Chapter 174
Six months later
"Hey Jer… Thanks so, so much for babysitting. I can't stay and chat. Meeting with the president of the record label about the album release. Hold thumbs" said Tegan. "No problem, love chilling with these two" said Jeremy. Ryan gave a grin and showed his two lonely bottom teeth. "Funny boy... oh yeah, there's some teething gel in the bag if you need it and…. Diapers…. I don't think I put enough in the bag, we ran out. I can send someone from the label to the shop?" said Tegan putting the babies' bottles in the fridge. "Tee I've got plenty of diapers in the cupboard. Go… don't worry about a thing" said Jeremy. "Thanks Jer…. You're a lifesaver as always" said Tegan and kissed Jeremy on the cheek. "Where's Amelia?" asked Jeremy. "Lucky for Sara the hospital has great day care. Unfortunately it's for the kids of hospital employees only" said Tegan. "We need to start thinking about a permanent day care solution or a nanny or something" said Tegan. "Why? Uncle Jeremy's here" said Jeremy. "Thank god you are… gotta run" said Tegan and kissed Casey goodbye. Ryan was already throwing some magazines off the coffee table. "Ryan…. Nooo! No! Mommy said no touch" said Tegan and shook her head when Ryan just laughed at her. "Be good" she said and kissed him goodbye.
"Soooo, what do you monkeys want to do today?" said Jeremy and picked Casey up. She started crying with her fist in her mouth. "Have breakfast first I'm sure" he smiled. A few minutes later Jonathan walked in carrying some groceries. "Hey, my favourite kids!" he said and ruffled Ryan's hair. Ryan had banana all over his face. "Let's go to the park" said Jonathan. "Okay, we have an hour before naptime" said Jeremy and cleaned the twins' faces and hands. "You're so good with them" said Jonathan. "Thanks babe" said Jeremy. "Can't wait for our own" smiled Jonathan. "Uh huh, let's not talk about it right now. We're running out of playtime" said Jeremy.
"We're really excited about the release of the album. We're targeting an initial four week press campaign and after that some shows, some really big shows. May be something new to get used to but you guys are so hot right now. This is the most anticipated album of the year. I'll forward the schedule to you and to Jeremy for your approval" said the president of the record label. "Yeah…. Sounds great" said Tegan tentatively. "Tegan… with all due respect. You don't seem very excited about this" said the exec. "I am… I really am! I just have to figure out how to travel with two one and a half year olds" said Tegan. "And a six month old" said Sara. "Ladies, do you want to be rock stars… or stay at home soccer moms" said another exec. "I think it's clear that Sara and I just want to be the best parents we can be. We're both very committed to our careers but we're more committed to our families… so if you can stop your patronising bullshit and help us find a solution I'd appreciate it" said Tegan. "I apologise on behalf of Jim. Listen, we're willing to arrange a private jet for all flights. Two full time child minders of your choice. Hotel suites and some time off in between gigs and interviews" said the record label president. "Oh… okay" said Tegan taken aback by the VIP treatment. "We want to make this work as much as you do ladies. Most of the promo can be done from LA. Look… This album is as important to the label as it is to you, maybe even more so. Why don't we give you a few minutes to talk things over" said the president. Tegan put her hands in front of her mouth when the execs left the room. "Fuck… I don't think I remember how to do this" she breathed. "Me neither…. It's fine though… We'll be fine Tee… we always are" said Sara. "Sara…. I just…. I don't want to be fine… I want to be awesome. I want this to be our most successful record yet, and let's face it, our lives have changed…. It's possible, but it's going to take a lot of hard work and commitment" said Tegan. "I know… and I'm ready. Don't know if Kate is though" said Sara. "What do you mean?" asked Tegan. "She doesn't want me to take Amelia… she wants her to stay with her in LA" said Sara. "I thought Kate would be taking some time off to tour with us" said Tegan. "She will, but she can't take a year off. She'll have to pick some dates and let's face it. Touring is probably a better time than promo month" said Sara. "Is this going to be a problem Sar?" asked Tegan. "I don't know… honestly" said Sara. "What are our options?" said Tegan. "Convincing Kate to send Amelia with me…. or me being miserable without the two of them" said Sara. "We'll work it out" said Tegan.
