Christian
We are still in the back yard after our exciting announcement. I'm thankful that we finally let it out because if we didn't, those kids would be nervous wreck the whole time they'd be here.
I look over and see Elliot tossing a football to Ethan. As soon as he realizes I'm looking his way, he looks over at Teddy.
"Hey Teddy, how'd you and your sister learn to play?" he asks, putting his feet on the table. Ana smacks them off. I chuckle.
"There is this old ballet school we used to go to. The teacher, Ms. Angela, wanted to teach Phoebe how to dance but Phoebe didn't like what the girls were doing when we showed up." Teddy rolls his eyes.
"It looked weird." Phoebe whispered.
"It's dancing." Teddy shakes his head. "So she had her husband teach us how to play the piano instead. We would play it when the girls and boys had practice, and even during recitals. The older kids were really nice to us when we played during their practice, saying it helped them keep in step more."
"Wow you two." Mia says. "Why aren't you guys still helping them at the school?"
Phoebe puts her head down, and squirms in her seat. Teddy just wraps his arm around her. He bites the inside of his cheek. All of a sudden a big smile is plastered on his face, and I know it's fake.
"Just didn't want to go back anymore. Got bored." he rushes out. I nod.
"We understand. We all get bored sometimes." I look at everyone for clearance." they already understand the situation and are trying to think of another topic. When I look John he knows I want him to talk to them. He nods.
"What were you playing this morning?" Luke asks. Teddy points to me. I smirk at him. Not so scared now is he. I laugh.
"I never heard that song before?" Ethan says.
"It's new. We're singing it at the concert back at home." I state. They all grab me and start dragging me to the studio. I try digging my feet into the ground. Can they wait? "Guys wait!" they all groan.
"What now? We already had a sample, we want the words!" Luke whines. I close my eyes in irritation.
"The kids have heard it." I grin. They gape. "And I want the girls to hear it since their asses are part of the past." I wave for them to get in the cars.
"It's better be good since you're making us wait this long." Luke grumbles. I roll my eyes.
Taylor kisses Gail one last time before he and Charlie get in the car to head in front of us. She's going to be watching Gracie for us since it's already close to her nap time and I don't want her to miss that. I asked John if he wanted to come but him and my dad are heading out. He wanted to see his wife and dad went to go pack for the trip back home for our next concert. He's excited because that's where mom's parents will be. Someone that's really close to her. More than close.
As we pull up to the studio I already see a few cars outside. Shit, it's Jack and his pieces of shit band. Luckily there's three floors so we'll be fine. When I hop out I open the door for Teddy and Phoebe. As I pick Phoebe she lays her face against my shoulder. The guys and girls all surround me and are thinking the same thing I am.
"Just ignore them guys." I order. They all nod. "Security is always around us so there is nothing to worry about."
"What if they say something like last time?" Ethan says.
"They're just words." Teddy says quietly. "It may hurt but no reason to fight over."
"Exactly." I squeeze his hand. "Let's go."
We walk into the studio and notice that it's quiet. As I look around, I realize nobody is here. Oh thank fuck. I walk over to the leather couches and tell the girls to just take a seat. When they do, I put Phoebe on Ana's lap. She looks upset. Teddy looks amazed by the studio and the instruments against the wall.
I have an idea.
"Come on guys." I grab Phoebe's and Teddy's hand and open the door to the recording room and take them over to the piano. I take a seat in the middle then have them sit on each side of me. I wave for the rest of the guys to come in and close the door.
Taking out everyone's piece, I hand it to them. I then look at the kids. "You know, I'm not going to play the piano for this song. Right?" Teddy gives me a shy smile.
"I know. It's still nice of you to do this though." I grin.
"Let's get this going Chris!" Luke says excitedly. "I can already hear it in my head."
"Is that a good thing?" Phoebe asks. El busts out laughing.
"That was great!" Luke just grumbles.
"Is he ready Charlie?" I shout.
"Ready Christian!" he shouts back.
"Count us off El."
