Comfort


Tori


The virtual stage was set for a memorable and emotional session of Versus with Vegas Valentine vs. The Artist. Featuring Andre's Legacy in music. All of the songs that he wrote for us and others. Andre was prolific like the Artis was.

Jade Cat and I were joined virtually by Miri and SIrrah, who represent that part of the culture that our band was missing now. I have to acknowledge that Versus is a black music thing, and I was nervous because Most of our songs were written by Andre. I wrote some He wrote most. I hadn't realized how singular Andre was in our friend group in our band. I was aware of the privilege of our band being included in this versus.

Having Miri and Sirrah there was like connecting Andre back to black culture, and it made all of this a bit less awkward. As we began our listening party, the music of Vegas Valentine filled the virtual space. Each member poured their heart and soul into the tribute, and my daughters seamlessly integrated into the band, capturing Andre's essence with every note.

Our rivals, The Artist, responded with their own incredible performances, showcasing their talent and dedication. It was a true celebration of music, artistry, and the enduring legacy of Andre. The battle wasn't about victory or defeat; it was a tribute to the incredible music that had brought so much joy to countless fans.

There was no clear winner, and that was perfectly fine. This battle was about love, respect, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. Andre's legacy lived on in the hearts of those who had shared the virtual stage with him and in the hearts of all who had been touched by his music.

With tears in our eyes and smiles on our faces, the members of Vegas Valentine and The Artist came together on the virtual stage, a symbol of unity and friendship. The virtual audience joined in the celebration, knowing that this was a moment they would cherish forever.


After our virtual jam session, we stayed on Facetime with Cat and Robbie, and we all decided to hang out a bit longer. Just make it a day of being together. Meghan, the kitchen magician, whipped up a fantastic dinner that had us salivating through the screens. The aroma of her cooking filled the virtual space, making our mouths water.

"Meghan, you've outdone yourself again," Tori exclaimed with a grin, her eyes fixated on the delicious spread on Meghan's kitchen island.

Meghan chuckled, taking a moment to show off her culinary masterpiece. "Well, I had to make sure our virtual get-together was worth it. And besides, it's been too long since we all shared a meal."

I nodded in agreement, my stomach growling in anticipation. "You're right, Meghan. This looks amazing."

Cat and Robbie, who were in New York, their faces lit up as they saw the spread. "Wow, Meghan, we wish we were there with you guys. That looks incredible!"

Meghan smiled warmly, her virtual cooking triumph even impressing our friends on the other side of the country. "Thanks, guys. We'll save some recipes for you when you get back to Los Angeles."

The bubble of friends and family made their way to the rec room, where they had set up a projector for their FaceTime call. The large screen filled with familiar faces brought a sense of togetherness despite the physical distance. Laughter and conversation flowed freely as they caught up and shared stories.

Jade and I found a comfortable spot on the couch, side by side. It was evident to everyone present that the nature of our relationship had evolved. My heart swelled with warmth as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close.

Jade couldn't resist poking fun at Sirrah, who was on the other side of the couch. "Sirrah, brace yourself for a showdown. Are you ready for the ultimate footsie battle?"

Sirrah, always up for some friendly competition, flashed a mischievous grin and shot back, "Oh, I'm totally prepared, Mom. Jade, you're about to see my victory dance!"

And so, a playful battle of feet commenced, with Jade and Sirrah trying to outdo each other. Laughter echoed through the virtual room as their antics unfolded, reminding us all of the joy of being together, even if only on screens.

While we chatted and shared stories, we also got to hear Cat and Robbie's updates. Their twins had made the sweet decision to hop on a plane and spend more time with their parents in New York. It was heartwarming to witness their excitement and longing for their kids.

the virtual family hangout came to an end, the familiar warmth of goodnight wishes filled the air. One by one, our loved ones began to bid their farewells, heading off to their respective beds and rooms.

I smiled and said goodnight to my daughters, their faces filled with contentment after a day spent with family, even if it was through screens. They exchanged sleepy but affectionate words with their cousins, promising to chat again soon.

Finally, it was time to settle the twins for bedtime. I carefully scooped up both of our little ones, holding them close in my arms. The twins, Jayden and AJ, nestled against me, their tiny forms snuggled comfortably.

I noticed Jade walking over to Beck, and they seemed to be engrossed in a long conversation. Honestly, I was kind of hoping that maybe Beck would have a change of heart. Because, you know, I could sense Jade changing too. That part of her that used to be his devoted wife was still there, and I wondered how that would affect our relationship.

