The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, chapter 10
*Tre's POV*
Finally, after some time, the reporters started to leave Sadie and Joe alone. But by 'after some time', I mean... 5 months. So now, Sadie was seven months pregnant. We had been spending lots of time together. Sadie was usually pretty tired, but somehow managed to get her work done, show up at different benefits and award shows, and spend time with the family. It blows my mind how she can just get so many things done in 15 hours. Joe's been helping her a lot around the house and stuff. He's been doing all the cooking and lots of cleaning.
Sadie has been using black vegetable dye to color her hair now. She hasn't cut it for a long time, so it's pretty long. She keeps it pulled back usually. She's looking relatively normal right now, because maternity clothes are never too bizarre.
Today, I was sitting with Billie Joe and Mike at one of the local restaurants we liked. We had been thinking of having a reunion for this year's Live 8. We hadn't played together for ten or eleven years, and we had really started to miss it. We originally retired from the band because or families were always are main priority, and we were putting off making music. We were getting too busy. Billie Joe's clothing line and record label with Adrienne and his friends were getting really big. He started getting so stressed. I was quitting smoking, and Claudia and Frankito moved out, which really put me in a pissed off mood, and I didn't feel like working at the time. Mike was getting pretty stressed too. All the touring wasn't good for his heart. Plus, he had mild carpal tunnel, which made it tricky to play his bass sometimes. But it was a lot better now. Once we looked back at what we had already accomplished, and what was going on in our personal lives, we decided it was time to take a long break. Maybe a reunion was in our future, maybe not.
So today, we decided that a reunion was a good idea. Maybe even another album. We were pretty keen on the whole album idea, and a reunion was now definite.
"So, I'll call Bob Geldof then. He'll get us a space in Live 8," Billie Joe said, sipping his coffee.
"Alright. So, it's official. Green Day is back together," Mike stated.
"Cheers," I said, as we all clinked our glasses.
***
*Sadie's POV*
I sat in my studio, studying a gown that had been submitted to me for my summer line that would be out in late June. I had almost four months to get all the dresses together, and get them made. It was going to be a challenge, since I'll have two babies by then.
While jotting down a couple notes concerning a blue evening dress submitted by one of my best employees, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID. It was Dad.
I placed my pen beside my cup of orange juice and picked up the phone.
"Hey Dad."
"Hey Sadie. How'd you know it was me?"
"Caller ID." I laughed.
"Oh yeah. So uh, how ya been?"
"Just fine. Work's been good. I'm working on another line and stuff."
"You're always working on another line."
"Yeah I know. But it's what I love to do, so there's nothing wrong with that. I may take a break once in a while, but after a period of time, I miss it. So I keep working."
Dad was silent for a second, and then replied.
"Kind of like me and the band."
"What? You and the band have been retired for years."
"That's why I called you. We aren't retired anymore. We decided we were gonna get back together, and our first gig would be at Live 8," Dad said excitedly.
"Wha... I... Oh my Gosh. Are you serious?! Dad that's great! Are you guys gonna put out another album?"
"We might. We've been thinking that would be a good idea. We're gonna get together sometime and write a couple songs. Just to see how they end up really. If we make something great, we're making an album."
I was bowled over. This was so exciting! I always had this little feeling that they would get back together. I hoped they would.
"Dad, I'm so happy for you! I hope I'll get to see you play live again."
"Yeah I...wait. What do you mean by again?"
"Oh, yeah. When I was twelve I saw you live while you were touring for American Idiot."
"Really? Man...that's weird. Who opened?"
"My Chemical Romance. It was a good concert."
"Cool. How come you never told me you saw me live?"
"You never asked."
Dad laughed, and cleared his throat.
"You're crazy."
"You don't need to remind me," I laughed, grabbing me pen and making another note.
"You're working as we speak aren't you?"
"What? No I...yeah I am."
"Sadie there's a fine line between loving your job and obsessing over it."
"And I stomp all over that line."
"Exactly."
Dad and I continued to chat about stuff. Ramona's daughter Betty, Joe's work, Dad's plans for the tour if he does actually make a CD with Green Day.
"I think we'll take breaks every month or two just to spend a week with our families. Of course, Billie Joe and I want to see the twins as much as possible once they arrive, and Mike's daughter Estella just got engaged to one of her photographers, so he wants to spend sometime with her, and he wants to meet his future son-in-law."
Estella signed a huge contract for Ford Models two years ago, and she was doing pretty well. She had been dating this Russian photographer, Borislav Ferapont. He was ten years older, and had a handlebar moustache. I don't know about you, but I think handlebar moustaches can't be taken seriously, no matter how you look at them.
"Oh, so they're engaged now? That's cool. Man, I haven't talked to her in a while. How old is she now?"
"She's turning 23 in a little while."
