…
…
I take the headphones off me and turn to Mom and Aunt Jade.
"I like that part."
They both smiled and Jade said "Good."
"You like those cross tempo switches and transitions." Mom smiled.
She hates them.
"You don't."
Mom shyly smiled and Jade laughed.
"That's true, but this isn't my song." Mom told me.
"It's partially yours." I say.
She rolled her eyes and started texting Andre. I assume about the recording and analyzing we're doing.
I walk over to the fridge and pull out an energy drink I bought yesterday, knowing I'd come today.
"Where'd that come from?" Jade looked at me funny.
"Left it here yesterday." I say.
"You weren't here yesterday." Mom stated.
"Yeah I was. Remember, the custody part of Austin's case is over. They're doing divorce proceedings now."
Both mom and Jade turn and give me a weird look.
"When did this happen?" Mom asked.
"Last Thursday. After Sam and all that stuff on Monday."
"Oh. But you've still been leaving early every day with him?" Mom asked.
"Yeah, I know. I've been working here all day while he goes to court. We have lunch and then go home." I explain.
"Working on what?"
"Covers mostly. We're going to a so called "Cover Album" on SoundStorm."
"The app?" Mom looked at me funny.
I nod.
"Cover Album…like a whole album of somebody's, but you sing them all or something different?" Aunt Jade asked.
"No. Different songs and stuff. So I could go from Mom to Rihanna to I don't know…" I say.
"Max Schneider." Aunt Jade jumps in.
"Yeah."
"Do you have like a list of them?"
I nod and walk over to the computer and pull up a file of the 35 songs Ellie and I picked.
Scientific I know.
…
…
Mom turned away from the screen and hugged me from the side.
"You like my early stuff huh." She said softly.
"Yeah. I love your new stuff too, but something about your first and second albums just is…different."
Jade smiled and turned.
"Didn't you record some of the first when you were pregnant? I know you let Syd listen to the second. I watched her as you did it."
I turn and look to mom as she said "Yeah."
"Maybe that's it. I don't remember that though."
"You were 1 and 2 honey. Right after your mom and dad got together." Jade said.
"Really?" I ask.
"Yeah. It was after my wedding, and you just got paranoid about being left behind and getting lost in the shuffle, so you flew into the studio and put out another album." Jade smiled at mom.
"Excuse me for getting scared. I didn't want to be bored and forgotten. No rest for the weary." She joked.
"When did you rest?" I ask.
"Just a few years ago honey. I took 2 years between albums and just was around for you guys. I know your dad felt better. And I didn't tour as much, just little month things here and there and stuff. Things change. Live music on my level isn't as popular as it was when you were born." Mom said.
I give her a funny look.
"Believe me honey. Nowadays if people want to hear you, they'll load you up online and hear you at your best. The appeal of 15 to 20 thousand screaming people in a building beside you, all trying to be the biggest fan has gone away for the most part." Mom explained.
"But small time live music is still big." Jade said.
"Yeah, but on the upper echelon and stuff, that's a lot harder to do, pack a building."
"What about me?" I ask.
I think I might be too big, and I haven't done anything yet.
"You can always do smalls. 500 to 5000 kind of thing. Get some experience in front of screaming fans and stuff." Mom said.
"Yeah, you need that." Jade jumped in.
"Need?"
"Yeah. Let's you meet some fans, work out some nerves, get some fans who can network for you, which is big—"
Mom jumped in and said "Yeah, I've got several fans that are always promoting or organizing trends and always doing something for me."
"Do you pay them?" I ask.
"No, but I've given them some perks and backstage access and talked to them for some time, to get to know them. That's enough for them."
Jade turned to her and said "You think you should get ahold of one of them, ask if there's anything they can do for her?"
Mom frowned, then said "I'll call Kaley and ask. I don't know. It happened organically with me. Went from no followers to like 9 million it felt like."
"That's a small jump." I joke, and then sip my drink.
"It all happened way faster than I expected. It was like that for like 5 years. Wasn't until Kevin was born that things kind of slowed down."
