Chapter 21:
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"I want my sister" Mary-Kate whispered, for what must have been the 20th time. I breathed a sigh of relief as the plane finally started to descend. At least we'd finally be able to talk on the phone and find out what was going on. I stroked Mary-Kate's hair and told her once again that everything would be ok. Her face was completely blank and her eyes were wide. Totally unusual for her..
A few minutes later we were standing inside the airport. "I'll get the bags" Ike offered and he and Kirsten ran off to arrange that.
Taylor came running toward me "Here, I've got some free hours on my cell, you can use that" He handed me his cell and I smiled at him gratefully.
"Come on Mary-Kate" I led her to one of the uncomfortable plastic waiting room chairs "Lets find out whats going on".
---Michael---
Melanie was at the counter getting a refill on her coffee when her bag started ringing. I tried to get her attention but failed. Oh well, what could it hurt. I opened her purse and took out her cell
"Hey, it's Zac, I couldn't get through to Josh, Lizzie seems to have forgotten her mobile so I tried you. How's Ashley doing?" He asked, almost completely in one breath.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Michael?" He asked.
"What's going on?" We both asked in unison.
"I'm on Melanies cell" I explained.
"You mean you two are talking now?"
"Forget that, what's up with Ashley?" By this time Melanie had walked over to the table. She'd been glaring at me for answering her phone but when she heard Ashley's name her eyes widened.
"She's having the baby?" She asked.
"You mean you didn't know?" Zac asked, somehow having managed to pick up Melanie's voice in the noisy starbucks cafe.
Melanie had grabbed her purse and her jacket off the back off the chair and started walking toward the door before I could register his question.
"Come on Michael! I need a ride to the hospital!" She called over her shoulder.
"I'll call you back" I told Zac before hanging up the phone and running after her. "I believe this belongs to you" I said, handing it back to her as I got my keys out of my pocket.
---Melanie---
Michael and I raced into the hospital and found Josh just as his phone rang.
"Zacs trying to get a hold of you" Michael informed him as he placed the phone to his ear.
Josh listened on the phone for a second then nodded "It's him. We're gonna put the twins on together. Back in a minute"
Michael and I sat down in a set of waiting chairs and glanced at each other quietly. Well, this is a strange turn of events. Am I remember wrong or did we actually arrive here together?
---Ashley---
"Get out!" I screamed as Josh slipped into the room.
"I know! I know!" He continued walking over to me, his hands raised slightly in a surrender motion. Once he got to the bed he handed me his cellphone "Oh" I snatched it from him, throwing another glare.
"I'm going. I'm going" He said with a sigh.
"Mk?" I nearly sobbed as I put the phone to my ear.
"I'm here. I'm SO sorry I can't be there in person" Her voice was pretty shaky too and suddenly I didn't feel so alone anymore.
"I don't think I wanna do this anymore" I whimpered.
"Oh, Ashley" She said sympathetically.
---Josh---
I slipped out into the waiting room and sat next to Mel. With a sigh I buried my face in my hands. She patted me on the shoulder but didn't say anything.
"She doesn't want me there" I finally managed to say.
Michael sounded surprised "Why? I mean-"
Melanie shot him with a glare and he quickly shut up, I guess he hasn't forgot what those looks mean even though it's been so long since they broke up "Just give her some time" Melanie said "Labor isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world and who knows how her minds working now?"
I just nodded and did my best not to cry.
---
An hour later and it was all over.
Ashley and Mary-kate must have racked up about a thousand dollar phone bill as they stayed on the phone the entire time. I guess Ashley found it comforting having her sister and best friend there. But not me. The father of ther child. The love of her life.. for about a week (or however long it was we actually stayed married)
I feel I could collapse I'm so tired and I didn't do anything! I can't imagine how Ashley's feeling now.
I'm just glad she's talking to me again. She seems to have forgotten how she was before. And as if I'm gonna bring it up!
Now there was something else I was supposed to tell you. What was it again?
Oh yeah! The baby! I'm sure you're wondering if it's a boy or girl and what we're calling it huh?
Well...
Chapter 22:
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So, craving the 411?
Girls. Just let me tell you, the stories they tell you of horrific pain... it's all true. I am now a firm believer in adopting! Just kidding! I wouldn't trade my baby boy in for anything in the world.
You should see him! He's sooo cute! He's got beautiful blue eyes (I'm really hoping they'll be his permanent color) the lightest smattering of pale brown, almost blond hair. The same color as Josh's. He's got my nose and my smile. And.. just between you and me. He can throw a tantrum as well as his father any day.
