(no subject)
Title: No Expectations - Chapter Ten
Author: firiel77
Word Count: 5804
Warnings: WIP, Mpreg
Rating: M
Pairings: Adam/Tommy
Summary: Tommy’s just feeling a bit off. Set about five years in the future. Adam is a Rock God. Tommy plays guitar for him.
Beta: thrace_adams Whee, thanks so much for stepping in with the beta and the encouragement.
CreditThank you to chaosmanor for graciously agreeing to let me rework her wonderful story Thursday's Child in a different fandom; this fic is what inspired me to try mpreg which is saying something. I encourage everyone to read it. It can be found right here.
Disclaimer: This is fiction people.
Feedback: Sure. Let me know what’s working for you.
Authors Notes: I never thought I’d do it but this is a big old MPreg. Read if you dare. It’s also a WIP and I’m not sure where it will go yet although it will probably be fairly long and I’ve got quite a few chapters roughed out. I’ve just been seeing people pining for domestic fics and (gulp) babies so thought I’d give it a shot.
Thank you jashelle1 for the awesome banner and poster you did for my story. You’re the best
Previous Chapters Here
Adam and Tommy returned to Hollywood during the first week of October; their idyllic life at the beach was over. The move back took place as quickly as the one out had several months earlier. They packed everything into boxes although in Tommy’s case there still wasn’t a lot to pack. Lane arranged for movers to take the boxes to Adam’s condo. Adam helped Tommy put his guitars in the back seat of the Mustang and they drove in once everything else was gone.
It felt strange being back at Adam’s. It seemed like years ago that Tommy stayed there, those first few days when he had been reeling from the shock of it all. Things were so much better now. Tommy had finally gotten his head around the whole idea and felt ready to face what was to come next although he still had moments of anxiety that left him feeling panic stricken when he dwelled on his future for too long.
But for now his suitcase was propped open in the corner of the master bedroom and Adam was trying to sort through some of his own things so that there was room for Tommy to unpack his. They’d had the same problem with the second bedroom which Adam had been using as an enormous walk in closet and now had to be converted into a temporary nursery.
Adam was reusing the moving boxes to store things he wouldn’t need; items he could donate or have put into storage. He had several piles according to where the items were going and Tommy didn’t even try to figure out his system. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Adam tipped out one of his dresser drawers onto the bed and sifted through a pile of t-shirts. The baby felt like it was doing summersaults inside and Tommy pressed down on his belly to try to still it and tried not to flinch when it hit something tender inside.
“Adam,” he said suddenly. “How long am I here for?”
Adam looked up from the two piles of shirts he was assembling. “What do you mean?”
“I was just wondering how long you figured I’d be staying here with you? Just until I have the baby?”
Adam sat beside Tommy on the bed and took his hand. “If that’s what you want. But I was hoping you’d stay longer. I really want to be involved, to help. You’re not going to be able to look after a newborn by yourself. I’ve been reading all about it. It’ll be way too much work for one person, especially right after you come home, after you’ve had the caesarean. You’ll need some time to recover.”
Tommy felt a wave of relief at his answer. “Okay,” he nodded. The one word didn’t quite capture the happiness the idea of staying on at Adam’s place gave Tommy. Instead of saying more he just chewed on his lower lip.
Adam squeezed Tommy’s hand. Tommy smiled at him and Adam smiled back although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. It was obvious he had more to say and Tommy waited until he cleared his throat and continued.
“If you want to leave after that,” Adam shrugged, “I guess I could come over and help with the baby. Or the baby could spend time with each of us.”
“What if I want to stay longer?” Tommy asked, finally managing to put words to his hopes.
Adam finally smiled as if he meant it for the first time; the kind of smile that took over his whole face and made Tommy smile back. He put his arm around Tommy’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Then I guess I better get rid of more stuff so we have some room.”
************************************
Monte was finished with his tour and he, Lisa and the kids were back in town. Just as he’d predicted, Lisa was thrilled about the baby and had immediately gone through their storage room for any and all baby equipment they no longer needed. There was so much that Monte had to borrow Doug’s truck to bring it all over.
The Pittman’s got a babysitter so they could have a rare night out without kids and came over for dinner and to deliver their donations. When Monte walked in the room he stared at Tommy in stunned silence; he hadn’t yet seen the effects of Sutan’s makeover.
Tommy’s hair was longer and his face rounder, his normally prominent cheekbones had nearly disappeared. Adam laughed at the expression on his friends face and pulled him into a hug before giving Lisa a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, glad you’re back. I’ve missed you both.”
Monte nodded dumbly; he seemed unable to take his eyes off Tommy. His eyes dropped low, coasting over Tommy’s swelling breasts and his obviously pregnant belly. Tommy stepped up to him and gave him a hug and then Monte started to laugh when he found himself with an armful of woman.
Tommy pulled back and said, “I know, right? Hell of a change?” Tommy’s voice was still recognisably his own though it was slightly higher than in the past. He pushed his hair back behind one ear nervously and waited for Monte’s reaction.
Monte shook his head disbelievingly and said, “You’re gorgeous.”
Tommy laughed. “Fuck off, Monte,” he said good naturedly.
It took a while to bring everything up, and Tommy had watched in amusement as Adam’s designer home was filled with a bassinette, a highchair, a playpen, assorted toys, and a large plastic thing apparently called an exersaucer which most definitely did not blend into the muted decor.
The second bedroom now had, along with its bed, a changing table, a diaper pail and a crib. Adam seemed stunned at the changes wrought on his condo and Tommy was amazed that having a baby could involve so much fucking equipment. No wonder they had needed the truck. Jesus.
After dinner Tommy sat with Monte while Lisa helped Adam clean up the kitchen. Tommy suspected he was using the time to grill her on any and all information to do with infants. Earlier the two of them had been pouring over the “What To Expect In the First Year” book Tommy had never had the heart to start reading. Not Adam, he’d been pouring over it and tonight was highlighting pertinent sections and making notes in the margins as Lisa answered his questions.
Monte poured himself another generous glass of Jack Daniels and shrugged his shoulders when Tommy raised his eyebrows. “Lisa’s driving.”
Tommy smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Yeah, same. I’m glad the tour is over.”
“How was it?” Tommy asked. He’d not really been following lately although he wished he had. Monte deserved every success.
“Really good. Sold out shows. The albums been really steady. Nothing like Adam’s, but good. Better than anyone else’s this summer.”
Tommy smiled. “I’m glad. You deserve it, man.”
“Thanks.” Monte looked at Tommy a minute, sitting there on the couch; a hand pressed gently against his bulging abdomen, and shook his head. “I can’t believe how amazing you look.”
Tommy blushed and then laughed. “Amazing isn’t exactly the word I would have used.”
“So, how are you feeling?” Monte asked.
“Physically or mentally?”
“Both, I guess.”
“Physically I’m okay. It fucking hurts sometimes but I know it’ll be over before too long. Mentally, I’m scared shitless.”
