Chapter 3
The drive back to the pad was in silence. Mike and Pete being silent with each other was confusing Micky. He was hoping they hadn’t had a row, but he knew everything had been fine before they went upstairs to see what the girls wanted.
Mike just kept his eyes on the road, trying to avoid looking over at Pete. I just know he’ll say yes to helping them. We both need to think about this and talk things over. It’s a huge commitment—nothing to be rushed into. This involves the future of quite a few people and it could all turn into a lot of trouble.
Pete, beside Mike, glanced over at him occasionally, watching how his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. He’s panicking about what Vickie and Ronnie asked. I wish we could have said yes to them straight away, but I guess we need to talk things through first. But it’s a good solution for all four of us! It could be so perfect—Mike would be such a great dad.
Micky suddenly broke the awkward silence. “I forgot to mention that Amy came around on Sunday. She’s heading off on her tour on Thursday, I think she said, and she brought your letterman jacket back. She said you should pass it on to Pete.”
“You’ve no regrets at all, that you said no to them?” Pete decided to ask Mike.
“No, of course not. I have more important commitments and things going on in my live here with you and the guys, Pete. I never thought of going.”
“Okay,” Pete answered and the silenced started again until they reached the pad and went indoors.
“Either of you two wanna stay up late with me and watch a movie? There’s a horror double bill on, and there’s some beer left Mike.” Micky took two bottles out of the ice box.
“It’s okay—I’m gonna head off to bed. It’s been a long day, and I didn’t sleep too well last night.” Pete glanced at Mike. “You don’t have to come to bed yet—stay and watch the tv with Micky, I don’t mind at all.”
“I think I might, babe…gonna have a drink too. Like you say, been a long day. I might only watch one movie then join you, Pete. Good night.” He gave Pete a kiss.
“Night, Michael. Night, Micky.” Pete left the others alone and went off to their bedroom.
Micky also had a bag of pretzels and some chips in a bowl on the coffee table for them. Mike joined him on the couch, taking a handful of chips and picking up his beer.
“I thought everything was okay between you two? You said you had a good break and things went well with your mom and friends. Were there any problems?” Micky asked him.
“Apart from some comments from my uncle, that you can probably imagine… He’s a typical old-fashioned guy set in his ways, can’t understand anything or anyone who he classes as different. He couldn’t accept us, and I could tell what he said bothered Pete.”
“Just like his dad then.”
“Yes, pretty much, but with a southern attitude to go with it.”
“But you both seemed okay until after the club.” Micky leaned over Mike to get the chips.
“It’s just something the girls asked us to help them with. It’s, well, a very big favor they want from us, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. If we do what they want, its gonna effect a lot of people. I don’t know if I should tell you. It’s really something me and Pete need to talk about first.”
“No problem, Mike, but you know I’m here if you need to talk about anything.”
“Thanks, Mick. I think if they’d asked Pete without me, he’d have just said yes to them straight away without thinking about what’s involved—you know what Pete’s like, wanting to please everyone.”
“True, he always reacts first without thinking about things.” Micky finished off his beer and got up to get another. “Do you want another beer, Mike?”
“Yeah, thanks. Is Davy staying out tonight?”
“Probably, knowing him…he’s no doubt gone home with the chick he went out with tonight.”
After the first movie had finished, Mike decided to head off to bed. “I’ll see you in the morning, Mick. I need to go to bed. I’m tired. Good night.”
“Night, Mike.” Micky settled himself more on the couch, waiting for the next movie to start.
Mike went in and got undressed. He looked over at Pete who had already fallen asleep, but his bedside light was still on and he had an opened book by his side. He was probably trying to stay awake to talk to me, but it can wait until later, I’m sure. He moved the book and climbed into bed, getting under the covers and as close as he could to Pete, soon succumbing to sleep himself.
Mike dreamt about him and Pete with a room full of babies. All that screaming and crying was unnerving to him, but Pete was in his element. He took it all in his stride, moving along, soothing each child until they settled, but Mike felt whenever he went near one of them, they seemed to cry even more, as though they could sense his panic and his vulnerability. He felt so out of his depth that he too wanted to scream and run the hell out of that room.
Pete was coping so well but he was used to this. He’d grown up with younger siblings; he was brilliant whenever they looked after the twins, and children seemed to sense his calm, sweet, childlike nature and bond instantly with him. But Mike felt the babies were overwhelming enough in his dream. He’d looked after the twins, but Pete was nearly always by his side.