I'm in the hospital for another day then I get to take my little William home.
---Mary-Kate---
Anna and I are on a plane headed for New York City. I'm extremely excited about meeting my new nephew and I know she's young and you probably wouldn't believe it but I'm sure Anna is too.
Zac wanted to come but he really needed to continue the tour. I only plan on being gone for a couple of days anyway. I wonder how Josh is doing..
---Josh---
I'm in love. I never dreamt I could love my son as much as I do. Everything about him is just.. completely perfect. I can't believe he's mine. Mine and Ashley's.
We have a son..
Wow.
And just between you and me. He can throw a tantrum as easily and quickly as his mother.
---Ashley---
I was lying in bed in an empty hospital room listlessly flicking through tv channels with the remote when I came across. You guessed it, Full House.
It was one of the early episodes. Back from the days when I was so young I can even remember. Wow I was an ugly baby!
Josh is off somewhere, don't ask me where, bonding with William. And I'm sitting here, bored out of my brains, well enough to go home but not allowed yet, and wishing my sister would hurry up and get her butt in this room already so we can have one of our 3 hour long conversations about everything we've each been through over the last couple of days.
The door suddenly swung open and there was a blur of blond hair and pink clothes racing toward the bed. "Ashley!" Mary-Kate screamed throwing her arms around me.
"Mary-Kate!" I screeched back at an equal volume "Oh I missed you so much! Wow! I never imagined having a baby could hurt THAT MUCH. Look" I paused to point at the tv "Weren't we just the ugliest babies? Well maybe not all the time but look at us in that episode. Where's Anna? How's Zac? How was your flight? Have you seen William yet. He's just the beautifullest thing" I paused for air and Mary-Kate put up a hand to stop me.
"All I caught was something about Anna and something about William. Yes I have seen him, just for a second when I dropped Anna off with Josh so we could have all the time in the world to talk." She grinned and pulled a chair up to the side of the bed.
"So pause long enough to breath and then tell me what you've been up to lately big sis!"
---Zac---
The crowd is truly roaring and regardless of the countless concerts I've done in the past I'm certain this one is the loudest. And hello? My bands in the guiness book of world records for loudest screams at a concert.
You know what? I'm starting to get a little scared.
Isaac glanced over at me and we had a quick conversation with our eyes. I nodded then glanced over at Taylor. He nodded and we stopped playing. At that exact moment the security raced out on stage and quickly ushered us back stage.
There was a tremendous crashing sound behind us as the stage collapsed. I broke away from the security and raced back to where the steps to the stage had been. Sure enough the stage lay broken on the ground.
My worst fears were comfirmed. I turned around and shouted "Someone call an ambulence!"
---Melanie---
It was the day after Ashley had the baby and I was sitting in my apartment listening to a cd and thinking about the events over the last couple of days.
I don't like anyone,
The way I like you.
I don't go anywhere,
If you're not there too.
It's not as if, I'm hard to please,
You're the only one
Good enough for me, baby
Yesterday was pretty interesting. Running into Michcael was embarassing (at least the way I ran into him). The conversation was nice. Us turning up at the hospital together... strange.
People are gonna hear about it too! Josh'll tell Ashley. Ashley'll tell Mary-Kate.
And they'll never let us live it down!
---Ashley---
I smiled as I thought about the events of last night.
What were the events? I don't know if I should tell you. Ok, you talked me into it.
Mary-kate and I talked for 3 hours. She went home only cause of circumstance (It was 1am). Then Josh came to say goodnight.
And yeah, that's about it.
Really!
Ok. Fine. Hekissedmeandthankedmeforgoingthroughthepregnancyandallofthat. (bet you found that hard to read!)
What kind of kiss? Forget it! I've told you more then I wanted already!
Chapter 23:
|
I yawned and pulled the blankets up over my head as the piercing ring of the phone knawed into my consciousness.
"5 more minutes" I mumbled to no one in particular.
The phone just kept ringing.
This is one of the things I hate about touring. Constant jet lag. My body is still on the time zone we left 3 cities ago. And now I'm in New York City it's absolutely no better.
Muttering under my breath I climbed out of bed and staggered around the apartment looking for the phone. In the living room I found Josh's sofa bed made and him nowhere in sight. I guess he must have gone to the hospital again. Ugh! Where is that darn phone?