"Ah. Kind of young to be married in my opinion," I said, sipping my juice. "But it's her decision, and I respect that."
"Sadie, you think any age is to young for marriage."
"I do not! I just think you should know the person for a really long time, and you should be one hundred percent sure that this person is completely unswerving."
"Unswerving?"
"Yeah...It's a word."
***
I sat on the couch with Joe, eating my plate of whole-wheat tortellini and Greek salad. I didn't have to put my plate on a table now. I was able to just rest it on my stomach. Most women wouldn't be able to do that, but with twins, I was pretty big.
Joe and I were talking about our Dads, and Mike getting back together for the band. We were both pretty excited. It had been a little over ten years since they had last played together.
"If they go on tour, we'll be in the mosh pit at their first concert," Joe laughed.
"Definitely. By then I'll have a nice flat stomach, and I won't have to wear these tacky maternity clothes," I said, taking a bite of my dinner.
Joe laughed as he flipped through the channels on the television. He stopped a channel that was playing The Muppets Wizard Of Oz. Definitely a favourite of mine. I love The Muppets on so many levels.
"Sweet. It's just starting," I said, sipping my orange juice. I had really been craving orange juice lately. I had around five glasses of it a day.
The opening credits appeared on the screen, and I watched intently. I could never get enough of Kermit the Frog.
"Sadie?"
"Yup?" I replied, not taking my eyes off the screen.
"Do you-"
The ringing of the phone cut off Joe.
"Sorry Joe I better get that. I'm expecting a call from my sister Jackie," I said, getting up from my seat. Getting up from my seat was kind of a hassle now, what with my melon belly. Sometimes I needed help up, depending on what chair I was sitting in.
I shuffled over to the telephone and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey Shorty," my sister Jackie said. It was a little joke between us, since she was 5 foot 2, and I was...taller.
"So how you been?" I asked Jackie, who was shuffling around.
"Good, good. The divorce is final, and I'm moving out tomorrow. I got a real good condo in Beverly Hills."
My sister had recently broken up with her husband, which sucked. Great. Another component to fabricate my fear of marriage.
"Beverly Hills? You're moving to LA?"
"Yeah. But I'll fly in to see my little sister's kiddies of course. When are you due again?"
"Late May. Why didn't you ever have kids with your husband Greg?"
"Well, he didn't really want any. Plus, we're both really busy people. I have my books and my lectures at the University, and he's a surgeon. We don't really have time for kids. Sadly you won't be an aunt any time soon," Jackie laughed.
"Actually I am already. I told you about my sister Mona right? She's got two kids. Betty and Chris."
"Oh yeah. Forgot about her. You've got a brother too right?"
"Yeah, Frank. He's eighteen."
"Riiight. So, do you know the sex of your twins yet?"
My legs started to hurt so I sat down in a chair at the dining room table.
"No. We're gonna leave it a surprise. We were indecisive about it before, but now we know we want it a surprise."
"Oh that's cool. Man, I really haven't seen much of you in the past year. We need to get some coffee when I fly in from Beverly Hills. I actually got a job at Stanford, and I'm gonna give my lectures there."
"Stanford? That's where Joe went."
"Hey, that's right. Speaking of Joe, has he been helping you during the pregnancy and stuff?"
"Oh yeah. He's definitely been a big help. I couldn't do it without him." I said, glancing over at Joe, who was stretched out on the sofa, laughing at Miss Piggy.
"That's great Sarah. I wish I could see you more often and help you out and stuff, but I've been so busy with work, the divorce and stuff. Unfortunately I figured out today that I have to keep my married name because that's the name on my books."
"Oh jeez, that's not good. Oh well."
I continued to talk to my sister, and actually lost track of time. We spoke to each other seldom, but whenever we did it was for hours on end. I glanced at the clock, and it was 11:00 already.
"Oh crap. Uh, Jackie I have to head to bed now. I didn't realize how late it was. I'm really tired."
"Oh alright. Talk to you later Shorty."
"Bye Jack."
I hung up the phone and walked towards the couch where Joe was sleeping. His monotonous snoring made me laugh. I shook his shoulder slightly so he could come upstairs and sleep in the bed with me.
"Joe, Joe dear wake up. Come upstairs. You fell asleep on the couch."
"Whaa? Ohh... " Said Joe, getting up and making his way to the stairs. I could tell he was still asleep. He sleepwalks sometimes.
I walked behind him, making sure he didn't fall over or anything. It was a slow journey to the fourth floor, since Joe was walking leisurely.
Once we made it to the fourth floor, Joe stumbled towards our bedroom and walked into the door. I hurried over and opened the door for him so he could go in. He staggered over to the bed and got in, not bothering to put the covers on himself. I grabbed a quilt and laid it on him.
I slipped my clothes off and got my pajamas from my dresser. I pulled them on and slid under the quilt. It took mere seconds for me to fall asleep.
