Live-in Nanny Wanted!

When we arrive at the house, Gerard and I each take a twin inside and that’s when I’m met with the smell of chicken alfredo and it’s just delightful. I smile big at Gerard who gives me a small twitch of his lips. He’s nervous and afraid of what his father will say. I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Gerard. I’m here with you and so are the girls,” I say. This makes him smile and I relax, not even aware of being tense in the first place.

“Thanks, Frank. Come on. I want you to meet Mikey. He’s really awesome,” he says, guiding me to the kitchen. His mother lights up completely at the sight of Gerard and it warms my heart. There’s a tall, really skinny kid leaning against the counter next to the sink and I’m guessing that’s Mikey. I drag my eyes over to the table where I’d seen a figure in my peripheral and I know that’s his father. He’s wearing a suit, tie hanging loosely around his neck and his eyes look tired. Like he just wants to go to the room and not deal with people. When his eyes reach Gerard, his lips curl into a small frown. When he and I make contact, he gives me a polite smile.

“Gerard, sweetheart, we missed you! Hello, Frank,” she said after pinching Lily’s cheeks. I give her a smile and say hello before walking over to his father and sticking my free hand out.

“Hello, sir. I’m Frank. This is my daughter Cherry and Lily is that little cute in Gerard’s arms,” I introduce my family. He stands as he shakes my hand, giving me a firm shake. I make sure to apply as much pressure as he does. He’s sizing me up and I stand my ground.

“Nice to meet you, young man. How has Gerard been doing? Is he earning his keep around your home?” He asks. I make eye contact with Gerard and give him a smile before turning back to his father.

“Yes, sir. I’m very glad to have him around. He’s been a big help,” I say, making sure to stress my happiness with a toothy smile. He nods, humming his approval.

“That’s good. You have very beautiful daughters. Will your wife be joining us tonight?” He asks. I shake my head.

“No, sir. I’m no longer married and their mother is currently working in the UK,” I explained. I was surprised Donna hadn’t mentioned my divorce to him, but I just let it go. It didn’t matter.

“I’m sorry to hear that, son. Here, come meet my youngest, Mikey.” He gestures to the boy with glasses and beckons him over.

“Hey, Frank. Gerard has told me a lot about you!” He greets. “Thanks for taking care of him.” I shake his hand when he sticks it out.

“It’s nice to meet you, and honestly, Gerard helps me a lot,” I confess, giving a sheepish smile. We stand around awkwardly. Me smiling around at the family, Gerard looking at his feet, Mikey looking between his father and brother, Donna smiling as if nothing was wrong, and my girls cooing softly and staring around full of wonder. It was really fucking awkward and I kinda just wanted to look at my watch and make up some shit excuse to leave, but I promised Gerard I would stay to support him.

“Well,” Donna exclaimed suddenly with a clap of her hands, catching all of us off guard. “Dinner is all ready so let’s take a seat!” We all got into chairs, Gerard and I sitting next to each other so the twins could hold hands. It was the cutest thing ever when they did that, it showed they were attached to one another.

“Excuse me, Donna?” I said, looking at her and pulling my phone out. “Would you mind taking a quick picture of the twins with me and Gerard? I want to send it to my ex-wife,” I said. She nodded happily and took my phone, quickly snapping a couple of photos of us. I couldn’t wait to see them later. I bet we looked like a real family. After putting my phone up, I took the small jars of baby food out of the girls’ diaper bag and handed one to Gerard.

“Thanks,” he said, grabbing the jar and popping it open. Donna set everyone’s plates in front of them, but ours remained untouched until the girls were done eating.

“So, Frank, Donna tells me that you’re in a band?” Gerard’s father says. I nod, looking over at him.

“Yes. We’re called Pencey Prep and we’re going on tour in, like, two and a half weeks. I’m very excited,” I say happily. I love talking about my band.

“Oh, and your daughters?” He asked, his tone coming off kind of offensive.

“Gerard is at my home not only to help take care of my daughters, but to looking after them and my house while I’m gone,” I answer as politely as possible. I’m on guard now. I will not allow some workaholic father who plays favorites to insult me as a parent.

“Oh,” he says, chewing his food slowly. “Isn’t that a bit irresponsible?” He asks after a few moments. My eye twitches.

“Dad!” Mikey and Gerard exclaim at the same time. I clench my jaw, taking a deep breath and trying to let it go so I don’t ruin a family dinner.

“Don!” Donna exclaims. “Apologize to Frank. He’s a wonderful father!” She comes to my defense. I shake my head.

“No, no, that’s okay, Donna. Thank you,” I say. I turn back to Don and give him a stern look. “You can call it whatever you want, but I trust your son as he has proven to me that he can take care of my children while I’m away working for my family.” He scoffs.

“Gerard? If you’d said Mikey, then that I can understand, but Gerard?” he dismissed my statement. I heard Gerard shift next to me and I turn to look at him, his eyes watering at his father’s words.

“What about him shouldn’t I trust?” I ask, pulling Cherry closer to me as she seems to be falling asleep. “He graduated at the top of his class, he’s very polite and respectful, has a great taste in music, he’s amazing with children and cares a lot about them, has an awesome sense of humor, and he’s a very good friend,” I say. “So if there’s something in there that you can find to deem your own son untrustworthy, then please, tell me.” I’m challenging this son of a bitch. If he can insult his own son, then I don’t want my kids near him. His negativity could rub off on them. Fuck that.

“My son likes men,” he said, like that was something bad. I scoffed.

