"You think I'm here on my own / But I'm not sleeping alone," AJ sang along, nodding his head to the beat. When the song was finished, he stretched across the controls to switch off the recorder before flopping back in the chair with a pleased sigh. "That song is almost better than sex…"
"So does that mean it'd be the ultimate orgasmic experience if you were listening to the song during sex?" Alana inquired as she heard his voice filter through the speaker system. Watching AJ jerk up in surprise, she had to laugh as she leaned to carefully remove the pillows from underneath her legs before shifting her body back into the wheelchair. Pulling the brakes, she easily wheeled herself to the door to the sound booth, opening it and then continuing toward AJ's side.
"Considering the fact that I haven't had sex since before we left for the Bahamas…" AJ trailed, staring at the ceiling for a moment as he tried to remember the last time he had physically been with a woman. "Goddamn, I need to get laid."
"You could always call the toddler toy, Kaci, for a quick visit," Alana offered with a small smirk, but AJ's scowl proved otherwise. "Alright… How about you play that back for me so I can see what it sounds like with my voice and drumming and I'll give you a shoulder massage while it's playing?"
"How did we go from talking about my need for sex to a shoulder massage?" AJ questioned, sending his ink pen sailing across the studio. Grinning with triumph when it directly pressed the playback button, he reached to lower his chair so she could reach his shoulders. "Lay it on me, Babe."
"Because there's no way that I could possibly offer you sex, so I'll delay the need with a shoulder massage," Alana answered easily as AJ plucked the headphone cord away from the equipment so the music would filter through the powerful speakers. Satisfied when she heard the start of the piano and guitar that Howie had first made, she reached for his shoulders. Starting at the base of his neck, she worked the pads of her fingers in a slow, circular motion. Hearing his satisfied moan coinciding with her beautiful voice flowing from the speakers, she had to fight a smile, moving the tender massage across his shoulders.
"Isn't this cozy?" Howie announced as he muffled a yawn over his cup of tea.
"He's a slave driver," Alana concluded as she turned to glance toward Howie, her teal eyes lighting with excitement. She had been aching to show Howie what she had done to his song, seeking his approval. She had thought about waking him when she had awoken AJ, but didn't want to upset him. So, she set to work, hoping he wouldn't mind. "I didn't think you'd be up for a few more hours! Can you listen to what I did?"
"If it's AJ moaning and you singing to him…" Howie trailed as he crossed the room to flop into his chair, scowling at the pack of cigarettes, lighter, spare change and wallet that littered the desk. "Must you drop all your shit everywhere?" he groaned, shoving it all to the floor with a scowl. "What did you do, Sweetie?"
"Alex, show him," Alana insisted as she postponed her massage for a moment, gesturing toward the CD that had just finished recording. Though, when he placed it into playback, she naturally bit down hard on her bottom lip with a slight air of nervousness, jumping when her hands were guided back to AJ's shoulders for rubbing.
"Harder, please?" AJ requested softly as he moved his chair closer to hers.
"Shush," Howie admonished, sipping his tea as he leaned back. Closing his eyes as the music started, he focused only on the song, grateful when it grew in volume enough to drown out AJ's pleased moans. Hearing the drum start with the chorus, he sat up, his hot tea sloshing from his mug to land on AJ's bare arm. "I love that!"
"SON OF A BITCH!" AJ immediately howled with pain as he lurched up from his chair, furiously scratching at his arm as if he could claw away the hot liquid. Jumping up and down like a spoiled child, he whined with the pain as he offered his arm toward Alana.
"Do you like it, Howie? I know that it's your song and everything, but I've been playing drums since I was a baby. I was listening to the song last night and I just knew that's what the song needed. And, I can definitely sing the lyrics better if you need me too, but I wanted to concentrate on the drums first--" Alana explained to Howie as she used the towel surrounding one of her ice packets to clean away the tea from AJ's arm. She watched Howie intently for an answer as she applied the ice pack to AJ's arm, making him stand at her wheelchair to decrease the swelling of the flaming tissue.
"The lyrics are perfect," Howie promised, setting his now empty mug on the desk as AJ continued to whine. "And the drums… I love it. Aje, what do you think?"
"I think you marred my beautiful body art!" AJ hissed with annoyance, knowing he would strike at Howie if it wasn't for Alana's hold on his arm.
"It was an accident! Now stop bitching like the PMS Poster Girl and tell me what you think about the drums."
"She's sex on wheels when it comes to the drums, now excuse me while I call a fucking plastic surgeon--"
"Is that a crack to her being in a wheelchair?" Howie questioned with a dark scowl.
"It was a compliment--" AJ yelped in pain as Howie's hand found the back of his head. "Damnit, D! You're only supposed to do that to Nicky-Dicky!"
"I reserve the right to do it to you when you're acting like a dick," Howie informed him. When AJ lifted the ice pack to reveal a patch of reddened skin, he winced. "Nattie's upstairs, get her to put some aloe on it for you, okay? And get Alana some breakfast?"
"I really don't need anything to--" Alana realized that her refusal of breakfast was useless as AJ went stomping up the stairs with another fresh exploration into colorful curses. Exhaling softly and praying that eggs or butter were not brought down, knowing they immediately triggered her morning sickness, she glanced toward Howie. "You're really sure you like it?"
