first you take a drink.

If there was anything that celebrities wished they could tell people - musicians mostly - was how tiring tour could be. Even if you weren’t quite touring for your own shows yet, it was exhausting. Which was why it was probably no surprise to most anyone that Carter had woken up with the need to explore. The boys were all still sleeping, of course as they did often times when they were touring as often as they were now. Unsure of where all she was going - but knowing coffee was a definite in the game plan - she was standing in like when she was approached by a fan. “You look like the girl that’s been trailing along with Beyond September. Are you with Huxley?” The fan asked her, clearly just wanting to make conversation.

Clearly exhausted, Carter looked up with a tired smile. She nodded, “Carter. But yeah. The boys are still sleeping and I had to get some coffee. The shit from the hotel is absolutely horrific.”

“Oh absolutely. Hotel coffee is garbage. I don’t eat it often, but when I do I never manage to drink it all before I have to go out. I’ll admit though. It’s weird seeing you out in public and without the boys. Do they have any idea you’re here?” The fan questioned. “Better question is will my friends believe me when I say I’m basically hanging with an actual celebrity.

Carter laughed softly, moving forward in line, “Not a chance. They were all still sleeping when I left. I grabbed Hux-“ she paused, “Sorry. Hux let’s credit card and bounced. He owed me coffee anyway.” She smiled over at the other girl, “Speaking of. Let me buy yours.”

“I see, I see. Keeping your whereabouts a secret. I get it.” She laughed. “Honestly though I don’t blame you. You deserve whatever you want to do; kudos for doing it.” He girl laughed taking the coffee from the counter. “Yeah, that would be great. Thanks Carter.” She smiled. “I appreciate it, really.”

Carter scanned her card before smiling back at the other, “I guess you’re going to the show tonight? I’ll see you there?”

“I am, yeah. Me and my friends are going over in a few hours actually. We have pit seats so we’re aiming to be up close.” She smiled. “Leaving already? We don’t you hang with us? We’ll show you around town?”

Carter raised an eyebrow. She had passed people already lined up on her way over. But there was no way she would ruin the girls plans with her knowledge. “show me around town? You sure you don’t just want to drag me along so your friends are forced to know we met?” She joked.

The girl shook her head. “I mean, if you want to hang out with my friends then sure.” She shrugged. “But no, seriously. I’m part of a stage crew for the local theater down town. It isn’t quite as glorious as what you guys have. But I get how busy it is. I know you probably don’t have a lot of free time and I know that’s exhausting.”

If there was anything that celebrities wished they could tell people - musicians mostly - was how tiring tour could be. Even if you weren’t quite touring for your own shows yet, it was exhausting. Which was why it was probably no surprise to most anyone that Carter had woken up with the need to explore. The boys were all still sleeping, of course as they did often times when they were touring as often as they were now. Unsure of where all she was going - but knowing coffee was a definite in the game plan - she was standing in like when she was approached by a fan. “You look like the girl that’s been trailing along with Beyond September. Are you with Huxley?” The fan asked her, clearly just wanting to make conversation.

Clearly exhausted, Carter looked up with a tired smile. She nodded, “Carter. But yeah. The boys are still sleeping and I had to get some coffee. The shit from the hotel is absolutely horrific.”

“Oh absolutely. Hotel coffee is garbage. I don’t eat it often, but when I do I never manage to drink it all before I have to go out. I’ll admit though. It’s weird seeing you out in public and without the boys. Do they have any idea you’re here?” The fan questioned. “Better question is will my friends believe me when I say I’m basically hanging with an actual celebrity.

Carter laughed softly, moving forward in line, “Not a chance. They were all still sleeping when I left. I grabbed Hux-“ she paused, “Sorry. Hux let’s credit card and bounced. He owed me coffee anyway.” She smiled over at the other girl, “Speaking of. Let me buy yours.”

“I see, I see. Keeping your whereabouts a secret. I get it.” She laughed. “Honestly though I don’t blame you. You deserve whatever you want to do; kudos for doing it.” He girl laughed taking the coffee from the counter. “Yeah, that would be great. Thanks Carter.” She smiled. “I appreciate it, really.”

Carter scanned her card before smiling back at the other, “I guess you’re going to the show tonight? I’ll see you there?”

“I am, yeah. Me and my friends are going over in a few hours actually. We have pit seats so we’re aiming to be up close.” She smiled. “Leaving already? We don’t you hang with us? We’ll show you around town?”

