After dinner everyone gathers upstairs on the third floor to hang out for a while before they all head out to go visit Santa later on. Amari of course stays in the kitchen and cleans up. Laura is in the bedroom resting. Rufus is the last one to come upstairs holding her glass of wine in hand she enters the room and looks around, "Nice digs you got here, Cooper." she observes walking over to sit on the couch with Shaun, who has a slightly fussy Leila in his arms.
"It's pretty nice up here, huh?", shaun says turning to look at Rufus.
Rufus nods, "I like the vibe, definitely inspiring me for some relaxed jam sessions in here." The musical part of Rufus' brain is popping off like fireworks right now with ideas of her own music space in a house here in New Orleans. The more she thinks about it the more she wants it. She is convinced now that this is the change the band needs to write their next album. "Can we barrow your room for our next album Cooper?" she half jokes.
"You still stuck on that idea?", Shaun says to her knowing full well how Rufus is once she has something in mind. She is not gonna let it go so easily.
Luke cannot help but chuckle being reminded of old times in California which already seem like a lifetime ago. He thought he could keep that life separate from this new one with Laura and their children, but it looks like they are quickly becoming one now. "C'mon Shaun you know how she is...You might as well fucking give into her now. I can see it in her eyes."
The kids on the other hand are not fazed one bit by the adults conversation. They are enjoying pretending to be in their own band at the moment. Phoenix strums away on his little ukulele, while Ruby shakes some maracas that Luke gave her to check out and a somewhat tired Phineas sits on Luke's lap attempting to sing into the microphone.
Rufus sips her wine and smirks over at Luke, "Glad to see, you still know me well." Then she turns her attention to Leila who is trying to climb across Shuan's lap over to Rufus. She loves the necklace that is strung around her neck.
"Pretty!". exclaims Leila in her tiny voice as her hand reaches out toward the necklace. This girl is quite the diva being an only child to a rock star. Shaun may spoil her a bit too much sometimes, but so does momma.
Rufus looks down at Leila with a smile, "Cool huh?"
Ruby, who is a lot like her mother, instantly gets jealous of the attention. She walks over to show her mother the maracas shaking them in her face. "Look what daddy gave me momma!" she says loudly over the sound of the room.
Rufus instinctively curls away from the loud sound as Ruby rattles them so closely to her face, "Ruby! Remember your manners!" She snaps.
"These are cool too right?", Ruby insists as she shakes them in the air and wiggles her body to the rhythm of the maracas. "I could be a singer like you!"
Rufus forces a smile, "Yeah you could...Now could you shake those things a little farther away?"
"Why?", Ruby snaps back with some attitude. "You don't like my music?"
"No..." Rufus stammers she is not used to parenting Ruby for so long. Margaret is usually here to help out. "I...do...it's..."
"Hey Ruby..." Shaun steps in. "How about you show Leila how to use those? She likes them too."
"Okay!", Ruby says with a big smile.
While Rufus tries to parent Ruby, Luke is having to get after Phoenix who is trying to play with the old amp that he knows he is not supposed to touch. "Hey, you know you're not supposed to be messing with that..."Luke reminds him.
"I want to turn the music up..." Phoenix explains to his dad as he fiddles with one of the knobs.
"You can't you're playing acoustic...That means you can't plug it in." Luke explains, but that still does not deter Phoenix's stubborn nature and imagination.
Phoenix looks up at his dad, "I know! I just pretend..." He explains hoping dad will let it slide.
"No...You know you're not supposed to touch that one. I've told you before. That's a vey old piece Phoenix." Luke doubles down knowing exactly what his son is trying to do.
"But I just pretend. It's not real..."Phoenix gestures as he tries to show his dad what he is doing by pretending to turn the dial.
"Phoenix, stop it! You know that piece is off limits. Don't push it, son...", Luke warns him and Phoenix knows he now needs to stop insisting. This kid likes to test your limits as a parent. Much like Ruby does with Rufus, but for her it's different having relied on Margaret most of the time to the so discipline and parenting.
All the while Luke deals with Phoenix, across the room the others are being entertained by Leila and Ruby. Ruby shares one of the maracas with Leila and is now calmed down enough after rattling her mothers nerves with those things...
"Oh my gosh did you see what Rolling Stone magazine said about Cassandra Vale?", Rufus asks the guys recalling the image of the new and upcoming pop rock star on the cover of the magazine.
"No...What did they say?", Shaun asks with curiosity. He likes to avoid the news when he is on break.
"Cassandra Vale? Is she that boho, hippie singer all the chicks dig right now?", Luke asks a little unfamiliar with her music. He knows Laura has listened to her music and liked it. She appeals to women more with her style of love songs, kinda like Lana del Rey.