Jeremy and Jon sat under a tree and watched the twins run around and repeatedly falling on their bums. "Okay you two, you're so tired you're acting like you're drunk" said Jeremy. He picked the kids up and put them in the twin stroller. The twins were fussing until Jonathan gave them each a bottle. After a few minutes of being pushed in the stroller the twins were out for the count. Jeremy and Jon sat down on a bench. "Jeremy…. I want to talk about the surrogate" said Jonathan. "What about it Jon" sighed Jeremy. "I don't want to keep trying with Jen… it's obviously not going to work. This will be the fourth try" said Jonathan. "I know…" said Jeremy softly. "Let's just try and find another surrogate" said Jonathan. "I like Anne… Anyway… maybe we're the problem" said Jeremy. "I had my sperm tested and it's fine and I'm sure yours is too. I mean look at the two perfectly healthy, beautiful babies you made" said Jonathan pointing to the stroller. "Jon… it's not… they're not… " said Jeremy shaking his head trying to find words. "You know what, that pisses me off so much! You have kids already…. And they're perfect… and you gave them away" said Jonathan. "What the fuck? I gave them away?" said Jeremy jumping up. "Yeah you did" said Jonathan. Jeremy shook his head. "I can't believe what I'm hearing" said Jeremy. "They're as much yours as they are Tegan's Jer" said Jonathan. "No… they're not" said Jeremy. "Baby listen to me…." said Jonathan sitting down next to Jeremy. "I think you should sue for custody" said Jonathan. "What? No… are you nuts" said Jeremy looking upset. "Shared custody? I mean…. Tegan and Sara are about to go on tour… that's no life for two babies" said Jonathan. "I'm going on tour with them in case you forgot" said Jeremy. "They're your babies Jer…. Think about it" said Jonathan. "Jonathan… I have made my peace with the fact that I will never be daddy to Casey and Ryan…. They have the best parents in the world. And it's something that I did for them without any strings attached" said Jeremy. "Yeah but" said Jonathan. "No buts…. I don't want to discuss it any further Jon… I would never do that to Tegan" said Jeremy. "All I'm saying is think about it" said Jonathan.
"Hey guys" said Tegan walking into Jeremy and Jonathan's house a couple of hours later. "Tegan… Jer, I'm going out" said Jonathan dryly and left the room. "What's up with him?" asked Tegan. "Don't know… and I thought women were moody" said Jeremy. "What did you guys get up to today?" asked Tegan. "Just went to the park. Looked at some puppies on the way back. Kids are napping" smiled Jeremy. "Sounds like fun" said Tegan starting to pack the kids' stuff. "Can I get them one Tee… please?" said Jeremy. "Get what?" asked Tegan. "A puppy" said Jeremy. "Uh….. I don't think so Jer" said Tegan. "Come on… you should have seen them with those puppies!" said Jeremy. "Jer… I think it's a great idea but…. We're going on tour soon. What are we going to do with a puppy at home" said Tegan. "You can leave him with Erin" said Jeremy. "Yeah I'm sure Erin wants to babysit our puppy" said Tegan. "Okay we'll leave him with Jonathan" said Jeremy. "Is Jonathan staying in LA?" asked Tegan. "Don't know, probably" said Jeremy. "Come ooooon Tee" nagged Jeremy. "After the tour maaaaybe… when we can give it some attention and the kids are big enough to not pull its tail" said Tegan. "Okay then, spoil sport" said Jeremy. "Not done talking about Jon though" said Tegan. "What about him?" said Jeremy. "Everything okay with you two?" asked Tegan. "Sure, why wouldn't it be?" asked Jeremy. "Don't know… you not knowing if he's joining you on tour or not?" said Tegan. "We just… haven't discussed it yet" said Jeremy. "How's the…. When, Um… you