Das Letzte Lied - Chapter Six
Tom took his time getting Bradyn ready in the morning and only called Tayla when both he and Bradyn were completely dressed and fed. "Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were up." Tom said as he wiped the crumbs from breakfast off the table.
"Yeah, I've been up for a while." Tayla nodded and looked at her watch out of habit. It was after ten in the morning. She was already showered and dressed. "What time did you want to leave today?"
"Um, I don't know. It doesn't really matter, I guess. LA is only a few hours north so as long as we leave before five tonight we'll be cool."
"Yeah but you have the rush hour traffic to think about. You're gonna wanna miss that."
"Shit, you're right. What time does that start?"
"I don't know for sure but I'm gonna guess that you're not gonna wanna be on the freeway at five." Tayla laughed and leaned down to tie her sneakers.
"Yeah, that's true."
"We go ossin?" Bradyn asked as he scratched at his ear.
"Hang on a second." Tom said to Tayla. "What?" He asked as Bradyn walked up to where he stood.
"Go ina ossin?"
"No, we can't go in the ocean today. We're gonna drive to LA, remember?"
"First ossin?"
"We'll see." Tom nodded and turned his attention back to Tayla. "Bradyn wants to go to the ocean."
"Now? Or when we get to LA?"
"I don't think he cares." Tom smiled.
"Well, you can go now. As long as we leave before two we should be fine." Tayla stood up and straightened her tank top.
"Do you want to come?"
"To the beach?"
"Yeah." Tom laughed lightly.
"Tayla go?" Bradyn asked.
"Hang on. I'm asking." Tom said to Bradyn.
"I don't want to go in the water or anything. I've packed my suit and stuff already."
"We can just go play in the sand and walk around if you want. We won't go in the water. I'm not traveling in a car while soaking wet."
"Okay, sure I'll go. When are you leaving?"
"Are you ready now?"
"As soon as I brush my hair, yeah." Tayla nodded.
"Cool. We'll be there in a minute then." Tom smiled and hung up the phone.
"We go ossin?"
"Yeah."
"And Tayla?"
"Yeah, Tayla is going to go with us."
"And Seppel?"
"Seppel and Saki too." Tom nodded. "But we can't go swimming. We're just going to go see it and say bye-bye to it."
"Can't see?"
"We'll see it again. It will just be in a different city." Tom smiled.
Bradyn gave him a confused look and shook his head with a sigh. "We go." He grabbed Lello off the packed suitcase and walked over to the door to shake the handle. "We go bye."
"Yeah, let's go bye." Tom stepped over the bags then stopped and rethought his actions. He picked up the phone and called Tayla to have her bring her luggage down as well. He let Saki and Seppel know of their plans. They may as well load everything into the cars before they went to the beach so, if they needed to, they could leave straight from there.
Tom grabbed the suitcases and Bradyn's backpack as well as the garment bag and carried them down the hall while Bradyn held onto one of the backpack straps. "We have a lot of junk."
"No, you have." Bradyn said as he looked at his Father carrying all the bags.
"Half of this is yours."
"No, you carry." Bradyn shook his head.
Tom laughed as the others appeared in the hallway. "So we're loading out now?" Seppel asked as he dropped his single duffel bag by the elevator doors.
"Yeah, that way we can leave right from the beach."
"That kid's gonna grow gills if you keep taking him to the beach." Seppel laughed and picked up Bradyn to toss him in the air. "Right?"
"Right." Bradyn laughed as his arms flew out to his sides.
"Who are we waiting on?" Seppel dropped Bradyn to the ground and looked around.
"Tayla and Saki."
"Saki is pulling the car around."
"Then we're waiting for Tayla." Tom looked down the hall in time to see her drop her suitcase beside his.
"I'm here." She smiled. "Hey, Bradyn."
"Hi, Tayla." He ran over and hugged her legs as the elevator dinged behind them.
"That's us." Seppel picked up one of Tom's bags as well as his own and they piled everything into the one elevator. Saki and Tom loaded the bags into the back of the van they rented to drive to LA while Tayla buckled Bradyn into his car seat. She sat in the seat behind Bradyn, leaving the bench next to the door open for Tom.
"Where to?" Saki asked as he looked in the rear view mirror. He started the van and let it idle for a minute as Tom got Bradyn's backpack situated on the ground.
"Oh, just to the beach. Same place as before." Tom smiled at the driver. "But we're not going in the water, so none of your little tricks."
"No tricks here." Saki laughed and shook his head. "To the beach we go." He pulled out of the parking lot and they headed for the coast.
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The strange group of five walked around La Jolla shores and collected more sea shells and rocks as they drew in the dry sand and ate sandwiches from a deli up the street. They played around until Bradyn began to doze off in Tom's arms and he decided to call it a day."He'll sleep most of the way in the car anyway." Tayla smiled as Bradyn laid his head down on Tom's shoulder.
"Yeah." Tom nodded and tried to cover his mouth as he yawned. "I think I might too." He laughed as they folded up the blanket and headed back to the van on the far end of the parking lot. They settled in for the drive and made themselves comfortable.
Tom, Bradyn and Tayla all napped as the motion of the van rocked them to sleep and were awoken when they pulled off the freeway in Beverly Hills more than two hours later. "Daddy, up?" Bradyn whined as he pulled at the straps of his car seat.
"We're almost there, buddy." Tom said as he stretched his arms out in front of him and cracked his back. "What do we have to drink up there?" Tom tapped the back of Seppel's seat as he yawned.
Seppel pulled open the small ice chest and said, "Coke, apple juice, bottled water and a Dr. Pepper." He pulled the Dr. Pepper out and handed it to Saki. "Never mind. No Dr. Pepper."
"I'll take the Coke. Tayla, do you want anything?" He asked as he looked over his shoulder.
"Hmm? Oh no, that's okay." She shook her head and ran her fingers through her tangled hair. "Are we almost there?"
"We're almost there, buddy." Tom repeated as he laughed again.
"Ha ha. Where are we staying?"
"The Hilton. Same as before. You must be tired of that hotel, huh?" Tom crinkled his nose and smiled. "I know I am."
"This'll be over soon." Tayla sighed and gave him an encouraging smile. "Then we can all go home."
"Yeah." Tom smiled and twisted the top off his Coke. "Of course you can go home anytime you want."
"I think I'll ride it out." She smiled as the van turned into the driveway of the familiar hotel. "Home sweet home."
"Yeah." Tom laughed and leaned to look out the window. "Are you ready to go inside?" Tom asked Bradyn.
"Yeah." Bradyn sighed and shifted around in his seat.
Saki pulled up at the main entrance and jumped out to get the luggage out of the back of the van. A bellhop met him at the curb with a cart and helped to load the heavier suitcases onto the roller while Tom, Bradyn, Tayla and Seppel headed into the lobby to get checked in.
"I have?" Bradyn looked at the soda in Tom's hand. Tom bumped Bradyn up on his arm and held the bottle with the same hand as he slid his new room key into his pocket and picked up the backpack at his feet.
"Yeah, be careful though." Tom handed the Coke to Bradyn and they walked across the lobby to the bank of elevators with Seppel leading the way. Tayla followed a few steps behind. She was surprised to see how empty the hotel lobby was. When she was on the road with the guys there were usually hundreds of girls in and around the lobby. She switched the garment bag to her other hand and took another look around as the elevator doors opened in front of them.
"Here, Bradyn. Let me carry your soda up for you." Tayla reached out her hand as Bradyn took a short sip from the bottle in his hand.
"No, I have." Bradyn shook his head.
"He's okay." Tom smiled as they stepped on the elevator.
"The bottle is full though, Tom. He's going to-" She was cut off as Bradyn fumbled the bottle and dropped it on its side across his thigh. The soda poured out freely across the front of Tom's shirt and down Bradyn's leg.
"Shit!" Tom exclaimed as he used his free hand to grab the can.
"Uh oh." Bradyn put his hand over his mouth. "Daddy, uh oh."
"Yeah, uh oh is right." Tom grumbled. "We're going to be all sticky now."
"Sick?"
"Sticky. The soda is going to make us all sticky." Tom sighed as Tayla laughed lightly, giving him the I told you so look. Tom mumbled a few more choice words under his breath as he tried to balance both Bradyn and the drink in one arm while holding his backpack in the other. By the time the elevator stopped on their floor, the bottle was already sticking to his hand and Bradyn was sucking the soda out of his shirt.
"Do you want me to carry something?" Tayla smiled sweetly as she stepped off the elevator and blocked the doors from shutting on him.
"I think I have it." Tom shook his head.
"I got." Bradyn nodded and continued to suck on his shirt.
"Don't put that in your mouth." Tom looked down at Bradyn. "Come on, we need a bath. Can you walk?"
"Yeah." Bradyn squirmed until Tom set him on the floor. They walked side by side down the hall to their room.
"Here." Tayla reached for the backpack and dropped it over her shoulder to follow him down the hall. He unlocked his door and ushered Bradyn inside. He came back out for the garment bag and backpack.
"Thanks." He nodded and took the bag. "Where's your room?"
"Right across the hall." Tayla looked over her shoulder at her door.
"Cool." Tom nodded and pulled his shirt away from his stomach. "This is gross."
"It's nothing a little OxyClean can't handle." Tayla laughed and slid her key in her lock. "What time are you leaving in the morning?"
"Court starts at nine so we'll probably leave here around 7:45 or 8:00." Tom nodded. "Do you want me to bring him to you or did you want to watch him in my room?"
"Um, I'll still be in my pajamas at eight in the morning." She laughed. "So go ahead and bring him over here."
"I'll leave my key with you in case you need anything out of there."
"Okay." She nodded.
"I need to go get cleaned up." Tom said as he looked over his shoulder at Bradyn. "Whoa! Bradyn, no way. No more soda." He glanced back at Tayla. "I have to go."
"Have fun." She tried not to laugh as his door swung shut.
Tom sighed and assessed the situation. "Okay, let's check you out." He leaned down to Bradyn's level and took the half empty bottle of Coke away from him. "You're a mess." Tom laughed and shook his head. "Okay." Tom carefully undressed Bradyn down to his diaper and pulled out the diaper wipes.
"I mess?"
"Yeah, a little. I think if we just get you a new diaper you'll be okay. You didn't get too much on you." Tom wiped the little bit of soda off of Bradyn's leg then laid him on the ground to remove the diaper. He changed it like an expert and got clean clothes for Bradyn out of the suitcase by the door. He took a minute to hang up the garment bag and shirts in the closet.
"No bass?"
"No, you're cool." Tom shook his head and pulled Bradyn's clean shirt over his head. "I'm gonna hop in the shower though because I didn't get one this morning and I'm all gross now. Can you stay in here with Lello and watch a movie or something while I do that?" Tom snapped Bradyn's shorts at his waist and straightened his T-shirt.
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded and grabbed Lello off the bed. "See TV?"
"Yeah." Tom took the remote and clicked the TV on. He surfed until he found cartoons. "Okay, Bray, I'll only be a few minutes, okay?"
"Kay." Bradyn dropped himself on the floor at the foot of the bed and stared up at the TV.
"When we get home, there will be no more TV. It makes for a horrible baby-sitter and rots your brain." Tom mumbled to himself as he walked into the bathroom to start his shower.
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Bradyn sat in silence as Tom propped the door open with the backpack and hopped into the shower. Almost as soon as the shower curtain was pulled closed, there was a knock on the hotel room door."Uh oh." Bradyn looked up in surprise and looked at the bathroom. "Uh oh, Daddy." When Tom didn't respond, Bradyn crawled to his feet and tucked Lello under his arm to go investigate. He walked to the hotel door and looked up at the handle. "Hi?"
"Hey, who's that?" Gustav shouted through the door at the sound of the small voice inside.
"I Bay-den." Bradyn frowned at the door and leaned in close to try to look through the crack.
"Hey, Bradyn! Go get your Daddy."
"Kay." Bradyn shouted as he ran to the bathroom door on the other end of the room. "Daddy, door." He said loudly from the bathroom doorway as Tom showered.
"What?" Tom asked as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair.
"A door."
"No, don't shut the door." Tom shook his head and reached for the washrag on the tub faucet. "I'll be out in just a minute."
"A door, Daddy." Bradyn insisted.
"Leave it open, buddy. Just two more minutes." Tom washed quickly as Bradyn shook his head and went back to the hotel room door.
"Hi?"
"Hey, Bradyn?" Gustav shouted through the door.
"Hi." Bradyn smiled at the sound of his name.
"Where's your Daddy?"
"Ina bass." Bradyn said in a normal voice.
"Where is he?" Gustav bent over to shout at Bradyn's level through the door.
"Ina bass." Bradyn said louder.
"I'm hurrying, buddy. Just a second." Tom shouted from the bathroom.
"Is he in the shower?" Gustav laughed as he shouted toward the doorjamb.
"Yeah." Bradyn raised his voice.
"Does he smell bad?"
"Yeah." Bradyn giggled as Tom shut the water off. "He a mess."
"Whatcha need?" Tom asked as he stepped out of the bathroom with water dripping down his bare torso. The towel around his waist was being held with one hand while his other wiped the water from his face.
"I doe no." Bradyn shrugged as he looked at the door. "It say hi."
"What said hi?"
"Isa door." Bradyn looked over his shoulder at his Dad. "Say hi."
"What?" Tom shook his head to remove the excess water from his hair.