"I don’t like it," Howie murmured, shaking his head gently. Glancing up to see the crestfallen look marring Alana's beautiful features, he quickly grinned. "I love it!"
"You're not funny! I actually called Alex to make him get me out of bed with Nick to carry me downstairs to do this for you! 'Cause I thought you'd like it!" Alana groaned as she pushed on his shoulder, rubbing her face as if tears were starting to fall.
"But I love it! Isn't that better?"
Alana peeked out from her hands. "Perhaps worth getting out of bed with Nick…"
"And if I were to say that when this song debuts on the radio it will be an instant number one hit?"
"You might get a small smile and a kiss on the cheek, even though I think you're insane?"
"You've heard of Christina Aguilera, right?"
"I love her vocals."
"I do too. But believe me, when people hear you, they're going to forget all about her."
"Howie…" Alana trailed, shifting to hide the blush coloring her cheeks.
"Just wait and see, Sweetie."
"…When are we going to get it recorded?"
"Honestly? I don't know. If you and Nick are going to be going out to California soon…" Howie trailed, pursing his lip in thought. "I'll probably take AJ out there to get the studio set up within the next week, and leave you with some more demos to play around with, if that's okay? Then when you get out there we can get to work?"
"You're the boss," Alana agreed with a small nod, hearing the heavy fall of footsteps on the basements stairs, knowing AJ was far too skinny to make that commotion. "As long as you're willing to drive me and all that, y'know?"
"Absolutely," Howie promised.
"Nick would probably be more comfortable with you driving me instead of AJ. Not that he even knows I signed the record deal. Or that I helped you with this song. Or that I'm perfect capable of wheeling myself around the house…" Alana groaned as she rubbed her aching temples, glancing toward Howie. "Are the demos more songs that you wrote?"
Howie nodded thoughtfully. "Some, yes. There's a couple that AJ wrote, and one that Aaron--"
"Absolutely insists that he has to duet with you on!" Aaron's cherubic voice announced as he hopped off the last few stairs to hurry over. Grinning excitement, he leaned over Alana to layer her face with the sweetest of good morning kisses. "And you're not allowed to hate it. You've got to love it to death and it's going on your debut album. Right, D?"
"Alana has the last word on what goes on her album," Howie reminded Aaron gently.
"What? She does?" Aaron questioned, eyes widening. "What kind of--"
"Natalie made me swear that Alana would have final say on everything from what songs she sings to the color of the socks she wears onstage," Howie informed with a grin at Alana.
"Guess she's already one of my Managers, huh? Like… Personal Manager of Social Affairs?" Alana guessed with a small smile, knowing she would have to thank Natalie immensely. She knew the business far better than Alana ever would. She needed her best friend as part of the team.
"I believe the title she came up with was Personal Manager Extraordinaire," Howie chuckled. "She's already looking to get some photoshoots lined up--"
"She's got your back, Sis," Aaron crooned.
"If she's my Personal Manager, does that mean she can handle the bullshit with Nick for me, too?" Alana guessed with a small smile as Aaron flopped on AJ's seat, plugging in the headphones to see what Alana had come up with that morning.
"What bullshit?" Howie questioned, glancing up from the copy of the contract he was going to give Alana for her records.
"When we get into fights in the future?" Alana guessed with a means of half truth, accepting the thick stack of papers from him in order to glance over momentarily. Though, while she looked at it, it was only means of a diversion. She couldn't really identify a bullshit problem, at least, none she wanted to admit. Nick treating her like a child was just infuriating. And, if he wasn't suffocating her, then he was completely avoiding her, almost as if she could have no fun even while she was injured. "Have flowers on speed dial under his credit card?"
Howie's dark brows furrowed with worry. "Are you two having problems--"
"Holy shit! The drums sound so totally wicked!" Aaron shrieked, banging his hands against the desk for emphasis.
"How can I possibly have problems when I have a little brother as adorable as him?" Alana laughed as she leaned to ruffle Aaron's platinum locks. When she caught his attention, she pulled the one headphone back. "I did those drums, Aaron."
"Wicked!" Aaron beamed, giving her a thumbs-up when she let the headphone fall back into place.
Howie sighed as Alana turned her attention to her contract once more. "Alana--"
"French toast, bacon and ginger ale," AJ announced as he entered the studio, bearing a tray with enough food to feed them all at least twice. Natalie had been insistent that he take it all, informing him that she was taking Brian his breakfast in bed. "Apparently, Rok gave Nat some awesome sex, 'cause she's in a giving mood--"
"Head," Alana interrupted as she handed the contract back to Howie, deciding to take it up with her whenever Nick came down to complain that she wasn't resting. When AJ looked at her with horror, she shrugged helplessly. It wasn't as if she wanted the information. She had simply been enjoying a comfortable bath when Natalie burst in from her date, filling in every detail before Alana had a chance to object.
