Desire Ch. 93 - Meeting Riley & Challenges

[itztigress3]

Chapter 93- Meeting Riley and Challenges
POV: Emily
Word Count: 6110
Authors Note: This is another crossover chapter with koolies20. Once her side is posted, I will link them.

October 27, 2012; Saturday

Alexander woke me back up at 6 for his next feeding. I sat in our bedroom against the headboard and let him eat, while Zac slept. I was basically making Zac sleep at night and getting up myself because really there was no need for him to get up just to change a diaper and it worked because I could then nap during the day while he was awake to watch him. We’d all been released Tuesday and Casey stayed here until Thursday before going home himself. Everyone had been over at least once since we got home.

It was different being at home because there was no nurse for me to call if I had a question, no one to seek advice for. I’d been thinking about butterflies and sunsets quite a bit the last few days. Alexander finished his breakfast and I laid him down on the bed to change him, once full, clean, and dry he was content to just go back to sleep. I got a quick photo and sent it to Christina and my older brothers; they were flying out tomorrow morning to meet him and staying until after Halloween. They wouldn’t be out for Thanksgiving and said they were coming back to us for Christmas. I felt bad they always came to us, but it was ideal to have both families here.

I moved Alexander to his basinet beside the bed and laid back down, Maddi, Max, and little Riley were all due today as well. I believe she said they’d arrive around 1; they were staying with Casey for tonight and heading back Sunday. I drifted back off and heard him again not long after, it was the one thing I missed actual sleep. I was warned though by Christina who also breastfed that for a while he’d nurse every hour to two hours, depending and so far he was averaging every hour and a half. Zac was looking pretty worried about me. She didn’t recommend pumping until two weeks, giving time for the mature milk to come in. I was counting down the days! Although, Zac’s and his mom had purchased a pump, very nice brand and I’d been practicing but not really doing much.

“You look exhausted Emily, are you sure you want to do this? You’ve been kind of cat napping since he was born.”

“I’m sure Zac, your mom and Christina agreed it was better for him and they both warned me about this.  So what, I’m a little sleep deprived at least I can eat now without throwing it up.”

“Exhaustion is just as bad.”

“Well, you can make up for that once I can use the pump, then you can get up every two hours for a few days while I catch up. So, while he chows you can get ready.”

Seeing it was futile to argue he went ahead and got clothes out and showered. He came back in a towel and I watched him.

“As tired as you look, you seriously cannot be thinking about sex now.”

“Thinking it sure, the actual thought of dragging you down not so much. I’d probably fall asleep. Be glad, I am sure you got enough the last six weeks to last for the next six.”

“I do believe I did.”

He got dressed and I watched him wiggle into his dark brown pants and that wasn’t helping the thoughts and the fact his ass was still red from Wednesday didn’t help either. He had to undo them to tuck in the social development shirt, which didn’t help either and he left the red, white and blue checked shirt untucked and unbuttoned. I waited until after the next feeding to shower, that way I didn’t have to rush as badly. Meanwhile Zac got Alexander ready by putting him in the little drummer boy oneis it was brown with white writing, Maddi had gotten for him.

Zac was downstairs with him when I came down, I was finding the maternity clothes still fit best and were more comfortable for the moment, so I’d opted for a pair of the pants with his black and yellow checked button up shirt.

“Isn’t that mine?” he asked.

“Yes, but it permits Alexander access without me completely undressing and since Max will be here as well, I would rather not need to take my shirt completely off. Besides, it fits better than most of mine.”

“It looks good on you.”

“Want me to fix breakfast?”

“Babe you know he’s about to cry for you, so I’ll fix breakfast.”

It turned out his shirt was perfect for feeding, and he fixed breakfast for us both which was so nice, I could eat and not throw it up. I straightened up a bit and napped a bit while we waited for them to arrive. Zac started lunch for us all about noon; he said spaghetti would be quick, easy and filling. I personally didn’t care.

It was about 12:45 when the gate buzzed and Zac got up and looked at the monitor. “Hey Max, I’m letting you in.”

