(no subject)
MATTERS OF THE HEART
Chapter 51
A week later and Meryl and Pierce were back in New York City, after the UK and Sweden premieres. It had been a whirlwind tour so far and they were overjoyed by the news that Mamma Mia had broken all box office records in the UK.
It was the day before the New York premiere and Meryl had raided her wardrobe looking for something to wear and couldn’t decide on what. She had a whole closet full of formal wear, some which she had only worn once, some two or three times.
She wanted something cool, as the weather was stifling in the city at present, yet something sexy and decided she didn’t have anything remotely suitable.
“Oh fuck Pierce, what am I going to wear and why did I leave it so late? My home city and I haven’t got anything to wear,” she complained
“You’ve got a whole closet full of outfits Meryl,” answered Pierce. Then seeing the look on her face conceded defeat. “I know, I know,” he said. “A woman can never have too many clothes.”
“It’s not that Pierce. Clothes have never been the be all and end all for me, I just don’t have anything suitable, that’s all,” said Meryl. “I just can’t find anything in here.
Pierce walked over to the closet and rummaged through all the dresses that were hanging up, his eyes finally resting on a cream ensemble. “What about this one? he asked her, holding it up.
“Oh my God, where
did you find that? I’d forgotten I even had it. It must be at least ten years old and, I’ve only ever worn it once. I’ll try it on although I doubt it will even fit me I’ve put a lot of weight on especially over the last few months,” said Meryl. She stripped off right in front of him and once she had the dress on and saw the look on Pierce’s face she laughed. “What?” she asked him.
“My God Meryl. You look amazing,” he replied, turning her to face the full length mirror. She gasped. “Oh my God, my boobs look huge!” she exclaimed. “They look perfect from where I am standing babe,” remarked Pierce. “Do you not think it’s a bit….well…revealing?” she asked him. “Babe you will look amazing and you know what they say? ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it’, and you have certainly got it. “ “Well there is nothing else here and I’m certainly not going out to buy something for the sake of it, so this one it is then,” she said, hanging it on the door hook ready for tomorrow.
Later that afternoon, after a very late lunch, because, after seeing Meryl in the dress, Pierce had not been able to keep his hands off her, they were contemplating going for a walk, to blow the cobwebs away. Wearing shades and baseball caps, they left the apartment and blending in with the tourists, walked almost 5 miles by the time they had finished and arrived back shattered and almost fit for nothing. They both collapsed on the sofa, tired but happy and both looking forward to tomorrow’s premiere.
They ate in that evening, preferring each other’s company, and watched some TV. First thing in the morning, Pierce was going to a friend’s apartment to get ready and Lou was coming over to get ready with her Mom. They would arrive in separate cars, so as not to rouse suspicion with the media. They were still not ready for that yet. They were not completely unaware of the rumours going round amongst the fans, that they had a thing going. Comments had been made about the on screen and off screen chemistry between them but they both publicly shrugged it off. They were just two co-stars who got on famously and had become good friends.
Meryl was clearing the remnants of their dinner when Pierce came up behind her and hugged her tightly. She turned in his arms and gazed in to his blue eyes. “I love you so much Meryl,” he told her. “This last 12 months has been the happiest I have ever spent.” Meryl smiled. “Me too Pierce. I never thought anybody could be so happy. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real and not just a glorious dream,” she told him. And she was so very happy. Sometimes she wondered if she was too happy, and that one day it would all come crashing down. That niggling doubt. She pushed the thought from her mind and kissed Pierce hungrily, snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him close. She immediately felt him hard against her. Breaking apart, she smirked. “Somebody is getting excited!” she stated, reaching down and touching him through his trousers. He groaned. “You’ll have to contain your excitement for the moment,” she said, untangling herself from him. “These dishes won’t wash themselves.” “Leave them until the morning,” said Pierce, reaching for her. “Patience Brosnan. How about you go and run me a bath while I finish here! I promise you, I’ll make it worth the wait,” she said, winking at him.
