Missy & Bob

Please note: This is copyrighted (©) by me, Tammtamm. Please do not copy it or save it without my permission. Thank you. Also, I've been writing in this story for nearly six years (yes, six years). It is currently 228 pages long and I may put every single page up on the web for y'all to read, but only ONLY if you send me feedback stories@iwuvjoey.com with Missy & Bob in the title. Any similarities between the characters and people in real life are purely coincidental. These are characters from my mind (although some names and characteristics were "borrowed" from Baywatch). This is purely for enjoyment purposes only. Any and all comments should be sent to me at iwuvjoey@iwuvjoey.com unless it's feedback pertaining to the story. Thank you.

"Steffi! You're gonna be late!" Mrs. Turner yelled up to her daughter.

"I know. I'll be right there!" Steffanee Turner yelled back down to her mother before finishing her phone conversation.

"Jerry, we'll have to leave about a half hour earlier than usual tonight for the sound check. Joey said the new amps arrived yesterday and I want to practive the song he wrote with the band. I gotta go before I miss the plane. I'll see you later this afternoon." Steffi said.

"Okay, Stef, I'll see you in a few hours. Have a safe trip." Jerry Addams replied. He was her business manager. Steffi hung up the phone.

"Steffanee!!!" her mother yelled again.

"Coming!" Steffanee yelled back.

Steffanee Kristeena Turner-Michaels was the lead singer of Turner's Crew, the hottest rock band in the United States and had gone home to recuperate from a plane crash that happened six months earlier. She was eager to get back into the studio again, to her singing again, and to her life and husband, Joey Michaels.

"Steffi, please call us when you get home." her father said as he hugged her.

"I will daddy, I promise. Mom, dad, thanks for everything. I love you both." Steffi grabbed her purse and sweater and headed out the door.

"Call us if you need anything." her mother followed her out the door.

"I will." Steffi said before getting into her brother's car.

 

"This is the captain speaking. May I have your attention please. We will begin landing procedures for L.A. International Airport in just a few minutes. The stewards and stewardesses will be coming around to collect trays and cups. I will be putting the No Smoking signs on shortly. Please fasten all seatbelts and remain seated until the plane comes to a complete stop. The current weather is sunny, clear, and a warm seventy-six degrees." Steffi heard the announcement and tensed up.

"Relax, Stef, we're almost there." her brother, Brad, stated. He was going out to L.A. with her for a week to help her and Joey with the house and packing up the nursery. Steffanee was seven months pregnant with her's and Joey's first child when she lost the baby in the plane crash six months ago.

"This is going to be hard, B. Really hard." Steffi commented.

"That's why I'm here. To help you and Joey through this. I bet you can't wait to see him again."

"I can't. I know it's only been a few days, but I miss him so much." Steffi smiled at her brother.

"Okay, enough of this mushy stuff. When does your tour start?"

"Well, depends on the doctor's okay. Could be as early as next month. I'll know for sure next week."

"Does Joey know?"

"Yeah, so we're planning a long weekend starting right after we drop you off at the airport on Friday morning. Joey and I want to try to have another baby. When and if I do become pregnant, I will not fly and I'll be staying real close to home."

"Sounds like you've got your priorities back on track. I'm glad. You really had me worried."

"I'm fine. Being home with momma and daddy and you and the rest of the family has been good for me although I didn't like being away from Joey."

"Well, we were all glad that you did come home and Joey was the one who insisted that you come home. He told me once that the best medicine for you was momma and that the best medicine for him was you and all of us."

"I'm sure of it. Now, I'm relaxed and eager to be back in LA with the band."

"Speaking of the band...I understand that you'll be performing tonight. Am I right?" Brad asked.

"Yeah, only a few songs for a benefit concert for Children's Hospital. Joey encouraged me to do it."

"He knows how important your music is to you."

"Did you know he even wrote a song for tonight? For me to sing?" Steffi brightened up a little bit.

"No. Really? I didn't know he could write."

"Yeah. We're gonna perform it as our last song. Joey wrote it for me and the baby we lost." Steffi explained. A stewardess interrupted their conversation.

"Excuse me, we'll be landing shortly. Are you finished with your drinks?" the stewardess asked.

"Oh, yes. Thank you." Steffi replied. The stewardess removed their drinks.

"Please clear off your trays and return them to their upright positions." the stewardess said and continued on down the aisle behind them.

"Are you ready to get back to the swing of things?"

"Yeah, it's time." Steffi looked out the window. "Are you sure no one knows I'm coming back today?"

"Joey said so. Besides, you're wearing a disguise so no one will notice. Joey said he'd meet us in the usual spot."

"Okay, then we're set." Steffi said after she took a deep breath. The captain came back on the loudspeaker.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We've been cleared to land and have begun our descent. Please extinguish all smoking, put chairs in their upright positions and buckle your seatbelt. We shall be on the ground in two to five minutes." Steffi tensed up.

"Relax, Stef. Hold on to my hand. We'll be just fine." her brother assured her. The landing went smoothly and within 20 minutes they were getting their luggage and walking to the car.

 

As soon as Joey spotted Brad and Steffi, he got out of the car. As soon as Steffi saw Joey, she ran right into his arms. They didn't say a word to each other, they just held each other.

"Hello, Joe." Brad said a few minutes later.