"Hello?" Gustav shouted through the door.
"Whoa! Who is that?"
"Isa door." Bradyn giggled.
"Who is it?" Tom asked as he put his hand on the lock. "Watch out, buddy." Tom used his foot and backed Bradyn away from the door.
"Let me in, you knob. I've been shouting through this door for an hour. Someone's gonna call the cops in minute."
"Hey!" Tom's face broke out in a huge grin as he flipped the lock and threw the door open. "Hey, Gustav! How's it going?"
"Whoa! Hey now." Gustav smiled as Tom opened the door half naked. "Go put some clothes on then I'll hug you." He looked down at Bradyn. "What's up, Bray?"
"Goose-gog! I go sim."
"Get outta here. You went swimming?" Gustav looked shocked. "Come over here and tell me about it while your Dad covers his butt."
"I'll be right back." Tom smiled and dragged his suitcase into the bathroom to dress.
Gustav waved as he sat on the floor and pulled Bradyn onto his lap. "So tell me about this swimming stuff. Where'd you go? In the pool?"
"Ina ossin." Bradyn laughed. "But no shark. No by. Only fish." He shook his head.
"You serious? You went in the ocean? That's cool."
"Yeah and no shark."
"Well, that's good. Sharks are kinda scary."
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded. "I see mokey."
"A what?"
"A mokey." Bradyn stood up and imitated a monkey scratching his side.
"Oh, a monkey! You did? Was it really a monkey or was it just your Dad being a dork?" Gustav asked.
"Hey!" Tom shouted from the bathroom.
Gustav laughed as Bradyn shook his head. "Wasa mokey."
"That's sweet. Did you see anything else?"
"Saw ef-ant and pee-gin." Bradyn nodded and gave Gustav a thoughtful expression. "And a Mommy and a Daddy and a Gay-og see-uh."
"A Georg seal?" Gustav laughed. "Wow, there aren't too many of those around. You're pretty lucky."
"Yeah." Bradyn sighed and sat in Gustav's lap again. "I see my Mommy."
"You did?"
"We go a mooby."
"What movie did you see?" Gustav asked as he looked toward the bathroom.
"Doe no." Bradyn shrugged. "Have dogs."
"Oh, did you have fun?"
"Yeah and Seppel."
"Oh, Seppel went with you?" Gustav asked.
"Yeah."
"That's cool."
"And my Tayla."
"Tayla went with you?" Gustav looked confused. That couldn't be right.
"No, see me." Bradyn laughed. "No mooby."
"Oh, she's here and she saw you?"
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded as Tom came out in jeans and a T-shirt.
"Did you give him a dictionary or what? He's talking all over the place." Gustav shook his head and lifted Bradyn out of his lap as they stood up.
"He's brilliant. What can I say?" Tom shrugged and picked Bradyn up for an impromptu hug. "So what's up?"
"Nothing really. Things are good." Gustav nodded and leaned against the counter by the mini-kitchen. "But, hey, let's go get some dinner or something. I'm starving." Gustav smiled. "Are you hungry, Bray?"
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded.
"Okay, let's go." Gustav reached for Lello and handed it to Bradyn.
"I have to call Saki and Seppel." Tom handed Bradyn to Gustav and went to the phone to call the security guards.
"You have to take the crew?"
"Yeah." Tom nodded at Bradyn. "Just in case." He smiled.
"In case Bradyn gets outta hand?" Gustav laughed and swung Bradyn upside down. "Oh no! He's losing his mind! Ahh! He's outta control!" He tickled the little boys tummy and laughed like a hyena with him.
"You guys are crazy."
"No you!" Bradyn laughed as he looked at Tom upside down.
"No way! You're crazy." Tom shook his head then turned back to the phone and let Saki know about their plans for dinner. "Yeah, I don't know where we're going but Gustav is with us."
"We're just going across the street or something. I'm not even gonna try to get my car outta the parking place I wedged it into."
"You have a car?"
"Uh huh. I had to rent one while I'm here. Its costing an ass and a leg but what can I do, right?" Gustav shrugged. "I stopped taking public transportation years ago."
"You didn't bring any security with you?"
"Hell no. I don't need a baby-sitter." Gustav laughed. "You're the only one with a crew right now."
"Well, tonight you get one too."
"Yay." Gustav rolled his eyes as he lifted Bradyn back to an upright position. "What do you want for dinner, buddy? A hamburger?"
"No."
"Chicken nuggets?"
"No, I have cheeeeese."
"Just cheese?"
"A samich."
"A cheese sandwich? Sounds good." Gustav looked at Tom. "Come on. Let's go."
"Let's go." Bradyn giggled as Gustav bounced toward the door. They picked up Saki and Seppel on their way out and walked as a group down the street to the Denny's on the corner.
"This is prime time, first class dining right here." Gustav laughed as he dropped himself into the booth. "But they have cheese sandwiches for the kid."
"This coming from a man who could live on Taco Bell tacos." Tom smirked and sat across from Gustav. He adjusted Bradyn's booster seat on the bench between himself and the wall before he situated Bradyn in it. Saki and Seppel took a table beside them and had coffee and dessert while the guys ordered.
Their food arrived a few minutes later and they got busy catching up with each other. "So how's it going?" Gustav moved his garlic bread to the side of his plate as the pasta underneath steamed.
"It's going good." Tom nodded and tore Bradyn's sandwich in half. "Court starts tomorrow so I'm about ready to vomit." He laughed nervously.
"I'll bet." Gustav kept his eyes on his plate. "How do you think that'll go?"
"I don't know. I think I have a pretty good argument but-" He shrugged. "You never know."
"Have you talked to Astrid about it at all?"
"No, she won't talk to me about any of this without her lawyer present. Basically she's putting it off until court tomorrow."
"Is that gonna be a madhouse?"
"No, I don't think so. Shit, I hope not." Tom frowned and took a bite of his sandwich.
"Is Bradyn going with you? Or what?"
"No." Tom shook is head. "He doesn't have to go to court at all." Tom lowered his voice. "He's staying with Tayla and Seppel tomorrow so if you wanna go hang out or whatever."
"Cool, yeah, maybe I'll do that. I don't have anything to do until tomorrow night." Gustav smiled and looked at Bradyn. "You wanna go check out some cool stuff tomorrow?"
"And Tayla?"
"Sure, Tayla can come too."
"You might want to see what she has planned." Tom said softly.
"Yeah, we'll check with her then maybe we'll go ride some rides or whatever."
"Rides?" Bradyn's eyes perked up as he brought a bite of his sandwich to his mouth.
"Maybe." Tom said with a raised eyebrow. "You have to eat your orange slices there though." Tom pointed at his plate.
"You're a mean Dad."
"He can't live on cheese sandwiches." Tom looked at Gustav and shook his head.
Gustav sighed with a smile. "Meanie."
"Keep it up and I'll make you eat your orange slice too." Tom laughed.
"Damn it." Gustav laughed and ate his spaghetti in silence.
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When they were done eating they walked back up the street to the hotel and rode up to their floor. "What are the chances that we're actually on the same floor?" Gustav laughed."They probably recognized our names and figured we were friends or something stupid like that." Tom rolled his eyes and headed in the opposite direction down the hall.
"Yeah, at least they put us on opposite ends though. I don't know if I could handle being in a room close to you." Gustav laughed and pinched his nose as he made a face.
"Riiiiight." Tom rolled his eyes and adjusted Bradyn on his shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good luck." Gustav pointed at Tom and gave him a decent, supportive smile. "What room is Tayla in so I can call her in the morning?"
"514. Right across the hall from me."
"Cool." Gustav nodded as he pulled his key from his pocket. "Just remember to breathe and picture the judge in his panties." Gustav laughed lightly.
"Great, thanks. I needed that mental image." Tom laughed and opened his own door.
"I see Goose-gog?" Bradyn asked as they walked into their room.
"You'll see him tomorrow, I think." Tom nodded as Bradyn yawned.
"Go nigh-nigh?"
"I think so, buddy. It's getting late."
"Have jamma?"
"Yeah." Tom set Bradyn down in the room and let him grab his own pajamas from the suitcase. Tom kicked his shoes off and turned several of the lights on before he pulled back the blankets on the bed to get things ready for the night. He just wanted to go through the motions as usual so he wouldn't have to think about going to court the next morning.
Tom sat at the head of the bed and set the alarm to get up on time the next morning while Bradyn brought him his blue and green stripped pajamas. "Okay, Bray." Tom lifted Bradyn onto the bed and changed Bradyn into his soft pajamas. "One of these days you'll have a room all to yourself with your own bed and your own blankets and everything."
"And you?"
"Yeah, me too." Tom smiled.
"At home?"
"Yeah, at home. You'll have your own room at home."
"Kay." Bradyn shrugged, having his own room wasn't something he was familiar with at all. "Go ou-side?" Bradyn scooted off the bed and went to the sliding glass door.
"It's late. Let's just go to bed." Tom checked his watch.
"Peese, have ou-side?" Bradyn swung the curtains back and forth.
"Only for a few minutes." Tom relented. He didn't want any kind of a scene that night. He wanted things to be perfect. They stepped out onto the tiny balcony and left the little door open.
Tom pulled one chair closer to the door and sat while Bradyn crawled over his lap to get to the other chair in the corner. The high stucco walls made it hard for him to see out but they were safer that way.
"Can sing?" Bradyn asked as he pulled his legs up onto the little chair and tried to look out over the wall.
"You want me to sing?"
"An me."
"What do you want to sing?" Tom smiled as looked out over the crowded streets below.
"A pane."
"A song about a plane? I don't think I know a song about a plane."
"Yeah, sing." Bradyn nodded.
"What song should I sing though? I know a lot of songs."
"A pane."
"Okay, let me think. I don't know any songs about planes." Tom laughed softly and shook his head as Bradyn squirmed in his chair.
"One?"
"Yeah, maybe I know one. Hang on, let me think for a second." Tom laughed lightly and closed his eyes, trying to search his mind for the right lyrics. "Okay. Ready?"
"Yeah." Bradyn laughed.
Tom took a deep breath and rested his chin in his hand as they kicked back in their patio chairs. "Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars? I could really use a wish right now, wish right now, wish right now..." Tom frowned. It wasn't exactly a happy song. "I don't know all the words to that one."
"Anano one?"
"Another one, huh?" Tom sighed as he looked out over the dark sky trying to find an airplane, "I don't know. Maybe if we saw an airplane I could remember one. What do you think?"
"We can see?" Bradyn scooted off the chair and tried to climb onto Tom's lap.
"Yeah, let's see if we can find one." Tom wrapped his arms around Bradyn and held him close as they looked up into the night to find the blinking light of a passing plane. After a few minutes Tom saw one in the distance. "Uh oh! There's one." He pointed for Bradyn who was starting to nod off as he warmed up on Tom's lap.
"Where?"
"Where's it going?" Tom asked. "I don't know. That's a good question. Maybe it's going to Hawaii."
"A home?"
"Yeah, maybe it's taking someone home."
"And you and me?"
"Yeah, when we go home we'll ride in an airplane." Tom nodded. "Ah ha! I know an airplane song." He laughed and shifted Bradyn in his lap.
"You can sing?"
"Yeah." Tom nodded. "All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say good-bye but the dawn is breaking. It's early morn. The taxi's waiting. He's blowing his horn. Already I'm so lonesome I could die so kiss me and smile for me. Tell me that you'll wait for me. Hold me like you'll never let me go." Tom squeezed Bradyn to make him laugh. "'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again." He sang through the first verse and chorus again. It was the only part he remembered. "Okay, I'd say this party is over." Tom said softly as Bradyn's eyes drifted closed for a second. It was way past his bedtime but Tom didn't really want the night to end.
"Again?" Bradyn yawned.
"Okay, but then this is the last song bef- " Tom stopped suddenly as he bit his cheek. "The, uh- The last song before you have to go to bed." He said softly.
"Kay." Bradyn nodded as he slid down in Tom's lap to rest his head against Tom's arm.
"Okay." Tom took a deep breath and looked out at the bright lights of the city. "All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door-" He willed his voice not to crack and wished Georg had never uttered the words "This is the last song" so long ago. All Tom could think was that if he went to court the next day and lost Bradyn, this could be the last song he sang to Bradyn. "Okay, buddy." He whispered as he carefully stood up and propped Bradyn on his shoulder. Tom slid the door open quietly and stepped into the air-conditioned room where he laid Bradyn on the bed.
"Seep?" Bradyn mumbled as his head hit the pillow.
"Yeah, time to go to sleep." Tom whispered. He sat on the bed by his son and stroked his hair as Bradyn began to snore. "I'll sing to you some more tomorrow, okay?" He didn't expect and answer from the sleeping boy. He kept his thoughts positive as he pulled the sheet up to Bradyn's shoulders and rested Lello near his pillow so he'd find him when he woke up.
Tom crossed the room in the dark and took out the clothes from the garment bag hanging in the closet. He pulled everything out and hung it on the back of the bathroom door to smooth the slacks out and get a good look at the outfit.
The collection of shirts and ties Tayla had picked up for him were hanging in the closet as well so he turned on the little light and chose what he would wear the next day. The plain white dress shirt was easily dressed up with the black and gray striped tie. He set out his plain black shoes and socks before he turned to look at himself in the mirror. Tom ran his hand over his tight jaw and decided to wake up early so he'd have time to do a better job shaving. He had missed a spot that morning and he wanted to look as professional as he could.
