Categories > Celebrities > AFI > Whirlwind
August 10th, 2006 5:35 pm
When Davey came running down the hospital corridor he was as excited as he could be. Then he heard Litzy let out a piercing scream that made him almost want to stop, turn around and run the other way. He'd heard that labor was bad, but it sounded so much worse than he had imagined. He bolstered his courage and entered the room. Litzy was lying in bed attached to some kind of monitor and her hair was all over her head.
"Oh! Davey!" she cried in relief, reaching out for him.
"I got here as soon as I could, honey," he said, and went to hug her.
"DONTTOUCHME!" she screamed.
He drew back, quickly.
"Honey, it's me," he said.
"I know! But I'm in so much pain if you touch me it might hurt more!"
"Aw, my poor baby. Can I hold your hand?"
She nodded and he took her hand.
"What about the show?" she asked, between lamaze breaths.
"It's cancelled. Don't worry about that. Right now I'm only concerned about you and the baby."
"Oh Davey, I didnt know it was gonna be this hard - oh no, here comes another one..."
She screamed and squeezed his hand so hard he winced.
"Ow," he said, shaking it out.
"Tell me about it," she said, hands on her tummy.
Dr. Bradley came to check her out and said she still wasn't dilated enough. They gave her an epidural and for awhile she was able to just lay there and talk to him. They were both so excited that they were finally going to meet their baby. The boys showed up to lend their support and his parents had arrived as well.
The epidural wore off around 10:00 and by 12:00 she was in more pain than ever. He was trying to talk her through it and coach her, but at one point she just started to cry.
"I want my mother," she sobbed. "It's not fair that she's gone. I need her."
"I'm so sorry. But you have me. I'm here."
"You will never understand what this is like."
She was right about that, but he was trying to think of something he could do. He went and got his mother from the waiting room and asked her if she would sit with her for awhile. She was happy to. He peeked back in 5 minutes later and things seemed to be going well. His mother was talking to her and holding her hand. She even laughed once. He sat with the boys for awhile until Dr. Bradley did another check and said it was time to go to delivery. This time only Davey was allowed to go with her.
From there things went very quickly. He helped her push and encouraged her in between. She seemed better now that she knew she was close to the end. Finally the head crowned and it only took a few more big pushes to bring what they'd both been dying to hear for 9 months. Their baby's first cry. And he was really wailing, too. After he'd been checked out and cleaned up, a nurse gave him to Litzy. He held him with her, unable to believe that he had finally come into the world. She started to cry, and he found he was crying along with her. He just felt so overwhelmed with love for his new baby, and for Litzy.
"He's so beautiful, Davey," she sniffled. "He's so beautiful."
She was right. He was 6 lbs and 7 oz and he had some very fine dark hair and what appeared to be his eyes and nose but his mother's lips and head shape. His face was more round like hers than angular like his.
"He is, he's perfect," he said, kissing his son's head. He'd been crying before but now seemed very content in his mother's arms, which was no surprise. Davey knew firsthand what a good and loving woman Litzy was. He always felt comforted in her arms, too.
"What will you name him?" the nurse asked.
"Julian," Davey said, with pride. "Julian Gage Sebastian Marchand."
"Well then," she smiled. "He'll have a tough time spelling that in first grade."
Litzy started chuckling, and it made him laugh, too, as he imagined a 5-year-old Julian asking him "Daddy, how do you spell Sebastian?" for the millionth time.
"It's a good name," the nurse said.
"Thank you."
"We're going to take Litzy up to her room now to get some rest. We need to take Julian for some routine tests, but we'll bring him to you in about an hour."
Neither one of them made a move to give him up, and the nurse laughed.
"I swear I'll bring him back," she said, reaching out. Litzy let her take him.
Litzy was dead tired but couldn't fall asleep. She kept thinking about her baby. Her precious baby boy.
Davey was right next to her, holding her hand.
"That was some hard work," he said, and kissed her cheek.
"They don't call it labor for nothing," she joked. "Thank you, Davey."
"For what?"
"For being here. I wouldnt have made it without my husband."
He smiled like he always did every time they spoke of what they referred to as 'The Secret.'
"I wouldnt have missed it for the world," he said, stroking her hair. "How are you doing?"
"Tired. So tired. But I'm too...all over the place. I just want to see him again," she yawned.