"Hi, Brad. Thanks for coming out with Stef." Brad shook Joe's hand.

"Anytime, besides, I couldn't resist a week in California." They all laughed.

"Oh, Joey. I've missed you so much!" Steffi said and hugged him again.

"So I've heard and noticed" Joey replied, "I've missed you, too. Was the flight okay? I was worried about you." Joey pushed Steffi away so he could look at her. "You still haven't gained any weight."

"She still hasn't been eating all that much." Brad said.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here. I just haven't been hungry and the flight was a little scary but Brad helped me thru it."

"Well, I'm glad. Now, let's load the car and grab some lunch. I've made reservations at the restaurant for 2 o'clock." Joey said.

"Great." Steffi smiled. Joey and Brad would be watching her eat all throughout the meal. She got into the car as the guys loaded the luggage into the trunk. They headed to Laguna Beach and "Joey's Place: Bar & Restaurant". Steffi bought the place as a gift for Joey for their 2nd wedding anniversary 2 years ago. Joey loved the restaurant and couldn't believe that Steffi actually bought it for him.

The entire staff welcomed Steffi back with a cake that read, "Welcome home. We've all missed you", on it. They gave it to her after she, Joey, and Brad had eaten lunch.

"Wow...for me? Thank you everybody." Steffi was taken aback at their generosity. "Please, everyone, have some cake." she said once she cut the cake.

"I'm sorry, Steffi, the staff made me do it." Joey insisted once they had a few minutes to themselves.

"It's alright. It was a really nice thing for everyone to do. I'm glad they did this." Steffi admitted to her husband.

"I was really worried you'd be upset."

"I'm not. I'm just really sad to be home without the baby."

"It wasn't your fault. It was the weather. You promised you wouldn't blame yourself."

"I don't blame myself for the accident, I blame myself for flying at seven months pregnant. I should have known better."

"God took our baby for a reason. We'll see the baby again someday. Now, we have to live for him and for us."

"I know. I know...c'mon, let's get me to the studio. Oh, did you make an appointment for me for the therapist that Dr. Margo told us about?"

"Sure did. Here, it's noted in this calendar book and I also notified Jerry that everything else will have to be scheduled around that appointment."

"I knew there was a reason I married you." Steffi kissed her husband.

"Was it for my fine business skills?"

"No. For your ruthlessness with Jerry." Steffi smiled.

"It's so good to see you smile again, Stef. Oh, I can't believe you're home." Joey held her close.

"I must admit that I'm a little scared to be back, but I'm willing to overcome that feeling." she said. Brad came over to join them.

"You have some really friendly people working for you, Joe."

"Your sister is the one who hires them. She can tell when someone is sucking up to you because you're a celebrity or not, because when she interviewed them, she did it twice. The first time, she was disguised as someone else. The second time, she was herself." Joey explained.

"These people are all genuine, unlike a lot of people. They respect a star's privacy and that's why the stars like coming here." Steffi added.

"Nah, the real reason is because they get quality food at cheap prices." A woman in her early 20's stated.

"Brenda, hi!" Steffi hugged her best friend.

"Hi, welcome home. Sorry I'm late, but your husband had me on the phone with produce buyers all morning." Brenda turned to Brad." Hi. I'm Brenda Smith. I'm Joey's Assistant Manager. You must be Brad." Brenda held out her hand.

"Wow. Let me guess, Steffi is playing matchmaker." Brad took her hand and brushed it with his lips. "It's pleased to meet you."

"Not exactly...See, I have a significant other and your sister thinks that she can help me change back to men." Brenda startled Brad. He was speechless. Joey, Steffi, and Brenda all began to laugh.

"She's pulling your chain, man." Joey teased.

"You got me. Just don't pull another stunt like that on me." Brad joined in on the laughter.

Steffi looked at her watch. "Oh, my. It's almost four. We've got to get to the studio to pick up the new amps and the music and then to the hall for the benefit concert."

"You're right. Brenda, if there's any crisis you think I should know about, call me on the celly." Joey said.

"Brenda, I hope to see you again." Brad said. Steffi, Joey, and Brad got in the car and headed back into LA.

 

The cellular phone rang while they were still on Pacific Coast Highway. It was Jerry, Steffi's manager.

"Joey! Where are you guys?"

"Stuck in traffic, Jerry. Where are you?"

"Just come straight to the hall. I've got the AMPS and the sheet music for the new song. Everyone's here."

"Okay, I'll tell Steffi. We should be there within a half hour." Joey hung up the phone.

"What'd Jerry say?"

"We don't need to go to the studio."

"Jerry's got everything with him?"

"Yeah."

"Whew! What a relief."

"Nervous, sis?" Brad asked from the back.

"Just a little. It's been six months since I sung with the band. I hope we don't sound too bad tonight." Steffi said.

"You'll be fine, sis." Brad put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Steffi turned on the radio and they all heard one of her songs being played.

"That was Turner's Crew with `No More Tears'. For all you Turner's Crew fans out there, I just got word that they WILL perform at a benefit concert tonight for Children's Hospital. Know what that means everyone! Steffi is back! Personally, I can't wait. I've had my tix for months. I promise a full report to all of you, this time tomorrow afternoon. Until then, I'm Uncle Brian, you're afternoon rush hour DJ. News and weather coming up after this commercial break." Steffi turned the radio down.

