His room was next to hers, so they stopped in front of the door to her
room, and he kissed her, tenderly on the lips, before she entered. It wasn’t
anything too special, but he wanted to test the waters before diving in. She
liked the kiss, smiled coyly and stepped inside the room and then she closed
her door and quickly went into the bathroom. She wanted to make sure her teeth
were clean, her breath fresh and she didn’t look too hideous. She also had time
for one more joint, which would help her relax. She knew he was older, but he
didn’t seem to act that way, so perhaps this guy wasn’t too much older than she
was.
She searched through her purse to find some breath mints to be safe and
to offer him one if his breath was bad, since no one liked bad breath. How did
they do it in the middle ages? Rotting teeth, yuck, she thought as the image
popped into her head, and working in the dental field in the past didn’t help
as other images soon popped into her mind.
She also pulled out her lip balm. She always said that she wants to
have “soft supple lips, because you never know who you might kiss.” She lit the
scented candle near the stereo to help create some sort of mood; she wasn’t too
sure where this would all lead. A few minutes later there was a quiet tapping
at her door, and she opened and allowed him to enter.
She was too busy looking through the songs on her iPod to notice him,
but he spoke, “did you want help with your dress now?”
“Yes please,” she said as she placed the iPod back on to the dock. He
stepped behind her and she lifted her hair so he could get to the zipper. As he
slowly pulled down the zipper, he noticed her tattoo. He had to laugh.
“You must really like Led Zeppelin to have this tattoo on your back,”
he said. “It’s very nice.”
Without turning around, she answered saying it was her favourite band,
the best band really, the only band that mattered, as she stepped into the
closet to remove her dress and hang it up. She continued talking as she changed
into a pair of comfy pants and a t-shirt. He asked her a few questions and she
answered.
“And why do you think Led Zeppelin is the greatest band?” he wanted to
know what she thought.
As she started explaining that of course they had the best of the best,
and the guitarist was someone that turned her on. “I mean, if you actually
listen to something like Travelling Riv…” She came out into the room and in mid
sentence, she looked at him, sitting there on the edge of the bed, smiling. Her
jaw dropped, and she blinked twice. She was at a loss for words. It was him.
Was it really?
She was too shocked to ask and he could sense this, so he introduced
himself and held out his hand to shake hers. She stood there shaking her head,
still speechless, but offered her hand. She quickly shut her mouth and walked
across the room for her water. She took a drink, but couldn’t turn around to
face him just yet. So, she took another drink. Then he spoke.
“I’m sorry, should I leave?” he asked as he stood and headed to the
door. She turned around, shook her head no and then said “NO!”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. You don’t have to go. I mean,
if you want to go, but, I would like you to stay. Really. I’m … just that … and
Danielle … and I feel like a fool,” she said, then took another drink.
He smiled and walked over to her, took the glass from her hand, placed
it on the table and asked her to dance. He stood in a dance pose, one hand up
and the other ready to place on her back, smiling, waiting for her to come to
him. Slowly, she stepped forward.
They slowly started dancing to The
Rain Song by of course, Led Zeppelin. He noticed she wasn’t breathing and felt her
body tensed up. She was holding her breath. He stopped and looked into her
eyes. “Let’s breathe, together. Exhale.” He felt her body relax a bit. She was looking
up at him as he said, “inhale.” So they did. “Again, exhale. Very good.” He
kept whispering those two words as they started to dance again.
The song ended and sure enough she tensed up again when she heard the
start of the next song, Thank You, again, by Led Zeppelin. She held her breath again.
He held her closer, and whispered the two words again, and breathed with her
until she relaxed again.
He danced them over to the table, and turned out the light. The candle
cast a softer glow in the room, and he held her closer, a bit tighter. As the
music continued, he took hold of both her hands and placed them around his
neck, as she had done when they were downstairs.
He placed both his hands on her waist, slowly moving his hands closer
together until he laced his fingers together. She sighed. He didn’t want to
rush because he was worried she might hold her breath again and pass out. So he
continued to lead her to the music, her body followed his.
They danced to several more songs when he finally moved his hands up
her spine saying, “I really do like your tattoo.”
She quietly said “Thank you.”
Once his hands got to her curly hair, he slowly placed his hands on the
side of her head, looked at her, and kissed her. At first, she kissed back, but
then he noticed as her body tensed again, so then he stopped. He pulled her
head closer to his body and held her while they danced to Celine Dion singing Seduces
Me.
