Disclaimer: I do not own Camp Rock, Barbie or Mousetrap.
Author's Note: This was my original plan for the last chapter, but somehow this story took on a life of its own.
Adam sat in his car outside Nate and Caitlyn's house with a pink bakery box and a manila envelope in the seat next to him, wondering if this was a bad idea. He had rewritten the dedication on his album liner at least as dozen times, but he still wasn't sure that it was right. Some versions had seemed too long or too personal, while others hadn't said enough. And maybe giving it to them like this was stupid. What if it was weird and awkward? What if he poured out his soul, and they just saw him as another artist they got stuck with?
He glanced up at the house, saw Tess' car sitting there and groaned. He had better get inside - he didn't want Caitlyn and Tess to have to wait too long. He needed them to be in a good mood if he wanted this to go well. Picking up the box and envelope, he slid out of the car and headed towards the house.
When Nate opened the door, Adam gestured towards Tess' car, "Is everyone playing nicely?"
Nate chuckled, "So far they've been on their best behavior." He looked at the box in Adam's hands, "Chocolate?"
"Of course," Adam replied. He knew that Caitlyn and Tess shared a weakness for chocolate, so he had stopped on the way to pick up a special double chocolate sin cake from a bakery near the studio. Nate gave him a look of approval before saying, "Just to warn you, Tess brought Annabelle a new game, and she wants to you play it with her."
Adam stopped and looked at Nate in shock, "Tess brought Annabelle a present?"
"And Melody," Nate added. "And Caitlyn has passed up several prime opportunities to mock Tess. And apparently Tess has a boyfriend. It's been a pretty strange evening so far. Can't wait to see what you have planned. At this point, nothing would surprise me."
Adam groaned as he followed Nate back towards the kitchen. As he entered, he saw Tess and Melody playing with a collection of Barbie dolls at the counter and Annabelle sitting at the kitchen table with dozens of plastic pieces spread in front of her. Melody looked up at him and waved before going back to her Barbies. Annabelle grinned when she saw him and jumped up to give him a hug. Adam quickly handed Caitlyn the box so he could catch the little girl hurtling towards him.
"Hey everyone," he said. "Sorry I'm a little late."
Caitlyn had just opened the bakery box, "You brought chocolate, so we'll forgive you this time."
Adam gave an exaggerated sigh of relief as Annabelle pulled him towards the table. "Adam, Tess got me this awesome game. Have you ever played Mousetrap? I already beat Daddy twice."
Adam laughed as he sat down next to Annabelle and asked Nate, "How does she always win?"
Nate shook his head. "I have no idea. Jason swears she cheats, but she says she's just good. Hopefully you can win a game or two. She's becoming insufferable."
"Hey, I am not!" Annabelle cried indignantly. "I'm a very good winner. I never rub it in, and I occasionally let Uncle Shane and Melody win so they won't feel bad." Annabelle glared at her father before turning back to Adam and adding sweetly, "You can go first."
"So Adam, what is it that you wanted to show us?" Tess asked distractedly, finally acknowledging his presence. She wanted to say something snarky about him wasting her time, but she was pretty sure that would hurt Melody's feelings. The little girl seemed to think that Tess had come over specifically to play with her. This being nice thing was exhausting.
Adam had been expecting a little more sarcasm from Tess and he gave her a strange look before answering, "I need to play a few games with Annabelle, here. How about after dessert?"
Caitlyn checked the timer on the oven. "Don't worry, Tess. Dinner should be ready in about 15 minutes. Then you can escape the suburbs." Tess rolled her eyes at Caitlyn and handed Melody one of the Barbies, now fully dressed, accessorized and ready for their fashion show. Melody smiled at Tess and added the doll to her pile.
Nate came up behind Caitlyn and wrapped his arms around her waist; both of them rested like that watching Tess and Adam play with their children. Nate bent down and kissed her ear before whispering, "This is really weird."
Caitlyn laughed before replying quietly, "I know. But it's sort of nice." She could feel the rumble of her husband's chuckle on her back. "Nice, but very weird," he insisted.
"Okay, we've eaten," Tess said curtly an hour and a half later. "What did you want to show us?"
Adam knew that he couldn't put it off any longer. "I'll go get it and meet you all in the family room," he replied. He grabbed the envelope from the kitchen counter and took a deep breath. He was so busy thinking, he didn't notice Annabelle walk up next to him.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Adam smiled at the little girl. "I'm alright. Just a little nervous," he admitted.
Annabelle gave him a serious look, "Do you want me to hold your hand? When I'm scared sometimes it helps when Mommy or Daddy holds my hand. I feel braver."
Adam loved that about Annabelle – she was always trying to help other people, especially clueless grownups like himself. He smiled at her and took her hand, and together they headed into the family room. He stood in the center of the room, facing everyone.
"I wanted to thank you all for helping me with my CD and to give you an advanced copy of the liner notes because I…uh…" he faltered for a moment, but continued when he felt Annabelle squeeze his hand, "I dedicated it to you."
He let go of Annabelle's hand and walked around the room, giving one to Caitlyn, Tess, Nate, Annabelle and Melody. After glancing down at the dedication, Nate smiled at Adam and took the girls out of the room, promising to read it to them in his office.
Caitlyn sat on the couch reading what Adam had written:
Annabelle and Melody – Thank you for sharing your mom with me. I've enjoyed getting to know you, and I know you will both grow up to be amazing young women.
Nate – You are the luckiest man on earth! Thank you for your friendship and support.
Tess and Caitlyn – I could not have made this album without you. You challenged me. You believed in me. You made me a better musician and a better man. I love you both for it.
Caitlyn's eyes welled up with tears. She looked up from the paper to see Adam fidgeting nervously. Caitlyn stood up and walked over to Adam, pulling the young man into a hug. She turned her head and spoke quietly, "I'm so proud of you!" He tightened his hold on her as she continued, "And I love you too."
The moment was broken by the sound of Tess' exclamation, "Damn it!"
Caitlyn and Adam pulled away and turned towards Tess, who was looking down at a black smudge on her finger. The usually perfectly made-up blonde had black streaks running down her face. Caitlyn couldn't help but laugh, "Haven't you ever heard of water-proof mascara, Tess?"
Tess glared at Caitlyn and Adam before adding truthfully, "I've never needed it before."