"Uncle Brian. I thought he left to do a gig in Chicago." Steffi said.

"He told Jerry that he changed his mind because he didn't like the cold." Joey said as he turned off of PCH and onto a back road. They were just a few miles from the hall.

"Who's Uncle Brian?"

"He's a friend of ours. We went to Pacific Coast College with him. He's a real nutty guy." Joey explained.

"Oh, boy." Brad said.

"Well, everyone now knows I'm back if not for a few hours but right now." Steffi let out a big sigh.

"How do you feel about that hon?"

"A little scared. But, I'll be fine." Steffi smiled for her husband.

"If there's anything I can do, let me know." Brad said.

"Just being here is helping, thanks." Steffi assured her brother.

"Looks like traffic is moving again. Whew! I thought we were going to end up walking." Joey teased.

 

They arrived fifteen minutes later at the hall. Steffi could feel the butterflies flopping around in her stomach. They seemed to get worse as they entered the hall. Her band was waiting for her as well as Jerry and the only reporter Steffi trusted. Her cousin, Andy Turner, Ace reporter for channel 6 news in LA.

"Steffi, welcome home." Andy gave her a hug.

"Hi, Andy. Did Jerry tell you that I'll give an interview after the concert?" Steffi asked him.

"Yeah, so I'm going to have to call my camera crew in. I just wanted to see you besides, my mom couldn't be here tonight."

"Well, I'll just have to visit Auntie Kris later on this week. Thanks for coming." Stef kissed him on the cheek before walking over to the band and Jerry. Joey, Brad, and Andy stayed back so that they wouldn't interfere with any bonding time.

The drummer, Mark Collins, did a drum roll as he saw Steffi walk towards the Band.

"Ladies and germs, let's have a nice welcome back for our favorite lead singer...Steffanee Turner!" the lead guitarist, Matt Hanson, announced.

"Could I at least have a group hug?" Steffi asked the group. The band put down their instruments and held a group hug.

"Okay, okay...let's do a sound check and hear this song that Joey wrote." Jerry instructed after a few minutes. "But first, a few items of interest. Steffi, I sent Susan back to your house for some outfits for you to choose from for tonight. Matt..."

"Jerry, I have an outfit that I bought specifically for tonight in the car. I can go get it now."

"I'll get it." Joey said and sped off to the car.

"It's good to see Joey full of life again. He's been miserable here without Steffi." Andy whispered to Brad.

"Okay, well Susan's gotta be there by now, so let her bring them over and then we can decide."

"Same ol' Jer." Steffi laughed.

"Where were we? Oh, Matt..." Jerry ran off brief managerial items for the band and then they did the sound check.

 

"That was amazing, Steffi." Joey said after Steffi finished singing the song he wrote. Joey, Jerry, Brad, and Andy all had tears in their eyes. Joey ran up on stage and hugged her.

"It was okay?" Steffi asked. Desperately wanting his approval.

"It was perfect." Joey whispered in her ear.

"Unbelievable, Steffi. Your voice just keeps getting better and better." Jerry said.

"Uh, are we through? I need some time by myself." Steffi said to Jerry. She pulled away from Joey and ran into the ladies room. She locked the door, turned on the water, and balled her eyes out.

"This isn't going to be easy." Brad said out loud.

"I knew that when she first said she was ready to sing again. But I wasn't sure that this was the song that she should sing just yet." Joey said.

"She insisted though. Don't blame yourself, Joe." Jerry said.

"I'm going to go after her. Make sure she's okay." Joey said. He walked back to the ladies' room and knocked on the door.

"Steffannee? It's Joey. Let me in. Let me help you with this." Joey jiggled the door know and knew she had locked it. He heard her turn off the water and unlock the door.

"What's wrong? You don't like the song?" he smiled.

"It's so beautiful. It's the most moving song I've ever read or sung, Joey. How'd you think of it?" Steffi had joined him in the hallway. They sat down on one of the couches.

"One day, I was missing you really badly and I didn't want to go into work and I was really feeling down about us losing the baby when the words just started flowing in my head. I knew they were coming from the heart and I started writing away on the music. That's when I knew that that song was special." he explained.

"It's amazing. You're amazing." Steffi said.

"Are you going to be okay to sing it tonight?"

"I'll be okay. I might be emotional after I sing it though. It's really moving."

"I'll be right by your side all night."

"I want you to play keyboards on the song tonight. Say you will." Steffi said.

"Okay. But if I'm going to, we'd better get out there and let me practice with the band." Joey told her. Steffi smiled.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you for coming home. I hate when we're apart." they embraced. Andy came back to where they were.

"Everything okay back here? Brad and the rest of the gang are starting to wonder." He said to them.

"Couldn't be better, c'mon, we gotta tell the band that I'll be performing the song with them." Joey said. He and Steffi practically ran back to the hall. Andy couldn't believe the change in Joey since the night before. The night before, Joey was a wreck. Very moody, very depressed and now that Steffi was home, Joey was back to normal. Amazing what love could do.

 

Joey practiced the song with the band a few times before everyone went back to their dressing rooms to relax before dinner and the performance. Susan was back in plenty of time for Steffi to get dressed. Susan helped Steffi with her hair and make-up. Steffi wore the outfit she bought while she was back home. Joey was the first one besides Susan to see her in the outfit.

"Wow! You look fantastic, my love." Joey admired his wife.