Suddenly one of the babies he seemed to be holding started to scream even louder, getting more red-faced by the minute, and Mike woke up with a jolt and covered in sweat. I can’t do it. I’ll be useless., Pete makes it look so easy—he’s a natural with any children, whereas I’m a disaster waiting to happen.
He checked the time on the clock on his bedside table: eight thirty. Not too early, so he decided to get up and have a shower. He started the coffee first before he went into the bathroom.
Pete was still asleep when he went back to the bedroom to get dressed, and Mike didn’t disturb him, just went off to the kitchen, poured himself a black coffee, and went out to sit on the sundeck. Looked like it was gonna be another sunny day—families were already gathering in groups on the beach, their young children running into the ocean, playing with frisbees and other beach games… Was that what he saw for his future? Mike wasn’t sure.
He’d been out there for about an hour, apart from going back to the kitchen to top up his coffee, when Pete came and sat in a chair beside him. “Morning, Michael, been up long?”
“About an hour and a half. I didn’t wake you, as you looked so peaceful. Yeah, been out here for a while, watching the world go by, just thinking.”
“You could have woken me, you know. I wouldn’t have minded at all. You look a little stressed…are you okay?” Pete stood behind him and massaged his shoulders for him. “Here, will this help you calm down. Do you want some breakfast? I can sort something out for a change—you deserve a break.”
“I didn’t sleep too well. Too much on my mind, well, with what Ronnie and Vicky asked us to help them with last night… What do you think about it?”
“I think it’s a good idea. I love children and babies, and have always wanted to become a father…don’t you, Mike?”
“It’s a lot of responsibility, taking care for someone else—it’s a big commitment, having someone that relies on you. It’s just there’s a lot to think about before we can give them an answer.”
“You’d be a great dad, though! You’re the most responsible person I know. You’re brilliant with the twins and they like you. We’ve talked about having a family—this is a chance for us to achieve that. I admit I want to say yes to them.”
“Pete, you’re from a big family. You’re so good with the twins, much better than me. I grew up with just me and my mom. I kinda looked after her when she needed me too, but that’s different.”
“You look after us lot. You’ve done that for the past few years—you’re a natural.”
“With the twins, and you’re always with me when we look after them. I dread to think what I’d be like without you.” He played with his fingers, tapping them on his knee.
“My only concern is how we’ll do what they need from us… Do we need to go to a doctor or what? I’ll talk with either Ronnie or Vicky, I suppose.”
“So you’re gonna go through with it, even if I don’t, babe?” Mike asked, getting a quizzical look back.
“Why wouldn’t you want to help the girls out, Michael? I’d do anything for Vicky. She’s been a really good friend to me. I can’t let her down, even though it scares me a little, I suppose.”
“It scares me a lot, Pete. There’s a lot we need to discuss with them before I can even consider saying yes to this! It’s a big thing.”
“But, Michael, if they both got pregnant, it’d be like we had a child each. We’d both be dads! Wouldn’t that be amazing! You have a chance to give your mom a grandchild.” Pete was smiling over at him.
“You don’t understand. Anything could happen. What if the girls split up or move away? Where would that leave us? Imagine how devastated you’d be. Could you cope with that, babe? I really don’t think so. It’d break your heart. I mean, look how much you miss the twins not living here.”
“The girls are like us, meant to be together. Ronnie wouldn’t move away from LA—her family live here, and she’d want to stay near them.”
“I wish I shared your optimism, Pete, I really do. I just don’t think I’m the right person to do this.” Mike stood and Pete took a step back as he turned to stand in front of him. “I don’t have the patience you have. I have a temper, and I’ve not had a normal family life before.”
“Michael, my family aren’t perfect, as you know. I wouldn’t say my childhood was normal either. To me, you’re patient, kind and you always have time for anyone. You’re a good listener. You have so many good points and qualities.”
Mike heard a knock at the front door and was so glad of the interruption. As he opened it, Annie was on the other side with the twins in their stroller.
“Oh, hi, Annie, you want Pete?” He turned around to find Pete behind him.
“Yeah, hello, guys. Could I ask a big favor from both of you? Would you mind looking after the twins for a while for me? I’ve got an appointment for a check-up at the doctors. Christine’s dropping me off before she goes to work, and I can’t really take them with me.”
“Of course, we can, can’t we, Michael?” Pete bent down to fuss over the twins, taking Dylan out of the stroller and passing him to Mike. “Here, Dylan, go to Uncle Michael.” He then picked up Summer. “You got a bag with some spare diapers and bottles for them?” He hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Have you got time for a chat later? I need your help with something.”