He made a face at his reflection and ran his fingers over his hair. It was too late to have his braids redone. He should have thought about that when he had time the day before. "You look like a caveman." He grumbled as he squinted at himself in the mirror. "But even cavemen can make good fathers." Tom tried to think positive as he sighed and turned the bathroom light off.
The sheets were cool against his legs but they warmed up quickly as he made himself comfortable and closed his eyes. With a solid eight hours of sleep behind him, he could do anything.
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Tom stood nervously in the hallway with Bradyn grasping his hand early the next morning. He didn't want to take the chance of being late on his first day in court so he'd been up since five thirty showering, shaving and dressing himself. He only changed his shirt and tie three times before deciding on the one he wore and it was too late to second guess that now."Daddy, Tayla?"
"Yeah, you're going to stay with Tayla today."
"And you?"
"No I have to, uh- I have to go to work."
"I go?"
"No, you get to stay here."
"And Seppel?"
"Yeah." Tom nodded. "Seppel will be here if you want to see him. Gustav is here too so maybe you guys can all go do something fun."
"See a mokey?" Bradyn giggled as he tugged on the waist of his jeans.
"I don't know about that. You'll have to see what they want to do." Tom smiled and knocked on Tayla's door.
"Hi." She smiled brightly as she opened the door and let them in. "You look nice." Tayla nodded as Tom shifted his weight from one foot to the other. The leather shoes were uncomfortable and she wondered if he was wearing a T-shirt under the dress shirt, just to feel a little more normal.
"Thanks." He nodded and unbuttoned his jacket. "Should I have worn the blue tie? Is it on straight?"
Tayla looked at the black and gray printed tie and nodded. "Yeah, it looks great. Good job." She smiled and reached for Bradyn's hand. "Good luck, Tom."
"Thanks." He nodded and handed her Bradyn's backpack with a shaking hand.
"You'll do great." Tayla tried to sound reassuring which was difficult when her stomach felt as if it were plummeting towards her knees.
"Um, the court closes or whatever at four so I won't be any later than that."
"Don't worry about it." She shook her head. "We're just going to hang out around here today."
"If you go out, take Seppel."
"I know. I have Seppel and Saki here at the hotel to escort us wherever we go. But don't worry; Gustav is going to swing by this afternoon to hang out. We're not going anywhere."
"What if this gets ugly?" Tom asked softly as he sighed and looked down at his shoes.
"Like a name calling contest or a screaming match?"
"Yeah." Tom nodded and she realized how sick he was making himself over this.
"You won't let it get that far."
"I don't know, Tayla."
"No, you're calm and collected." Tayla smiled. "You're the responsible one here and you know that."
"I don't even want to go." He looked up and concentrated on the ceiling behind Tayla's head.
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"No." He shook his head and placed his hand over his queasy stomach.
"Do you want something light before you go? I have a granola bar or something around here."
"No. No, I don't want anything. If I eat, I'll vomit." Tom made a sour face and licked his lips.
"Tom, you're going to do great." Tayla smiled again and turned his face so that he was looking right at her. "You just have to go in there and tell the truth. You know what's best for Bradyn and, if the two of you can't come to an agreement, the judge will help you."
"I know." He sighed. "If she gets full-"
"You're getting ahead of yourself. Just go in there today and see what this is all going to be about. Just relax and go with it. You've said it yourself, Joshua is really looking out for you. He's not going to let anyone walk all over you or Bradyn for that matter."
"I know."
"So go on." She patted his shoulder. "You're gonna be late."
Tom sighed and glanced in the mirror to his side. "Are you sure this tie is okay?"
"It's perfect." Tayla laughed and rolled her eyes. "Let me know when you're back and I'll bring Bradyn over."
"Okay." Tom reluctantly took a step toward the door. "Bradyn, come here, buddy." Tom knelt down on one knee and held out his arms. "Let me get a big hug before I go."
"Kay." Bradyn dropped Elmo on the floor. He ran over to Tom and wrapped his arms around his neck.
"I'll be back later, okay?"
"Kay."
"I love you, Bray."
"Love too." Bradyn sighed into Tom's shoulder.
"Okay." Tom whispered as he patted Bradyn's back. He released his son and let him get back to playing on the carpet. "Thanks again, Tayla."
"You're welcome. Now quit stalling." She gently pushed him out the door by his shoulder. "We'll be right here when you get back."
Tom nodded and noticed Joshua and Saki waiting at the end of the hall for him. "See you later." He gave her a little half wave before he turned to meet the others by the elevator.
----------------
"I can't believe this whole thing has gone this far." Tom grumbled as he followed his lawyer up the granite steps to the courthouse. He messed with his tie as he swore under his breath. "I should have worn the blue tie.""She wanted to take it as far as she can and, with all of these 'Mother's Rights' advocates out there, she had a lot of fuel."
"What about Father's rights?" Tom rolled his eyes.
"That's why I'm here." He smiled and Tom ducked his head as they passed a small gathering of reporters. They walked through the security checkpoint. They gathered their things and took the elevator to the second floor where their hearing was being held in courtroom 4.
"So today is what? The preliminary or something?"
"We're going to go in there and Astrid will present her case. We'll have a chance to respond."
"But we're not like calling witnesses or anything like that?"
"No, nothing like that. I don't think it'll actually get that far."
"What about a jury?"
"No, this is family court. The judge will decide the case."
"Okay." Tom nodded and nervously tugged at his tie.
"Where's Bradyn?"
"With Tayla." Tom cleared his throat then ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath.
"In town?"
"Yeah, at the hotel. Why?"
"If this gets settled today and it goes her way, we'll have to relinquish him today."
Tom inhaled sharply. "Lets think positive." Joshua held the courtroom door open for Tom and they walked to the front of the court side by side.
The judge's bench was empty and there were very few people in the seats behind where he would be sitting. "Where is everyone?"
"Any media will be kept outside. The people here are from social services to represent the child's best interests. Basically I represent you, Mr. Boyd will represent Astrid and they represent Bradyn."
"Okay." Tom nodded and scooted his chair back to sit at the narrow desk beside Joshua. He drummed his fingers on the dark wood grain as his watch ticked off the seconds.
At nine o'clock, just as the hearing was about to begin, Mr. Boyd rushed in the doors at the back and up to his desk to the right of Tom and Joshua. The judge emerged from the back a minute later as the bailiff called the court to order.
They went through the legal mumble jumble and the judge looked over at the prosecutors desk. "Mr. Boyd, where is your client?"
Tom frowned and leaned forward across the desk to look past Joshua. "She's not here?" He whispered. Joshua shook his head slowly and indicated for Tom to sit back in his seat.
"I've been unable to reach her, your honor." Mr. Boyd looked flustered as he shuffled the papers in front of him.
"Was Miss Sawatzke aware of her court date and time?" The judge asked.
"Yes, your honor."
"Would you care to explain why she is not here then?"
"Like I said, your honor, I have not been able to reach her." Mr. Boyd crossed his hands on the desk in front of him.
"When was the last you spoke with your client?"
"Yesterday morning."
The judge nodded. "My time is valuable, counselor."
"Yes, your honor."
"You let your client know that she will be incurring the court costs for today. We're recessed until tomorrow morning at 9:00 am." He tapped the gavel and looked at Mr. Boyd. "You'll be sure to have your client tomorrow."
"Yes, your honor."
"Good. I'd hate to throw out a perfectly good case." He stood and left for his chambers without another word.
"W- What just happened?" Tom whispered as Joshua opened his briefcase and shoved his papers back inside.
"Since she didn't show up, she's paying the fees for today." Joshua explained softly.
"And we have to come back tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"What if she's not here tomorrow?"
"Then the case will default to you for the time being." Joshua clasped his briefcase closed and stood up.
"What does that mean?"
"You'll get custody of Bradyn."
"Forever?" Tom's heart raced in his chest.
"Well, she can always appeal but judges tend to frown on people who do not show up for court." Joshua shrugged as Tom stood up. "Unless she has a really good explanation, she's not helping her case at all."
"If she doesn't show up tomorrow, why can't they just give me full custody and be done with it?"
"That's not the way it works." Joshua shook his head.
"There's no way for me to get full custody hands down?"
"If she doesn't show up tomorrow, you'll most definitely be given physical custody. We'll then petition for sole legal custody. That will be hard though. Most judges award joint legal custody."
"How do I get it?" Tom knew he sounded heartless and vindictive but, at that moment, he didn't care.
"You would basically have to prove her unfit."
"Isn't abandoning your child considered unfit?"
"Tom, let's just wait and see what happens tomorrow. She may show up, in which case you have to be focused for the hearing."
"So what now?"
"Now? You're off the hook. Go have fun, relax, hang out, get some breakfast, whatever you want." Joshua smiled. "We'll meet up again tomorrow to be here by eight forty five."
"Okay." Tom nodded. "I can just leave?" He didn't want to take any chances.
"Court was recessed until tomorrow." Joshua nodded.
"Okay." He heaved a deep sigh as he followed Joshua out of the courtroom and out to the street to Joshua's car. They drove back to the hotel where Joshua told Tom not to think about court for the rest of the day. Joshua left him on the curb.
Tom shoved his hands in the pockets of his slacks and sauntered across the almost empty hotel as his dress shoes made tiny taps with each step. He rode to his floor then walked down the hall to Tayla's room where he hoped he'd be able to catch them before they left for the day.
Tom knocked on the door and reached up to loosen his tie as he heard Bradyn chattering from behind the closed door. He smiled to himself as Tayla opened the door with Bradyn in her arms. "Hey." He nodded as he took a step inside.
"What are you doing back?" Tayla asked with a hint of worry. "What happened?" She dropped Bradyn to the floor so he could run over to Tom and try to climb his legs.
"She didn't show up."
"She what?"
"She flaked out."
"Bitch." Tayla said under her breath as she rolled her eyes. "So now what?"
"We're recessed until tomorrow at nine."
"Where was she?" Tayla asked before she could stop herself.
"I don't know. Her lawyer couldn't even find her." Tom shrugged and picked Bradyn up as he took his tie off and tossed it toward Bradyn's red backpack with the key chains all over it.
"Real classy." Tayla shook her head.
"So can you watch him tomorrow?"
"Of course." She nodded.
"Bray, how would you like to go swimming today?" Tom looked at Bradyn and smiled.
"Ina pool?"
"Yeah, in the pool." Tom laughed. "Maybe Gustav can come with us."
"And Tayla and Pie appo?"
"Bill is at home in Germany, remember?"
"And Gay-og?"
"Georg is visiting his friends in Mexico." Tom laughed.
"Oh."
"So you wanna go?" Tom asked.
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded and tilted is head to look at Tom. "You simin dat?" He looked at the dress shirt and jacket.
"No, we need to go to our room and change," Tom laughed. "We'll go call Gustav then change and go swimming, okay?"
"Yeah." Bradyn laughed and looked at Tayla. "And Tayla."
"Of course Tayla can come." Tom smiled and looked at her over Bradyn's shoulder. "Wanna come?"
"Um, yeah." She nodded. "I have to make some calls though so I'll just meet you down there." She smiled as Bradyn bounced up and down .
"Okay, we'll be down in the far corner kinda, by the men's room." He laughed.
"Oh fun." Tayla smiled and shook her head.
"With the guys outnumbering the girls four to one, what'd you expect?"
"True." Tayla laughed and watched them head for the door. "I'll be down in a few minutes."
"See you then." Tom waved over his shoulder then went across the hall to his room where he changed into his swim shorts and put Bradyn in his. "Soggy diapers suck. Do we have any more of those swimmer diaper things?"
"Is geen?"
"Yeah, the green diaper things. Do we have any?"
"Doe no." Bradyn shrugged and ran over to the windows with only his plain white diaper on. "Emo go sim?" He asked over his bare shoulder.
"No, Elmo can't swim. If he gets wet he won't work anymore." Tom shook his head while he dug through Bradyn's backpack. He didn't find the swimmer diapers in there so he searched in their suitcases. "Damn. We have to call Gustav and Seppel too." Tom grumbled as he pulled half of Bradyn's clothes out of the suitcase.
"I caw." Bradyn ran over to the phone by the bed and rested it on his shoulder. Without dialing or putting the phone to his ear he said, "Hi, Seppel and Goose-gog go sim. I sim and Daddy. Bye." He dropped the phone three times before landing it on the cradle and smiled.
"You called them, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Are they coming with us?"
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded and sighed as he walked back over to the window.
"Good job. Can you look in here to see if you can find your green diaper things while I go look in the bathroom?"
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded and bent over the large suitcase. Tom went into the bathroom to look through their bathroom bag "Daddy, dis?" Bradyn walked to the bathroom door and held up two swim diapers.
"Where'd you find those?"
"In dere." Bradyn pointed to the suitcase that was hanging wide open.
"I looked in there and I didn't see them." Tom frowned and went back out to the room to change Bradyn into his swim diaper and shorts. "Weird."
"Ina zip." Bradyn said as Tom pulled off his old diaper and helped him step into his new one.
"Oh, yeah! I forgot I put them in there." Tom laughed at his own forgetfulness and helped Bradyn stand up. "You look cool, buddy. Let's call Gustav and Seppel then get a move on it." He high-fived the little boy and laughed as he reached for the phone.
