Landing In London {Dreams & Bleachers Sequel}

Sleepless in Seattle

Ryder's POV

We were both happy to get back to our apartment in Los Angeles, though I didn't miss the rude people. That's one thing Colorado has going for it, everyone is nice. Here, people are all out for themselves. It's a good thing I've got NJ, or else it'd drive me crazy.

As we walked into our home, of which we've been away from forever, I heard a famaliar sound of a bell jingling, accompainied by tiny toes in the hardwoods. Our black teacup pug, Hope, came running out to greet us. She walked right past me, and jumped up on NJ's leg. Hope has always kind of been Nicky's dog more than mine, but I still love the little munchkin, even though I almost step on her about ten times an hour.

I gave Hope to NJ a few Christmas' ago. It was a bad year for him, for both of us, and I felt we needed happiness in our lives. He named her Hope for that very reason. I couldn't help but smile when I watched her attack NJ with love, and a lot of napping breath, I'm sure.

"Okay, okay!" He laughed. "I missed you too!"

"Somedays I think that dog loves you more than I do, and I didn't think that was possible." I said.

"He loves you, too!" Nicky responded as Hope started to stir in his arms and reach for me. "See."

I sighed, scooping up the tiny fluffball that was just barely the size of my hand. "You missed me?" She gave a breathy bark and licked my face.

NJ smiled. "I told you so."

Hope already became bored with me and wanted NJ back. I returned his cocky smile. "Told you so."

"You know he loves you!"

"I know." I chuckled. "Do you think if we ever adopt or something, our kids will act the same as the dog?"

"What'd you mean?" He asked.

"I mean, loving you more." I responded.

"Ryder, you know that won't happen." NJ said as he set the dog back on the floor. "If we do decide to adopt down the road, they will love us both, just as much as we love each other."

I sheepishly grinned, giving him a quick kiss. "Thank you, Angel."

"No, thank you, for giving me a life I never thought I'd have." He softly replied as he grabbed one of my hands.

Nicky reached up and kissed me again. I pulled him closer by his waist, feeling pure joy being with him. Just as I started to get somewhere, Hope jumped up his leg, crying. She can be such a cockblock at times. We both stared down at her, and she began to do a little dance type of thing as she whined.

"She'd tired." NJ said. "You wanna watch a movie and cuddle?"

"You askin' me or the dog?"

He giggled. "Both of you."

Hope ran over to the couch, up her little steps, and began to cuddle herself into a blanket.

"I think that's a yes." I laughed as we both headed over to crash.

3 Months Later

The band was on our way back to the tour bus, after another sold out show. Cold seattle rain felt so good after sweating in that hot as Hell venue for an hour!

"Ahh, that rain feels good." I said.

Harley laughed. "I know, it's calming."

"Calming enough to go cuddle?" Jade a asked her as he put his arm around her.

"Definitely." She smiled.

I put my arm on NJ's waist, kissing the top of his head. "You wanna have the same plan?"

"I wish, but I have to work on some stuff for the wedding." He responded.

"I'll be here if you need help."

NJ smiled. "Thanks, Babe, but I think you need some rest."

"Could say the same for you." I laughed.

He just shook his head and pretended like it wasn't a big deal. Nicky knows how important his sleep is! Well, I guess he will have a lot of time between here and the next town... I hope.

Later

Jade and Harley had already gone to sleep, so it was just NJ, myself, and Hope. Yes, she does go on tour with us. We can't leave her for a few months, for both of our sakes'.

Hope was forced to sit with me, since Nicky was busy on his laptop. I was sprawled out on one of the bus couches, while NJ sat across from me. Hope snuggled down, whining because I wasn't her preferred option. The dog yawned, which made me yawn.

"Babe, what're you doing?" I asked.

Nicky sighed. "Looking through old pictures, trying to find good ones to use." He paused, slightly smiling. "There's a lot of pictures in here from when Carolyn and Ella were little."

"They were so cute! They always loved you." I chuckled. "All kids do, which reminds me, I've been meaning to ask you if, you uh, if you wanted to eventually have kids down the road."

"Yeah, I'd rather adopt than have a surrogate though." He muttered, knowing that I would have preferred it the other way around.

"W-why?" I softly asked.

"Because... Because, you know neither of us are in a position to be healthy donors. You have a lot of health issues from... the past, and I don't want the risk that I could give the baby HIV, no matter how slim the chances are. Plus, I'm not sure if we will be ready to be parents... ever."

"Why? Because you're afraid to raise the kid in a gay household? Or is it you're still scared I'll go back to my old ways?" I questioned as I sat up.

He shot me a deadly glare. "Maybe a little bit of both."

"I can't believe you." I snit. "People are a lot more accepting of who we are now! And you know I'd never go back to the needle, from fear of hurting the ones I love!"

"It doesn't matter, Ryder. People will still give our kids looks just like they give us looks! And you said that line a lot, but you went back plenty of times afterwards."

"But that was over ten years ago. I've been clean for almost a decade, and we both know I'm not going back!"

"Guys!" A voice interrupted. I looked over to the doorway back to the bunks to see Harley, in nothing but underwear and one of Jade's shirts. "Some people are trying to sleep. What's the big issue?"

"The big issue is Ryder is being stubborn." Nicky replied. "He doesn't believe me that we aren't fit to have kids."

"Yeah, well, he's scared our kids will get bullied for having gay parents, and he doesn't want me to be around if I pick up drugs again, which I won't!" I barked.

She sighed, sitting down on the arm of the couch. "Nicky, I think both of us know, he's changed, but Ryder, he has reason to worry about the kids' well being. I want both of you to remember, love will always be stronger than fear, unless you let fear control you. Both of you are right, but please, don't forget that you do love each other, and believe in each other. Why wouldn't you have the same for your kids?"

"She's right." NJ mumbled.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Honey." I replied.

"Me too." He said, forcing a grim smile.

"Good," Harley responded as she fought a yawn. "Now, get some sleep!"

So, what'd you guys think? Should they adopt? Why or why not?