Rufus nods, "Yes her!...They compared her to me! Saying she gives old school Rufus Blue vibes, but with a new funky twist." she rolls her eyes as she recalls what she read. "I dunno why people think she is like me! She is no where near as good in vocal range, and my style is still relevant!"
"You should take it as a compliment...It means you've inspired younger artists with your style." Luke says to her.
"Younger?! I'm not that old...", Rufus snaps.
Luke shrugs it off, "Get the fuck over it...You've been in the business for over 20 years now...You know there is gonna be new talent that will be inspired by you."
"That's my point! She is not that talented..", Rufus digs in deeper. "They're comparing me to a talentless girl with a pretty face."
"Have you listened to any of her music?", Luke asks, thinking she probably hasn't, heck he barely has too some of this new music just does not appeal to him like the stuff from ten or twenty years ago.
Rufus shrugs, "Mm sort of...I dunno it's just...I."
Then Ruby blurts out after listening to their conversation, "I listen to her music!..."
And Rufus just snaps, "Shut up! No you don't you have no idea who I'm talking about!" Ruby turns and runs to Luke for comfort while Shaun tries to calm down a flustered Rufus.
"Ru, it's just people talking trash. Don't let it get to you.", Shaun says to her hoping this does not set the tone for the remainder of the evening.
"No I know, but this is why I want to move down here. We need a new edge Shaun. You know I'm right...Aksel said he is cool with it. We just have to convince Kyu."
"Okay...okay I see your point. Let's move down here for the summer and write the next album.", Shaun concedes. Knowing he wouldn't mind being closer to Leila and Amari for an entire summer. This would give them more time to figure things out.
Rufus practically squeals in delight, "Really?!" And Shaun nods yes again. "Fantastic! This is gonna be such a great place to write music! I already have a few ideas."
Meanwhile Luke consoles Ruby, who was only trying to be apart of the adults conversation. "It's okay." Luke says softly as he kisses the top of her head. "Your mom is just a little upset she didn't mean to snap at you."
"I like Cassandra.", Ruby mumbles into his chest
"You know who she is?", Luke asks a little confused.
Ruby leans back and looks up at him. "Yes, some of my friends at school like her music. She's very popular."
"Oh! I see...", Luke suddenly realizes that Ruby is definitely at that age where music is becoming a part of her social life at school.
Shaun realizes too he needs to be here a little more often to help mitigate things between Luke and Rufus. "Okay! Well it looks like the band is moving down here this summer to write our next album." Shaun says as he looks over at Luke.
"Really?! just like that it's decided?" Luke says looking over to Shaun. "You're gonna give in to her that easily?"
"C'mon man...You know she is right we need a new edge for this next album."Shaun admits. "And I think it would be good for all of us to coexist together this summer get closer as a family."
Rufus sits quietly and lets the two men hash it out for a moment. "I don't need a fucking babysitter..." Luke snaps a little. "I can handle things just fine."
Shaun nods, "Oh yeah? I think the two of you do! Laura is about to have a baby you're gonna have your hands full this summer we all need to help each other out."
Rufus stands up, "Shaun is right. We need to stick together Luke."
Luke kinds scoffs, but tries to hold back knowing there are in kids in the room, "Oh c'mon...Don't act like you care now." He says looking over at Rufus. "If you want to bring the band here to work on the album that's fine just don't act like you're doing me a fucking favor."
"We need someone to mediate between us sometimes, and Shaun is some one that knows us both well enough...I'm trying be an adult here Luke. I'm trying to do the right thing for Ruby..." Rufus flails getting frustrated with Luke. These two may need a break from each other soon.
Rufus pauses then notices Luke's old guitar tucked into the corner by his desk, "I can't believe you still have this." she says running her fingers along the neck of the guitar while she recalls all the late nights they were up jamming to music with each other. She definitely really misses that part of their relationship.
"Of course, she's a good guitar been with me through everything...", Luke says setting his beer bottle down on the desk.
"Can you play us our old song?", Rufus requests.
"Right now?", Luke asks feeling caught off guard by her random request of a song he hasn't played in years.
"Yes or course right now...It'll be fun I'll sing along with you.", she smiles as she sips her wine.
Luke sighs, "I dunno..."
"What? You don't remember our song Cooper?", she pouts, teasing him.
"Yeah...Of course I remember it."
"I can sing a song!", Ruby shouts into the microphone. "Lalalalala!"
"Ruby! Stop!", Rufus says to her. "Come over here sweetheart and sing with me. Daddy can play the guitar. Right Luke?" She says as she looks at Luke again to see his reaction.
"Oaky!", Ruby quickly replies. Luke sits there speechless for a moment. He is still not used to Rufus and Ruby referring to him that way.
