Infinity Chapter 10 - Daddy!!!

[itztigress3]

Chapter 10– Daddy!!!
POV:   Emily / Zac
Word count: 5524

March 18, 2013

-Emily-

  We had been at the studio since 7; we had started interviews for potential crew members for the upcoming tour. Casey was with me during the interviews, he was basically leading them and I read expressions and made sure they filled out the right papers. Velma had Alexander in the office; we were holding the interviews down in the lobby, beside the store. I’d set up a temporary space just for this.

The first interview was at 8 and it went horrible, the guy had no idea what he was talking about and it showed even to me, Casey asked the routine questions and after 45 minutes he said he had enough, I had him fill out the papers but he and I agreed this guy was a no.

The next interview was at 9:30, she was interviewing for the lighting position and when she walked in I was swayed a bit. She was a year younger than me, long blonde hair that she had board straight, with the darkest green eyes I’d ever seen. She was deeply tanned.

“Good morning, I am Shannon Green. I’m applying to be the lighting manager.” She said.

“Good morning Miss. Green.” Casey said.

“Morning.” I replied.

She had a sweet disposition, was polite, answered every question Casey asked with knowledgeable answers that seem to impress even him. She filled out her paperwork and as she did she looked at me.

“You’re Mrs. Hanson, correct?”

“I am. But, really everyone calls me Emily. Well, except for a few.”

She smiled. “I thought I recognized you, I was around last year during Hanson Day, and it was so nice.”

“Really? I didn’t see you.”

“You weren’t really at the events like you had been, but it was all explained in October when you two had your son.”

“Indeed, I was sick for most of the pregnancy. I stayed around here a lot because the heat was making it worse.”

She finished and signed the release for her background check and she then bid us farewell.

“I got the feeling you liked her.” Casey said.

I smiled. “I do. She had the best answers so far.”

“God yes. Who’s next?”

I checked, the name was some strange one and the person attached to the name was just as strange, really did interviews have to be this strange? This guy couldn’t even tell me what a tour was; again he was put in the NO pile!

The next one was at 11 and after him would be one more and then lunch. I was looking at the door when he walked up and gasped, he favored Zac in many ways he had dark brown hair which was down to his shoulders, he was quite tall though somewhere around 5 ft 11, he wasn’t quite as chubby either, had a more solid build to him. He walked to me first and his eyes were a deep caramel color, warm and soft.

“Good morning Mrs. Hanson. I am Robert Louis McDermid, I am here to interview for the Monitor engineer position for your forthcoming Anthem tour.”

Oh yeah, I liked this one!  “Good morning Mr. McDermid, please call me Emily. Casey here will be conducting more of your interview.”

He turned to Casey and smiled. He greeted him in the same serious tone this guy was all business! It reflected in the questions and answers as well, he wanted to know about the set up which wasn’t even set. He discussed multiple aspects of the tour and he had a great grasp of what his job would entail. He obviously knew who I was; Casey stepped out to get a paper he needed.

“I kind of expected the guys to be helping with these, since there cramped on a bus with us.”

I smiled. “They’re busy working on the album right now.”

“There here?”

“Yes. In a conference room sealed up to get stuff done.”

“You are very close with them right?”

I gave him a puzzled look. “You could say I’m really close to one, but yeah I know the other two very well.”

He giggled. “That sounded like a dumbass question, I’m sorry. I just, how do they feel about gay or lesbian individuals?”

It wasn’t a question I was use to being asked, so I had to pause. “They are very open minded and accepting of the entire community. However, I wouldn’t hit on them. They are all straight as can be. Why?”

“I’ve been on tour with some jerks before, very closed minded jackasses. Sorry for my French.”

“None of my business, but are you more into men?”

He blushed some and good lord that reminded me of Zac! “Yes, Ma’am.”

I smiled. “Mr. McDermid you don’t have to worry about anyone on this tour. We are a very tolerate bunch and we know several Gay or Lesbian individuals.”

He blushed again. “I heard you had some brothers that were gay.”

“I have two that are and my father is, so believe me we’re open to it.”

“Your father?”

“Long complicated story I’d rather not tell.”

He smiled. “Understood.”