"Brian gave Nat-Nat head?" Aaron questioned suddenly, still thumping his hands against the desk in time to the song playing in the headphones. "Does that mean she's got a really big cl--"
"She gave him head and he gave her a tongue bath…" Alana informed, though she wrinkled her nose as she explained. "Can we please talk about something else? If you want the details, I'm sure Allie will be ecstatic to help you out."
Aaron nodded slightly, turning to look at her. "Did she--"
"Why don't we let Alana eat breakfast?" Howie suggested, nowhere near interested in hearing anymore details about Natalie and Brian's apparently healthy sex life. "And AJ, we need to make flight plans for early next week."
"Where the Hell are we going early next week?" AJ snorted in apparent distaste as he set the tray on the coffee table, yelping in shock when Howie grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. "Okay! Okay! Stop making me bitch at you and let's go upstairs and book the fucking flights!"
Taking the headphones off, Aaron leaned over and smacked a noisy kiss on Alana's cheek. "The song kicks ass, Sis!" he declared as Howie and AJ headed up the stairs. Hearing the door slam behind them, he watched Alana wheel herself over to the coffee table. "So, you given Nick head lately?"
"Not that I think we should be talking about this, but I've never given your brother head," Alana answered as she angled the wheelchair near the couch, parking the brakes. Then, using her monumental upper body strength, she eased her body onto the couch, making sure to tend to the immobilized leg with heavy pillows before concentrating on the cast. Satisfied that she was comfortable, she reached for the ginger ale to drink.
"Did he tell you that I walked in on him choking his chicken yesterday?" Aaron questioned, shuddering at the memory. He would have thought his older brother knew how to lock a bathroom door--
"He hasn't been telling me much of anything, Aar," Alana murmured as Aaron handed over a plate of French toast. Balancing it on her lap, she cut into one of the slices, pushing it around her plate for a moment. She knew whatever she said to Aaron would probably fall right back on Nick's ears. Though he seemed deaf when it concerned her.
"He's scared of hurting you, Sis," he informed her softly, helping himself to a handful of bacon. Munching thoughtfully, he reached for a can of ginger ale. "He wants to know that you're being taken care of, that you're healing like you should, and that the twins are doing okay. But, according to him, just looking at you makes him hard as a rock and all he can think about then is--"
"Because, yeah, I'm a picture of seduction these days," Alana scoffed, taking the small piece of French toast into her mouth for tentative chewing, hoping she wouldn't be ill. She wasn't exactly a believer in Aaron's sentiments. Not when her long curls were always thrust into ponytails or messy buns and she was carried about the house in baggy t-shirts, tank tops, and boxers.
"We're talking about Nick, remember?"
"Are you telling me that he'd get turned by a wet dog?" she inquired with a small frown. "Thanks, Aar…"
"Women," Aaron muttered into his can. "It's you, alright? Just you."
"Don't get perturbed with me."
"I'm just saying? Give the guy a handjob at least?"
"You can't pin this on me. I already offered the man a hand-job and he turned me down. Told me he's never been offered something like that, then he blushed and smacked his head on the edge of the tub. Then, after I had offered, he told me he wanted just to spend some time with me, Zachie, and him together. So, forgive me if that ain't a royal brush off."
"But that was over a week ago."
"He's pretty much ignored me since then. How am I supposed to offer again if he won't even look at me? Hell, I'd blow him if it meant that maybe he'd look in my direction."
"Can I quote you on that?"
"Don't even think about it," she warned, oblivious to the soft closing of the basement door.
Aaron whined, "But if it'd help--"
"Then you offer him a hand-job."
Aaron grimaced at the mere mention. "I'd rather give Brian one!"
"I don't think Brian'll be needing your hands for a good couple'a months now that Nat's mouth has found new territory," Nick yawned as he shuffled down to the basement after listening to AJ and Howie bicker about Alana's whereabouts. Shifting the fussing Zachary in his arms as he balanced the warm bottle in the opposite crook of his arm, he forced a glance toward Alana and avoided his brother's poignant grin. "Snot Sucker won't eat for me. Figured he wants Mommy's touch this morning."
"That's what I'm here for," Alana murmured as she handed her plate toward Aaron so she could take Zachary in her arms. Cooing softly at the sniffling infant, she lowered her head to place several kisses on his wrinkled brow as he considerably calmed. Reaching to press a tiny hand against her chest as he smacked his lips, Alana had to laugh as she took the bottle from Nick. "You trying to act like you ain't hungry is like your Uncle Aaron acting like he's a ladies' man."
"I am a ladies' man," Aaron grumbled under his breath. Hopping to his feet, he clapped Nick on the shoulder, leaning close. "Dude, take her up on the hand-job offer, okay? But, preferably without Bud in the room, though." Ignoring Nick's confused look, he clapped his shoulder once again. "Be back later!" he hollered, bounding up the stairs.
"The food that Allie made is still warm if you're hungry," Alana offered as she helped Zachary secure the bottle in his mouth. Watching him suck hungrily, she guessed that Nick hadn't been able to eat either. "Unless you're going upstairs to get something instead?"
"I'll stay here," Nick murmured, flopping into the chair vacated by his brother. Eyeing the French toast and bacon warily, he glanced at Alana. "Nat made this? …Is it edible?"