"Thank you. I wanted to look extremely special tonight. You know...you don't look so bad yourself." she complimented her husband.

"Yeah, well, you have good taste." Joey kissed his wife.

"Speaking of taste, I'm hungry. Let's go get dinner." Steffi said.

"Food. I don't think I can eat. I'm too nervous." Joey said.

"If you don't eat, your stomach will growl while we're doing the song and it will drown out everything else." Steffi joked. Joey laughed.

"Okay, okay. Let's go get something to eat." Joey and Steffi went to see if Brad would like to join them.

"Is it okay if Brenda joins us? I sort of called up the restaurant and asked her to come to the concert and everything." Brad said after he let his sister and brother-in-law into the green room.

"That's terrific!" Steffi exclaimed.

"It's just the concert and everything that's gonna happen tonite, Stef. Don't get your hopes up. I barely know her." Brad told his sister.

"I know...but one can dream, dear brother. Oh, shoot! I forgot to call mom and dad. I better do that now. Excuse me." Steffi kissed both her brother and Joey before going back to her dressing room.

"Whoa! I think you just cheered her up another level." Joey patted Brad on the back. "You don't know how long she's been planning to get you and Brenda hooked up. I don't think she ever dreamed that this would happen."

"I knew she was playing match-maker. She's incorrigable!" Brad threw up his hands.

"Well, she just wants to see you settled down and happy. Like us." Joey said.

"If you two were truly happy, I'd see it in both your faces. But you're not. You both are still not over the miscarriage and that worries me."

"Brad, I've been going to counseling and Steffi has her first session tomorrow. Please don't push. We'll get through it. I know we will." Joey stated. "Now, please I don't want to talk about this subject anymore. It's going to be hard enough to get through playing the baby's song tonight without crying."

"Sorry. I was just stating the truth." Brad said.

"No need to apologize." Joey said. Jerry came into the room.

"Where's Stef?"

"Calling her mother. She forgot to when she first got in." Joey explained, "Listen, I know she's going to talk briefly with the press after the benefit concert tonight, but please make it brief. I know she's tired and I want to get her home."

"I'll do my best, Joe. Honest." Jerry assured Joey.

"Good. Now, how much longer before the concert?"

"30 minutes. Did Steffi have any tea or fruit?" Jerry asked.

"I know she had tea in her dressing room but I don't think she ate anything." Brad said.

"I'll take her some more tea, Jerry. Don't worry. She'll be fine." Joey said. He made another cup of hot tea with lemon for Steffi and left the green room. Never getting to eat anything.

 

"...Joey's even accompanying us. I'll make sure that a tape of the performance gets to you and daddy. I'm just sorry that I forgot to call.... I will... I love you too, mom. Bye." Steffi hung up the phone as Joey entered the room.

"I brought you some tea, hon." Joey handed her the tea.

"Thanks, I need some more." Steffi took a sip of the tea.

"How're your parents?"

"Fine. Mom said she left several messages on our answering machine so I'm lucky I called when I did. Are you ready for this?" Steffi said.

"Honestly, I'm scared."

"Well, hon, I'm petrified. But I'm ready." Steffi said drinking some more of the tea.

"Is it too late to call this whole thing off?" Joey joked. He got Steffi to smile.

"We'll do just fine. C'mon, let's go make sure everything's ready backstage." Steffi said. She always liked to ensure that the equipment was fine and just the way she and the band left it after the sound check. She and Joey went backstage and found everything in check.

 

"Two minutes until showtime, Steffi. How you doin?" Matt asked her.

"Remarkably well. Everyone ready to go?" Steffi asked as she joined everyone in the hallway.

The rest of the band nodded.

"Good, just one thing before we take the stage. Thank you all for your patience and understanding and hard work while I was gone. Tonight is for children everywhere and tomorrow afternoon we get down to business. I love you guys. Group hug." Steffi said her little speech. Jerry went on stage to announce her and the group.

"...without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen...Turner's Crew!" Jerry said. Everyone in the audience stood up and applauded as Steffannee and the band took their places and began the concert with No More Tears.

"Now that you're gone, I'm left with no more tears..." Steffanee sang to end the song.

"Alright! Well, that was pretty cool!. Good evening everyone and welcome to the annual Children's Benefit Concert." Steffi looked over to where Jerry and Joey were standing. Joey gave her the ok sign.

"It feels good to be back up on stage singing for you tonight and it feels good to be back with my band. Speaking of my band. Let me introduce them to you. To my right, we have on the sexy saxophone, Mr. Jon Bryant. Next to Jon is our bass guitarist, Ms. Samantha Sims...hey Sam? Haven't you gotten married yet?" Steffi teased.

"I was waiting for you." Sam replied into the microphone.

"Okay, behind me we have Mark Collins on drums. You know, Mark is one of those guys who is always, well, you know...a little bit crazy, and to my left we have twins Matt and Cory Hanson. Matt is on lead guitar and Cory is on keyboards. There is another member of this band that you'll meet a little later. He's my best friend and he's always there for me through the thick and thin. This next song is for him." Steffi said. She looked to the side and saw Joey give her the `I Love You' sign. She smiled.

She sang "Tender Love" for him before going on to two additional songs before bringing him on stage to do the song he wrote for their baby.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my husband and best friend...Joe Michaels." Steffi introduced him. Cory and Joey moved the keyboards up to center stage, next to Steffi and Cory grabbed a guitar and walked over to stand next to Matt.