"1, 2…"
Look at this photograph Oh, oh, oh
Every time I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red
And what the hell is on El's head
And this is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we'd ever went without
The second floor is hard for sneaking out
And this is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must have done it half a dozen times
I wonder if it's too late
Should I go back and try to graduate
Life's better now than it was back then
If I was them I wouldn't let me in
Oh, god, I
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Remember the old arcade Oh, oh, oh
Blew every dollar that we ever made
The cops hated us hangin' out
They say somebody went and burned it down
We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we know
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel
Kim's the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She's had a couple of kids since then
I haven't seen her since god knows when
Oh, god, I
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
I miss that town Oh, oh, oh
I miss the faces
You can't erase
You can't replace it
I miss it now
I can't believe it
So hard to stay
Too hard to leave it
If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change
Oh, god, I
Every memory of looking out the back door
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
It's hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye
Look at this photograph every time it makes me laugh
Every time I do it makes me
I think that's the best song I've come up with so far. It reminds me of home. It reminds me of the idiotic times that I've spent with the guys and what I've done back in Montesoto. If mom was here, she would love it as well.
"I can't wait for the fans to hear this song bro." El says. He grabs Phoebs and puts her on his lap. "This is a great song Christian."
"It really is man, I can't wait for your dad to hear it." Ethan says.
"What do you think Charlie?" Ethan shouts.
We wait for a moment and then hear static. "That was great Christian. You all did well. Remember the interview is tomorrow just don't mention this song. Luke." Luke flips off the glass wall. "I mean it, now come on."
We put everything away and the guys put down their instruments and grab the sheet music, stuffing it in their pockets. I let the kids walk out of the room first then as I walk out I hear laughing. When I do, I see the girls rolling their eyes and I know the reason. Jack and his band are walking down the steps with groupies on their arms. As soon as the girls see us though their laughter stops and they put on a seductive smile. I roll my eyes. If I keep rolling my eyes this shit with my brains going to get worse.
Jack notices the girls change in behavior and looks her way. He glares at me. I put my hands in my pocket and shrug. Walking over to Ana, I grab her hand and pull her off the couch,giving her a slight kiss on the lips. I'm not giving these kids a show. Speaking of kids, Phoebe walks over and grabs my shirt. She needs a parent in her life besides Teddy. I pick her up and hold her to me. Jack raises his eyebrow.
"So you do have another kid." I nod pulling Teddy over causing Jack's eyes to widen.
"I will have two more kids in a few days." I tell him. I watch Jack squat down to them. I clench my jaw to hold back my anger. I can feel everyone gathering behind me. All the guys in jack's band have smirks on their faces.
"You know he won't have time for you, right? That's how this works." Jack grins. "When you're in a band you never have time for shit. Especially when you are on tour. You will have a nanny. That's your mother." Jack chuckles.
I look at Ana who is about to take a swing at Jack until Teddy starts talking.
"Aren't you in that band called, The Runners?" Teddy asks. Jack looks at him surprised. We all do.
"Why yes. I am. We all are." Jack grins. "Are you a fan?" Teddy crosses his arms.
"I've listened to your music." Teddy nods. "I make sure my sister doesn't listen to it that's for sure. Make sure that you don't make it obvious that you're not stealing from other musicians."
When Jack goes to grab for grab for Teddy my fist connects with his face. I hear a crunch that causes him to groan in pain. Good. He better stay the fuck away from my child. I look at the other guys who are trying to help Jack but they're too busy ignoring me because they're trying to help the dick head.
"And you tell us not to say anything." I whisper to Teddy.
"I didn't hit him. I was being smart about it." he says. "He threatened me, so it gave you a chance to punch him."
"I see what you did there." I shake my head, laughing. "We need to get home before any of the fans see this. Come on guys."
We get back in the cars and head back home. Tomorrow is the day that the guys and I finally get our careers back after my ass fucked it up for them. I want it to stay under control because I know that the guys love their music, fans and parties. Me? Right now, I love my Ana and family. I never knew I'd say that again. Ana thought I was lying when I said it, but when I looked at her, she knew I wasn't.
This is my career, but the guys will understand one day what I mean about family. Yes I'll want to go to a few parties but that doesn't mean I rather stay there than be at home piss drunk. I look over at Ana, then think about Gracie.
It all starts tomorrow for me and the guys….
And I'm ready.