Pierce did just that while Meryl busied herself loading the dishwasher, then, grabbing two glasses and another bottle of wine, she went to join him in the bathroom.
“Madame, your bath is ready,” declared Pierce as she entered. Placing the wine and glasses on the ledge, she began to undress. Deliberately taking her time, teasing him with every garment she discarded. She stepped into the bath. “Pour the wine Pierce and then I might let you scrub my back,” she told him, running her tongue over her top lip. Quickly he poured then handed her a glass, then he stripped himself of his jeans and t shirt and stepped in behind her. She leaned against him and sipped her wine. Pierce swept her hair behind her ear and gently kissed her neck. “You are so beautiful babe,” he told her. “So incredibly beautiful.” He said, nibbling her ear. “You are going to look so hot in that dress tomorrow, I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself.” “Down boy!” said Meryl, echoing the words from Mamma Mia. “You are going to have to. We don’t want the whole world finding out about us, just yet!” said Meryl. She placed her glass on the ledge and turned around so she was facing him. “You are just going to have to satisfy your cravings here and now,” she told him, huskily. She reached down and immediately came into contact with his penis. Rock hard and ready. She smirked as she began to run her hand up and down his shaft. Pierce squirmed. There was something incredibly about sitting in a bath with the most beautiful woman giving you a hand job. Tightening her grip, she rubbed harder, then harder again, until she felt him jerk in her hands as he exploded. “My God woman!” was all he could utter. “Did I do good Mr Brosnan?” she asked him in a girly voice. Pierce raised an eyebrow, which gave her his answer.
She leaned against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. Several minutes later, after she had almost fallen asleep, so content and comfortable, Pierce removed his arms. Neither had noticed that the water was almost stone cold. “Ok Streep, I think we had better get out of this bath before we both catch pneumonia!” “On one condition!” said Meryl. “Ahh, a challenge. I do love a challenge!” said Pierce. “Not so much a challenge, more of a request. Make love to me Pierce. Long and slow,” said Meryl.
He lifted her out of the bath and wrapped her in a towel and then dried himself off. Then he began to slowly dry her. Taking his time over her breasts, doing nothing but gaze into her eyes as he did so. Now he was drying her legs, slowly, sensuously, turning her on. She parted her legs to allow him access to her inner thighs. “Are you dry now babe”? he asked her, knowing full well what her answer would be. “In all but one place,” she whispered. Discarding the towel, he parted her legs further, and stroked the outside of her vagina first before inserting a finger. “You’re not wrong babe,” he declared feeling how wet she was for him. “Pierce, please…….make love to me. I need to feel you inside me, now!” she begged. “What happened to long slow lovemaking?” asked Pierce, although desperate himself now, to be inside her. “Fuck that! Just fuck me Pierce, please!” she begged him again.
He lifted her up and carried her through to the bedroom and lay her down on the bed. Roughly he parted her legs and entered her. She sighed with relief as she felt him inside her and parted her legs further and wrapped them around him, pushing him further inside with her heels. Meeting each of his thrusts, sweat pouring off her, she moaned and screamed as he brought her to another intensive climax.
Later, wrapped in each other’s arms, they fell asleep, both exhausted but content.
The alarm woke them both at a 7 the following morning. They were still locked in each other’s arms and were loath to leave that comfortable position. Meryl snuggled closer. “Good morning handsome,” she whispered, kissing Pierce’s cheek. “Good morning beautiful,” he replied. “I suppose we had better get up, we have a long and exciting day ahead of us,” he said. “What time are you leaving for Mike’s?” asked Meryl. Pierce glanced at his watch. “I have a couple of hours. Time to make love to my beautiful girlfriend.” Meryl giggled. “Girlfriend! It sounds really strange being called a girlfriend,” she told him. “However, much as I would love to have you inside me, I have to get ready. Lou is coming over for 8 o’clock and Roy is due a little after that, so you will just have to be content with a cuddle, however, I may allow you to shower with me,” she teased. Pierce shot up out of the bed. “Last one to the shower stinks!” he declared. Meryl was up like a shot but no match for Pierce. “Ha! Streep! You stink,” he teased. Meryl loved this part of their relationship. The teasing. The banter! The behaving like silly kids! “Brosnan! You’re a jerk!” she told him, before stepping into the shower after him. They were both highly turned on and it was agony not being able to satisfy that need, but with Lou due any moment they couldn’t risk it.