I open my mouth to reply, but my phone lit up.
Austin?
It's not lunch time.
I pick it up anyway and say "Hey."
"Hey, you downtown?" Austin's voice said.
"At the label, why, what's up?"
"The judge has decided. He is giving you 20 minutes to get here. Can you hustle over here please?"
He sounds anxious.
"Yeah, I'll be right over." I say, then hanging up, causing mom and Jade to look bewildered at me.
"Where are you going?" Mom asked, as I started out the door.
"Courthouse! Judge has his verdict! I'll be back soon!" I say.
I better drive.
I rush to the parking garage, and go from the label to the courthouse parking garage in less than 10 minutes.
But just as I walk to the sliding automatic doors, I remember I'm not dressed up.
Crap.
But I don't even have 10 seconds to contemplate what a mess I must look like before Austin, who is standing near the door next to the judge, sees me and starts to me.
"Hey. You got here quick."
"Yeah, traffic was light. But I'm not dressed up at all. They won't let me in."
I'm in leggings and a translucent white blouse, with a tank top under that.
Barely appropriate.
They might kick me out over my cleavage.
"You're fine." The judge said, behind Austin. He explained that you were just a few blocks away and wouldn't be all dressed for court."
"Are you sure?" I ask.
He nodded, and Austin just had a smirk.
"You look great. Now come on. This won't take long."
The judge leads us to the door, then holds it for us.
Everyone snaps to their feet as Austin and I make our way to the table.
"Alright everyone…please be seated." He says, as he slips into his normal place.
Everybody seems to be waiting on him to speak, and is looking to him in silence.
"To begin, I have to admit that this has been one of the most difficult and hard divorce cases I've dealt with personally. A colleague of mine, Judge Williams had a case a few years back, that was similar to this one, and it is still talked about in these halls on a monthly basis."
"But, like in that case, you have to make a decision. And this was a difficult one. First off, I have decided to rule that Mr. and Mrs. Harper do indeed have irreconcilable differences, as filed in their paperwork submitted to the court this May."
"In order to allow other cases to have their day in court, I am assigning both of you to a state mediator, upon where you will divide your assets. Both of you are allowed to have your lawyers present to draw up paperwork and to prevent any misunderstandings."
Both of Austin's parents nodded.
"Good. Glad that is agreeable. Now to the painful part. As I outlined before our brief recess, there will be now yelling or confrontations in this courtroom, or in these halls, parking garage or anywhere on the premises. This is the final verdict, and one you will accept. The state does not allow for custody cases to be reexamined for 2 years."
Both parents nodded, and then tried to relax.
Even by my untrained eye, it didn't work.
"Alright...Ms. Harper? Mr. Harper?"
The brief pause was agonizing.
"I am not awarding you full custody of your children."
Both sets of shoulders slump.
"The compromise I've come to, is that Austin and Samantha will live with their Grandmother 5 days out of the week. Monday and Tuesday, then the weekend of Friday, Saturday and Sunday to give them continuity for the coming week.
Ok.
Makes sense.
"Every week, one parent will have them that Wednesday/Thursday, starting with the father. Of course, if something comes up, you will be allowed to change that around your needs."
"Also, I will require that both parties undergo counseling for one calendar year. That is mandatory, and refusal will result in a revocation of visitation time. The mother will have to also go to a mental health professional for a full evaluation and possible medication. The father will go to anger management, and grief counseling."
Finally, the judge stood up and took a deep breath.
"By the power vested in me by the state of California, I dismiss this court and this case is now closed."
He banged a gavel, and people started to move.
I just sat there, trying to process everything for a minute.
Eventually I got up, when Austin's dad came up to him.
They briefly spoke, then his father started to the door.
Austin turned to me and said "My Mom and Dad want to talk to me."
"I'll get the car."
I turned, but Austin grabbed my elbow and turned me gently back around.
"No, I'd like for you to come with me. Please?" He said, smiling slightly at the end.
"I…really don't want to, but ok." I say, then follow him outside.
Where both of them are just standing outside.
Austin and I both walked up to them.