Casey came back in and I noticed Mr. McDermid watching him walk in and I giggled. Casey gave me a funny look and then handed the paper to him.

“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting monitor engineer today.”

“No problem.”

He said farewell to us both and I noticed when he walked away Casey watched and then he sank into the chair beside me.

“See something you liked?”

“You cannot tell me he didn’t remind you of Zac.”

I laughed. “He did, but really Casey? Did you not learn your lesson with Max? You can’t dress them up like Zac all the time.”

“No shit, there is only one Zac. Who’s next?”

“Mr. Gladstone.”

“What is he applying for?”

“Driver, I didn’t know we….” I trailed off as I heard Alexander crying and moments later Velma was coming in with him.

“I have tried bouncing, rocking, he pushed the bottle away.”

She handed him to me and it was clear he was hungry. “Maybe he just wants you?” Casey asked.

“Interview is in like five minutes.”

“Just cover up, honey everyone knows you have a son. We’ll just cover you up well.”

“I don’t have a shawl.”

Casey stripped his button up shirt off quickly. “Put this over him.”

Velma stood in front of me and held the shirt while I got him settled, sure enough that was what he wanted, food straight from the source. She laid the shirt over me but Alexander just pushed it away.

“Good lord, he’s stubborn.” Velma said.

I could see the next person walking across the street, so I moved it back and stopped Alexander from removing it; I did leave it so Alexander could see me. Mr. Gladstone was a tall man with a solid build, salt and pepper hair, which was clipped short and bright green eyes. Casey greeted him and so did Velma, I said hello but kept my hands on Alexander.

Casey asked a bunch of questions related to the driving, but I wasn’t much paying attention. I was watching my son as he nursed quietly.

“We haven’t really advertised for a driver yet, how did you hear about us needing one?” Casey asked.

“Tours need drivers and I like knowing ahead of time when not to plan stuff. I am sure you can all relate to that.”

“We do very much. You know this tour would be later this year right?”

“Yes, I believe the ad said August to November?”

“That’s right.”

I glanced down at Alexander and he was still eating, he was getting better at waiting between feedings but he was taking longer to nurse. He went to move the shirt and I stopped him again, listened as Casey asked more questions, and verified his name and how long he’d worked.

“Is that your child?” he asked.

That seemed like a stupid questions considering I was nursing him. “Yes.”

“He’s very quiet.”

“He’s actually eating, so he’s a little occupied.”

“Your Zac’s wife correct?”

“Yes.”

“Is that his son?”

“Well seeing as Zac only has one yes, but you’re not here to ask me questions about that. Is there anything else you can tell us to show us why your qualified to be our driver? I mean, we do put our lives in your hands.”

“I’m a very safe driver, no wrecks in my years of driving busses, no accidents reports or no tickets. I assure you Mrs. Hanson you’d be very safe in my hands as would your child.”

I didn’t like the way he was looking at me nor did I like the way he phrased it because no one had been told I was going and he should have said that Zac and the crew would be safe and not just Zac and I.

“Well, thank you for coming in, we do have some paper for you to fill out. Background check and DMV record obviously we need to verify.”

“Certainly.”

He was polite and courteous and as he finished filling out his paper Alexander also finished, then he became the wiggly and whiney baby, Velma stepped over and held the shirt, blocking my view but I saw Casey narrow his eyes at him. I got Alexander to burp well, and held him there. Mr. Gladstone finished filling out his paper but Velma remained in front of me. Casey followed him and locked the front door and then returned.

“No.” he stated flatly.

“No?” I asked.

“I don’t like him. I got a funny vibe and he watched you too closely. He does that crap with Zac around and he’ll need a gurney. Added, what kind of stupid question was it to ask you if that was Zac’s son? It was weird and I don’t like him and honestly I don’t care what you think. He’s a no.”

I looked at Velma and she shrugged, I was going to reply but Alexander started crying. Zac, Taylor, and Isaac had left for lunch at 11; they were already back because it was almost 1. But the three of us tried to get him to stop crying. Casey baby talked, walked, and rocked and then Velma tried. I took him up to the office having Casey go get our lunch and I changed his diaper, and then put something warmer on him because he felt a little cold but that didn’t work. Henry stopped by for a moment and Alexander got somewhat quite and then screamed. I finally got my phone and sent the text message.

