“Yes I am.” I don’t try to hide the emotion in my voice.
“So, did you hear about the mansion?” Ella asks.
Ella and Abbi refer to our new home as ‘the mansion.’ As soon as we finished touring last year, I convinced Raven we needed a new house. There were several reasons why, but I wanted a gate for safety and security. We heard Christie would be up for parole next year, and I took no chances on secure measures for my family.
Also, with two babies, I wanted to have a house big enough for them to have their own rooms. Our search started out modestly but when we found ‘the house’ it was a lot larger than we planned. But is has everything we could ever want including a pool. My sisters may make fun of our house, but who doesn’t want a fucking pool?
“Yeah, my mom told me. Thank you guys. I really expected to have all of our stuff unpacked when the kids came. I’ve been nesting, and I thought I had some time.” Raven answers.
“Jenna had my ass moving furniture around last night so be prepared.” Blake tells us.
I laugh thinking about Jenna taking charge. As soon as our friends started arriving at the hospital, she made each of them commit to helping her get our house set up to come home. Raven and I had the nursery done a few weeks ago, which I’m proud of, but apparently the whole house needs to be finished. Robbie begged to come back to the hospital and hang out with us because she was driving him crazy. She may have given him an excuse, but I knew he really wanted to come back and see his niece and nephew. He’s smitten, just like everyone else.
Out of all the guys though, Finn is the worst. He stops by several times a day to visit. He uses the excuse that he’s bringing us food, but we know he wants to see the babies.
“Have you guys talked any more about what you’re going to do?” Abbi asks both me and Raven.
“Yeah, we all talked about it and agreed. We’re going to push off the tour until September. We’ve got a few shows lined up this summer, but the headlining tour will start after Labor Day. All the guys agreed we wanted some time off. And besides, the twins will be almost six months when we leave. That’ll give Raven and me time to find a nanny to help us.”
“I think it’s a good plan. You guys have been working so hard on the second album, and everyone deserves a break. Besides, it would kill me if you guys planned to leave in two months with these little bundles. I plan on spoiling them like crazy every chance I get and I can’t do that if y’all are living on a bus traveling the country.”
“You should have heard my mom. It w
as almost scary until I started laughing. She was threatening us with everything under the sun. Finn was here and when she mentioned coming with us to help me out. He asked if she really wanted to live on a bus with her son-in-law for six months. Then he reminded her how we got pregnant in the first place, and she shut up. It was really quite funny.” Raven tells everyone.
“Big brother, looks like you officially have it all. Beautiful wife, perfect children, number one album in the country, and now a headlining tour scheduled.”
“Yep, sounds about right, but you forgot one thing. I have a kick ass fucking rock and roll family.” I wink at Abbi and Ella letting them know how much I love them.
Raven’s smile lights up her face and I walk over to sit with her on the bed. Ella hands James to her and then gets the camera to take pictures. Raven puts her head on my shoulder and lays into my body as close as she can.
“This is perfect. Thank you.”
“No baby, thank you. You and these children are my life. I can honestly say, without a doubt, I need you to survive.”
Her body pressed to mine, us holding our children, I know I’ve never said truer words.
Epilogue
3 Years later
Raven
“You feel fucking amazing, please tell me you’re close.” Declan whispers in my ear.
I tighten my legs around his waist and push into him trying to answer without words. Gripping his neck, I slam my mouth against his to try and contain my moans.
“Say you’ll give me another one, Sparkle. There’s really only one answer.”
Déjà vu consumes me-for several reasons. One, we’re in the same back room behind stage at the Ryman Theatre where we had sex during The Wilde Ones concert all those years ago. But this year Sayge is the one taking the stage to a sold out crowd. Also, I’m reminded of the time Declan fucked me in the shower and asked me to marry him again. It’s become a habit of his to try and convince me into things during sex.
“We are NOT discussing that right now!” I say against his lips.
He slows down his movements and squeezes my ass. “Yes we are, say yes.”
“Declan, James and Lizzie just turned three. Hayes is only one. We’re leaving for a European tour in a month. It is not time to have another baby!”
“Say yes.” he ignores me completely.