Monte nodded sagely. “Perfectly understandable, man. I know I was with the first one.”
“Oh good, so it’s okay to be afraid you’ll be a complete failure as a parent and that you’ll fuck up any chance of your kid having a good life.”
Monte laughed, “Yeah, I think most people feel like that at first.”
Tommy shook his head. “Not Adam. He thinks if he reads enough books he’ll have a handle on this. He’s got it under control.”
“Well, then he’s in for a shock, is all I can say,” Monte laughed, as he finished the last of his drink.
************************************
Tommy’s mom got back and immediately came over to see how he was and more importantly, how ready he was for the baby. At first she’d been overwhelmed at the changes in Tommy but now was looking forward to the imminent grandchild as much as anyone. Even Roy, who Tommy barely knew, was being great about it. He already had a few grandkids and was quite happy to spoil more.
Dia was horrified when she saw how woefully unprepared Tommy and Adam were and sprang into action. She arrived early one morning and announced that she and Tommy were going shopping and would accept no excuses. Adam just laughed and said he would’ve loved to go but he had a meeting he couldn’t miss. Tommy tried several times to give him a dirty look but Adam had studiously avoided eye contact. Asshole.
He was swept out of the house and was on the way shopping before Tommy knew what had hit him. Dia watched him struggle to fit the seat belt under his belly, waiting before she started the car. “So, what have you got ready for the baby?”
“Um, Danielle dropped off a baby jogger the other day.” Tommy told her. That piece of equipment had mystified him a little. He’d never jogged in his life although Tommy figured Adam could maybe use it to replace the treadmill they’d been forced to leave out at the beach. They had all the stuff Monte had given them too. It seemed to Tommy like a lot of crap for one tiny baby.
“We have all the stuff you saw in the condo that Monte gave us.” Tommy told her.
“What about diapers? Wipes? Bottles? Tylenol?” Dia asked. She kept rattling off things as Tommy continued to shake his head. “Do you have any clothes for this child?”
“Yeah,” Tommy told her defensively. “We have a couple things Lisa gave us,” he explained vaguely. “And some cool baby toys.”
“Do you have some sleepers for the baby to wear?”
When Tommy just looked puzzled Dia sighed in exasperation. “Tommy, you’re not ready at all.”
Tommy shrugged. “We haven’t even finished clearing out the spare room yet. We thought we’d pick up some things after we’d done that. Or Adam said he could get Lane to do it.”
Dia raised both eyebrows and then shook her head before reversing out the driveway.
“I don’t feel like shopping,” Tommy sighed, “Or going out in public, Mom.” He looked across at her pleadingly. “And I have no idea what all we need.”
Dia flicked her eyes down at Tommy’s belly and then turned her indicator on to turn left at the end of the street. “How much more time do you have?”
Tommy frowned a little and ran a hand over the bulge of the baby, feeling it squirm inside him. “Dr. Frost said it might be soon. She’s just waiting for the baby to get as big as it can before she delivers it.”
Dia nodded. “We better get everything today. You certainly won’t feel like shopping or getting organized when you get home from the hospital.”
***************************************
The baby store completely bewildered Tommy. Dia patted his shoulder and said quietly, "It's not that difficult. I'll help you choose. First of all, the big stuff. A stroller. You two are different heights, so you want one that has an adjustable handle."
Tommy jiggled the handle of one of the display strollers experimentally and Dia shook her head. "Not a light coloured one.” She turned to another and added, “The three wheeled ones look good, but they're a nuisance to have inside the house. No good if you're trying to rock a teething baby to sleep."
In the baby clothes section, Dia asked, "What color clothes have you planned on getting? Do you know what sex the baby is, and just haven't told anyone?"
Tommy shook his head. "No, I didn’t want to know." He sat down tiredly on one of the chairs the store provided.
Dia nodded. “Green and yellow baby clothes then. We’ll just get some sleepers for now. That’s all you’ll need for the first while.”
********************************
A few nights later Tommy was lying on the couch with his feet in Adam’s lap while they watched TV, or more like Tommy tried to watch TV while Adam, currently in control of the remote, was rapidly flipped through the stations to find something of interest. Nothing was holding his attention for long though and it was irritating the ever loving shit out of Tommy, so much so in fact that he was considering dragging his unwieldy bulk off the couch and taking the fucking remote way from him.
Finally Adam settled on Entertainment Tonight, which Tommy didn’t particularly like, but which was preferable to flashing through the two hundred stations available. Crisis averted, Tommy relaxed and settled back into the couch to watch. Adam put the remote down and absentmindedly began to rub Tommy’s feet.
He sighed, “Sweet Jesus that feels good.”
Adam smiled at him and kept going. It was a little ritual they had in the evening after they’d had dinner. Tommy’s feet were swollen at night now and also starting to ache, both of which were normal according to Dr. Frost, but uncomfortable none the less. Apparently the pregnancy hormones were causing a laxness in Tommy’s ligaments in preparation for childbirth although he had no idea how that concept really applied to him.
Tommy shut his eyes and luxuriated in the massage but opened them again when Adam made a startled sound. Adam was staring at the screen and Tommy looked to see what had captured his attention. He immediately saw a familiar figure with long dark hair and a curvaceous body that he knew all too well. It was Carmen, and she was walking up a red carpet with a very prominent singer Tommy recognized instantly. So did Adam.
“Wow, she’s moved up the foot chain,” Adam observed.
The both watched as she clung to the guy while a reporter asked the two of them questions. Her dress was so tight and dropped so low between her breasts that nothing was left to the imagination. Tommy found that the sight no longer did anything for him although at one time he’d thought Carmen’s body was pretty hot.
“Do you miss her?” Adam asked him.
Tommy thought about it a second before answering. “Not at all.” It felt as if Carmen were part of a different life, one Tommy never thought about anymore.
“Good.”
“I just hope she never says anything about me, is all.”
“I don’t think she will. If she hasn’t said anything yet I doubt she will. You should probably talk to her about it at some point though.”
The thought made Tommy’s jaw clench. “Yeah, maybe. Just not until after the baby’s born.”
“Yeah, sure,” Adam agreed.
Tommy shut his eyes again and sighed when Adam went back to kneading the soles of his feet, pushing in firmly with his thumbs, rubbing away the achiness. He realized that he didn’t really give a shit who Carmen was currently fucking. Laying here like this, with Adam doing what he was doing, felt like heaven.
********************************
On Saturday night Adam hosted a birthday party for Tommy at the condo which also managed to become, to Tommy’s mortification, a baby shower. He’d consented to the party but he should have known something more was up when Danielle came in with an armful of pink and blue helium balloons.
Their parents were there along with Neil and Lisa, the Cherry’s, Danielle, Monte and Lisa, and Sutan. No one had brought their kids; there just wasn’t enough room. Anyway Adam had forbidden it, telling everyone he didn’t want any of the children to get Tommy sick so soon before his surgery. Tommy hadn’t thought it was a big deal; he had no idea what everyone else thought. That was Adam though.