If there was anything that celebrities wished they could tell people - musicians mostly - was how tiring tour could be. Even if you weren’t quite touring for your own shows yet, it was exhausting. Which was why it was probably no surprise to most anyone that Carter had woken up with the need to explore. The boys were all still sleeping, of course as they did often times when they were touring as often as they were now. Unsure of where all she was going - but knowing coffee was a definite in the game plan - she was standing in like when she was approached by a fan. “You look like the girl that’s been trailing along with Beyond September. Are you with Huxley?” The fan asked her, clearly just wanting to make conversation.

Clearly exhausted, Carter looked up with a tired smile. She nodded, “Carter. But yeah. The boys are still sleeping and I had to get some coffee. The shit from the hotel is absolutely horrific.”

“Oh absolutely. Hotel coffee is garbage. I don’t eat it often, but when I do I never manage to drink it all before I have to go out. I’ll admit though. It’s weird seeing you out in public and without the boys. Do they have any idea you’re here?” The fan questioned. “Better question is will my friends believe me when I say I’m basically hanging with an actual celebrity.

Carter laughed softly, moving forward in line, “Not a chance. They were all still sleeping when I left. I grabbed Hux-“ she paused, “Sorry. Hux let’s credit card and bounced. He owed me coffee anyway.” She smiled over at the other girl, “Speaking of. Let me buy yours.”

“I see, I see. Keeping your whereabouts a secret. I get it.” She laughed. “Honestly though I don’t blame you. You deserve whatever you want to do; kudos for doing it.” He girl laughed taking the coffee from the counter. “Yeah, that would be great. Thanks Carter.” She smiled. “I appreciate it, really.”

If there was anything that celebrities wished they could tell people - musicians mostly - was how tiring tour could be. Even if you weren’t quite touring for your own shows yet, it was exhausting. Which was why it was probably no surprise to most anyone that Carter had woken up with the need to explore. The boys were all still sleeping, of course as they did often times when they were touring as often as they were now. Unsure of where all she was going - but knowing coffee was a definite in the game plan - she was standing in like when she was approached by a fan. “You look like the girl that’s been trailing along with Beyond September. Are you with Huxley?” The fan asked her, clearly just wanting to make conversation.

Clearly exhausted, Carter looked up with a tired smile. She nodded, “Carter. But yeah. The boys are still sleeping and I had to get some coffee. The shit from the hotel is absolutely horrific.”

“Oh absolutely. Hotel coffee is garbage. I don’t eat it often, but when I do I never manage to drink it all before I have to go out. I’ll admit though. It’s weird seeing you out in public and without the boys. Do they have any idea you’re here?” The fan questioned. “Better question is will my friends believe me when I say I’m basically hanging with an actual celebrity.

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

Zoey leaned over kissing Asher with a small sigh, “Love you.” She whispered in an attempt to cheer herself up.

“I love you too.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “I want to do something special with the kids maybe in a few days? If you’re feeling up to it?”

Zoey looked up, nodding with a small smiled, “Sure.” She nodded again, “What did-planned?”

“I wasn’t really sure.” He shook his head. “I know Cam is really into fish right now, so I was thinking the aquarium or something..” he spoke spelling out both fish and aquarium. “But I didn’t want to plan anything until closer to this weekend whenever I saw how you were doing.”

Zoey nodded, “I’m fine.” She muttered, looking back at the twins, “Just tired.”

“I understand. We’ve all been through a lot through the last few months. But yeah. Maybe the aquarium. Or the little water park or something. The free one with the fountains. I just thought the aquarium may be more safe for the twins.”

Zoey nodded again, looking up at Asher, “Safe is best.”

Looking down at zoey, Asher moved so he and Ava were sitting next to Zoey and Leo. He kissed Zoey’s cheek and smiled. “I love you.”

Zoey giggled softly as he kissed her cheek, “love you.” She repeated, resting her head on his shoulder, “love you.” She spoke again.

“Want to have a pizza and movie night tonight?” He asked. “Maybe see what kind of movie Eli wants to to watch since he’s he only one that doesn’t pick Frozen or Moana everytime?”

Zoey nodded again, “Encanto too.” She shrugged, “Tired of Bruno.”

“I’m surprised I can’t sing it in my sleep yet.” He admitted. “I also don’t know how I forgot about that one.”

Zoey laughed softly, humming the song under her breath.