I let out a sigh and decided to give them some space, heading toward our bedroom. Climbing those stairs felt heavy like each step was laden with uncertainty about the changes that might be happening.

But just as I was making my way up, I caught a glimpse of what was happening at the kitchen counter. Beck had his arm wrapped around Jade, and they were close, really close. And there, in Jade's hand, was a pen hovering over a set of divorce papers.

Before I could even fully step onto the first stair, my heart sank. It was clear that something significant had just gone down, and the harsh reality of it hit me like a ton of bricks, threatening to shake up our lives in a big way.

I finished climbing the stairs and In the quiet of the nursery, I began the process of putting them to bed. Soft lullabies filled the room, and the twins slowly succumbed to the sweet embrace of slumber. After about half an hour, I emerged from the nursery, and my heart ached when I found Jade in our bed. She was wearing her preferred sleepwear and was sobbing, her tears flowing freely.

Without a word, I undressed, leaving myself as vulnerable and naked as she was. I crawled into bed beside her, wrapping my arms around her trembling form. Our bodies pressed together, and I held her close, allowing the warmth of our closeness to soothe her heartache.

Jade's sobs filled the room, and I whispered softly, "It's okay, Jade. I'm here. Let it out."

She turned towards me, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine. "Tori, I never thought it would come to this. I never wanted our marriage to end like this."

I stroked her hair gently, my own eyes filled with tears. "I know, love. I never thought it either. But sometimes, we have to make difficult choices for our happiness."

Jade nodded, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I just don't know how to be without him, Tori."

I kissed her forehead, feeling the weight of her pain remembering well how she was there for me when Andre died. "We'll figure it out together, Jade. We'll support each other through this."

As we lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, our tears mingling, I knew that no matter what the future held, our love would endure.


I walked into Jade's office as she was on a conference call with producers about Tawny. I smiled and she smiled back throwing up a finger that told me that this call was going to be pretty brief.

Jade leaned forward, her brow furrowed in deep concentration as she discussed the upcoming season with her line producer. "Look, I understand the challenges we're facing with the pandemic precautions," she said, her voice tinged with determination. "But we have to find a way to make this season work within our budget."

The producer nodded in agreement. "I get it, Jade. We'll have to cut some corners, maybe limit some locations, and reduce the number of extras. It won't be easy, but we can make it happen."

Jade sighed, clearly feeling the weight of the decisions she had to make. "I know it won't be ideal, but we have to prioritize safety and make do with what we have. And we should definitely consider a shorter season if it helps control costs."

The producer nodded again. "That might be a good solution. We can focus on quality over quantity."

I sat in Jade's office, my mind wandering as she discussed work with one of her line producers. They delved deep into the details of the upcoming season, and a sense of dread began to creep over me. I knew that this conversation could potentially lead to a decision that I wasn't entirely comfortable with.

The notion of creating another bubble at the studio had been floating around, and just the thought of it made my heart sink. I couldn't bear the idea of Jade spending more time away from me, especially considering the recent signing of her divorce papers. It was as if I had transformed into someone unusually needy and clingy, emotions that felt foreign and overwhelming.

While I waited for their conversation to come to an end, I tried to dissect my feelings. I had never experienced such a profound attachment and dependency on someone before. It was akin to the intensity of emotions felt by a teenager with their first crush, except this was entirely new territory for me.

Deep inside, I acknowledged the importance of Jade's career and didn't want to be the one holding her back. But the fear of losing her or not having her close by weighed heavily on my heart. I understood that I needed to confront these emotions and have an honest conversation with her about my needs and fears, even if it meant opening up in ways I had never done before. "So you're going into the bubble?" I asked Jade, my voice tinged with concern.

"Yeah, it's just the most cost-effective way and the safest," Jade replied, her expression serious. "We're taking tests and getting vaccines starting next week to make sure we're clear from COVID to work."

I listened to her explanation, my heart heavy with the knowledge that she would be spending more time away from me. I wanted to tell her how much I would miss her, how desperate I was to have her close, but I couldn't find the words.

Instead, I decided to share some news of my own to shift the focus away from my emotions. "I got a call from Sirrah's series," I began, "they're having the kids film virtual spots to reflect the times. They'll be in the studio for one day to shoot individually."

Jade looked intrigued by the idea. "I never thought about how Sirrah's job could continue during all this."

I nodded, giving credit where it was due. "It was Robbie's idea. They'll be flying back to LA in a month to start those shoots."

Jade could sense that I was holding something back, but given the novelty and uncertainty of our romantic relationship despite our long history, she chose not to press the matter, showing patience and understanding that had evolved with time.