While Neil and Lisa cleared the plates after dinner Tommy winced and pushed his chair away from the table. Adam was at his side instantly and helped him up when Tommy winced again and tried to stand.
“Baby acting up?”
Tommy nodded curtly and watched as Adam leaned down and pressed his hands against his belly and whispered, “Shhhh.” Tommy wasn’t sure if Adam was trying to soothe him or the baby but he clutched at Adam’s shoulder when he felt another stab of pain.
Tommy grabbed the back of his chair and clutched at the baby with the other. This was the most painful episode yet and the discomfort was making him feel lightheaded. His mother moved in on the other side and steadied him as well.
“Come and sit down, see if that helps,” Adam said, and he and Dia guided Tommy into the living room and helped him lower himself onto the couch. She sat beside him and squeezed his hand.
“Is there anything you need?” Leila asked Adam, her voice full of concern. Tommy pulled his T-shirt up over the bulge of his belly and rubbed at it with his hands as tears squeezed out of the corner of his eyes.
“Can you ring a towel out in really hot water?” Adam said quietly, as he squatted beside Tommy and caught at his hands, pulling them away from his belly.
The skin of Tommy’s belly rippled as the baby squirmed, sharp edges of elbows and knees pressing up against the skin, and Tommy groaned, "Oh, fuck that hurts."
Behind Adam, Neil said, “Jesus! Look at it move!”
Both Tommy and Adam looked up at him in exasperation and Tommy squeezed Adam’s hand to try to restrain him from lashing out at his brother.
“Sorry! I’m sorry! I just mean….it looks like something from fucking Alien or some shit,” Neil apologized lamely.
“Could everyone just give Tommy a little room please?” Adam asked irritably.
Eber pulled Neil from the room before he could get his foot any further in his mouth and a few of the others trailed after them, Tommy was relieved to see. He felt terribly self-conscious with everyone staring at him and his stomach.
Leila was back in a moment and handed Adam a steaming towel.
Adam shook the towel quickly, draped it over Tommy’s belly and then pressed his cheek against Tommy’s face. Dia went to get another one to replace it once it had cooled off.
Tommy wrapped his arms around Adam’s neck and clung onto him. Leila stayed with them after everyone else had left and ran her hand soothingly up and down Tommy’s back.
“Does this happen a lot?” she asked.
“More and more now that the baby’s bigger. It scares the shit out of me,” Adam confessed. “The doctor’s offered sedation for Tommy and the baby, but he won’t take anything.”
“Could you stop talking about me as if I’m not here,” Tommy snapped. He fucking hated it when Adam did that.
Leila squeezed Tommy’s hand. “How much longer do you have to go?”
“A couple more weeks,” Adam answered, risking another dirty look from Tommy.
“Why don’t you go get the men to clean up the kitchen, Adam? I’ll stay in here with Tommy. And send out all the women. We can all exchange pregnancy horror stories and try to cheer Tommy up.” Leila smiled encouragingly at Tommy and patted his hand.
Adam almost ran from the room, obviously glad he’d been relieved of his duty. Tommy sprawled on the couch, bracing for further movement and the accompanying pain. He would have cheerfully killed someone for a shot of Jack Daniels right about then. Once more he cursed his freakish body and wished he could be out in the kitchen with the guys instead of discussing pregnancy with their wives and mothers.
****************************
Eber and Neil were staying with them; Eber in the single bed in the nursery and Neil on the couch. Once they’d gotten their houseguests settled Adam and Tommy went to bed themselves. Tommy lay on his side while Adam lay beside him with his head resting on the bared mound of Tommy’s belly. He’d already rubbed vitamin E cream into Tommy’s taut skin and was now humming wordlessly to the baby inside who was finally, mercifully quiet. It had been a long night.
Tommy ran his hand through Adam’s hair, “What song is that?”
Adam stopped and looked up. “I don’t know. I heard it in a store the other day and it’s stuck in my mind.”
“It’s catchy.”
Adam chuckled, “Tell me about it. I can’t stop humming it.”
He went back to his humming and Tommy thought about the evening. It had been nice; he was glad he’d allowed Adam to talk him into having a birthday party. Once the baby came, Adam had reasoned, they wouldn’t have much time for entertaining.
“Lisa says I have to send out thank you cards for the gifts. It’s a shower thing.” It wasn’t something Tommy relished doing and his lack of excitement at the prospect came through in the tone of his voice.
Adam shrugged. “I could get some of my people to do them?” he offered.
Tommy snorted and slapped him on the shoulder. “Christ, Adam. Your people. You sound like such an asshole when you say shit like that.”
Adam looked up with a puzzled expression, “Do I? At least it would save you doing them.” He shrugged again and went back to singing to the baby. Tommy remembered Adam reading something to him about how babies could hear them already from the womb and so would recognize their voices immediately after the birth.
“Thanks for having everyone over. It was really nice. Sorry I disrupted everything.”
Adam looked up at him. “You were fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Adam slid up the bed so that his cheek was rested between Tommy’s breasts instead. His cheek had some stubble and the sensation made Tommy hiss softly and he fervently hoped that his breasts wouldn’t start leaking. They sometimes did it at the most inopportune moments and he figured it was probably a little bit more than Adam needed to see.
Adam slid his hips closer, pressing along Tommy’s side, and he realized Adam was hard. Tommy bent his knee until he was he was rubbing against Adam’s groin and chuckled when it made him groan.
“You are such a cocktease sometimes,” Adam moaned.
Tommy smiled down at him. “I never thought you’d ever get turned on by someone with these,” he said, his eyes flashing down towards his breasts.
“Yeah, I know.” Adam looked up and smiled. “I do though,” he told Tommy earnestly.
Tommy gently lifted Adam’s head up to give himself some room to adjust his position.
“Hold that thought,” he promised. Tommy grabbed the jar of vitamin E cream from the nightstand and scooped out a generous handful before turning back to Adam.
“Get out of your shorts and I’ll jerk you off.”
“Are you sure? You must be tired.”
“I’m fine, Adam,” Tommy laughed. “Just stop talking and let me take care of you.”
Adam relented and watched Tommy while he let the gel warm up in his hand and then slid down the bed a little so that their faces were level. He kissed Adam softly on the lips and then wrapped his hand around Adam’s cock and coated it. It felt good in his hand; a substantial weight and just the right size. His fingers could just meet around the shaft as he stroked. Adam had been almost erect when Tommy started and it only took a few more pulls before he was all the way there.
Tommy kissed him again and told him, “You just have to stay quiet, okay? I don’t want to scandalize your dad, or Neil.”
Adam nodded his agreement but added, “Neil deserves it. It would serve him right.”
“Yeah. I know. Aliens? What the actual fuck?” Tommy chuckled.
So with Eber sleeping on the other side of their bedroom wall and Neil on the couch, Tommy could hear the TV so he was still up, they settled in. They exchanged lazy kisses, taking turns exploring each other’s mouth with their tongue. Tommy could do this for hours; they sometimes had.