"So…what's up?" He asked.
"Well, I wanted to set a few things straight after this trial." His dad spoke up.
His mom is just standing back there, expression unreadable.
"Ok." Austin said.
"First off, your mother and I plan on remaining friends. We want you and Sam to know that so you can speak freely about each other without worrying. We don't want it to be awkward when you come and visit us."
Austin nodded.
"Secondly, I would personally like to say I feel very bad about how this all went down, and everybody who got involved. Especially you." His dad looked to me, then continued.
"It's obvious by the fact that you refrained from mentioning Sydney that I, for one definitely messed up and made you feel like you should hide your relationship from me. I apologize for that."
Then he turned to me and said "I'm happy that you two are together, and it's obvious that you both are happy. You're welcome for dinner anytime."
I shyly nod and say "Thank you."
Austin's dad then turned to his mom—
She is talking to somebody else now. About 10 feet away.
"So much for standing together on this apology…" His dad muttered.
"I still appreciate the message Dad. I'm trying to not be as harsh about all of this. I got too amped up." Austin jumped in and said.
"Don't worry. This was all a mess, and your mother isn't as accepting of the verdict as I am. But we both saw the writing on the wall."
"You did?" I blurt out.
"Yes, the judge last night outlined that he'd be making his decision today, and essentially told us not to get our hopes up."
"Oh." Austin said.
"Yeah. Plus this is good. Your mother will be seen for her behavior issues, and I can shape up as well. This could be for the best."
Austin said "I don't mean to be blunt, and you don't have to answer this, but was I right when the lawyer asked who was more responsible for bringing us to this point, and I said her?"
His dad sighed, and said "Yes, and the judge felt the same clearly. But I was for from without fault. This falls on me too."
Austin shrugged.
"Anyway, you two should go off and go tell Sam. I'll see you next Wednesday. I'm sure we'll text and work out a meeting spot."
Austin nodded, then they shook hands.
Then Austin and I started to the car.
"Uhm…that went better than I thought it would." I say, once we're on the highway.
"Yeah, except for my damn mother." He snapped.
"Yeah…" I say quietly, knowing he's mad.
"I'm sorry. Can I just think for a second? That cool?" he asked.
I nod, then look to my phone.
Got to let them know of our change of plans.
Uh oh.
"Hey honey, Austin just texted me and said that the verdict is in. Jade and I packed it in today, since you won't be in the right mind when you come back. We're gonna invite everybody over for lunch. You guys all can come. See if Sam wants to also ok? Love you." –Mom
Sweet.
I fiddle around on splashface, replying to some fans the remainder of the drive to Austin's grandma's house.
I show him my phone as we walk in, and he nodded in acknowledgement.
"Hey Austin! You're home early. Everything ok?" His grandma rose from her computer chair and walked over to hug him.
"Yeah. It's over though." He said tiredly.
"Oh? What's the story?"
Austin bit back a smirk, then said "You're stuck with us 5 days of the week."
His grandma beamed then hugged him tight and let out a shaky breath.
"I'm glad to hear it baby. It'll be hard, but I'm sure we'll manage." She smiled.
They'll be fine.
"The other 2 days we'll be with mom or dad, on alternating weeks. Dad first, then Mom." Austin explained.
"Ok. I assume they're divorced now?"
Austin nodded, then said "They have to meet with somebody to divide everything up, and see counselors and doctors."
"Ok good. They each need to tidy up their own lives, I'm glad that is settled."
Austin bit his lip and ran a hand thru his hair. "Yeah, guess so. Where is Sam?"
"In her room with some friends playing house."
"Syd's parents invited us over for lunch, can I take her?" Austin asked.
"Fine with me. But she probably won't want to go."
Austin smiled. "That's understandable. I wouldn't want to leave friends to go talk with strangers either. We'll be back."
I hugged his grandma, who seems to be attempting to temper her joy, and race after Austin.
I catch up to him as he's knocking on a door.
We can hear a bunch of little girls voices feverishly jabbering.
Somebody opened the door, gasped then yelled "SAMMY!"