Meryl and Lou were in the living room, where Roy was working his magic doing their hair and makeup. Meryl was done and she disappeared into the bedroom to get dressed. Emerging a few minutes later. “Oh my God Meryl, you look stunning,” said Roy. “And the cleavage! Where have you had that hidden?” “It’s not too much is it Roy? Lou?” “Mom you look fantastic, doesn’t she Roy?” “You look amazing Meryl, and of course your hair and makeup finish it off,” replied Roy. Meryl didn’t know what she would do without him. As far as she was concerned he was the best in the business and they had developed a lasting friendship.
They were in the car, heading towards the theatre and as they turned the corner they could see that quite a crowd had gathered. As the car drew to a stop and Meryl stepped out, the crowd cheered. Meryl noticed that there were a lot of really young kids, reaching out and begging for her autograph and she spent the next 30 minutes sighing as many pictures, books, and just plain bits of paper that she could. She was amazed at how large the crowd actually was and was only sorry that she couldn’t stay and chat and sign. Some people had told her they had waited almost all night just to see her and she felt incredibly humble.
All at once they were ushered inside. She was, all the while looking for the rest of the cast and especially Pierce, and then she saw him. He was over the other side of the foyer, chatting to Colin. He glanced up and their eyes locked. It was all she could do, not to rush over and devour him, but they had to be careful, for today and the following few weeks at least. Until the Mamma Mia furore had died down. Then they were going public. Calmly, she took Louisa’s hand and they made their way towards Colin and Pierce.
“Meryl!” said Colin, kissing her on both cheeks. “You look amazing!” “Thanks Colin. What’s with the facial hair?” she asked him, stroking his recently grown beard. “Oh that! It’s for my next movie and it’s itching like hell. I can’t wait to shave it off,” he told her. “It suits you! Makes you look distinguished,” she told him. She turned to Pierce, who leaned in to her and kissed her on both cheek. “You look absolutely stunning babe,” he whispered, making her blush. “You too darling!” she whispered back. He was dressed in a dark navy suit and crisp white shirt, open at the neck, giving a hint of his chest hair, making Meryl wish she could reach in and stroke his chest there and then.
Before too long they were being ushered in to the auditorium and to their seats. The principal cast, director and producer were seated in the front row. Meryl was seated between Pierce and Lou. This was the first time Lou would be seeing the movie and she both excited and slightly nervous. She was dreading seeing her Mom in the spandex outfit she had told her she had worn at the end of the movie. Now, Phyllida was on stage introducing the movie, then the lights dimmed.
There were rousing cheers from the invited audience and when the end credits were shown, the place was in an uproar at the sight of Colin, Pierce and Stellan in their skin tight spandex suits. The lights came on. Meryl turned to Lou. “What did you think sweetie?” “It was okay” replied Lou. Secretly she had loved it but was slightly embarrassed to see her Mom in a skin tight spandex suit, but had to admit to herself, she looked amazing.
The photocall had taken hours and by the end Meryl was fed up of everyone wanting a piece of her. It seemed like the whole world’s media had gathered all wanting a photograph of her and especially with Pierce. They duly obliged, but, hours later, when everything had come to a close she was more than happy to go straight home, declining Pierce’s suggestion of dinner with Colin and his wife. “You go Pierce! Enjoy yourself and have some fun!” she told him. Pierce took her hand in his. “Are you sure Meryl? I can just as easily say no and come home with you,” “I’m sure. I just want to go home, kick off these heels, have a glass of wine and then an early night. Honestly, you go! I’ll see you in the morning.” Said Meryl. Making sure nobody was looking, Pierce rubbed his lips gently across hers. “I won’t be late and I love you,” he told her. “I love you too. Now go. Get the fuck out of here and have fun!”
