Infinity Chapter 143 - Construction 911

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Chapter 143 –   Construction 911

POV:   Zac

Word count: 2268

April 18, 2018

Gabriel and Nathaniel’s first birthday had gone better than expected really, we discussed it with Casey and felt that the first should be separate and after that we could do joint parties if they wanted. So, we did our boys on Saturday with a Mickey Mouse theme, Isabella wasn’t thrilled with that idea but she was ok. They had a ton of fun and why I couldn’t escape being mauled by cake was beyond me. I served them their cakes and went to pick up Gabriel’s spoon and he pushed his whole cake onto my head. Everyone thought that was just the funnies thing ever, including him.

Jennifer and James had a Scooby doo themed party and I was glad Emily was now able to watch that show again without crying, it made the theme go over well with her and apparently Jennifer and James were obsessed with the show. So, everything they got was related somehow. Yet, again I didn’t even serve the cake but I still got caked by my own son. I made a pack that perhaps I should avoid cakes this year. Their party had been the Sunday after ours. I was glad to see that Casey was happy and that they were great parents to both of them, even if they were more than adamant that the puberty talk to Jennifer, was squarely on Emily’s shoulders.

The World tour had gone well, we had gone to a lot of overseas locations and the children loved it. Alexander loved Japan but Isabella loved France.They were also both great on the flights, the older two and the other children were all fine. The twins however had no preference on where they liked, but the one thing they hated were the flights. They hated every aspect of the flights. Unlike our older two, they were die-hard mama’s boys when they were upset or uncomfortable, so they pretty much sat in her lap the entire flight, even the very long ones.I’d noticed that they even had preferred sides and that was usually the side they nursed on as well, in addition, they wanted nothing to do with anyone else until they were ready.

By the time we’d made it home and were done with all the events, it was clear that Savannah and Emily were really close. It was a good thing that Emily had that person that seemed to always be available because Maddi and Amanda couldn’t be always there. She had met Maddi and Amanda though, and they seemed to all get along which was awesome.

Amanda and Sean had discussed their options and agreed to become partners, so while we were off touring the world they were busy at home with paperwork and finding a place. She had called two weeks into January and had a place in mind and she e-mailed Emily the information. We were skeptical but the lawyer agreed with the location and the permits passed as well.

The location? Right beside the studio on the right hand side, we’d passed the building for years going to and from Casey’s house, use to be a store and then a bakery, they moved so Amanda snatched it up.  Amanda had handled 90% of everything including making sure it was up to code and that all regulations had passed. By the time we got home she had a lot finished.

For example, she’d cleared a large outdoor space in the rear of the building, separating the businesses that were there from the area, giving the children an outdoor space that was separate and safe. Concrete walls separate the rear of the glass blowing company and Caz’s, a fence separated the other three and they had privacy bars to keep out on lookers. The outside area met all codes and was safe for any age child, she even had a grassy space outside.

Today however we were getting to see the inside for the first time, we’d been so tired after getting home that all of us took some time off before we had to get back to work on an new member CD, we had songs written just needed to record them. We were starting that first thing next week.

We arrived at Casey and Robert’s at 8 and walked down to the building at 8:30. Casey and Robert agreed to watch them because they hadn’t really seen them much the last 6 months. We used the code she provided us to enter the front door, a feature we liked. The front welcome area was pretty small, simple but it would work. Amanda was standing there waiting on us to give us an official tour. We were pleased with what she had done with our investment, she even had a small office and when Emily asked why it was so small, she said she would be with the children more and watching the employees instead of being locked away in a room.

“Damn Amanda, what do you need us for?” I asked.

“Well, I laid it out very well but I can’t paint for shit. I don’t really know what would be appropriate or not, major constructi0n is done.”

“Why are those cribs stacked?” Emily asked.

“The bottom ones roll out, space saver and if needed they can be rolled out to be used. We also have the sleep mats and cots, lots of options. But this way if we only have two sleeping we can keep three clean. They can be rolled under while a child is asleep, but I’m saying no to that option.”



“Well, I agree with them being rolled out and open when a baby is inside.” Emily said.

Clearly, she had put a lot of thought into this option but I agreed with Emily.

“So, you need my painting genius?”

“Exactly. I would like the office and front reception to be kind of bright but not blind me bright, rest of the space can be whatever you want to do.”

I looked around and began to get ideas, she did have some separate rooms for like the smaller infants, sick children and such, plus some separate areas so that each age group had their own appropriate space and learning. I actually liked that each age group had an area for them to play, without being interrupted by the older or younger children.

“I think for the babies we should do something kind of in the middle, not too bright and not too less. Maybe alphabet, numbers, and some animals? I wouldn’t do many incase a child is afraid of them.”

“Like Gabriel and the monkey?” I asked.

“God yes like that.” Emily said.

“Monkey?” Amanda asked.

“Visited the zoo in Australia while we were there, everyone is hunky dory, happy and Alexander was on cl0ud 100 but a small monkey came slowly up to Gabriel and he flipped out, and clung to me the rest of the petting zoo time.” Emily said.