It was rare that Zac even let people we didn’t know for years come to the house, but he’d commented after the pictures that he felt good about them, but he still stood there and watched the gate close to make sure no one else entered, he then stepped outside to greet them and help if he needed too. I laid Alexander down so I could greet them, he’d be up pretty soon anyway to eat again. Zac held the door for them to come inside.

Maddi was carrying the car seat and sat it down long enough for me to hug her.

“Hey!”

Maddi had on a purple dress that came down almost to her knees with black leggings and brown boots. Max was wearing dark jeans, a black long sleeve shirt with maybe a blue shirt under it and matching blue shoes.

We moved from the foyer into the living room where Max brought Riley’s in her car seat and sat her down.

“Alexander should be awake shortly, but you are more than welcome to get him if you wish Maddi.”

Maddi grinned. “Sure, I would love that!”

His animal themed basinet was in the far corner in front of the window, I had the curtain closed. She walked over to get him, I trusted her. I noticed Zac was watching her warily though.

She went to pick him up and laid him back down she then turned. “I think it’s possible he needs to be changed.” She then giggled so I walked over.

She wasn’t kidding. “Uh, yeah...I’d say so. Zac do we have a change of clothes down here?”

“No.”

“Well, Maddi do you want to come with me and see his nursery?”

I picked Alexander up out of the bassinet and started for the steps.

“Max can you watch Riley for a few? If she wakes up, text me.”

“Yeppers baby duty, I’m on it!” he said.

She followed me up-stairs and I laid him down on the changing table and strapped him in while I got the diapers, wipes, and went to the dresser for a change of clothes.

I picked up the light blue one piece with a drum set on the front and future drummer written on it, another one she had chosen. Maddi was looking around as I gathered stuff and she looked kind of stunned really.

“Wow Ems, this is such an adorable nursery! Where did you ever find the wall paper?”

I turned to her. “It’s not wall paper. I had nothing to do with this, except helping Zac put those dressers together and really all I did was tell him the directions. Zac painted it by himself.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Wow, he did an amazing job!”

I smiled. “He said he felt like he wasn't doing anything. The man was cooking, cleaning, and waiting on me hand and foot and dealing with my we must have sex three times today sex drive. I don't think he slept! Look inside the closet.”

“Max was a big help too…but sadly I had to go through my sex drive with nothing, it sucked.” She laughed.

"I seriously think a few times he considered calling Casey over, just so he could snooze. I don't think I would have survived mine without Zac. It was horrible. All he really had to do was look at me the wrong way and I was pushing him down and stripping him."

I had gotten the dirty clothes off and got the dirty diaper off as well and was cleaning him up good.

“Not gonna lie, I was pretty much ready to convince Max he was straight, it was rough dealing with it, a lot of cold showers.”

"You'd be amazed at what he might have done Maddi. He seems like a great friend to you, it may not have been hard core or anything..."

“Maybe, but I didn’t think he would, so I never said anything. Plus, I felt like I would be cheating on Trevor.”

She walked to the closet doors and opened them after that, I was sure it was because of Trevor but maybe the fish will cheer her up, I saw the slight grin.

“I don’t think I could have done what you did; I doubt I would be near as strong as you have been.”

“This is awesome too! Man he is good at painting”

“Took me a year to convince him after his divorce from that bitch that his paintings were great and that he had talent.”

“Well I’m glad he met you, because he is amazing. I didn’t know he was married before.”

"I'm glad he did too. Yeah, he was married to Kathryn for three years. Their divorce was finalized in 2008, March.”

She paused a moment. “Oh…ohhh, so you two were together before the divorce?”

"Yeah. March 20, 2007 is when we got together. Ironically, he caught her cheating with his best friend and came to the studio. He cried on my shoulder, we had dinner, and then we had sex. First time for me. I tried to cut him off after that but couldn't. It was after his birthday that I walked away, fearing he wouldn't leave her. He got depressed, sick, and passed out during a show, I am sure video still exist. As I was sitting at the hospital I used his laptop to check e-mail and found an account he'd created for me and never told me about. I thought he didn't love me, turns out he'd been telling me for months via e-mail just I didn't have the password!"

