Chapter 69
Over breakfast, Kevin and Tyler explained to everyone what they had learned from the Orlando police department about Tiffany’s parents. They also read the letter and gave it to Howie. Then Kevin told them that he and Tyler fully intended to honor Tiffany’s mother’s request.
The final announcement came as a shock to everyone. Harold looked at Kevin and said, "You mean to tell me that not only are you going to adopt this unborn child that Tyler is carrying but you’re also going to take in ANOTHER child, a pre-teen to boot?"
"That’s right," said Kevin.
"You need your head examined! What would your father say if he were still alive?"
"I think he’d be supportive of our decision. Look, Tyler and I aren’t looking for advice or commentary on our sanity. We’re telling you all so you won’t be in the dark. We were also hoping for a little support but it’s not REALLY necessary. Uncle Harold, I don’t think you realize this but Tyler’s parents were killed when she was just three and Hoke and Paula took her in to raise. That’s what we want to do for Tiffany."
The other four guys in the group and their girlfriends chorused their support for Kevin and Tyler as did her aunt and uncle and Kevin’s mother and brothers.
"Thank you," said Tyler tiredly.
Paula said, "Tyler, Pops and I will do whatever you need."
"Thank you, Mami. Before we go to South America, we’re going to get everything straight. I think it’s best if Tiffany finishes out the school year where she is and we’ll have to find somewhere for her to stay."
Denise, Jane, and Bob also offered their support. It was just Brian’s father who opposed this which no one could understand.
After breakfast, Kevin and Tyler went to get Tiffany while Jane and Bob gathered the other children with them. Kevin and Tyler took Tiffany to his office and closed the door behind them.
Tiffany noticed how serious Tyler and Kevin were and asked, "What’s wrong?"
"Tiff, this is REALLY hard to tell you," started Kevin. "Your mom gave us a letter before we left to be opened yesterday but Tyler and I opened it a day early. In the letter, she told us that she was tired of the fighting over you and your brothers and sisters and she was going to take action. She also gave us guardianship of you."
Tiffany looked stunned but she didn’t cry. She asked, "Is that why you asked if I wanted to stay the rest of the week?"
"Yes," said Tyler. "Tiffany, we talked to the police. Both of your parents are dead."
Without blinking an eye, Tiffany asked, "Where are my brothers and sisters?"
"Foster homes for now," said Kevin. "Tiffany, we want to honor
your mother’s wishes but we can’t take your brothers and sisters. It’s
going to be hard enough with the new baby and the tour."
"We WILL make sure that you see your family though," said Tyler.
Tiffany sat there trying to comprehend what Kevin and Tyler had just told her. She asked, "What about school?"
"You’ll finish out this year but we haven’t figured out next year. Kevin and I are going to be living here when we’re not on tour or he’s in the studio."
"You’ll probably go to school here with Courtney and Annie and when we’re on the road, I’ll get a private tutor."
Tyler spoke up, "Not necessary. I do have a teaching degree, you know?"
"So you’ll tutor me?"
"Yes."
"Cool!"
Kevin had noticed that Tiffany didn’t appear to be upset about the news. "Tiffany, you aren’t upset. Why?"
"It serves them both right. They have jerked us all around for the last year telling everyone lies about each other and treating us like dirt."
"But they’re your parents," pointed out Tyler.
"You and Kevin have been more like parents to me in the short time I’ve known you than they have been."
There was a knock at the door and Jane came in followed by Jerald and Stephanie. Jane asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Sort of," said Kevin.
"We’ve all been talking and we have some suggestions," said Jerald. "We know you had planned to let Tiffany stay here with you this week but you should be on your honeymoon."
"Let us take Tiffany back to Orlando with us," said Jane. "We’ll handle all the legal issues for you, take her to see her brothers and sisters, take her to the funerals, and then bring her to LA."
Kevin looked at Tyler. "What do you think?"
"I guess so but I really don’t mind her being with us this week."
"We know," said Jerald. "But you and Kevin need to have time together, alone. You’re about to take on some HUGE responsibilities that are difficult when you’ve been married for a while. You two are newlyweds."
"Tiffany, what do you think?"
This time, Tiffany hesitated. She looked at Kevin and Tyler then the other three. She finally said, "That’s fine, but promise me, I can help with some of the baby’s room."