The song was fitting since they both felt the same way. But it wouldn’t
happen now, or even tonight. This girl was different and he wanted to do things
differently this time around. They were both getting tired and she suggested
they sit.
Earlier she had propped the pillows and so she offered him this spot on
the bed. She said she would sit across from him, but he asked that she sit next
to him, and propped up the other pillows. As they both sat on the bed, trying
to get comfortable, he wrapped one arm around her and gently pulled her closer
to him.
She turned her body to face him, placed her head on his chest, and knowing
that she didn’t know what to do with her arm, he took hold of it and lay it
across his torso. She sensed that it was okay to move closer, she snuggled into
him.
They didn’t talk much now because they had talked most of the night,
but instead enjoyed being here together. And then another Led Zeppelin song
played, As Long As I Have You, from a concert way back when. Of course he knew the song, but couldn’t
place the year or venue. So he asked. She told him, “Fillmore West, 1969.”
“How did you get that?” knowing it was nothing they had ever released.
She told him. He was impressed but didn’t say anything. She told him her
favourite part of the song and why she loved this version best. It was just
under twenty minutes long and eventually she fell asleep. He held her like that
for a while longer.
Then he carefully and quietly got up, leaving her to sleep. He turned
off the stereo, blew out the candle and went to his room. It was four in the
morning. He had plans for the morning, breakfast with his children at a
restaurant close to their home.
He explained this and that he would return for her after in a note he
left for her on the nightstand beside her bed.
By eleven when she finally woke. She saw the note and read it. She
smiled to herself then got out of bed, showered, dressed, and headed
downstairs. She knew her sister would have coffee made by now. Danielle did
have the coffee made as well as breakfast for the few people who stayed the
night.
Danielle asked if she had plans for the day and if she figured it out.
Trix knew how to play this game, so she asked, “Figured what out?”
Danielle stared at her sister for a moment, and then the phone rang.
Merrick answered. He said that it was Jim and he was on his way for Trix, he
wanted to take her out this afternoon, so he was calling to see if she was
awake yet.
As Merrick spoke Trix looked at her sister and smiled. She knew the jig
was up. Of course she figured it out, well, the events that played out helped.
And with that, they, along with the other two female guests went up stairs to
talk, “girl talk.”
She gathered her things up as they all talked about what happened.
Danielle was glad that her plan worked. There was a tap at the door, it was
Merrick. He came to say Jim was now here, and find out if Trix was ready.
They all went down stairs and Jim was sitting and waiting for her. She
went to greet him and the others headed back to the kitchen. He smiled and
stood up as soon as she entered the room. He kissed her like he did last night,
but this time she didn’t hold her breath or tense up.
He explained that he had a driver outside to take them wherever she
wanted to go. “Don’t you drive?” she asked. He told her he didn’t but he has
had a driver for a long time, but if she didn’t feel comfortable…
She said that her car was here and she would need it later to get home.
He of course secretly wished she would go home with him and never leave. She
had an idea so she told him what she would really like to do.
They said good-bye to everyone. Trix kissed her sister and Merrick and
promised to call them tomorrow. He told his driver that he would not need him
and would see him later. Jim got into the car with Trix and he gave her
directions to a restaurant on the way to his house.
She wanted to see his music collection, as she knew it was huge. They
talked about his career while they drove. She had so many questions and he
answered all them as best as he could. Some things happened so long ago that he
didn’t remember all the details.
When they arrived at his house she parked the car where he said and
before they got out he said, “Trixie, or do you prefer Trix? Merrick said most
people call you Trixie.”
“Whichever you prefer, it’s all good.”
“Trix, I would like to make dinner for you, if you would like to join
me.” She smiled and nodded saying she would love to have dinner with him.
They got out of the car and went inside. He hung their coats and
offered her something to drink. They went to the kitchen to put the kettle on
for some tea. They took their tea into a room that was filled with records,
CDs, videos and more.
She was in awe. She was envious. He asked if he could play some of his
favourite music for her. And of course, that’s what she wanted, why she
suggested they “just chill” at his place, listening to music. They spent the
rest of the day doing just that, listening to a lot of great music and none of
it was his. He played some great blues, great rock, and interesting pieces as
well.