----------------
Both Gustav and Seppel agreed to go swimming so they all rode down together and dropped off their gear on their chairs. Tom took a few minutes to blow up Bradyn's water wings under the careful eye of Seppel. "Hey, do they make those in adult size?""You don't know how to swim?" Tom raised an eyebrow at him.
"I can swim just fine but I was thinking it'd be cool to just have them on and float around." Seppel laughed and pulled his Nintendo DS out from his back pocket.
"You're gonna play that?" Tom asked as he pursed his lips around the valve in Bradyn's floaty.
"Yeah."
"You're not going in the pool?"
"I can see better from up here." Seppel adjusted his sunglasses on his nose and pointedly scanned the empty pool area. "You know, to keep the fans at bay."
"Yeah, really. They're getting out of control out here." Gustav shook his head and fell back on his chair as he too pulled out his DS.
"Daddy, go ina pool?"
"Yeah, in just a second." Tom nodded and pulled his shirt over his head.
"I go now?" Bradyn took a step towards the water.
"No!" Tom dropped his shirt and grabbed Bradyn by his shoulder. "I don't think so. You have to wait for a grown up to go in the water."
"I foat."
"No, you wait for me." Tom said sternly.
"No, I go."
"Time out." Tom pulled Bradyn around and knelt in front of him. "Are you going to argue with me or are you going to wait for me to go in?" Tom asked. He was met with cold silence as Bradyn pouted.
"I sim." Bradyn whined.
"I know you want to swim but you have to wait for me. Understood?"
"Daddy in?"
"Yes, when I go in you can go with me but, if I'm not in the water, you have to stand right here." Tom said. "Don't move."
"Kay." Bradyn looked down at his bare feet and wiggled his toes.
"Look at Tom pulling the Dad card." Gustav laughed. "That's weird. I'll never get used to seeing that."
"Just wait, Gustav. Just wait." Tom raised his eyebrow at Gustav as he kicked off his sandals. "One day you'll have one and you'll know just how this feels."
"Not me. No. I'll just keep playing with yours." Gustav shook his head and popped a new game into his DS as Tom picked Bradyn up and headed for the steps in the shallow end.
He and Bradyn played on the steps for a little while blowing bubbles under the water and splashing at each other. They were so amused by each other that they almost didn't notice when Tayla arrived a few minutes later.
Tayla removed her shorts and tank top then folded her clothes on the chair beside her towel. The two-piece swim suit she wore wasn't revealing in any way but it accented her finer points. Gustav smiled as he watched Tom blush and look away just as Tayla stepped into the pool a few feet from them. "Hi, guys." Tayla smiled and walked over to where Tom was holding Bradyn in chest deep water. She ducked under the water to wet her hair and smiled at Bradyn. "Are you going to swim?"
"Yeah, I sim ina pool."
"You can? That's cool." Tayla smiled.
"I foat wa-wing."
"You do, huh?" She looked at Tom for a translation.
"He floats with his water wings." Tom laughed and poked at Bradyn's bright orange floaties.
"Oh." She smiled and reached up to move her hair off her face. "Can you show me how you swim?"
"You have to catch him." Tom licked his lips and squinted into the sunlight as a small group of girls caught his eye by the far gate. "Incoming."
"Hmm?" Tayla looked over her shoulder and spotted the girls. "Oops."
"No, it's okay." Tom shook his head. "Bradyn, show Tayla how you can swim." He laid Bradyn flat on the water and gave him a gentle push toward Tayla. He flailed his arms and legs around in an attempt to get closer to Tayla and finally made it with a huge splash.
"Wow! Look at you! You could be an Olympic swimmer! Good job." She lifted him out of the water and carefully wiped the water from his face.
"Yeah, I sim."
"Impressive." She nodded and laughed as Tom bent his knees and sunk into the water up to his neck. His eyes flickered to the girls behind Tayla for a split second. He stood up and place his hand on his hip to turn around to the chairs where Gustav and Seppel were playing their hand held video games.
"Hey!" He said loudly to get their attention.
Seppel looked up as Gustav groaned. "Damn it! Come on. Best three outta five."
"Yeah?" Seppel asked.
"You guys coming in or not?"
"Not." Gustav shook his head and scooted the chair deeper into the shade. "I don't swim."
"Gustav sim?" Bradyn giggled as his teeth chattered.
"Not today, buddy." Gustav shook his head.
"Why?"
"Because I'm busy." Gustav laughed.
"Then why'd you come to the pool, dummkopf." Tom laughed and leaned his arms against the edge of the pool.
"Because I wanted some fresh air or something." Gustav sneezed into his hand as he put his game down. "But I think I'm allergic to it."
"Du bist ein Weichei!." Tom shook his head. "Gustav is a wimp." He said to Bradyn as he walked over to where Bradyn sat on Tayla's hip.
"Peese?"
"Aww, see Gustav? Bradyn wants you to come in the water." Tom smiled over his shoulder.
"He does not."
"Yeah, he does." Tom took Bradyn from Tayla and walked him over to the edge of the pool. "Bradyn, go tell Gustav he's a wimp." He lifted Bradyn up and set him on the warm concrete.
Bradyn walked over to where Gustav sat with his arms out at his sides, unable to drop them because of the water wings by his shoulders. "A vye-kye?" Bradyn laughed.
"I'm not a wimp! Don't send the kid over here to call me names in German!" Gustav laughed as Bradyn dripped water into a growing puddle by his feet.
"Peese?"
"How can you say no to that?" Tom asked from the pool.
"I don't want to get wet today, buddy." Gustav said as he reached out to pat Bradyn's head.
"Peese ina pool?" Bradyn's teeth chattered as his lips turned purple.
"Look at you. The water must be freezing." Gustav shook his head and reached for a towel. "Why don't we warm you up and then you can play the DS with me and Seppel?" Gustav asked as he draped the sun warmed towel over Bradyn's shoulders. "There, isn't that better?"
"Yeah." Bradyn smiled as a drop of water ran down his nose and plopped on the front of the towel. "Is code."
"Yeah, it is. Come over here." Gustav bundled Bradyn up and pulled him onto his lap. "Sorry, Tom, I have to side with the kid on this one."
"He's a traitor." Tom laughed and shook his head as he pushed away from the wall. "Are you done in the water, Bradyn?"
"Yeah. I pay." Bradyn smiled from behind the towel.
"Will you keep an eye on him?" Tom asked.
"Yeah."
"And take off his water wings."
"Yeah." Gustav nodded and released the air valve.
"And keep him away from the pool."
"Yes, Dad." Gustav rolled his eyes as Seppel laughed.
"Yes, Dad." Bradyn imitated Gustav which sent him into hysterics
"I'm gonna have fun with this! Thanks." Gustav removed the plastic water wings and dropped them on the opposite chair.
"Wunderschön." Tom said under his breath as he chuckled lightly.
"So is pool time over?" Tayla adjusted the straps on her top and smiled.
"Just about, yeah." Tom nodded. "He has a short attention span, I think."
"You guys were in the water for almost two hours. You don't want him to turn into a giant albino raisin, do you?"
"No." Tom laughed. "I guess not."
"Okay then." She smiled took a deep breath as she dunked under the water and swam to the deep end of the pool.
----------------
Tom did a few laps in the pool just to keep up his physique. Since the tour had ended, he'd let himself go in a bad way. When he surfaced after his final lap Tayla was sitting on the chairs by Gustav, Bradyn and Seppel playing one of the hand held games and laughing with Seppel who was also playing."Are you guys about done?" Tom asked as he pushed himself out of the water with his tired arms. He glanced quickly toward the gate and saw that the fans had lost interest and were nowhere to be found.
"Yeah, just let Tayla finish kicking Seppel's ass and we'll be done."
"Daddy, I win." Bradyn smiled.
"Awesome." Tom walked over to where they sat, leaving a trail of water droplets the whole way. He grabbed a spare towel and quickly ran it over his chest as he shook his head roughly.
"Whoa! Hey, come on now!" Gustav raised his arms to block the spray of water. "You're starting to look like a sheepdog. Tame those braids, will ya?"
Tom ran his fingers over his wet hair and shook his head gently. "I'll get them redone soon." Tom laughed and dried his legs. "Are you guys about ready to go inside?"
"Yeah." Bradyn sighed and walked over to sit on Tom's lap.
"Are you hungry?" Tom wrapped his arm around Bradyn's shoulders.
"Yeah."
"Cool. Let's go get cleaned up and get some dinner or something." He checked his watch. "It's a little early but I think we pretty much skipped lunch."
"Have kacker."
"You guys had crackers?" Tom asked.
"I found some in my bag." Tayla nodded. "They were starving."
"We were wasting away to practically nothing." Gustav flung himself dramatically back on the chair.
"That's attractive." Tom smiled and shook his head. "Let's go eat. Tayla, you wanna come?"
"Actually, I think I'm going to hang out here and hit the spa."
"Wait, a jacuzzi?" Gustav perked up. "Can I hang out with you?"
"Sure." Tayla laughed.
"Leave Tayla alone. She needs some time away from freaks like you." Seppel laughed as he stood up and cracked his back.
"You're no fun." Gustav pouted but picked up his DS to tuck it in his pocket. "Okay, I'll go get food with the guys."
"I thought you were famished?" Tom smiled and lifted Bradyn off the chair.
"You're right. I am. Let's go." Gustav grabbed his unused towel and headed for the door leading back into the hotel. "Catch ya later, Tayla."
"Bye, guys." Tayla waved as the three grown men and Bradyn headed across the pool area. She gathered her things and headed around the corner to enjoy the spa by herself. Tom and Bradyn had some time alone to just hang out with the guys and she could definitely use an hour or two of solitude. She'd see plenty of Bradyn over the next few days, she was sure, so she reveled in the time alone in the steaming hot jacuzzi.
----------------
"Daddy! Is Pie appo!" Bradyn wiggled free of Tom's arms and took off running across the lobby to where a man with short dark hair was standing at the front desk."Whoa!" Tom said as he ran after his son. He didn't stop to see if it really was Bill. He just knew that his kid was running up to some guy, ready to body slam him. Seppel and Gustav were only a step behind as Bradyn laughed happily.
"I see!" Bradyn laughed as his feet pounded on the cool marble floor. Tom scooped him up mid-step and dropped him on his hip. "Daddy, I see!"
"Bradyn, don't run off like that. You're going to give me a heart attack."
"I see, Daddy." Bradyn pointed toward the front desk again.
"Hey, that really is Bill! Wow, you have good eyes." Tom smiled as he carried Bradyn calmly across the lobby. "Sir, they don't rent the rooms by the hour here." He said softly as he walked up behind Bill. Gustav and Seppel feel in beside him and caught their breath.
"Excuse me?" Bill demanded as he turned around with a surprised look on his face. Recognition replaced the amused expression and he laughed as he reached for Bradyn. "Hey, you!"
"I say I see." Bradyn laughed and looked up at Bill.
"You saw me?" Bill smiled and looked at Tom.
"Yeah, he took off running across the lobby and scared the shit outta me." Tom laughed. "I didn't know you were coming! You should have told me."
"It was going to be a surprise. Gustav knew." Bill nodded toward Gustav who was leaning on the counter playing with the silver chain on the pen by the guest book.
"Yeah but you said you wanted to surprise them." Gustav defended himself.
"I thought we could all go out or something." Bill shrugged and rumpled Bradyn's hair. "How are you doing, buddy?"
"Hi, Pie appo!"
"Hi, Bradyn." Bill laughed and took his room key from the front desk clerk. "Thanks."
"Will you be needing assistance to your room for your bags?" She asked.
"No, thank you." Bill smiled and tucked the key in his pocket. "You've gotten bigger, Bradyn! How'd that happen?"
"Doe no!" Bradyn shrugged but looked excited. "I eat and I sim."
"Wow, that'll do it." Bill nodded.
"Hey, go ditch your bag and stuff then come with us. We're gonna go get some food." Tom stifled a yawn.
"You gonna throw some dry clothes on or something?" Bill glanced down at Tom's damp shorts and dripping hair.
"Yeah, we're going to change and go out." Tom nodded.
"Cool, count me in." Bill nodded. "What floor are you guys on?"
"Five." Gustav and Tom said in unison.
"Shit, how'd I get stuck on eight?" Bill grumbled.
"Did you tell them you were afraid of heights? Because that usually works." Gustav joked as he picked up one of Bill's bags while Seppel took the other.
"No, I didn't. I'll have to try that next time." Bill smiled. "How are you, Seppel?"
"Good. I forgot how much fun it was to trash Gustav on his DS games." Seppel laughed and hit the call button for the elevator.
"Oh, dream on, Seppel. Dream on." Gustav shook his head.
Tom laughed as they all got on the elevator together. That little hit of the normal life, of his normal life, was just what he needed.
----------------
They all went to their rooms to change and met up in the hall on Gustav and Tom's floor with the security guards to discuss dinner plans. After a few little arguments and Gustav vetoing every place that didn't have hamburgers, they finally decided on a little place listed in the hotel's recommended dining spots that advertised a family style atmosphere with ideal views. The three guys and Bradyn sat together in a booth while Seppel and Saki had a table nearby to keep an eye on the boys, just in case. The fans had died down and were barely noticeable as they walked in and out of the hotel and restaurant.Tom let the others dominate the conversations as they sat around for more than two hours cracking jokes and taking their time over their dinners. By the time they left it was well after dark and Bradyn was getting cranky. He required more action than just sitting around watching the older guys chat.