Joey talked next.

"Before we sing the last song, I just wanted to acknowledge Steffi's brother Brad tonight. He's been very supportive of both of us as well as has his whole family and we're glad that he could be here with us tonight. Now, this last song we're doing tonight was written for the child we lost six months ago. Although we never got to truly know him, he'll always be in our hearts. The song is also for children everywhere because they are the future. Remember that." Joey looked at Steffi. "Are you ready?" Steffi nodded. Steffi couldn't look at anything but a mural on the back wall of the hall. She was afraid that if she looked at any member of the audience that she would start to cry and she knew she had to finish the song for her unborn baby.

"A child's love is true, a child's love is pure, and until the day I die, you're love I'll always be sure..." Joey and Steffi sang in unison. They received a standing ovation.

"Thank you, everyone. Good night." Joey said and led Steffi off the stage. As soon as they got off the stage, the tears began to pour for both of them. "We did it, Stef. We did it." Joey said into her ear. She held on tighter to him. "Ssh, I know, I know."

Jerry and the band gave them a few minutes alone together before joining them in the green room. Steffi and Joey had regained their composure when everyone joined them.

"For someone who doesn't sing, you sure did pretty good Joey." Jerry commended, "and as for Steffi, not bad for you. Not bad at all."

"Thanks, Jerry. Thanks alot. You don't know how hard it was for us to get through that last song." Steffi said.

"Yes, I do. I could see it in both your faces. Stef, you couldn't even look at the audience and Joey kept looking at you. You both did fine. In time, the song won't be so painful to sing. Now, I'll go make sure that the press room is ready for you. Take a few minutes and relax." Jerry instructed.

"Man, Joey, I sure hope I don't have any competition for a gig. You play pretty well." Cory patted Joey on the back.

"Don't worry. I only did this for me and Stef. Your job is very secure with the band. Thanks though for your help today." Joey said. Steffi had walked over to the couch and sat down. Sam had joined her.

"C'mon, Stef. Time to talk. I know you wanted to talk on the phone yesterday, but I was in the middle of bleaching my hair."

"I'm okay, Sammi. I'm real glad tonight is just about over though. I was really nervous."

"Well, you were terrific. We were terrific. So, smile. Okay? I've gotta get home. Brian should be waiting for me. We've got plans to make." Sammi told her.

"And what plans should that be?" Steffi asked.

"Our wedding. I told you I was waiting for you. Who else would I get for my Matron of Honor?" Sammi stated.

"Oh my god! That's so great! You and Brian! Congratulations! And I'm honored to be your Matron of Honor! Oh my god! I'm so happy for you?" Steffi hugged Sammi.

"Joey didn't tell you? I'm so glad. I wanted to tell you myself." Sammi said.

"Of course not. You know what this means don't you?" Steffi asked.

"No, what?"

"Joey and I will have to throw you two an engagement party! We'll talk more tomorrow about it. It's time for me to face the press."

"You want me to stay?"

"No, Joey and Jerry are here. You go home and be with Brian. I'll see you tomorrow after lunch. We've got a lot to do for our recording session." Steffi hugged Sammi again. Joey came over to them.

"Ready to face the press?" Joey asked his wife.

"Ready and waiting." Steffi smiled. Sammi kissed Joey goodbye on the cheek and went to say goodbye to the rest of the band. Steffi and Joey walked hand in hand into the press room. The first question Steffi took was from her cousin, Andy Turner.

"Steffannee. What have you been doing for the past six months?" he asked.

"Well, I've been healing mostly. With my family away from LA. After the accident, Joey and I felt that going home would be the best thing for me. Losing a baby isn't an easy thing to get over."

"Are you over it?" a reporter from the crowd that Steffi didn't recognize asked.

"I don't think you get completely over the loss of a child no matter if it was a miscarriage or some other type of tragedy. I've learned to live with the pain and to go on. It's what our baby would have wanted." Steffi turned to her husband and squeezed her hand.

Andy asked another question.

"What was it like to perform for the first time since the accident?" he asked. Steffi smiled.

"Exciting! Despite the emotional rollercoaster, performing is what I missed the most next to my husband and my fans." Steffi replied.

"What are your plans for the immediate future?" Uncle Brian shouted out.

"Well, to get reacquainted with my husband, my band, and my fans. The band and I are going back in the studio to record a new album or two and get ready for a tour of the United States and my husband and I would like to try for another baby." Steffi answered honestly.

"If you do become pregnant what next?" a female reporter asked.

"Well, I'm glad you asked. I won't be flying anywhere. I'll be staying here in good ole LA from the moment I find out until after the delivery." Jerry stopped the press from asking anymore questions.

"I have some final words to say to conclude this little press conference." Steffi continued on. "I would like to thank all my family, friends, and fans for your cards, letters, and prayers of support for my husband and myself. If it weren't for all of you, I don't think we'd be in as good a shape as we are now. Also, I would like to tell everyone that I look forward to seeing ya'll at my upcoming performances. Thank you." Steffi said. She and Joey quickly left the press conference to their waiting car. Brad was in the driver's seat. Joey turned to Brad.

"Get us out of here." Joey said after he closed the back door behind him and Steffi.

"You two okay?" Brad asked as he drove off.

