#serrpentine

        They really got lucky with Sebastian, given he likes to sleep almost as much as his father. Sometimes Erin even has to wake him up in the morning, or from naps. It kept them sane when he was a toddler, and helped a lot when she was pregnant with Scarlet, and when she was a newborn. But they didn’t have as much luck with their little girl, who’s more like her mother in ways other than her looks. More often than not, she found herself awake by six or so in the morning, and she usually took turns waking up either mom or dad to entertain her. This morning is no different, and the hotel room is still pitch black as the toddler reaches out for her father blindly. She’d been cuddled into his side most of the night, so it only seems right that she wake him up first. 

“Hey.“ Jewel was confident in everything she was and did, so it was rare that her words came off sheepish, scared even. But in truth for the first time in a long time she was shaken. “Are you and Erin home at the moment, busy?“ She could feel tears welling in her eyes but she wouldn’t cry. Not now, anyway. “I don’t want to intrude or anything but do you guys mind if I come over? I just kinda feel funny and would appreciate the company is all.“ That wasn’t the story. Not at all. She’d tell him later, but right now she just needed to not be alone.

The redhead’s just stuffing one of the chocolate chip Halloween cookies he’s baked for tonight when Erin comes in the kitchen with their two pouty looking children. Glancing down at both the sad redheaded boy and the dark haired girls faces already makes him want to cave. “Why not? They only get to enjoy them for a few hours anyway.” Which is his answer of yes they can, he’s just trying to earn less of scowl from their mother.

He sneaked and followed his dad out after his nap in the living room, ready to wear off his fully recovered energy as his short legs quickly catch up to the tall ones that’s going down the hall that leads to the front door. Axl hears the small footsteps padding behind him just as he’s opening the door just to find his son greeting him with a hug in just his Pooh Bear diaper and a paci he picked up and placed in his mouth. Sweetly hugging him back, “You wanna go outside?” The toddler nods and Axl puts his sneakers on before bringing him outside with him so he can help with the flowers he’s planting. Twenty minutes later and he’s thirsty after playing in the dirt and admiring the colorful flowers he helped his dad with. He picks a dandelion for Axl and it melts the singer’s heart but he has a better idea, “Go ask mommy to get you something to drink and tell her this is for her, you picked it for her. Tell her this one is from dad.” Plucking another dandelion before handing it to him, his small hand reaches out to take it and he gives him that grin that would make puppies cry it’s so precious. The little red takes off before Axl can catch up, but following after him anyway to make sure he makes it back to the front door and gets in the house safely before he does and then returns to working on the flowers. Finding Erin in the kitchen, he’s excitedly running up to her. Skinny yet arms with enough baby chub on them with dirt stains dirtying his porcelain skin reach up to tug on the back of Erin’s shorts to get her attention, holding up the two dandelions to give to his mother and wanting the sesame street bottle on the counter at the same time even if it’s not filled with milk, “My wuv. My wuv, my wuv.” Bouncing on the balls of his small feet, grinning behind his red Elmo pacifier with saliva dripping from his half open mouth, down onto his chin. Green eyes gleefully beaming up at his mommy, she’s now his love too because that’s what Axl says.

Erin spent the morning cleaning the house, opening all the windows so fresh air could get in and overall just trying to make the place more relaxing. She doesn’t get to clean as much with a baby running around, so she’s grateful when he goes down for a nap or gets distracted by his father. When she’s done cleaning she takes to making sandwiches for her two boys, ham, turkey and melted cheese for Axl and plain ham and cheese for her baby that she know will get picked apart with sticky fingers. Hearing the padding of his little feet running towards her before she feels him behind her, she’s already laughing before she turns around because he’s so cute. It seems like just yesterday he was learning to walk, and now he’s running everywhere. The sound of his sweet voice always makes her smile, though she can’t quite make out what he’s saying around his pacifier. It almost sounds familiar somehow. “Hi baby.” She coos as she turns around, smiling at the little boy that’s been playing in the dirt. Seeing the flowers, she places her hands over her chest with a grin. “Are those for me?!” Her voice coming out a little higher as she’s clearly excited, the act actually melts her heart because he’s so thoughtful. He’s just a baby and he’s always trying to make people happy. “What a sweet boy.” Leaning over to scoop him up, she places him against her hip. taking a paper towel to his chin and wiping away his drool. “What was that? What did you say?” Interested in everything that comes out of his mouth since it seems like he’s learning new words every day, she presses a quick kiss to his chubby cheek, picking up the bottle since she can sense he’d be thirty after being outside. “Water, juice, or milk?” 

She doesn’t know why she still lets herself get worked up over these things. It’s not like it isn’t the same stupid stuff every single time he goes on tour. Usually she just lets herself wallow in self-pity until he gets back and makes her feel better, but this time she was dumb enough to watch an interview he’d done for MTV. Another one where they’d asked about his sex life and he’d mentioned that he really needed a break from all the girls he’s been with. She gets it, he has to keep up this rockstar persona. It’s not cool to talk about how much you love your girlfriend when interviewers ask about your sex life. And if he’d actually been calling her every night like he was supposed to be then she probably wouldn’t care, but he hasn’t been. He’s dropped off the face of the earth as per usual. Which can’t help but make her feel insecure, like maybe there are other girls she doesn’t know about. 

So now she’s doing something she’s never done, which is confront him in person while he’s still on tour. She really should just wait until he gets home in a few days, but she’s too anxious and can’t eat or sleep unless she gets answers. Thankfully she already has a list of the hotels the guys are supposed to be staying at, since the last time she talked to Axl was nearly a week ago. She doesn’t sleep at all on the plane ride to Florida, she thinks about going back the entire time because she wonders if she’s just being a crazy girlfriend. But ultimately she knows she has to do this, can’t just let their relationship keep going the way it has been. It’s been in decline even before he went on tour, over the last year if she’s being honest. Thinking about the last few months is enough to make her get a cab when the plane lands, packing light worked in her favor so she doesn’t have to wait for her luggage. 

That’s true, but he figures going hungry a few more minutes it’s worth it. But he’s glad he did, he always loves to spoil her with things. And watching her reaction makes his heart absolutely happy. Sitting quietly as he watches her read his letter, the redhead soon grins, reaching out to wipe her tears away with the sleeves of his denim jacket he’s wearing. “Aww.” Chuckling sweetly, now she’s making his heart melt, “C’mere, little babe.” Pulling her to him, wrapping his arms around her from behind and hugging her tightly, kissing her cheek several times. “I love you so much too. Did you like the jewelry?” Picking up the bear that has the box attached to it, “This is a locket too.” Pointing to the pretty necklace. “And the matching earrings. I picked these out cuz even after all these years I didn’t know if you were more of a hoop person or a stud person. So I picked the heart studs cause I’ve bought you plenty of hoops in the past.” he chuckles, pulling out the bracelet, “And this is a charm bracelet. You can keep adding to it but I added these cause they reminded me of you.” Pointing to the ones that’s already hanging from it. “Wanna put it on?”