(Corey) I Just Want To Be Right By Your Side (Taylor) [22]

Untitled Part 20

"Well I think it's about time we get some real food into our bellies and I also need to get dinner started so I'm heading to the kitchen. Do I have any willing helpers?"

Christina, Angie and Scarlett all agree at once.

"Do I get cookies for helping?" Griff asked.

"No, no cookies for helping today."

"Never mind."

We all giggle and then head into the kitchen.

Angie makes pancakes out of the left over batter from yesterday while I make sausage gravy and open a can of biscuits.

Scarlett makes more coffee and toast while Christina fries eggs and bacon.

Angie tosses a salad together and retrieves dressing from the fridge while Christina heats up left over casserole from yesterday.

Scarlett and Angie set the dining room table while Christina and I put all the food onto platters.

Scarlett helps me get the turkey stuffed and prepped for the oven as well as the ham while Christina and Angie move the brunch platters to the dining room table.

Angie then goes to the living room and lets the others know that brunch is served.

We all settle around the dining room table and start serving ourselves food.

"So Nici have you decided if you are coming on tour with us?" Jim askes as he fills his plate.

"I haven't really decided yet I say focusing on my plate trying to keep Corey from seeing the terror in my eyes.

"Ow. That's fine. I'm sorry for bringing it up," Jim said.

"Well while we are on the subject of tours," Christina said, "I have an announcement to make."

Everyone stops for a moment and focuses their attention on Christina.

"Now as you all know I will not be joining you on tour this time even though it's a short run because I'll be in the studio. However, this release is either going to be held for a while or it will be dropped without a tour because I have some good news."

Everyone looks at her expectantly except for me and Scarlett. We glance at each other knowingly before returning our attention to Christina.

"I'm pregnant!" Christina says with a smile. Jim spits his drink out which makes Corey laugh.

"The stork's gonna come to Christina's!" Griff yells excitedly.

"Can we help decorate the nursery?!" Aravis asks.

Angie pats a still choking Jim on the back. "It'll be alright."

"Well that's definitely a Christmas surprise," Scarlett said. "Do we have any others?" she looked at Corey and I expectantly.

"No," Corey said firmly while I simply looked between them confused for a minute before I let it go.

Brunch went smoothly after that and the boys helped us clean up the dining room before returning to the living room to watch the kids play with their toys and talk shop.

We ladies returned to the kitchen and continued to prepare side dishes for dinner that evening.

"So you didn't think to tell him before lunch?" Scarlett asked with a small chuckle.

"Oh I thought about it but I figured if I told him at home he would just start drinking and we wouldn't make it here," Christina said.

"Isn't he happy?" Angie asked quietly.

"Oh he's happy he's just not sure what kind of father he's going to be. I think he's afraid he will fail at being a father."

"But he's awesome with Aravis and Griff," Angie said.

"Yeah, I know he'll come around eventually," Christina said.

"Sooner rather than later I'm sure," Scarlett assured her.

"So Nici, I know it's not pleasant but have you thought about tour?" Scarlett asked.

I dropped the knife I was holding in the sink.

"Sorry, it's just if you aren't, we should help you think of a way to tell Corey."

"I don't know. I mean I've always wanted to go on a tour. In other circumstances I'm sure it would be quite interesting." I reached down to pick up the knife.

"But not now?" Christina prompted gently.

"I'm just not sure about the close quarters with all the guys and then the crowds." I shuddered dropping the knife again. "But I don't want to disappoint Corey."

"Sweetie, he would be disappointed but he would understand," Scarlett said.

"Yeah, Dad just wants you to be happy," Angie said.

"I don't know I'll just have to think about it some more I guess." I picked the knife up and Christina turned the conversation towards Angie and her plans now that she was finishing high school and moving into adult life.

********

A/N: ok sorry for this short update but I wanted to get past Christmas this time. the next update to this story will be after 12/7/15.