"Yeah, just tired." Steffi replied as she laid back against Joey's chest.

"And glad tonight's over with." Joey added. Steffi had closed her eyes as Brad drove on.

"Exactly where are we going? I have no idea where I'm at." Brad said.

"Follow the exit signs and then get onto PCH north until you see an exit for Elm Creek Road. Take the exit and make a left at the stop sign, go two blocks, make a right, go to the end of that road and you'll see a driveway that says Michaels on it, that's our place." Joey explained. Steffi had just about fallen asleep on his chest.

"Got it." Brad said as he continued driving. Forty-five minutes later they arrived home.

"You follow directions well." Joey said.

"Family trait. Stef still sleeping?"

"No." Steffi said as she felt the cold air on her skin from the window.

"You slept all the way home." Joey told her.

"Couldn't help it. I needed a nap." Steffi kissed him on the cheek, "C'mon, let's go in. I've missed our house and I bet Brad wants to see his room."

Joey, Brad, and Steffannee went into the house. Immediately Brad was amazed at the entranceway. Joey and Steffannee had several pictures of every member of their family and the band members as well as the restaurant on the walls of the entranceway and hallway.

"This feels like home, Steffi. You sure do take after mom." Brad said as he looked at some of the pictures.

"Exactly the way a house should feel. I'm hungry. Joe? Is there any food in the frige or have you been eating take out the entire time I was gone?" Steffi said as she went into the kitchen. Joey followed her.

"Your Aunt Kris went grocery shopping because she knows me as well as you do." Joey commented.

"Yup, you were right. She even left a note on the frige for us. Wants us all to go over to her house for dinner some time this week. Well, let's see what goodies she's got for us?" Steffi left the note on the frige and opened it to find it completely stocked. Joey saw a note taped to the milk.

"There's hoagies in the meat cabinet for everyone. Thought you all might be hungry after the concert. Love, Aunt Kris." Joey read.

"She knows us both too well." Steffi said.

"Okay, grab the sodas, I'll grab the hoagies and we'll have a picnic in the video room." Joe suggested.

"Okay. I'll meet you guys in there. I'm gonna grab some other stuff as well." Steffi said.

Brad was looking at one of Steffi's high school graduation pictures when Joey caught up with him. Brad was remembering Steffi's graduation day. That was the day he proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Trish.

"Aunt Kris is a lifesaver." Joey stated.

"Huh?...What?...Oh, I'm sorry." Brad said.

"Don't worry about it. C'mon, I'm hungry. Steffi's going to join us in the video room in a minute. Follow me." Joey led the way to the video room. "Which picture were you staring at?" Joey said once they sat down on the floor in front of the TV.

"Just remembering when certain pictures took place. So, what did you think of the concert?" Brad wanted to change the subject.

"I thought Steffi was great. She did remarkably well tonight." Joey said. "What movie do you want to watch?" Joey asked as he looked on the tape wall.

"I don't care. Action-Adventure. No mushy gushy stuff." Brad said. "Steffi seemed as if she was never on vacation when she was up there. It was remarkable. I wish our parents could have been here to see it."

"Well, don't tell anyone, but Steffi wants to have a tour date or two back in Castleville. Of course, they'll have to be at the highschool football field, but she wants to let everyone back home know how much she appreciates their support. Steffi and I talked about that last week and I've come to a decision about the tour." Joey said.

"What is that?" Brad took a hoagie from Joey.

"I've decided to promote Brenda to Manager and that way, I can go on tour with Steffi later this year."

"Does Steffi know?"

"Not yet, but I'll tell her about it soon. I feel that it's the best way for us right now to be together. We've both had time to heal over the death of the baby, but not together. Now's the time." Joey said.

"I couldn't agree more. You know, she didn't sleep much when she was at home with mom and dad, but after the concert tonight, she fell right to sleep on your chest."

"She always told me she feels safe and secure when we're together and to be honest, she can sleep at any time of the day or night as long as I'm right there beside her. When I'm not, it's hard for her to sleep. I didn't come out to Castleville as often as I wanted because Steffi said she needed space. In a way, I did to. But now, she's home and everywhere she goes, I go." Joey opened one of the hoagies.

"That's good, man. It's nice to know that my little sister won't be alone."

"I'll never be alone." Steffi said as she came into the room. "Sorry, I took so long, but Aunt Kris put things in the wrong cupboards and I had to search for them." Steffi had a basket of goodies with her along with the soda.

"Cool! A picnic." Joey exclaimed.

"Isn't everyday you get to have one." Steffi said matter-of-factly, "Hey, what movie did you put in?" she asked.

"A Steven Segal movie." Joey replied.

"I'm not sexy enough for you. You gotta watch Segal?" Steffi teased. Steven Segal was Joey's favorite actor.

"It was the first Action Adventure I grabbed. Force of habit. I'm sorry." he laughed.

"Guess you've been gone too long, sis."

"Don't worry. I'll make up for it." Steffi said, "Now dig in." They all finished their sandwiches and proceeded to fall asleep while watching the movie. Steffi awakened to the sound of the national anthem being played. She stretched, got up and covered the guys with afghans and went up to her bedroom and went back to sleep.

 

"Steffi...Steffi. Wake up, hon. It's ten o'clock. Time to rise and shine." Joe shook his wife.

"Go away...lemme sleep." Steffi turned over to her other side.