The hours went by so quickly and it was dark outside. He suggested they
head to the kitchen and so he could fix dinner. She of course couldn’t just sit
and watch, so she offered to help. They continued talking as they chopped,
mixed, stirred, cooked and then ate dinner.
After dinner, they washed up the dishes together and went back into the
room they were in earlier. He asked to see her iPod. He found the song he
wanted and placed it on the dock of his stereo, turned up the volume and asked
her to dance, Tea for One.
They slow danced to for several songs and then something from one of
his bands played, so then they stopped and she sat down while he went to get
them something to drink. He put their drinks on the coffee table, picked up the
remote for the stereo and sat on the sofa near her.
They talked for a few minutes but when Etta James started singing At
Last, he suggested for her to come
closer to him. She did and he put his arm around her and kissed her. Again, she
didn’t hold her breath or become stiff, but instead she put her hand on his
cheek.
He held her tighter, kissing her more passionately. They would have
continued but she pulled away and started laughing. It was the song. And since
it was from an old TV show, the introduction with his name made her laugh,
“here on top of the pops, some more of those wild and wonderful sounds that
have made the name of the Yardbirds world famous. This is a Jimmy Page song
called Think About It. They laughed together.
She noticed it was getting late and said she should get on her way. “I
have imposed long enough on you, and I have to say, the highlight of the day,
has been looking at your book. I feel guilty about that, like I have come over
to play with your best toys and now I have to go,” she said with a blushing
smile.
He asked where she lived and they talked about various places around
London. She had only been here for five months. Merrick and Danielle were kind
enough to help her settle in. She was offered a job within Merrick’s company
before she came over to England.
On the weekends she would visit different places, sometimes even doing
the intercity sightseeing tours. Taking in as much as she could, learning as
much as she could and enjoying every minute of it.
“Correct me if I am wrong, but Merrick said your full name was Bellatrix,”
he asked her. She said yes, but it was easier and cuter to have people call her
Trixie. “I rather like the name Bellatrix, would you be offended if I were to
call you that or even Bella.”
She said she does like being called Bellatrix but instead of Bella,
just Belle. Belle. That’s what her grandmother and her dad called her. He liked
the sound of that. He held her hand, and said, “Well,” he said, “it’s also
quite late and I won’t feel right allowing you to drive so far home when you
are tired. You keep yawning and I know you need some sleep. You can stay the
night in the guest room. And in the morning, if you still want to leave, you
can. Although, I would prefer it if you stayed a while longer. We can do
something, anything you like tomorrow.”
He looked at her with hope in his eyes. Hope that she would stay and
that tomorrow he would have another day to spend with her. She smiled at him,
thinking that it was over forty minutes drive to her flat. She was very tired,
and she had her overnight bag in the car. And most of all, it was Jimmy Page’s
house. What an honour to be invited to stay, she thought.
She accepted his offer and he was kind enough to retrieve her bag from
her car. He showed her to the guest room and showed her where his room was, in
case she needed anything. He kissed her softly on the lips and left her to
sleep.
Surprisingly, she had a great night of sound sleep. Unusual for her,
but she wasn’t complaining at all. She was disappointed in herself for sleeping
until almost eleven, but she got up, showered and made herself presentable
before heading down stairs.
The house was quiet. But she could smell coffee and food coming from
the kitchen so that’s where she headed. He was cooking and offered her some
fresh brewed coffee. She accepted. They talked while they ate a spinach,
asparagus and cheese omelette.
He asked her what she would like to do today. She asked about the
weather. She loved the rain, but didn’t like being out in it. Today it was not
going to rain. It would be cold and could be windy in the afternoon, but no
rain.
She told him about her list of things to do and see. It was on her
mobile phone, and she would have to get it from her purse upstairs. She helped
him wash up the dishes and then they headed upstairs together.
She got out her mobile and they went into his room. He wasn’t dressed
for going out in public, so he would change as they talked. Something that was
on her list would be right up his alley, she thought. There were a few music
shops she was meaning to visit. Records and CDs and much more.
He knew where the shops where and said it would be great fun to go. He
suggested they drive part of the way and then take the tube. The first stop of
the day, Haggle Vinyl a great place to find rare vinyl and filled with so much
history. And then on to Flashback, another shop specializing in retro and rare
finds, there was so much to look at in both stores, they lost track of time.
After finding a few good records, they headed to his favourite guitar shop.
