Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

Her long blond hair was neatly combed back on one side and held in place with several tiny rosebuds and baby’s breath; which matched the rose on Michael’s jacket.  Her linen wedding dress was short sleeved and fell halfway down her thighs, perfectly outlining her feminine curves.  She wore classic summer pumps and held a loose bouquet of peach roses tied together with a long satin ribbon.

She stepped out into the sunshine and reached for Michael’s hand.  He swallowed hard and bent in to kiss her.  “You look amazing, babe.”

“So do you,” she smiled up at him.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She nodded nervously.

“Then, let’s do it.”

The ceremony lasted less than ten minutes before cheers erupted from their gathered guests upon the announcement of the new ‘ Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wade’.  A light buffet followed, consisting of seafood salads and steaks grilled on the barbecue.  Waiters served champagne flutes filled with sparkling cider as Brian prepared to give the bride and groom their first toast.

“Michael you are the brother I never had – nor wanted,” he said, making everyone laugh.  “Nonetheless, I guess we're stuck with each other.  Annie, welcome to the family and don't be too scared.  Being part of this family will be the adventure of your lifetime!  Al least you'll never be bored,” he chuckled and raised his glass.  “On a serious note, I wish you many years of love, continued wealth and health, and – of course: rock 'n roll.  Cheers.”

Their guests stayed long after sunset and were serenaded by Michael and Brian in the music room.  But the highlight of the evening came at the end when Michael sang solo to Annie.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

After exchanging a tearful good-bye with Bonita, Michael and Annie set off for the airport.  A couple of hours later, they were pulling into the crushed seashell driveway alongside Michael’s cottage.

Annie gasped when she saw it.  “My God!  It’s right on the water!”

Michael smiled, realizing she had never been there.

“And you have no neighbors?” she added.

“Nope.  The closest neighbor I have is about a mile back down that dirt road,” he replied, stepping out of the jeep.  Standing on the side steps of the house, he pointed off in the distance.  “See the house lights over there?” he asked, directing her attention beyond a man-made jetty.  “Diane Sawyer lives over there, last I heard anyway.  But it’s been so long since I’ve spent time here, she’s probably sold that place and bought another one.”

Michael unlocked the door and turned to face her.  “Shall we do this the proper way?” he asked, scooping her up and carrying her into the back entrance hall.

“Welcome to your new home,” he said, setting her onto the floor.

“It’s perfect, Michael.”

Annie walked toward the fireplace and quickly scanned the open floor plan to the cottage.  Then her eyes stopped.  Set in front of a massive window and facing the ocean, was her old couch.

“Michael!  You had my couch brought over here?  When and how did you manage that?”

Grinning from ear to ear, he slid up beside her.  “Hey.  I work in mysterious ways.”

With her mouth still gaping in shock, Annie flopped onto the couch.  Lovingly, she caressed the smooth, flowered fabric, as tears pooled in her eyes.  “I can’t believe you did this for me,” she whispered.

“Don’t get too comfortable.  I have another surprise for you,” he said, reaching for her hand.  “Come on, let me show you the rest of the house.”

He pulled her back up against his chest and guided her around the large room.  “Over there is the kitchen,” he said, still connected to her.  “And back here are the bedrooms.”

He took her into the spare bedroom first, then directed her past the hallway bathroom.  They inched slowly along the back hall, kissing with each step they took.  He stopped outside the door to the master bedroom and covered her eyes with his hands.  Then he gently pushed her into the room before removing them.

The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was the bed - her bed.  Like a familiar old friend, decorated with the same pastel-colored quilt and over-stuffed pillows, it lit the entire room up with its presence.  Annie immediately burst into tears and covered her eyes up with her trembling hands.

“Hey, this wasn’t meant to make you cry,” he said, enveloping her with his arms.

“I can’t believe the things you do for me,” she sobbed against his shirt.

“Ah, shit.  Now, I feel guilty.”

“Why?”

“Well, I had your stuff brought over partly to make you happy but mostly because I thought it might get me laid.  If memory serves me right, I clearly remember a certain someone threatening to hold me hostage in that bed if we ever had the opportunity to be in it again.”

Annie burst out laughing.  “You’re a pig, you know that?” she answered, pushing him backwards, causing him to fall onto the bed.