know" said Tegan. "You mean, when's the next in vitro session?" said Jeremy. "Yeah" sighed Tegan. "Next week. I really hope it works this time Tee… this thing is coming between me and Jon" said Jeremy. "I'm sorry to hear that Jer" said Tegan. "If it doesn't work this time we'll have to put it on ice for a few months while we save up to give it another go. Its crazy expensive" said Jeremy. "Have you thought about adopting?" said Tegan. "I have…. I'm fine with it but Jon wants kids with one of our… our DNA" said Jeremy shaking his head. Tegan looked at a framed picture of Casey and Ryan on the kitchen counter. "Jer… I know it's difficult for you" said Tegan. "What's difficult?" said Jeremy. "Seeing the kids everyday" said Tegan. "It's not difficult. It's awesome. Tee… nothing has changed. I love them to bits but they're yours" said Jeremy. Tegan gave a subdued smile. "How'd the meeting go?" asked Jeremy. "Fine. They'll send you the promo and tour schedules this afternoon… I'm nervous" said Tegan. "You're going to be fine. I'm looking forward to it" said Jeremy and handed Tegan a cup of coffee.
"Hi lovies" said Lindsey an hour later walking into their house. She kissed Tegan and the babies hello. "Hey mama, how'd the shoot go?" asked Tegan. "Great thanks! Got some good stuff. How was your meeting and were these two good for the uncles?" asked Lindsey picking up Casey. "Ryan broke the TV remote but other than that they were angels" said Tegan. "You are such a little mischief maker! You better go buy a new one tomorrow babe. And the meeting?" asked Lindsey. "Meeting was fine. Everything's on track for the release. One month and counting. Starting the teaser campaign tomorrow" said Tegan. Lindsey sat down next to Tegan and put her hand on her thigh. "Nervous?" she said. "Very" said Tegan. "You're going to be amazing super star. Did I mention how…." said Lindsey and whispered "fucking" before continuing speaking in her normal voice "amazing you look these days. Your skin is flawless, your body is smokin'" said Lindsey pulling a strand of hair out of Tegan's eyes. "You're looking super hot yourself… I want you" whispered Tegan seductively into Lindsey's ear. "I need you" whispered Lindsey. Ryan was banging on the coffee table as he loved to do and Casey was blabbering playing with some blocks. "When's nap time?" whispered Lindsey. "Uh…. We've run out of naps" laughed Tegan. "Well it's almost dinner and bath time" said Lindsey. "We really need a date night babe…. I mean, I really need you all to myself for a night… a whole… uninterrupted night" said Tegan and kissed Lindsey's neck. "Well your mom's coming for a visit next week. Or we can always ask Jeremy to take them for a night" said Lindsey. "Yeah… I don't know… Jonathan seemed a bit… off today" said Tegan leaning back on the couch. "What do you mean off" said Lindsey. "I mean… he seemed…. I dunno… pissed off with me. Maybe I'm being over sensitive" said Tegan. "Well maybe he was just in a bad mood about something else?" said Lindsey. "Maybe… Jeremy just brushed away my questions. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into this" said Tegan. "I'm sure you are Boo" said Lindsey. "Hmmm…. I hope he's happy… Jeremy I mean" said Tegan. "Why would you say that Tee? They seem really happy" said Lindsey. "I don't know… I know Jeremy and something's bothering him" said Tegan. "Let's invite them for dinner tomorrow night after your meeting" said Lindsey. "Sure, sounds good. Maybe we can thaw the ice" said Tegan. "Okay you two… dinner time" said Tegan getting up.
A/N: Thanks for all the nice feedback for the last chapter. I really appreciate it. Please keep commenting. Story moving along now - skipping six months.