She was exhausted. Her driver had dropped Lou back home and then brought Meryl home. She was now sitting on the sofa curled up with a glass of wine and watching the CBS evening news. They were reporting on the premiere, but she was too tired to really notice. She went to run a bath and, after a long soak and another glass of wine, she called it a night.
She awoke and glanced at the bedside clock. It was a little after 3 am in the morning. The empty space beside her told her that Pierce had not arrived home yet. She checked her cellphone for messages. There were several from her friends who had seen the coverage of the premiere on TV, but nothing from Pierce. She wasn’t duly worried, just a little concerned that he hadn’t messaged her. Then again she had told him to go and have a good time and that’s probably just what he was doing. She turned over and went back to sleep.
It was just after 3 when Pierce left the restaurant with Colin and his wife. They had been joined by Stellan and Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson and he had thoroughly enjoyed himself catching up and reminiscing about the time they all spent in Greece last summer. After handshakes and hugs all round and promises to keep in touch, Pierce hailed a cab for the short ride home. The city was still alive, living up to its title of ‘the city that never sleeps’
He let himself into the apartment and trying to act sober in case Meryl was awake, which he doubted, he tip toed his way to the bedroom. He was right and also relieved to find she was fast asleep. He hastily discarded his clothes and got in beside her and as soon as his head touched the pillow he could feel the room spinning as a result of too many Jack Daniels. For a split second he thought of the hangover he would have in the morning, before fallen into a drunken stupor and finally sleep.
Meryl woke and turned, to see Pierce sleeping beside her, snoring loudly. A sure sign that he had been drunk when he arrived home last night at God knows what time. She went into the kitchen and switched the coffee machine on, and while it was brewing she took a shower.
Several hours later, after Meryl had dressed, tidied up and been out to buy something for tonight’s dinner and the newspapers, and was now sitting having a sandwich, Pierce surfaced. Looking the worse for wear, he stood in the doorway.
“Good evening Pierce!” said Meryl with a hint of sarcasm. “Is that the time?” he muttered, wincing as his hangover kicked in. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” he asked her, slowly walking over to the sofa and gently lowering himself into his seat. “I figured you’d had a heavy night and needed to sleep it off. You look like shit!” said Meryl. “Thanks! I feel a lot worse, I can assure you” he told her. “My God, how much did I drink last night and why can’t I remember half of it?” Meryl laughed, so glad that she hadn’t stayed otherwise she would be in much the same situation. Feeling like shit and vowing never to let another drop of alcohol pass her lips ever again.
She disappeared into the kitchen, returning a minute later with some painkillers, a glass of water and a large mug of coffee. “Here, take these!” she said to Pierce. He gratefully took the pills and drank the water. “So! You can’t remember anything about last night huh?” said Meryl. “Should I be worried?” Pierce sipped his coffee slowly. “Well I can remember being in the restaurant and Colin challenging me to drink shots, and I remember getting home, but that’s it!” answered Pierce. Meryl laughed. She found it hilarious that he couldn’t recall anything. It had been a long time since she had felt like that.
“Why don’t you grab a shower and we can go out for a walk, clear the cobwebs away?” suggested Meryl. A walk was the last thing he felt like doing, but she was right, it would do him good.
They were walking around battery park, wearing baseball caps and shades. Hordes of tourists were waiting to board the ferry to the statue of liberty and nobody noticed the two stars of Mamma Mia, strolling along hand in hand.
As they were walking back to the apartment. Something caught Meryl’s eye on a newsstand. She stopped to investigate further. “OH MY GOD,” she screamed. “Pierce, look at this!” Pierce walked over to her, and when he saw what she was looking at, his heart sank. It was out. The secret they had been so careful to keep, was now there in black and white for the whole world to see. The shit had now well and truly hit the fan………
Chapter 51
A week later and Meryl and Pierce were back in New York City, after the UK and Sweden premieres. It had been a whirlwind tour so far and they were overjoyed by the news that Mamma Mia had broken all box office records in the UK.
