Adopted

Chapter 20

Brendon had to go to the studio in the city more often in the last few days of the week because they were prepping for the tour, and he had meetings and stuff about logistics and costumes and stuff like that.  He said I could come, but that I'd likely be really bored. Sarah agreed with him, so we stayed together at the house. We did do even more shopping, buying things for the tour bus we'd be staying on.  Toiletries, a sleeping bag for me for my bunk - Sarah said sleeping bags were easy, even though there would be sheets and stuff - sometimes you needed to change the sheets and laundry day was a while away.  Plus sometimes we'd get to stay in hotels.  We went to Barnes and Noble again so that I could get more books for the bus, and we talked to the library about extended loans for some of the books I wanted but couldn't justify spending their money on.  I was so used to not having a lot of money that I felt bad when they said that I could have anything I wanted pretty much. 

Brendon and Sarah both suggested I bring my computer, and they bought me a nice laptop bag and a case. As Brendon was getting things ready with his crew, Sarah and I were getting things ready at home, packing our bags, and making lists of things we either had forgotten during one of our many trips to Target and other stores. I think the Galleria became our second home that week. 

We also went to Trader Joe's and bought a bunch of snacks, crackers, cookies, chips, and drinks and stuff to put on the bus for our own use while we traveled. I was getting excited and nervous. I'd never really traveled much when I was younger. I mean, we'd flown to Colorado once when I was about six to go skiing, and drove a lot up to Lake Tahoe to ski as well.  I hadn't been to Tahoe since the accident. It's where we had been coming from when we got into the car accident. 

Saturday Brendon had one quick early meeting in the morning, and was home by lunchtime.  His parents were coming and were expected in time for dinner.  I wasn't sure what I was more worried about.  Meeting my new grandparents or heading out on tour with Brendon and Sarah and the band, and the crew. And a bunch of people I'd never met. I knew Zack was coming, and Kala was going to come for a little bit, so I'd have a few people I knew. But otherwise, it would be a whole lot of new people. 

I was sitting in the living room watching TV with Sarah when the doorbell rang. Brendon came downstairs having just showered from a quick swim.

"Jess, you ready? Your grandparents are here," he said. I looked at Sarah and swallowed hard. 

"We'll be right beside you," she whispered to me. "They're going to love you."

We turned off the TV and followed Brendon to the door. Sarah and I hung back in the living room, because who wants to be inundated with a whole gaggle of people?  Brendon was so happy to see his parents and they were clearly so happy to see him. 

"Sarah! So good to see you again!" Brendon's mom said. "Where is this granddaughter of ours?"

I waved at the lady coming into the living room. 

"Grace, Boyd, this is Jessica," Sarah said. 

"Well, hello there, Jessica," the lady, Grace, said. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's very nice to meet you, too," I said, putting my hand out to shake. 

"Oh, such manners! But a handshake? Not in this family, young lady," Mr. Urie, Boyd, said smiling and laughing.  He pulled me into a hug. Grace hugged me next. 

"Sarah, Brendon, she's beautiful," Grace said, looking at me. I blushed. 

"Brendon tells me you're 13?" she asked.  I nodded. 

"Well, we weren't sure what to get a 13-year-old as a 'welcome to the family' gift. I mean, we certainly weren't getting a baby gift," she smiled. "So we took a chance and got you this."