
POV: Zac
Word Count: 2157
Authors Note: AU elements: I am aware that Hanson did the 5/5 series for the release of Shout it Out, but I didn't want to go that route. I DID however keep the video with fans :)
July 20, 2010
We were sitting in the largest conference room with our full staff, which really didn’t comprise of many people. But they were all trusted individuals and they would be critical to the success of the weekend. We finished up lunch and cleared the table before we settled down with notepads and tape recorders.
“Ok, we’re here to discuss the plans for this weekend’s release party.” Isaac said.
Everyone nodded.
“Friday will be the kind of low key day, people are arriving and getting settled but that night is the member’s only listening party which begins at 6 pm at Cain’s. VIP is now closed and the final count was 250 members. Friday the store will be opened most of the day and we will need at least two people there the whole time. The listening party is solely up to you guys, each of you can get a ticket and you’re welcome to invite someone to come with you. But we need to know tomorrow if you’re coming.” Ike said.
He cleared a few minor questions and then everyone turned to Taylor.
“Saturday will be super fucking busy so please, unless your dying don’t call out. Saturday starts at 7 am with dance rehearsals for the video, Thinkin’ About Something. Fans are expected to be there as they’ll be in the video, a video was released so we hope everyone knows the steps and I am sure we all do. Everyone here is welcome to be in the video. Again, the store will be opened and will be playing the CD as its official release is Friday and we have a few members picking up the exclusive sets in person. Emily, I am very sorry but you must handle those individuals, there instructed to come to you because of the cost of the sets. There paid in full already.”
“I know, I have them prepared and labeled already and there waiting.” She said.
“Following rehearsal is the video shoot that afternoon, most of the video will be shot Saturday, as the others and I start filming at 10 and don’t stop until the final scenes. Our team is on point already and things are fixed and set up, we just have to do it.”
A few questions were asked about Saturday and then we moved on to Sunday, which was my step.
“We are doing a show Sunday near the studio, full electric show but it should be completed by 3, following this is a limited change for people to meet us. The building next to us is set up to accommodate groups of 10 to 15, fans must sign up and receive a ticket either Friday or Saturday at the store. It’s the only way to get in. Stephanie and Angela, I need you two to ensure that flows well.”
“On it already, we’ve got stamps and tickets ready.”
“Which leaves me to security for the weekend…”
“Security?” Velma asked.
“He’s talking about me Velma. But I think we’re good there.” She said.
“No. This weekend presents a prime time and I agree with Zac, we need to ensure that you’ll be safe because realistically Zac cannot be there all the time and if he’d worried sick about you he’s not going to be focused on the tasks.” Isaac said.
“We need Casey Friday because we plan to do some of the songs live for the members. But your brothers are working, Zander can’t come, and Casey’s with us some on Sunday as well.” I said.
“Not a problem guys, I’ll be here all day in the store and before the party someone can come and get me and bring me to the venue. Really, I don’t think anyone would try to take me out of the studio with cameras everywhere and added there is the whole fan thing, I am sure dozens will be here all day.”
“We considered that but we’d like someone here with you. You’d need help with the store and just help in general.”
“I can stay. Gina is going to help this weekend as a temp person she said she’d just watch the crowd and radio in any issues. I can stay here and restock and mingle. With close to a thousand the store will be busy and we’ll need two registers.” Stephanie said.
“That covers Friday.” Taylor said.
“I’ll be with her all day Saturday. I and someone can stay here at the studio and I can bring her to the video shoot and stay there with her. You won’t need me all day and she’ll be safe.” Casey said.
“What about Sunday?” Ike asked.
“I’ll be at the store for a while and I guess I can then come down to the MG’s and come inside with you three. I mean I can provide support inside while there outside.”
“I’d prefer more people.” Zac said.
“Craig might be available Saturday. I’m sure I’ll be fine Zac.” Emily said.
We spent another three hours battering down the details of the weekend before we called it quits and went our separate ways, Emily went to the office to cover more details and ensure the orders would be ready. I found Velma in the merchandise area cleaning.
“Hey.” I said.
She turned. “Hay is for horses.”
I smiled. “It is actually, um I want to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“Is there any way you can stay here with her over the weekend? She trusts you very much and she enjoys being in your company. I think she’d be more relaxed if you were here with her and not out with us.”
She smiled. “I’d love to stay with her if it means you are more confident about leaving her. I can’t believe some guy just won’t let it go.”
“We felt it was time everyone knew what was going on I mean she got another snow globe when we got back and everyone here saw it, so it wasn’t something we needed to lie about and Casey brought up a good point that everyone here needed to be aware of who he is, how dangerous he is, and that she cannot be alone because of that.”
“Don’t worry Zac. I’ll stay with her here and Stephanie will be also, she’ll be fine. I’m sure she will be.”
“Thank you. After the weekend we’ll get together and do dinner or something.”
She smiled. “You don’t have too, she’s in danger and I understand. I’ll stay with her all weekend.”
