Tied Knots and a Baby

Chapter 13: Expect to be Prepared

Gwen and Trent had gotten into an inconclusive situation and they knew they had to tell Blaineley something important before the new season of competition started.

—

—Scene at Trent and Gwen's apartment; at 2:15 PM; 2 days before the new season—

"I'm not too confident about our scenario and we either have to adapt to a split lifestyle or persuade changes to critics." Trent said to Gwen.

"A few executives might listen to us if we let them know about our current status, but I don't know what Blaineley will say if we tell her about our daughter Erika." Gwen told Trent.

"The critics who are aware of us being a family accepted specified conditions; I can't say the same for Blaineley or her critics."

"Looks like we'll have to ask her ahead of time if she's willing to negotiate or not." Trent inferred.

"That's for sure." Gwen agreed with him.

—

—Scene at the studio; at 5:00 PM—

The two them decided to bring their daughter along and meet with Blaineley at the studio that evening after making plans.

"Blaineley responded to my phone call earlier and she said she would be here at this hour." Gwen said to Trent.

"I hope she's not too occupied today so we can talk to her."

Blaineley walked out of her dressing room just within moments speaking with critics on her phone.

"Yes, I get it! These things can be arranged. I—..." Blaineley said as her conversation with the critics suddenly got cut off.

She then noticed Trent and Gwen were waiting outside the dressing rooms.

"Oh, hi you two. I see you've dropped by." Blaineley said to them.

"Yep, we have." Trent replied to her.

"We came over because we've got something important to say." Gwen said.

"What might that be?" Blaineley asked.

"Well, you see; Gwen and I have been assigned to compete on reality TV again, but we are trying to take care of our child you probably don't know about." Trent explained.

"I didn't see that coming." Blaineley reacted.

"The critics said they wanted some of the best players from the first generation back on the hit reality show and I thought you and Gwen were among the strongest competitors." Blaineley told them.

"We may be original contestants; however years had passed since we last competed and this means more critics should know that some of us might be raising families; making competition out of the question." Gwen mentioned to Blaineley.

"I get the situation and it sounds complicated, yet I'm afraid it's too late to withdraw from the game because of what's written on your contracts." Blaineley informed them.

"Would there be a way to work things out if we are to compete and care for our daughter simultaneously?" Trent asked Blaineley.

"The two of you don't necessarily need to bring your baby into the challenges and you can look after her between breaks and competition; or you could also try getting a few interns to babysit at times." Blaineley implied.

"For our child's safety, I think this means Trent and I would have to hire an intern who we are familiar with." Gwen contemplated.

"Was there anything else the critics had in mind for us?" Gwen asked Blaineley.

"I think that was everything planned so far." Blaineley replied to her.

"I'll be seeing you guys at the new camp location a day and a half from now."

—

—5:40 PM—

Trent and Gwen exited the studio with their daughter and decided to visit Bridgette at her new rental home before heading back to their apartment.

—

—Scene at Bridgette and Geoff's rental home; at 6:00 PM—

"I didn't expect guests over today, but I guess your sudden appearance may have to do with something important." Bridgette said to Trent and Gwen.

"Our situation would be the matter. It so happens that Gwen and I are unable to withdraw from this season's reality game show because of what was written on a fine print." Trent explained to her.

"Trent and I specifically came here to ask about the interns we once worked with during previous seasons and we'll be needing a trusted intern to watch our daughter during competition." Gwen further informed her.

"That would be an urgent matter. About that, I do recall our old mutated friend from season 4 who might be able to help." Bridgette considered.

"You mean 'Dakota'?" Gwen questioned.

"Yes. It turns out she actually has some experience with babysitting." Bridgette replied.

"I think we should contact her if she's the only logical option. I just hope she knows enough about babies under a year old." Trent said with anticipation.

—

Gwen and her husband continued their conversation with Bridgette and then left her rental home 40 minutes later.

—

—Scene at Gwen and Trent's apartment; at 7:10 PM—

Gwen, Trent, and their daughter returned to the apartment after the visits.

"Dakota may have said she was reluctant to be assigned as an intern again this year, however she's slightly relieved that these critics gave her different tasks and are offering a higher wage." Gwen told her husband.

"Although the critics want her to work as a cook for the hosts, she's a little excited about being a nanny to our baby girl." Trent commented.

"It seems like we've got our daughter prepared but there are still a few things left on our checklist that need to be marked down." he said further.

"We have one more day before the new season of reality TV starts and I think we should also reflect on the possibilities outside competition." Gwen suggested.

"Good call on that." Trent thought.

—

—

—

—Scene at the couple's apartment; at 1:15 PM; a day later—

Trent and Gwen continued to prepare for upcoming season of reality TV the following day.

"Although we were given some time to prepare for the new season of competition, I had a feeling we may have left out an important topic." Gwen pondered.

"We packed the correct supplies and got the sitter situation under control. By any chance are you doubting about something else?" Trent asked her.

"I am. I think it had something to do with lawyers and our daughter's development." Gwen replied to him.

"Is there more to this?" Trent asked again.

"Regarding the contracts that were signed, there wasn't enough information on how long competition would last and we might have forgotten about Courtney and Emma's lawyers." Gwen explained to her husband.

"We wouldn't want Erika to grow up in this type of environment."

"You're right. This means we'll need to speak with either Courtney or Emma when we can." Trent concurred.

"It may be too late to withdraw from this season, but I'm sure we can close the contract for next year."