The next two days passed by with Morgan writing music and Laney painting the auction piece for Lauren. Waking up, she cuddled into Morgan, only two more days until they went back on the road together.
She had finished painting the children and was waiting for the house to dry so she could add the finishing touches. Watching the red paint pour onto the palette, she heard Morgan's footsteps rapidly approaching the room. As she put down the paint bottle, he busted in through the door.
"Did you see what they said?" he angrily began.
"Who?"
"The Nashville Council," he handed her his phone to watch the video as he began muttering about how stupid councilmen were and how upset he was.
Clicking play, councilmen began discussing how Morgan brought a bad name to Nashville and unwanted attention. As well as how he brings a bad name to the city of Nashville.
"They have no clue what they are talking about," Laney shook her head in disbelief.
"Oh I will prove it," he scoffed.
She resumed painting the fine details of the painting as he paced around out of a mixture of stress and anger.
"That could have been anyone babe," she reassured him as she dipped her paintbrush into some green paint.
"But it wasn't, it was me" he coldly said.
Shutting her mouth, she kept painting not wanting to aggregate him any further. Morgan sat on the floor near her and Laney glanced over. He leaned his head on her making Laney sigh and start running her hands through his hair and switch the hand she was painting with, it was nice to be ambidextrous.
"I didn't know you could do that," he pointed out.
"Yeah, babe but I always claim I'm right-handed," she showed him.
His jaw dropped for a moment as she continued to paint, she was so close to being finished. Grabbing get phone, she sent a picture to Lauren for her approval. Everything was drying fairly quick.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Morgan asked het inquistively.
"Uh I dont know. What do you want?" she answered.
What did she want? Nothing appeared in her head. But an idea for him came to mind: him, her, the Keys.
"Nope I already have you," he grinned cheekily making her roll her eyes, "Hey! I never lied".
She smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek while returning to finishing up the small last details, "Two more days babe".
He slightly frowned, "You know what I love?".
"What?" she asked.
"The fact we get to be in our own world here and say from out there. Sometimes I just want to drop this all now. Especially after that stupid council," he groaned.
Was he about to drop it all?
"Babe you have to prove them wrong. You inspire so many people, including me, your music is a healing power because it makes so many people smile. You can't throw it all away," she said.
"Not yet," he mentioned as he looked at her painting, "Imagine when we have our own kid running around here someday".
"Definitely not in my painting room," she thought looking around.
She stretched her legs before getting up to lift the canvas to the ground making Morgan get up as well.
"Looks good," he said making her nod in agreement.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. The two looked at each other, but the doorbell never rang.
"More cookies? I'll go grab the cash," Morgan said.
Laney wiped her hands on her smock before taking it off and walking up to the door. Opening the door, she was greeted by a face she wasn't expecting to see: Katie.
"Can we come in?" she coldly asked stepping aside and revealing Josh.
Josh was in a horrible state. Stitches above his left eyebrow, cast over his nose, and a bruised yet swollen eye. The shock overtook Laney's face and ability to speak but a chilling voice from behind answered for her, "You can".
Turning around, Laney saw Morgan clenching the crisp dollar bills in his hand that was now crumpling and making his knuckles turn white. Opening the door completely, she motioned for them to come in as she went to go stand next to Morgan as whispered in his ear, "Babe deep breath".
Rubbing his back gently, the pair walked to the couch after watching Katie and Josh seat themselves on the couch first.
"Sorry about the table Laney," Josh spoke.
"Uh... it's ok accidents happen," Laney mumbled.
"Sorry about your face," Morgan bluntly said.
"That's it?" Katie disappointedly spoke.
"No, it's fine. I get it. This shit ain't happening again," Josh cut her off.
"That's actually why we are here," Katie put her hand on his thigh. Laney almost gagged at the site.
"We want to co-parent good," Josh extended his hand to Morgan.
"Why not leave it to them? You aren't married," Laney chimed in.
"Yet," Katie added.
"We can set days when I'm in town. I'll help for his college. That's it. Now get out," Morgan said.
Laney was shocked at the sudden compromise but she wasn't completely opposed. Escorting the two out, she slammed the door. Turning around, her head felt like it was floating and she was seeing patches.
Quickly running to the bathroom, she hovered over the toilet before throwing up. She felt Morgan place his hand on her back rubbing circles on it.
"I'm just overwhelmed," she squeaked before throwing up again.
She heard him get her emotional support pink water bottle and saw him place it on the bathroom counter to the left of her. Counting down from five, she regained her ability to see straight and to feel all parts of her body.
"You should rest," Morgan said.
"No. We leave so soon," Laney sighed.
"Baby that's why you need rest".
"Katie is a crazy bitch. I can't believe she showed up here," she scoffed.
He nodded in denial of the events of today. It was a draining day. Getting up, Laney trailed her way to the right side of the bed. The two sat on the unmade bed and tucked themselves in to just relax.
They sat in silence. It was an uncomfortable silence. One where they couldn't tell what the other was thinking. But they both were thinking of the complete opposite.