Later that night, following our familiar nighttime routine, I finally mustered the words. "I never want to stop doing that," I confessed, my voice filled with a mix of longing and vulnerability.

Jade chuckled softly, her fingers tracing comforting patterns on my skin. "That sounds exhausting," she quipped, her playful response bringing a smile to my face,


Jade


"Uh… Yeah… Right there." Tori moaned rolling her hips and pressing her very wet and delicious entrance against my lips. And I enjoy my breakfast of Tori. Since my Divorce from Beck, and living a life of Monogamy, I had to say that maybe Beck setting me free was the best thing he could have done for me.

Tori Comforts me. But I have to leave for three months. To incase myself in a bubble for The Tawny series. I will be across town, but Unable to break the bubble. And I wasn't looking forward to it. But that just meant Tori and I did this much more often than we ever have. It's like any little touch could start the process over and over again.

"Fuck … Love this one's gonna be intense." She said as her hips bucked even faster.

"Give it to me," I whispered and redoubled my efforts as she finally released. A steady flow of fluid on my face. It embarrasses her when her body does that. But I think it's so hot.

She lay there spent, and finally, I nestled beside her, sighing softly. "I'm running late for check-in," I whispered.

Tori's elated and relaxed expression swiftly morphed into one of sorrow as she began to cry. "I can't bear this anymore," she lamented, her emotions overwhelming her. "I hate this pandemic, and I'm so tired."

I kissed her temple gently, trying to offer solace. "I understand, my love."

Wrapping my arms around her, I allowed her to cry on my shoulder. "I wish you could be home every night," she admitted between sobs.

I whispered softly, "I have to go, love."

Tori hesitated for a moment, her words catching in her throat. "But...never mind."

Exasperation welled up within me. "What is it?"

She finally found her voice. "Please, just have responsible sex."

I furrowed my brows, puzzled by her request. "With whom?" I asked, initially not grasping that Tori believed our relationship was open.

I sighed and continued, "Tori, do you want our relationship to be open?"

She seemed taken aback for a moment, then started dressing, her expression thoughtful.

I found myself needing to have a heartfelt conversation with Tori, wanting to clarify the intricacies of our relationship dynamics. Given my previous open marriage with Beck, I understood there might be some confusion.

I gazed into Tori's eyes, my voice filled with sincerity as I began, "Tori, I want you to truly understand something important. Yes, I was in an open marriage with Beck, and that had its own set of rules and boundaries. But what we share, what you and I have together, it's entirely distinct. It's a connection that's utterly unique and incomparable."

Taking a moment to let my words sink in, I continued, "I know you might have been open to the idea of sharing me with Beck, and I'm grateful for your understanding in that situation. However, Tori, I want to be crystal clear – I don't want anyone else in our relationship. I desire no one but you."

My gaze remained locked with Tori's as I expressed my feelings, my words serving as a declaration of the depth of my commitment to our relationship.

"Do you really have to go?" Tori's voice was tinged with a touch of sadness as she looked at me, knowing the weight of my responsibilities. I wore multiple hats on the production – executive producer, director, and showrunner – and the pandemic had left us short-staffed, making my role even more demanding.

I let out a sigh, understanding Tori's feelings. "I have to, babe. You know how hectic things are right now, and I can't leave the production hanging." Leaning in, I planted a tender kiss on her lips. "I promise, as soon as this is over, we'll have some quality time together."

Tori nodded, her disappointment visible despite her efforts to hide it. I said my farewells to the family and headed towards the studio. After checking in, I made my way to my trailer. The pandemic had normalized virtual communication, so I turned on my Facetime, a familiar routine from the days when we dealt with Covid.


Working within the confines of the production bubble had its advantages. I could focus on my work without worrying too much about the safety of my crew, given the strict COVID precautions in place. However, it couldn't completely shield us from the world outside, and life continued to unfold.

One significant event on the horizon was the impending arrival of my second grandchild. Miri and Jordan had decided to keep the baby's gender a surprise, opting for a non-binary gender reveal, which I found quite progressive and heartwarming. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there in person for this momentous occasion due to my work commitments, but I was determined to celebrate it virtually as a talking head.

My split from the house had been the beginning of other fractures, like one afternoon, my phone buzzed with a message, and I glanced at the screen. It was a text from Beck. The message itself was brief and to the point, but its impact was profound. He mentioned that, with the easing of COVID restrictions, he was planning to move back to our shared home.

Beck: what do you think we should do about your stuff at the house?