"The French toast is pretty good and Aaron was chewing on the bacon without much of a problem."
"You're sure she made it?" Nick questioned, reaching for a slice of bacon for a taste. "I mean, that chick burns everything--"
"Alex said she made it, but, who knows, maybe she got a diner to deliver…"
"How'd you get down here?" Nick asked softly, nibbling on the bacon. It wasn't as good as the bacon Alana had fixed him on occasion. But it would do.
"Alex came and got me and brought me down," Alana answered, deciding to leave out the starting portion of her calling him. Not to mention the leg pain that had been keeping her up. And the morning sickness. No need to send Nick into a frenzy.
"…And then Aaron brought up our sex life?" Nick guessed.
"You mean lack there of?" Alana returned, glancing up from Zachary though she took his hand into hers so he knew she hadn't forgotten about him. "Or do you mean your sex life? With your hand?"
Nick groaned, clapping his hand over his eyes before dragging it down the length of his face. "I'm sorry, I was just worked up after helping you in the bath--"
"You ain't got nothing to be sorry about," Alana interrupted gently. "And if it's that much of a problem, then I can just find some other way to do what I have to do in the bathroom. It'll be easier when the cast comes off next week. Then I'll be able to stand up for showers."
"I like helping you."
"I like you helping me, too, but if it's a problem then--"
"I'd just feel like the biggest prick in the world, asking you to jerk me off--"
"If you asked me like that, I think I might consider you to be a big prick, too," Alana attempted to joke as she heard the dry sucks of a finished bottle. Gently pulling it from Zachary's mouth, she smiled as he cooed with thanks. "Do you have a burp rag?"
Nick plucked the cloth diaper from off his shoulder, leaning over to hand it to Alana. "So… If I were to ask… How exactly would I need to phrase it?"
"You'd need to… Wait until your brother is out of the room…" Alana's sentence trailed as Aaron bounded down the steps, entering the room to pluck Zachary from Alana's arms as well as the cloth diaper. Saluting to his brother, Aaron then hurried back up the steps, making sure to hit the button that would flash a red light upstairs, warning no one to disrupt whatever was going on downstairs. Shaking her head in disbelief, Alana glanced down to the large couch she was seated upon. Suddenly, she offered Nick a grin as she laid upon the couch, stretching out her immobilized leg on the couch, leaving much room as she bent her knee to rest her cast upon the floor. "Handsome, c'mere."
"Here? Now?" Nick questioned dubiously. He hadn't had a shower yet--
"Just c'mere," Alana commanded once more. "I want to show you something."
"That drawing of a stick figure taking a piss that Bay drew?" Nick asked with a chuckle, moving to sit in the spot on the couch she pointed to.
"I'm keeping this cast when they saw it off and then I'm making Brian and Baylee sign it. Then, I'm going to sell the sucker on Ebay for a handsome chunk of change. Little angel son my ass," Alana grumbled as she gestured for Nick to come closer. Carefully, she helped to guide his knee to rest snugly between her spaced legs as his other knee rested on the floor to the inside of her cast. Then, she made him lean over her till their lips were a hairsbreadth apart. "See? You won't hurt me, Handsome."
"I can touch you?" Nick whispered hopefully, his hand trailing lightly over her stomach. "I mean really touch you…"
"Honest to God, Nickalicious, you can touch me without hurting me. You're no where near crushing my legs and they're both comfortable on pillows. No more putting those three body pillows between us during the night, okay?" she confided with a small smile, running the back of her hand down the side of his face.
Nick nodded, leaning down to kiss her softly. "It's just… If I move wrong and hurt you I'd never be able to forgive myself--"
"Then we'll duct tape your legs to the bed at night," Alana suggested, running her hands down the length of his back only to slip them underneath his t-shirt to trail up his skin. Leaning up, she relished in the taste of him against her lips, whimpering with true thanks as she nibbled his bottom lip.
"Help me?" Nick requested with a soft moan, his tongue sweeping into her mouth.
"Duct tape your legs tonight?" Alana inquired with a soft laugh, though it was quickly changed into a moan of pleasure as Nick's tongue flicked over her lips before diving into her mouth once more, catching her tongue in an arduous dance of passion. Wrapping her arms around him from underneath his arms, she pulled him closer as she nibbled on his tongue. "I missed you."
"I missed you more," Nick swore, leaning against her gently as his hand swept beneath her t-shirt. Lightly stroking her warm skin, he sucked her tongue into his mouth for a hard nip.
"Don't disappear on me like that again," she suggested, unable to resist breaking their kisses so she could pull his t-shirt over his head. The shirt fluttered down onto her, one arm braced beside her still hooked within, but she could lean up and kiss his bare chest now. "Are your ribs better?"
"One hundred percent," Nick assured with a shiver before dipping his head for another kiss.
"Fantastic," Alana purred within his mouth, allowing her hands to slowly follow the contours of his body, leading her hands down the tapering of his waist to the elastic band of his shorts. Tucking her fingers, just underneath the elastic band, she leaned back on the couch so Nick would have to follow her for hardened kisses.