"Hello?" I mumbled, when my search was finally fruitful and I found the phone. Muttering to myself again I turned the reciever up the right way "Hello?" I said again.
"Mary-Kate?" It was Zac, and he sounded pretty upset.
"What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly completely awake.
"There was an accident at the concert last night" Zac began. Before he could continue I interrupted.
"What!? Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Ike and Tay too. It's just.. some members of the audience were hurt, the stage collapsed on them. None of the injuries were fatal but some are pretty bad still. Broken bones. Head injuries. The owners of the hall assured us the stage was fine. They even showed us building inspector certificates. They must have been fake..." He sighed and paused "It's only a matter of time till some lawsuits start to come in... Mary-Kate, I think we're in a lot of trouble"
---Michael---
"How are you today?" Amanda asked bouncing into the room.
I was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a bowl of cereal. My head was filled with memories of Melanie and I's conversation the day before and I almost didn't hear her "I'm good." I answered simply.
"What's on the agenda for today?" She asked as she got some milk from the refridgerator and made herself some coffee.
"Not much" I answered "I have some papers I need to go over for work but other then that I've got the day off and they shouldn't take too long"
"Hmmm" She said as she sat down across the table from me "I've got the day off too. What do you say we have a picnic at the park, or hire some bikes and go riding, or go to a movie or" She threw her hands up in the air "Just do something fun?" She grinned.
I thought to myself. Stay here and mope about the pitiful state of my relationship with the love of my life or go have fun with a friend and take my mind of things. I looked up "Sure" I said with a smile.
---Josh---
I was pouring myself a cup of coffee in the hospital cafeteria when a pretty nurse walked over and started pouring herself one too.
"I don't think I'd survive here without my coffee" She said with a light laugh "It's the only thing that keeps me going"
I smiled "It can't be that bad can it?"
She shrugged "I'll admit. The babies are pretty cute. Just constant changing diapers and feeding and all that while the mothers recover can get a little tiresome."
"I can imagine" I said, shuddering a little "I guess I'll have to start getting used to that"
"New father?" She asked.
"Yeah. My ex wife just gave birth to our first child last night" I said, wondering as I said it why I felt strongly the need to point out that Ashley was my ex wife. But then, the nurse was very pretty.
She smiled "Babies are great. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it." She glanced at her watch "Well, I better get back to work. It was nice talking to you" She extended her hand for me to shake "I'm Judy by the way"
I shook her hand "Josh" I said.
"Well, maybe I'll see you around Josh" She said with a smile before walking away.
Interesting. Very interesting.
---Melanie---
After sitting in the apartment and worrying about the whole Michcael thing I decided to go out and run a few errands. We were getting pretty low on groceries and I wanted to run by the video store to see a if a new video was in.
After finishing all that I found my mind wondering back to Michael. We broke up a looong time ago. So why can't I get him out of my head?
I decided I need a walk to clear my head. So after dropping off the groceries at the apartment I headed for the park.
Big mistake!
---Taylor---
The atmosphere at the motel where the band and road crew was staying was tense to say the least. Already 5 people had sued and promised that other people would join them. The people who we'd hired the hall from had had some kinda clause in their contract that kept them safe. So the financial cost was going to fall to the band.
But that wasn't the thing that was making me feel so rotten.
People had gotten seriously hurt because we didn't do our research to find out if the place was safe. How naive could we be? People could have died because of that!
I couldn't feel more rotten right now.
And I guess that's what you can blame for the reason I completely snapped at Kathy an hour later. Now she's locked up in her motel room threatening to go back home and refusing to speak to me or let me apologize.
Could this day get any worse?
---Michcael---
Amanda and I had got ourselves a ton of junkfood for our picnic. Chocolate, potato chips, soda, Ice cream and so forth. Heaven!
We'd hired some bikes and ridden around the park. Then pretended we were young and played on the swings for awhile. When we finally stopped to rest we set up our picnic near a fountain and set to pigging out.
"Hows the new movie going?" I asked.
Amanda frowned "Ok I guess."
Amanda was currently shooting a new romantic comedy at a studio in New York City. The film was set in NYC so she didn't have to travel away from the apartment to film, something she was rather grateful for.
"I don't really click with my costar" She continued "We have absolutely zero chemistry. We have this kissing scene up and I'm actually dreading kissing him. Which is kinda strange considering he's really cute and a nice guy.. I dunno" She shrugged and sighed "Sometimes being an actress isn't the funnest thing in the world. If there is such a world as 'funnest'" She said with a laugh.