I remember staring at those words for a moment, feeling a complex swirl of emotions. It was unexpected. The pandemic had shifted our lives in ways we couldn't have predicted, and the idea of Beck returning to our once-shared space was a significant change. It marked a new chapter in our post-divorce relationship, uncharted territory for both of us.

Jade: storage for now? I can figure out what to do later.

Beck: Got any storage place in mind?

Jade: "SafeKeep Storage" on Oak Street.

There was another text from Helena, and I was a little put off by it and I didn't know why. I decided to ignore it for a while because I didn't have the bandwidth. Beck was moving into the house I raised my children in with her. Someone who was not me. Didn't he think that was weird?

Beck: Cool, I'll look into it. Do you want me to handle moving your stuff there?

Jade: If you don't mind, that'd be a big help. Just give me the details, and I'll take care of the costs.

Beck: Sure thing, Jade. I'll get it sorted.

Jade: Thanks.

I frowned, Helena had not texted me in months, I wondered what she wanted so I went ahead and opened my texts.

Helena: Jade, we need to talk.

Did we? For people who shared a bubble we hardly ever crossed paths. In fact, the last time we had a threesome had been the last time we talked… and I hadn't slept with them in months. Just before I responded TOri's face popped up on my screen and I smiled as I answered the Facetime call.

Tori's face wasn't so smiley though. "What is that face?

"I need Helena to leave immediately."

"What the fuck?" I asked.

"Esa puta no va a entrar a mi casa que estoy pagando, para acusarme de nada. You hear me?"

"Fine, but what is she accusing you of?"I asked.

"Do you know how often I run into that bitch?" Tori fumed she was pacing her bedroom. "Like never, because her back is glued to Beck's mattress okay? She fucking said that I was using you until I could find a dick to fuck."

"What?" I asked.

"Como si mi corazon no lloraba por ti."

"Well… I mean you're straight Tori…"

"We are not having this conversation right now Jade, I need you in my corner, I will flay you for that comment when you get back." She shouted back at me.

"Are you telling me you aren't?"

"I've never been straight Jade. I married Andre so I was loyal to him because I loved him, but when have you ever seen me look at another man?"

I shut my mouth. She was right.

She continued her rant. "I need to get her out of here I have never been more offended in my life."

"Beck and Helena are moving to my house. Okay, don't worry."

"I don't want to see that woman again."

"You are bisexual?" I asked still trying to wrap my brain around it.

She paused. "Are you still on that?"

"I need to understand," I answered.

"I am pansexual, and Demisexual." She answered.

"So you…"

"I don't care as long as I like you." she finished. Listen I'm going to go. This... I need to work out or something before I slap a bitch."

"That means you have only ever had sex with …"

"Three people… don't focus on that. Please can I just…"

"Fine… I'm sorry, Love." I said understanding why she was willing to share me and why the thought of me being with anyone other than Beck bothered her. "Don't listen to Helena."

"Can't wait til they move," she muttered and hung up the phone.

Then the text from Helena was stark. My mood toward her had changed drastically in that moment so I sent a short.

Jade: What's up?

She hit me back almost immediately.

Helena: I asked Beck to leave the bubble because I can't shake the feeling that he's only with me because he can't have you.

Jade: Helena, you've been driving a wedge between us. Adding unneeded tension.

Helena: Oh, please, Jade. You're just a full-blown lesbian who can't let go of her safety net.

Jade: You don't understand a damn thing.

Helena: Enlighten me, then.

I laughed. This chick is irritating. If you don't want an open relationship you don't join one.

Jade: You're making this about you and me, but it's about Beck and his happiness too.

Helena: Is it really? Or are you just trying to hold on to what you had with him?

Jade: I don't need to explain myself to you.

Helena: No, you don't. But you need to figure your shit out, Jade.

Jade: Back off, Helena.

Helena: Fine. Have it your way.


Weeks later, I walked into the house, knowing that Tori and Sirrah were at their respective shoots for the episode, which meant they would be gone overnight. As I stepped through the door, I was greeted by the sight of Miri and Jordan rushing around in a hurry. Their faces held a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

I couldn't help but ask, "What's the hurry?"

Miri, who was noticeably pregnant, looked at me with wide eyes and a nervous smile. "My water broke, Mom."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what was happening. Restrictions had started to lift, allowing Miri to have someone in the delivery room with her. I immediately shifted into a reassuring mode, putting my arm around her.

"Okay, sweetheart," I said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "Jordan, you keep a close eye on her. I'll be right behind you."

Miri nodded, her grip on Jordan's hand tightening. She was scared, and I understood the fear that came with childbirth. But I was determined to be there for her every step of the way, just as I had been for my other children.