I had Alexander’s dirty clothes off and he was clean now, I put a clean diaper on him and started putting the suit on him.

“Wow, you guys really have a strong bond. Awe, he’s wearing the little outfit I bought him. He’s such a good baby sleeping through a diaper change and a cleaning. Riley doesn’t do that often.”

I grinned at her. "It goes deeper; I fell in love with Zac when they came out, first show actually. Zac saw me in 2003 and spent a year looking for me. Zac loves this suit and I find it fitting, he used my organs for his personal set. He sleeps like his daddy, I can move all around Zac and he won’t budge."

“That’s really cool; I kind of had that with Trevor. We met at a party; the first time I laid eyes on him I knew he was the love of my life. But, he was a couple years older; I figured he wouldn’t even look twice.”

"I tried to stay away because he was married, just didn't happen for either of us. We shared a few kisses beforehand. I am sure he looked twice; after all Riley is proof you two were compatible. I'm all done; if you want you can carry him down. He'll be up soon, it's nearing food time and I am sure Zac has finished lunch too."

“Sure.” She replied. I moved and she picked him up, still asleep and quiet and we headed downstairs, I let her go first so I wasn’t in her line of sight.

When we got downstairs Riley was in Zac’s arms and I smiled, man couldn’t resist babies. But unlike Alexander, Riley was awake and she was starting to get a little fussy.

The boys turned and looked at us, Riley’s fussing a little louder so Maddi walked over to the love seat where Zac was sitting.

“Hey Maddi, you up for some baby swapping? I think this one wants you.”

She laid Alexander down and before she picked Riley up I got a quick photo. “No one will believe he was ever holding two newborns without proof.”

Maddi smiled and picked up Riley. "Hey Max can you hand me my cover up thingie so I can feed ginger monster please." he already was handing it to me.

I wondered what this cover up thingie she was referring to was.

“Um, Ems I think Alexander may want you now as well. So, Max and I can step out while you two get settled in and then when there done eating we can too.”

I moved to get him from Zac. “Maddi, what is this cover up thingie you mentioned?!”

I watched as Max put this thin cloth thing around her neck, Riley was wiggly and it was clear she didn’t want to wait.

“It’s a really handy cover you put around your neck and then you can cover the baby while breast feeding. Its light material and big enough so it’s not suffocating and I can look down at her and still watch her or help her latch back on. It’s pretty neat; you can also wear it as a scarf too."

“Zac we may need to get one since you’re so adamant I am touring with you next year.”

Maddi looked a little shy. “Well, I actually got you one. I wasn’t sure if you would like it, or want one. It’s in the diaper bag if you want to grab it. Still in its wrapper.”

“That is awesome, thank you! I hadn't really thought about it I mean I'm at home but surely I have to leave the house sometime!"

“You are touring with us, we have to have someone to keep us in line...” Zac said.

“Yeah, around Max I just plop the boob out and feed her, same with my Mom’s. But, at work and public or in front of your husband,” She laughed some. “This is a wonderful thing.”

I giggled and saw Zac’s face go red. “Ok, I am going to get out of here, Max would you like to see the back yard?”

“Sure, sounds good to me.”  He replied

“Zac, why not just say my wife’s about to have her boob all out and I’d rather you not see?” Maddi said.

I giggled, she’d hit that nail right on the head.

He smiled. “I was being polite actually. I would like his opinion on the perfect tree house location though, so we’ll be back in like ten.”

They then walked out the back door. I got the package from the diaper bag where she indicated and it was blue and grey stripes, perfect. She had to give me some instructions and I managed to get it on and covered just in time for him to start getting fussy.

“I’ll be glad when I can pump and Zac can feed him while I snooze.”

“Yeah, pumping hurts thought just to warn you. I had to start pumping about a week ago so my mom and Max's sister could watch Riley for me when I had to be at Mr. McElroy’s studio.”

