Fragile Tension (Alan Wilder x Martin Gore)

10: The Disbelief

Their brains turning inside out, Alan and Martin debated how they would break the news to their families, friends and bandmates.

"Who are we supposed to tell first?" Martin asked curiously, the shock at last simmering down.

"I think we should phone the boys first, then I'll make the calls to our families." Alan voiced.

"Yeah, that's a good idea... I can't imagine how they'll react to this one..."

"I'm preparing to replace my eardrums if it's Dave we're talking about. Fletch, well, he'll fall over for sure!" His partner predicated, making them both laugh.

"That sounds pretty accurate to me."
~~~~~
"Is that everything?" Dave paced in and out of the Motel's front lobby as their belongings were brought inside, including those of their absent bandmates.

"Yeah, I think so!" Andy called back as he walked back from the taxi for the final time.

Just as Dave was receiving their room number at the counter, the telephone on the wall let out a deafening sound.

"One moment, please." The lobby receptionist said politely as she went to answer the phone.

"Yeah, no problem." Dave smiled back, his forearms leaning on the counter.

"Wrenwood Motel? Right, right yes, okay, what did you say his name is, sorry? Oh, yes of course, I will pass you on to him." She then elegantly held the phone against her collarbone. "Dave Gahan?"

Dave looked up. "That would be me."

"It's for you." The lobby receptionist told him, passing him the phone.

"Oh, okay." He took the phone from her and pressed it against his ear, giving his bandmate a confused look in the process. "Hello?"

"Hey, Dave, it's Alan." Came the greeting back.

"Ohhh! Hey, mate. How is everything?"

"Things are well, things are extremely well, in fact." Alan beamed on the opposite line.

They both fell quiet for a few moments, Alan trying to figure out how he would break the news whilst Dave how he would break the awkward silence.

"Is Fletch with you? We've got some news." Alan eventually spoke up again.

Andy was sitting on the sofa across from the counter.

"Uhh, yeah..." He brought the phone down from his ear for a split second. "Fletcher, over here now!!" He whispered.

"Why are we whispering?" Andy whispered back.

"Alan's got news for us..." Dave made sure his bandmate was standing close enough for them to both hear Alan through the static. "So, what is it, Al?"

"It's good, it's brilliant! Let's just say that our lives are about to look a lot different..."

"And why's that?!" Dave palms began to sweat.

"Oh, spit it out already, mate!" Andy pleaded with a straightforward bluntness.

"Try to contain yourselves, lads," Alan chuckled. "I won't keep you waiting any longer. Mart had some tests run on him... and... I don't know how else to say this..."

"SAY IT!!"

"How would you guys like to become uncles in, what- 6 months time?"

The phone fell from Dave's grasp and onto the floor, its lead dragging across the counter.

His bandmate unable to move, Andy picked it up and began to speak into it.

"ARE YOU SAYING THAT-"

"Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying!"

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!! AHHHHH!!" Andy cursed aloud, not caring about the fact that he were in public. "DAVE, DAVE!"

Dave's hands covered his face as he tried to process what he thought he was hearing; he didn't believe it.

"And you're serious? Like, you're not messing with us?" He grabbed the phone back abruptly.

"No I'm not, Dave. Depeche Mode are getting a new member!" Alan exclaimed.

"Oh wow..." Dave pinched the bridge of his nose. "Could you just lean away from the phone for just a second?"

"Uhh, yeah... Why?"

"Just don't want to burst your eardrums..."

"Oh, yep, go ahead. Get it all out." Alan laughed as he leaned away.

It didn't matter how much he leaned, Dave's screaming could be heard a mile away.

"They're happy." Alan winked at Martin, who was listening in on the whole ordeal.
~~~~~
After Dave and Andy had finished letting off their steam, Alan phoned he and his partner's families. The broken news brought tears of joy from some and excitement from all.

There was now just one more phone call that needed to be made.

"Juli!" Alan remembered, dialing her number. "Bloody hell, this baby'll be here by the time I've finished these calls."

"Is this the last one?" Martin chuckled, as he put his hand on his stomach for the first time.

"I sure hope it is, babe." Alan replied as he waited for their touring agent to pick up.

Which she eventually did.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Juli, Alan here." He yawned before beginning to unravel the news to her, just like he had done many times previously.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNTIE?!?!? AL, YOU'RE KIDDING ME!"

"I'm not, I promise!" Alan laughed.

"I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU TWO!! I HOPE IT'S A GIRL SO I CAN HAVE SOMEONE TO HELP ME WITH HANDLING YOU BUNCH!!" She squealed.

"Thank you so much, Juli. And we'll see about that..." Alan thanked her and began to think about the sex of their baby.

And the person they would turn out to be.