“We hire a nanny, and you take her on tour.”
“Her?” She smiles.
“I don’t know why I said that, but it feels like it’s a girl.”
“I feel that way too.”
“Talk to the band before you freak out, okay? By next summer, you’ll be chomping at the bit to get back on the road, and the baby will be too little to notice where she is. I think things will be more complicated when she’s older. Right now, she’s going to be a helpless little blob.”
“You always know what to say,” she whispers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Chapter Three
Lexi
* * *
I get to the studio early the next day.
I’m a little tired this morning, but that’s because Zaan and I were up half the night talking and making love and talking some more. He’s so excited about the baby. Probably more than I am. Of course, he’s not the one who’s going to have to deal with the physical changes to his body or potentially put his career on hold. I can sing, no matter how big I get, but performing live will be something else entirely. Our shows are exciting, with a lot of acrobatics and wardrobe changes and stage diving.
I can’t do that once my belly starts to show.
And I’m a little nervous to tell the guys.
They’re amazing human beings, and Tyler, Ford, and Stu all have kids now too. But it’s different for me because they’re men. They weren’t the ones who were pregnant or having to recover from weight gain and the physical stress of labor.
And I honestly don’t know how I’m going to manage.
“Hey!” Tyler calls out to me as soon as I walk into the studio.
“Hi.” I wave and drop into the seat next to him. “Are we first?”
“Yup. Ford’s on his way, and Stu has to bring the baby because Lindsay’s in court this week.” Our guitarist, Stu Killorn, is married to my best friend. She’s an attorney who divides her time between here in Las Vegas, where we all live, and Los Angeles, where she works.
“How’s that going to work?” I ask.
He laughs. “Headphones and a Pac-n-Play.”
“And Ariel’s on tour?” I ask, referring to his wife, pop star Ariel Fox.
He nods. “Yup.”
“With the baby?”
He nods again but cocks his head slightly. “Everything okay? Why are you so interested in all the baby info?” He squints and then his eyes widen. “Lex, are you…?”
I nod. “We just found out. And I’m really worried about the tour.”
He reaches over and gives me a hug. “You shouldn’t worry about the tour—I know how concerned you guys were that you’d never conceive. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I look up as Stu comes in, his daughter in his arms.
“Can someone hold the wee beast while I go get the rest of her stuff?” he asks in his distinct Scottish accent.
“Of course.” I stand and quickly take the baby from him. “Are you being a wee beast today?”