“Or humming it for that matter.” He laughed, kissing her cheek. “Alright, E man. You get to pick the movie for family movie night tonight.” He smiled. “What are you thinking?”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

Zoey leaned over kissing Asher with a small sigh, “Love you.” She whispered in an attempt to cheer herself up.

“I love you too.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “I want to do something special with the kids maybe in a few days? If you’re feeling up to it?”

Zoey looked up, nodding with a small smiled, “Sure.” She nodded again, “What did-planned?”

“I wasn’t really sure.” He shook his head. “I know Cam is really into fish right now, so I was thinking the aquarium or something..” he spoke spelling out both fish and aquarium. “But I didn’t want to plan anything until closer to this weekend whenever I saw how you were doing.”

Zoey nodded, “I’m fine.” She muttered, looking back at the twins, “Just tired.”

“I understand. We’ve all been through a lot through the last few months. But yeah. Maybe the aquarium. Or the little water park or something. The free one with the fountains. I just thought the aquarium may be more safe for the twins.”

Zoey nodded again, looking up at Asher, “Safe is best.”

Looking down at zoey, Asher moved so he and Ava were sitting next to Zoey and Leo. He kissed Zoey’s cheek and smiled. “I love you.”

Zoey giggled softly as he kissed her cheek, “love you.” She repeated, resting her head on his shoulder, “love you.” She spoke again.

“Want to have a pizza and movie night tonight?” He asked. “Maybe see what kind of movie Eli wants to to watch since he’s he only one that doesn’t pick Frozen or Moana everytime?”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

Zoey leaned over kissing Asher with a small sigh, “Love you.” She whispered in an attempt to cheer herself up.

“I love you too.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “I want to do something special with the kids maybe in a few days? If you’re feeling up to it?”

Zoey looked up, nodding with a small smiled, “Sure.” She nodded again, “What did-planned?”

“I wasn’t really sure.” He shook his head. “I know Cam is really into fish right now, so I was thinking the aquarium or something..” he spoke spelling out both fish and aquarium. “But I didn’t want to plan anything until closer to this weekend whenever I saw how you were doing.”

Zoey nodded, “I’m fine.” She muttered, looking back at the twins, “Just tired.”

“I understand. We’ve all been through a lot through the last few months. But yeah. Maybe the aquarium. Or the little water park or something. The free one with the fountains. I just thought the aquarium may be more safe for the twins.”

Zoey nodded again, looking up at Asher, “Safe is best.”

Looking down at zoey, Asher moved so he and Ava were sitting next to Zoey and Leo. He kissed Zoey’s cheek and smiled. “I love you.”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

Zoey leaned over kissing Asher with a small sigh, “Love you.” She whispered in an attempt to cheer herself up.

“I love you too.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “I want to do something special with the kids maybe in a few days? If you’re feeling up to it?”

Zoey looked up, nodding with a small smiled, “Sure.” She nodded again, “What did-planned?”

“I wasn’t really sure.” He shook his head. “I know Cam is really into fish right now, so I was thinking the aquarium or something..” he spoke spelling out both fish and aquarium. “But I didn’t want to plan anything until closer to this weekend whenever I saw how you were doing.”

Zoey nodded, “I’m fine.” She muttered, looking back at the twins, “Just tired.”

“I understand. We’ve all been through a lot through the last few months. But yeah. Maybe the aquarium. Or the little water park or something. The free one with the fountains. I just thought the aquarium may be more safe for the twins.”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

Zoey leaned over kissing Asher with a small sigh, “Love you.” She whispered in an attempt to cheer herself up.

“I love you too.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “I want to do something special with the kids maybe in a few days? If you’re feeling up to it?”

Zoey looked up, nodding with a small smiled, “Sure.” She nodded again, “What did-planned?”

“I wasn’t really sure.” He shook his head. “I know Cam is really into fish right now, so I was thinking the aquarium or something..” he spoke spelling out both fish and aquarium. “But I didn’t want to plan anything until closer to this weekend whenever I saw how you were doing.”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

Zoey leaned over kissing Asher with a small sigh, “Love you.” She whispered in an attempt to cheer herself up.

“I love you too.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “I want to do something special with the kids maybe in a few days? If you’re feeling up to it?”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

Zoey paused for a moment. A thought in her mind. What if the got a surrogate? She shook her head, not even wanting to mention the thought. She knew there was no way they could afford it. Not adopting. “Last.” She repeated.

