Two

Life is nothing without a little crazy to keep you on your toes

 

To say their schedules were jam-packed for the weeks following the visit to Dr. Barnes would be an understatement. Between Jon and Ari, it was a case of meetings piled upon meetings to iron out last-minute problems and final logistics for the first leg of the tour. Today was no different, and they were both heading their separate ways once again.

 

That’s not to say Ari was alone.  Ever since making Kennedy her right-hand man, the other woman was as present as Ari’s actual right hand at most of these meetings, and today’s adventure had the two of them heading to Montreal.  There were some finer details to iron out at the Bell Centre.  

 

The short flight wouldn’t have been a big deal, but when Jon wouldn’t answer his phone for her usual pre-takeoff serenade, Ari’s panic was enough to scare the bejesus out of Kennedy.  Kennedy’s eyes stayed wide and watchful as Ari scrambled through her contact list in search of someone – anyone – willing to sing to her.  It wasn’t until Jake answered his phone and agreed to humor his stepmother that they were both able to relax.  

 

That relaxation was short-lived, however, because they hit the ground running as soon as the plane touched down.  

 

The first stop was to drop off Kennedy at the loft.  There she could work on the daily crew emails detailing the latest updates and changes.  She would also call ahead to the Bell Centre to get a head start on what the issues were before the actual meeting. 

 

With the business aspect of things covered, that left Ari free to take Lily and make their way over to the appointment with Dr. Laurent.  Dr. Barness recommended following the same plan of action as the last pregnancy, but Ari was hopeful things wouldn’t be exactly the same.  She had all her fingers and toes crossed they wouldn’t need Dr. Rispino and bed rest in another country this time around.  

 

Other than the three pounds she’d lost since the visit with Dr. Barnes in New Jersey, everything about the appointment went smoothly and the baby looked great.  Dr. Laurent was incredibly helpful in offering ways to eat without getting sick, and they developed a list of foods that could help reduce my nausea while helping with weight gain.   

 

With that information tucked into her phone, she headed to Petite Soho to meet Cara for lunch.  So far, they’d only told a handful of people they were pregnant again, but it wasn’t with the intention of keeping her bestie in the dark.  It was just that a phone call didn’t seem the right way to tell Cara she was going to be an aunt again.  That was something that should be done in person, if for no other reason than to see the look on Cara’s face.  

 

Although the way exhaustion pulled at Ari’s limb, there was a last-minute ulterior motive, too.  She planned to persuade her friend to take care of Lily while Ari grabbed the nap she so desperately needed.  

 

Truthfully, it wouldn’t take much to convince Cara.  They spent so little time with her these days.  Her workload had doubled since starting to date Jonas, and in between trips with him and the band, she spent most of the time working in her studio.  She would likely be thrilled to break out of the rut and get a little baby snuggle time.  

 

It was with that optimism that Ari parked in front, grabbed her knapsack and circled the car.  The mild weather for late January was unexpectedly pleasant, so she didn’t bother with the infant carrier.  Instead, she unbuckled the little monkey, wrapped her in her favorite blanket and carried her into the bar.  

 

She’d barely made it through the door when Cara snatched Lily and showered her rosy cheeks with kisses. 

 

“Well, hello to you too.” Ari playfully teased.

 

“Oh, come here,” Cara pulled her in for a one-armed hug, still holding Lily close with the other.  “You know I love you, too.”

 

“Yeah, yeah.”

 

“What have you been feeding this child? I can’t believe how much she has grown since the last time I saw her.”

 

“Maybe you should visit us more.”

 

“Don’t even start!” the other woman huffed, gently bouncing so that the bundle of baby let out a sweet coo of delight.  “I barely have time to breathe.”

“You know you love every minute of it. You’d go crazy just sitting around.”

 

“Look who’s talking. Ms. CEO, heading out on the road again.”

 

“On that note...  Sit down, I have something I want to tell you.”

 

Cara’s brow lifted, and she slid curious eyes at Ari while simultaneously moving a highchair to the nearest table.  “What?  Did Mr. Rockstar fire your ass already?” 

 

“Like he’d even think of doing that.”

 

“He write you another song?”

“Oh please, don’t give him any ideas.”

The corners of her mouth turned downward as she considered what the mysterious news could be.  When Lily was settled into the chair, she turned to Ari and shrugged. “I give up.”

“He knocked me up.”

 

“Excusez-moi?”  Big eyes blinked in utter disbelief, and if Ari wasn’t so tired, she’d laugh.  “Please repeat that, cause I’m pretty sure you just said you were pregnant again.”

 

“That’s what I said.”

 

“Holy shit, Ariana! How? When?”  She grabbed the knapsack and found a soft toy for Lily, who wrapped chubby fingers around it and banged on the highchair tray.  “I mean, I know HOW, but when did this happen?”

