Voice in the Thunder

13

"My Layla girl," I smile, swaying with her on my hip. "You're six months old. Did you know that?"

She babbles to me, grabbing a fistful of my hair.

"You're so big," I smile, pressing a kiss to her temple. I managed to wrangle her hair into pigtails successfully while she was distracted by Stevie this morning.

"Have we already been here for six weeks?" She asks, coming into the bedroom.

"It's crazy," I nod.

"We only have three weeks left to finish this."

"We're almost done. We only have, what, three more songs? That's a song a week and then the rest is mixing and post," I shrug. "It's not that bad."

"And then I have three weeks of rehearsal for the band and then we're on the road," She sighs, sitting beside me. I nod, only half paying attention as I try to get Layla's fingers out of my hair.

"Have you thought any more about coming with us?" She asks, reaching out to help detangle my hair. I look at her, her brow furrowed in concentration as she works her fingers through my hair. When I don't answer her eyes search mine.

"What?" She asks, getting the last tangle out and bouncing Layla in her lap.

"Wouldn't it be hard, with Layla?"

"It wouldn't be a walk in the park, but we could do it. Between you and me, Lindsey, the girls and Karen, we would have it under control, I think."

"Could I bring Isla? Layla would be more comfortable with her," I say.

"Yeah, of course. I can talk to Karen about arrangements today."

"Okay," I nod, reaching out and pushing her hair over her shoulder. She flashes me a brilliant smile, leaning against me when I wrap my arms around her.

"We're going on tour!" She beams, lifting Layla over her head, making her giggle. I laugh, shaking my head. I pull my phone out of my pocket, dialing Isla's number while Stevie coos at Layla.

"Hellooooo," She sing songs. "First and foremost, facetime me so I can tell my niece happy six months."

"Bossy," I mutter, hanging up and calling her on facetime.

"Hi," She smiles. "Where's the baby?"

I turn my phone so she can see Layla and Stevie.

"Layla, look babe, it's Isla," I say. She whips her head towards the phone, squealing.

"Hi baby! Oh my goodness you're so big now!" Isla coos. "Oh, I miss you guys."

"We miss you too," I laugh, turning the phone back to me. "Do you want a job?"

"I have a job," She says, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"A better job?"

"What is this better job?"

"Well, Fleetwood Mac is going on tour in like, six weeks, and Stevie wants us to come. And Layla will need a babysitter during shows..."

"No way you're asking me to go on a Fleetwood Mac tour," She gasps.

"I am indeed," I chuckle, looking at Stevie.

"Obviously yes! Oh my God!"

"Great, I'll give Karen your number so you can set everything up. We have to run to the studio now, but I'll call you later tonight, okay?"

"Okay," She says. "Let me say bye to the baby."

"Layla, say bye auntie," I coo. She smiles at Isla, grabbing for the phone.