"Bray, how about you come to my room and check out some movies? Give your Dad a break?" Gustav asked as they loaded into the van.
"See a mooby?"
"Yeah, there's one on TV tonight that I know you'll love." Gustav nodded and looked over at Tom. "Can he crash in my room tonight?"
"I, uh- I don't know about staying overnight but, yeah, he can go down and watch a movie or something." Tom nodded.
"He can't stay?" Gustav sighed.
"If he falls asleep then, sure, it doesn't bother me." Tom shrugged as his stomach flip flopped. He had court in the morning and he didn't want to miss a chance to spend one more night listening to Bradyn snore. "But he's been kind of cranky."
"Cranky is cool with me." Gustav laughed. "You could use a few hours off."
"I'm okay."
"I know you're okay but Bill and I never get to play with him so let us do that tonight and you can have him back whenever." Gustav looked to Bill who just nodded.
"We'll see. You guys can watch movies. Just call me when they're done." Tom smiled. "What are you going to watch?"
"Labyrinth." Gustav high-fived Bill.
"Epic film." Bill laughed.
"You guys need help." Tom shook his head. "Do you want to go see a movie with Gustav and Bill?"
"Yeah and Lello and Emo?"
"Sure, you can take Lello and Elmo." Tom nodded as they headed back to the hotel. When they got there they all went to Tom's room to get the little stuffed animals for Bradyn along with his backpack. Tom gave him a quick kiss before Gustav and Bill took him down the hall to watch the movies.
Tom watched until Gustav's door shut tight. He closed his own door and flopped down in the soft recliner. He winced and reached under his thigh to pull out the matchbox truck he'd sat on. "Ouch." He smiled and held the truck in his hands to spin the wheels.
The silence in the room lingered until Tom couldn't stand it any more. He reached for the remote on the table to flip the TV on. Maybe he'd watch Labyrinth also. His cell phone rang just as the picture on the screen came into focus so he snatched it up quickly and turned it on. "Hello?" He was grateful for the distraction.
"Hey, Tom! What's up?" Georg asked, sounding a million miles closer than he actually was. Tom broke out into an immediate smile at the sound of Georg's voice and hit mute on the remote to silence the infomercial.
"Hey! Not much. Just hanging out, you know. It's still early here in California." He laughed. "How about you?"
"Just getting in." Georg laughed and checked the clock. "It's like 5 in the morning here."
"I'm getting old. I haven't partied the night away in what seems like forever."
"Speaking of old, did Gustav make it out there?" Georg smirked.
"Yeah, he and Bill are here now. All we're missing is you."
"I'll be out there Monday. I have my ticket and everything."
"Cool." Tom nodded.
"How's the whole court thing going?" Georg asked softly, wanting to know but not wanting to ask.
"Ugh, it's going." Tom sighed. "Today was the first day and Astrid didn't show up."
"At all?"
"No, not at all."
"Well shit. What did the judge do?"
"He recessed until tomorrow at nine so I have to go back." Tom ran his hand over his face and scratched behind his ear.
"Where was she?"
"No clue." Tom shook his head. "Her lawyer seemed shocked that she wasn't there so who knows?"
"Do you think she'll be there tomorrow?"
"She has to be."
"Yeah, she had to be today too."
"I hope she does." Tom pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes tight. "I'm just ready for this to be over with."
Georg smiled. "How's Bradyn?"
"He's good. Gustav and Bill are here so it's kinda like old times. He's completely oblivious which, I guess, is a good thing."
"That's cool. Is he awake?"
"Yeah but he's in Gustav's room. Gustav and Bill are watching movies on the TV or something."
"Gustav's gonna corrupt your kid." Georg laughed.
"No, they're watching Labyrinth. They're cool."
"Oh, so Bill's corrupting him, huh?"
"Bradyn likes it." Tom laughed as he tried not to yawn. "Anyway, I'll let you go."
"Okay." Georg nodded reluctantly. "I'll see you Monday."
"Yeah, and I'll give you a call over the weekend or something."
"Cool. I'll talk to you later then."
"Bye, Georg." Tom smiled and hung up the phone. With as much time as the four guys spent together, it was strange to be apart for longer than a couple days.
----------------
Gustav called a short while later with Bradyn fussing in the background. "He's not liking the movie." Gustav explained."Okay, I'll come and get him." Tom said quickly as he stood up and headed for the door. "See you in a few." He clicked his phone off and tossed it toward the bed.
When he got to Gustav's room he knocked and waited for him to open the door. "What's wrong?" Tom asked Bradyn when Bill opened the door with Bradyn in his arms.
"I go bye." Bradyn cried.
"Come here." Tom lifted him out of Bill's arms.
"He's fine. He's just tired, I think." Bill said.
"Yeah, probably." Tom nodded. "Maybe you can come down and watch movies with Gustav tomorrow while I'm at work, huh? Maybe when you're not so tired?"
"No tire." Bradyn said as he yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"Yeah, sell that story to someone else because this tabloid ain't buying it." Tom laughed and propped Bradyn on his shoulder. "Thanks anyway, guys."
"No problem."
"Tayla will have him tomorrow while I'm in court so, if you want to get up with her and maybe do something, that's cool."
"Actually we're going to head down to Venice Beach tomorrow morning to do some people watching while we can but we'll be back for lunch so maybe later in the afternoon." Bill nodded as he followed Tom out the door to return to his own room.
"What time will you be done with court?" Gustav asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine. The court closes at four so it won't be any later than that." Tom shrugged as Bradyn frowned against his shoulder.
"Let us know when you get back." Gustav waved. "See you later, Bradyn."
"No." Bradyn pouted.
"Hey, be nice." Tom looked down at his son. "Tell Gustav and Bill good-bye. You'll see them tomorrow."
"See morrow. Bye." Bradyn sighed and stuck his finger in his mouth.
"Good night, guys." Tom waved with his free hand as he walked down the hall. He was secretly glad for the extra time alone with Bradyn.
He and Bradyn went back to their room and got ready for bed. They read a few bedtime stories before shutting off the lights. Tom waited until Bradyn began to snore before he opened the sliding glass door and stepped out on the balcony to breathe in the cool night air. For the first time since the he found out he was going to court, Tom actually felt sure of himself. As if, no matter what happened with the court, he knew he'd be okay and that Bradyn would be okay too.
"It's amazing what a little friend support can do." Tom whispered to himself as he leaned on the railing. He mentally went over all of Joshua's court notes for the thousandth time until he was 100% certain that, no matter what, he could handle himself in that courtroom the next day. He set out his clothes for the next day then allowed himself to collapse in the bed across from Bradyn. The familiar soft sound of Bradyn's snoring sent Tom to sleep faster than anything any doctor could prescribe.
----------------
Tom dropped Bradyn off at Tayla's room on Friday morning just as room service dropped off her and Bradyn's breakfast. "Just in time! Check it out. We have pancakes and bacon." Tayla smiled and took the backpack from Tom. "You look nice." She hitched up the waist of her flannel shorts and curled her bare toes in the carpet."Thanks." Tom mumbled as he checked his watch. "I'm running late."
"Yeah." Tayla nodded and smiled at Bradyn. "Uh oh. Bradyn, did you bring Lello?"
"He seepin." Bradyn explained as he climbed up on one of the chairs at the table.
"Lello apparently wanted to sleep in this morning." Tom laughed nervously and fidgeted with his tie. "I can't wait until this is over so I can burn every tie ever made."
"If you'd quit messing with it, it'd be fine." Tayla raised her eyebrow at him then smiled. "I think we're just going to hang out here and kind of take it slow. If I have my way we'll stay in our pajamas all day." She laughed.
"That sounds like an amazing plan to me." Tom smiled and wished he could stay with them. "I don't know when we'll be done but I'll call you when I'm on my way back."
"Okay." She nodded.
"Come here, buddy. Let me get a big hug before I go." Tom squatted down to Bradyn's level as the little boy scampered off the chair and ran over to Tom.
"Daddy have pakays?"
"No, I can't stay for pancakes. I have to go to work again, remember?"
"Yeah." Bradyn sighed and scratched at his ear. "I say?"
"Yeah, you get to stay here with Tayla and Seppel and Bill and Gustav. You're gonna have fun today."
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'll see you later okay? I love you." He kissed Bradyn's cheek and held him close for a second. He just wanted the court battle to be over so he could get on with his life, no matter how it turned out.
"Love too." Bradyn giggled.
Tom took a deep breath then let Bradyn go. "I'll see you guys later." He stood up and put his hand on the door. "Have fun."
"We will." Tayla smiled as Bradyn bounced back to the table.
"Tayla have! An see pakays." He shouted.
"I hope things go better today." Tayla said softly.
"Yeah, me too." Tom tried to smile. "I really have to go." He checked his watch again then pulled the door open before he could stop himself. Tayla waited until the door was closed solidly before she went to the table to have breakfast with Bradyn.
"So-" She sighed. "What do you want to do today?" She looked at Bradyn as she rested her chin on her fist.
"Ummmm." Bradyn hummed then took a bite of his syrup drenched pancakes. "I see a mooby."
"A movie, huh?"
"Yeah. And Pie appo." Bradyn smiled.
"Bill too, huh? What about Gustav?"
"Weeell-" Bradyn pondered that for a minute. "Gustav like a mooby?"
"He might." Tayla shrugged.
"You caw lato."
"Yeah, we can call them later. Right now we can just eat our pancakes and bacon and, oh look at this, we have fruit too! Do you like cantaloupe?"
Bradyn shrugged and dribbled syrup down the front of his shirt. "Is speeko?"
"No." Tayla laughed. "It's not like sprinkles."
"I no wan." He shook his head.
"Okay, I'll eat the cantaloupe. You can have the strawberries."
"Yummy!" Bradyn giggled and put his sticky fork down on the table forming a pool of syrup under the utensil. "We have Lello lato?"
Tayla smiled and sat back in her chair. "Sure thing, buddy. We can go get Lello later." She watched Bradyn eat his breakfast while she nibbled on hers. "You have no idea how much your life is going to change." She mumbled under her breath as she sighed and stood up slowly. Tayla made her way to her suitcase in the corner and shuffled around to find one of the movies she'd brought just for Bradyn. Pete's Dragon was one of her favorites as a child and she knew he'd love it. She put it in the DVD player and got it ready to watch when breakfast was done. It was barely eight in the morning and she wouldn't even think of calling the other guys until ten. This way they could kill time and watch a good movie in the process.
----------------
For the thousandth time Tom looked over his shoulder toward the doors of the courtroom. They remained shut and still as they had for the last ten minutes. "Where is she?" Tom whispered as he leaned over to Joshua. His lawyer just shook his head and tapped his pen on the desk in front of him. "It's after nine." Tom had checked his watch every thirty seconds since he sat down and was growing increasingly nervous."Just wait."
"How long will he sit up there?" Tom whispered back as he looked up at the unhappy judge.
"Until he's ready." Joshua turned to glance at Tom and gave him a look to tell him to be quiet.
Tom sighed and tried to keep his nervousness at bay. He drew figure eights on the table with his finger and kept his head down to force himself not to look back again. He sang nonsense songs in his mind and mouthed the words silently as his feet tapped out the beat.
"Counselor?" The judge spoke up, breaking the silence of the courtroom. Astrid's lawyer looked up suddenly with an expression of defeat. "Your client has held up my courtroom long enough."
"Yes, your honor." Mr. Boyd nodded slowly.
"Mr. Kaulitz, is the child in your custody?" The judge turned to Tom.
"Y- Yes, sir. Your honor." Tom stumbled over his words.
"How long has he been in your custody?" The judge flipped through the papers on his desk before he looked down through his bifocals at them.
"Four months. A little longer than four months." Tom stood up slowly, unsure of what he was supposed to do.
"The child was abandoned with you four months ago here in Los Angeles?" The judge asked though he of course knew that was the case.
"Yes, sir."
"In that four months, how many times did the Mother contact you?"
"Um, she didn't contact me at all until a few weeks ago when she showed up at the arena where I was- Where we were playing. Since then she has contacted me a few times."
"Have you been the primary caregiver for the child for the last four months?"
"Yes, sir." Tom nodded. "I've, uh- I've had some help though. From my friends and my security team but that's only because we weren't prepared to have a kid- A child on the tour with us."
"I understand you're planning on leaving the country to go home and then you'll be having another tour?"
"Yes, your honor." Tom blushed and wanted to explain that they'd cancel the tour if they had to. "The tour will begin in about three months and will last eight weeks in Europe."
"Who will care for him during that time?"
"I will." Tom nodded. "And, for the times when I'm performing, I will have one other person who will care for him. Now that we have time to plan him into the tour, it will go a lot smoother."
"Where are you going on your tour?" The judge asked with a smile as he set the papers down.
"Oh, um- We're going to London, Paris, Hamburg. I'm sorry I don't have the dates in front of me, I-"
"That's fine." The judge held up his hand and turned to Mr. Boyd. "Mr. Boyd, in a case like this I need to weigh the pros and cons of each household and generally try to accommodate the child as best as we can. I don't see how this is possible in this case. Your client has filed for custody of the child and has proven herself unreliable. I would be remiss if I granted custody to someone who couldn't even bother showing up." He paused to let that sink in for a moment. "I am a firm believer that children should remain in the care of one or both parents if it is at all possible. While Mr. Kaulitz's lifestyle and celebrity status may not be the best suited for a child, I'd have to say that I have seen celebrity parents do far worse. I see no evidence or accusations against Mr. Kaulitz for wrongful behavior or child endangerment so, at this time, I find it appropriate to release the child to the present parent."
