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| Tasha stood on the balcony overlooking the small dirt enclosure at Stubbs - what she unaffectionately called "The Playground" due to it's unceremonious appearance. TOFOG was finishing up their first North American gig and so far it appeared to be a total success. The crowd shouted it's approval and swayed to the music. Russell was clearly having a grand time himself, yelling encouragement to the crowd. Tasha, eight weeks pregnant, was enjoying herself as well. Although unable to partake of any alcohol, she was sipping a virgin Pina Colada and humming the music. Her sister, Emily, was here as well at the behest of her Dave, her boyfriend. They seemed to be getting along famously and Tasha was glad to see her so happy. They had spent much of the evening laughing about the escapades of their youths and lamenting over the fact that they hadnt been very close as teenagers. Kristen was here with her as well, overjoyed at the new of the forthcoming child. They spent the last few hours catching up on all the happenings in and around Austin. They only had this evening, since the next day it was onto another city for TOFOG. Emily had taken a quick trip to the bathroom and upon her return, both women laughed as she stumbled to the edge of the balcony. "Whew, I've had too much to drink!" Emily groaned unhappily. "Must be something in the water down here!" Tasha said as she and Kristen both laughed. Emilly eyed them with a mouth that ached to grin and applied her best 'shut-up' look to her face. The urge to laugh proved more than she could bear, however, and soon she was laughing so hard tears were forming in her eyes. As the guys finished up their gig, Dave blew a kiss to Emily and motioned for her to join him. She left Tasha and Kristen standing on the balcony, waving happily as she headed for the stairs. About that time, Kristen saw Russell preparing to come up the stairs and Jake motioning for her so she hugged Tasha. "Got to go hon. It's been so good to see you. I hope we get to do this again soon! I'm so happy for you. I want pictures of that little one as soon as it gets here. Keep me updated on your pregnancy, honey. I'll be thinking about you." "I'll call, I promise. Tell Jake bye for me and that it was good to see him. I love ya, girl." They hugged and Kristen slipped quietly to Jake's side. They waved and disappeared from sight. Russ passed Emily on his way up the stairs, laughing at her ineffectual attempts to stop stumbling. His face flushed with the vigor of the stage, he grasped Tasha and whirled her in a circle. Nuzzling her neck with his eager mouth, he said, "I do believe tonight was a success. Now if I can only get as lucky with me wife as I did with the crowd, I will consider it a perfect day." Tasha giggled, saying "Since when have I ever refused you, studmuffin? Although I would love you so much more if you would get me a double cheesburger!" He laughed at her, for they had a running joke about the inticacies of pregnancy and the cravings that could be headed her way. He knew it was a joke, but couldnt keep from asking. "Would you like fries with that Ma'am?" She giggled and nibbled at his mouth. "I'll take your bottom lip instead." She murmured. Setting her on the ground, he threaded her arm through his and they set off for the waiting SUV. She leaned against him, feeling the warmth emanating from his body. He was sweaty and still in the euphoria of a concert well played and well received. Russell loved nothing better than rocking a crowd for a couple hours. As they neared the apartment, Tasha remembered the first time he had brought her back here. It had been on his Harley, and it had ended up with a romp all around the house. The thought warmed her body as it careened through her mind. She felt pleasantly flushed, as though she had been drinking madeira and yet she had not. She was stone cold sober but feeling like she were floating on a cloud high above the ground. Every area where her skin touched Russell's ached with desire for him. Even she was surprised at the vehemence with which she stripped him after closing the door. Lurching through the house, they managed to knock down several things before ending up in the bedroom. Passionately claiming each others bodies, they created a blaze that devoured one another. As they lay in the quiet satisfaction that came after the lovemaking, Russell pressed his mouth to her lower belly. "Before long, you will be big enough to for us to see, little one. And mommy will be complaining about having a big belly and cravings for things like pickles!" He said, scrunching up his face in a funny disgusted expression. "Pickles?" Tasha laughed. "Didnt I tell you earlier I wanted double cheesebugers, you wretch. If this is how you are going to screw things up, I'd best prepare myself to send you out for ice cream and have you return with vegemite!" They both laughed, as Russ leaned forward to kiss the tip of her nose. Placing one more kiss on her mouth for good measure, he said. "I promise that I'll do me best to satisfy your cravings, Mrs. Crowe." He said with a rakish grin. Laughing again, he lay back and pulled her close to him. They had what was shaping up to be a wonderful tour ahead of him and he although he was eager to get to the other cities, he quietly enjoyed his wife's company. From Austin, it was on to Atlanta where they performed two fantastic gigs at a club called Masquerade. Staying in the luxurious Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead, they enjoyed use of the Jacuzzi immensely. From there, they then headed north to Washington. And so the trip passed through America and Canada with a total of 16 gigs, ending up at The Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto Canada. By this point, everyone was exhausted and ready to get ack to Australia. They slept off the buzz of the concert and made ready to board the plane the next day. |