It was the day before the New York premiere and Meryl had raided her wardrobe looking for something to wear and couldn’t decide on what. She had a whole closet full of formal wear, some which she had only worn once, some two or three times.
She wanted something cool, as the weather was stifling in the city at present, yet something sexy and decided she didn’t have anything remotely suitable.
“Oh fuck Pierce, what am I going to wear and why did I leave it so late? My home city and I haven’t got anything to wear,” she complained
“You’ve got a whole closet full of outfits Meryl,” answered Pierce. Then seeing the look on her face conceded defeat. “I know, I know,” he said. “A woman can never have too many clothes.”
“It’s not that Pierce. Clothes have never been the be all and end all for me, I just don’t have anything suitable, that’s all,” said Meryl. “I just can’t find anything in here.
Pierce walked over to the closet and rummaged through all the dresses that were hanging up, his eyes finally resting on a cream ensemble. “What about this one? he asked her, holding it up.
“Oh my God, where
did you find that? I’d forgotten I even had it. It must be at least ten years old and, I’ve only ever worn it once. I’ll try it on although I doubt it will even fit me I’ve put a lot of weight on especially over the last few months,” said Meryl. She stripped off right in front of him and once she had the dress on and saw the look on Pierce’s face she laughed. “What?” she asked him.
“My God Meryl. You look amazing,” he replied, turning her to face the full length mirror. She gasped. “Oh my God, my boobs look huge!” she exclaimed. “They look perfect from where I am standing babe,” remarked Pierce. “Do you not think it’s a bit….well…revealing?” she asked him. “Babe you will look amazing and you know what they say? ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it’, and you have certainly got it. “ “Well there is nothing else here and I’m certainly not going out to buy something for the sake of it, so this one it is then,” she said, hanging it on the door hook ready for tomorrow.
Later that afternoon, after a very late lunch, because, after seeing Meryl in the dress, Pierce had not been able to keep his hands off her, they were contemplating going for a walk, to blow the cobwebs away. Wearing shades and baseball caps, they left the apartment and blending in with the tourists, walked almost 5 miles by the time they had finished and arrived back shattered and almost fit for nothing. They both collapsed on the sofa, tired but happy and both looking forward to tomorrow’s premiere.
They ate in that evening, preferring each other’s company, and watched some TV. First thing in the morning, Pierce was going to a friend’s apartment to get ready and Lou was coming over to get ready with her Mom. They would arrive in separate cars, so as not to rouse suspicion with the media. They were still not ready for that yet. They were not completely unaware of the rumours going round amongst the fans, that they had a thing going. Comments had been made about the on screen and off screen chemistry between them but they both publicly shrugged it off. They were just two co-stars who got on famously and had become good friends.
Meryl was clearing the remnants of their dinner when Pierce came up behind her and hugged her tightly. She turned in his arms and gazed in to his blue eyes. “I love you so much Meryl,” he told her. “This last 12 months has been the happiest I have ever spent.” Meryl smiled. “Me too Pierce. I never thought anybody could be so happy. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real and not just a glorious dream,” she told him. And she was so very happy. Sometimes she wondered if she was too happy, and that one day it would all come crashing down. That niggling doubt. She pushed the thought from her mind and kissed Pierce hungrily, snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him close. She immediately felt him hard against her. Breaking apart, she smirked. “Somebody is getting excited!” she stated, reaching down and touching him through his trousers. He groaned. “You’ll have to contain your excitement for the moment,” she said, untangling herself from him. “These dishes won’t wash themselves.” “Leave them until the morning,” said Pierce, reaching for her. “Patience Brosnan. How about you go and run me a bath while I finish here! I promise you, I’ll make it worth the wait,” she said, winking at him.