"Yes, your honor." Mr. Boyd's chin dropped to his chest in defeat.
"I am forfeiting this judgment to the defendant, Mr. Tom Kaulitz for the time being." The judge spoke loudly.
Tom looked up as his heart soared. "What does that-" He began to ask Joshua.
"Where is the child now?" The judge asked.
"He is with my client's security team at their hotel, your honor." Joshua spoke up and held out his hand to silence Tom.
"I am granting physical and legal custody of the minor to Mr. Kaulitz, the father in this case. Without objection or argument from the mother in this case, I see no alternative. Should she magically reappear, she may file an appeal and hope she doesn't land in my courtroom again." He leaned forward across his desk. "Mr. Boyd? Your client will be held responsible for the court fees today as well." He tapped his gavel. "Adjourned." He stood and left the courtroom without making a sound.
"Wh- What just happened?"
"You've been awarded legal and physical custody." Joshua said with a surprised look.
"I what?" Tom asked in disbelief.
"That's what she was suing you for. The judge forfeited the judgment to you. You got what she was asking for."
"So I don't- That's it?"
"That's it." Joshua nodded with a smile.
"No more court?"
"Well, she could always appeal. If she ever shows up, she most certainly will." Joshua shrugged. "She'll have to go through the court to arrange a visitation schedule."
"But for right now?"
"Right now? Bradyn is all yours."
"Really?"
"Really." Joshua nodded and extended his hand to Tom. "It's been a pleasure, Tom. Congratulations."
"Holy shit." Tom said under his breath. "Where are- I need documentation. I want to see this on paper. This is too good to be true." Tom ran his hands over his face as they began to shake.
"I'll wait here until the papers are drawn up. You can go ahead back to the hotel."
"No way. I'm not leaving here until it's official. Just my luck I'd leave and she'd show up."
"It would be too late." Joshua shook his head but he knew where Tom was coming from. Mr. Boyd collected his things on the small table in front of him and headed for the back of the courtroom without so much as a glance at Tom or his lawyer.
Tom could hardly contain his excitement as his feet tapped under the table. "I'm gonna wake up soon." He said softly.
"What?"
"This is all a dream. There's no way this can be happening." Tom shook his head as he leaned forward onto the table. "There's just no way. All of this. I'm gonna wake up and this is all going to have been a dream. Seriously, all of this."
"The court?" Joshua laughed.
"The court, Astrid, hell even Bradyn. It's all just too unreal." Tom started to laugh and worried he may never stop. "Stuff like this just doesn't happen to me."
"It's real." Joshua nodded. "But, like I said, if and when she shows up she can, and probably will, sue you for visitation rights, if not shared custody."
"I don't even care." Tom laughed again as all of the stress from the last couple weeks vanished. He felt a case of the giggles coming on and there was no way to stop it. "Right now is all I'm worried about. As soon as I get those papers, I'm on the next plane to Germany. I want to take Bradyn home. To our home. I'm not even kidding. That's the first call I'm gonna make. United Airlines or whatever. Two first class tickets to Hamburg."
----------------
Saki tapped on Tayla's door and waited patiently for her to answer. "Hey, Tayla." He smiled as she pulled the door open mid-laugh."Hi, Saki. What's up? You didn't go with Tom?"
"No, he's cool on his own." He smiled. "Hey, you have Bradyn right?"
"Yeah." She laughed and looked over her shoulder as Bradyn jumped off the bed with a pillowcase pinned to his shirt.
"I have cape!" He shouted as he ran over to the door.
"Yeah you do, buddy!" Saki laughed and gave him a high-five. "Well, he has some visitors here that would like to see him."
"No." Tayla shook her head as she suddenly became serious. "He's not supposed to see anyone without Tom's consent." Tayla's heart picked up the pace as she tried to remember if Tom was expecting anyone.
"It's cool." Saki smiled and leaned into the room. "It's his parents. Tom's parents, I mean." He said quietly.
"Oh!" Tayla's eyes flew open. "Oh my God! Wow, they're here?"
"Yeah, they flew in to see Tom and Bradyn. It was supposed to be a surprise." Saki laughed and picked Bradyn up to toss him in the air.
"Well, it is a surprise." Tayla smiled, "But should we wait for Tom to be back? Have they met Bradyn at all yet?"
"No, they haven't met him yet." Saki shook his head. "You think we should wait for Tom?"
"I don't know. I mean, if they haven't met him yet they might want to talk to Tom or Tom might want to see their faces or something."
"On the other hand, they have never met the cutest grandson ever in the world." Saki tossed Bradyn in the air again. "I think we should take him down there."
"Do you want to?" Tayla suddenly felt uncomfortable. As if introducing Tom's parents to Bradyn might be over stepping her boundaries when none were ever really set.
"He might be more comfortable with you." Saki shrugged.
"O- Okay." She nodded as her stomach toppled. "Let me at least get him cleaned up a little and dressed." She reached for Bradyn who was still lounging around in his pajamas. "You need a bath, Mr. Stinky."
"I sink?" Bradyn asked as he squished up his nose.
"You sure do!" Tayla made a face. "What room are they in?" She asked Saki.
"Room 559. Just down the hall a few doors." Saki pointed toward the far end of the hall. "If you want some back up, give me a call."
"Thanks, Saki." Tayla smiled and tried to think of ways to stall, for purely selfish reasons. She shut her door and looked down at Bradyn. "Okay, buddy, you need a bath."
"Yeah." Bradyn sighed and walked into the bathroom where he tugged on his pajamas. She started the water in the tub and added a cap full of bubbles to make the bath time a little more fun. Tayla pulled Bradyn's shirt over his head and helped him shimmy out of his bottoms and socks. "My cape?"
"It'll be right here when you get out of the tub. I promise."
"And I fye?"
"Yeah, you can pretend to fly with your cape."
"Yeah, I ten." He nodded and looked into the tub. "Wow!"
"Check out the bubbles."
"I see." Bradyn laughed. "Is hot?"
"It's warm." Tayla nodded and stuck her fingers in the water. "In fact, it's perfect."
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded and leaned into the tub to touch the water. "I in?"
"Sure." Tayla lifted him into the tub and tossed his big plastic cup in there with him. She took her time soaping him up with the baby wash stuff and washed his hair. She let him play for a little while.
"Cawin Pie appo?"
"No, we're not going to call Bill, I don't think." Tayla thought for a minute. Bill would be a better candidate at introducing Bradyn to his parents and Gustav definitely knew Tom and Bill's parents. She thought maybe she could call them and have them take Bradyn down to meet his grandparents. Bradyn was just as comfortable with Gustav and Bill as he was with her. "Actually, I'll go call Bill now." She ran from the room and grabbed her cell phone and returned back into the bathroom where she sat on the floor by the tub.
She didn't know the hotel's number off the top of her head so she called information and got the number. She asked for Gustav's room number causing twice as much hassle than necessary. She let it ring through until the operator came back on to say the guest was not answering. Tayla sighed and tried Bill's room number and waited as his line rang through as well. "Okay. Thank you anyway." She sighed as she turned her phone off. If she'd had thought to bring her tour book with her she'd have their cell numbers but she didn't. "Okay, bath time is over." She pushed herself off the floor and put the phone on the counter.
"Kay." Bradyn laughed and splashed in the bubbles, sending them floating into the air.
Tayla removed Bradyn from the bath and dried him off with the thick hotel towel. She carried him to the bedroom to dress him in the clothes Tom sent over with him. "Let's see what your Daddy picked out for you." Tayla unzipped the bag and pulled out the little pair of jeans and a dark green T-shirt with matching socks and hiking boots. "Not bad." She smiled and set the clothes out.
"Is my shirt." Bradyn giggled and held his towel tight.
"Yeah, let's see about putting it on, huh?" Butterflies swirled around in Tayla's stomach and she really didn't want to take Bradyn to see his grandparents. That was so far from her job description. She'd never met them herself and she felt completely out of place even pondering introducing them to Bradyn. She sighed and reached for a diaper. She laid Bradyn on the bed. If she stalled long enough the figured maybe she'd think of a convincing argument to make Saki take him.
----------------
Tom waited in the empty courtroom for Joshua to come back with the official papers stating that he was the custodial parent of Bradyn. Until he had those papers in his hand, it didn't feel real and, as soon as he got them, he read them over word for word. "I don't know what all this lawyer language means but this is good, right? This is legitimate?""It's legit." Joshua smiled.
"Sweet. Now get me the hell outta here." Tom reached into his pocket for his cell phone. True to his word, he dialed the airlines to buy two tickets to Hamburg. He still had to get things settled at the hotel and pack everything up so he arranged for them to be on the morning flight the next day. Two first class tickets and they were worth a pound each in gold.
----------------
Tom practically danced through the lobby as he walked rapidly toward the elevators. He hit the call button repeatedly, as if that would make the elevator arrive any faster. All he wanted to do was get up to his room to get Bradyn in his arms. When he finally got to his floor he ran down the hall to Tayla's room and prayed that they hadn't left for the day yet.Tom tapped a wild beat on the door and could barely keep his feet still. He had picked up the phone to call her a dozen times but he didn't want to say anything over the phone. He wanted to have Bradyn in his arms.
"Who do you think it is?" He heard Tayla ask through the closed door.
"Daddy?" Bradyn asked as the door opened slowly.
"That's right." Tom scooped Bradyn up in his arms and squeezed him until Bradyn gasped for air. "I'm sorry. Is that too tight?" He laughed and spun around in circles in the hallway as Tayla leaned against the wall.
"No way!" She said softly as a slow smile crept across her lips.
"Way!" Tom laughed and tossed Bradyn up in the air. "Way! Way! Way!" He laughed.
"He's yours?"
"Signed, sealed and delivered." Tom stopped spinning long enough to include Tayla in their embrace. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She mumbled into his chest. "It's so early though!"
"She didn't show." Tom frowned for a split second before smiling again. "She flaked again so the judge forfeited the judgment to me. Sole legal and physical custody."
Tayla's jaw hit the floor. "Sole custody?" She whispered. "You're kidding."
"No."
"Wow!" She laughed and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my God! That's crazy!"
"I know!" Tom laughed and hugged her again with Bradyn in between them.
"I go ou-side?" Bradyn asked.
"You bet we can go outside!" Tom nodded. "How about swimming? Do you want to go in the pool?"
"Yeah." Bradyn smiled and pulled at his T-shirt.
"Would you like to join us?"
"I think you'd better go say hi to your company first." Tayla nodded down the hall back toward the elevators.
"What? Who?"
"You'll see. Room 559." Tayla smiled. She knew who he'd find when he knocked on the door.
"Is it the guys?"
"No, go see." Tayla shook her head. "Just go knock on the door. I'm sure they weren't expecting you this soon but they'll be thrilled to see you guys."
Tom gave her a confused look but he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. "Okay, me? Or me and Bradyn?"
"You and Bradyn." Tayla nodded. "I'll see you a little later."
"Okay." Tom kind of half smiled as he picked up Bradyn and bounced him on his hip. "Do you know who our visitor is?"
"I doe no." Bradyn shrugged and giggled. "Is Pie appo?"
"No, it's not Bill, I don't think. Should we go see?"
"Kay." Bradyn smiled and shrugged again. He was up for anything.
Tom walked down the hall and did all he could to contain himself. He wanted to dance down the hall and toss Bradyn in the air, shout at the top of his voice and laugh until his stomach hurt. He found the right room and knocked on the door as he smiled down at Bradyn. "Wow, I wonder who it is?"
"Is Emo?" Bradyn giggled and buried his face in Tom's shoulder.
"Coming!" He heard a female voice call from inside.
Tom frowned for a second as he tried to place the voice. His mouth fell open as his mother pulled the door open. "Mom?!"
"Hi, baby!" She smiled and pulled him into the room for a hug. "Oh my! Who is this precious little boy? Is this Bradyn?" She had the perfect grandma voice already.
"I Bay-den." Bradyn nodded.
"Hello there." Her smile broadened as she kissed Tom's cheek. "Surprise."
"Wow- I just- You're here." Tom stumbled over his words as he looked over at his step-father sitting on the corner of the bed. "Oh wow." Tears welled up in his eyes as he laughed and set Bradyn on the floor. "I can't believe you guys are here." He hugged his mom tightly again and reached for his step-dad.
"We didn't expect you until this afternoon. Are you on a break?" Gordon asked.
"No, court's over." Tom shook his head. "Astrid didn't show up so the judge defaulted the judgment to me and-" Tom sighed and wiped at his eyes. "I can't believe you guys are here."
"So you won custody?" Simone asked.
"Yeah, completely." Tom nodded as a fresh bout of tears rolled down his cheeks. "Look at me." He laughed and sniffed as he reached for a Kleenex. "I don't know what's wrong with me." He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed to pull Bradyn onto his lap.
"You've been emotionally peaked for a long time. This is a big relief to you." Simone smiled.
"I know." Tom smiled and wiped his eyes again.
"Daddy kay?" Bradyn asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Tom nodded. "This is my Mommy and Daddy. They're your Oma and Opa."