In the past few months there had been many evenings of lazy making out, of hugging and cuddling when Tommy hadn’t felt up to doing any more. After their first night, when Monte had visited them and laid down the law to Adam, Adam had gotten Tommy off numerous times, but the frequency had decreased as his pregnancy had progressed. Some nights he was just too damn tired.
He’d gotten good at jerking Adam off though. Tommy knew all the ways Adam loved to be touched, when it was time for fast and hard, straight up or with a twist, and when he wanted gentle caresses over the head instead. In no time he had Adam’s breath coming in soft pants and no longer able to concentrate on kissing, Tommy redoubled his efforts until finally Adam groaned softly against the side of his neck and came.
Tommy gave him a couple minutes to catch his breath, stroking Adam’s back with his free hand, and trying not to get any more gel on either of them or on the bed. It was cooling off and getting sticky and Tommy needed to wipe it off before too long and to get the bits of semen that had splattered over his belly and chest cleaned off as well. He finally squeezed Adam’s arm, afraid that he’d dozed off.
“Hey, can you get a towel, or something? I’m way to fat too get up again tonight.”
Adam opened his eyes and smiled at Tommy and gave him a quick kiss before rolling away to get up out of the bed. “I guess it’s the least I can do. Be right back.”
Tommy lay there with his eyes closed while Adam wiped off his hand with a warm cloth and then dabbed away at the rest of him. When he was done Adam tossed the cloth on the floor by the bed, turned off the light and pulled Tommy into his arms. They were both asleep in no time.
*********************************
When Tommy got up the next morning Adam had already gone. Tommy rolled onto his side and pushed himself upright. His head swam a little whenever he did this so he knew not to rush things. When he was no longer dizzy Tommy pulled on some sweats and wandered into the living room.
The couch was empty and Neil’s blankets and pillow were stacked neatly on the arm. Eber was at the table drinking coffee and looked up from the newspaper he was reading and smiled.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” Tommy mumbled on his way through to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of milk.
The morning sickness was long gone but it had lately been replaced by terrible heartburn and Tommy found the only way to combat it was to always have something, but not too much, in his stomach. He’d been drinking a hell of a lot of milk.
When he returned with his milk he sat down opposite Eber and sifted through the parts of the paper he was done with, looking for the entertainment section.
“How did you sleep?” he asked Eber.
“Good. How about you? Did the baby cooperate?”
Tommy smiled. “Yeah, much better. I guess it got it all out of his system after dinner." He yawned. “Still don’t sleep that great though. I have to get up four or five times a night to piss.”
“Ah, I remember that with Leila. She hated it too, although it does prepare one for getting up all night with the baby.”
Tommy nodded distractedly, scanning the headlines. “Where’s Neil?” he asked.
Eber put down his paper. “Adam took him down to the office with him. He said they’d be back by lunch time.”
Tommy nodded. He’d known that Adam was thinking of getting Neil more involved in running the company. He and Tommy had discussed it a few times. Adam wanted to step back a bit but he still wanted someone he could trust watching over things for him. Tommy figured Neil would be a natural. The problem was that the two brothers had had a bit of a falling out a couple years before over working together. Adam had never admitted that it was his fault but it seemed to Tommy that he had at least realized he had some sucking up to do to win Neil back over.
Eber smiled at Tommy. “I don’t know if you had anything to do with it, Tommy, but I’m really glad those two are getting along better again.”
Tommy drank a couple mouthfuls of milk. “Me too.”
“And I’ve never told you before but I’m really pleased that you and Adam are together. I think the two of you will do a great job of raising this baby. I know you have other things on your mind right now but are you thinking of a civil union?”
Tommy almost choked on the last of his milk and put the glass down solidly on the table. He shook his head. “Um, no. I don’t think so. Adam’s been great but......”
Eber looked puzzled but didn’t say anything; instead he had another mouthful of coffee.
“I’m sorry, I’d assumed the two of you were planning to stay together. You’re not?” he asked.
“We haven’t really talked about it,” Tommy told him. “Anyway, we were never serious. We just used to hook up sometimes, until we messed up and this happened.”
Eber looked at him appraisingly for a moment. “I don’t think you should sell yourself short, Tommy. Or this relationship you have with Adam, whatever it is. I’ve seen the two of you together, the way he is with you, and he’s a better person for it.” Eber put down his coffee cup before he continued to speak.
“He’s calmer, more thoughtful. He’s happier than I’ve seen him in years. Look, you can’t tell him I said this, but even if he’s my son, I haven’t been crazy about some of his behaviour in the last few years.”
Tommy just nodded. There wasn’t much he could do to deny what Eber was saying. He was right, and he was also right when he said that Adam had changed. Tommy could see it every day. Tommy wondered what else Eber might have noticed over the years.
“Has Adam said anything to you about us?” Tommy asked.
When Eber only shook his head, Tommy continued, “Has he said anything about me?”
“Not sure what you mean, Tommy,” Eber told him.
Tommy wasn’t really sure either. “Um, you know, ever?”
Eber thought a moment. “Not a lot really, other than you were talented and funny and nice. He used to talk about you quite a bit when he first met you and then not so much the last few years.”
Tommy nodded and chewed on his lip. Eber picked up his coffee and took another sip before he looked back at Tommy thoughtfully.
“There was however, something about the way he said it. I’d seen him smile like that before when he thought he’d found someone he really cared about. It was obvious that he thought a lot of you. I could always tell.”
He laughed, “Hell, you know Adam. He’s always worn his heart on his sleeve.”
Tommy nodded and he felt his shoulders relax a little.
Eber put his cup down and sat back in his chair. “I have to admit, Tommy that until Adam told me about you and the baby, I had always assumed what he felt for you was unrequited. I thought he’d maybe approached you and that you had brushed him off because you were straight, and that he’d never really gotten over it.”
“No, not totally straight,” Tommy confirmed vaguely, trying not to look too pleased then he thought over Eber’s words.
***************************************
Two nights later Tommy was sitting with Eber watching the American Music Awards on TV. Adam hadn’t wanted to attend but Tommy insisted he go; he had a handful of nominations and it would have been a shame not to be there when, as Tommy was assuming, he won. Adam had grudgingly relented and had taken Leila as his date.
The organizers wanted Adam to perform during the program but he’d firmly refused. Tommy had objected but had been outvoted by Adam and Monte. Neither of them would consider performing without Tommy, nor would Isaac if he’d been consulted. No, Adam would attend the ceremony, walk the red carpet and collect his awards but that was all.
Tommy’s heart swelled with pride as they watched Adam accept first an award for Favorite Male Artist, then Favorite Album, and finally Artist of the Year. Adam had won awards in the past but had never dominated so completely. It boded well for the Grammy Awards.
Tommy waited up for Adam to get home, not because he didn’t trust him, or worried who he was out with and what he was doing, but because he wanted to share the night with him. Tommy had told Adam to stay out as long as he wanted; that he should celebrate, but Adam had just shook his head. He was home an hour after the ceremony ended.