A moment later she appeared at the door.
"Austin!"
He bent down and hugged her.
"Hey! Good to see you! Can you come into my room for a second?"
She happily nodded, then noticed me and catapulted at me.
I catch her and smile.
"Hey. Having fun?"
"Yep yep!" She nodded, and then ran into Austin's room.
I go in behind her, and Austin shut the door.
"Sam?" Austin said quietly, as she's messing with his bedside table.
"Uh huh?"
"Can you sit down? I need to talk to you."
She suddenly looked worried. "Is everything ok?"
"Yeah! It is, but the court stuff is over."
She quickly looks shocked and worried.
"What's gonna happen?"
Austin gently sat next to her on the edge of his bed, and I sat on the floor to her right.
"Well, the judge said that we're going to stay here with grandma, but will have to visit mom and dad two days a week."
"Both of them?" She asked.
"No, just one."
"But we're staying here?" She asked, looking hopeful.
"Yup."
"YAY!" She jumped up, then hugged Austin.
He smiled. "Now, Sydney's mom and dad invited us over for lunch. Do you wanna come with us?"
She quickly sat down on the bedspread, looked down and started messing with her hair.
"Not really…my friends just came…Do I have to?" She asked, looking up at him.
"No, you don't. I just wanted to tell you and ask. You can stay here and have fun."
"Are you going?"
"Yep."
Sam turned to me. "At your house?"
I smile. "Uh huh."
"Can I come some other time?" She asked.
"Of course. I'd love for you to." I smile.
"Yay!" She squealed, then hugged me.
I happily return the hug.
"Ok. We're done. Go play. I have my phone if you want to text me on grandma's phone ok?"
"Ok!" Sam said, already running back to her friends.
Austin quietly laughed and said "I think we could power this house off her."
"I agree."
He grabbed my hand and we went back downstairs.
"What'd she say?" His grandma asked.
"You were right."
"Thought so. How'd she take the news?"
"Happily. She yelled yes and hugged me."
His grandma laughed. "Good. Now go have lunch. And thank you parents for me ok Sydney sweetheart?"
"I will." I say.
"Bye!" She waved us away.
Austin smiled, and we quickly left.
On the walk back to my car, he smiled and pulled me into a hug, then kissed my cheek.
"I'll try to relax. I promise."
"I know you will. Just think about the fact that it's over." I say.
He smiled, then cranked up the radio and we both joined, md chorus to one of my Mom's new songs.
The songs that I'm working right now to make look bad.
At least she's supporting me. I know in the back of her head she'll know that if this works, I'll be stealing the pulse and direction of the industry from her.
"Hey. We're here." Austin tapped my leg, then hopped out.
Oh.
I get out, and see that the normal SUV and sedan armada that signal that Jade, Beck, Aunt Tori and Uncle Andre are here is parked in the driveway.
Austin opened the door, just in time for the back door to close and for me to see Matt and Kevin jumping towards the pool.
"That didn't take long." I deadpan to Austin, as we turn to the kitchen.
The sound of laughter makes me jump, and once I round the corner, I see that everybody, except for Kevin, Matt and Corey is in the kitchen getting snacks.
"Hey!" Aunt Tori hopped off her seat.
"They've appeared!" Dad joked, as I hug Tori.
Mom and Dad lean against the island, and everybody turned to us.
"So, what is the story morning glory?" Aunt Jade asked.
Austin swallowed, then said "Well, my parents are divorced. Sam and I will be with my grandma 5 days of the week, and my parents will have to sort out their issues with doctors."
Smiles popped up on everyone's faces, along with a sense of relief I think.
"Good. Is that what you wanted?" Dad asked.
"Yeah…it is. I'm just processing it today. I bet you all have questions and stuff, but I'm not thinking straight right now. Sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Uncle Andre said. "It's over; you have time to think the end results over. It's done."
"Yeah. Everyone is jumping into the pool, so you guys can too." Dad suggested.
Mom quickly gave me a look that had "DIFFERENT BATHROOMS" written all over it.
"Where's your sister?" Mom looked off me, to Austin.