“Ironically, I already have one here. Zac went with his mom Thursday she wanted to get something for him and while they were there she picked it out. I'm kind of glad, because I've been looking online and felt way overwhelmed."

“Same here. I still don't have any nipples for any of the bottles, she told me to wait a while and then find one that looked similar, so I figured before I start really pumping I'll go to the mall.”

“From what I read, some nipples are bad for when they start getting teeth. So much little things, it is so mind-blowing sometimes.” Maddi said.

"It's mind boggling sometimes. Some of the gifts we got for the shower were insanely complicated. There was this toy thing that my brother bought. Zac and I can't even figure out how to put it together."

She laughed. “I understand completely. Apparently we have a bad case of the ‘1^st time mother syndrome’. I wish we lived closer we could go clueless shopping together.”

"That would be awesome! I have like Nikki and Natalie, more experienced moms but they didn't breastfeed and have no clue. Zac's mom didn't either but she has a lot of friends who did. My obsessed with my husband sister in law is breast feeding as well but she's in Georgia."

"I have my mom, she breastfed, so it helps. She said the pumps have switched so much though since i was a baby." She replied

"Well, I was bottle fed obviously and Craig's mom bottle fed them. So, aside from the sister in law, I'm stuck with his mom."

I adjusted positions on the love seat, I wanted my bop pillow and it was up-stairs.

“Well, I am sure my mom would be happy to give you any advice needed, I don’t mind playing the middle man.”

“I'm hoping I have enough in that area, but if I do have questions I'll call! I wish Zac would have brought me by little boppy pillow. I think it was left in the bedroom.”

“Oh yeah, I miss mine too. I wish I had a Mary Poppins diaper bag, I would have brought that one!”

“Zac’s mom bought this really thick one I can lay him on it and nurse away. I’m sure it’ll come in handy when I go back to work. I can lay him there, swaddle that weird sling type carry all my other brother got, I swear it’s like 25 feet long and is suppose to wrap around me and swaddle him to me, I couldn’t figure it out either! Then I can type away and make calls.”

“I have something like that for when I’m out doing events so she can be with me."

“Zac and I bought one that was much simpler, shoulder straps and all. Your basic carry all, sounds like what you have. That 25 feet long monstrosity went back to the store. I tried with a baby doll of Zoe's and that poor doll. I even had Zac try and nope."

She giggled some and shifted herself. “Some of the things for babies seem more dangerous than helpful sometimes.”

"Zac claims he's taking Alexander to work with him in a few weeks and he's going to use that and play drums with it. I told him I'd beat his ass if he did that. Those drums are way too loud for him right now."
“Yeah, he’s out of his mind! Maybe in a year or something…”

“Well, he'll be touring with us next year. So, I've got to find little headphones or something to put on him, the shows are loud even back stage.”

“I must be the topic of this out of my mind statement, I tell you; Alexander will be with me on stage banging things too!”

I jumped some. “You’re going to be unable to sit if you do that again! He’ll be on stage when you’re not doing a show, not when you are.”

Maddi moved Riley up to her shoulder to burp her and when she was done Max removed the little cover, after of course she fixed her shirt. She then looked at the boys.

“Did you guys get the tree house spot picked?”

“Sure did, right where it can be seen.”

“So not 500 feet away like you wanted? Max, did you talk some sense into him?”

He smiled. “That I did. It just didn’t make sense to be there wouldn’t have looked right either.

“It was near a tree!” Zac exclaimed.

Maddi grinned. “Do you guys have an idea of how the tree house will look? Apparently they can put toilets and kitchens in those suckers now."

“Well....Emily forbids me to put the tree house in an actual tree, so this is more a ground house...”

“Yes, because if he'd anything like you he'll be falling out and I'm not explaining that shit to a doctor.”

Max and Maddi exchanged looks and smiled. Alexander was done so I carefully moved him and handed him to Zac, who burped him. I then buttoned his shirt back up.

“Emily, would you like to hold Riley when your arms get their feeling back?”

“I would, how about we have lunch first. I am starving.”

“Good plan, I’m about to gnaw my arm off.” Maddi said.