Finally, after some time, the reporters started to leave Sadie and Joe alone. But by 'after some time', I mean... 5 months. So now, Sadie was seven months pregnant. We had been spending lots of time together. Sadie was usually pretty tired, but somehow managed to get her work done, show up at different benefits and award shows, and spend time with the family. It blows my mind how she can just get so many things done in 15 hours. Joe's been helping her a lot around the house and stuff. He's been doing all the cooking and lots of cleaning.
Sadie has been using black vegetable dye to color her hair now. She hasn't cut it for a long time, so it's pretty long. She keeps it pulled back usually. She's looking relatively normal right now, because maternity clothes are never too bizarre.
Today, I was sitting with Billie Joe and Mike at one of the local restaurants we liked. We had been thinking of having a reunion for this year's Live 8. We hadn't played together for ten or eleven years, and we had really started to miss it. We originally retired from the band because or families were always are main priority, and we were putting off making music. We were getting too busy. Billie Joe's clothing line and record label with Adrienne and his friends were getting really big. He started getting so stressed. I was quitting smoking, and Claudia and Frankito moved out, which really put me in a pissed off mood, and I didn't feel like working at the time. Mike was getting pretty stressed too. All the touring wasn't good for his heart. Plus, he had mild carpal tunnel, which made it tricky to play his bass sometimes. But it was a lot better now. Once we looked back at what we had already accomplished, and what was going on in our personal lives, we decided it was time to take a long break. Maybe a reunion was in our future, maybe not.
So today, we decided that a reunion was a good idea. Maybe even another album. We were pretty keen on the whole album idea, and a reunion was now definite.
"So, I'll call Bob Geldof then. He'll get us a space in Live 8," Billie Joe said, sipping his coffee.
"Alright. So, it's official. Green Day is back together," Mike stated.
"Cheers," I said, as we all clinked our glasses.
***
*Sadie's POV*
I sat in my studio, studying a gown that had been submitted to me for my summer line that would be out in late June. I had almost four months to get all the dresses together, and get them made. It was going to be a challenge, since I'll have two babies by then.
While jotting down a couple notes concerning a blue evening dress submitted by one of my best employees, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID. It was Dad.
I placed my pen beside my cup of orange juice and picked up the phone.
"Hey Dad."
"Hey Sadie. How'd you know it was me?"
"Caller ID." I laughed.
"Oh yeah. So uh, how ya been?"
"Just fine. Work's been good. I'm working on another line and stuff."
"You're always working on another line."
"Yeah I know. But it's what I love to do, so there's nothing wrong with that. I may take a break once in a while, but after a period of time, I miss it. So I keep working."
Dad was silent for a second, and then replied.
"Kind of like me and the band."
"What? You and the band have been retired for years."
"That's why I called you. We aren't retired anymore. We decided we were gonna get back together, and our first gig would be at Live 8," Dad said excitedly.
"Wha... I... Oh my Gosh. Are you serious?! Dad that's great! Are you guys gonna put out another album?"
"We might. We've been thinking that would be a good idea. We're gonna get together sometime and write a couple songs. Just to see how they end up really. If we make something great, we're making an album."
I was bowled over. This was so exciting! I always had this little feeling that they would get back together. I hoped they would.
"Dad, I'm so happy for you! I hope I'll get to see you play live again."
"Yeah I...wait. What do you mean by again?"
"Oh, yeah. When I was twelve I saw you live while you were touring for American Idiot."
"Really? Man...that's weird. Who opened?"
"My Chemical Romance. It was a good concert."
"Cool. How come you never told me you saw me live?"
"You never asked."
Dad laughed, and cleared his throat.
"You're crazy."
"You don't need to remind me," I laughed, grabbing me pen and making another note.
"You're working as we speak aren't you?"
"What? No I...yeah I am."
"Sadie there's a fine line between loving your job and obsessing over it."
"And I stomp all over that line."
"Exactly."
Dad and I continued to chat about stuff. Ramona's daughter Betty, Joe's work, Dad's plans for the tour if he does actually make a CD with Green Day.
"I think we'll take breaks every month or two just to spend a week with our families. Of course, Billie Joe and I want to see the twins as much as possible once they arrive, and Mike's daughter Estella just got engaged to one of her photographers, so he wants to spend sometime with her, and he wants to meet his future son-in-law."
Estella signed a huge contract for Ford Models two years ago, and she was doing pretty well. She had been dating this Russian photographer, Borislav Ferapont. He was ten years older, and had a handlebar moustache. I don't know about you, but I think handlebar moustaches can't be taken seriously, no matter how you look at them.
"Oh, so they're engaged now? That's cool. Man, I haven't talked to her in a while. How old is she now?"
"She's turning 23 in a little while."
"Ah. Kind of young to be married in my opinion," I said, sipping my juice. "But it's her decision, and I respect that."