"You need your rest. I'll be here when they bring him."
"Ha, you just want all the baby cuddle time to yourself," she giggled.
"That is very true," he admitted. "But you need some sleep."
"I cant sleep. Sing to me?"
"What do you want me to sing?" he asked, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
She thought for a moment.
"A Letter to Elise."
"Oh so no AFI songs?" he teased.
"I love every AFI song. But I was trying to pick something quiet," she snickered.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he pouted.
"Nothing, darling. What about Kiss and Control, then?"
"No, A Letter to Elise is fine," he said. "I love that song."
"And I love the way you sing it."
Davey started to sing to her and she closed her eyes, thinking of many things. Like when AFI did Icon for The Cure and did Just Like Heaven better than the original version. She could've sworn she saw a glimpse of jealousy on Robert Smith's face. That made her smile a little.
Davey was sounding so beautiful, as usual, and she was starting to wish her name was Elise. She thought about Jade all of a sudden, and how he really was her favorite guitarist in the world. To have him working with her song was such an honor. But that was Davey's song and she didn't want it changed too much. She and Jade used to be such good friends but lately he was almost cold with her. She knew why. But she wanted her Jade back. She'd always loved him dearly. He was just another friend she was afraid they might lose because they had decided to be a family.
Or was it just because of her?
Sometimes she wondered if she was ruining Davey's life. What bothered her the most was that there was tension in the band. In fact, there was tension all around the band. When everyone found out about Davey's relationship with her, there was shock and there were a lot of fans who said they wouldn't support AFI anymore. So they were advised by management to keep their relationship low-key. But once she started showing the whole situation was blown sky-high. Everyone was talking about the pregnancy, they were being hounded by the press, and everyone was talking about their relationship - whether or not it could last. Guys that Davey had previously dated were leaking anonymous info to the press about his gay affairs and everyone agreed that he was gay and just wanted a cover so he was using her. Some went as far as to say that the baby probably wasn't his. The boys said that he could turn his life into a circus if he wanted, but they'd rather see AFI disband than become a joke. And lately they werent getting any serious press. She just couldnt cost him the band. Not that. But there was no turning back now. There was the matter of The Secret and Julian and the fact that she seemed to love Davey more with every passing day.
She thought of Julian and how he looked so much like Davey. She had everything she'd always wanted. She was just so happy. But was Davey?
And even if he was - could he be happy if AFI fell apart?
Could she?
Sleep claimed her before she even realized it.
Litzy was fast asleep by the time the nurse brought Julian, and Davey was kinda glad, because he got some bonding time. The nurse showed him how to change his diaper and feed him. She gave him tons of information. He'd read up on everything when he'd had the chance on the road, so he knew the big stuff but she still told him a lot he didn't know. When she was gone he sat in the recliner by the window, holding Julian. They'd put him in a light blue and white sleeper and a white hat. He looked adorable. He yawned the biggest baby yawn ever.
"It's been a long night, huh?" he asked. "Well I don't know if we've been properly introduced, but I'm your Daddy. And there's no one in this world I love more than you and Mommy. I can promise you that I'll always be there for you and I'll never put work before you. I'll be there to support you in whatever you decide to do. Whether you want to be a singer like me, or a football player or an Engineer. Maybe you'll want to be a PR person like Mommy. That's okay, too. As long as whatever it is, it's what you want."
Julian was looking at him like he was really listening and he could really see him, even though he'd read newborn babies have fuzzy vision for quite awhile. But he was falling asleep very slowly in Davey's arms and finally started to snore a cute quiet little baby snore.
"Hey, where's the little munchkin?" Adam asked, walking in. He was followed by Hunter and Jade.
"Yeah, we wanna see what caused all the turmoil we're gonna have to deal with later," Jade said.
"Shh! He's sleeping," Davey said. "And it's just a cancelled show. We'll issue a refund."
They drew around and looked at the baby.
"Dear God - there are two of them now," Adam muttered, in feigned horror. "You should've just named him David Jr."
"He does look just like you," Jade said. "I wonder what the media will say now?"
"That he looks nothing like me," Davey said, rolling his eyes.
"Probably," Jade shrugged.
"That's a good looking kid you got there," Hunter said. "Congratulations. You know, I never saw you doing this whole fatherhood thing. But seeing you with him now...I guess it fits."