Pierce did just that while Meryl busied herself loading the dishwasher, then, grabbing two glasses and another bottle of wine, she went to join him in the bathroom.
“Madame, your bath is ready,” declared Pierce as she entered. Placing the wine and glasses on the ledge, she began to undress. Deliberately taking her time, teasing him with every garment she discarded. She stepped into the bath. “Pour the wine Pierce and then I might let you scrub my back,” she told him, running her tongue over her top lip. Quickly he poured then handed her a glass, then he stripped himself of his jeans and t shirt and stepped in behind her. She leaned against him and sipped her wine. Pierce swept her hair behind her ear and gently kissed her neck. “You are so beautiful babe,” he told her. “So incredibly beautiful.” He said, nibbling her ear. “You are going to look so hot in that dress tomorrow, I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself.” “Down boy!” said Meryl, echoing the words from Mamma Mia. “You are going to have to. We don’t want the whole world finding out about us, just yet!” said Meryl. She placed her glass on the ledge and turned around so she was facing him. “You are just going to have to satisfy your cravings here and now,” she told him, huskily. She reached down and immediately came into contact with his penis. Rock hard and ready. She smirked as she began to run her hand up and down his shaft. Pierce squirmed. There was something incredibly about sitting in a bath with the most beautiful woman giving you a hand job. Tightening her grip, she rubbed harder, then harder again, until she felt him jerk in her hands as he exploded. “My God woman!” was all he could utter. “Did I do good Mr Brosnan?” she asked him in a girly voice. Pierce raised an eyebrow, which gave her his answer.
She leaned against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. Several minutes later, after she had almost fallen asleep, so content and comfortable, Pierce removed his arms. Neither had noticed that the water was almost stone cold. “Ok Streep, I think we had better get out of this bath before we both catch pneumonia!” “On one condition!” said Meryl. “Ahh, a challenge. I do love a challenge!” said Pierce. “Not so much a challenge, more of a request. Make love to me Pierce. Long and slow,” said Meryl.
He lifted her out of the bath and wrapped her in a towel and then dried himself off. Then he began to slowly dry her. Taking his time over her breasts, doing nothing but gaze into her eyes as he did so. Now he was drying her legs, slowly, sensuously, turning her on. She parted her legs to allow him access to her inner thighs. “Are you dry now babe”? he asked her, knowing full well what her answer would be. “In all but one place,” she whispered. Discarding the towel, he parted her legs further, and stroked the outside of her vagina first before inserting a finger. “You’re not wrong babe,” he declared feeling how wet she was for him. “Pierce, please…….make love to me. I need to feel you inside me, now!” she begged. “What happened to long slow lovemaking?” asked Pierce, although desperate himself now, to be inside her. “Fuck that! Just fuck me Pierce, please!” she begged him again.
He lifted her up and carried her through to the bedroom and lay her down on the bed. Roughly he parted her legs and entered her. She sighed with relief as she felt him inside her and parted her legs further and wrapped them around him, pushing him further inside with her heels. Meeting each of his thrusts, sweat pouring off her, she moaned and screamed as he brought her to another intensive climax.
Later, wrapped in each other’s arms, they fell asleep, both exhausted but content.
The alarm woke them both at a 7 the following morning. They were still locked in each other’s arms and were loath to leave that comfortable position. Meryl snuggled closer. “Good morning handsome,” she whispered, kissing Pierce’s cheek. “Good morning beautiful,” he replied. “I suppose we had better get up, we have a long and exciting day ahead of us,” he said. “What time are you leaving for Mike’s?” asked Meryl. Pierce glanced at his watch. “I have a couple of hours. Time to make love to my beautiful girlfriend.” Meryl giggled. “Girlfriend! It sounds really strange being called a girlfriend,” she told him. “However, much as I would love to have you inside me, I have to get ready. Lou is coming over for 8 o’clock and Roy is due a little after that, so you will just have to be content with a cuddle, however, I may allow you to shower with me,” she teased. Pierce shot up out of the bed. “Last one to the shower stinks!” he declared. Meryl was up like a shot but no match for Pierce. “Ha! Streep! You stink,” he teased. Meryl loved this part of their relationship. The teasing. The banter! The behaving like silly kids! “Brosnan! You’re a jerk!” she told him, before stepping into the shower after him. They were both highly turned on and it was agony not being able to satisfy that need, but with Lou due any moment they couldn’t risk it.
