Chapter 31 - Chapter 31

Once Roxie and Nathan had their fill of messing around with the motorbike helmets and the motorbike, the two of them decided that it was time for them to leave the pub.

"Now, if I am correct the clutch is on this side and the brake is on the other handle." Nathan said as he and Roxie got on the motorbike. Nathan then tested out both the clutch and the brake on the motorbike for safety reasons just so Roxie could feel comfortable.

"Are you sure you know how to ride a motorcycle?" Roxie asked Nathan again.

"Roxie, relax; I know what I'm doing. You're not thinking of backing out now, the fun is just getting started," Nathan teased. Roxie giggled and shook her head. "Good, now hold on tight to me. The ride may be a bit bumpy." he added. Roxie then squeezed very tightly to Nathan's stomach and pretty soon both Roxie and Nathan were off, leaving The Smouldering Hog in the dust.

To Roxie's surprise the motorcycle ride through the countryside and the city was very thrilling. For starters, the point of view of the different surroundings were very different from riding a motorbike to a car. In a car, Roxie felt sheltered and protected. On the motorbike, however; Roxie felt a bit free and wild. Roxie loved how the wind would blow through her hair; making her feel like she was flying. In fact, ever since Roxie had arrived in the UK; Roxie was starting to realize that her point of view of Nathan, in general; had started to change too. Since that first night she had met Nathan at The Smouldering Hog, Roxie had pictured Nathan being this self-centered, egotistical spoiled brat. To Roxie's surprise, however; Nathan wasn't even close to being that kind of person. In her eyes, Nathan was this talented musician who had a rebellious personality, but at the same time had a good heart. The same was true for Nathan on his point of view of Roxie.

When Nathan had met Roxie, Nathan for sure thought Roxie was going to be like all the other girls he had dealt with in the past. That definitely changed on the day Roxie had met Paul, Calvin and Landon at the house. Nathan was surprised of how consistent and hardworking Roxie was when it came to trying to be the band's new personal assistant. Some nights Nathan would go down to the kitchen to get something to drink and on occasion Nathan would see Roxie either sitting at the kitchen table, in the media room or her own bedroom on her laptop working on either a song for the next album, setting up an appropriate time for the band and Cassie to go to the recording studio or working on the band's schedule for promoting the next album. Some days the work would make Roxie so stressed out and tired, there were days that Roxie would just sleep on the job. Whenever it would get to that point, it would make Nathan worried. Overall, Nathan was happy that his full day with Roxie was their little getaway from all the chaos leading to the band's next album.

Since their adventure had started, Nathan never realized how fun and outgoing Roxie's personality was compared to all the other girls Nathan had dated in the past. For starters, Nathan would never consider on taking a girl on a motorbike through the city and having a full day adventure through the city for a first date. Typically Nathan would treat his "special lady" to dinner at a five star restaurant and then spend the rest of the evening dancing the night away or getting drunk at one of the clubs that was located in Westminster. To Nathan's surprise, Roxie wasn't even close to being those kind of girls. Once Nathan and Roxie had made it to the central part of London, Nathan would stop at some of the flee markets that would be around the city and for about a good 30 minutes to an hour, the couple would listen to some old records, taste some local food, try on clothes or just mess around with some of the other locals that were shopping. Sometimes fans would come over and would ask to take a picture with Nathan and at first Nathan would feel embarrassed, but Roxie didn't mind it at all. In fact Roxie enjoyed meeting the band's fans on the adventure. Roxie was surprised of how courteous and friendly the fans were to both Nathan and Roxie while the couple was walking through the city, which in turn helped Roxie develop a sense of respect towards Nathan and the fans.

After a while had passed, both Nathan and Roxie were starting to get a bit hungry. So the couple decided to stop at a nearby local restaurant on their way to the concert venue. Luckily for Nathan, there was a Mavericks just a few miles away from the concert venue. Once the couple had made it to the restaurant, Roxie was astonished of how popular the little restaurant was compared to The Smouldering Hog. From Roxie's point of view, the restaurant had a quaint modernized atmosphere unlike the quiet, simple comfortable "family home" style The Smouldering Hog established in the countryside.

"You seem a bit surprised there." Nathan pointed out once the couple had entered the restaurant.

"No kidding; I'm so used to seeing the family style at your family's pub that I completely forgot that there are other restaurants here in London that I need to try before I head back to New York." Roxie stated.

"Speaking of heading back to New York, when are you thinking of going back home?"

"To be honest, I have no freaking clue. I was hoping to be back in New York in 3 months and from what I recently heard from Scott; he has one publisher that is possibly interested in giving me a publishing deal. Other than that; if worse comes to shove I'm probably going to have Cassie stay in my room while I try to find a reasonable apartment in town." Roxie explained.

"Why don't you stay and live with us?" Nathan suddenly suggested.

"Nathan, even if I did; I can't keep having Cassie sleep on the living room sofa. Besides, I still need to tell her all of this when we get back to the house." Roxie sighed.

"Ok, well how about this idea: I'll lend Cassie my bedroom for the time being and I can just stay in my attic loft. The loft is basically a separate bedroom on its own and that way you and Cassie don't have to think of moving out of the house." Nathan added.

