Stayin' Alive

Railroad

When we got to a new venue the lads had to do sound check. Andy had a little cold so he was back at the hotel but I went down to watch the sound check. Barry and Robin were talking to the sound guy as I walked around the venue. But then I heard some signing which stopped me. I was stood at the back of the stalls with a clear view of the stage. Without looking I knew it was Maurices singing but I didn't recognise the song. I found myself walking closer, ever so slowly.

Maurice:

I'm packin' my bags and goin' home

I been here too long

So happy, I'll get there on my own

Been here for reasons right or wrong

So I'm packin' my bag and I'm gettin' home

I was walking down the side isle, watching Maurice sit there with his guitar. His eyes were closed so he couldn't see me.

So I'll walk by the railroad anytime, anytime

Walk by the railroad anytime

Tell my brother and my sister

That everything's gone wrong

So I'm walkin' by that railroad till I'm home

He didn't use a mic but he voice carries through the empty theatre. I stopped walking and rested my hands on the back of a seat, entranced by the man on the stage in front of me, the man I've always loved.

There's been lies told in my story

But I ain't juiced none of that glory

But still, I served my time

And there's no use in cryin'

'Cause I'm walkin' by that railroad till I'm home

Maurice rested his foot of the cross bar of the stool he was sat on. He never missed a note or a strum or anything, he was perfect. His eyes stayed tightly shut as I carried on walking.

So I'll walk by the railroad anytime, anytime
Walk by the railroad anytime
Tell my women that I missed her
That I can't wait to kiss her
'Cause I'm walkin' by that railroad till I'm home

I sat down on the steps to the stage. I sat so I could see him as my hands rested in my lap. I knew the twins would have a good father just from watching this. The way his hands glided across the strings sent a shiver down my spine and his voice made every part of my tingle.

Yes, I'll walk by the railroad anytime, anytime

Walk by the railroad anytime

Tell my women that I missed her

That I can't wait to kiss her

'Cause I'm walkin' by that railroad till I'm home

Yes, I'm walkin' by that railroad till I'm home

When he stopped his eyes opened. He looked to me, shrieking slightly,

"I didn't realise you were there" he commented

"What was that?" I asked ignoring his commented "It was beautiful"

"It was something I recorded for an unreleased solo album The Loner. It's called Railroad" Maurice replied

I clambered up and walked over. He put his guitar down and stood up.

"You need to release it, from what I heard it's amazing" I said

Just then Barry and Robin entered seeming frustrated.

"What's happened?" Me and Maurice chorused

"Lindas here" Robin whispered to me "With a baby"

"The sound guy can't get one of the amps working which is feeding back into his
headphones so we can't hear my guitar and the piano has too much reverb on" Barry explained

Me and Robin ran from the stage and towards the door. As we left i shut it behind us and strait away we found Linda.

"What's going on?" I asked

"I needed to see you" Linda began "I love Barry so much but I don't know how to tell him about the child. They might end up losing their hair like Maurice"

Linda began fretting about it all but I went and seized her by the arms.

"You will be fine. If any will be losing their hair it will be mine. But just say Rose is his, Barry won't be able to tell the difference" I said "And I will make sure he doesn't find out the truth"

Linda hugged me before I opened the venue doors. Robin held them open as we walked in.

"Barry we need to talk to you" I said walked down the isle with one hand on Roses push chair

Barry turned to face us, both his and Maurices mouths dropping open.

"Tell him the babies his" I whispered to Linda before going to stand next to Maurice

"Barry I didn't know how to tell you so I didn't. But I had a child, your child. Barry meet Rose" Linda introduced

Barry bent down in front of the push chair, taking little Roses hand in his.

"Hello Rose, I'm your daddy Barry" he said

She began cooing, reaching out to him. Linda undid the straps so Barry could pick her up. Me and Linda just looked at each other without saying a word. I then ran down the steps,
dragging Robin on the way. I pulled him into the girls bathrooms and cried.

"What's the matter?" He asked

"Seeing Linda with that baby is breaking my heart" I replied "We're all growing up so fast and Barry isn't even a father. I want them to know the truth but at the same time I don't. But I am not ready for becoming a parent and I still want my youth"

"Rosalind, I hope you realise you have four people who are going to care for you so much during this pregnancy, like we already have. And you and Maurice aren't going to go through it alone. I know Barry has his own worries now but you have me and Andy, the ones that know the truth about everything. If you ever need to talk to anyone about and it can't be Mo you have us, we will always take the babies off your hands if needs be"

I wrapped Robin in a hug and held on tight.

"This is why I always talk to you about problems" I said "You always know the truth and will always be there"

"That's what I'm for, looking after my twin and sister in law to be" Robin joked

We stayed there in each other's arms, enjoying the company of the other. Silence filled the room but that's all we needed. I do love the other brothers but in a different way, not anything like I love Maurice. My love for Maurice is more romantic and physical, the type of love that's easier to stress. The way I stress my love for the others is talking to them about my troubles, showing I can trust them and will always be there if they need me. I don't know what I would do without them all. They all mean something to me in different ways, I would be lonely without them all.