She smiled. “Yeah, let’s try not to freak the kiddo’s out.”

“So, front maybe a pale yellow, something bright but not overly and you can do white for the trim. Office wise, you can choose. If you want bright you can do yellow or tranquil like a light green. I’m thinking the ceiling can be done as light blue with clouds something generic then I can do themed areas. Keeping things light and maybe using more non-scary animals like pigs, dogs, cats, giraffes, and the like.”

“I like that idea.” She said.

We got together with a bunch of people and began to outline plans and Emily and Amanda took the front and office themselves where they could talk and gossip and the rest of us took the bulk of the painting but eventually they joined us. Painting would take time but we enjoyed this part and making sure things would be super clean and ready for when she opened. Eliza was going to handle backgrounds on any potential employees so it was nice that she was helping. Although, I think maybe she was going to be using Amanda as her daycare center for Alessia.

We laid down the plans for the main areas today, including a plan for that ugly brick wall. She was having padding added on the first five feet to protect the children, above that we were painting, along the back of the building we were also painting.

By 4:30 we had plans and were sitting down to discuss them with her and Sean. They both listened patiently and Sean provided a few tweaks and so did she.

“So, how much are you charging us?” Emily asked.

“Nothing, because without you guys we just wouldn’t have this right now. You provided us with a business basically and therefore it is not right for us to charge you.” Amanda said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“So, have you gotten employees lined up?”

“Yes. Several state certified ones which Eliza is running now.”

“Added, there is a lot of interest too, just around town. Because day care centers are rare apparently.”

“Well, they are on this side of town and in this area, the Brady Arts district is so nice but day care center’s aren’t close. So, being here and close to several restaurants and stuff will be nice. Sadly, being near the studio might be a downside for May and Hanson day, Hop Jam stuff.” Emily said.

“Actually, as someone whose mingled with fans that were more open and talked, I found that some of the fans didn’t repeat because they couldn’t find babysitters or they didn’t have anyone to watch them during the events. Since I am next door I was thinking about doing a Hanson Day special. Where I have staff here for the events and members can bring their kids here for the events and I wouldn’t charge full price because it’s just three days. I can do a daily, hourly, or event rate.”

I looked at Emily. “Is that something you can do?”

“I actually am having them research that first, but it is an idea.”

“If it’s approved that would be great for fans with children, for business too.”

“Agreed.”

“So, what else do you need?”  Emily asked.

“After the paint, it’s a trip to the toy store for the toy aspect of the business and then ensuring inspections are passed.”

“Oh dear god, toy store? Zac’s your man.”

I smiled. “You love the toy store as much as I do.”

“That is true.”

“I’ll take you all with me, I’ll need multiple people but I’d like for you to get the infant toys Ems, I think you chose the best ones and Natalie is coming in for storage because that woman is amazing.”

“Agreed, her house is always organized and neat, despite having so many kids there but hers are a bit more spread out.”

“Exactly. So, how about we head out. I am sure Casey is insane by now.”

“Casey is fine, they’ve kept us updated. I did go up about 12:30, Gabriel wanted to nurse before his nap. He won’t take a bottle from them and he won’t take naps with a sippy cup. Although, there both pretty much pulling themselves off the breast.”

“What about baby food?”

“Oh, they started baby food at six months and we haven’t found anything they don’t like yet.”

“Good, but anyway let’s head out and we can start painting tomorrow.”

We headed up to Casey and found them both to be a little frazzled looking but dinner was done and the house didn’t look too bad, but the play room behind the living room was destroyed. Zac and I helped clean it up with Alexander and Isabella help. We then sat down for dinner.

“How did it go?” Casey asked.

“Great, we’re painting tomorrow and the next day and then it’s final touches.”

“That’s awesome. So...we want to run something by you two.” Robert said.

“Ok, what’s up?” I asked.

“Casey and I were talking and we agree that we might want at least one more, hopefully just one but we’d be ok with two also. Should we wait or do you think we should pursue that later this year?” Robert asked.

“Well, I’d say if you want some time between them and especially if you end up with twins again.” Emily said.

“Are you two having anymore?” Casey asked.

“What the hell? Do we not have enough?” I asked.

“You can never have too many.”

“We aren’t planning nor are we trying to increase our brood. If it happens, it does. But, we’re kind of not wanting anymore.”  Emily said.

“I’m agreeing there.”

“You just don’t want her to break out any paddles…” Casey said and winked at me.

“And you would?” I asked.

He smiled. “I would not mind that at all.”

“Dang Robert, did I not teach you properly?”

“I am not you Ems, no matter what I do.”

“Sorry, there is only one of me. Although, I hear I have a carbon copy that has all the sunshine and roses aspects I lack.”

We all laughed because that was so true, Eliza and Emily were opposites in so many ways. Once we were done with dinner we got the children changed and ready for bed, we were staying here while painting so we could get earlier starts and not have to drag them all in and out so much. A nighttime feeding for the twins put them to sleep pretty quickly and then we didn’t bother staying up much longer.