Chapter Eleven
Author: firiel77
Word Count: 5804
Warnings: WIP, Mpreg
Rating: M
Pairings: Adam/Tommy
Summary: Tommy’s just feeling a bit off. Set about five years in the future. Adam is a Rock God. Tommy plays guitar for him.
Beta: thrace_adams Whee, thanks so much for stepping in with the beta and the encouragement.
CreditThank you to chaosmanor for graciously agreeing to let me rework her wonderful story Thursday's Child in a different fandom; this fic is what inspired me to try mpreg which is saying something. I encourage everyone to read it. It can be found right here.
Disclaimer: This is fiction people.
Feedback: Sure. Let me know what’s working for you.
Authors Notes: I never thought I’d do it but this is a big old MPreg. Read if you dare. It’s also a WIP and I’m not sure where it will go yet although it will probably be fairly long and I’ve got quite a few chapters roughed out. I’ve just been seeing people pining for domestic fics and (gulp) babies so thought I’d give it a shot.
Thank you jashelle1 for the awesome banner and poster you did for my story. You’re the best
Previous Chapters Here
Adam and Tommy returned to Hollywood during the first week of October; their idyllic life at the beach was over. The move back took place as quickly as the one out had several months earlier. They packed everything into boxes although in Tommy’s case there still wasn’t a lot to pack. Lane arranged for movers to take the boxes to Adam’s condo. Adam helped Tommy put his guitars in the back seat of the Mustang and they drove in once everything else was gone.
It felt strange being back at Adam’s. It seemed like years ago that Tommy stayed there, those first few days when he had been reeling from the shock of it all. Things were so much better now. Tommy had finally gotten his head around the whole idea and felt ready to face what was to come next although he still had moments of anxiety that left him feeling panic stricken when he dwelled on his future for too long.
But for now his suitcase was propped open in the corner of the master bedroom and Adam was trying to sort through some of his own things so that there was room for Tommy to unpack his. They’d had the same problem with the second bedroom which Adam had been using as an enormous walk in closet and now had to be converted into a temporary nursery.
Adam was reusing the moving boxes to store things he wouldn’t need; items he could donate or have put into storage. He had several piles according to where the items were going and Tommy didn’t even try to figure out his system. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched as Adam tipped out one of his dresser drawers onto the bed and sifted through a pile of t-shirts. The baby felt like it was doing summersaults inside and Tommy pressed down on his belly to try to still it and tried not to flinch when it hit something tender inside.
“Adam,” he said suddenly. “How long am I here for?”
Adam looked up from the two piles of shirts he was assembling. “What do you mean?”
“I was just wondering how long you figured I’d be staying here with you? Just until I have the baby?”
Adam sat beside Tommy on the bed and took his hand. “If that’s what you want. But I was hoping you’d stay longer. I really want to be involved, to help. You’re not going to be able to look after a newborn by yourself. I’ve been reading all about it. It’ll be way too much work for one person, especially right after you come home, after you’ve had the caesarean. You’ll need some time to recover.”
Tommy felt a wave of relief at his answer. “Okay,” he nodded. The one word didn’t quite capture the happiness the idea of staying on at Adam’s place gave Tommy. Instead of saying more he just chewed on his lower lip.
Adam squeezed Tommy’s hand. Tommy smiled at him and Adam smiled back although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. It was obvious he had more to say and Tommy waited until he cleared his throat and continued.
“If you want to leave after that,” Adam shrugged, “I guess I could come over and help with the baby. Or the baby could spend time with each of us.”
“What if I want to stay longer?” Tommy asked, finally managing to put words to his hopes.
Adam finally smiled as if he meant it for the first time; the kind of smile that took over his whole face and made Tommy smile back. He put his arm around Tommy’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Then I guess I better get rid of more stuff so we have some room.”
************************************
Monte was finished with his tour and he, Lisa and the kids were back in town. Just as he’d predicted, Lisa was thrilled about the baby and had immediately gone through their storage room for any and all baby equipment they no longer needed. There was so much that Monte had to borrow Doug’s truck to bring it all over.
The Pittman’s got a babysitter so they could have a rare night out without kids and came over for dinner and to deliver their donations. When Monte walked in the room he stared at Tommy in stunned silence; he hadn’t yet seen the effects of Sutan’s makeover.
Tommy’s hair was longer and his face rounder, his normally prominent cheekbones had nearly disappeared. Adam laughed at the expression on his friends face and pulled him into a hug before giving Lisa a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Hey, glad you’re back. I’ve missed you both.”
Monte nodded dumbly; he seemed unable to take his eyes off Tommy. His eyes dropped low, coasting over Tommy’s swelling breasts and his obviously pregnant belly. Tommy stepped up to him and gave him a hug and then Monte started to laugh when he found himself with an armful of woman.
Tommy pulled back and said, “I know, right? Hell of a change?” Tommy’s voice was still recognisably his own though it was slightly higher than in the past. He pushed his hair back behind one ear nervously and waited for Monte’s reaction.
Monte shook his head disbelievingly and said, “You’re gorgeous.”
Tommy laughed. “Fuck off, Monte,” he said good naturedly.
It took a while to bring everything up, and Tommy had watched in amusement as Adam’s designer home was filled with a bassinette, a highchair, a playpen, assorted toys, and a large plastic thing apparently called an exersaucer which most definitely did not blend into the muted decor.
The second bedroom now had, along with its bed, a changing table, a diaper pail and a crib. Adam seemed stunned at the changes wrought on his condo and Tommy was amazed that having a baby could involve so much fucking equipment. No wonder they had needed the truck. Jesus.
After dinner Tommy sat with Monte while Lisa helped Adam clean up the kitchen. Tommy suspected he was using the time to grill her on any and all information to do with infants. Earlier the two of them had been pouring over the “What To Expect In the First Year” book Tommy had never had the heart to start reading. Not Adam, he’d been pouring over it and tonight was highlighting pertinent sections and making notes in the margins as Lisa answered his questions.
Monte poured himself another generous glass of Jack Daniels and shrugged his shoulders when Tommy raised his eyebrows. “Lisa’s driving.”
Tommy smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Yeah, same. I’m glad the tour is over.”
“How was it?” Tommy asked. He’d not really been following lately although he wished he had. Monte deserved every success.
“Really good. Sold out shows. The albums been really steady. Nothing like Adam’s, but good. Better than anyone else’s this summer.”
Tommy smiled. “I’m glad. You deserve it, man.”
“Thanks.” Monte looked at Tommy a minute, sitting there on the couch; a hand pressed gently against his bulging abdomen, and shook his head. “I can’t believe how amazing you look.”
Tommy blushed and then laughed. “Amazing isn’t exactly the word I would have used.”
“So, how are you feeling?” Monte asked.
“Physically or mentally?”
“Both, I guess.”
“Physically I’m okay. It fucking hurts sometimes but I know it’ll be over before too long. Mentally, I’m scared shitless.”
Monte nodded sagely. “Perfectly understandable, man. I know I was with the first one.”