“Yes, last. That’s fine with me. As long as your here, healthy and breathing.. I’m content with four kids. It feels complete.”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

Zoey nodded, “Cam.” She repeated. Her attention moved toward Ava, a sad smile on her face, “Last.” She whispered, obviously crushed they were done having kids.

“Unless we decide to adopt.” He spoke. “I mean, I would have more biologically if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you more.” He spoke filtering himself around the kids.

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

“I know, she was a lot sicker than he was. But, even without that, she just, I’m pretty sure she’s the smallest baby we’ve had.” he spoke as he watched Leo playing with Zoey. “Sometimes I think Cam is still jealous that she isn’t the baby anymore.” he laughed. 

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

For the past month, Asher had gotten up at 5 AM, spending any time he could with his family before spending the day at work. Today was no different. As he’s made his way to the kitchen to get started on helping with breakfast. He kissed Zoey’s cheek, making his way to the fridge and getting the waffles Eli was recently obsessed with. “Good morning, babe.” He smile, kissing her cheek as he walked past her.

Zoey smiled, moving out of his way. In the process she tripped over her own feet, dropping her cup. It shattering in the process. She jumped, instantly moving to grab a paper towel. As she was cleaning up the mess, she whispered a hoarse, “Sorry.” Almost completely inaudible.

“You don’t have to move.” He shook his head, placing the waffles in the toaster as the glass fell, shattering. Grabbing the broom to help clean up the glass, he rested it against the counter as she spoke the word sorry and he shook his head. “Don’t be, it’s-“ he paused. Turning to look at her, a smile began to form on his lips. “Did you just say sorry?!”

Zoey looked up from the mess, a small smile forming on her own lips. After months of trying to speak and nothing coming out, she was convinced she’d never speak again. Slowly, she nodded, realizing maybe her therapy was starting to pay off.

Asher smiled as he joined her on the ground, kissing her softly. “You talked.” He repeated kissing her again, and then her forehead. “That’s amazing.”

Zoey smiled, closing her eyes at his actions, “Ash-er.” She whispered, her words cracking.

“That’s probably the best thing I’ve ever heard..” he smiled. “You don’t have to try too much and hurt your vocal chords. I want to hear you talk all day but, just know I’m proud of you for getting what you did get out.”

Zoey slimed, leaning over to kiss him “love-“ she coughed lightly, turning her head away from him.

“I know. I love you too.” He smiled. “Do you want some water? I can get you some if you think it will help?”

Zoey shook her head, instead looking back up at the coffee maker. She pointed, already hurting from the talking.

“Oh that’s right. Coffee. Here. Get your cup and I’ll clean up the coffee we spilled. Then I’ll come sit with you while the waffles are in the toaster.”

Zoey nodded, picking up the rest of the broken pieces before tossing them in the trash. She moved to get another mug and poorer what little coffee was left before moving to the den, wrapping herself in a blanket like always.

Nearly twenty minutes later, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. “I made a small pot to bring you fresh coffee.” He smiled. “You look comfy.”

Zoey turned her attention up toward him with a smile, “Thanks.” She forced out, biting her lip slightly.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as she hit her lip. “I’m proud of you. You’ve done so much already today.” He smiled reaching for her hand.

Zoey turned her eyes toward him. There was no paper nearby so she knew she had to speak again. She sat down her coffee, using her now free hand to point toward her throat, “Hurts.” She forced out again, now clearly in discomfort

“The notebook!” Asher spoke. “I meant to bring it down so you could have it. I don’t want you to be in pain.” He shook his head. “Save it. One step at a time.”

Zoey shook her head, “Shouldn’t- h-have to.”

“Do you want me to go get it just in case?” He asked. “I’d love for you to be comfortable in anyway possible.”

Zoey nodded softly.

“I have Eli’s waffles in the toaster, but I was thinking of making something else too because Cam’s been on That egg kick recently. Or I can go get breakfast from somewhere. What would you want?”

“We do.” He nodded, speaking instead of replying. “It’s the cinnamon French toast sticks but I’ll pop them in the oven if that’s okay.”

Zoey beamed, nodding excitedly. Clearly loving the idea. Quickly she texted him back, “let me help. You can’t make everything”

“Yeah, come help me. You’re always great company in the kitchen.” He laughed, speaking to her. “The kids will be awake soon anyways and I’d like to be alone with you for at least five more minutes.”