"I love you," he whispered, his hand sliding further up her shirt. Lifting his head to look into her eyes, he smiled when her hand reached up to brush his cheek. It stayed on his face as he whispered her name, swallowing hard when he saw her dark teal eyes glazed over with pleasure. Eyes so full of respect and love and a hint of fear gazed up at him as he leaned his cheek against her palm, hoping she knew just how much he loved her.
"I love you, too," she promised, returning the sweet smile he was offering to her. "Probably too much."
"Never too much," Nick whispered, leaning down to kiss her once more. His fingers made slow circles just beneath the curve of her breast, realizing with a soft whimper that she had neglected to put on a bra. Feeling a surge of desire that was fueled as much by the warmth of her body as his love for her, he pressed his growing arousal gently against her. "Beautiful…"
"You've been feeling neglected?" she guessed, pulling back to offer him a small pout of appreciation. At his pitiful whimper of recognition, she leaned up to plant a kiss to the corner of his mouth. She then moved her lips up to draw in his top lip for a soft remembrance of her kisses before moving to his bottom lip for several hard nibbles of passion she craved. Then, slipping her hands fully into the waist of his shorts, she trailed the curved taper of his pubic bone till she was able to fondly caress his hard length.
"God," Nick whined softly, his hand sweeping across her stomach. Pulling back slightly, he glanced down at the boxers she wore, smirking against her lips as his fingers slid between her legs. She gasped into his mouth when his hand eased through the slit in the boxers, his fingers lightly brushing her sensitive skin.
"I think I forgot to stitch those closed," Alana whimpered in surprise as her body tightened beneath him, her nails lightly digging into the sides of his erection as she stroked him. Somehow, sprawled on Brian's couch in the open basement was thrilling to say the very least. If anything, she was actually waiting for Brian or Howie to come tumbling down the stairs like stern parents, kicking Nick out of the house for sullying her.
"Whatever you do, don't stitch them," Nick requested, arching against her hand. His fingers slid over her moist folds, parting them gently as his lips moved to kiss the warmth of her neck. "'Cause if you did that, I wouldn't be able to do… This," he whispered, nipping at her throat as his finger thrust into her.
"O-Okay," Alana complied with a hard shudder, raising her hips in order to meet the sharp thrust of his finger. Unable to hold back a low moan of pleasure, she withdrew her hands from him in order to grasp his hips. "God, Nick, you're too good to me."
"You're better," Nick promised, alternately nipping and sucking at her skin as his finger began a slow, tantalizing rhythm.
"This is supposed to be about pleasuring you," Alana whimpered, burying her face against his shoulder. Rocking her hips to the rhythm of his hand, she sighed with the ultimate pleasure, slowly allowing her hands to drop into his shorts once again. Allowing just the pads of her fingers to lightly trace the taper of his hips, down the center of his pubic bone, to the very tip of his erection, and gently circled the tip.
"I can stop if you want me to," Nick murmured, drawing his hand away.
"Only if you're planning on using something else," Alana whined with regret.
"…What do you suggest? My tongue--"
Alana held her breath. "You have got to be kidding me…"
"What, then?" Nick whispered, his fingers lightly stroking her. "We can't--"
"I think we could…"
"It's too soon…" Nick groaned, letting his forehead rest on her chest. "You know how I get, Beautiful…"
"Sorry," she whispered regretfully, lightly running her fingers through his now sweaty platinum locks. Leaning, she gently kissed the top of his head, wishing she hadn't been foolish enough to fall rock climbing.
"Beautiful?" Nick murmured, sitting up fully. Tossing his shirt aside, he reached for her hands with a hopeful grin.
"Handsome?" she returned, arching her brows with a curious nature.
"How about I take you upstairs where we can stretch out on the bed?" he suggested softly, twining his fingers with hers, wetting his lips when she raised her brows further. "And I can make love to you without worrying we'll fall off the couch?"
"Make love to me?" she questioned in surprise as he moved to stand from the couch. Leaning down, he wrapped her arms around his neck, taking hold just beneath her thighs to lift her against him. He supported the immobilized leg easily as he helped her weave her cast just around his hip for protection. "But I thought we just agreed that we wouldn't--"
"You suggested it, I thought about it," Nick interrupted, kissing her softly before turning to head for the stairs.
"But I don't want you to be worried or scared--"
"I'm not. Just tell me if I get too rough, okay?"
"Okay," she agreed with timid nod. "I love you, Handsome, so much."
"I love you more."
"Afterwards, I'll give you a full body massage?" Alana offered as Nick fumbled to open the door to the basement, easing them into the kitchen where Howie was dutifully preparing breakfast for Baylee.
Nick smiled against her cheek. "After that, we can snuggle up and take a nice—"
"'LANA!" Baylee squealed.
"And we're caught," Alana sighed as she rested her chin against Nick's shoulder, waving sweetly toward the toddler propped at the kitchen table.
Nick groaned. "Bay, I'm just taking Alana upstairs to--"
"Little Nicky said 'Lana had to screw you," Baylee announced, his flaxen brows furrowed. "You broken, Nicky? C'I see where you need screwin'?"
"Hasn't he stood next to you in the morning when you both need to take a piss?" Alana inquired against the side of Nick's face, laughing softly.