"That isn't a bad idea; well I'll keep that in mind for now. In the meantime, can we order some food? I'm starving." Roxie said. Nathan chuckled and lead Roxie to the restaurant.

Once the couple had ordered their food and found a place to sit, Nathan and Roxie continued talking and getting to know each other while they waited for their meal. Throughout most of that time, Roxie was looking around the restaurant and, on occasion; taking pictures with her camera for Cassie and Annie. Pretty soon the couple's meals had arrived at the table and both Nathan and Roxie started eating. Every so often, Nathan would have Roxie taste a bit of his meal and Roxie would do the same to Nathan. As they were eating, Roxie couldn't help but notice a young girl that kept looking at Nathan and Roxie's table. Usually Roxie would just ignore the fact of somebody staring at her, but for some reason Roxie couldn't ignore the look on the little girl's face. Roxie obviously could tell the girl was a fan of the band. The girl would keep staring at Nathan and then at Roxie before she would get shy and quickly look away. Roxie could also tell that the girl really wanted to get either Nathan's autograph or a picture with Nathan, but the girl's parents would either ignore her request or the girl would get too timid to come over to Roxie and Nathan's table. Roxie was so focused on how the little girl was acting that she completely forgotten about the time and was keeping Nathan waiting for her to finish eating her meal. Once Roxie realized what she was doing to Nathan and quickly finished up her meal. Once Roxie had finally finished eating, both Nathan and Roxie got up from their table and left the restaurant. As they were about to leave the restaurant, Roxie couldn't help but glance back at the little girl.

"Everything ok?" Nathan asked as he was giving Roxie her helmet.

"Huh; oh, yeah I'm fine. It's just-I don't really know how to say this." Roxie sighed.

"Hey, it's ok; whenever you're ready to talk about whatever it is you need to tell me, I'll be ready to talk. But first, we need to get going to the concert venue before we hit traffic." Nathan reassured her.

"That's the thing; what I want to tell you might make us late for the concert," Roxie remarked. Nathan then leaned against the motorbike and then gestured for Roxie to stand next to him. "Do you want to know the real reason why I was very distracted while we were eating earlier in the restaurant?" she asked him.

"I might as well know now; since you're bringing it up."

"While we were at our table I noticed this shy little girl that kept staring at us. Now, I know you're probably used to having people stare at you whenever you're out in public, but for some odd reason there was something about this girl that caught my attention. It was obvious to me that she is a fan of the band and that she wanted to get either a picture or your autograph, but I think her shyness got the best of her and now she may never be able to get the chance to meet you and I'm going to feel incredibly guilty if I don't do something about it." Roxie explained. Once Roxie was done explaining herself, Nathan couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry, but you don't need to feel guilty about not having a fan not being able to take a picture with me. But if it makes you feel any better, you can go back and bring her over to me." Nathan said.

"Wait; you're willing to suffer through traffic and be late to the concert just so you can take a picture with a fan?"

"If it's that important to you; yes, I'm willing to do that. If there is one thing you should know about me it's that when it comes to the people that mean the most to me, I do my very best in trying to do something that means a lot to them happen," Nathan stated. "Plus; traffic will be easy to get through since we have the motorbike." he added.

"Ok, well then in that case; I'll be right back." Roxie said. Roxie then turned around and walked back into the restaurant leaving Nathan alone with the motorbike in the restaurant's parking lot. Once Roxie went back into the restaurant, she walked over to the table where the little girl's family was eating. Once Roxie had gotten to the table, she politely tapped on the little girl's mom's shoulder.

"Excuse me; I don't mean to be rude, but my name is Roxie and I couldn't help but notice your daughter looking at my friend. I know this may sound a bit absurd, but I was wondering if I could just introduce your daughter to my friend and maybe let her have a picture with him. I'm pretty sure if you let her; this will be a moment that she will never forget." Roxie stated. The little girl gasped and looked at her mom with excited, pleading eyes. And after looking at her husband; the little girl's mom agreed and both the little girl and Roxie walked outside to Nathan with the little girl's family following right behind them. When Roxie and the little girl had come to where Nathan was waiting for them; Nathan bent down to where he was able to talk to the little girl.

"Hi there love; what's your name?" Nathan asked her.

"Emma." the little girl said shyly.

"Emma; that's a beautiful name," Nathan said to her. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong; but my lovely friend Roxie tells me that you are a huge fan of Fifth Avenue Square. Is that correct?" he added. Emma smiled and nodded her head yes.

"Well, Emma since you are a sweetheart how would you like a picture and an autograph?" Nathan asked. Once Emma had heard Nathan's suggestion; her smile became huge. Emma then gave Nathan her kid's menu from the restaurant along with a pen from her mom. Once Nathan had finished with the autograph for Emma, Roxie backed away to get out of the picture. However, Nathan grabbed Roxie's arm and insisted that Roxie be in the photo. Once Roxie and Nathan had finished taking the picture, both Roxie and Nathan said goodbye to the little girl and her family and finally left the restaurant and headed to the concert venue.