“Oh good, so it’s okay to be afraid you’ll be a complete failure as a parent and that you’ll fuck up any chance of your kid having a good life.”
Monte laughed, “Yeah, I think most people feel like that at first.”
Tommy shook his head. “Not Adam. He thinks if he reads enough books he’ll have a handle on this. He’s got it under control.”
“Well, then he’s in for a shock, is all I can say,” Monte laughed, as he finished the last of his drink.
************************************
Tommy’s mom got back and immediately came over to see how he was and more importantly, how ready he was for the baby. At first she’d been overwhelmed at the changes in Tommy but now was looking forward to the imminent grandchild as much as anyone. Even Roy, who Tommy barely knew, was being great about it. He already had a few grandkids and was quite happy to spoil more.
Dia was horrified when she saw how woefully unprepared Tommy and Adam were and sprang into action. She arrived early one morning and announced that she and Tommy were going shopping and would accept no excuses. Adam just laughed and said he would’ve loved to go but he had a meeting he couldn’t miss. Tommy tried several times to give him a dirty look but Adam had studiously avoided eye contact. Asshole.
He was swept out of the house and was on the way shopping before Tommy knew what had hit him. Dia watched him struggle to fit the seat belt under his belly, waiting before she started the car. “So, what have you got ready for the baby?”
“Um, Danielle dropped off a baby jogger the other day.” Tommy told her. That piece of equipment had mystified him a little. He’d never jogged in his life although Tommy figured Adam could maybe use it to replace the treadmill they’d been forced to leave out at the beach. They had all the stuff Monte had given them too. It seemed to Tommy like a lot of crap for one tiny baby.
“We have all the stuff you saw in the condo that Monte gave us.” Tommy told her.
“What about diapers? Wipes? Bottles? Tylenol?” Dia asked. She kept rattling off things as Tommy continued to shake his head. “Do you have any clothes for this child?”
“Yeah,” Tommy told her defensively. “We have a couple things Lisa gave us,” he explained vaguely. “And some cool baby toys.”
“Do you have some sleepers for the baby to wear?”
When Tommy just looked puzzled Dia sighed in exasperation. “Tommy, you’re not ready at all.”
Tommy shrugged. “We haven’t even finished clearing out the spare room yet. We thought we’d pick up some things after we’d done that. Or Adam said he could get Lane to do it.”
Dia raised both eyebrows and then shook her head before reversing out the driveway.
“I don’t feel like shopping,” Tommy sighed, “Or going out in public, Mom.” He looked across at her pleadingly. “And I have no idea what all we need.”
Dia flicked her eyes down at Tommy’s belly and then turned her indicator on to turn left at the end of the street. “How much more time do you have?”
Tommy frowned a little and ran a hand over the bulge of the baby, feeling it squirm inside him. “Dr. Frost said it might be soon. She’s just waiting for the baby to get as big as it can before she delivers it.”
Dia nodded. “We better get everything today. You certainly won’t feel like shopping or getting organized when you get home from the hospital.”
***************************************
The baby store completely bewildered Tommy. Dia patted his shoulder and said quietly, "It's not that difficult. I'll help you choose. First of all, the big stuff. A stroller. You two are different heights, so you want one that has an adjustable handle."
Tommy jiggled the handle of one of the display strollers experimentally and Dia shook her head. "Not a light coloured one.” She turned to another and added, “The three wheeled ones look good, but they're a nuisance to have inside the house. No good if you're trying to rock a teething baby to sleep."
In the baby clothes section, Dia asked, "What color clothes have you planned on getting? Do you know what sex the baby is, and just haven't told anyone?"
Tommy shook his head. "No, I didn’t want to know." He sat down tiredly on one of the chairs the store provided.
Dia nodded. “Green and yellow baby clothes then. We’ll just get some sleepers for now. That’s all you’ll need for the first while.”
********************************
A few nights later Tommy was lying on the couch with his feet in Adam’s lap while they watched TV, or more like Tommy tried to watch TV while Adam, currently in control of the remote, was rapidly flipped through the stations to find something of interest. Nothing was holding his attention for long though and it was irritating the ever loving shit out of Tommy, so much so in fact that he was considering dragging his unwieldy bulk off the couch and taking the fucking remote way from him.
Finally Adam settled on Entertainment Tonight, which Tommy didn’t particularly like, but which was preferable to flashing through the two hundred stations available. Crisis averted, Tommy relaxed and settled back into the couch to watch. Adam put the remote down and absentmindedly began to rub Tommy’s feet.
He sighed, “Sweet Jesus that feels good.”
Adam smiled at him and kept going. It was a little ritual they had in the evening after they’d had dinner. Tommy’s feet were swollen at night now and also starting to ache, both of which were normal according to Dr. Frost, but uncomfortable none the less. Apparently the pregnancy hormones were causing a laxness in Tommy’s ligaments in preparation for childbirth although he had no idea how that concept really applied to him.
Tommy shut his eyes and luxuriated in the massage but opened them again when Adam made a startled sound. Adam was staring at the screen and Tommy looked to see what had captured his attention. He immediately saw a familiar figure with long dark hair and a curvaceous body that he knew all too well. It was Carmen, and she was walking up a red carpet with a very prominent singer Tommy recognized instantly. So did Adam.
“Wow, she’s moved up the foot chain,” Adam observed.
The both watched as she clung to the guy while a reporter asked the two of them questions. Her dress was so tight and dropped so low between her breasts that nothing was left to the imagination. Tommy found that the sight no longer did anything for him although at one time he’d thought Carmen’s body was pretty hot.
“Do you miss her?” Adam asked him.
Tommy thought about it a second before answering. “Not at all.” It felt as if Carmen were part of a different life, one Tommy never thought about anymore.
“Good.”
“I just hope she never says anything about me, is all.”
“I don’t think she will. If she hasn’t said anything yet I doubt she will. You should probably talk to her about it at some point though.”
The thought made Tommy’s jaw clench. “Yeah, maybe. Just not until after the baby’s born.”
“Yeah, sure,” Adam agreed.
Tommy shut his eyes again and sighed when Adam went back to kneading the soles of his feet, pushing in firmly with his thumbs, rubbing away the achiness. He realized that he didn’t really give a shit who Carmen was currently fucking. Laying here like this, with Adam doing what he was doing, felt like heaven.
********************************
On Saturday night Adam hosted a birthday party for Tommy at the condo which also managed to become, to Tommy’s mortification, a baby shower. He’d consented to the party but he should have known something more was up when Danielle came in with an armful of pink and blue helium balloons.
Their parents were there along with Neil and Lisa, the Cherry’s, Danielle, Monte and Lisa, and Sutan. No one had brought their kids; there just wasn’t enough room. Anyway Adam had forbidden it, telling everyone he didn’t want any of the children to get Tommy sick so soon before his surgery. Tommy hadn’t thought it was a big deal; he had no idea what everyone else thought. That was Adam though.