"Stop that," Nick muttered in her ear. "Bay, you'll have to ask your Daddy about that, okay?"
"Ask Daddy 'bout screwin'! Got it!" Baylee announced, pretending to scribe out his personal 'to do' list in the air. "You have fun fixing Nicky, 'tay, 'Lana? I 'nuggle with you later? Without Zachie?"
"Alright, Boogie," Alana agreed as Nick turned to hurry upstairs before anyone else could catch them. "And boy am I going to have fun fixing you, Handsome…"
Nick grinned as he carried her up the stairs, nibbling gently at her earlobe. "And I'm going to have fun getting fixed… Wait, that sounded bad--"
"Baby, just shut up and keep kissing me."
"Well, how does it feel to be vertical again?" Natalie asked Alana as they stepped out of Dr. Allman's office. Alana was still a bit unsteady on the crutches, so Natalie walked slowly at her side. Peering into the bag she held that contained the cast that had just been removed, she smirked. "He didn't cut through Baylee's masterpiece, did he?"
"Lord no, I made him promise not to cut through that masterpiece," Alana laughed, shaking her head at the mere remembrance of the stick figure urinating on what later turned into a small infant. Brian had called it artistic; Alana had called it barbaric and made sure to keep Zachary in her arms at all times. Though, as she stepped on the floor with her newly freed left foot, she grimaced at the sensation of her shrunken leg, feeling the old Converse shoe slip slightly even though she had knotted it quite tightly. "And I have got to shave this leg tonight…"
Natalie chuckled, reaching for the keys to unlock the doors. "I love you and all, and I know I'm your manager, assistant, or whatever, but I don't think shaving your legs is in my job description--"
"No, you'd probably be more suited for massaging my tender breasts, consider it a bonus," Alana cooed affectionately as she glanced up from her concentration on the right placement of the crutches as she swung her body through. Noting that the office to her OB/GYN was just a few feet ahead, she glanced sideways to Natalie. Originally, Nick was going to be the one to take her to the doctor's appointment today, because she was also stopping off at the obstetrician to get the barrage of prenatal tests as well as another ultrasound to assure that the twins were unharmed by the accident. Only, Nick had been caught up in getting his home ready in California as well as assuring that her necessary items were shipped to the home as well. She would keep her ranch house as means of a private paradise, since it was already paid off. But, most importantly, Nick was unable to take her. So, Natalie had so graciously volunteered. What a minor crisis.
"Bumpkin might enjoy that too much, especially if he got to watch," Natalie mused as she continued down the hallway. "But he--" she cut off abruptly when she realized that Alana was no longer walking beside her. Turning, she saw her friend staring at a door. "What's wrong?"
"I've got to stop in here at my other physician's office," Alana murmured softly, gesturing vaguely toward the door as she extended a finger out from the hand hold of the crutch. "Do you mind waiting?"
"I'll go in with you," Natalie offered, already walking over to open the door.
"Thanks, Allie," Alana answered, keeping her head low as she crutched in to the obstetrics office. Immediately, the receptionist poked her head out of the office and cooed excitedly toward Alana, waving her into the office. She mustered a smile as she was told the doctor would be with her shortly. Easing her body into the nearby seat, she carefully stretched her immobilized leg outward, praying that Natalie would be her ditzy self in the office, not realizing exactly where they were.
"So what doctor is this?" Natalie questioned, glancing around. Seeing all the pregnancy and parenting magazines lying on the table, she moved her gaze to the door she was still holding open. OB/GYN. "Oh! But didn't you just get your pill prescription renewed when we got back from the Bahamas? I remember, 'cause I went with you to the pharmacy--"
"Yeah, but with the antibiotics and everything and…" Alana groaned heavily as she glanced up to see Natalie's cheerful facial features seemingly causing the whole room to glow brightly, knowing that she couldn't possibly lie to her. It just wasn't fair to her. Not when they were best friends. "I kind of really don't need the birth control anymore..."
Natalie stepped into the office fully, allowing the door to swing shut behind her. "Don't need the…" Her eyes widened in realization, her mouth dropping into an 'o' of surprise. "You're pregnant?" she breathed.
"Y'know how birth control is pretty much 99.9% effective?" Alana murmured with a sheepish smile. "Meet Ms. .1%..."
"Oh my God!" Natalie squealed, so loudly the receptionist dropped the phone. "This is so perfect!"
"Perfect?" Alana questioned, fighting off a cringe as best she could as Natalie stooped to crush her in a tight hug.
"Zachie'll have a baby brother or sister! This is just--"
"Two," Alana interrupted with a whisper.
"Two?" Natalie repeated, stumbling back to land on the coffee table. "You're having twins?!"
"I'm pretty sure that's the definition of twins… Two babies at once," Alana answered with a small laugh as a nurse popped out from the back to usher Alana forward. Pushing herself up with the crutches, she hurriedly tucked them underneath her arms to carry herself back to the examination room. "You going to come see these two miracles, Allie? I'm getting an ultrasound."
Squealing again, Natalie leapt to her feet, right behind Alana. "Are you crazy? I want a picture to put in my wallet!"
