Normal Life
Chapter 5
By: Bella
"Welcome home, AJ," Benji said happily and he and Tristen brought their daughter home for the first time. AJ had quickly become little Adah's nickname. Benji and Tristen were happy to be home.
"And welcome back, Trissy," Benji said to his wife, kissing her on the forehead.
"Gosh, it seems like years since I've been home," Tristen said, laying down on the couch. Benji came over to her, put AJ who was asleep in her infant seat on the coffee table in front of the couch, lifted Tristen's legs, sat down on the couch with her, and repositioned her legs so that they were laying across his lap.
"How's it feel?" he asked.
"Wonderful," she said. "I can't wait to take a shower in MY bathroom and sleep in MY bed. Hospitals get old real quick."
The doorbell rang, which woke the baby. Tristen held her and sat on the couch while Benji answered the door. It was Joel.
"Hey Bro," Benji said, giving his brother a hug.
"Came by to give my niece a little 'congratulations for having such an awesome middle name' gift," Joel said, holding up a blank cd case as they walked back into the family room.
"Hey Joelle!" he exclaimed, smiling and gently taking the baby from Tristen. He had been calling her by her middle name since Benji informed him of it, because he was so honored that they had thought to give her his name.
Benji put the cd that Joel had brought into their stereo and pushed play. He immediately recognized it. It was their new cd.
"Another great cd to add to her growing collection," Joel said, smiling down at Adah who was still in his arms. "She gets the very first copy."
"Aww, how sweet!" Tristen said, as Joel came over to her and sat next to her on the couch. Benji bobbed his head to the music as he "danced" his way into the kitchen to grab something to eat. Both Joel and Tristen laughed at him and shook their heads.
"So, how are you feeling?" Joel asked her.
"Ick. Ok, I suppose. A hell of a lot better than I was about 60 hours ago," she answered.
"And how's Benji doing?" he asked, looking at Adah and then at Tristen. She could tell that he was worried.
"Great… why?" she asked, concerned.
"Oh, no reason. Just checking," he said, but she could tell that he was hiding something from her.
"Bullshit. I'm married to your other half, remember? You can't lie to me, Joel, it just doesn't work," she said. "Now spill it."
"Fine, OK, but I really didn't want to be the one to spoil your beautiful day," Joel said.
"Shit," she cursed, already knowing that she wasn't going to like what she was about to hear. Benji walked out of the kitchen just in time to hear the news.
"We can't tour with you guys."
---
(The next day)
"You look so tired, hun," Benji's sister commented to Tristen, as they sat at the kitchen table. She and her mother had been staying at Joels' house while they were down for Adah's birth. Benji was with Joel and their mother, and Sarah was with Tristen and Adah.
"I couldn't sleep last night," Tristen said, looking down.
"Does this have something to do with Benji being in a terrible mood when he got to Joel's house this morning?" Sarah said, knowing full well that it did.
"Yes," Tristen said sadly. "We got into a big fight last night. We can't go on tour together next spring and we don't know what to do about Adah. I want her to come with me, he wants her to come with him, it's just a big mess. Neither one of us is right, but neither one of us is wrong, either."
"I see…" she said, feeling bad for her brother and sister-in-law.
"I don't want to go on separate tours and have our family be split apart," she said, a tear falling down her cheek. "We're supposed to be together, and this is supposed to be a happy time."
"I'm sorry, Tristen, I'm sure you guys will work something out," Sarah said, leaning over and giving her a hug.
---
"Trissy?" Benji called out, wondering where she was. It was later that same afternoon and he had just gotten back.
"In the bedroom," Tristen answered. Benji walked in to find her sitting on their bed, nursing the baby.
"Hey," he said shyly as he slowly made his way over to the bed and sat down next to her.
"Hey," she replied back, feeling awkward.
"How's Adah doing?" he asked, looking down at the baby.
"Good," she replied.
"How are you doing?" he asked her. She looked over at him and started crying.
"Shh … it's OK, don't cry," he said in a soothing voice, taking her hand. She leaned in slightly and put her head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to fight, Benj," she said honestly.
"Me either, and I've been thinking about this all day. I think we should just wait and deal with it when it comes. What do you think?" he suggested.
"I think that's a good idea," she said, starting to calm down.
---
A few weeks later Benji, Tristen, AJ, Joel, and Billy went on an important outing. Billy was going to buy Maggie, his girlfriend of almost a year, an engagement ring. Since they had met at Benji and Tristen's wedding, their wedding anniversary would also be Billy and Maggie's one-year anniversary. This was when Billy planned on popping the question. Everyone was certain that she'd say yes. When they arrived to the first store, they had to wait a while to be helped.
"Bored?" Tristen asked, as she sat down next to a tired looking Joel and looked over at Benji and AJ. Benji had the baby in a front carrier pack strapped on close to his body. AJ could rest her wobbly head on his chest, and Tristen could tell that every slight movement that he made was done with caution. She laughed when she saw him gently hold her head on each side and gracefully turn around to face Billy, who was trying to show him something. Joel followed her gaze and laughed, too.
"He's good with her, isn't he? I knew he'd be a great father," Joel said.
"He's wonderful," Tristen said, smiling and continuing to watch them.
"So," she said. "I guess you're gonna be the lone bachelor of the band now, huh buddy?"
"Yeah, it would appear that way. Do you know how many times I've gone out to buy engagement rings? First with Paul, then with Benj, and now little Billy. Never for me," Joel said, and Tristen could sense a hint of frustration in his voice.
"Your time will come, dearest Joel. You must have patience my child," she smiled, patting him on the head. He squirmed, trying to keep her from touching his hair.
"Hey! You're gonna mess up the 'do. I've gotta look good for the ladies, you know?" he said, coolly. Tristen just laughed at him and shook her head. They sat there in silence for a few moments, until Tristen got an idea.
"OK my little singleton brother-in-law, I'm going to help you find yourself a lady friend," Tristen said with an evil grin.
"Oh no. I know that look, there's no way I'm going to do whatever your twisted little head has in mind," he began to protest.
"But you're gonna like this one, I promise," Tristen said. "I dare you to ask the next female who comes into this store out on a date."
"Hah, yeah right. Nice try," Joel laughed. "I'm gonna like that? What for?"
"How about for $50?" she said, with a confident look. She knew he couldn't resist money.
"You mean like a bet? Oh, I get it. And if the girl rejects me I have to pay you $50, right?" he said.
"Nope. No strings attached. You ask the next woman who comes in here out, and you're $50 richer. She rejects you, all you lose is your pride," she said.
"Pride? What pride?" he laughed as he walked over to the entrance. She followed him.
"You're such a whore," she laughed, and then immediately stopped when she saw a woman stop in front of the store to inspect the jewelry through the window that was being showcased.
"Oh hell no," Joel said, with wide eyes as she approached the entrance.