"Yeah," Davey said, looking down at Julian. "I guess so."
"Adam?" Litzy called, awakened by the noise.
"Yeah, hon," he said, heading over to sit on the bed.
"Davey and I talked about this, and...if anything were to ever happen to us, we would like for you to look after our precious Julian. We'd like for you to be his Godfather. What do you say?"
Adam let out a surprised gasp.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"You'd trust me with your child?"
"Yes indeed."
"Oh wow. Of course I will."
"Then that's one more way in which he's lucky."
"Aw, Litzy," he said, hugging her. "I'm so flattered."
Jade turned a steely eye on Davey.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said, grabbing his coat. "I have to go."
"Can I hold the baby?" Hunter asked.
"Wait a minute, Jade -"
"Hey Davey, can I -" Hunter piped up again.
"Yeah, yeah, here," he said, passing Julian to him and then running off into the hallway after Jade.
"Jade!" he yelled, catching him by the arm. "What's wrong with you?"
"Oh just the obvious fact that I'm not important to you. It becomes clearer and clearer every day!"
"What are you talking about?!"
"I thought I was you guys' closest friend. Why would you pick Adam to be Julian's godfather instead of me?" he asked, lip quivering.
"We thought of asking you but we thought it might be insulting...considering your feelings for me."
"You told her about that?!"
"I didn't mean to! She's my wi-" he caught himself. "She's going to be my wife. It's hard for me to keep things from her. I'm sorry."
Jade just shook his head. He actually had tears in his eyes and Davey was afraid. He had never seen Jade cry.
"This isn't the same anymore. Everything's changed. You've changed. I can't do this."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you need to find yourself a new guitarist, Dave. I cant do it anymore."
"What?! I can't just find a new guitarist! Jade, you are the best guitarist in the world! In the world, Jade! If you leave, AFI will fall apart!"
"Hey, even the Mona Lisa's falling apart," he said, and turned to go.
"Jade please dont leave. The band needs you. And Litzy and I both love you. No matter what you think, you are our dearest friend."
"I dont trust you, Davey. I dont even know who you are anymore. I just pray to God you know," he said, and walked away.
When Davey came running down the hospital corridor he was as excited as he could be. Then he heard Litzy let out a piercing scream that made him almost want to stop, turn around and run the other way. He'd heard that labor was bad, but it sounded so much worse than he had imagined. He bolstered his courage and entered the room. Litzy was lying in bed attached to some kind of monitor and her hair was all over her head.
"Oh! Davey!" she cried in relief, reaching out for him.
"I got here as soon as I could, honey," he said, and went to hug her.
"DONTTOUCHME!" she screamed.
He drew back, quickly.
"Honey, it's me," he said.
"I know! But I'm in so much pain if you touch me it might hurt more!"
"Aw, my poor baby. Can I hold your hand?"
She nodded and he took her hand.
"What about the show?" she asked, between lamaze breaths.
"It's cancelled. Don't worry about that. Right now I'm only concerned about you and the baby."
"Oh Davey, I didnt know it was gonna be this hard - oh no, here comes another one..."
She screamed and squeezed his hand so hard he winced.
"Ow," he said, shaking it out.
"Tell me about it," she said, hands on her tummy.
Dr. Bradley came to check her out and said she still wasn't dilated enough. They gave her an epidural and for awhile she was able to just lay there and talk to him. They were both so excited that they were finally going to meet their baby. The boys showed up to lend their support and his parents had arrived as well.
The epidural wore off around 10:00 and by 12:00 she was in more pain than ever. He was trying to talk her through it and coach her, but at one point she just started to cry.
"I want my mother," she sobbed. "It's not fair that she's gone. I need her."
"I'm so sorry. But you have me. I'm here."
"You will never understand what this is like."
She was right about that, but he was trying to think of something he could do. He went and got his mother from the waiting room and asked her if she would sit with her for awhile. She was happy to. He peeked back in 5 minutes later and things seemed to be going well. His mother was talking to her and holding her hand. She even laughed once. He sat with the boys for awhile until Dr. Bradley did another check and said it was time to go to delivery. This time only Davey was allowed to go with her.