“Sure, of course. Here’s the bag with their things. Thanks so much, Peter. Thanks, Mike. I shouldn’t be too long. They both quiet this morning, so they shouldn’t be any bother.” Annie said bye to the babies and left them alone.
“You okay with them here, Michael? You don’t mind helping me with them?”
“No, it’s fine.” He held Dylan close to his chest and it looked like the baby was smiling up at him.
“Look, Dylan loves his Uncle Michael. Imagine having one of your own, a cute little boy who looks just like his daddy, a mini Michael.”
Before he got chance to answer, Micky came down the stairs, giving Mike the perfect opportunity to change the subject away from babies. “Hey, Mick, I forgot to ask, what happened to cause another fight at the Dive the other night?”
“Can I at least get a coffee, Mike? Ooh hello, have we got visitors?” He cooed over Dylan before he helped himself to coffee. “It wasn’t much—just a couple of overactive chicks. Of course, Davy was flirting up a storm as usual, and I guess I was really happy being upfront for a change. Then we saw these two arguing over who wanted who and everything went a bit mad.”
Pete joined them, sitting on the couch with Summer listening to what Micky was saying. “The next minute they were onstage with us and, well, I grabbed Davy and we ran backstage, I’m not sure what happened after that. I think Davy enjoyed being fought over, though…you know how he loves a bit of drama. I think it’s one of them that he went out with last night.”
“Anyway, thanks for doing the gigs. I think Ronnie was grateful, and we always need the money but I’ll give you and Davy most of it from those nights.”
“It doesn’t matter, Mike. Anyone of us would do the same.” Micky went off to the kitchen.
Pete got up with Summer and walked over to the bathroom. “She needs a clean diaper. Won’t be long.”
Micky came back with a bowl of cornflakes. “You two have your talk and get sorted, Mike?”
“Yes and no. We’ve talked but we, well, I’m not sure what to do. Pete just sees the positive side of things, not thinking about what could go wrong and how things can affect your future.”
“Sounds serious, then?” Micky said in between mouthfuls.
“It is. The girls, Ronnie and Vicky, have asked us to help them start a family, and as you can imagine, it’s made Pete so happy. He loves children.”
“But you’re not so sure. Why?”
“What if things go wrong? Something like them moving away? He’d be devastated, but also I’m not sure I could go through with it. I’m not the right guy to ask.”
Micky could tell Mike looked worried and could sense that he didn’t want to upset Pete. “You need to tell him then. Be honest with him, and it might turn out better than you think.”
“Mick, he wants to be a father though and sees this as his only way—how could I deprive him of that? But I’m not like him at all. He’s gentle, caring, not afraid to show his emotions, and I’m the total opposite of that…how could I be a good father?”
“I bet every guy thinks that. Is it because of what happened with you and Amy in the past? You’re thinking too much of back then. You were younger. I’m sure you’d be brilliant.”
Mike stood and passed Dylan to Micky, handing over a bottle from the baby bag. “Would you mind feeding him, while I make a start on lunch for us?”
Pete came out of the bathroom with a better-smelling Summer. “Took a while as she was a bit of a mess, and she wouldn’t keep still. Her hands were all over the place trying to stop me. She’s definitely developing a cheeky character.” He took a bottle from the bag and started to feed her.
“I’m gonna make some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Mick, you want some of the hot sauce I brought from Texas on yours?” Mike shouted over to Micky who was still feeding Dylan and just nodded back to him.
“Michael, come here a minute, please?” Pete shouted Mike over with panic in his voice. “It’s Summer—she’s making a funny sound, her breathing doesn’t seem right, and she’s gone pale.” He tried patting her in the back. “She’s struggling to breath now and looks a little blueish. Michael! What do I need to do?”
Pete was getting a little hysterical and Mike came over and took Summer from his arms. “Calm down, Pete.” He laid her face down along his forearm, using his lap for support. He held her chest and jaw with his hand and fingers, held her head down and gave her five short blows between her shoulder blades and she suddenly started to cough and cry. Mike pulled her close to his chest to try and soothe her crying.
Pete had been pacing up and down all the time Mike was dealing with Summer. He’d started sobbing, thinking he’d done something wrong.
“Pete it’s okay, babe. She’s fine now, I think she was just feeding a little too fast…greedy little girl, aren’t you, Summer.” He cooed at her.
“You’re right,” Pete suddenly said, still crying. “We can’t say yes to the girls. I’d be useless as a dad, this just now that happened proves it.”