Not feeling the need to disturb them I went about my morning. I fed the dogs, ate some yogurt and went for a walk. Despite my pound puppies being an older couple, they still loved taking walks. It was a nice, quiet morning. I cherished it, knowing that these came too far and few in between.
By the time I got home Mark had stirred. I found him in the kitchen, scrounging for something to eat. He didn’t cook much. He had been learning to grill and enjoyed that. He was so used to quick, easy tour bus cooking that if it wasn’t ramen or canned ravioli, he was clueless about how to make it, as were his bandmates.
“Hey babe, did you already eat? I could go for some oatmeal. Maybe with the cinnamon stuff you put in it?” He said, opening and shutting cupboards.
“I already ate, sorry.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek before hurrying out to find something else to do. Now that the band would be back to the grind, I had to start getting used to doing things solo again. It was so nice having him home but having him rehearse nonstop meant that a tour was coming and then I’d be completely on my lonesome again.
Well not completely alone. Ethan and Chase would be home with the kids. I didn’t have much in common with them, but I could always spend time with Dallas, Jimmy, Blue, and Rocky.
The twins had shown some interest in theatre after seeing the old movies from when the band did musicals. I had taken them to one of the local theaters I had performed with once or twice. They found a place for them in their production and had seemed to enjoy it. Maybe I should see if they wanted to do it again.
I went to the den and saw that Derek had moved to the couch and was curled up in a little ball trying to get back to sleep. With a sigh I went to the closet and grabbed a blanket to throw over him. He snuggled up in it and was back out in minutes.
Mark came out of the kitchen munching on a piece of toast. He tipped it at me and gave me a half-hearted smile. He was trying to guilt trip me, but it wasn’t happening.
“You’re a big boy, you can learn to make oatmeal,” I teased. He pouted, giving me puppy dog eyes and a big pouty lip.
“Yeah but you make it so much better than I ever could,” he whined, coming to kiss me. I kissed him back quickly but didn’t budge.
“What’s the plan for today?” he asked me, following me around the house. I went upstairs and back into our bedroom. We had a master bath connected to our room. I went straight to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Lifting my shirt up, I grabbed a towel. I glanced at him and saw him eyeing me intently. He raised an eyebrow at me and grinned wildly.
“I could go for a rinse,” he said stepping forward. I smirked and shook my head.
“I’m taking a quick shower and then maybe heading over to see if the twins want to check out the theatre again.”
“I could be quick,” he pleaded, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my neck. His beard scratched my skin in the most arousing way. I groaned and pushed him away gently.
“Not this time. I’m still feeling a little stiff from sleeping,” I said. He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
“I’m a little stiff too,” we laughed, and he plopped himself down on the counter while I showered.
“I could do it today. Derek’s probably sleeping in. Its our day off so Adrian won’t even answer his phone let alone stop by.”
“You could. Have you figured out how you want to do it? Maybe you could take her out for lunch, have a little one on one time before you just blurt it out.”
“Why not? I don’t think it will make it any easier. Hey Cleo, do you want some dessert and to host our unborn child in your stomach for a few months?”
I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. Scowling I turned to him. He flinched and looked away.
“Don’t you dare say it like that. I’ll kill you!” I laughed. He gave me that cheesy grin that I fell in love with and my stomach relaxed.
“You know I won’t,” he leapt off the counter and came to hug me. I leaned into his chest and he kissed the top of my wet head.
“I’m sure I’ll figure it out when I get there. I’ll make it so she can’t say no.” I looked up at him and he laughed.
“I’ll quit the band.”
I smacked his chest and he burst into laughter. We both knew that wouldn’t happen. The band was his life. His everything. Plus, you could replace the drummer.
We drove over to the giant house together. Mark was nervous. His leg was shaking wildly, and he was drumming his hands on his lap. He tried to play it off, but I could tell he was beginning to freak out.
“Mark, we don’t have to do this. This was what you wanted, and I’ll be okay if you decide you don’t want to anymore,” I said gently. I took his hand while I drove, and he stopped drumming.
“I know. I love you,” he said. “I want more than anything to be a parent with you. I would give up everything to make that happen. You keep saying it’s my choice but it’s really not. You will be an amazing mom, and I have to make that happen.”
“And what happens if she says no? I don’t feel comfortable looking for a stranger to do it.”
“She’s not going to say no, I’m telling you,” he told me again with a finality that ended the conversation. We pulled into the gates and parked the car. Tabatha, the kids’ nanny, opened the door holding Blue. She told us that both Ethan and Cleo were in Ethan’s home office.
