EMBRACE YOU Lone(liness Book Two)(9)
That following Monday, we're at our next practice. Tim wants to have a meeting before we start.
"Okay, all, I wanted to give everyone an update on the album. As you know, it has been significantly delayed since the accident with Gemma. Although we had intended it to be ready by Lizzy's birth, it appears it will have to wait a few more months. The good news is the mixing process is coming along well. The sound engineers believe it's going to be a kick-ass album and they say that mixing should be done within the next few weeks or months. Nigel is working on the cover and dedications. Once all this is done, we'll be able to talk about a release date and a CD release party!
"Next, Johanna, Marcus and the baby are all moved into their new home. Suffice it to say, the stalker is still out there, so we will all still need to exercise the highest level of caution until that person has been dealt with. It goes without saying that their new address must stay completely confidential.
"Nigel has set up several new concerts throughout Europe. We start on our new tour in ten months, so we will need to practice hard! Starting today," Tim encourages us.
Once the meeting ends, we start working on the play sets we intend to present to our European audiences. We go over each song repeatedly, isolating sections where we are having trouble or where we aren't playing as crisply as we could be. By the end of that day, I am worn out and my voice is hoarse.
Chapter 4
I continue to feel safe moving from my new home to the studio and around town - but I slowly become aware of a niggling feeling of being watched. Marcus and I discuss this and we both realize that we have the same feeling. I nestle into his side, crying. I had so hoped that the stalking had ended!
We resume checking around us wherever we go - the store, studio, bank, family gatherings, everywhere. Marcus suggests we call a security expert to help us protect our family.
"Anything! I just want this crazy woman caught and put away!" I say.
We call around and interview several security companies, all of which suggest alarm systems and security cameras. Some also suggest motion-activated lights and silent alarms to the police department. Marcus and I decide which one to invite to come to the house. After interviewing several, we hire the company that gives us the best deal on the equipment and services.
One week later, the new security equipment has been installed. Our silent alarm notifies our police department, which will send officers in the event that Cara manages to get into our house.
Our practices and preparation for our European tour continue and we slowly progress through refining each song in every one of our practice sets. When we leave the house and come home, our security systems are completely armed. Thankfully, Marcus still works at home full-time. But, until Cara is captured and put behind bars permanently, I won't completely relax. As far as I'm concerned, no security measures, other than caution and common sense, can outsmart a mentally ill, determined person.
One cool and breezy day, Marcus, the baby, and I go to the practice studio. Marcus has decided he's going to start working from there again. Tim has given him permission and a small area where he can set up his computer and notes. I have the baby close by me while we practice. The sounds of our music lull her to sleep and, when she's hungry, she lets me know. I have a play pen at the studio that Lizzie sleeps and plays in while we're working on our songs. Now that Marcus is working from the studio, we place the play pen near him so he can hear her if she needs him. We think this is the ideal set up.
After a feeding break for Lizzie, I change her dirty nappy and set her into her play pen for a nap. She's close by Marcus, so she goes right off to sleep. After drinking from my bottle of water and giving my baby and husband kisses, I return to the guys. We resume working on the song we've been working on. Now that we've had a break, we start to make more progress on it. I look over to see Marcus talking on the phone with a client. My attention returns to the business at hand. I look at Marcus. He seems to be frustrated. He stands. Moves away from the baby. I keep practicing.
Next I know, I see a short, fat woman stooping over the play pen and - scooping up my baby! I scream! Marcus runs back and disconnects his call. He calls the police department. Meantime, Lizzie feels strange hands lifting her and she begins to wail loudly. Everyone looks at the play pen and we see Cara tuck the baby under her arm as she begins running out of the studio. Tim also calls the police while Laslow and Linny run outside after Cara.
Laslow spots her first, pushing the baby into the back of her car. Because it's a cold, windy, unsettled day, Lizzie has been wrapped up in one of her warmer blankets. Cara drops this blanket and she takes the few seconds to bend down and grab the blanket. This gives Laslow the precious few second he needs to catch up to her. Tim and Linny both consider themselves to be Lizzie's honorary uncles. This means that all three of the baby's uncles catch up to Cara, surrounding her car. Tim makes her open the back door while Linny grabs her wrist and wrestles her car keys out of her hand. Once the keys are safely out of her hand, Laslow dives into her car and grabs his baby niece. She is now thoroughly frightened and angered, and she's not troubling to hide her feelings. She wails louder than I have ever heard her cry before! Thank God! I have never heard such a sweet sound!
I'm crying myself as I run up to my brother-in-law, who gives Lizzie to me. Marcus is also crying. He runs up to the two of us and enfolds us in his big arms.