The Rhythm Method (Stage Dive 4.80)

And having all of our family here today made for a perfect housewarming. With the exception of the runaway baby situation.

“Jamesy, come back.” I rushed after my crawling son. He could cross the rug in the main room at an alarming rate considering he’d only been crawling for a short while. Race car drivers had nothing on my child when he was determined to reach something. Putting security gates at the top of the staircase had been our first job when we moved. “Hey, buddy, slow down. You have a pants problem.”

“I’ve got him,” said Anne, bending over somewhat slowly on account of her pregnant belly. She was a brave woman going back for more. I still wasn’t even sure what day of the week it was sometimes. Motherhood was hardcore. For a few weeks he’d decided to start the day at three a.m. That had seriously hurt. But we’d managed to get him back to a more livable routine.

I tickled his little feet. “I’m warning you, he needs a diaper change. I can smell it from here. It isn’t going to be pretty.”

“Poop doesn’t scare me.” Anne smooched the top of his head. “We’ll clean you up in no time, my friend.”

Jameson laughed in delight at all of the attention.

“Somebody smells,” said David with a smile. “I can take him if you want.”

“Ah,” said Jameson. Which I think was short for Da, but he wasn’t quite getting there yet. Whatever he was trying to say, it was adorable to hear him do it with such passion.

“Exactly. Ah. I was just about to say that myself. You are so clever. Now back off both of you. The baby is mine.” Anne perched him on her hip and headed for the nursery.

Jameson stuck his thumb in his mouth and grinned. What a cutie.

Out by the heated pool, Ben was busy throwing small children into the water. Much to their very loud delight. The squeals and laughter echoed down the hill. Meanwhile Jimmy and Mal were in the deep end of the pool, ensuring everyone reached the side and climbed out safely. Lena and Lizzy were hanging out in the hot tub with mimosas. Sam and Martha were slow dancing on the deck. What with them both running their own businesses, they got damn busy. But they’d made the effort to be here with us today. In fact, everyone was here. Well…apart from my brother Nate and best friend Lauren, who had moved to Phoenix. And the protégé rock star Adam Dillon, who was on tour along with his partner Jill. Bon and Ziggy, our close security professionals, were up at the gate on account of some overly devoted fans hanging around. But we were never going to manage to keep our whereabouts a secret for long.

“How can I help?” David slung an arm around my shoulder, drawing me in for a kiss. Just a tease of his warm firm lips. Delicious.

“Everything is sorted. I’ll set the food out in a little while and we can eat,” I said. “Jude worked her ass off yesterday getting it all ready.”

“She’s a nice kid.”

“A nice kid?” I raised my brows. “She’s a grown woman.”

“Yeah, I know.” He smiled. “We should find someone decent for her.”

I turned to stare at my love in wonder. “What is this? Are you turning into a matchmaker?”

“No.”

“But yeah? Just a little?”

He shrugged. “She blushes bright red any time Jimmy’s around.”

“Oh really? I didn’t know that.” I tapped a finger against my chin. “So you want to distract her from her somewhat awkward crush by parading a little fresh man meat in front of her.”

He frowned. “I wouldn’t put it that way exactly.”

“Of course not, you’re way too smooth.”

“I am.” He laughed. “Thank you for noticing. It was Mal’s idea, actually.”

“Why does this not surprise me?”

“But Ben thought it was a good suggestion.”

“You’re all involved?” I asked. “Seriously?”

“It’s not a big thing. It’s just . . . a passing thought about helping out a valued friend and staff member.”

“That you’ve all discussed. Poor sweet innocent single Jude. She isn’t going to know what hit her.”

“I may even already have someone in mind for her,” he said. “A good guy. He’s done well for himself over the last five years. And he’s someone who’ll be working with us on the new album.”

“He’ll just happen to be around, huh?”

“Yeah. Even Lena approved of my choice of potential boyfriends.” He smiled. “Not that I’m going to make things weird or awkward. They’ll just both be around. You never know what might happen.”