Within Temptation

Two (See What's On The Inside)

My family is my paradise.

My mama once told me your whole world changes when you become a parent. Touring with Ben was an experience I would never forget. We were also far from careful when it came to safe sex practices. Ben and I did talk about starting a family. We were both in a position financially where we could handle ourselves. Seeing all of the sights made every second a dream come true. Which is what led us to thinking my morning sickness was food poisoning. When it continued, I went back home to see our doctor. I will never forget the smile that broke out on Ben's face when he saw our child for the first time. It was the same as when we first met, a sparkle in his eye, and a huge grin on his face.

Finding out you're pregnant makes you put a lot of things into perspective. For the first time in history, I established a chain of command at Wanderlust. Tobi became my Assistant Manager. Lynn below him, Ellie and Axton were below her. Titles meant nothing to my team, we all worked together seamlessly. As the months passed and my due date grew closer panic settled in. My mama had been over the moon when I told her she was going to be a grandma. I realized that I needed her with me, Ben bless him, made all the arrangements.

Mama moved, actually moved to the United Kingdom. My sister opted to stay in the states. I couldn't blame her; she was still in school. Mama helped me through every single one of my fears. On Halloween a year and a half into my marriage with Ben I gave birth to Orion Benjamin Bruce. Orion after my father, mama's eyes welled up with tears when we introduced him.

Fast forward to present day I set my acoustic guitar on its stand. Orion is sleeping soundly. He has his father's curly dark brown hair. He's even got his father's dark eyes. I pick up my phone the call from Any disconnected. I'd been worried about him; his friends were worried about him too. They gave me updates; it was how I learned Andy wasn't sleeping. Now I knew it was because of dreams. Dreams of a bar called Paradise. Dreams where he was an Incubus and we were together. I vaguely remembered having those dreams, but that's all they were.

I make my way into the living room, plopping down on the couch exhausted. I hear a soft knock on the front door. I check the security camera mama waits out front. I put my head in my hands cursing myself for forgetting the band Ice Nine Kills would be at Wanderlust to pick up their horror-themed instruments for their upcoming tour. I stand, Abaddon and Azrael lift their heads. They learned very quickly that when Ri was sleeping, they too must be quiet. I open the door slowly mama stands there her craft bag hoisted over her shoulder.

"How is he Cori?" Nora August asks pulling me into a hug. She could always sense when I needed one. I hug her back tightly burring my face into her shoulder taking comfort in her familiar perfume. Cherry blossoms, her favorite.

"Orion or Andy?"

"Both, I can tell they are weighing heavily on your shoulders." She follows me into the kitchen. The best thing about my mama is that she arrives anywhere early. We each grab our drink of choice (Me Pepsi, her Coke) and head out onto the newly renovated deck.

"Orion is teething pretty bad, I got him down before you came." I begin. "Andy...I'm worried about him mama."

"Talk sweetheart, you know what I've said about keeping things bottled up."

"CC called me about two days ago saying Andy's been working himself to the bone."

"Sounds mighty familiar." A pointed look is cast in my direction. I would be the first to admit that I was taking full advantage of my mother living close by. She loves Orion and I use the time to bury myself into my own work. I rub the back of my neck. I would also confess to having similar dreams to the one Andy described. I vaguely recall telling Yumi about them. Her answer came in the form of a vial filled with a milky white liquid with instructions to drink it. I did so, the dreams went away. If only I had saved it, given it to Andy instead. Maybe if I mentioned it to her, she could send him some.