(GRIFFIN)

Chris is on stage running through a blistering track and from the way he's handling that guitar I'd say he's either trying to work out some frustrations, or else he's laying down the gauntlet and trying to tell me what caliber performance he expects tonight. I'm definitely up for the challenge, it will be fun to just let loose and just play for a change. It's nice not to have my name on the marquee for a night.

There are only three people I really care about impressing tonight. One is my wife. All the begging and pleading must have finally done the trick. Since the kids are with my sister, Mel finally relented and agreed to fly in tonight. She's promised to arrive in time for the show and if she's late there'll be hell to pay. We have a deal and I'm holding her to it.

Another is the man on stage, swaggering in front of the mike stand looking for all the world like he owns the place. I'm still not really certain why he called and invited me to appear tonight. Part of me wants to suspect the worst; that he's trying to show me up somehow. But seeing as I'm not about to let that happen, I'll simply accept the invitation graciously and enjoy myself.

And the third person is sitting just ahead of me in what must be the twentieth row. She came out about fifteen minutes ago, right before Chris began his soundcheck and from the way she's slouched down in that seat, I'd guess she's trying to be as low key as possible. That would probably explain why she didn't have her backstage pass with her. Maybe like Mel, it was a last minute decision to come here.

Easy to understand for both women I guess. There are kids on both sides that need to be considered before the Mom in question can jet off to whereever their guitar monkeys are playing.

But Morgan does have the option of sending her two eldest kids off to their father whenever she gets the urge to follow Chris. And Isabella is still small enough to be easily portable. I've learned that from experience with Sean. He's happy as long as he has a clean diaper, a full tummy and someone around who'll pay attention to him.

Come to think of it that probably describes us rock stars too. Although some of us are closer to wearing diapers again than others.

I must have made some kind of noise because Morgan's head comes round and I see her peering into the dimness to see who's behind her. Stepping forward I hold out my hand and say, "Guilty as charged, how are you?"

"Wondering who was trying to sneak up on me and doing such a lousy job," she teases and pats the seat next to hers. "Grab a chair, talk to me."

"Talk? Thought you were being the ultimate fan."

"I am but I can talk to you too. I'm a Mom I can multi-task." She laughs.

I nod my head in agreement as I say, "I do seem to remember you being pretty good at doing more than one thing at a time."

"Are you trying to make me blush Mr McNeil."

I don't even bother to try and look innocent. "I'll leave that up to your ever active imagination." Staring at her then at the stage I say, "Things change, don't they."

"That they do," she agrees. "We both wound up where we belong."

"Did we?" I ask more sharply than I intend.

She looks over at me with a raised eye brow, "Little late for second thoughts isn't it?"

"Not me I'm thinking of."

"Funny, I would have wondered about you. Here you are married with three kids. I remember a time not too long ago the idea of having kids made you run," she points out.

"Ay, I can't deny that."

"Guess it was just the case of finding the right woman and the right kids."

"Or a matter of finding the right rock star?" I say with a nod towards the stage.

"I think that has a little to do with it too."Leaning over I kiss her cheek. "I"m glad you're happy. You deserve it."

"We all do. It's been a long road to get there but I think we've both finally got it figured out."

"And with just a little bit of luck we'll be able to keep it." I tell her, kiss her cheek again then go in search of my own little bit of happiness, the way Gaines is tearing up the stage I could use a kiss... or three for luck.