While Neil and Lisa cleared the plates after dinner Tommy winced and pushed his chair away from the table. Adam was at his side instantly and helped him up when Tommy winced again and tried to stand.
“Baby acting up?”
Tommy nodded curtly and watched as Adam leaned down and pressed his hands against his belly and whispered, “Shhhh.” Tommy wasn’t sure if Adam was trying to soothe him or the baby but he clutched at Adam’s shoulder when he felt another stab of pain.
Tommy grabbed the back of his chair and clutched at the baby with the other. This was the most painful episode yet and the discomfort was making him feel lightheaded. His mother moved in on the other side and steadied him as well.
“Come and sit down, see if that helps,” Adam said, and he and Dia guided Tommy into the living room and helped him lower himself onto the couch. She sat beside him and squeezed his hand.
“Is there anything you need?” Leila asked Adam, her voice full of concern. Tommy pulled his T-shirt up over the bulge of his belly and rubbed at it with his hands as tears squeezed out of the corner of his eyes.
“Can you ring a towel out in really hot water?” Adam said quietly, as he squatted beside Tommy and caught at his hands, pulling them away from his belly.
The skin of Tommy’s belly rippled as the baby squirmed, sharp edges of elbows and knees pressing up against the skin, and Tommy groaned, "Oh, fuck that hurts."
Behind Adam, Neil said, “Jesus! Look at it move!”
Both Tommy and Adam looked up at him in exasperation and Tommy squeezed Adam’s hand to try to restrain him from lashing out at his brother.
“Sorry! I’m sorry! I just mean….it looks like something from fucking Alien or some shit,” Neil apologized lamely.
“Could everyone just give Tommy a little room please?” Adam asked irritably.
Eber pulled Neil from the room before he could get his foot any further in his mouth and a few of the others trailed after them, Tommy was relieved to see. He felt terribly self-conscious with everyone staring at him and his stomach.
Leila was back in a moment and handed Adam a steaming towel.
Adam shook the towel quickly, draped it over Tommy’s belly and then pressed his cheek against Tommy’s face. Dia went to get another one to replace it once it had cooled off.
Tommy wrapped his arms around Adam’s neck and clung onto him. Leila stayed with them after everyone else had left and ran her hand soothingly up and down Tommy’s back.
“Does this happen a lot?” she asked.
“More and more now that the baby’s bigger. It scares the shit out of me,” Adam confessed. “The doctor’s offered sedation for Tommy and the baby, but he won’t take anything.”
“Could you stop talking about me as if I’m not here,” Tommy snapped. He fucking hated it when Adam did that.
Leila squeezed Tommy’s hand. “How much longer do you have to go?”
“A couple more weeks,” Adam answered, risking another dirty look from Tommy.
“Why don’t you go get the men to clean up the kitchen, Adam? I’ll stay in here with Tommy. And send out all the women. We can all exchange pregnancy horror stories and try to cheer Tommy up.” Leila smiled encouragingly at Tommy and patted his hand.
Adam almost ran from the room, obviously glad he’d been relieved of his duty. Tommy sprawled on the couch, bracing for further movement and the accompanying pain. He would have cheerfully killed someone for a shot of Jack Daniels right about then. Once more he cursed his freakish body and wished he could be out in the kitchen with the guys instead of discussing pregnancy with their wives and mothers.
****************************
Eber and Neil were staying with them; Eber in the single bed in the nursery and Neil on the couch. Once they’d gotten their houseguests settled Adam and Tommy went to bed themselves. Tommy lay on his side while Adam lay beside him with his head resting on the bared mound of Tommy’s belly. He’d already rubbed vitamin E cream into Tommy’s taut skin and was now humming wordlessly to the baby inside who was finally, mercifully quiet. It had been a long night.
Tommy ran his hand through Adam’s hair, “What song is that?”
Adam stopped and looked up. “I don’t know. I heard it in a store the other day and it’s stuck in my mind.”
“It’s catchy.”
Adam chuckled, “Tell me about it. I can’t stop humming it.”
He went back to his humming and Tommy thought about the evening. It had been nice; he was glad he’d allowed Adam to talk him into having a birthday party. Once the baby came, Adam had reasoned, they wouldn’t have much time for entertaining.
“Lisa says I have to send out thank you cards for the gifts. It’s a shower thing.” It wasn’t something Tommy relished doing and his lack of excitement at the prospect came through in the tone of his voice.
Adam shrugged. “I could get some of my people to do them?” he offered.
Tommy snorted and slapped him on the shoulder. “Christ, Adam. Your people. You sound like such an asshole when you say shit like that.”
Adam looked up with a puzzled expression, “Do I? At least it would save you doing them.” He shrugged again and went back to singing to the baby. Tommy remembered Adam reading something to him about how babies could hear them already from the womb and so would recognize their voices immediately after the birth.
“Thanks for having everyone over. It was really nice. Sorry I disrupted everything.”
Adam looked up at him. “You were fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Adam slid up the bed so that his cheek was rested between Tommy’s breasts instead. His cheek had some stubble and the sensation made Tommy hiss softly and he fervently hoped that his breasts wouldn’t start leaking. They sometimes did it at the most inopportune moments and he figured it was probably a little bit more than Adam needed to see.
Adam slid his hips closer, pressing along Tommy’s side, and he realized Adam was hard. Tommy bent his knee until he was he was rubbing against Adam’s groin and chuckled when it made him groan.
“You are such a cocktease sometimes,” Adam moaned.
Tommy smiled down at him. “I never thought you’d ever get turned on by someone with these,” he said, his eyes flashing down towards his breasts.
“Yeah, I know.” Adam looked up and smiled. “I do though,” he told Tommy earnestly.
Tommy gently lifted Adam’s head up to give himself some room to adjust his position.
“Hold that thought,” he promised. Tommy grabbed the jar of vitamin E cream from the nightstand and scooped out a generous handful before turning back to Adam.
“Get out of your shorts and I’ll jerk you off.”
“Are you sure? You must be tired.”
“I’m fine, Adam,” Tommy laughed. “Just stop talking and let me take care of you.”
Adam relented and watched Tommy while he let the gel warm up in his hand and then slid down the bed a little so that their faces were level. He kissed Adam softly on the lips and then wrapped his hand around Adam’s cock and coated it. It felt good in his hand; a substantial weight and just the right size. His fingers could just meet around the shaft as he stroked. Adam had been almost erect when Tommy started and it only took a few more pulls before he was all the way there.
Tommy kissed him again and told him, “You just have to stay quiet, okay? I don’t want to scandalize your dad, or Neil.”
Adam nodded his agreement but added, “Neil deserves it. It would serve him right.”
“Yeah. I know. Aliens? What the actual fuck?” Tommy chuckled.
So with Eber sleeping on the other side of their bedroom wall and Neil on the couch, Tommy could hear the TV so he was still up, they settled in. They exchanged lazy kisses, taking turns exploring each other’s mouth with their tongue. Tommy could do this for hours; they sometimes had.