-Zac-

When you take dozens of pictures, trying to narrow them down to a handful is hard. If I liked it, one of them hated it; likewise I had several I hated as well. We’d been in the conference room for hour’s trying to pick the ones we all agreed upon to use for the album and promotions. We only took a thirty minute lunch and that was at 11, it was after 1 now. Taylor and Isaac were arguing over one that I liked, apparently Taylor thought he looked weird and Ike disagreed.  My phone vibrated in my pocket and I got it, checking it, seeing it was from Emily so I opened it.

I need you…

I glanced at them and wondered why she needed me.

Can it wait or do you need me now?

Now! IDK what they say Zachary – Get here NOW!!

That meant it was probably something major so I got up. “I’ll be back.”

I didn’t give them time to argue or question where I was going, I was sure they were pissed off but I didn’t know what was wrong or why I had to be there now, but I heard Alexander crying in the hallway and ran down, thinking maybe he’d gotten hurt. I took him from Emily without asking why he was crying.

“What happen?”

“Don’t know, he had lunch and then just started crying.”

I bounced and rocked him, talked to him and called his name and after several minutes he started to calm down. She and Velma looked at me and I knew those looks and I just shook my head no.

“You know I can’t take him Emily, we’ve already had several fights this morning and this won’t help.”

Velma fled when Emily looked at me, shit I wanted to flee too! She put her hands on her hips and I knew it wasn’t going to be nice.

“He is your son as well Zachary, it’s clear he wants you right now.”

“Maybe he just wanted to know I was here, he hasn’t seen me all morning and that’s unusual.”

I handed him back to her, but a minute later he started crying again, as soon as I had him in my arms again he was quiet.

“You are not leaving him here crying for you, I don’t care what Taylor or Isaac says. Velma said while we waited on you that he’s been awake since like 7 this morning. He’s tired and he’s cranky and he’s acting just like you. I am sure he’ll be asleep as soon as he’s calm enough.”

“Emily…”

Her face hardened and that was the, I’m not being given a choice look. I looked down at him quietly laying in my arms watching me and I couldn’t hand him to her knowing he would just cry for me, added I would be useless knowing he was crying for me.

“You said he just ate?”

“Yes, about an hour ago.”

I went ahead and laid him down to change the wet diaper and I went ahead and wrapped him up, the conference room was colder than up here. She got me an extra diaper and wipes and went ahead and fixed a small bottle, because even though I was there he was still being a little whiney. I then picked him back up and she handed me the items. I kissed her forehead and then headed back down to the conference room. Taylor and Isaac were going to blow a gasket with me, but really I could always have Emily come down and drop one of her famous atomic bombs on them. I walked into the conference room and they both looked at me.

“Seriously Zac?” Isaac asked.

“He was crying and apparently he wanted me, as he got quite when I got him.”

Taylor, always the sucker for babies took him from me. “No, he just wanted Uncle Tay for a bit. Isn’t that right Alexander?”

He tried cooing to him and talked in baby talk, I laid the extra diaper and wipes down on the table and was prepared when he started to cry, Taylor tried but his baby calming abilities were gone today. So, he handed him back to me and he quieted back down to a whine and the bottle helped solve that. Although he didn’t take much of it, so I laid him up on my chest and patted his butt lightly and slowly.

“So, what picture did you two decide on?” I asked.

“Are you not taking him back to her?” Ike asked.

“No. As long as we can all talk rationally and without screaming at each other, he’ll be fine. Really Isaac, I can’t sit here knowing he’s crying for me.”

“But…” Taylor held his hand up.

“Ike we’ve been over this before. Emily and Zac have to be here, family cannot watch him with our crazy ass hours. You and I got lucky, our wives don’t mind staying at home and taking care of our children but how many times have we sat on the phone for an hour because they wanted to just talk? There use to us not being there all the time, Alexander is not. Besides, Zac is right. We might get this done if we stopped screaming at one another.”

“Besides, he’s already nearly asleep.” I said.