“Hopefully it’s decent…” Zac said.

We were all getting up. “If you want, you can lay Riley in his basinet. I took the dirty stuff with me when I went up. Zac won’t put him down for at least 15 minutes.”

She nodded and laid her down in the basinet as Zac went off to the kitchen. We went to the kitchen and everyone fixed plates, it was still amazing to watch Zac fix his while holding Alexander. He sat down and moved a chair over, propped his feet up and laid Alexander right there in his lap and proceeded to eat like it was nothing.

“Zac this is better than decent. You make mean spaghetti!” He then shoved another huge bite into his mouth; he ate like Casey, go figure.

Maddi looked at him. “Dude, you don’t have to eat so fast we aren’t in a challenge.”

Zac perked up some. “Challenge?”

"Yeah, when we were here the first time meeting you guys, after we left Casey’s house we went to fat guys burger bar. Max did the fat guy challenge; he actually beat the record by 27 seconds.”

I groaned and Zac’s eyes lite up. “Really? I didn’t know he had one.”

“Zac, the last time you tried one of those you got sick as hell.” I pointed out.

"I wouldn't have gotten sick if Taylor hadn't, well....he got sick first!"

“Well, there are two of them in town, why don’t you, me and Casey go to the other one and see who beats who?”

I groaned again, Zac never was good with ignoring challenges.

“I know I can beat you, just because you can suck down 8 ounces of milk faster than me doesn't mean anything dude."

"Ha! Bring on it big guy!"

"Might I point out that you’re taller than me?" Zac smirked.

"No, no you may not point that out, would it make you feel better if I ate on my knees?" Max suddenly turned bright red.

We all looked at him confused at why he was red. “I…not on my knees like that! But just you know, fuck not in a sexual way!”

Maddi, Zac and I just busted out laughing.

“Thinking about Casey again?” Maddi winked at him.

“Well, damn I was hoping for something but that was awesome Max.”

I looked at him and hit his arm. “Zac! Stop picking on him before I tell him all your secrets and give him something to really work with!”

He just looked at me but I vaguely saw the evil grins from Max. I took a bite of my bread, prayed no one would say anything.

“From what I heard you can milk Casey pretty good.” Max smirked.

Maddi and I both choked on the bread we’d just eaten and Zac’s entire face went tomato sauce red before he looked at me concerned, I am sure Max turned to Maddi as well.

When I got the bread down I took a few swallows of water just to make sure and so I could breathe.

“Are you ok?” Zac asked.

“Yeah. I didn’t wake Alexander up did I?”

“Nope, he is my son Ems. He’ll sleep through anything. Maddi, are you alright?”

Maddi said "Yes, I am fine. Thanks."

We then finished lunch in silence. Maddi went to check on Riley and Max excused himself to the bathroom. Zac took his plate to the sink and I followed.

"Um, do yourself a big favor and don't do that again. Just because Casey gave you the spanking on Wednesday, doesn't mean I won’t hesitate to do it again."

"Lesson learned, I didn't know he knew that much..."

We returned to the living room and after Max returned there was idle chatting and I got to hold Riley for a bit, she was so cute! Bright blue eyes and it looked like red hair, such an adorable combination. Maddi got to hold Alexander before they both started getting fussy, so we swapped and Zac helped me with the shirt and Max helped her. I got Alexander settled and so did Maddi.

“Hey, I just randomly realized our babies are a month and one day apart.”

“Wow, your right about that. Riley was the 21^st and Alexander the 22^nd.”

“Best birthday present I could ever ask for and one that no one can top.” Zac quipped.

“He was born on your birthday Zac? That’s so awesome!” Max said.

“He was, 4:10 am but I was born later in the morning. She claims she didn’t plan that.”

“I didn’t! I am still blaming you for that.”

“Yeah right women plan everything!” Max smiled and he ducked when Maddi glared at him, didn’t even look like she was going to move.

“I didn’t convince your body or brain to go into labor on Saturday and not have him until Monday! Your right Max, sometimes I wonder.”

“It’s some secret woman power, I am pretty convinced.”