"Sadie, you think any age is to young for marriage."
"I do not! I just think you should know the person for a really long time, and you should be one hundred percent sure that this person is completely unswerving."
"Unswerving?"
"Yeah...It's a word."
***
I sat on the couch with Joe, eating my plate of whole-wheat tortellini and Greek salad. I didn't have to put my plate on a table now. I was able to just rest it on my stomach. Most women wouldn't be able to do that, but with twins, I was pretty big.
Joe and I were talking about our Dads, and Mike getting back together for the band. We were both pretty excited. It had been a little over ten years since they had last played together.
"If they go on tour, we'll be in the mosh pit at their first concert," Joe laughed.
"Definitely. By then I'll have a nice flat stomach, and I won't have to wear these tacky maternity clothes," I said, taking a bite of my dinner.
Joe laughed as he flipped through the channels on the television. He stopped a channel that was playing The Muppets Wizard Of Oz. Definitely a favourite of mine. I love The Muppets on so many levels.
"Sweet. It's just starting," I said, sipping my orange juice. I had really been craving orange juice lately. I had around five glasses of it a day.
The opening credits appeared on the screen, and I watched intently. I could never get enough of Kermit the Frog.
"Sadie?"
"Yup?" I replied, not taking my eyes off the screen.
"Do you-"
The ringing of the phone cut off Joe.
"Sorry Joe I better get that. I'm expecting a call from my sister Jackie," I said, getting up from my seat. Getting up from my seat was kind of a hassle now, what with my melon belly. Sometimes I needed help up, depending on what chair I was sitting in.
I shuffled over to the telephone and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey Shorty," my sister Jackie said. It was a little joke between us, since she was 5 foot 2, and I was...taller.
"So how you been?" I asked Jackie, who was shuffling around.
"Good, good. The divorce is final, and I'm moving out tomorrow. I got a real good condo in Beverly Hills."
My sister had recently broken up with her husband, which sucked. Great. Another component to fabricate my fear of marriage.
"Beverly Hills? You're moving to LA?"
"Yeah. But I'll fly in to see my little sister's kiddies of course. When are you due again?"
"Late May. Why didn't you ever have kids with your husband Greg?"
"Well, he didn't really want any. Plus, we're both really busy people. I have my books and my lectures at the University, and he's a surgeon. We don't really have time for kids. Sadly you won't be an aunt any time soon," Jackie laughed.
"Actually I am already. I told you about my sister Mona right? She's got two kids. Betty and Chris."
"Oh yeah. Forgot about her. You've got a brother too right?"
"Yeah, Frank. He's eighteen."
"Riiight. So, do you know the sex of your twins yet?"
My legs started to hurt so I sat down in a chair at the dining room table.
"No. We're gonna leave it a surprise. We were indecisive about it before, but now we know we want it a surprise."
"Oh that's cool. Man, I really haven't seen much of you in the past year. We need to get some coffee when I fly in from Beverly Hills. I actually got a job at Stanford, and I'm gonna give my lectures there."
"Stanford? That's where Joe went."
"Hey, that's right. Speaking of Joe, has he been helping you during the pregnancy and stuff?"
"Oh yeah. He's definitely been a big help. I couldn't do it without him." I said, glancing over at Joe, who was stretched out on the sofa, laughing at Miss Piggy.
"That's great Sarah. I wish I could see you more often and help you out and stuff, but I've been so busy with work, the divorce and stuff. Unfortunately I figured out today that I have to keep my married name because that's the name on my books."
"Oh jeez, that's not good. Oh well."
I continued to talk to my sister, and actually lost track of time. We spoke to each other seldom, but whenever we did it was for hours on end. I glanced at the clock, and it was 11:00 already.
"Oh crap. Uh, Jackie I have to head to bed now. I didn't realize how late it was. I'm really tired."
"Oh alright. Talk to you later Shorty."
"Bye Jack."
I hung up the phone and walked towards the couch where Joe was sleeping. His monotonous snoring made me laugh. I shook his shoulder slightly so he could come upstairs and sleep in the bed with me.
"Joe, Joe dear wake up. Come upstairs. You fell asleep on the couch."
"Whaa? Ohh... " Said Joe, getting up and making his way to the stairs. I could tell he was still asleep. He sleepwalks sometimes.
I walked behind him, making sure he didn't fall over or anything. It was a slow journey to the fourth floor, since Joe was walking leisurely.
Once we made it to the fourth floor, Joe stumbled towards our bedroom and walked into the door. I hurried over and opened the door for him so he could go in. He staggered over to the bed and got in, not bothering to put the covers on himself. I grabbed a quilt and laid it on him.
I slipped my clothes off and got my pajamas from my dresser. I pulled them on and slid under the quilt. It took mere seconds for me to fall asleep.
