hours when Davy came back in the veranda door carrying an apple. Micky was sitting on the band stand his head rested in his hand staring intently at the phone, willing it to ring.
"Hi mate. Lori called yet?" Davy asked as he took a bite from his apple.
"No not yet" Micky replied.
"I'm sure she'll call just give her a chance" Davy told him.
"I know it's just she promised she'd call as soon as she landed and that was hours ago" Micky said he looked at Davy "What are you up to anyway?"
"Just come in to grab a couple of sodas. We bumped in to Cait and Joni on the beach," Davy explained.
"Oh" Micky replied. His gaze returning to the phone, not really
listening to Davy at all. Davy watched him for a moment. He felt so sorry for Micky and wished there was something he could do. Almost as soon as he thought that the phone started ringing. Even though Micky had been expecting it, it still gave him the shock of his life. He dived at the phone and snatched up the receiver "Lori?"
"Hi babe" Came Lori's voice.
"Oh thank goodness. Where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick," Micky told her. Davy quietly sighed with relief.
"I'm sorry I didn't call sooner I just forgot."
"Oh charming that is, that's how much I mean to you is it?!"
"Don't be silly I was excited to see my dad and it just slipped my mind. You know what you mean to me but I haven't seen my dad for almost two years and I got over excited. Surely you can understand that" Lori told him. Truthfully, Micky couldn't understand it at all he thought he meant so much more to her then to just be forgotten but he didn't want to argue with her over the phone so he sighed mentally and made a promise to himself that he would question her properly when she got back.
"Yeah I know. So how was your flight?" He asked. Micky and Lori spoke for about ten minutes and when Micky put the phone down he seemed even more miserable then before.
"Everything ok Mick?" Davy had gone back out the give everyone there sodas but came back again shortly after to get ready for a date. He had just come out of the bathroom and was fixing his collar when he noticed the look on Micky's face.
"Yeah I just...I just miss her so much" he replied.
"You wanna talk about it?" Davy asked coming over and sitting next to the drummer.
"Have you ever been in love Davy?" Micky asked.
"Yeah of course man, all the time," Davy told him Micky looked at him sceptically and Davy sighed. "No, I've never been in love" He replied quietly.
"Well it's amazing. The most wonderful feeling in the world and it's completely taken me over. Sometimes I feel as though I can't breath without Lori. I never thought I could feel this way about anyone. I love her deeply but...I...oh it doesn't matter."
"Are you guys having problems?" Davy asked, "I heard a very distinctive `but' in that sentence."
"Not as far as Lori's concerned. Everything's fine and dandy to her. I think maybe it's just me. I've never been in love before this is all new to me but Lori has. She knows how to handle this."
"You saying you've got a problem with Ben?" Davy questioned.
"No, no of course not. I've just had a touch of the green eyes monster where Mike is concerned. I realised just how jealous I am of the relationship he's got with Lori and I kinda feel in the back seat so to speak while Mike's driving if you see what I mean."
"Mick, you've got nothing to worry about. The whole world can see how much Lori loves you. She's had a difficult past you have to account for that. I know I've said some terrible things about her in the last couple of days and I really regret it now. I've been a jerk. Lori needs all our support. We weren't there when all those things happened to her but it's obvious it affected her more then she's
letting on. They happened to her when she was still just a kid it's a lot to handle at such a young age" Davy told him.
"I know, I'm trying my best to do what I think is right because I want her to be happy but it's just hard for me that she chose to take Mike with her and not me. I understand why she did or at least, I'm trying to but it's just hard. I'll feel a lot better when she's back home here where she belongs" Micky said.
"Well tell her that then. Is she gonna call again?"
"Yeah she said she'd call tomorrow, if she remembers!"
"She will. Just give her time Mick. It's pretty clear she needs it and then when she comes back everything will be back to normal," Davy said.
The next morning Lori, Mike and Hank were all up and sitting round the dining room table having breakfast.
"So what have you kids got planned for today?" Hank asked over the top of the paper he was reading.
"Well actually I was thinking about going to visit Annie" Lori said in-between spoonfuls of cereal. Hank nodded.
"That is a wonderful idea. Are you going to be ok?" He asked.
"Yeah I think so. I really miss her."
"Margo has been taking good care of her. I went to visit her a few days ago and there were fresh flowers there," Hank explained. Lori nodded, she hadn't been expecting that at all and if she was truthful it bothered her slightly "So Mike, how are you liking England so far?" Hank asked.
"It's beautiful although I haven't seen that much of it yet, and at least it's not raining" Mike replied with a smile. Hank laughed.
"Well it doesn't rain as much as people make it out too," He said. So Lori headed to the cemetery later that morning with Mike tagging along just in case she needed him and when they got back a few hours later, Hank was sitting in the lounge waiting for them.
"Hi Papa we're back" Lori said. Hank stood up as Lori and Mike came in the lounge.
"Mike would you give my daughter and I a few minutes alone please" Hank told him.
"Yeah sure. I'll go take a bath if that's ok" Mike said glancing worriedly at Lori.
"Of course" Hank told him so Mike left and Lori looked at her father.
"Is something the matter Papa?" She asked.
"Sit down Loretta, there's something we need to discuss" Hank told her so Lori sat down and Hank tried to decided where to begin. He paced the lounge for a moment before turning and facing Lori. "Dr Suggett's office called while you were out to confirm your appointment this afternoon," He said.
"Oh man!" Lori breathed.
"Why would a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and birth be calling my daughter to confirm an appointment?"
"I'm sorry Papa, I wasn't going to say anything unless I had too."
"Oh Loretta not again, not again!" Hank said.
"It's not confirmed but it's possible, I'm so sorry please don't hate me" Lori said.
"I don't hate you my sweet Loretta but I am a little disappointed in you. Mike has told me about Micky I know how much he cares for you but I would've thought you'd have more sense this time."
"What does that mean! I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't plan it but I love Micky and that's all that matters" Lori said.
"You loved Ben once too."
"That was different there were other things to consider back then but with Micky it's different I know I'm going to love him for the rest of my life."
"And if you are pregnant?"
"I don't know. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it" Lori said. Hank nodded.
"You want me to come with you?"
"No thank you Papa, it's ok, Mike's coming with me."
"He truly is a very good friend to you Lori."
"I know I care for him a lot he's been a god send to me."
"How does Micky feel about that?" Hank asked.
"About Mike? He loves Mike, they are closer then anyone, they couldn't be any closer if they were brothers" Lori told him but Hank shook his head.
"No that's not what I meant. I meant how does Micky feel about your relationship with Mike?"
"Oh I see, well I think he's ok with it. He knows Mike and I are just friends, Mike is like my big brother that's all. I could never think of him as anything more then that," Lori said.
"I see. So if that's Mike to you what's Micky?" Hank asked her. Lori looked up at him.
"My soul mate" She replied. Hank smiled and nodded again.
"Well I'll make you something to eat before you have to go, I don't want you kids going anywhere on an empty stomach."
"What is it with you and food Papa?" Lori asked with a giggle.
"I'm Italian sweetheart," Hank told her as he left the room.
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