The Rhythm Method (Stage Dive 4.80)

“You don’t want to build?” asked Lena.

“It would take too long,” I said. “And I don’t really feel like we have the energy right now.”

“Fair enough.”

Anne lay on the opposite sofa. “You can always build later if some design in particular appeals to you.”

The twins and Tommy sat on the floor nearby, gazes glued to the TV. Some super puppy show was on, and they were beyond absorbed. Guess we had all of that in front of us.

Jimmy carried in a large charcuterie board loaded up with crackers, fruit, meats, and cheeses. “Eat, people.”

“Time to wash hands,” said Lena, rising to her feet and corralling the children into a nearby bathroom. They went somewhat reluctantly.

“How about a karaoke room?” asked Mal.

“Not necessary.” David plucked out a melody. “Hey, I think he just smiled.”

“Probably gas.”

“He likes the music,” I said, craning my neck to see. “It does not surprise me at all that his first smile would be about his daddy and a guitar. My child has excellent taste.”

“Four weeks is a little young, but who knows?” Jimmy sat on the floor on the other side of the baby.

“He didn’t smile ‘til I played Led Zeppelin.” David smiled. “My son is a born rocker.”

“You’ll definitely need a library,” said Anne. “A butler’s pantry would be great too.”

“And his and hers walk-in closets are a must,” added Lena. “If we’re making a list.”

I shrugged. “A library and a butler’s pantry would be cool. I don’t know. It’s a lot to decide. But we’ve been sharing a closet just fine for years.”

“Guess David doesn’t collect bespoke suits like Jimmy does,” said Lena. “His tie collection alone takes up a cabinet.”

“And they are all extremely useful and necessary.” Jimmy flicked back his dark hair. The bangs were longer while the sides kept short. In keeping with him being the slick and smooth aspect of the band.

“Oh, absolutely,” said his wife with a saucy wink.

“Are you two hinting at bedroom games?” asked Mal with a frown. “Gross, guys.”

“Games?” Tommy selected a piece of cheese and shoved it in his mouth. And then attempted to say something that no one understood because his mouth was full of cheese.

“Eat first, son. Talk later,” said Mal. “That’s my boy.”

The twins giggled.

“We figure we need a couple of indoor living areas so everyone can have their own space. An outdoor area, theater room, office, and after that we’ll see,” I said. “A pool, maybe. That would be nice in summer.”

“How do you feel about a koi pond?” Mal loaded up a cracker before popping it into his mouth.

“Can’t say I feel much about it at all,” said David. “Hey. He did it again. Check it out.”

Jimmy grinned at the baby. “That’s something close to a smile, all right. A smirk, maybe?”

“It’s probably because he heard my voice,” said Mal, also talking with food in his mouth. Which answered the question regarding where Tommy had learned that trick. Then he started laying out some choice pieces of food on a small plate for his son.

“What a clever baby,” I said, my heart getting that explosive, warm feeling again. It was in the way David’s eyes were lit up. Both of my male folk were happy, and that was awesome. “Take a picture for me, please. If I move it might distract him and he’ll stop.”

Jimmy grabbed his cell out of his pocket and snapped off some shots. “Got it.”

“Any progress with a name?” asked Lena, sitting back down.

“Actually, we have an announcement to make about that.” I smiled.

David paused his fingers on the strings, and his son let out a cry of woe. “Guess I better keep playing.”

“We were going to wait until everyone was together, but he’s already a month old,” I explained. “We can’t keep calling him the baby forever. And I’m scared I’m going to mess up and give it away if we wait much longer. So, after much discussion and deliberations, we would like to present to you…”

David turned to me and smiled. “Jameson Malcolm Benjamin Ferris.”

Anne’s brows rose. “You’re naming him after the whole band? I love it!”

“But his first name is Jameson, so he’s got his own identity. It’s just a little bit different.” Lena clapped her hands. “It’s such a great name.”

I grinned outright. My heart was doing that warm full to bursting feeling again, and I couldn’t be happier. This was it. This was our family. “We talked about it together long and hard. And the first time we came up with this particular combination, it just felt right. We both knew it. And the baby’s little lips twitched which I’m certain means he was trying to smile.”

“Jameson in honor of my big brother who’s always looked out for me,” said David, expression solemn. “And Malcolm Benjamin for my best two friends in the world.”