Zoey smiled again, running back toward the couch. She leaned down and kissed him softly before taking his hand and tugging on it, wanting him to stand up.

Asher kissed her back before he laughed as she pulled him. “I’m right behind you. Promise.”

It was months since Zoey first started to speak again and she was still struggling. She was sitting on the floor, playing with the twins and working on her speaking, “Le-o.” She whispered, kissing the baby’s hand.

“Your voice is getting stronger.” Asher smiled, holding Leo’s sister, Ava in his lap. “It’s wild to me how much bigger Leo man is then his sister too.”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

For the past month, Asher had gotten up at 5 AM, spending any time he could with his family before spending the day at work. Today was no different. As he’s made his way to the kitchen to get started on helping with breakfast. He kissed Zoey’s cheek, making his way to the fridge and getting the waffles Eli was recently obsessed with. “Good morning, babe.” He smile, kissing her cheek as he walked past her.

Zoey smiled, moving out of his way. In the process she tripped over her own feet, dropping her cup. It shattering in the process. She jumped, instantly moving to grab a paper towel. As she was cleaning up the mess, she whispered a hoarse, “Sorry.” Almost completely inaudible.

“You don’t have to move.” He shook his head, placing the waffles in the toaster as the glass fell, shattering. Grabbing the broom to help clean up the glass, he rested it against the counter as she spoke the word sorry and he shook his head. “Don’t be, it’s-“ he paused. Turning to look at her, a smile began to form on his lips. “Did you just say sorry?!”

Zoey looked up from the mess, a small smile forming on her own lips. After months of trying to speak and nothing coming out, she was convinced she’d never speak again. Slowly, she nodded, realizing maybe her therapy was starting to pay off.

Asher smiled as he joined her on the ground, kissing her softly. “You talked.” He repeated kissing her again, and then her forehead. “That’s amazing.”

Zoey smiled, closing her eyes at his actions, “Ash-er.” She whispered, her words cracking.

“That’s probably the best thing I’ve ever heard..” he smiled. “You don’t have to try too much and hurt your vocal chords. I want to hear you talk all day but, just know I’m proud of you for getting what you did get out.”

Zoey slimed, leaning over to kiss him “love-“ she coughed lightly, turning her head away from him.

“I know. I love you too.” He smiled. “Do you want some water? I can get you some if you think it will help?”

Zoey shook her head, instead looking back up at the coffee maker. She pointed, already hurting from the talking.

“Oh that’s right. Coffee. Here. Get your cup and I’ll clean up the coffee we spilled. Then I’ll come sit with you while the waffles are in the toaster.”

Zoey nodded, picking up the rest of the broken pieces before tossing them in the trash. She moved to get another mug and poorer what little coffee was left before moving to the den, wrapping herself in a blanket like always.

Nearly twenty minutes later, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. “I made a small pot to bring you fresh coffee.” He smiled. “You look comfy.”

Zoey turned her attention up toward him with a smile, “Thanks.” She forced out, biting her lip slightly.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as she hit her lip. “I’m proud of you. You’ve done so much already today.” He smiled reaching for her hand.

Zoey turned her eyes toward him. There was no paper nearby so she knew she had to speak again. She sat down her coffee, using her now free hand to point toward her throat, “Hurts.” She forced out again, now clearly in discomfort

“The notebook!” Asher spoke. “I meant to bring it down so you could have it. I don’t want you to be in pain.” He shook his head. “Save it. One step at a time.”

Zoey shook her head, “Shouldn’t- h-have to.”

“Do you want me to go get it just in case?” He asked. “I’d love for you to be comfortable in anyway possible.”

Zoey nodded softly.

“I have Eli’s waffles in the toaster, but I was thinking of making something else too because Cam’s been on That egg kick recently. Or I can go get breakfast from somewhere. What would you want?”

“We do.” He nodded, speaking instead of replying. “It’s the cinnamon French toast sticks but I’ll pop them in the oven if that’s okay.”

Zoey beamed, nodding excitedly. Clearly loving the idea. Quickly she texted him back, “let me help. You can’t make everything”

“Yeah, come help me. You’re always great company in the kitchen.” He laughed, speaking to her. “The kids will be awake soon anyways and I’d like to be alone with you for at least five more minutes.”

Zoey smiled again, running back toward the couch. She leaned down and kissed him softly before taking his hand and tugging on it, wanting him to stand up.