In the past few months there had been many evenings of lazy making out, of hugging and cuddling when Tommy hadn’t felt up to doing any more. After their first night, when Monte had visited them and laid down the law to Adam, Adam had gotten Tommy off numerous times, but the frequency had decreased as his pregnancy had progressed. Some nights he was just too damn tired.
He’d gotten good at jerking Adam off though. Tommy knew all the ways Adam loved to be touched, when it was time for fast and hard, straight up or with a twist, and when he wanted gentle caresses over the head instead. In no time he had Adam’s breath coming in soft pants and no longer able to concentrate on kissing, Tommy redoubled his efforts until finally Adam groaned softly against the side of his neck and came.
Tommy gave him a couple minutes to catch his breath, stroking Adam’s back with his free hand, and trying not to get any more gel on either of them or on the bed. It was cooling off and getting sticky and Tommy needed to wipe it off before too long and to get the bits of semen that had splattered over his belly and chest cleaned off as well. He finally squeezed Adam’s arm, afraid that he’d dozed off.
“Hey, can you get a towel, or something? I’m way to fat too get up again tonight.”
Adam opened his eyes and smiled at Tommy and gave him a quick kiss before rolling away to get up out of the bed. “I guess it’s the least I can do. Be right back.”
Tommy lay there with his eyes closed while Adam wiped off his hand with a warm cloth and then dabbed away at the rest of him. When he was done Adam tossed the cloth on the floor by the bed, turned off the light and pulled Tommy into his arms. They were both asleep in no time.
*********************************
When Tommy got up the next morning Adam had already gone. Tommy rolled onto his side and pushed himself upright. His head swam a little whenever he did this so he knew not to rush things. When he was no longer dizzy Tommy pulled on some sweats and wandered into the living room.
The couch was empty and Neil’s blankets and pillow were stacked neatly on the arm. Eber was at the table drinking coffee and looked up from the newspaper he was reading and smiled.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” Tommy mumbled on his way through to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of milk.
The morning sickness was long gone but it had lately been replaced by terrible heartburn and Tommy found the only way to combat it was to always have something, but not too much, in his stomach. He’d been drinking a hell of a lot of milk.
When he returned with his milk he sat down opposite Eber and sifted through the parts of the paper he was done with, looking for the entertainment section.
“How did you sleep?” he asked Eber.
“Good. How about you? Did the baby cooperate?”
Tommy smiled. “Yeah, much better. I guess it got it all out of his system after dinner." He yawned. “Still don’t sleep that great though. I have to get up four or five times a night to piss.”
“Ah, I remember that with Leila. She hated it too, although it does prepare one for getting up all night with the baby.”
Tommy nodded distractedly, scanning the headlines. “Where’s Neil?” he asked.
Eber put down his paper. “Adam took him down to the office with him. He said they’d be back by lunch time.”
Tommy nodded. He’d known that Adam was thinking of getting Neil more involved in running the company. He and Tommy had discussed it a few times. Adam wanted to step back a bit but he still wanted someone he could trust watching over things for him. Tommy figured Neil would be a natural. The problem was that the two brothers had had a bit of a falling out a couple years before over working together. Adam had never admitted that it was his fault but it seemed to Tommy that he had at least realized he had some sucking up to do to win Neil back over.
Eber smiled at Tommy. “I don’t know if you had anything to do with it, Tommy, but I’m really glad those two are getting along better again.”
Tommy drank a couple mouthfuls of milk. “Me too.”
“And I’ve never told you before but I’m really pleased that you and Adam are together. I think the two of you will do a great job of raising this baby. I know you have other things on your mind right now but are you thinking of a civil union?”
Tommy almost choked on the last of his milk and put the glass down solidly on the table. He shook his head. “Um, no. I don’t think so. Adam’s been great but......”
Eber looked puzzled but didn’t say anything; instead he had another mouthful of coffee.
“I’m sorry, I’d assumed the two of you were planning to stay together. You’re not?” he asked.
“We haven’t really talked about it,” Tommy told him. “Anyway, we were never serious. We just used to hook up sometimes, until we messed up and this happened.”
Eber looked at him appraisingly for a moment. “I don’t think you should sell yourself short, Tommy. Or this relationship you have with Adam, whatever it is. I’ve seen the two of you together, the way he is with you, and he’s a better person for it.” Eber put down his coffee cup before he continued to speak.
“He’s calmer, more thoughtful. He’s happier than I’ve seen him in years. Look, you can’t tell him I said this, but even if he’s my son, I haven’t been crazy about some of his behaviour in the last few years.”
Tommy just nodded. There wasn’t much he could do to deny what Eber was saying. He was right, and he was also right when he said that Adam had changed. Tommy could see it every day. Tommy wondered what else Eber might have noticed over the years.
“Has Adam said anything to you about us?” Tommy asked.
When Eber only shook his head, Tommy continued, “Has he said anything about me?”
“Not sure what you mean, Tommy,” Eber told him.
Tommy wasn’t really sure either. “Um, you know, ever?”
Eber thought a moment. “Not a lot really, other than you were talented and funny and nice. He used to talk about you quite a bit when he first met you and then not so much the last few years.”
Tommy nodded and chewed on his lip. Eber picked up his coffee and took another sip before he looked back at Tommy thoughtfully.
“There was however, something about the way he said it. I’d seen him smile like that before when he thought he’d found someone he really cared about. It was obvious that he thought a lot of you. I could always tell.”
He laughed, “Hell, you know Adam. He’s always worn his heart on his sleeve.”
Tommy nodded and he felt his shoulders relax a little.
Eber put his cup down and sat back in his chair. “I have to admit, Tommy that until Adam told me about you and the baby, I had always assumed what he felt for you was unrequited. I thought he’d maybe approached you and that you had brushed him off because you were straight, and that he’d never really gotten over it.”
“No, not totally straight,” Tommy confirmed vaguely, trying not to look too pleased then he thought over Eber’s words.
***************************************
Two nights later Tommy was sitting with Eber watching the American Music Awards on TV. Adam hadn’t wanted to attend but Tommy insisted he go; he had a handful of nominations and it would have been a shame not to be there when, as Tommy was assuming, he won. Adam had grudgingly relented and had taken Leila as his date.
The organizers wanted Adam to perform during the program but he’d firmly refused. Tommy had objected but had been outvoted by Adam and Monte. Neither of them would consider performing without Tommy, nor would Isaac if he’d been consulted. No, Adam would attend the ceremony, walk the red carpet and collect his awards but that was all.
Tommy’s heart swelled with pride as they watched Adam accept first an award for Favorite Male Artist, then Favorite Album, and finally Artist of the Year. Adam had won awards in the past but had never dominated so completely. It boded well for the Grammy Awards.
Tommy waited up for Adam to get home, not because he didn’t trust him, or worried who he was out with and what he was doing, but because he wanted to share the night with him. Tommy had told Adam to stay out as long as he wanted; that he should celebrate, but Adam had just shook his head. He was home an hour after the ceremony ended.
Chapter Eleven