"Daddy you."
"I'm your Daddy and this is my Daddy." Tom nodded toward Gordon. "Cool, huh?"
"Yeah." Bradyn nodded and scooted closer to Tom.
"He's kind of shy sometimes." Tom explained apologetically. "But wait until he gets to know you. You won't be able to get rid of him." Tom laughed lightly as he wrapped his arm around Bradyn's shoulders.
"Are the others here? Did Bill make it back okay?"
"Yeah, Bill's here. Gustav's here too. Georg's coming on Monday." Tom shrugged. "I need to call him too. Tell him to cancel him plane tickets."
"We'd like to take you out to celebrate." Gordon smiled. "Why don't you call everyone you need to and we'll make plans to go out?"
"Well, since Bill and Gustav are here, and Tayla, plus Saki and Seppel-" Tom half frowned. "If we go out, I'd like them to be able to come to. They're a huge part of this."
"Of course." His parents said in unison.
"We'll make reservations for dinner for everyone. If you'd like the four of us can go off for the day." Simone smiled. "That way we can get to know Bradyn a little better."
"Okay, that sounds fun." Tom smiled. He still couldn't believe his parents were there in LA with him. "It sucks that you're only here for the day though. It seems like a waste of money." He frowned.
"Not at all." His mom smiled. "We were set to stay as long as you needed and, personally, I'm glad it's over sooner than later."
"Me too." Tom sighed with a content smile. "Me too."
Bradyn slowly worked his way off Tom's lap as Gordon made a few calls and set up reservations for the whole group that evening at a local restaurant. Bradyn wandered over to the mini refrigerator stuck beside the table, replacing the full mini kitchen they had in their room.
"Wassat?" Bradyn asked as he squatted in front of it.
"That's a refrigerator. A small one. We have one just like it in our room." Tom said from the bed.
"I see?"
"I don't think there's anything in it." Tom shook his head.
"Is mine?"
"No, it's not yours." Tom laughed. "It belongs to the hotel."
"Oh." Bradyn looked up at Simone standing nearby. "I have Lello." He said softly.
"You do? What's that?" She smiled and knelt down to his level.
"Is doggie. Fye agator." Bradyn mumbled as he looked down at his shoes.
"It's his dog. They find alligators together sometimes." Tom explained.
"Oh, that's right! I saw that on that TV show you guys did." She nodded.
"You saw that?"
"Of course." She laughed as if she'd miss her own babies on a show.
"Daddy, we go?"
"No, we're going to hang out here for a little bit. Maybe we'll go outside and take a walk or something." Tom explained.
"Ina sroller?"
"Yeah, in the stroller with Seppel." Tom nodded.
"And Pie appo?"
"No, Bill and Gustav went to the beach this morning. They'll be back later." Tom smiled. "I think today we'll just hang out with my Mom and Dad."
"Pineapple?" Simone asked.
Tom laughed. "Yeah. I kinda started that. I said Bill's hair looked like a pineapple at one point and Bray's been calling him that ever since."
Simone laughed and shook her head.
"And Tayla?" Bradyn interrupted.
"No, I think we'll give Tayla the day off. She won't be coming with us."
"Refresh my memory. Who's Tayla?" Gordon asked as he stood up and stretched.
"She's- Well, she does our wardrobe on the tour but she has helped out with Bradyn since the beginning." Tom blushed quickly. "She has actually done more than just help. She's been a lifesaver."
"She stayed with you out here for this whole time?"
"No, she went home for a while but Joshua said that we may need her out here to testify because she basically raised him for the first few months and because she saw how pitiful I was at the beginning and how much I've changed." Tom took a deep breath. "Also I wanted someone here to watch Bradyn. Someone he knew and would be comfortable with."
"That makes sense." Simone smiled.
"So, anyway-" Tom cleared his throat. "What did you guys have in mind for today?"
"I don't know really. We were just going to go to the tourist spots because we weren't expecting you back until later this afternoon." His mom shrugged.
"We can do that." Tom nodded.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely, that's what strollers are made for." Tom laughed and looked down at Bradyn. "Let's go get your stroller, buddy."
"Go bye?"
"Yeah, we're going bye." Tom nodded. He took Bradyn's hand and they went to their room to get the stroller and to let Seppel know that they were going out with his parents. They met up in the lobby and rode over to Hollywood Boulevard to park and walk the strip.
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Tom and Bradyn spent the afternoon with his parents doing the tourist thing in Hollywood. Simone pushed Bradyn in his stroller up and down the street with Seppel by their side for security if it became necessary. Mann's Chinese Theater, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the stars on the Walk of Fame, all of the tourist traps like that were visited by the family as they chatted and got caught up on everything that had been going on for the past few months.Tom's Mom let him know that she'd stopped by his house at least once a month just to air it out and dust a little so that it wouldn't be full of cobwebs and stale air when he finally got home. He was grateful for her taking the time to do something he hadn't even considered.
"Are you going to use the guestroom downstairs for Bradyn?" She asked.
"No, I'm going to transform the office, I think." Tom nodded. "I'll move that downstairs or into my room or something. It's not like I use it much."
"Are you sure you want him using the stairs that much?" She asked.
"I just want him nearby." Tom smiled. Now that he was able to take him home, he wasn't going to let him out of his sight.
They finished up their walk and headed back to the hotel as the sun began to set into the ocean. Tom called everyone on their way back to let them know about the dinner plans. He called Georg in Germany to share the good news. Georg were just as excited as Tom and promised to stop by Tom's Germany home as soon as Tom and Bradyn got settled.
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The entire group got together for a celebration dinner at a nice little restaurant on Via Rodeo, not far from the hotel. They shared wine and some of their favorite Bradyn stories. In such a short time, they each had a few stories that they loved to tell which helped Simone and Gordon feel like they knew Bradyn a little better.Simone sat back and watched Tom interacting with Bradyn, cutting his food and making sure he ate what he was supposed to, and she was amazed. Her little boy was a Daddy and a good one at that. Bradyn was an amazingly well behaved little boy. She waited for the façade to wear off and the little terrible two terror to come out. She completely fell in love with his scary face and the way he spoke so animatedly with his whole face.
"Tom, I can't believe how well behaved he is." She said as she laced her arm through his while Bill balanced Bradyn on his shoulders for the walk back to the hotel. "Are you sure he's yours? You and Bill were holy terrors at two."
"I was not. I was and always will be a little angel." Tom batted his eyelashes at his mother while everyone around him cracked up laughing.
"For the record, Bradyn has had his moments. Georg has a scar or two to prove it." Gustav laughed.
"Oh yeah!" Tom's hand flew to his mouth. "I forgot about that. Yeah, Bradyn has his moments. He went off on Georg a few months ago and bit him."
"Uh oh." Gordon raised his eyebrow.
"Yeah but he doesn't do that any more, right Bradyn?' Tom turned around and looked up at Bradyn as he sat tall on Bill's shoulders. "We don't bite, right?"
"No by." Bradyn shook his hand. "Only shark."
"Yeah, sharks sometimes bite." Tom nodded.
"And I by noodo."
"Yeah." Tom laughed. "You can bite noodles. You can bite your food but that's all, right?"
"No by." Bradyn shook his finger. "Is no-no."
"That's right." Tom nodded and high-fived the little boy. "He has learned what's okay and what isn't around here."
"I ten fye." Bradyn nodded.
"Hmm?" Gustav looked up at Bradyn.
"I ten I fye." Bradyn repeated.
"He pretends he flies." Tayla said with a smile. "When he wears his cape he likes to fly around the room."
"Oh." Gustav laughed. "You know who else has a cape?"
"Supa-man." Bradyn giggled and grabbed onto Bill's hair as he almost lost his balance.
"So does Georg." Gustav said as he positioned himself behind Bill, just in case.
"No." Bradyn laughed and shook his head. "Gay-og no fye."
"He pretends with his cape."
"No, Gay-og big."
"Yeah, he's big but he still pretends." Tom laughed.
Bradyn sighed. "Gay-og silly fye." He shook his head.
"Yeah, Georg's pretty silly."
"I dow?" Bradyn leaned down to talk directly into Bill's ear. "I tire."
"You're tired?" Bill stopped walking and reached up to bring Bradyn down. It was almost ten. The little boy was tired out.
"Here. I'll take him." Gordon reached out for Bradyn and rested him on his shoulder. Bradyn didn't object at all to the warm body and secure arms holding him close. He rested his head on his grandfather's shoulder and let his eyes blink slowly.
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They walked back to the hotel and rode up to their floor where everyone said goodnight to each other and headed for their own rooms. Gordon handed Bradyn off to Tom in the hallway but Bradyn slept through it all. "See you guys in the morning." Tom smiled as he leaned in to kiss his mom. "I'm gonna go put this little guy down.""Congratulations, Tom." Bill smiled and pat his back as he took his own room key out.
"Thanks." Tom continued to smile until he thought his face would crack. He unlocked his door as everyone in the hall went to their own rooms to rest up for their flights home the next day. Tom dropped Bradyn's backpack just inside the door then turned on the mini kitchen light to brighten his way to the bed.
He turned the bedside light on and laid Bradyn in the center of his bed. He carefully removed his tiny shoes and pants, leaving Bradyn in his T-shirt and diaper. Suitable pajamas by anyone's standards. The cell phone in Tom's back pocket played a high pitched melody as Bradyn fidgeted against the pillow. Tom quickly pulled the phone from his pocket and flipped it open. "Hello?" Tom whispered as he pulled Bradyn's blanket up to his chin. Bradyn squished up his face in a deep frown then flopped over onto his back as he relaxed and began to snore. Tom yawned and thought about climbing into bed himself in a few minutes. The excitement of the day was still coursing through his body but he could feel himself winding down slowly.
After a few seconds no one responded so Tom repeated himself a little louder. "Hello?"
"Tom?" Astrid's voice was the last he expected to hear right then.
"A- Astrid?" Tom stood up straight and switched the bedside light off.
"I'm sorry." She said quickly.
"What- What- What are you doing? Where are you?" Tom asked before his thoughts could be figured out. He headed for the door of the hotel room, just wanting to get away from Bradyn, knowing that this could be explosive.
"I'm at a friend's house." She said softly.
"Hang on." Tom dropped his hand to his side and propped the door open with Bradyn's backpack. He stepped across the hall and tapped on Tayla's door, hoping that she was still awake.
He heard her shuffling around in her room for a second before the door opened a crack. "Tom?" She asked as she squinted at the bright lights in the hall.
"Hey." He nodded. "Can I use your room?"
"Where's Bradyn?" She asked as she rubbed her tired eyes.
"He's asleep." Tom looked toward his room. "Astrid's on the phone and, uh- This may get heated. I don't want to-"
"No, don't worry about it. Of course." Tayla pulled her robe tighter around her waist and stepped out into the hall. She noticed the cell phone in Tom's hand as she pushed his door open. "My room's a mess."
"It's okay." Tom mumbled as he stepped into her room and brought the phone to his ear. "Okay." He said to Astrid. "Still there?"
"Yeah." She said softly.
"So?"
"Tom, I don't know where to start." Her voice sounded as though she was on the verge of tears.
"I don't see why you think you have to. Your skipping out on court spoke volumes. I don't think there's much more to say." If he took the time to think about what he was saying he might have used a more gentle tone.
"Tom, I didn't stand a chance." Astrid's voice wobbled. "You have all this money and a big powerful lawyer. All I have is this court appointed guy who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground."
"That's not my problem." His hands began to shake slowly as his lips turned cold and his heart raced.
"I couldn't go in there and have you tear me apart, Tom."
"I wasn't going to tear you apart." Tom sighed and sat on Tayla's rumpled bed. He rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes trying to calm his nerves. He knew this was all too good to be true.
"Yes, you were." She insisted.
"Astrid, all I want is what's best for Bradyn. You were the one going for the big guns taking me to court. We might have been able to work something out before but, as soon as you started throwing lawyers and subpoenas around, it stopped being friendly. Yes, I wanted custody. I honestly believe I can give Bradyn a more stable home than you can and you've proven my case beautifully."
"I have a stable home now."
"You have an apartment with a friend and you've been there for two months." Tom rolled his eyes.
"I have to start somewhere." Astrid cried. "You haven't helped at all."
"If you'd have come to me at the beginning, I could have helped you. I can't help you at all when you drop a two year old in my lap then disappear for four months." He tried to keep his cool.
"Can I see him?" Astrid asked softly.
"Not right now." Tom whispered.
"It's late, I know."
"No, I mean not now. I don't know when."
"You can't do this to me."
"I was granted legal and physical custody."
"What?" Astrid's voice was so soft he barely heard her.
"The judgment defaulted to me. I got what you were asking for because you didn't show up." Tom explained. "The case you were bringing to the court protested me having custody. Without you there to protest, the judge didn't really have a choice but to leave Bradyn with me."
"No!" Astrid cried. "You can't do this, Tom. Please."
"Astrid." He sighed. "If the judgment had gone the other way, you'd be the one with custody and I doubt you'd have been complaining then."
"This all got so out of hand. All I wanted was to see him."
"Then that's what you should have asked for." Tom shook his head. "I was willing to work something out. If we could have sat down and talked about this before, maybe we could have worked out some sort of visitation schedule but, before we could even talk about it, you slapped me with a custody case saying you wanted full custody. What was I supposed to think?"