 

With her child tended to, Ariana settled into one of the table’s remaining chairs with a weary sigh.  “Slow your roll and sit down. I’ll tell you everything.”

 

During the hours that followed, Ari filled her friend in on all events of the past couple of months. At one point she stopped and asked her to pinch her, because she couldn’t believe she was having another baby.  She never imagined having one, let alone two in her entire life. Yet here she was, happier than she had ever been, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

 

Once their food arrived, Ari had to excuse herself as the smell of her once favorite dishes made her feel nauseous. Cara told her to head upstairs for a nap, explaining that she would take Lily to her studio and for Ari to meet them there later. 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Ari’s “short nap” ended up being three hours, and as much as she needed it, she could do without the wave of guilt for burdening Cara with Lily and Kennedy with solo work for so long.  Quickly, she texted Kennedy an apology and offered to bring food back. 

 

She hurried down the backstairs with the food order passing it to Gabriel and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Sticking her head into the office for a quick hello and goodbye to Max earned a laugh and a wave from the man whom she chatted weekly.  It was during one of those recent chats that she’d revealed she was expecting another baby, so she didn’t feel bad about the quick in and out.

 

The evening air had grown chilly and more typical of January while Ari slept, and she worried about Lily going from the warm studio into the cold.  While Gabriel was preparing Kennedy’s order, she took the opportunity to start the car and message Cara to meet her there with the baby.  

 

After sharing an extra tight hug, they both promised to stay in touch more regularly, and Cara didn’t pass up the opportunity to again suggest that Ari consider hiring a nanny.  The most she could promise was to think about it.

 

It didn’t take long to get to the parking garage at the loft, but when she went to gently unlock the infant carrier, her girl was already sound asleep.  If Jon was here, he would probably say “like mother like daughter”, and he wasn’t wrong.  Lily had definitely inherited Ari’s ability to sleep.  That kid had a talent for passing out in the most random positions and places. So much so that Ari could transfer her from the carrier to the crib without her waking and tonight went just that smoothly.  

 

After turning on the small drum-kit lamp, she grabbed the baby monitor with one hand and partially closed the door with the other before making her way down to the office. 

 

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized to Kennedy.  “Food isn’t enough to make up for abandoning you all afternoon and evening, but it’s the best I’ve got right now.”  She placed the to go bag on the desk next to Kennedy.

 

“Would you please stop that?”

 

“I feel really bad. Can’t believe I slept for three hours.”

 

“It’s no biggie.  I was able to get everything we needed done.”

 

“Even the changes Jon made for the MSG show on March fifth?”

 

“Yep.”

 

“And the call with the Bell Centre?”

 

“They just wanted to confirm our meeting tomorrow.”

 

It wasn’t the first time she’d thought that hiring Kennedy was a blessing, but the feeling never got old.  “Thank you! I don’t know what I would do without you these last few weeks. My first gig with SAMCO, and I keep dropping the ball.”

 

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You have been dealing with a lot. And besides, it’s not like you’re gonna be fired or something, she teased with a little wink.

 

“Speaking of the boss man, has he called?”

 

“Twice.”

 

“Only twice. Not bad.”

 

“He mentioned he was taking the kids to Sal’s for dinner before heading home and would check in with you later.”

 

“Oh man, what I would do for a pizza from Sal’s right now.”

 

“Did you eat anything with Cara?”

 

“No. Not that I didn’t try. Once the food arrived it was all downhill from there.”

 

“I’m sorry, Ari.  If it helps, Jeanie packed some Fruit Loops in my backpack.”

 

“Thank God for Jeanie!”

 

“It’s over there.” She nodded to the couch in the corner. “Go get them.”

 

Ari made a beeline for the couch to unzip the front pocket and pull out the Ziploc bag full of Fruit Loops.  It was the one thing she’d been able to eat without getting sick to her stomach. Well, other than a blended strawberry lemonade without caffeine from Starbucks. 

 

“What’s on the agenda tomorrow?” she asked, opening the bag of sugary salvation.

 

“We have a ten o’clock conference call with the Air Canada Centre about the load-in schedule. At one, we’re at Bell Centre for a meeting with the local union to sign the contract changes.”

 

“Perfect. Home by dinner time.”

 

“Maybe you can convince boss man to take you to Sal’s.”

 

“If only my stomach would be up for it.”

 

“You can hope, anyway, right?”

 

“I can always try,” she agreed with a wrinkled nose.  “Alright. That’s enough work for today.”  

 

“You got it, boss.”

 

“I’m heading to bed. You know where the guest room is. Help yourself to whatever you want.”

 

“I got my food right here. I’m gonna check in with Jeanie, and then head to bed myself. Goodnight, Ari.”

 

“Night, Kennedy. And thanks again for everything. I really couldn’t do it without you.”