"Yeah let's hear you play man...It's been a while." Shaun says as he gets up and crosses the room to be with the rest of the group.
So Luke grabs his guitar and begins to strum finding the right tune for their old song. Suddenly filling the room with the soft strumming sounds. Rufus waits and finds her cue and starts singing.
"In the shadows I was lost...
But then you came a shining light.
Your music touched me to my core,
And pulled me from the endless night!
You're my savior, my guiding star,
You've saved me from the dark.
Together we'll face the world,
with music as our spark..."
"We'll dance through the echos, hand in hand
with every note, together we'll stand
In perfect harmony, our hearts entwined,
In this symphony of love, our souls aligned.
Strumming cords beneath the moon,
your laughter weaves a sweet refrain.
With every lyric, our hearts attune,
In this duet, we'll break every chain."
"In the quiet moments, I hear our song,
A melody of dreams where I belong.
With every heartbeat, feel the beat,
Together we'll rise, can't accept defeat.
We'll dance through the echos, hand in hand
with every note, together we'll stand
In perfect harmony, our hearts entwined,
In this symphony of love, our souls aligned."
"So let the world listen as we play,
Two hearts in rhythm, come what may.
With music as our bond, we'll never part,
Forever together, a song from the heart."
After the song ends Ruby wraps her arms around her mother, "You sing so pretty mommy!"
"Thank you sweetheart. You like me and daddy's special song?"
Ruby nods an enthusiastic yes, "It's so pretty! I like it so much more than Cassandra Vale!"
"Look uncle Shaun, I can play the song too!", Phoenix says to him showing him his guitar skills.
"That's really good little man, Your dad has been teaching you well.", Shaun says with a smile.
"I'm glad you still remember our song Cooper.", Rufus says with very satisfied smile.
"Yeah I'm sure you are...I think I'm gonna go check on Laura see how she's feeling." He says quickly changing the subject.
Rufus nods suddenly feeling sad, knowing they don't have that connection anymore, but she also knows it's for the best, "Okay...We'll stay up here with the kids. It will be time to go soon anyways."
Luke nods then heads to the second floor to check in on Laura, who has been napping after working so hard on Thanksgiving dinner. Her feet are sore, her back hurts, and she is so ready to have this baby. Only a few more weeks to go.
Luke quietly opens the door and peeks into their bedroom, "Hey, you awake?"
"Yeah...", Laura replies as Luke opens the door wider.
"I think we're all getting ready go see Santa.", Luke reminds her. "You feel up to it?"
"It's fine...I think the nap helped. How are the boys?" Laura asks.
They're fine. Kids are playing upstairs and excited to see Santa."
"Who's up there with them now?", Laura asks.
"Shaun and Rufus are up there with them. Mari is still in the kitchen cleaning up."
Laura still looks tired this pregnancy has been a little harder than the last one, plus it has been a stressful year on top of that. "Still? I should go downstairs and help her finish up." she says.
Luke closes the door, "Babe if you don't want to go then we'll stay home. We can take the boys to see Santa tomorrow. I'm sorry if Rufus upset you earlier."
"No...It's okay. We can't skip out on this first big gesture of Rufus' doing...We have to go. I just wish this was all a bad dream, having to deal with her right now." Laura says as she closes her eyes.
Luke walks across the room and sits, "Babe you don't need to compete with Rufus. All this shit is my fault anyways. Rufus wouldn't be in our lives right now if I had never asked for her help."
Laura rolls over and sits up in bed, "I know." She says softly. "It's okay. I'm okay with it. The boys are okay with it...and Ruby too. They love having her around."
Luke softly smiles, "You really like Ruby don't you?"
Laura nods, "I do. It's nice to have a girl in the family even if she is Rufus's child. She is a great kid. I can't fault her for her mother's insanity."
"What if this one is a girl?", Luke says softly rubbing her big round belly.
Laura smiles, "Then we'll have two!" she says with excitement and Luke can't help, but smile back at her enthusiasm knowing full well he does not deserve to be married to the sweetest, kindest woman ever. It has taken them awhile to get back to the way things used to be, and they are almost there.
Then suddenly Laura smacks the top of her forehead in frustration, "Oh crap!"
"What?!", Luke says in a panic picking up on her stress.
Laura groans in frustration, knowing she forgot something, she has just been so busy with the meal planning for today that she totally forgot. "I forgot to get a gift for my sister and the new baby."
"You still have time. She just had the baby a few days ago.", Luke tries to assure her.
"I know, but I could go into labor soon and I want to get the gift and see her before that. I had planned to do it this week and forgot. I was just so busy cooking for this meal." she says with disappointment. "And I still can't decided on baby names..." she mumbles feeling a little overwhelmed.