“So do I,” I argue. “What year are you living in, 1960? Come on, man. Get with the times. If you can’t accept your son because he likes men as well women, then that’s your problem. Don’t shun Gerard because of your incapability to be accepting. You call me an irresponsible parent, but why don’t you make sure your own hands are clean before you go pointing fingers,” I say. I turn to Gerard. “Come on, we’re leaving. Mikey, Donna, you’re welcome to come with us. Otherwise, I’m sorry for ruining your family dinner, but I’m getting my girls and Gerard out of here.” I’m fuming. I stand up angrily, my chair scraping harshly against the floor. I walk to the door of the kitchen and wait for Gerard to kiss his mom good night. I notice Mikey doing the same and I’m grateful. I look back at their father and have a stare down. His glaring hard and I’m doing it right back. Fuck this guy; Thinking he can treat his own kid like this and get away with it. I’m even a little upset at Donna for letting this go down as long as it has. I will never stand for anyone treating their kids like they aren’t humans with feelings. Just like I wouldn’t stand for kids talking shitty to their parents. I don’t discriminate, whatever. Fact is, you treat everyone kindly and with respect or you’re just a shitty person. Simple as that. I am absolutely seething and I fucking hate that Gerard grew up in this kind of atmosphere.

The boys wait for me outside.

“Thanks for the dinner, Donna. I’m sure it tasted wonderful.” She gives me a sad smile and I turn back to Don. “I’m sorry we had to start off this way, but hopefully you’ll come around and accept your own flesh and blood as he is: a wonderful person,” and then I leave, giving him no time to answer. I quietly close the door behind me and walk to the car. “I’m sorry for ruining things, guys,” I apologize. Mikey comes over and pats me on the back as I put Cherry in her seat. I notice that Gerard hasn’t said a word, but I won’t push him to. I stand up straight and smile at Mikey, waiting to see what he says.

“Sorry?” He laughs. “Dude, that was fucking amazing! My dad’s face was priceless!” He cheered, a huge smile on his face. I look over at Gerard and he’s already buckled in. He’s been silent since before dinner, but I don’t want to upset him by trying to talk to him. Mikey climbs in and sits in between the girls while I get in and start the car. I put on some old tunes and start riding around the small town rather than just going home. I look over at Gerard and he’s just looking out the window. I feel really bad, but his dad deserved that. I wish I hadn’t met him, but I’m glad I got to give him my two cents after hearing about that homophobic shit. I reach over and put my hand on his. He flinches up turns his hand over and holds mine. I wasn’t expecting that. I was just gonna give his hand a reassuring squeeze, but if he wants to hold my hand then I’m definitely not going to pass that up.

Later that night when we get home, I set the now sleeping babies in the crib and return to the living room where the boys have put on a movie. Gerard and I sit on the same couch as we always do while Mikey sits on the recliner. It’s really nice. I’m glad that Mikey decided to come along. I can get to know him better.

“So, Mikey,” I say to cut the silence. It wasn’t awkward, just suffocating. He looks at me, his head tilted back slightly because his glasses rest on the tip of his nose almost. I smile because I find it endearing, a little quirk of his that makes him unique. “You’re going to a private school? What’s that like?” I ask. I’d gone to the normal public school here, but I’ve always been interested in private schools. He groaned.

“They’re all snobby little shitheads,” he says, causing me to laugh softly. “Can you believe that most of them have never even heard of Queen? Like, the hell are you living, under a rock?” That one surprises me, my eyes widening.

“Are you serious? Freddie Mercury is my man-crush, alongside Bowie, Morrison, Morrissey, and John Lennon,” I say. They raise their brows at me. I shrug. “So I’m easy, whatever,” I smile. The rest of the night goes great. Mikey is pretty awesome and even though they hardly look alike, Mikey is just like Gerard in interests in music and comics. I show him the guest room with Gerard right beside me and we say good night. I walk Gerard to his room and bid him a good night as well.

“Hey, Frank, there’s this drawing I want to show you. Will you come in?” He asks, gesturing me inside.

“Sure! I love your drawings.” I walk inside and he closes the door behind me. Before I can even get a single sound out, I’m being pushed against the door. “Gerard, what are you-?” He puts his hand over my mouth and shushes me.

“What you did for me at dinner was the nicest thing anyone has done and I want to thank you,” he says. I nod and then he pulls his hand away. “Frank, you’re an amazing dad and the most wonderful person.” And then it finally happens. What I’ve been waiting to do since I first laid eyes on him. His body pushes against mine as he kisses me. There aren’t fireworks or any of that crap. It’s more of a bittersweet thing. I shouldn’t be doing this as much as I want to, because I don’t want to trap him here. I don’t want him to feel obligated to stay here if he ever wants to go.

“Gerard,” I say, pulling away. He looks at me, eyes wide and cheeks red. “I don’t want you to regret this,” I warn, feeling my own eyes water. “I gotta go to sleep, okay?” I say, opening his bedroom door. I’m almost out when he calls to me.

“I like you,” he whispers, but I hear it loud and clear. I turn back to look at him.

“I need to think,” I pause. “I like you, too, but I need to think about my girls first.” I will always be a father before anything else now. As soon as Jamia told me she was pregnant, I was a father and then a husband. I love her, of course, but my daughters will always be my daughters and she will always be their mother, but she and I will be nothing more than best friends. I want my kids to be okay with Gerard, and they’re only a year old. They hardly understand what’s going on now.

I leave and return to my room, blowing Cherry and Lily a kiss before getting into bed and closing my eyes, finally allowing my tears to spill.

Yeah, I’m just another rocker.

Notes

I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter! Next one should be up in a few days <3 My mind's been clearer these past few days, so my writing has kind of been flowing. Also, thank you for the 40 subscribers! It means so much to me that people are enjoying this despite the lack of updates until recent.

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