"I was just mad." Astrid sniffed through her tears.
"Well so was I."
"C- Can we work something out now?"
"Now that you've lost the judgment?"
"Tom, I didn't stand a chance in there!" She practically shouted, stating her case again. "I told you, you were going to tear me apart. You have the two-parent style home life, the cars, the toys and the big house with his own room, the big shot lawyer. Tom, all I had was this asshole of a lawyer, one room in this shitty apartment and a friend who could watch Bradyn while I worked, if she wasn't working herself."
"Astrid. Stop. I wasn't going to tear you apart. I didn't know enough about you to use it against you. All I wanted was to keep Bradyn, just like you." Tom stood up and paced back and forth at the foot of Tayla's bed. He'd forgotten that Astrid thought he and Tayla were raising Bradyn together. "My lawyer told me that if I went in there asking for everything I could end up with nothing. We both took that chance and I got lucky."
"All I wanted was to have Bradyn back. I didn't want to make it so you couldn't see him. Why would you do that to me?" She started to sound hysterical.
"You asked for sole legal and physical custody which means I would have to fight for visitation, Astrid. And I would have, believe me but, if we could have talked about this, maybe we could have shared custody or something."
"My lawyer was a prick. He told me that I would definitely get full custody though. I don't know anything about the system so I let him decide and he screwed me over."
Tom shook his head. He had to agree with her there. "But that's not my fault." Tom sighed as she continued to sob. "I tried to talk to you before and you pulled out the big guns. The only way to get through to you was to do the same but you made it easy. You made it real easy when you didn't show up at all. That's what I don't understand, Astrid. You say you just want him back or just want to see him or whatever but you didn't even show up. Your lawyer didn't tell you not to. You can't blame that on him."
Astrid cried quietly on the other end of the phone as Tom's heart and mind collided. Mentally he knew that Astrid had essentially screwed herself by not showing up for court, by not even trying to get her son. That's what pissed Tom off the most, the fact that she'd given up so easily. He would have fought to the death for Bradyn and she hadn't even bothered to show up.
But his heart broke hearing her cry over her son. Tom knew that she had to love Bradyn just as much as he did. She raised him for two years. They went through hard times together and, through all of that, Bradyn had turned out just fine.
"I just- I can't see you right now. I need to have some time alone with Bradyn, to take him home with me and to just be us." Tom sighed deeply and pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead to try to stop the pounding.
"Tom, please-"
"No, Astrid. Not now." Tom tried to sound assertive without flying off the handle at her. "Unless you have an apology for Bradyn in there somewhere, I don't want to talk to you right now."
"Tom, I-"
"Bye." Tom pressed the end button and sat heavily on the bed again. "Fuck." He whispered under his breath as he inhaled deeply. He took several more deep breaths before he stood up and crossed the dark room to head back to his own.
He crossed the narrow hall and searched the pockets of his pants for his room key but he didn't have it. He knocked softly and waited for Tayla to pull the door open. "I forgot my key." He said softly.
"It's okay." She shook her head. "Is everything okay?"
"That was Astrid."
"Yeah." Tayla nodded as she held the door open for him. Tom stepped back into his room and let the door close gently behind him. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine." Tom whispered and leaned against the wall. "I mean, I guess she is. She was crying."
"Well." Tayla shrugged. "Of course she was crying. She'd just lost her son because of her own stupidity."
"Yeah, I know." Tom closed his eyes and let his head fall back. "Is he still sleeping?"
"Yeah, he's out like a light." Tayla nodded. She wanted so badly to sit down and find out what was said and why she didn't show up at court for two days but she knew it would be out of line for her to ask.
"She wants to see him and I- I don't even want her to." Tom grumbled in a whisper.
"Tom, I understand that you're upset and everything." He looked up quickly. "And you have every right to be mad." Tayla held out her hand to calm him. "But you're going to have to let her see him eventually."
"Not unless she takes me back to court." He shook his head. "But, judging by her actions, I don't see that happening."
"What about when Bradyn is older? What happens when he's twelve and asks why his mom isn't around? Will you be able to tell him that she wanted to see him but you kept them apart?"
Tom took a deep breath as his frown deepened. "No."
"It might be hard to let her see him now but, Tom, in the long run I think it'll be better." She couldn't believe that those words were coming out of her mouth. She couldn't stand Astrid and honestly thought the world would be a better place if the woman just disappeared but she was Bradyn's mom.
"I just need some time alone with him."
"Then let her know that."
"I did." Tom nodded.
"You told her she'd be able to see him again?"
"I told her she couldn't see him right now but I didn't say she'd never see him again." Tom sighed and wished he could go back in time six months to when his life was normal. "Shit." He sighed and slid down the wall so that he was sitting on the floor. "This is supposed to be a happy day."
"I'm sorry." Tayla shook her head slowly.
"No one should be given this power. I mean, I could say that he and I are going to Germany never to return again and she couldn't do anything about it."
"I don't think you can leave the country."
"Yeah, I can. I checked." Tom pinched the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut. "But I just- I can't see doing that to someone. No matter how upset I got."
"This is tough."
"Tougher than you know." He nodded.
"Can you call her?"
"Can I? Yeah. I just don't want to. Why do I need to?" He glanced up at her as he lowered his voice.
"Just to let her know that you'll let her see him again in a few weeks or whatever."
"I can't call her right now. I just hung up on her."
"Well, not now but maybe when you get to Germany?" Tayla knelt beside him and placed her hand on his arm. He didn't respond or look up at her and she knew she'd crossed a line, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be telling you what to do." She blushed and removed her hand.
"This sucks."
"I know." Tayla nodded. "But you're doing good."
"You think so?"
"Of course I do."
"I feel like I've let everything fall apart."
"You haven't." She laughed lightly. "Just work through this crap, get Bradyn home and settled and into the flow of things. You'll be back to normal before you know it."
"I wouldn't recognize normal if it came up and bit me in the ass." Tom shook his head and stood up. "Thanks, Tayla.'
"You're welcome."
"For everything, really." He bit his lip nervously and reached down to help her up. "I definitely couldn't have done any of this without your help."
"No problem." She blushed quickly. "Of course, I'd like visitation rights too." She joked.
"You can come by whenever you want." Tom smiled and hoped that she would.
"I'll let you guys get settled. Besides, I have my own life I have to figure out when I get home." She rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips.
"It'll be so much better once we get home, I think." Tom nodded.
"When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning. Ten thirty." Tom yawned and looked over at Bradyn still sound asleep on the bed. "How about you?"
"I'm on the eleven ten flight to Hartford." Tayla smiled.
Tom sighed and shoved is hands into his pockets. "I guess I'll see you in the morning then."
"Okay." She smiled and cleared her throat. "If you need anything once you get home though, don't think twice about calling."
"I won't." Tom laughed. "I've gotten better about that you know."
"What? Admitting that you don't know everything?"
"Yeah." He laughed
"That's a good thing." Tayla smiled and covered her mouth as she yawned. "I'm gonna go back to bed now."
"Thanks, Tayla."
"You're welcome." She nodded as he pulled her in for a tight hug. He held her longer than normal and that fact didn't go unnoticed. It would be so easy to just turn her chin up and kiss him right then but she stopped herself. "This isn't the time or place." She thought to herself. "G'night." Tayla took a step back and reached to rub her lower lip. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay. G'night, Tayla." Tom nodded as she turned around and pulled the door open. She was gone before he knew it and he was left alone in his room with his son. He sighed as he placed his hands on his hips. "This has been one wild ride." He whispered to himself before he cleared his throat and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth before bed. He decided to put off packing until the morning as he slid under the covers in the bed opposite Bradyn.
Bradyn's mouth opened and closed slightly with each deep breath he took, making a tiny "puh" sound with each exhale. Tom smiled and adjusted his pillow so he could watch Bradyn until he fell asleep on his own. He never wanted to forget that day.
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Early the next morning everyone met by the elevators with all of their luggage piled up along the walls. Bradyn made the rounds with Lello making sure everyone said good-bye to Lello before Tom had to put him in the backpack so that he wouldn't get misplaced on the way to the airport.They took two vans to the airport and checked their luggage at the curb before heading inside to go through the security checks and to locate their gate. The large group of travelers and security guards made their way through the airport to the gate for those leaving to Germany. Tayla and Gustav said good-bye to everyone there and waited as they boarded the plane to head home to Germany. "So you're staying here?" Tayla asked Gustav as they turned to head to her gate.
"Yeah, I have a few more days of vacation here and I might hop up to Seattle to visit with some friends before I go home."
"That sounds fun."
"Yeah, I guess." Gustav laughed.
"You don't have to wait around. You can go ahead and go." Tayla looked up at the display screen to find out if her flight was on time. "My flight won't be leaving for another forty minutes." She crinkled her nose and adjusted her purse on her shoulder.
"Like I've got anything better to do." Gustav laughed. "Do you mind if I hang out? I'll buy you a Coke or something. Do you want a burrito?" He pointed to the Taco Bell between two gates.
"No, I'm okay." Tayla laughed and ran her fingers through her hair as she cleared her throat.
"So are you coming with us on the European tour?"
"Yeah." Tayla nodded. "In fact I have a lot of work to do back home to get you guys ready. Overall you're gonna have the same on stage outfits but there are about a dozen awards shows and special events I have to plan for."
"Do I have to wear any suits?" Gustav made a face.
"No, I think there's only one black tie event."
"Do I have to go?"
"You'll be meeting with royalty if I remember correctly so, yes, you have to go." Tayla laughed. "But I have to find you guys some stylish tuxedos that aren't too flashy."
"No gold sequins of anything like that, right?"
"No, nothing like that. I was thinking about powder blue ruffled tuxedos but-" She shrugged and smiled. "I haven't decided."
"That'd be hot. We'd be setting the fashion statement of the year. What not to wear when you meet the Queen." Gustav laughed and dropped himself into one of the chairs. "I can't believe the kid's gonna be around from now on, you know?"
"It'll be a big change."
"Yeah. I mean, when we started this tour no one even knew about him and now he's coming with us? That's going to be crazy, in a good way. He's an awesome kid."
"He's cool." Tayla nodded.
"I'd pay good money to watch Tom try to potty train him though." Gustav snickered under his breath.
"Me too." Tayla's eyes danced. "That poor guy is clueless but he's doing pretty good winging it so far."
"Tom's one of those guys that can build a Porsche out of a bowl of rice, a band aid and a Zippo lighter." Gustav shook his head. "There's nothing he can't do."
"He's like Superman."
"No, Georg's like Superman. Tom's that MacGuyver guy or whatever." Gustav scratched the side of his nose. "I'm glad he's come around though. I was worried at the beginning for a little bit."
"Yeah." Tayla sighed.
"I mean really, he was bad."
"I know."
"Seriously."
"So do you want kids now? After seeing what Tom's gone through?" Tayla asked a minute later.
"Eh." He shrugged. "Sure, I want kids. But not out on the road, you know? Not right now, that's for sure."
"Well yeah."
"And I doubt Ang wants anything like that either. I'm still too young for that." He laughed. "Too young in the head, I think." Gustav tapped his temple.
"There's no hurry."
"No. How about you? Do you want kids?"
"I've always wanted kids." She smiled and looked out as the plane pulled into the gate to unload the passengers that were arriving from Newark. "But not right now."
Gustav gave her a high-five as he laughed and laced his fingers behind his head. They made small talk for a little while longer before Tayla boarded her plane and headed home to Connecticut while Gustav went back to the hotel alone.
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Seppel and Saki rode in the van through the darkness with Tom and Bradyn as they drove to Tom's house. It was more than an hour from the airport in a small gated community surrounded by lush landscaping and a quiet neighborhood. They pulled up in front of his lighted driveway and the guards hopped out to grab the luggage from the back of the van. "You want it by the door, Tom?""Yeah, that's cool. I'll take it inside after I get the kid settled." Tom nodded as he leaned over to unstrap Bradyn who was sound asleep. "Come on, buddy. Look where we are." Tom said softly as he lifted Bradyn out of the seat. They climbed out of the car and Tom rested him on his shoulder. "Look." He smiled.
"Where?" Bradyn mumbled as he turned his head toward the house.
"We're home." Tom kissed Bradyn's temple and smiled. "Cool, huh?"
"Cool." Bradyn yawned as they walked up the circular driveway to the front door. "I see lato."
"You'll see it later?" Tom laughed softly. "Okay, go on back to sleep." Tom patted Bradyn's back then thanked the two security guards for everything they'd done over the last few weeks, above and beyond the call of duty.
"Anytime, Tom. We'll see you later." Saki smiled and waved as they headed back to the van.
"G'night." Tom waved then turned to his front door. He carefully dug the unfamiliar keys out of his pocket and turned it in the lock. It had been months since he was in his house and he hoped he'd remember the alarm code. The door opened easily as he pushed gently. He keyed the five digit code into the keypad. When the beeping stopped, he breathed a sigh of relief. He'd guessed right.
"Well, buddy, this is it." Tom smiled and walked down the length of his hall toward the wide carpeted stairs. "We're home." He carefully climbed the stairs to his room and laid Bradyn on the bed. For the first time, he felt whole. Having Bradyn there with him at home. It felt right. He had no doubt that things were going to work out just fine, no matter what.
"We're home." He whispered one more time before he tiptoed out the door.
Chapter Seven