From there things went very quickly. He helped her push and encouraged her in between. She seemed better now that she knew she was close to the end. Finally the head crowned and it only took a few more big pushes to bring what they'd both been dying to hear for 9 months. Their baby's first cry. And he was really wailing, too. After he'd been checked out and cleaned up, a nurse gave him to Litzy. He held him with her, unable to believe that he had finally come into the world. She started to cry, and he found he was crying along with her. He just felt so overwhelmed with love for his new baby, and for Litzy.
"He's so beautiful, Davey," she sniffled. "He's so beautiful."
She was right. He was 6 lbs and 7 oz and he had some very fine dark hair and what appeared to be his eyes and nose but his mother's lips and head shape. His face was more round like hers than angular like his.
"He is, he's perfect," he said, kissing his son's head. He'd been crying before but now seemed very content in his mother's arms, which was no surprise. Davey knew firsthand what a good and loving woman Litzy was. He always felt comforted in her arms, too.
"What will you name him?" the nurse asked.
"Julian," Davey said, with pride. "Julian Gage Sebastian Marchand."
"Well then," she smiled. "He'll have a tough time spelling that in first grade."
Litzy started chuckling, and it made him laugh, too, as he imagined a 5-year-old Julian asking him "Daddy, how do you spell Sebastian?" for the millionth time.
"It's a good name," the nurse said.
"Thank you."
"We're going to take Litzy up to her room now to get some rest. We need to take Julian for some routine tests, but we'll bring him to you in about an hour."
Neither one of them made a move to give him up, and the nurse laughed.
"I swear I'll bring him back," she said, reaching out. Litzy let her take him.
Litzy was dead tired but couldn't fall asleep. She kept thinking about her baby. Her precious baby boy.
Davey was right next to her, holding her hand.
"That was some hard work," he said, and kissed her cheek.
"They don't call it labor for nothing," she joked. "Thank you, Davey."
"For what?"
"For being here. I wouldnt have made it without my husband."
He smiled like he always did every time they spoke of what they referred to as 'The Secret.'
"I wouldnt have missed it for the world," he said, stroking her hair. "How are you doing?"
"Tired. So tired. But I'm too...all over the place. I just want to see him again," she yawned.
"You need your rest. I'll be here when they bring him."
"Ha, you just want all the baby cuddle time to yourself," she giggled.
"That is very true," he admitted. "But you need some sleep."
"I cant sleep. Sing to me?"
"What do you want me to sing?" he asked, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
She thought for a moment.
"A Letter to Elise."
"Oh so no AFI songs?" he teased.
"I love every AFI song. But I was trying to pick something quiet," she snickered.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he pouted.
"Nothing, darling. What about Kiss and Control, then?"
"No, A Letter to Elise is fine," he said. "I love that song."
"And I love the way you sing it."
Davey started to sing to her and she closed her eyes, thinking of many things. Like when AFI did Icon for The Cure and did Just Like Heaven better than the original version. She could've sworn she saw a glimpse of jealousy on Robert Smith's face. That made her smile a little.
Davey was sounding so beautiful, as usual, and she was starting to wish her name was Elise. She thought about Jade all of a sudden, and how he really was her favorite guitarist in the world. To have him working with her song was such an honor. But that was Davey's song and she didn't want it changed too much. She and Jade used to be such good friends but lately he was almost cold with her. She knew why. But she wanted her Jade back. She'd always loved him dearly. He was just another friend she was afraid they might lose because they had decided to be a family.
Or was it just because of her?
Sometimes she wondered if she was ruining Davey's life. What bothered her the most was that there was tension in the band. In fact, there was tension all around the band. When everyone found out about Davey's relationship with her, there was shock and there were a lot of fans who said they wouldn't support AFI anymore. So they were advised by management to keep their relationship low-key. But once she started showing the whole situation was blown sky-high. Everyone was talking about the pregnancy, they were being hounded by the press, and everyone was talking about their relationship - whether or not it could last. Guys that Davey had previously dated were leaking anonymous info to the press about his gay affairs and everyone agreed that he was gay and just wanted a cover so he was using her. Some went as far as to say that the baby probably wasn't his. The boys said that he could turn his life into a circus if he wanted, but they'd rather see AFI disband than become a joke. And lately they werent getting any serious press. She just couldnt cost him the band. Not that. But there was no turning back now. There was the matter of The Secret and Julian and the fact that she seemed to love Davey more with every passing day.
