Two Different Roads

I Am Not That

The incident in Cincinnati sparked the first argument of Ellen and Mike's married life, if it could truly even be called an argument at all. She wasn't angry, not really. He'd frightened her, and once he understood that, the tension, such as it was, was over. He listened, empathisized with her concerns, apologized for worrying her, and then showed her by making especially passionate love to her.
"Are you still mad at me?" He asked as she lay curled in his arms afterward, the scent of their love still permeating the air.
"What do YOU think?"
"I'm thinking that our make-up sex is almost better than our regular sex."
"I don't like it when we disagree though."
"I'll try my best not to do something stupid and piss you off again then."
She chuckled. "As much as you worried me, I can actually understand why you did it," she admitted. "After awhile you'll do almost ANYTHING just to break the monotony. Touring is hell. I always hated it. The whole thing is fairly stressful really, the constant problems, someone always bitching."
"I get that. There is an obvious solution though...just quit."
"I could DO that?"
Sure you could. And if it's all making you that nuts, you SHOULD."
"You really think so?"
"Look Babe, I just want you to be happy. You're obviously not anymore, so maybe it's time for a change."
She was silent for a moment as if seriously considering her next words before she said them. "Michael, what if I told you that I'm beginning to feel that I'd just like to be your wife for awhile, you know, do the whole taking care of the house, making sure my hard-working husband has a hot meal, and then warming your bed every night."

"Really Darlin?" Somehow I never saw you as the housewife type."
"Would you mind?"
"I told you, I want whatever makes you happy."
"Did I ever tell you you're pretty close to the perfect husband?"
"I'm gonna remind you that you said that."
"You know," she began while gently stroking the hair on his chest, " if I'm going to be home anyway, it makes sense for me to take care of Christian as well."
""You mean it? You really want him to come live with us?"
"The moment he smiled at me and told me I was pretty, I fell in love with him. He's an adorable little boy Michael, and I'd be thrilled to be his mother."
"I'll let Phyllis know what we decided, and we can figure out the best time to take him. First we have to deal with Bob though. I'm guessing he's going to be majorly pissed."

II
"Nesmith, you are a constant pain in my ass. NOW you're taking one of my best employees away from me."
"It was totally her idea Bob."
He turned to Ellen. "You really just want to stay home, do the little wife trip and push out a few half British, half redneck babies?"
"One thing at a time, Bob. Just adjusting to having Christian will be more than enough for now."
"Famous last words. I'm calling it. He'll have you knocked up in less than six months. When he does, one of you owes me a steak dinner."

In the end, Ellen agreed to remain on the job until after the next series of concert dates which would take place later in the month after a nearly two week break. She and Mike spent most of that time looking for a new house more suitable for their growing family, somewhere Christian would have a large yard he could roam in and secluded enough to give his parents a bit of much needed privacy.

Just before the Monkees went back out on that tour, the Nesmiths closed on a lavish home high on a hill in Bel Air complete with all the luxuries imaginable. By the time christian joined them it would be entirely remodeled and ready for them to move in. There were the concert dates to get through first though. Thankfully everything went smoothly.

Bob found a more than capable replacement and by January 23, 1967 Ellen was a free woman. She spent her time getting their new home ready, picking out the furnishings, making suggestions as to the uses of each room. She spent the most time on their bedroom, a huge airy room with French doors leading out to a balcony overlooking the Hollywood Hills.