"I wish I could, baby, but you've got a therapy session in an hour." Joey said as he stroked her cheek.

"That's right. I'm up, I'm up. I need tea and a shower." Steffi forced herself to sit up.

"How about tea, a bagel, and then a shower?" Joey went over to the bureau and brought over the tray he made up.

"You're the best. I love you." Steffi declared as he put the tray down next to her.

"I know. Oh, I know you told the band that you would see them in the studio this afternoon, but I thought we could spend the afternoon together." Joey explained.

"What about Brad?"

"Brenda's showing him LA today. They left around 9:00." Joey said.

"Jerry didn't give you a hard time about this?"

"No, I told him that our marriage comes first and he said to take all the time we need."

"Okay. Your plan sounds terrific to me."

"Good, I'll go ask Molly to make up a picnic basket for us. It's suppose to be nice, so I thought we'd go out to the cliffs where we could be alone. How's that sound?"

"Fantastic. Let me eat this and get ready for my appointment. I'll see you later?

"Meet you back here at 1:00." Joey said. They kissed for a few minutes before Joey left the room. Steffi got up and started her day, not even touching the bagel.

 

"Steffi, you home?" Joey said as he came into the house.

"Senor, she just called from her car. She's stuck in traffic on PCH at the boulevard."

"Thanks, Molly. Is everything packed?"

"Yes."

"Including the strawberries?"

"Including the strawberries."

"Thank you so much Molly. I appreciate it."

"De nada, senor. Did you want me to make anything special for supper tonight?"

"We'll be eating out tonight, Molly, but thank you for asking."

"I must be getting back to the laundry, senor."

"Certainly."

"Everything is in the kitchen by the patio door, senor. Have a pleasant afternoon and evening." Molly left Joe in the foyer. He went upstairs to change into jeans and sneakers. It was a pleasant 70 degree, sunny day.

By the time Joey had changed, packed the car, and checked in at the restaurant, Steffi had made it home.

"I'm sorry I'm late, I forgot how busy traffic is at lunchtime." Steffi said as Joey greeted her at the door.

"It's okay. The car is packed and ready to go."

"Where's Brad?"

"Still exploring. I left him a note on his bedroom door."

"Ready when you are." Steffi said. She was already dressed in a sweater and jeans.

"Then we're outta here." Joey said. They walked to the car and didn't look back.

 

The drive out to the cliffs was always spectacular and because the smog level was down, Pacific Coast Highway was busy with tourists and lovers out for a drive.

"You would think everyone had the same idea as us with all this traffic." Joey said as they listened to music by Richard Marx. `Right Here Waiting' came on. They both were silent throughout the entire song. As they drove on PCH they could see the charred remains of the Malibu fires.

"Oh, my. I've seen pictures of the devastation on the news, but I didn't realize just how bad the devastation was." Steffi gasped.

"I know. I know...believe me. Casey and Janine are rebuilding and have spent hundreds of dollars on replanting grass, flowers, and trees on their land. Oh, that reminds me. Casey has a new melody he wants you to listen to."

"Have you heard it?"

"No. He wouldn't let me. He said it's different from his usual stuff and he's afraid that I might laugh at him about it."

"I'll have to call him tomorrow. How badly were the cliffs damaged?" she asked.

"Not too bad. Cinged, but not burnt. The Preservation Society just planted some trees about a month ago and they've added benches." Joe turned onto the road that led up to the cliffs.

"Did we contribute to the Preservation Society?" Joe pulled over to the side of the road and turned to look at Steffi. He put a hand on her cheek and looked in her eyes as he told her, "I sent a thousand dollars in the name of Baby Turner-Michaels."

"Thank you."

"It was the right thing to do." Joe said. He started the car again. They drove the rest of the way in a peaceful silence.

 

"Oceans apart...day after day...and I slowly go insane. I hear your voice...on the line, but it doesn't stop the pain." Steffi sang to herself. She loved that song.

 

"Steffi? Earth to Steffi. We're here." Joey said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I drifted off into my own little world again, didn't I?"

"It's okay. I haven't exactly been a barrel of laughs either. C'mon, grab the blanket. I'll get the rest." Joey said. He helped her out of the car and went to get the picnic basket out of the back.

"The cliffs look like they've been reborn." Steffi said.

"They have. Follow me, there's something I want to show you." Joey held out his hand. They walked hand in hand to their baby's memorial site. "I asked the Preservation Society if it would be okay to put a plaque here in the baby's memory and they agreed. This one is just temporary, I wanted your input on what to put here." Joey explained. He took the tarp off the plaque. It read `In loving memory of our son, Joshua James Turner-Michaels; our guardian angel. - Joseph and Steffannee Turner-Michaels.'

"Oh, my. You're just full of surprises." Steffannee gasped.

"So you're okay with this?"

"This is the perfect spot for him. Overlooking the ocean, he'll get to see the sun set every day." Steffannee had tears running down her cheeks.

"I was so afraid you would get angry about this because I didn't talk with you about it." Joey said as he dried her tears with a handkerchief.

"How could I get angry with you? These cliffs are where we conceived him. It's only right that this is where his memory will forever be placed. Time to face reality." she replied.

"Good. I've got more news for you, and this is good news." Joey said. They walked towards the edge of the cliff and layed down the blanket and sat down. "I'm going to promote Brenda to Manager, hire an assisstant manager and go on tour with you."