"We promise," smiled Kevin.
With that settled, Kevin and Tyler gave Tiffany a hug and they all rejoined
the others. Good-byes were said since most of them were headed back to Florida
that day. The ones who weren’t leaving right away were headed back to the
hotel though so that Tyler and Kevin could be alone....finally.
Mami gave Tyler a hug and said, "The kitchen is clean so you two get some
rest."
"Thanks, Mami."
Mami gave Kevin a hug too. "You make sure she rests, please."
Kevin laughed as he looked at Tyler. "I’ll try but she can be pretty stubborn sometimes."
Howie spoke up, "Sometimes? Kevin, you need to rethink that."
Tyler shot him a dirty look. "Watch it, Howard."
Hugging Tyler, Howie said, "I still love you though. We’ll see you in LA."
When everyone was gone, Kevin said, "Ready to get some sleep?"
Putting her arms around his waist, she said, "Can we ride back out to our spot where we were earlier?"
"You need to rest, baby."
"We can take a blanket and I promise to take a nap while we’re up there."
Kevin looked at her as she practically begged him. He laughed, "Okay, turn off the pitiful looking eyes. I can’t take it when you look at me like that."
"I know. Why do you think I do it?"
Kevin kissed her and said, "Let’s fix a picnic lunch. There should be enough leftovers."
"I’ll do that while you get a blanket and saddle the horses."
"I thought we’d take the truck."
"I really wanted to ride out there but do whatever you want."
The two parted to get the things for the day. Kevin changed his mind about taking the truck and returned to the house with the horses. Tyler had changed into a pair of jeans and one of his old sweatshirts and was waiting for him on the front porch.
The couple spent the rest of the day at their spot that overlooked a beautiful lake. They talked for a while before they both fell asleep.
Monday found the couple shopping for things for the baby’s nursery. Tyler saw a rocking chair that she really liked but Kevin told her no and wouldn’t explain. He just told her that they didn’t need it. He did agree to a Disney theme as long as she didn’t have any Ninja turtles. They had fun looking and shopping.
Tuesday, the couple started getting the nursery ready. Kevin got Tim to come out and help move the heavy things along with setting up the crib and other baby furniture. Tim brought their mother with them along with a rocking chair.
Kevin greeted his mother with a hug. "I didn’t know you were coming too."
"Well, when Tim said you two were working on the nursery, I thought this would be the right time to give Tyler the rocking chair."
Tim was pulling it out as Tyler came out of the house. "What’s that, Mom?"
"A rocking chair for the nursery."
Kevin took the chair from Tim and started to take it in. As he passed Tyler, he gave her a kiss. "Any place special you want this?"
"By the window, please."
Kevin went in followed by Tim while Tyler greeted her new mother-in-law.
Anne said, "Tyler, I want you to have the rocking chair. Kevin’s father made it for me when I was pregnant with Kevin."
"Thank you," said Tyler. "That means a lot to me. Can I ask you something?"
"Anytime."
"I know you’re okay with all of this, but I don’t know why."
"Because of Kevin. He loves you so deeply and the way he looks at you reminds me of how his father looked at me. You two have such a deep bond and I’m thrilled that Kevin has found such a wonderful girl."
Kevin and Tim came back and Kevin asked, "Are you two coming in?"
"Yes, son. Tyler and I were just talking."
Tyler took Kevin’s hand and he knelt down beside her. "Your dad made that rocking chair."
"I know. Mama had already told me and that’s why I wouldn’t let you buy one yesterday."
The four went in and spent the rest of the morning getting the nursery prepared.
Later that afternoon, when Anne and Tim had left, Tyler disappeared. Kevin went looking for her and found her sitting in the rocking chair in the nursery holding the teddy bear they’d bought. He could see tears on her cheeks as he knelt in front of her.
Softly, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just thinking."
"Stop doing that then," teased Kevin.
Tyler laughed, "It wasn’t all bad. Your mother and brothers have been so wonderful."
"Baby, they love you as much as I do. Come on. This is our honeymoon and you’re getting too emotional over all this. Let’s go do something newlyweds should be doing."
Tyler laughed as Kevin pulled her up. She put her rams around his waist and kissed him. "You’re incorrigible!"
The two spent the rest of the afternoon in their room making love and holding each other close.
