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Andi took the old ladies — and seventeen-year-old Zoe — on a tour of the house.
“We’ve got four bedrooms on the second floor,” she narrated as she led us up the stairs. “And a huge attic that’s just begging to be turned into a master suite. Cal is going to get to work on that after New Year’s. The girls are ecstatic about their rooms.” She showed us Abigail’s bedroom first — an explosion of pink, with toys already scattered everywhere. She had a huge bay window overlooking the front yard, the perfect spot for a young girl to read, play, and dream.
Chloe’s room was next. It was painted a sunny yellow, and had large windows, too. Her stuffed animals were lined up on a low shelf that had been placed at kid level. “The only problem is that Chloe is having a little bit of separation anxiety right now at night,” Andi told us. “I think this big house is making her feel like her dad and I are further away than we are.”
“She’ll get over it, in time,” Eva said. But I get it. It’s got to be weird having that big room all to herself.”
“I think you’re right. Plus, I think I have a great way to distract her from that. The girls have been clamoring for a dog for a while now. And with all this space, I think we can finally get them one. And…” Andi put a finger to her lips. “Don’t tell them, but we’re even thinking about getting some horses, since we have a barn now.”
“Oh my God, they are going todie!” Zoe squealed. “I would have killed for a horse growing up!” She looked at Eva, who laughed and said, “Sorry that you had to go through such hardship and deprivation, my poor daughter. Please don’t sue us for emotional damages.”
“What are you going to do with the rest of these bedrooms, Andi?” Cherish asked as we continued down the hall.
“I’m not even sure!” Andi replied. “Right now, this one here” — she pushed open a door — “is my music room. But there’s a pole barn on the property, in addition to the barn we’re going to use for the horses, and we’re planning to renovate that for my music space. That won’t be until at least next summer, though.”
“This place is just so great,” Cherish enthused. “It’s so beautiful out here! And the house is already amazing. I bet it’s going to be stunning when you’re all done.”
“We originally wanted to get a house out here north of town because it’s a shorter drive to Denver for me,” Andi explained. “But yeah, now that we’ve actually moved in, I’m just so happy about how much room the girls will have, inside and out. And how quiet it will be out here.” She paused a beat. “And safe.”
None of the women said anything in response. We knew Andi was thinking about what had almost happened to Abigail and Chloe last Christmas. I reached over and gave her shoulder a squeeze. She put her hand on top of mine.
“So, is Hard Candy planning any upcoming tours?” Eva asked after a moment.
“Rudy is trying to talk us into it,” Andi said. “We’ll be in the studio this spring to start working on a new album. Of course, that generally would mean a tour once the album’s out, to promote it. I was suggesting to the band that we could do a limited run of shows just in the US, but more spaced out. Like, instead of doing one big tour, maybe a few mini-tours instead, where we’d only be gone for a week or two at a time.”
“That sounds a lot more doable,” I say.
“Yeah.” She smiled. “And if the Stone Kings are doing security for us, that means it’s better for them, as well. And for all of us, really.”
The MC had been working as Hard Candy’s private security team for the past nine months or so. From everything I understood, both the band and the club thought it was going well. The pay to the club was fantastic, and the gigs were not all that frequent. Since the band hadn’t been on tour, the travel during that time had been mostly to interviews and appearances on late-night TV shows. Everyone was happy about the arrangement. Especially Cal and Andi, of course.
We finished the tour of the house. Back downstairs, the old ladies took over the kitchen and started making delicious blender drinks (virgin for me) and sampling some of the fantastic food. Andi had had the party catered by The Mockingbird, the restaurant where I worked as a chef — though I hadn’t had anything to do with the preparation or the delivery. (“This is a party forallof us,” Andi had told me on the phone a few days ago. “For once, that means none of us women are going to lift a finger to do any cooking. That includes you!”)
The three separate parties — the men, the kids, and the women — eventually converged into one around Cal and Andi’s Christmas tree. There was eating, drinking, laughter, hugs, presents… and mostly, just happiness. I found myself patting my belly more than once, smiling at the knowledge that this little one was going to enter a world full of love and family. At one point, Grey caught my eye and smiled, and I knew he was thinking the same thing.
After dinner, most of the adults retreated to the back yard. Fairy lights were strung in the trees, giving the night a festive glow. The outdoor heaters took the chill out of the air, but Andi had also put out a stack of blankets, and some of us wrapped ourselves in them as we sat under the stars, enjoying the night.
“I don’t think we’re going to get a white Christmas this year,” Levi commented. We had yet to see any snow so far that year.
“Have faith, babe,” Cherish said to her husband, and winked.
Zoe, sitting next to Eva, looked down at the glow of her phone. “Mom, can Tyler come pick me up later?” Zoe asked. “His parents are having a Christmas party, too, and they invited me to come.”
“It’s fine with me,” Eva replied. “Go ask your dad. He won’t want you to be out too late, though. Lots of people out drinking at parties and then driving this time of year.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Dad’s gonna say be home by ten or something ridiculous like that.”
“Well, then you’ll have to be home by ten, won’t you?”
Zoe flounced off. Eva watched her go, laughing. “Trig is not dealing well with Zoe’s first serious boyfriend. He has really put that boy through his paces. I have to hand it to Tyler, though. He’s a very respectful kid, and he seems to treat Zoe well. He’s kind of scared of Trig, but he tries not to show it.”
“It’s tough watching them grow up,” I said, as I watched Gracie walk casually over to Wyatt and start talking to him. “In the blink of an eye, all of a sudden they’re acting like little adults, you know?”
At least I have one more little one coming,I thought.
A baby, who will stay a baby for just a little while longer.
That night,when Grey had driven us home and the kids were in bed, he made us a fire in the fireplace. We sat together on the couch, watching it, not quite wanting to let the evening end.