Asher kissed her back before he laughed as she pulled him. “I’m right behind you. Promise.”

It was the night before Camryn’s second birthday and for once Asher wasn’t nervous about the party as much as he was other things. He’d just applied to college to be a dental assistant, he was trying to figure out the right time to propose to Zoey and now they were sitting in the bathroom of the two bedroom apartment they shared hoping the pregnancy test on Zoey’s hand didn’t come back positive. Or at least he was. It wasn’t exactly that he didn’t want a baby, things were just a lot at the moment and he didn’t want to add anymore stress to Zoey in the coming months he would be busy with school. He touched Zoey’s hand, watching as they shook slightly. “You know it’s all going to be okay, right?”

For the past month, Asher had gotten up at 5 AM, spending any time he could with his family before spending the day at work. Today was no different. As he’s made his way to the kitchen to get started on helping with breakfast. He kissed Zoey’s cheek, making his way to the fridge and getting the waffles Eli was recently obsessed with. “Good morning, babe.” He smile, kissing her cheek as he walked past her.

Zoey smiled, moving out of his way. In the process she tripped over her own feet, dropping her cup. It shattering in the process. She jumped, instantly moving to grab a paper towel. As she was cleaning up the mess, she whispered a hoarse, “Sorry.” Almost completely inaudible.

“You don’t have to move.” He shook his head, placing the waffles in the toaster as the glass fell, shattering. Grabbing the broom to help clean up the glass, he rested it against the counter as she spoke the word sorry and he shook his head. “Don’t be, it’s-“ he paused. Turning to look at her, a smile began to form on his lips. “Did you just say sorry?!”

Zoey looked up from the mess, a small smile forming on her own lips. After months of trying to speak and nothing coming out, she was convinced she’d never speak again. Slowly, she nodded, realizing maybe her therapy was starting to pay off.

Asher smiled as he joined her on the ground, kissing her softly. “You talked.” He repeated kissing her again, and then her forehead. “That’s amazing.”

Zoey smiled, closing her eyes at his actions, “Ash-er.” She whispered, her words cracking.

“That’s probably the best thing I’ve ever heard..” he smiled. “You don’t have to try too much and hurt your vocal chords. I want to hear you talk all day but, just know I’m proud of you for getting what you did get out.”

Zoey slimed, leaning over to kiss him “love-“ she coughed lightly, turning her head away from him.

“I know. I love you too.” He smiled. “Do you want some water? I can get you some if you think it will help?”

Zoey shook her head, instead looking back up at the coffee maker. She pointed, already hurting from the talking.

“Oh that’s right. Coffee. Here. Get your cup and I’ll clean up the coffee we spilled. Then I’ll come sit with you while the waffles are in the toaster.”

Zoey nodded, picking up the rest of the broken pieces before tossing them in the trash. She moved to get another mug and poorer what little coffee was left before moving to the den, wrapping herself in a blanket like always.

Nearly twenty minutes later, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. “I made a small pot to bring you fresh coffee.” He smiled. “You look comfy.”

Zoey turned her attention up toward him with a smile, “Thanks.” She forced out, biting her lip slightly.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as she hit her lip. “I’m proud of you. You’ve done so much already today.” He smiled reaching for her hand.

Zoey turned her eyes toward him. There was no paper nearby so she knew she had to speak again. She sat down her coffee, using her now free hand to point toward her throat, “Hurts.” She forced out again, now clearly in discomfort

“The notebook!” Asher spoke. “I meant to bring it down so you could have it. I don’t want you to be in pain.” He shook his head. “Save it. One step at a time.”

Zoey shook her head, “Shouldn’t- h-have to.”

“Do you want me to go get it just in case?” He asked. “I’d love for you to be comfortable in anyway possible.”

Zoey nodded softly.

“I have Eli’s waffles in the toaster, but I was thinking of making something else too because Cam’s been on That egg kick recently. Or I can go get breakfast from somewhere. What would you want?”

“We do.” He nodded, speaking instead of replying. “It’s the cinnamon French toast sticks but I’ll pop them in the oven if that’s okay.”

Zoey beamed, nodding excitedly. Clearly loving the idea. Quickly she texted him back, “let me help. You can’t make everything”

“Yeah, come help me. You’re always great company in the kitchen.” He laughed, speaking to her. “The kids will be awake soon anyways and I’d like to be alone with you for at least five more minutes.”