"You want a picture for your wallet? Why? Does that mean that you won't have any qualms about being called Aunt Allie? 'Cause I have no sisters, well, I do, but they're on my real father's side of the family and I'm pretty much the black sheep," Alana explained as they traveled into the examination room. With careful precision, Alana hefted her body onto the examination table and made sure to cradle the still injured leg. "I'm pretty much the only person in my little family. My mother has my stepfather and my younger brother, they've never been ones to keep in touch with me. Then I had Jeremy and Colt, but, you know that history… I want the twins to have a big loving family. That's why I'm moving to California with Nick, because they need their Daddy… Providing I don't screw'em up in utero…"
"Aunt Allie…" Natalie murmured, smiling at the thought. Though, when the rest of Alana's statements sunk in, she frowned slightly, stepping over to wrap her arms around her friend tightly. "You won't screw them up, 'Lana. And don't worry about a big loving family. We all may be dysfunctional as Hell, but we're loving about it."
Alana merely nodded as there was a soft knock against the door, followed by the entrance of the obstetrician she had been under during her pregnancy with Colton. She felt far more confident in her hands once more, because Dr. Daniels already knew her history. Smiling softly as she introduced Natalie and Dr. Daniels, followed by a warm welcoming embrace and congratulations at her current pregnancy, Alana felt herself lulled into a false sense of security as she laid back upon the examining table as she bared her middle for the ultrasound. Staring up at the ceiling as the jelly was applied, she felt Natalie's hand brush over hers and she shivered slightly when the transducer was pressed into her abdomen. She was terrified of the twins having congenital defects. Sick at the thought that she might be underneath the death of two more children. A heartache she just couldn't bear. But, squeezing Natalie's hand, she stifled a sniffle against a laugh. "You think Boogie's going to want to squish the twins in my stomach once you slip that I'm pregnant?"
"Why does no one I know think I can keep a confidence?" Natalie huffed, her eyes on the screen of the ultrasound.
"Because you're extremely hyper and excited when you receive good news and naturally want to make everyone else happy by sharing the information," Alana answered simply as she heard the loud squelch of the machine followed by a mixture of the twins' heartbeats. Propping herself up on her elbows as she kept Natalie's hand close, she studied the black and white images on the screen, waiting to see the children.
"I do not get hyper," Natalie disagreed, remembering the way Brian had been upon her reaction at the pizzeria. Blushing at the memory as Dr. Daniels pointed one of the twins' spines, which looked to Natalie like a strand of pearls. Squealing as Alana squeezed her hand, she squeezed back. "AWE!"
"I rest my case," Alana confided with a small smile as the transducer was moved ever so slightly to reveal a second strand small pearls. "They're all snuggled up together when they have all that space to share--" Alana offered a sweet grin when Dr. Daniels rolled her eyes, making a comment about the concave shape of her fit abdomen. "Well, more room than they're going to have in a few months?
"You are going to be so gorgeous when the babies start growing," Natalie decided, grinning when Dr. Daniels began to print out the black and white images. "Nicky won't – Have you told him yet?"
"I really didn't have a choice in telling him when Mike came rushing in with the ultrasound machine, insisting that Nick get the Hell out so he could examine me. It was right after the surgery and Nick just went ballistic, insisting he stay to watch. Then Mike pointed out one of the twins, then the other, and-Nicky won't what?" Alana questioned as she wiped the jelly off her belly, allowing the obstetrician to measure her, announcing that she was a little over two months along.
"…Be able to keep his hands off you," Natalie murmured, reaching for one of the ultrasound pictures. "Not, of course, that that's any different than the way it is now…"
"I think he might be slightly turned off when my belly is bigger than his is," Alana murmured with a small smirk as she grasped the rest of the ultrasound images that Dr. Daniels had printed out for her. Growing quiet for a moment as the nurse came in with several vials for different blood samples, she concentrated on the obstetrician for further information. Continue with the prenatal vitamins. The twins couldn't look healthier. Keep resting like she should. Return in another month. She'd call with any adverse results.
"Lovemaking is still okay for her, isn't it?" Natalie questioned suddenly, glancing up to see the startled expression on Dr. Daniels' face. Blushing furiously, she cleared her throat, reaching for her wallet. "Not with me--"
Alana grinned impishly. "Don't let her kid you, Cassie, she just wants to know because she knows my breasts are going to get really tender and boy does she love rubbing on them--"
"Damn straight," Natalie agreed with a laugh. "Nothing in the world beats the pleasure of rubbing my 'Lana's breasts!"
"What's even better is when she lets her boyfriend watch," Alana mused as Dr. Daniels laughed and the needle was inserted into the crook of her right elbow. She glanced away from the needles and tubes as Dr. Daniels reached to hug her once more, wishing her the best of luck before exiting the examining room. "…I think Nick might need to come next time so she doesn't think that my ex-husband caused me to start batting for the other team."
"Do you want me to call Kris and see what OB she's seeing? Get some names lined up for you to check out when you make the move?" Natalie questioned suddenly, already reaching for her PDA to jot down some notes.