In there, he picked up a guitar and started strumming. He asked her
what she might like to hear. Two things popped into her mind. Her second most
favourite Led Zeppelin song, Tangerine or something more bluesy, like Bring
It On Home. She has heard the original and many other versions of this song, but Led
Zeppelin’s live version from the Royal Albert is her absolute favourite.
She smiled and laughed because she couldn’t decide. He asked her what
she was thinking of so she told him. When she said Tangerine was her
second favourite Zeppelin song, he asked what her favourite song was.
“It used to be Kashmir but then I really started liking The
Rain Song more and more every time I heard it.” he laughed because he thought
for sure her favourite would have been Stairway to Heaven, as most people say
that is their favourite, the best Zep song ever.
He knew she was different, but the more he got to know her, the more he
liked her, and the more he knew she had to be his. He then suggested he’d play
something different, something he knew she would like, if she allowed him.
She smiled. Of course, he can play whatever he wants to, she just
wanted to see him play. He remembered the song he saw her dancing to in the
room at her sister’s home. He never thought the song to be sexual, but, he
liked how she danced to it, as an exotic dancer would.
As soon as he started playing, she laughed and smiled so big. She loved
this song. But how would he know, she thought, but who cares right now,
she was watching the greatest guitarist ever play a great song.
After he finished playing he talked to a few people and they left. He
took her to a restaurant for dinner where they talked and talked. It was
getting late and she had to work in the morning. They headed for the tube. She
told him she would drop him off at home, but tonight, she had to go to her
home.
He understood. When they arrived at his place, she gathered her things
and put them in the car. She turned to thank him for wonderful weekend. It was
more than she ever expected or imagined. He took hold of her and kissed her
passionately.
She tensed up; he stopped and looked at her. “What time are you done
working tomorrow?” he asked, still holding her in a firm embrace.
“Around three or so, why?” she asked. He wanted to take her to dinner,
or make dinner for her, either way, he didn’t care, he just wanted to spend
time with her.
More than a month had passed since they first met. He told her how he
accidentally ended up in the same room and saw her dancing. She told him things
about herself she never told anyone, and he answered questions that she had
about his past. She never asked about his loves or sexual partners, but she
asked him about places he had been to, people he has met and performed with,
his own parents and upbringing.
It was only ten days until Christmas and she had planned on returning
home with her sister and Merrick for a week. She told him this. He of course
has family and friends here that he would be busy with during that time.
They agreed that he would call her every night, because she would be in
two provinces during this time. He also asked her to be his date for a New
Years Eve party he was planning on attending. “I would love to spend New Year’s
Eve with you,” she said.
One thing she never told him, he never asked, was her birthday. The
evening before she was to leave for Canada, Danielle and Merrick invited Jim
over for dinner. Trix would stay the night there and they would leave for the
airport in the morning together.
While Danielle and Trix were in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner,
Merrick let it slip about her birthday by asking what he got for her and was he
planning on giving it to her before she left or when she returned.
It was December 22nd when they left for Canada. They were to
arrive in Montreal, spend time there before going to Toronto to see other
relatives. It was cold and of course, there was a lot of snow. But, Danielle
and Trix were used to this, as they had both lived in Montreal.
He called her that evening as he had promised. She took the call in the
spare room, for a bit of privacy, but mostly because it was quiet. Over the
past several weeks she had fallen in love with him, but had not told him. She
didn’t even tell her sister.
They talked for about a half hour and he told her several times how
much he missed her. He wanted to tell her how he felt about her, but not over
the phone. He wanted to do it in person, face to face, so he could see her
smile, hoping that she felt the same way.
Danielle and Trix headed out the next day to do some last minute
shopping because they knew when their brother and his family arrived from
Toronto the next day, no one would be going anywhere.
While they were out, Jim had called Merrick to make some arrangements
to surprise Trix. Merrick was not going to tell Danielle either, just in case, because
he knew she could barely keep a secret, and the dinner party secret was hard
for her, but Merrick would have to step out for a few hours the following day.
Christmas Eve was cold and snowy, family and friends coming and going
all day, sharing their wishes and love for everyone. Around seven in the
evening, Merrick said that he and Danielle were going to go see an old friend
of his, who happened to be in town and that they would return in a few hours.