Meryl and Lou were in the living room, where Roy was working his magic doing their hair and makeup. Meryl was done and she disappeared into the bedroom to get dressed. Emerging a few minutes later. “Oh my God Meryl, you look stunning,” said Roy. “And the cleavage! Where have you had that hidden?” “It’s not too much is it Roy? Lou?” “Mom you look fantastic, doesn’t she Roy?” “You look amazing Meryl, and of course your hair and makeup finish it off,” replied Roy. Meryl didn’t know what she would do without him. As far as she was concerned he was the best in the business and they had developed a lasting friendship.
They were in the car, heading towards the theatre and as they turned the corner they could see that quite a crowd had gathered. As the car drew to a stop and Meryl stepped out, the crowd cheered. Meryl noticed that there were a lot of really young kids, reaching out and begging for her autograph and she spent the next 30 minutes sighing as many pictures, books, and just plain bits of paper that she could. She was amazed at how large the crowd actually was and was only sorry that she couldn’t stay and chat and sign. Some people had told her they had waited almost all night just to see her and she felt incredibly humble.
All at once they were ushered inside. She was, all the while looking for the rest of the cast and especially Pierce, and then she saw him. He was over the other side of the foyer, chatting to Colin. He glanced up and their eyes locked. It was all she could do, not to rush over and devour him, but they had to be careful, for today and the following few weeks at least. Until the Mamma Mia furore had died down. Then they were going public. Calmly, she took Louisa’s hand and they made their way towards Colin and Pierce.
“Meryl!” said Colin, kissing her on both cheeks. “You look amazing!” “Thanks Colin. What’s with the facial hair?” she asked him, stroking his recently grown beard. “Oh that! It’s for my next movie and it’s itching like hell. I can’t wait to shave it off,” he told her. “It suits you! Makes you look distinguished,” she told him. She turned to Pierce, who leaned in to her and kissed her on both cheek. “You look absolutely stunning babe,” he whispered, making her blush. “You too darling!” she whispered back. He was dressed in a dark navy suit and crisp white shirt, open at the neck, giving a hint of his chest hair, making Meryl wish she could reach in and stroke his chest there and then.
Before too long they were being ushered in to the auditorium and to their seats. The principal cast, director and producer were seated in the front row. Meryl was seated between Pierce and Lou. This was the first time Lou would be seeing the movie and she both excited and slightly nervous. She was dreading seeing her Mom in the spandex outfit she had told her she had worn at the end of the movie. Now, Phyllida was on stage introducing the movie, then the lights dimmed.
There were rousing cheers from the invited audience and when the end credits were shown, the place was in an uproar at the sight of Colin, Pierce and Stellan in their skin tight spandex suits. The lights came on. Meryl turned to Lou. “What did you think sweetie?” “It was okay” replied Lou. Secretly she had loved it but was slightly embarrassed to see her Mom in a skin tight spandex suit, but had to admit to herself, she looked amazing.
The photocall had taken hours and by the end Meryl was fed up of everyone wanting a piece of her. It seemed like the whole world’s media had gathered all wanting a photograph of her and especially with Pierce. They duly obliged, but, hours later, when everything had come to a close she was more than happy to go straight home, declining Pierce’s suggestion of dinner with Colin and his wife. “You go Pierce! Enjoy yourself and have some fun!” she told him. Pierce took her hand in his. “Are you sure Meryl? I can just as easily say no and come home with you,” “I’m sure. I just want to go home, kick off these heels, have a glass of wine and then an early night. Honestly, you go! I’ll see you in the morning.” Said Meryl. Making sure nobody was looking, Pierce rubbed his lips gently across hers. “I won’t be late and I love you,” he told her. “I love you too. Now go. Get the fuck out of here and have fun!”
