Chapter 38: The Shot That Ends It All

The door opens and the tray is brought in. He slips the attendee a tip before he walks out and shuts the door. She looks at the tray and notices strawberries and wine. She picks up a strawberry and runs it across her lips seductively. He watches her intently while walking towards her. He takes the strawberry from her, and he licks her lips. “Mm. That is sweet.” He pours a glass of wine and gives it to her, then he gets one for himself as they sit down on the couch and sip the wine.

“So, what do you have in mind for tomorrow?”

“To tell you the truth, I haven’t thought about it. Maybe we could do some more site seeing with everyone.”

“I think that is a wonderful idea and I need another glass of wine.” She hands him the glass as they both get up. She reaches for the bowl of strawberries as he refills her glass, then she takes a drink and eats a strawberry.

He recognizes the music on the radio and starts laughing, “Hey, it’s me.” He goes to the radio and turns it off, then he pulls out his guitar and sits down on the couch next to her. “I would rather you hear it in person. It is so much more personal when I can look into your eyes and sing.” He leans in and kisses her softly.

He starts playing the guitar and then sings. Staring into her eyes he sings a love song. When he starts another song, she realizes that she knows it. She smiles and starts singing along with him. The song ends and he puts down his guitar as she puts her wine down and kisses him.

She pushes him back on the couch and sits on his lap. She straddles his legs and kisses him deeply. Her hands grasp his shoulders, and she slides him into her. His hands move to her hips, pushing her up and down.

They kiss each other playfully and she looks into his eyes. As she kisses him, she bites his lower lip, and he moans. He holds her hips, so she stays still as he gasps. Trembling he holds her tight against him, his hand moving to cup her cheek and kisses her lovingly.

She ties her robe. “Shall we go to bed?”

He gets up and walks over to her, “Yes, we probably should so we can get up in the morning.” He holds her hand, and they go to the bedroom. As they slip out of their robes, she stares at him. He is so sexy, and I love all those tattoos. I just can’t believe I get to grow old with him.

He notices her staring at him and he asks, “What’s wrong?”

She smirks, “I was just thinking how sexy your body is with all those tattoos.”

Laughing, he grabs her and kisses her passionately. “At this rate, we won’t be getting any sleep tonight.” While he gazes into her eyes he whispers, “I love you.”

She looks at him and softly says, "I love you too." She slips into bed, and he follows. Somehow, they manage to fall asleep.

The next morning, she wakes up first and takes a shower. As she puts a towel on to dry off, Julian sneaks in behind her. He takes the towel away from her and kisses her neck so softly. Her wet body touches his and she feels the warmth radiate from him. “Mm, so warm. I wish I could stay in your arms forever.” She looks into his eyes smiling happily.

“When I’m holding you, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.” He wipes the hair out of her face, then kisses her lovingly.

“Alas, I must shower so we can get some breakfast with the others.” He smacks her ass and heads to the shower. She goes to the bedroom and gets dressed. Afterwards, she goes to the girl’s suite.

“Hi, how are my girls?” She smiles.

“Hey mom, where’s Julian?” Jaime asks.

“Oh, he will be here in a minute, he’s just getting dressed after his shower. So, what do you guys want to see today?” Kelly asks.

Julian walks in, “Are you girls ready to go get breakfast?”

“Yes, I’m starving. We have been up for a couple of hours, but we did not want to wake you up. We know you were up all-night making love.” Lilly says with a weird look on her face.

Julian clears his throat, “O.k. shall we get some food?” They all get ready and go down to eat in the hotel restaurant. On the way down, Kelly notices a newspaper sitting on one of the counters. The front-page headline reads, Famous Rocker Julian Ryan Wedded Yesterday, Right Here in Paris.

Kelly quickly shows the newspaper to Julian on the way down. “Well, we knew that someone would find out sooner or later. I was just hoping it would be later. Now all the paparazzi will be coming after an exclusive shot of you guys.”

Samantha looks at Kelly, “You had to know this was coming. You can’t marry a rock star and not be caught up in the media.”

“True, I guess that I figured here in Paris no one would find out right away.” Kelly looks around the restaurant.

After eating, they all try to decide where they want to go. “I want to go to the Palace of Versailles. They have gardens there.” Lilly insists on.

“O.k. then. I guess it is settled. Let’s go.” Julian pays the bill and then they leave. On the way out, he hears his name screamed. He looks and the cameras start flashing. The paparazzi has caught up with them. “Let’s hurry to the car.” He rushes everyone.

“Good, we made it!” Relief spreads over his face. He starts the car, and they drive to the Palace of Versailles. Lilly and Jaime join the tour, while Kelly, Julian, and Samantha follow behind.

“It’s so extravagant. I couldn’t ever imagine living here.” Kelly strolls around.

When they get to the gardens, Samantha looks around in awe. “This is so beautiful. I have never seen anything like this.”

“It’s o.k.” Julian looks not impressed.

Kelly turns to him, “Really? You must be joking,”

“I am, silly.” He grabs her and kisses her lightly on the lips.

When they get done with the tour it is about lunch time. “Everyone hungry for lunch?” Julian asks.

“Yes.” Jaime and Lilly say simultaneously.

“I could eat.” Kelly chimes in.

“Me too.” Samantha raises her hand.

“Let’s go, then.” Julian points to the car, and they all make their way back.

When they return to the hotel, they go up to their suites first. After they drop off their souvenirs, they continue their way to the restaurant. Julian hears a commotion and turns around. A woman is holding a pistol aimed at him with a crazy look on her face.

She shoots and hits Julian square in the chest. Kelly shrieks and runs to him as he falls to the ground. She looks at his chest as a big bright red spot grows.

“Someone, please call for help!” Kelly screams.

Samantha pulls the girls away and sits them down at a table, while Kelly holds Julian in her arms. She tries to stop the bleeding, but it is everywhere. A red puddle spreads across the ground as his life slips out of her hands.

“Please, God no. I love you. Julian don’t die.” She kisses him and cradles his head while he takes his last breath. She screams, “No. No. No.” Time stands still before the medics finally show up and they pry her away from him. They check for a pulse and then do CPR. After about five minutes they call the time of death.

“No.” Kelly cries. She sobs in her hands and falls to the ground. They put Julian on a stretcher and take him away in the ambulance. Samantha takes Kelly and the girls upstairs, then arranges for them to go home with Eddy.

Kelly walks around in a daze while getting everything ready to go. She stops and looks out the window, crying until the chauffeur picks them up and drives them to the plane. Once on the plane they sit quietly till they get home.

When the door opens, they see the chauffeur standing there waiting for them. He drives back to their house, then Samantha takes care of the rest. The next several days are a blur for Kelly. The lawyer stops by and informs her of the funeral plans and other necessities. The day of the funeral comes and goes as if she is in a bad dream, then she just lays in her bed staring at the walls for days on end.

Every day, Grayson comes over to check on her and bring her flowers, Samantha must tell him that she won’t see anyone. Kelly convinced herself that she is in a dream. A hopelessly bad dream that never ends. As she lays on her bed and cries, she remembers how good it felt to be in Julian's arms. The smell of his cologne as she laid next to him, and the way he would smile at her.

Samantha was right, their love was like Romeo and Juliet. The only difference is that she did not die. She might as well have because she feels dead.

Jaime and Lilly would go in her bedroom to comfort her and cuddle, but it never seemed to help. She would just hold them and stare at the walls. Samantha decided that it would be best if the girls went to their Grandparents for the summer. So, the next day their parents drove up and took the girls home with them.