Luke reaches across the bed, "I thought you had some picked out?" he replies grabbing the splayed out baby book that Laura has been looking at.
"I do.", Laura replies. "But I just can't decide."
Luke sits and flips through the pages where Laura has been looking. She has also highlighted some names she has chosen. "We'll figure it out. I think any one of these names will be a good choice. We just need to wait now until the baby is born.
"You think so?", Laura asks him a little unsure and stressed out. Laura always likes to have things planned out but this time around she decided to wait till the baby was born to know if it was a boy or girl. Now the suspense has her a bit flustered.
"Yeah of course I think once we see him or her we'll know what name to pick. It'll be okay babe."
Laura sighs, "Yeah I'm just over thinking it all too much. So how are things with Rufus? Is she behaving herself while I'm not around?"
"Fine.", Luke quickly replies.
"That's it? Just fine? She didn't cause any drama or anything?", Laura can see he is holding back a little.
"Babe I came in here to check on you, not talk about her." Luke stalls.
"I'm just curios...", Laura admits.
Luke then leans in, "You sure about that?" he teases leaning in farther over her belly to try and kiss her.
"C'mon just tell me what it was...", Laura presses.
"She had me play our old song so she could sing along to it for Ruby.", Luke finally tells her.
"A song? What song?", Laura says as she pushes him back.
"It's just an old song Rufus and I wrote together a very long time ago."
"You never told me about this...", Laura replies a little frustrated.
"It's just a stupid song babe. Honestly, I forgot all about it until she brought it up...", Luke says to her.
"How can you forget about a song that you wrote with your rockstar ex-girlfriend?", Laura snaps not believing him.
Luke sighs, "Because I don't want to remember those things when I'm with you. I love you baby."
"But I need to know these things Luke so I'm not blind sided by her one day.", Laura explains. "You know that."
"Yes, but that shit is in my past and that's where I'd prefer it to stay." He says as he leans over her again to kiss her softly. This time Laura does not stop him as her lips softly press against his. The familiar gesture warm and comforting.
This time Laura does not stop him as her lips softly press against his. The familiar gesture warm and comforting. "Mm..." she moans softly feeling the warm fuzzy feeling Luke never fails to give her.
Luke rolls onto his side to face Laura, "Is he kicking?" Luke asks placing a hand on her belly.
"Yes...SHE or HE is kicking." Laura smiles as she guides his hand across her belly."
Luke smiles as he feels the movement, "Oh yeah there it is! Shit! This one must be a drummer." Luke jokes. "With all that kicking..."
"Or an athlete...This baby by far has moved the most. Sometimes the kicking wakes me up from a dead sleep!" Laura says to him as they lay there face to face. "I'm just so ready to be done with this pregnancy."
Luke smiles at her, "I know you are babe, you're almost there."
"Which means you get to have that vasectomy afterwards.", she says to him, knowing he has been avoiding that conversation for months now.
"What if this baby is a boy?" Luke asks her. "You sure about that?"
Laura looks up at him, "Then it's a boy...I don't think I can go through this again. I'm happy with 3 kids and our house can't really fit much more than that."
"Fair point...Okay babe. If that's what you want then I'll get the vasectomy.", Luke finally agrees.
"Yeah?", Laura says with a smile. "That was easy..."
Luke pulls her in for a kiss on the forehead, "You know I'll do anything for you babe."
"I know.", she whispers softly. "I'm just so glad you're here with me. I couldn't do this without you."
"Me too babe, there is nowhere else I wanna be.", Luke whispers back recalling how emotional this last year has been and where they are now. He is so grateful to have a second chance with Laura and their children.
The two lay there quietly for a moment as they enjoy this moment in each other's arms, drifting closer and closer to each other. Pretty soon their lives will change again with another baby. Life will get even more busy as they learn to juggle all these new changes in their lives.
Then without warning the door suddenly swings open, catching the two in an intimate embrace."Rufus?" Luke shouts. "What the fuck?"
"I knocked, but I guess you didn't hear me.", she snaps back. "It's time to go, my driver is here to take us."
Phoenix and Phineas rush into the room shouting excited they get to go see Santa. "Santa! Santa!"
"Maybe next time knock a little louder?", Luke replies."
Rufus glares back at him, "Or maybe next time you lock your door."
Laura chooses to jump in seeing these two quarrel like two siblings, "Thank you Rufus we'll be downstairs in a few minutes. Oh! And lock the door on your way out."
Rufus nods and forces a friendly smile, "Fine, but we'll all be downstairs waiting." Then she turns on her heels and heads out the door.
Thankfully the remainder of the evening goes well and everyone gets to have their photo taken with Santa.
The End For Now...
See you all back here next month on Sunday May 25th
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