"She just invited a gaggle of friends over, so she's with them. Sorry." Austin said, looking embarrassed.
"No problem. I'd be with my friends too." Beck shrugged.
"We were just about to go outside. Go change." Mom said, giving me another look.
"Ok."
As we make our way upstairs, all the adults go outside to their little patio area where they always hang out.
"Your mom gave you a vicious look didn't she?" Austin said sarcastically, as I dug for his swimsuit in my drawers.
"Yeah. Didn't need to."
"Yeah I did." Mom said dryly.
We both turn and see her frowning and holding a margarita in my doorway.
"His swimsuit is buried somewhere in these drawers." I say.
"Suuuure." Mom said.
Austin just quietly sat back as I dug thru drawer after drawer, finally finding it at the bottom of the 3rd drawer.
"Hah! Got it." I say triumphantly.
Austin simply took it and walked out of the room, followed by Mom, hot on his heels.
I sigh to myself, grab my favorite black bikini and change in the bathroom with the door closed like a good girl.
Now all I have to do is tie up the back part and I'll be fine.
I shut the blinds next to my mirror and start fiddling with the strings.
…
I feel somebody quietly step behind me and start tying it for me.
I msile and loosen my shoulders, then turn when they are done.
"Thanks."
Austin smiled, then lifted me and kissed me.
"You seemed to be struggling. I couldn't let that stand. Now come on. We have people waiting."
I laughed, and he simply lifted me into the air and started downstairs.
I opened the door with my feet, and shut it behind us.
"What…are you doing?" Beck asked simply, as my brothers and Matt splashed around the pool.
"You'll see." Austin answered.
"Hi!"
I turn and see Ellie holding her phone up.
"Hi. When'd you get here?" I ask.
"I've been here tanning. Where have you been?"
Why does she have her phone?
"What's up with the phone?" I ask.
"Nothing." She said, as Austin began to move towards the pool.
"AGA!"
I look down and see Corey holding Olivia in the shallowest end of the pool.
"Hey Olivia!" I say, as Austin smiled.
"You ready Syd?" He asked me.
"Ready for what?" I ask.
"Pool time."
"Huh?"
I…
"NO." I turn to him.
Austin simply grinned.
I whip around to Ellie.
"You planned this."
She simply tapped the top of her phone.
"You're recording this."
"Finally she catches on. Gosh. Now who wants Sydney in the pool?" Austin asked to the pool at large.
Ellie and everyone shout their support. But everybody's parents do the same from the porch.
"I'd say that's a yes." Austin smiled.
"Oh come on. You carried me all that way for this?" I ask him.
"One…" he said, then turned and said "yes."
"TWO…"
"I won't kiss you for the rest of the day." I promise.
Austin looks surprised, and turns to look at me.
Then Olivia giggled and splashed, causing Austin to smirk.
"Olivia…do you want her in the pool?"
"AGA!"
"Bye." Austin said to me, then tossed me up into the air.
I let out a scream, then—
SPLASH!
I sink to the bottom, then kick off the bottom.
"AUSTIN!" I yell.
He smiled, then jumped in.
I dive own and try to chase him down, but he's going to the shallow end.
I surface and see that Olivia is fighting Corey to get to Austin.
"Aww." I hear Ellie say, then turn and see that she put her phone away.
"I hate you for that." I say.
But she didn't hear me, and I turn at the sound of somebody going underwater.
All five guys ducked underwater, and I see Tori get to her feet.
Then Austin surfaced with a soaked Olivia, who immediately started coughing and clung to him.
"I gotcha…it's ok. Aga's gotcha…" Austin said quietly, as Olivia coughed.
"Everything ok?" Tori asked, with Mom and Andre walking over behind her.
"She fought out of my arms and went into the water. I'm sorry. She kicked my face." Corey said, rubbing his jaw.
Olivia kept coughing, but didn't cry and then stuck her tongue out and made a "NYEHHHHHH!" Noise.
Everyone laughed, and Olivia curled to Austin.
"I think she's ok. Just didn't like the water." Mom said.