Ike seemed upset but after a few minutes he looked at me. “Tay’s right. So, let’s just move on.”

We spent the next two hours calmly discussing the pictures we had taken and sure enough we had them narrowed down quite a bit, Alexander was curled up on my chest still asleep and I felt my phone vibrate.

Is Alexander ok?

Yes. He’s been asleep for about two hours now. Hah! He wanted nothing to do with Uncle Taylor either, man did he try!

Wow! Not even Uncle Tay could work his magic? Guess he really did want you. I can come get him if you need me too…

No. Take the time to get what you need done. I think having him here is helping honestly, we’re not trying to kill one another…

Good. Ok, if you get tired or need me to come get him, let me know.

I smiled and I was about to lay the phone down when another message came in, thinking it was from Emily I looked at it but it wasn’t Emily. The unknown number again, this was getting old for real.

Infinity, the state or quality of being infinite or a point in time that is infinitely distant. It’s how long we’ll be together, infinitely.

I was about to delete it when another one came, this time with an attachment the last several pictures this person had sent had been pictures of me from back in the 90’s, going back to 1995 when we played Mayfest, and everyone had that stupid infinity symbol. This picture made me swallow though, it was not me.

It was Emily and Alexander was in her lap, covered in the button up shirt that Casey had worn this morning, she was sitting in our lobby and the infinity symbol was over the shirt on Alexander’s body. There was a man sitting in front of her with graying hair, it was obvious it was taken from outside the studio. I swallowed hard.

Where did you get this?

Isn’t it obvious Zachary? I took the photo as she fed your son earlier today.

You took the photo? Why? How?

Yes, I did. Why? To prove I can get this close. I have watched her all morning. Saw when they brought him to her, saw her as she fed you son.
How remains to be my secret.

What do you want?

Several minutes passed and I wondered if he was going to answer and then my phone vibrated and I looked at it.

You.

I swallowed hard and didn’t respond. Really, this had to be some stupid fan playing some joke. I knew they were doing the interviews in the lobby and there were windows there, some random fan probably took it. I kept the picture but deleted the messages. They had been pretty frequent and spanned my phone, e-mail, and my account on Hanson.net, but the membership had been paid with a pre-paid card and the pictures was of me, not uncommon for the website. The messages there were random and I only knew it was the same guy because of the profile picture; it was one he’d previously sent me and it had the same stupid symbol. We kept on and by 5:30 when Alexander was waking up, we had them narrowed down and planned. Taylor cautiously took him from me and by now Alexander was content to let Uncle Taylor hold him and even Uncle Isaac was good, both got cooes and giggles.

We left the studio at 6 and went home, Alexander got to play and eat while I fixed dinner, she pumped also to make sure he had enough stored, we were good there really but it also helped her.

“I’m glad you decided to do that.”

She looked up as I stirred the vegetables in the pan and smiled. “Why? Because I’m partially nude at least four or more times a day?”

“Not entirely because of that, I am on board with the benefits that he gets as well.”

“It’s going to be harder on the bus, but he’ll be almost a year old then.”

“I can’t believe it’s been five months already.”

“Three years and seven years baby, you think five months is long?”

“It does seem like ages since we first got together, seven long years.”

“So, how do Taylor and Isaac really feel about him being there all the time?”

“Taylor is pretty much fine with it, but Isaac seems not to be quite as OK. Yet, Taylor pointed out that you’re not a stay at home mother and our families cannot always watch him for us because they have busy lives as well and we have crazy ass schedules.”

“What if they had Natalie or Nikki come there sometimes? Maybe when you’re not doing much and just let them spend time with their kids too.
I do feel bad that you and I are with him all the time but they aren’t getting that with their own kids.”

“I’ve brought it up but they didn’t say anything else about them coming or not and neither have been there.”

“What are we doing Hanson Day? Everyone will be needed.”

I plated ours and then went to the dining room; Alexander was done already but was examining the rattle she had there.

“Well, I guess he stays with you; I mean what else can we do?”

“Well, I’d say he can be seen but I really wouldn’t want him out the whole time, maybe an hour or two each day when it’s not as busy and no shows or lectures.”

“I think that would be fine, I mean really we could ask Nikki or Natalie to watch him but they’re going to be around for the events as well.”