She thought of Julian and how he looked so much like Davey. She had everything she'd always wanted. She was just so happy. But was Davey?
And even if he was - could he be happy if AFI fell apart?
Could she?
Sleep claimed her before she even realized it.
Litzy was fast asleep by the time the nurse brought Julian, and Davey was kinda glad, because he got some bonding time. The nurse showed him how to change his diaper and feed him. She gave him tons of information. He'd read up on everything when he'd had the chance on the road, so he knew the big stuff but she still told him a lot he didn't know. When she was gone he sat in the recliner by the window, holding Julian. They'd put him in a light blue and white sleeper and a white hat. He looked adorable. He yawned the biggest baby yawn ever.
"It's been a long night, huh?" he asked. "Well I don't know if we've been properly introduced, but I'm your Daddy. And there's no one in this world I love more than you and Mommy. I can promise you that I'll always be there for you and I'll never put work before you. I'll be there to support you in whatever you decide to do. Whether you want to be a singer like me, or a football player or an Engineer. Maybe you'll want to be a PR person like Mommy. That's okay, too. As long as whatever it is, it's what you want."
Julian was looking at him like he was really listening and he could really see him, even though he'd read newborn babies have fuzzy vision for quite awhile. But he was falling asleep very slowly in Davey's arms and finally started to snore a cute quiet little baby snore.
"Hey, where's the little munchkin?" Adam asked, walking in. He was followed by Hunter and Jade.
"Yeah, we wanna see what caused all the turmoil we're gonna have to deal with later," Jade said.
"Shh! He's sleeping," Davey said. "And it's just a cancelled show. We'll issue a refund."
They drew around and looked at the baby.
"Dear God - there are two of them now," Adam muttered, in feigned horror. "You should've just named him David Jr."
"He does look just like you," Jade said. "I wonder what the media will say now?"
"That he looks nothing like me," Davey said, rolling his eyes.
"Probably," Jade shrugged.
"That's a good looking kid you got there," Hunter said. "Congratulations. You know, I never saw you doing this whole fatherhood thing. But seeing you with him now...I guess it fits."
"Yeah," Davey said, looking down at Julian. "I guess so."
"Adam?" Litzy called, awakened by the noise.
"Yeah, hon," he said, heading over to sit on the bed.
"Davey and I talked about this, and...if anything were to ever happen to us, we would like for you to look after our precious Julian. We'd like for you to be his Godfather. What do you say?"
Adam let out a surprised gasp.
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"You'd trust me with your child?"
"Yes indeed."
"Oh wow. Of course I will."
"Then that's one more way in which he's lucky."
"Aw, Litzy," he said, hugging her. "I'm so flattered."
Jade turned a steely eye on Davey.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said, grabbing his coat. "I have to go."
"Can I hold the baby?" Hunter asked.
"Wait a minute, Jade -"
"Hey Davey, can I -" Hunter piped up again.
"Yeah, yeah, here," he said, passing Julian to him and then running off into the hallway after Jade.
"Jade!" he yelled, catching him by the arm. "What's wrong with you?"
"Oh just the obvious fact that I'm not important to you. It becomes clearer and clearer every day!"
"What are you talking about?!"
"I thought I was you guys' closest friend. Why would you pick Adam to be Julian's godfather instead of me?" he asked, lip quivering.
"We thought of asking you but we thought it might be insulting...considering your feelings for me."
"You told her about that?!"
"I didn't mean to! She's my wi-" he caught himself. "She's going to be my wife. It's hard for me to keep things from her. I'm sorry."
Jade just shook his head. He actually had tears in his eyes and Davey was afraid. He had never seen Jade cry.
"This isn't the same anymore. Everything's changed. You've changed. I can't do this."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you need to find yourself a new guitarist, Dave. I cant do it anymore."
"What?! I can't just find a new guitarist! Jade, you are the best guitarist in the world! In the world, Jade! If you leave, AFI will fall apart!"
"Hey, even the Mona Lisa's falling apart," he said, and turned to go.
"Jade please dont leave. The band needs you. And Litzy and I both love you. No matter what you think, you are our dearest friend."
"I dont trust you, Davey. I dont even know who you are anymore. I just pray to God you know," he said, and walked away.
Sign up to rate and review this story