Sometime later we decided to rehearse some of her lines together. As she's always learning them she always has a copy of the script with her. Don't get the wrong idea. We weren't doing a kissing scene or anything. Just a scene from the characters first date. It basically involved a lot of talking and occasionally looking into each others eyes dreamily.
But I guess the thing with acting is, you always have an audience. And this one found our performance very believable.
The look in Melanie's eyes right before she turned and ran away made my heart sink down to my toes.
Great..
Chapter 24:
|
---Mary-Kate---
I smiled as I watched Ashley gaze down at her newborn son. She had him cradled in her ars and was gently touching his hand with one finger. Ashley had never been the type of girl to be crazy about babies, but this little one was the exception to break the rule.
"Look how tiny his fingernails are!" she exclaimed "They're practically the size of a pin head! And look how wrinkly the skin on his fingers is" She smiled at him "You're beautiful" She said and placed a kiss on his forehead.
The nurse came in about then and took him away for some tests and things. This gave me the perfect chance to talk with Ashley. And believe me, I have a lot to say!
"Where's Josh?" I asked as I pulled the seat up next to her bed.
"He went out for lunch" She said, leaning back on the pillows and wincing as a slight afterpain overtook her "Seriously" She said when it passed "William can be an only child. I'm not doing that again. It was awful!"
I smiled. Feeling strongly like the older more experienced twin "You'll change your mind someday" I said absentmindedly as I pondered how to start my lecture "Remember what Mum used to say to us? 'You'll meet some guy. Fall head over heels in love. Marry, start a family you'll long for by that time. And live happily ever after" I smiled.
"Maybe" Ashley said "If I meet the right person" She avoided eye contact and looked out the window nervously.
"Ashley. I know when you're lying to me" I said.
She glanced back at me sharply "What?"
"Find the right person?" I raised an eyebrow "Come on! I know you better then that. And I know Josh better then that!"
Her eyes widened "Come on Mary-Kate! You know that's over!"
"I know what I saw in his eyes when he held William and looked at you last night"
Her eyes clouded and she looked away "It's just wishful thinking" She said quietly, and I got the impression it was more to herself then to me.
"No it's not!" I insisted "I know it's not! And it's about time you stopped messing around. You're wasting time and who knows... maybe someday it'll run out"
I glanced out the door and saw Josh walking up the hall toward the room. I turned back to Ashley "You've got to work it out Ash, and soon" And with that I quietly slipped from the room, casting a quick smile at Josh as I passed him.
---Taylor---
Eventually desperate times called for desperate measures. I lied and told the Motel owner that I was concerned my girlfriend was ill and that she'd locked the door. They unlocked it and I prepared to apologize like crazy to Becky.
"I'm so sorry I snapped" I said, walking into the room. It looked like a tornado had hit it. Clothes were strewn everywhere and Katy was in the middle, stuffing them all in a suitcase.
Uh-oh.
---Melanie---
"If you could feel the tenderness I feel, you would know, it would be clear, that Angels brought me heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere" - Amanda sung to herself as she finished off doing the dishes. "Don't you just love Guy Sebastion?" She asked me with a smile.
I smiled and picked up the dishtowel "Don't you think it's about time we get a dishwasher?" I asked
"Sure. We'll go halves"
My face dropped as I thought about how much that would be "Um... nevermind"
"So," Amanda said, draining the sink and putting the cloth away "Are you ready to talk about... you know yet?"
I froze for a second before continuing withthe dishes "Not really" I said honestly.
She sighed and walked out of the kitchen "Typical Male" she muttered, she turned at the door and smiled to show she wasn't mad. Come to think of it I don't think I've ever seen her mad. For some reason the lyrics of a song Melanie used to always listen to came to mind.
I'm wearing this disguise, so everyone will think I'm having fun baby.
The world only sees me smiling
They don't know, the truth every night,
Cause that's where I hide my sorrow..
And they call me happy go lucky,
They don't know my heart is dying inside.
My smiles a frown turned upside down,
I do my happy go lucky so well, I'm even fooling myself.
Hmmm..
---Melanie---
I need a life. I need to stop obsessing over past relationships. I need to concentrate on my career. And most of all.. I need a vacation!
So..
Paris, France. Here I come!
---Ashley---
Finally time to leave the hospital. Mary-Kate picked me up in a taxi but acted all strange when we got to the apartment. She said something about last minute shopping and left me alone at the door.
By this point I knew something was going on. Maybe that's why I felt so compelled to knock rather then just enter my own apartment.
