I Introduce The Selfish Machine

It’s been one long ass year.
The boys are working on a new album, Seren and Vic are getting married, and we just celebrated Mia’s first birthday. We’re settled into a grown up house, and I couldn’t be happier with life.
Tony just got done with the first leg of the World Tour, and it’s been really nice having him home. Mia loves Tony with all her heart, and she looks just like him. Her face lights up whenever he walks in the room. I’m so glad they have such a beautiful relationship.
“MOMMA!” Mia screamed as she ran into bathroom where I was getting ready. I looked down, and she reached up for me.
“Hi baby.” I said, picking her up. She puckered her lips at me and I kissed my daughter. I always get asked if we’re having another baby, but I’m happy with my mini me.
Tony leaned against the doorway. “My perfect girls.” He said, smiling at us.
I smiled at my husband. Who would have thought that this would be my life, and that I’d be happy with it?
“Are you excited to spend New Year’s Eve with Pay?” I asked.
She nodded her head as she played with my hair.
There was a knock on the door, and Mia’s brown eyes grew wide. I dropped my jaw, and she dropped hers. “Is that them?”
She nodded her head happily.
I carried Mia down the stairs with Tony behind me. I swung the door open, and Jacob stood there. Payton let go of his hand and ran up to me, hugging my legs.
“Aunt Pipes, Uncle Tones!” She said, running behind me to get to Tony.
I handed Mia to Jacob, who she was reaching for now. “Thank you so much for watching her.”
“My pleasure. They’re my two favorite ladies, so it’s no biggie.”
I gave Jacob Mia’s bag, and told him everything he needed to know for the evening. They left, leaving Tony and I alone in the house.
I turned to face him. I looked at his outfit. Black and gold, just like mine.
Tony opened his arms out to me, and I walked forward, resting my head on his chest as his hand rested on my lower back.
“We’re alone.” He whispered against my head.
“It’s so quiet.” I said. Tony laughed.
“We better leave now if we want to make it to that party.” Tony let go of me, but I still longed for his touch. He opened the door.
“Thank you, Mr. Perry.” I said as I grabbed my coat from the rack.
“My pleasure, Mrs. Perry.”

“WOO!” Seren yelled as I walked through the door.
“Oh, you didn’t party too hard without me babydoll, did you?” I asked, taking my coat off and dropping it by the others.
She walked up to me, one glass of wine against her lips and the other held out for me. Filled to the brim, just like I like. “Oh no, momma, I didn’t.” She said as I took the glass of wine out of her hand. I slowly took a drink of it, enjoying the taste of it. I hadn’t had wine in so long, and now that Mia is eating solid foods, I can drink all I want.
Vic walked up to us, giving Tony a man hug and then hugging me. “It’s 10:30, where have you guys been?” He asked, taking Seren’s wine out of her hand. She pouted at Vic.
“Had to wait for the babysitter, man. We can’t bring Mia to a party.” Tony responded.
“This is your first night out without Mia, isn’t it?”
I finished my wine. “Why do you think I’m drinking so much?” I said before walking away from them and heading the the table of bottle. I dropped the glass, and decided that it’s probably better for me just to drink out of the bottle.
I’m back, baby.
“Give me some.” Seren said, taking the bottle out of my hand and taking a long glup. She handed it back to me.
“How’s wedding planning?” I asked.
“Stressful. Hey, you still want to be my maid of honor, right?”
“Yes, of course!” I exclaimed. I took a long drink. “If you need any help, Tony and I still have our wedding planning book. I’d be glad to help.”
“I’d love your help. Your wedding was beautiful.”
I smiled at Seren, and lifted the bottle again, only to have Tony take it out of my hand. I glared up at him. “Who do you think you are?”
Tony handed the bottle to Seren, who happily took a big drink. “Jacob just called, Mia’s running a fever.” He said.
I sighed. “Crap, okay. We should probably go get her.”
“Probably.”
I turned to Seren. “Mia’s running a fever, we have to go.”
“Nooooo.” She whined.
“Come over tomorrow and we’ll have lunch.”
“If I remember, I will.” She turned on her heels and walked towards Vic, her head thrown back and bottle against her lips.

Mia cried in my arms as I bounced her around the bedroom. Her face was red because of the fever and the screaming.
“I know, I know.” I whispered. I hadn’t got a chance to change out of my party dress, I just spent the last hour trying to get Mia to sleep. Tony tried for a few minutes, but she just screamed louder. She may love Tony the most, but not when she’s sick.
Then, I looked down, and her little eyes fluttered shut. I sighed a sigh of relief, so happy she was finally asleep.
I lowered her into her crib slowly and softly, and thankfully she didn’t wake up. She slept with her arms stretched above her head, her legs spread apart. Her little tummy was poking out of the bottom of her shirt. She looked so peaceful despite being so sick.
“I love you.” I whispered, grabbing her tiny hand. “I love you so much.”
Tony poked his head in. “Is she asleep?” He whispered.
I nodded my head. Tony walked up next to me, shirtless. His hair was wet and he had his sweatpants on.
“Ugh, I want to take a shower. I also want some wine.” I whispered.
“You always want wine.”
“Somethings don’t change, Tony.”
He chuckled softly. “Hey, look.” He whispered and nodded up to the clock on Mia’s wall. It read 11:58. “Two minutes until 2015.”
I smiled softly. “Looks like it.”
“I know tonight didn’t go as planned, Piper Lynn, but-” 11:59 “-I much rather be home with you and Mia, relaxing in our own bed with our own wine any day. You two are my world, and I wouldn’t trade this life for any other one, because I already have the best one.” He looked up at the clock and smiled. “5…”
“4…”
“3…”
“2…”
“1.” He said, and then pulled me in. His lips collided with mine in the softest, most passionate and loving way. I smiled against his lips as we stood beside our daughter’s crib, happier than ever.
This is my life. Piper Perry, housewife.

Notes

Nine months. Welcome back.