Some like to sleep, We like to play

A month later Gerard, Ray, Bob, Mikey and Frank are all scrambling to secure the money to record their demo to send to record companies. They need $10,000 and so far between them they have about $4000. I know how badly they want this so when Gerard goes to work I go to the bank and withdraw the $10,000 from my trust fund in a cheque. It puts a huge dent in it and brings me down to half the original amount but I would do anything for Gerard. That night they get together at Mikey's for practice and I take Bandit and Riley over there as a surprise. When we walk in they decide to take a break and I know now is the right time to give it to them. Bandit has run straight to Frank, marvelling at his tattoos again so I hand Riley the envelope containing the cheque and tell him to give it to daddy. He toddles over and holds it out clapping his hands after Gerard takes it. When he sees what it is his eyes widen and he says "I can't accept this." I shrug his reaction off and the other guys ask what's going on. Gerard hands them the cheque and they gape at me and I say "It's yours. This is your dream and I can make it happen so take it." They start to argue and I tell them I don't want it back. The room is silent for a moment before they all rush as me and I am being crushed by five men. When they pull away Riley and Bandit are giggling and clapping at the sight which causes me to laugh. "Thank you so much Z. We'll pay you back I promise" Ray says and they all nod in agreement. "Only when you make it big and famous" I tell them and Gerard laughs at my blind faith in them.

A month later Gerard heads off to New York for four days with the guys to record their demo. By day two I miss him terribly and I wonder how I will cope if they really do make it and go on tour. The kids third birthday is the day after they get back and I decide to throw them a little party. The next day I leave them with William and go shopping for party supplies and presents. I am in the mall walking by a pet store when I see the perfect gift for them. The puppy is chocolate brown with big eyes and is bouncing around in its cage and I know it's the right puppy for my kids, lots of energy. I walk inside and enquire about the dog and am told its two months old and has had all its shots. I pay for it and organise to pick it up the next day. After I leave the pet store I go to the toy store and see another perfect gift for Bandit. Ever since she could talk she has been obsessed with ponies so I buy her a rocking horse that looks like a my little pony. Riley is slightly harder to buy for and I end up getting him pirate stuff.
When I go to pick the kids up I organise with William for them to keep the puppy overnight tomorrow and he smiles and tells me they'd love to.

When Gerard gets home I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and burying my face in his neck as a few tears escape me. Gerard feels the wetness and strokes my back asking what's wrong. "I missed you so fucking much babe" I sob out and his hold on me tightens as he continues to hold me up and let me cry it out. When the tears stop I hop down and Riley walks over holding his arms up to me to be picked up and says "Why sad mommy?" "Mommys just happy to have daddy home again" I tell him and he nods his head and says "Me too." This causes Gerard to laugh and I follow.
The next day I wake up early and go over to pick up the puppy. It's very well behaved and when I carry it into the house Gerard's eyes go wide and he says "They are going to freak out over that." I smile and make my way upstairs to their room to wake them up, Gerard following. "Wake up sleepy heads" I call out when I enter the room, sitting on the floor with the puppy. Riley peers off the side of his bed and let's out an excited little squeal when he sees the dog. He throws back the covers diving onto the floor and the puppy runs straight over to the new person and starts licking his face. Riley giggles and pushes it away so I remind him he needs to be gentle because the puppy is only a little baby. He nods and starts to pat its head. His excited giggles wake up Bandit who throws herself across the room yelling "Doggy" and it turns around and jumps all over her. They have a good time rolling around on the floor with the dog until I say "Happy birthday guys. What are you gonna name your puppy?" They squabble for a few minutes shouting out names they've heard from kids shows and not agreeing about anything. "Ok no naming the puppy until we can be nice and come to an agreement" I tell them and they both pout. "Come on we need to wash our hands for breakfast and I think there might be more presents downstairs if you guys are good." At the mention of more presents their eyes light up and they race to the bathroom pushing each other out of the way. "No pushing" I remind them and they nod. After breakfast I take Riley and Bandit into the living room and Bandit jumps up and down clapping her hands at the sight of the rocking pony. Gerard helps her up on it as I help Riley unwrap his pirate stuff. "Bestest mommy" he squeals out when he sees his second present, launching himself into my lap and I smile as I cuddle him like I never want to let go. After they play for a little while with the puppy running back and forth between them yapping for attention I get them dressed and tell them about the party while Gerard decorates. "Yay party" Bandit yells and dances around the room. "Can I be piwate mommy?" Riley asks and I smile before dressing him like a pirate using his present. When he walks downstairs Riley has on an eye patch, a pirate hat, one of my white shirts with a belt around the waist and a pirate sword. I took an eyeliner pencil and drew a scar on his cheek and when he runs into the kitchen behind Gerard he screams "Arrrr" at the top of his lungs swinging the sword around. Gerard pretends to be scared and when Riley runs outside with the puppy nipping at his heels he bursts out laughing and says "Riley is such a dork."
The doorbell rings and I go to answer it, knowing it will be the guys.

Notes