Christmas in Montreal, the French version as Trix called it was
different than what most people are used to, much different than what books and
movies portray. Being Canadian, when you say English, it means more than just
the language, but for the most part, English meant a family of European
descent, mainly, British, Irish or Scottish. When you say French, again, it’s
more than just the language, it’s the culture. So, coming from an English
mother and a French father it meant Trix and her siblings knew the traditions
of both cultures. French people, at least the family and people they knew
celebrated Christmas Eve in full party mode. No watching It’s A Wonderful
Life. In fact, Trix has never seen the entire movie, just bits and pieces
over the years with other English people.
Danielle called home and talked to her father and brother about the
surprise they were bringing for Trix. Danielle also knew that there was a Santa
suit in her father’s closet and that someone was to play Santa for the
children, arriving just before midnight to hand out presents. Santa was to be
played by one of two people. But since this call, plans had changed slightly.
Danielle and Merrick entered through the back door around eleven thirty
and prepared for the big surprise. Danielle came in and told the children she
and Merrick heard on the radio that Santa was almost here.
Their dad had made a quick call upstairs to let the neighbours know now
was the time to make it sound as if Santa was right upstairs by walking hard
across the floor and some reindeer noises as if they were on the roof outside.
As the children gathered around, and settled down, Santa came in
through the front patio door. Trix’s dad claimed since there was a fire blazing
in the fireplace, and the door was right close to the fireplace, he thought it
was best to use the door. They children were excited and very happy. As they
were called one by one to sit on Santa’s lap, they received one gift to open
now, and of course had their picture taken.
Well, in this crazy family, everyone, EVERYONE gets a gift from Santa
and must sit on his lap while accepting and having their picture taken. Most
people open their gifts with Santa so they can thank him right then and there.
First the children, then the adults, one by one up to Santa to get
their gift. Trix was called last, but for a special reason. Danielle and
Merrick had managed to tell everyone there that night what was about to happen.
Santa started to speak, and even though he had been here for a while
now, she never noticed his accent. She looked around, thinking it was Merrick
who was playing Santa. But Merrick was standing by the fireplace with his arms
wrapped tightly around Danielle.
“Belle? Belle? Where is Bellatrix?” Santa called out. Trix stepped
forward and said, “I am right here Santa.” All the children were now watching,
because he never called anyone else’s name that loudly, and firmly.
“Bellatrix, as of now, it’s also your birthday, right?” Santa asked.
She laughed and nodded. “Well, come here my dear and you will get a Christmas
gift and a birthday gift.”
She stepped forward, knowing how much she hates this part, everyone
watching her, but she sat on Santa’s lap, like everyone else had to do.
Santa asked her the same question he asked everyone else, did she think
she was a good girl this year. “Yes, Santa, I did my best to be a very good
girl this year,” she answered.
He asked what she wanted first, the Christmas gift or the birthday
gift. She said birthday gift. He handed her a small box. As she unwrapped it,
stared at it, for she knew that colour is known as Tiffany Blue and it meant a
piece of jewellery could very well be inside, she became nervous.
She looked at the box, looked at her family, looked at Santa and back
at the box. Slowly she opened the box. Inside was a beautiful ring box that she
removed and slowly opened it, not knowing what to expect.
She stared in disbelief. It was a beautiful emerald-cut pink sapphire with two trapezoid diamonds in a
platinum setting. Tears came to her eyes
as Santa whispered in her ear, “I love you Belle, Happy birthday.”
Santa then kissed her.
She hugged him tight and whispered to him, “I love you too, Santa.” Then she
smiled at him. And her Christmas gift, it was Jim of course, and as Santa, he
left the room through the same door he came in, not to upset or disappoint the
children. He then went around to the back and in through the back door.
Trix went to the bedroom to meet with Santa, so he could remove the
costume and she could give him a proper greeting, and of course a proper thank
you.
“Why didn’t you say it was your birthday?” he asked as he kissed her
tears of joy away.
“Because we just met, and I didn’t want you to do something like this,”
she said as she indicated the ring that was still in the box.
He asked if she liked it. Of course she liked it. It was gorgeous. It
must have cost a fortune. She looked at it again. “But it’s too expensive, and
I don’t deserve this.” she said as she shook her head, “I can’t accept it. I
mean, I think it is wonderful, but I could never…” and he kissed her.
He asked her again, firmly, “do you like it?” as he removed it from the box, and took her hand and placed it on her finger.
Patience, the last part will come in a few days.
