Change of Destiny (Sequel to Twist of Fate)

Seven

September, 2004

By the Time the next Mabon rolled around roughly three months later, things couldn't have been going any better than they were. Naturally, the trio of blondes that comprised three-quarters of Poison were pissed that their lone brunette'd ditched them for a week. They'd managed to cover for him by saying that he'd come down with a sudden case of food poisoning, so they were canceling the show for him to rest and recover. Even still, they'd made their displeasure with him very clear–especially when he refused to tell them where he'd gone and why.

        Now, it was the Season of giving thanks–at least, in a Witch's World–and once again, Richie was wrangling his kids. His girlfriend was busy with cooking a full-on feast for themselves and various other guests, which included his parents and siblings, but she was still having fun. Then again, judging by the scents wafting through the entire first story, he wondered if it really mattered whether she was having fun or not.

        Heaving a sigh as he heard a knock at the front door, he managed to snag baby Triton before he crawled under his mother's feet once again. Considering that August'd turned seven, he'd forgotten just how exhausting babies could really be sometimes. In the Beginning, it was the constant up-all-Nights, feedings, and diaper changes–now, it was the feedings and diaper changes, but the up-all-Nights'd been swapped with the baby getting into everything in sight. Trying to keep up with the lil guy before he got into ant poison or something was definitely a job in and of itself, but he still wouldn't have it any other way.

        "Hey, man."

        Chuckling as he registered who'd knocked on his door, the virtuoso managed a smile as he let Bobby in. "Finally got here in one piece, huh?"

        "Yeah, after I made that pit stop in Texasta drop my kids off," Bobby chuckled. "Ya do realize you're holding one of yours upside-down, right?"

        "Hey, maybe giving him a head-rush'll make him a lil easier to keep up with!" he laughed, closing the door behind his friend.

        "For about five minutes," the bassist said. "Then it'll wear off, and he'll be getting into everything all over again."

        "Let a man Dream, dude!" Richie retorted, gladly letting him take his son.

        "Why don't chu come sit wiff Uncle Bobby for a few minutes, bud?" he chuckled, snuggling the woozy lil guy against his chest.

        "Still calling yourself Uncle, huh?" the virtuoso queried as he moved to check on what his girlfriend had been working on since she'd apparently taken a bathroom break.

        "Well, I'm still wrapping my head around not being single–and having to share my girlfriend, at that," Bobby sighed. "And I'll be honest, it feels a lil weird to call myself Dad to your kids."

        "Ya think I don't feel the same way when it comesta Zak and Zoe?" he chuckled. "That's why I let them get away with just calling me by name, 'cuz tacking on Mister makes me feel too old–even though it's respectful–and I doubt they'd wanna call me Dad."

        "Fair enough, kid," the bassist agreed, nodding. "I guess part of it's just that I don't wanna confuse this lil guy while he's still so young."

        "Wouldn't be any confusion, if ya swap out Uncle for Daddy and leave your name tacked to the End of it."

        Turning, they both saw Lyrica coming from the short hall that housed the pantry, which also led to the crossroads between the front hall and the one that led to the laundry room and garage. Bobby couldn't help a chuckle as he headed over to grab her for a hug with his free arm, which also included leaning down for a quick kiss. If there was no other bright spot in his Life–well, when one didn't count his kids–this woman damn sure was one for him.