"Finally, you're coming on tour! That's the best news ever!" she exclaimed as she gave Joe the biggest hug ever. "Oh, my. We've got so much planning to do then. We're gonna have to remodel the bus and let everyone know you're coming with. They'll be just as happy. We're going to have a great time."

"We'll get to see the world together like we've always planned." Joe smiled.

"Like we've always planned.

 

The next day, Turner's Crew was hard at work rehearsing and trying out songs for their new album.

"Stef, what do you think about putting "A Child's Love" on the album?" Jon asked as they were taking a break from playing.

"Honestly? I'm not ready to do it yet, but I'll think about it. Luckily, we haven't been rushed for a deadline or anything." Steffannee explained before sipping some water.

"Deadline? Did someone say deadline?" Sam said as she came running through the doorway.

"Don't worry. There isn't a deadline for the record." Steffi laughed.

"Whew! With the wedding to plan, I've got so many deadlines already, I don't think I could handle a real close one on the record." Sam sat down and joined in on their conversation.

"Has Joey written anything else that we might use? `A Child's Love' is really good." Sam stated.

"He has written many things, however, he's not ready for stardom yet. As he puts it. He writes for himself and for me. If he wants me to do more of his stuff, he'll let me know. `A Child's Love' was a way for Joey to express his feelings for our son."

"Hey, Stef. Uncle Brian's here to see you." Jerry said on the loudspeaker. Stef turned around and waved to Brian to come on in.

"Steffi, you gotta release that new song Joey wrote. The station's phones were packed with requests for the song after the concert non-stop!"

"Well, hello to you too, Brian." Steffi laughed.

"Seriously." Brian gave her a hug.

"Brian, I just got done explaining that I'm not ready to do just that. I have to talk with Joey about it and then we'll see. But the listeners have really been requesting it?" Steffi was stunned.

"Yeah. The song is really moving. You've got a definite number one, if you record it." Jerry butted in. Steffi looked at everyone that was in the sound booth and everyone that was in the room with her. They all gave her the thumbs-up sign in agreement.with Jerry and Brian.

"Let me talk to Joey about it." Steffi gave in.

"I was hoping you'd say that. He's on his way over." Jerry grinned.

"Gerald! You're pushing me again! Break's over! Let's rehearse. Brian, are you staying for a little while?"

"Sure. You gonna give me a little exclusive?"

"If Jerry lets me." Steffi smiled and shooed him out of the studio.

"Let's play Sam's song." Steffi suggested. Right away she and the band got back to work on their music.

 

"It's like she never left." Brian commented in the sound studio to Jerry.

"I know. But there's still something missing and that's the spark in her eyes." Jerry said.

"She'll get it back." Brad said from the background. He accompanied his sister to the session. A little later, Joey came in.

"Joey, glad you could make it. The band and I want your permission, as well as Steffi's, to record your song and release it as a single." Jerry said before Joey even got through the door.

"Wait a minute. Let me in the door, Jerry, before you bombard me with things." Joey said. He waived to Steffi from the booth.

"There's the sparkle in her eyes." Brad said aloud. Jerry turned to Brad. Steffi stopped the music. "Jerry, let me talk to him." she warned.

"Too late, sis. Jerry already spilled the beans." Brad came into the studio.

"I hate when he does that. Why don't you go over the riffs with the band while I go talk to Joey. You'll be okay?"

"I'll be fine." Brad insisted.

 

"Now, Jerry, what do you mean you want to record my song. It's up to Steffi if she wants to record it. I wrote it for her." Joey said.

"Jerry, leave him alone, damn it! I told you I would talk to him. Come on, honey. Let's go somewhere we can have a little privacy." Steffi said quickly. She had opened the door and yelled at Jerry as she grabbed her husband's hand and led him down to her office. "Em, no calls, `kay? Joey and I can't be disturbed." Steffi said as they wizzed by her secretary.

"Stef? If it's about the song, I told Jerry it's up to you." Joey said.

"I heard. I just didn't like the way he approached you on everything. I needed a break from him, that's why I pulled you in here. He is driving me crazy! This session is more work than fun and I don't like it like that."

"Did you go to therapy today?"

"Sure did. We have our session together tomorrow at 6:00pm. Can you make it?"

"Yes, but I've got to work tonight. Brenda and Brad are going out."

"Brad didn't say a word to me about that."

"Because he knows you'd say I told you so. You gonna be okay tonight?" Joey changed the subject.

"I'll be fine. I thought I’d get started on packing up the baby’s room.”

“Dave’s doing that today.” Joey explained.

“I thought we were going to do that together, you and me?” Stef began crying.

“We all agreed that Dave would come out with you and that he would do the packing. I know it’s hard, but it’s what we both wanted.” Joey said. Stef broke down in tears.

“That’s it. I’m getting Em to drive you home. You’re not ready for this.” Joey said to her. She didn’t argue.

“Wait a minute? What’s going on here?” Jerry cried as Steffi, Emily, and Joey walked past the studio room.

“Steffi’s not ready. She’s exhausted and you’re pushing her too hard.” Joey said. “I’m taking her home.” Joe told him.

"Jerry, I know we recorded the song last night, that was really good. Use that as the first single. We'll talk on Monday." Steffi explained.

to be continued...

 

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