“Been wondering about that for years, it was just a coincidence that she does things sometimes and then it ends up being my fault.”

“Hey hey how did this turn into a women bashing moments?” Maddi laughed.

I snickered. “You do realize it is your fault he’s here? I mean I didn’t go to work that day intending to get pregnant!”

Maddi quipped up. “For once Max is the innocent one!”

She laughed but he slightly looked hurt. “Truth, he is. Well for this occasion.”

She looked at him. “Sorry Max.”

“Ugh, It wasn’t my intention either! Just…well…I’m not going to bother to finish this sentence…”

Max looked a little down. “It’s ok; just all these babies make me realize how much I want a family. I love Riley like she was mine, but I know she’s not.”

Zac sat quietly and I had no idea how to respond to that. Maddi handed Riley to him. “You know you are going to always be someone she loves and looks up to Max. She already loves you.”

I smiled at him. “You got to find Mr. Right first Max, once you do maybe that family is possible. My father said he and his partner looked into it but they didn’t feel comfortable with their jobs, he’s always gone.”

"Yeah, Maddi tells me the same. Hopefully someday. So anyways....about the fat burger challenge..." He said turning to Zac, obviously wanting to change the subject.

“I’d love to get with you and Casey one weekend and try it. I am sure you or I would win, I’ve never seen Casey eat that much at once.”

I glared at Zac for a moment and then realized he didn’t get what he said, I giggled at his obliviousness to the statement.

"Well maybe he can't now but when we were together he was always stuffing his face.” He paused for a second “food....with food.”

I looked at Max. “I don't know where Zac gets that line of bullshit; Casey ate him under the table last thanksgiving. I swear to god I don't know where he puts it. Then again, Zac was in a food coma after the first plate. Casey went back for two more...So; you two may have stiff competition...."

Maddi grinned. “I can tell this is going to be hard for them all.”

I tried not to laugh, I really did but then I busted out laughing.

Zac looked confused. “Are you ganging up on us again or have I totally missed something?”

Maddi was laughing as well. “I am so glad the babies can’t understand any of this and apparently it flew over Zac’s head too.”

Max looked confused as well. “Um, Zac I think we missed something…”

Maddi and I just laughed harder, this from the guys who went back and forth earlier! I calmed down and as questioning of a look Zac was giving me I looked at Maddi.

“So, Maddi I'll see what our schedule is like and get back with you on when we're available for this challenge. But, what should the two losing parties do?”

"I don't know Emily; I'll need to think on that.”

"Truth, me too. Wait, we need to call Casey"

I got my phone from the pocket and called him, he answered on the third ring and I put him on speakerphone. Zac looked at me worried.

"Hey Ems, is everything ok? Did Maddi and Max make it there ok?"

"Yes, they've been here a little while. Hey, have you heard of the fat burger challenge?"

"Yep. I've seen some advertisements now and then. Never really went there though. Why?"

"Well, apparently Max and Maddi went there the last time they were up and Max beat this challenge they have. It's like a shit ton of food. Well, Max says he can beat you and Zac, Zac says he can beat you and Max. So, would you like to try it?"

“Hey Casey, I think you should show these two up.” Maddi goaded.

Max just smirked. “I’ve beaten it once, I can do it again. I can even beat my last time.”

"Now you’re just getting cocky Max." She looked at me and we tried not to laugh, I guess minds in the gutter were common now.

Casey laughed. “So I know how Max and Maddi feel, I’ll assume Zac is there too, so what about you Zac?”

“You may not be excited to learn that the two who don’t win, have to do something…but the ladies aren’t saying what…”

“Wait, who comes up with the something? Because if its Emily fuck no, you two are on your own because I know how evil she can be. I’m not jumping from a plane!”

I laughed. “It’s not just me, Maddi and I will come up with something. Surely you trust Maddi Casey…”

Max looked up. “Fuck that I’m not jumping either, well not that I even need to worry about it. But, Maddi does have an evil mind when she needs one. Putting those two together could be the death of you two.”