She was exhausted. Her driver had dropped Lou back home and then brought Meryl home. She was now sitting on the sofa curled up with a glass of wine and watching the CBS evening news. They were reporting on the premiere, but she was too tired to really notice. She went to run a bath and, after a long soak and another glass of wine, she called it a night.
She awoke and glanced at the bedside clock. It was a little after 3 am in the morning. The empty space beside her told her that Pierce had not arrived home yet. She checked her cellphone for messages. There were several from her friends who had seen the coverage of the premiere on TV, but nothing from Pierce. She wasn’t duly worried, just a little concerned that he hadn’t messaged her. Then again she had told him to go and have a good time and that’s probably just what he was doing. She turned over and went back to sleep.
It was just after 3 when Pierce left the restaurant with Colin and his wife. They had been joined by Stellan and Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson and he had thoroughly enjoyed himself catching up and reminiscing about the time they all spent in Greece last summer. After handshakes and hugs all round and promises to keep in touch, Pierce hailed a cab for the short ride home. The city was still alive, living up to its title of ‘the city that never sleeps’
He let himself into the apartment and trying to act sober in case Meryl was awake, which he doubted, he tip toed his way to the bedroom. He was right and also relieved to find she was fast asleep. He hastily discarded his clothes and got in beside her and as soon as his head touched the pillow he could feel the room spinning as a result of too many Jack Daniels. For a split second he thought of the hangover he would have in the morning, before fallen into a drunken stupor and finally sleep.
Meryl woke and turned, to see Pierce sleeping beside her, snoring loudly. A sure sign that he had been drunk when he arrived home last night at God knows what time. She went into the kitchen and switched the coffee machine on, and while it was brewing she took a shower.
Several hours later, after Meryl had dressed, tidied up and been out to buy something for tonight’s dinner and the newspapers, and was now sitting having a sandwich, Pierce surfaced. Looking the worse for wear, he stood in the doorway.
“Good evening Pierce!” said Meryl with a hint of sarcasm. “Is that the time?” he muttered, wincing as his hangover kicked in. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” he asked her, slowly walking over to the sofa and gently lowering himself into his seat. “I figured you’d had a heavy night and needed to sleep it off. You look like shit!” said Meryl. “Thanks! I feel a lot worse, I can assure you” he told her. “My God, how much did I drink last night and why can’t I remember half of it?” Meryl laughed, so glad that she hadn’t stayed otherwise she would be in much the same situation. Feeling like shit and vowing never to let another drop of alcohol pass her lips ever again.
She disappeared into the kitchen, returning a minute later with some painkillers, a glass of water and a large mug of coffee. “Here, take these!” she said to Pierce. He gratefully took the pills and drank the water. “So! You can’t remember anything about last night huh?” said Meryl. “Should I be worried?” Pierce sipped his coffee slowly. “Well I can remember being in the restaurant and Colin challenging me to drink shots, and I remember getting home, but that’s it!” answered Pierce. Meryl laughed. She found it hilarious that he couldn’t recall anything. It had been a long time since she had felt like that.
“Why don’t you grab a shower and we can go out for a walk, clear the cobwebs away?” suggested Meryl. A walk was the last thing he felt like doing, but she was right, it would do him good.
They were walking around battery park, wearing baseball caps and shades. Hordes of tourists were waiting to board the ferry to the statue of liberty and nobody noticed the two stars of Mamma Mia, strolling along hand in hand.
As they were walking back to the apartment. Something caught Meryl’s eye on a newsstand. She stopped to investigate further. “OH MY GOD,” she screamed. “Pierce, look at this!” Pierce walked over to her, and when he saw what she was looking at, his heart sank. It was out. The secret they had been so careful to keep, was now there in black and white for the whole world to see. The shit had now well and truly hit the fan………