She took a few bites and considered it. “I’d rather not ask them really, but if it becomes crazy then we can.”

We finished dinner and played with him, keeping him up until it was time for bed, he got one more feeding after a bathe and his pajamas were on and then she laid him down for the night. He was still in our room just not right against the bed like he was before. We laid down and both of us were out soon, it was actually my phone that woke me up around 2:40 in the morning. I reached over and looked at it, it was a text message. I opened it and after blinking a few times found all it said was infinity and there was a picture attached and I sat up when I seen it. The picture was of me and Casey, we were asleep in the same bed and I recognized the blanket as those from Sonic Ranch, what bothered me was that we were very close and Casey’s arm was over my waist. Shit! I got up carefully and left the bedroom.

Where did you get this?!

Wouldn’t you like to know…I guess I could be nice? I took it, last year.

You...You were there?!

No. But, the best thing about having 10+ men in one area, they believe they are immune from danger. None of the doors were locked, none were secured. I just walked in and found you, curled up with another man. Tell me, Zachary, does your wife know about him?

She knows that he and I share a room there and that means the same bed. She’s also aware that it’s possible for either of us to end up curled up against the other one.

That’s sweet. I assume she also knows about your sexual adventures with him?
How did he know about that?! Shit! This just couldn’t be happening. There were very few people that knew anything about Casey and I. Those few knew to keep their mouths fucking shut!

I am not having any sexual adventures with him; perhaps you have your information wrong.

Mmm, you really shouldn’t lie to me. Either way, I know that she is aware of your adventures as she’s the one that told Adam and David about them, spilled her guts about all the things you did while they beat her.

Perhaps you shouldn’t listen to traffickers, rapists, and kidnappers. Adam is dead. David is in jail for the remainder of his life. If you don’t stop sending me messages I will contact the police. I don’t care who you are.

I didn’t get a reply so I checked our alarm and I checked on Alexander and then went back to bed.

March 20, 2010; 3^rd Anniversary

We planned no gifts but when I sat down at my desk there was an envelope laying right in the center of a clean spot, with my full name written neatly across the front in her perfect handwriting. I had no idea what it was and she wasn’t inside yet, Taylor had stopped her in the hallway but it had given me a few moments to lay an envelope on her desk as well. I picked it up and opened it, pulled out the sheets of paper and began to read it. I didn’t even hear her walk into the office or lay Alexander down and she scared me some when she put her arms around my shoulders.

“Sorry.”

“I didn’t hear you.”

“Alexander fell asleep while he talked so I laid him down.”

I turned and pulled her down into my lap, kissed her. She didn’t need to say anything just smile. The envelope was a new list of everything she loved, liked, or thought I did well and this time she’d included the things I did with Alexander.

“I noticed the other week that the list I wrote before was beginning to tear and rip apart; exactly how many times a week do you look at it?”

“Back then about every day and now about once a week.”

“Well, you have a new list. Are you up here a bit?”

“A few hours and then it’s back to sorting pictures and arranging things, we have our thank you sections to write.”

“Ok. I need to verify some shipments right quick, I didn’t want to wake him back up.”

“Go ahead; I’ll be here with him.”

She kissed my cheek and got some papers and I could see her down in the warehouse checking boxes and making sure we had everything. She spoke to Velma and Stephanie a few minutes before coming back up and sitting down, I glanced over as she picked up the envelope and saw her confused expression. I watched her open it and begin to read and I waited as she went through each page. It had occurred to me that in seven years I hadn’t ever really told her every single thing about her I liked or loved, there was one e-mail back in 2007 but it wasn’t everything. I saw the tears in her eyes and got a napkin and walked over to her.

“It occurred to me that you needed to know every single thing as well.”

“You really like it when I scream at everyone? Really Zac?”

I kissed her. “I like it when you scream at everyone but me. You have no idea how absolutely hot that is.”

I glanced over and noticed Alexander was awake, he’d been turning over on his own for about two weeks now, usually from back to tummy and since he was now on his tummy, he was awake. Clearly evident when he started crying, he hadn’t eaten this morning before we left. I got him for her while she put her letter up.