I smiled at her and went to the offices and sat down, she just turned and looked at me.
“So what employee did you con into watching me all weekend so I’ll know what to bring.”
“Velma will be with you. I know you trust her and you ladies have gotten kind of close so, she’s the go to.”
She raised her brow at me. “Close?” she asked.
“Well, you’re always talking and stuff. I don’t mean like Casey close. Speaking of, are we still fixing him dinner tonight?”
“Yes. We have everything we need. Although you say we but really Zac, you cook?”
“I’m not that bad.”
She giggled some and then turned back to her computer. “Is Layla going to be around the weekend at all?”
“She’ll be in California Friday and Saturday, interviews. She said she’ll come by Sunday sometime.”
“How has she been?”
“She has her days really. How is Amanda?”
“Pissed off that you didn’t tell her about this weekend and she made me promise that you will paint her a picture and mail it, she doesn’t care what you paint as long as it’s a one of a kind.”
“I don’t do copies.”
She looked at me. “I know. She also doesn’t want it published anywhere.”
I nodded. “Christina?”
She gave me a stone face. “I don’t even want to go there. I put her copy in the mail yesterday because she was driving me insane.”
I smiled. “Anything news worthy I need to know?”
She appeared thoughtful. “Not really. Most of what I am getting is stuff for radio interviews, shows, stuff that you guys handle most the time.”
“You know we could let you do that too, I mean damn who better to know our schedule?”
“I may know your schedule, but I don’t know all the ideas that run through your heads all the time.”
I turned to the computer and smiled. The background was taken a few days ago, rare family photo and it was her first one with us all, so it was special to me. Mom had ordered us to take Saturday and do family pictures because everyone was in town.
She finished whatever she needed and leaned back and yawned.
“Tired?” I asked.
“Four weeks on a bus and then as soon as we get home we’re pulling 18 hour days and you ask me that question?”
“You just look tired, maybe you should take tomorrow off and just let Casey pamper you all day.”
She rolled her eyes. “You mean I should pamper him? Doesn’t the man do enough for us as it is?”
I giggled. “That he does, although I’m not up to pissing him off anytime soon.”
“Aww, do you not like when I’m mad?” he asked from behind me.
“In fact, I don’t. Or rather certain parts of me don’t.”
“You have to admit the apology was pretty fucking hot.”
Emily giggled and I know my face turned red, but I was concerned about Emily some. She hadn’t really felt good the last week and twice I’d been woken up to her throwing up in the bathroom. But, with our crazy schedule it’s a wonder she managed to recover from that sinus infection at all.
“Anyway, I come to take your wife home. Taylor and Isaac said they were done for the day and that you may stay.”
“Nope. If they’re going I am too!”
We saved and closed programs and then went home. Emily and I fixed dinner for Casey, his favorite dish was lasagna and she’d found a great recipe somewhere and was trying it. She even fixed the dessert he loved, chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. We sat down at 6 and he looked stunned.
“So, we planned a lot more for the evening but um, seeing as we’re all about to pass out from exhaustion it’s probably not wise.” Emily said.
“You know as much as I know I would love that, I think I will pass. There is some downtime in the next few weeks.” He replied.
“Not much, but yeah once we can sleep for like a day we might have the energy for what we had planned.”
“Wait…what did you have planned?” he asked.
Emily looked up and smiled. “Oh nothing, we were just going to put you in the middle that was all.”
He nearly choked on the lasagna he’d shoved in his mouth and I couldn’t resist.
“Don’t choke Casey, I mean really you shouldn’t shove things in your mouth.”
He swallowed and waited a moment. “No Zac that’s your place. Uh…I assume you’d be the bottom Ems?”
Had he just made some wise come back…what the hell? But she smiled and finished her green beans.
“No Casey, I wouldn’t be the bottom, that would be Zac actually.”
I watched him smiled and nod. “Yeah, we’ll definitely plan for that to happen.”
“Like I said, once we find sleep time we will, can’t promise when that will be.” Emily said.
“Uh…Christmas?” I asked.
“So, are you comfortable with the security arrangements?” Casey asked.
“Yeah, Craig said he would be available Saturday and he’d see you then. Zander’s on call but he’ll be near too.”
“Great.”
We finished dinner and since she had cooked most of the meal, I washed and cleaned up. She’d made some extra for the weekend as well, because as busy as the days were it would be something quick to make when we finally made it home. Casey went to bed about eight and Emily and I followed. She curled up beside me and patted my side.
“I’ll be fine Zac, just don’t worry. I’ll basically be at the studio the whole weekend. It’ll be fine, we have people we trust all around us, the staff knows who to look for and we’re all going to communicate and we’ll be fine.”
I kissed her forehead and smiled. “I know.”
She yawned and a few minutes later she was asleep. But, I had this bad feeling that it wouldn’t be enough and I had no idea what to add to make sure she was safe. Velma would be with her and so would most of the staff and she was right she would be under the cameras the whole time. I finally drifted off to sleep and I swore the alarm clock went off an hour after I did….
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