“Ok, it’s not going to be planes or anything. I can’t do that and it’ll be something Maddi and I can be part of.”

Zac raised his eye brow. “Don’t you mean you and Casey? I mean really, your taller but I weight more…”

“I’ve already beaten the record that’s been sitting there for 5 years…I’m not worried.”

“Hmm, you two are getting very cocky. I think I need to bring you both down, Emily set it up and let me know where and when so I can whip their asses, figuratively and literally.”

Zac blushed some at that, remembering a few days ago and I saw him shift.

“You know Casey, that’s not a bad idea, may have to incorporate that somehow. I’ll let you know when; it’ll probably be before the holidays for sure, maybe in November.”

Max looked over at us cocky like, god I wanted to do it now and shut them all up. Hell, I could probably win!

“Bring it on Casey, I am sure I can handle whatever you throw out but remember what I can dish out and you might want to warn Zac ahead of time.”

Zac looked back, calm and collected. “You have no idea what I can dish out; I bang things for a living.”

Maddi grinned. “Shit getting real, I can’t wait for that weekend.”

“Well, I know what both of you can dish out and I know for a fact you can't top me, neither can deny that it. So, set it up Ems. I looked it up online and that’s so piece of cake for me. But, I'll see you and Maddi and Riley when you arrive. I'll have dinner fixed." Casey said.

“Ok, we’ll be leaving in a few actually.” Maddi replied.

“I don’t know when you’ll see us, but maybe soon. Talk to you later.” I said.

Everyone said their byes and I hung up.

“I can’t wait for this challenge! Emily, text me when you have the date picked out and then we can plan what happens to the poor suckers that lose.”

I laughed. “It’ll be epic that’s for sure. Ok, I should let you guys go before she’s screaming for food. E-mail me though because I don’t want Zac hearing those sneaky details.”

Zac looked over at me. “I wouldn’t mind hearing what evil things you can come up with, not that I care. I know I’m safe.”

Max gave Zac a challenging look. “We will see about that.”

He laughed and gathered Riley’s things, Maddi put her carefully in her car seat and she stirred a bit, we all froze and held our breath as if breathing would wake her up but she settled back in and fell asleep. Max picked her up and Zac and I hugged Maddi, I gave Max a side hug and Zac shook his hand.

Zac walked them out as Alexander was starting to wake up again so I went to him. Zac came back in once they were gone and looked at me. Alexander wasn’t hungry yet, still had thirty or so minutes but he was wet so I was changing him.

“Really Emily? Sneaky little details?”

I finished changing him and let him lay there moving around a bit and put my arms around Zac.

“Relax baby, I won’t do anything that I don’t think you can do. Besides, you may be watching them.”

He smiled and kissed me. “We had left over’s so whenever you want them let me know.”

“I want to sleep.”

“Feed him and lay down.”

“I will. So, when are you going to the studio?”

“When you’re feeling better.”

“Zac, you guys want to finish the album I’ll be fine here with him. You don’t have much time.”

“But we got a lot done before I came home and while I was going in, Casey was awesome at keeping us on track. We’ll need to finalize things and pictures and stuff, but that can be done in January and during fools. We’ll have the album release in June or July and then we can tour late, that gives Alexander time to get older.”

“I just don’t want to keep holding you back. I’m not sick anymore.”

He kissed my forehead. “When you can sleep I’ll go back. But right now you’re deprived and if you fall asleep and don’t hear him, you’re going to feel bad.”

“I don’t think I’ll do that Zac.”

“You probably won’t, but let’s not take chances. Your only cat napping and you didn’t get to today at all. So, once you’re pumping for a week or so, I’ll go in for a bit. Then I won’t feel bad.”

I kissed him again and sat down, he ran up and got my boppy pillow and by the time I was set up, Alexander was ready. Without them here I could just unbutton and go, which was fine.

After his 8 pm feeding I heated up left over’s and ate dinner and then we went to bed. I must have really under estimated how lack of sleep can affect me, because sure enough at midnight Zac had to wake me up because I didn’t hear him crying, totally made his point so I resigned to have him home until I was sleeping more.