I handed him to her and dropped the blinds behind her; she wouldn’t need to cover up then. He was content to have breakfast now.

“So, I was thinking that we really do need family pictures.”

“Like with us? We have those.”

“No I mean like the whole family, yours and mine.”

“Baby, you realize that’s like 30 or more people.”

“I do know it’s a lot of people. But, I think Maddi can handle it. She’s feeling much better. I was also thinking of asking her to do the Hanson Day photos.”

I sat down and looked at her. “Are you sure? You were pretty upset with her.”

“Don’t even; you were pissed off as well.”

“Yeah.” Would Emily be pissed that I wasn’t telling her about those weird pictures and all? Would she be that mad at me?

“I understand her reason; she said she had a vision of some man watching us and she got afraid that if she stayed in contact they would come after us. Her stalker is gone and it’s over. She had a valid reason, I don’t agree with the way she did it, I would have preferred one of them say something but I can’t make that decision for them.”

“So, you want to get both of our families together?” Yes, that was a clear distraction.

“Yes. I won’t even object if Natalie and Nikki want to invite theirs, I’m talking a real family photo. I would like some of your family, parents and siblings. We can make it a full day and just have them. None exist and the last picture I had with mine was our wedding, three years ago.”

“When?”

“April, his six months pictures would be due and she can get some of us and the families. Perfect timing; maybe do a picnic in the park or something. Maddi would be perfect for that Zac, she knows us and wouldn’t freak the hell out and she also values privacy very much when it comes to these things. Something we all need.”

“But the question is getting everyone together.”

She smiled. “Leave that to me, you need to get going though because we are leaving early.”

“I know.”

I kissed Alexander’s forehead and he briefly smiled some at me, I then kissed her and went to down to the conference room. My thank you notes were already written, so I proofed them carefully and then waited, selecting a few single pictures of me to display as I did. They joined me and we did well not screaming at one another today as well, maybe having Alexander really did help. We made great progress for the day and at 3:45 I went up-stairs. Casey was already there with her and talking to Alexander, who was cooing relentlessly and babbling like crazy with him.

“Glad he likes you.” I said.

“Me too! It means watching him isn’t a problem.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I asked.

“He’s my godson Zac, I don’t mind watching him. In fact, I think I’ll come get him Saturday and keep him overnight again.”

“Did I miss something?”  Emily asked.

“It is news to me as well.” I replied.

Casey tossed Alexander a bit and he laughed and giggles at that hysterically, even though Emily and I both looked faint.

“If you drop him doing that, I will beat your ass to the point where sitting won’t exist for a long time.” Emily said.

He looked at her. “I wouldn’t drop him and concerning Saturday I think you deserve a night every now and then. Taylor and Isaac both get those by family taking their kids. Although, I could image that using something’s are almost impossible with this one ten feet from your bed.”

“We have other rooms.” Emily said.

“Don’t tell me that.” He said.

Emily sat back and looked at me. “You know Casey you could take him Friday night and then just stay with us Saturday. Can’t be too loud but loud enough.”

He looked at her cautiously. “Are you kidding or are you serious?”

“I’m totally serious.”

“Emily?” I asked.

“It’s been a few months and you know Zac that stripper pole can fit any room in the house.”

“Stripper pole?” Casey asked.

Emily only smiled and looked at him. “Yeah, you owe us a dance now. But, we have to get going or we’ll be late. Think about it and let me know what you want to do.”

“Think about it? Please, you know I’ll be there.”

“I’ll bring him extra milk for Friday then.”

She got up and after kissing Alexander goodbye and getting hugs and smiles we went home to change and then went to our dinner reservations in town. Nice, quiet, and romantic dinner where conversation was kept light and not anything to do with work, problems, and while I debated about telling her about the pictures I was positive there was nothing to worry about. A fan that was a little obsessed, so far nothing glared that this was very serious…Nothing like with Adam, David, or Paul.

Our dinner went perfect and we picked Alexander up about 7:45, Casey did keep Alexander Friday night and concerning Saturday I thought Max had moves on a pole, good lord Casey did too. It was very hard to deny things after that, Alexander had peacefully slept in our room while we occupied the living room for a while.