"I can find an OB on my own," Alana assured as a Band-Aid was slapped onto her elbow and the tubes of blood were collected by the nurse as she exited. Reaching for her crutches, she carefully slipped off the examining table and back onto her crutches. Swaying slightly, she made sure to keep upright so Natalie wouldn't have to do any extra work. "Allie, even if you are my assistant, manager, whatever; I don't need you trying to jump higher and higher each time I need something. I'm capable."
"But Howie said--"
"You're my friend first."
"Can I at least call Kris and ask her which doctor she sees?" Natalie sighed.
"If you're going to whine about it…" Alana agreed with a small nod, following Natalie after she paid for her bill. "…Allie, what did Howie say?"
"To take care of you. To make sure you get everything you need," Natalie murmured, holding the door open for Alana. "Of course, he said that after I told him he couldn't cop anymore feels unless he agreed to do some things my way--"
"I didn't hear that," Alana whistled, carefully easing herself into the passenger seat that was reclined significantly to fit her immobilizer.
"He hardly ever does it anymore," Natalie promised with a soft laugh, shutting the door before going around to get in. "Where to, Boss?"
"…Anywhere you want to go," Alana murmured, fighting to chide the older woman for calling her Boss. "Wait! Can we swing by the local drug store? I have some pictures to pick up of Zachie. Since I have all this time, I'm making a scrap book for when he gets older. Not to mention Nick wants to scan some of them into his laptop for whatever reason…"
"Pictures!" Natalie squeaked, diving for her PDA once more. "That reminds me, I have a photoshoot set up for you in two weeks--"
"Would you watch the road?" Alana yelped in shock as she reached for the wheel as Natalie stepped on the brakes for a stop light.
"I've got my finger on the wheel!" Natalie growled, tapping several buttons. "The photoshoot is for Maxim, for their August issue. Your single should be coming out around then. I sent some pictures AJ took of you in the Bahamas to the editor--"
"What pictures that Alex took of me in the Bahamas?" Alana questioned in confusion as she pulled away from the wheel. Staring at Natalie suspiciously, she tried to think of when AJ even had a camera on her, much less all the information Natalie had just revealed.
"Some of you on the beach. I've got the copies at home. One of you walking out of the water, I think the rest are standing and looking out at the ocean. They're really good. Ajie's great at photography, getting the subject and the surroundings--"
"Like my boobs in a full bounce--"
"Your boobs weren't bouncing," Natalie interrupted, wrinkling her nose.
"Then you didn't see all of the pictures Alex developed," Alana mused with a small laugh, turning her gaze out the window to the thick woods surrounding the small town. She would miss the niceties of living in the country, but understood it was for the best. For her children. "…Allie, why am I doing a photoshoot for Maxim? And how did you even manage to get them to want me in the first place? What'd you pay them?"
"Trust me, I saw all the pictures…" Natalie trailed as she slowed for the turn into the drug store parking lot. "And I didn't have to pay them a thing. All I did was send in the pictures…" Handing her PDA over to Alana, she waved towards the screen. "That's what they're paying you to do it."
"That much?" Alana breathed in disbelief, staring at the figure that certainly overwhelmed the humble figures of her nursing salary. Leaning back in her seat, she just shook her head. "My God… For pictures? My pictures? For some little section in their magazine?"
"Cover," Natalie corrected with a smile. "With an interview. They want the article to comprise at least eight pages--"
"Dear God in Heaven, Allie!"
"Bad?" Natalie fretted, chewing on a fingernail as she cut off the engine.
"Does Nick know?"
"Not yet. Only Howie and me--"
"What's Howie think?"
"He thinks it's great," Natalie promised with a smile. "He said that if things work out and the issue comes out a week or two before your single hits, everyone will be that more interested in getting it."
Alana nodded in appreciation, glancing toward Natalie. "…Thank you so much, Allie."
"And Andre's coming over next Friday," Natalie informed her.
"Who's Andre?"
"The Boys' official photographer," Natalie answered slowly. Then it occurred to her that Alana wouldn't know that information, and she smiled. "Howie wants to shoot your single cover before you go to Cali."
"So, you're going to be handling the shoot? Since Alex and Howie are flying out to California next Tuesday?" Alana murmured thoughtfully, running her fingers through her tussled curls at all the information flying at her. She couldn't even begin to imagine how she was going to handle all the stress, but then remembered she had Nick waiting back at Brian's home for her. They'd be officially moving to California that next Saturday.
"Damn skippy," Natalie nodded, holding back a sigh. Howie had made her swear that she would have him on speakerphone during the entire shoot, as well as emailing him all the photos as they were taken. She had argued that it truly didn't matter if he saw them or not, considering it was Alana who had the final say in which picture would be used. But he had insisted. Damn the Latin temper in the man. "Want me to run in and get the pictures for you?"
"It'd be faster?" Alana agreed with a small nod as she retrieved her wallet from the side pocket of her capris. "Can you grab me an ice cream Snickers, too?"
"I've got it," Natalie promised as she pushed open the door to get out. Scooping up her purse, she offered Alana a smile. "Anything else, Boss?"
"Get me a People magazine or something and don't ever call me Boss again."
"Okay. And by the way? I love you… Boss," Natalie crooned before shutting the door and trotting across the parking lot.
