Page 10 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
“A lot of press downstairs,” warned David, the lead guitarist.His wife, Evelyn, sat on his lap, carefully holding Tommy.Both of them appeared enamored, and David’s finger looked huge wrapped in the baby’s small fist.
Having recently been fed, Tommy seemed content to give being on the outside a chance.Or at least, the crying had stopped for now.Since he’d arrived just after midnight, it was still the day of his birth.We’d all gotten some much necessary sleep during the day.Though we were both still tired.From what I’d heard and seen, however, that’s just the way things would be for a while.Outside, the city lights stained the darkness.
“Agreed.”Mal hovered near the baby, constantly on guard.It was sweet and hot to see him all papa-bear protective in his ripped black jeans and faded long-sleeve Henley with his long blond hair tied back.“We’ll put out a statement later.Something vague.”
David nodded.“The less they know about our private lives the better.”
“Right, no posting pics of him to Instagram, Jimmy,” said Mal.“That’s not cool.”
“How are you feeling, Anne?”asked Lena, cutting off her husband’s inevitable retort.
I smiled.“Sore.Tired.But fine.”
The twins and Gibson played with coloring books and crayons on the floor.A newborn baby wasn’t all that interesting to small children, apparently.A kids’ TV show played quietly on a tablet set next to the trio, and juice boxes and snacks were to hand.I couldn’t imagine Tommy being that big in a few years.He was so small in comparison.Though he hadn’t felt small coming out.Guess none of them did.My poor innocent vagina.
“Killer is enjoying his visit with us.”Evelyn grinned.“We left him curled up on the couch with a chew toy.”
“Thank you for that,” I said.
“Anytime.”
“My turn,” announced Lena, carefully lifting Tommy from Ev’s arms.“Hello, I’m your Aunt Lena.I have lots and lots of toys at my house.You’ll be interested in them when you’re older.Oh, he’s so light.I’d forgotten how small newborns are.And the twins were even tinier at first.”
“Do not get clucky.”Jimmy set his ankle on his other knee, watching his wife hold the baby.“I mean it, Lena.”
“Clucky?Please.You were the one suggesting another baby wouldn’t be so bad.”
“No.I suggested practicing making another baby wouldn’t be so bad.”
From his seat in the corner, Ben snorted.
Lena stuck her tongue out at her husband.
“At least when you put them in their bed at that age, they stay there.”Ben watched his son with a faint smile.“Gibby keeps trying to climb into our bed at night.”
“Do not,” said the child in question.
“Oh yes, you do.Aunty Martha said you even tried it at her and Uncle Sam’s house.”
Gibby gave his father a withering look before returning to his coloring.
The big bass player just smiled.“You and Anne have a lot of fun times ahead of you.”
“They still have the nappies, puking up sour milk, and incessant crying to go through before they hit the good stuff.”Lena stopped and sniffed the baby.“Speaking of which, time for a change of pants for you, my friend.Here you go, Mal.”
Mal’s eyes widened in alarm.“Uh, he needs to be changed?But you’re good at that.You should do it, Lena.It’ll be like bonding time.”
“Forget it, pal.You’re changing your own son’s nappy.”
“You haven’t done one yet?”asked Jimmy with a scowl.
“He hasn’t been out that long!”Mal protested, taking back his now crying son.“Sorry, Tommy.Daddy didn’t mean to raise his voice.He was just being picked on by our evil, nasty friends.Yes, he was.Poor Daddy.”
“Are you okay with him?”I asked, sitting up a bit farther.Ouches.
“I’m fine.I can do it.”
“And he will.”Ben rose from his chair, following Mal and the baby over to the change table.