Practicalyl the moment my knuckles left the wood, the door opened and Josh took William's baby carrier from my hand and gently set it on the ground before pulling me into his arms and pressing his lips against mine.
Ok, so that in itself was a surprise.
I pulled back and looked at him "You feeling ok?" I asked.
"Ash, I wanna get back together" He said, smiling as he stroked my hair.
And then...
I woke up.
*sigh*
"Hey Ash" Mary-Kate said, sticking her head in the door "Ready to go home?"
"Am I ever!" I said as I slowly climbed out of bed.
We left the hospital and took a taxi to my apartment. "Is Josh going to be moving out soon?" Mary-Kate asked quietly. "I thought the original plan was that he was just staying temporarily"
"I'm not sure" I answered "I really don't know whats next"
She frowned "Pretty crummy way to be huh?" She said, using a familiar tone.
I sighed "Please don't start again!"
"But Ashley-"
"Don't!" I snapped.
"Fine" She said angrily.
The rest of the trip seemed to drag in an arkward silence but finally we reached the apartment.
"You coming?" I asked shortly as I got out of the car.
She shook her head "I'm gonna go visit Melanie"
"Fine" I said, slamming the door and walking away.
I far prefer the dream to this!
Chapter 25:
|
---Michael---
"You know what" Amanda called it. I am such a chicken! It happened almost two days ago but yet I don't know what to say or do about it.
It happened just after Melanie saw us rehearsing:
*Flashback*
"Michael, what's wrong?" Amanda asked, running after me as I ran in the direction Melanie had ran. Is it just me or is this like something from 'My Best Friends wedding'?
"Melanie" was all I said.
"Mike, don't you think it's about time you moved on?"
I paused and turned to face her "Did you just call me Mike? No ones ever called me that!"
Amanda smiled as she covered the last few steps to catch up with me. She impulsively leaned forward, cupping my face in her hands and kissed me!
*End Flashback*
---Josh---
"Yellow?" I answered as I picked up the phone. Ashley, wo was changing William's diaper on the sofa rolled her eyes. She hates it when I answer the phone like that. Which is of course why I do!
"Josh?" the voice was familiar but I couldn't quite place it "It's Judy.. from the hospital."
The nurse?
"Um.. hey. How'd you get my number?" Not that I minded..
"Well.." She laughed a little "I was a bit naughty. I kinda glanced at your wifes file"
I raised an eyebrow. "Wow.. all that for me?"
she laughed a little tinkling laugh "Yup, all that for you. I was wondering if you'd like to go out sometime"
I grinned.
---Ashley---
I'm not sure when the idea of a reunion dinner occured to me. It was sometime after coming home from the hospital. It just felt like we'd all been alone for far too long. And the fact that Mel and Michael had come to the hospital together meant they must be at least being civil with one another. So maybe it could be posssible..
Of course I'd have to make up with Mary-Kate. But we're sisters, we fight all the time and never stay mad for too long.
I suggested the idea to Jsh who was very into it. He agreed to make the arragenments at a nearby restaurant if I could find a time that would suit us all.
---Zac---
Ashley's call to invite me to a reunion dinner came as a welcome respite form the stress over the lawsuits. We, the band, had been planning to return to NYC anyway and I was looking forward to seeing Mary-Kate and Anna again.
The entire flight was silent between my brothers and I. We were all worrying over the impending court cases, and conversation never presented itself.
NYC finally loomed out the window and I knew Mary-Kate and Anna were waiting for me at the airport.
Finally a sparkle of happiness in my life.
---Melanie---
I don't know when I got the idea, but I wasn't surprised when I did. I knew I had to get away from New York City and the repetitive problems Michael and I were experiencing.
It was obvious our relationship was over. We weren't going to work things out.
Maybe the inspiration came froma video I'd hired, 'Under the Tuscan Sun'
However it came about, I found myself calling my label and informing them I was ready to start recording my album and would like to do so in... Italy.
I'm leaving in a couple of days. First I have to live through Ashley's dinner..
---Michael---
"You're going where?" Amanda asked.
"To dinner with my friends" I repeated.
"MIKE!" She yelled "Stop running away! Either we're in a relationship or we're not. Now what is your answer?" She tapped her foot and I realized I had only seconds to decide.
"We are" I responded.
She grinned and walked over to kiss me. "Great! I'll go get ready"
"Wait. What for?" But by that time she'd already left the room.
Uh-oh...