Lily of the Valley

Baby Blues ||

“I would literally throw up on you in return.” Trent promised in a close echo. “Don’t let my amazing partying skills fool you, I have a weaker stomach than…something with an incredibly weak stomach.” Trent let out a quiet snort when she called him rude, the hand on her arm tapping it gently. “Truth hurts, my love. Truth hurts.” Another pause. My love was just something that he had called a vast majority of every female he ever met but again, it felt like a strange sense of false hope when saying it in context to Lily. It felt almost too comfortable and Trent wasn’t dumb enough to yet believe that this easy feeling was going to stay. It could very well just be something their current situation was affording them. Which made Trent feel like if there was anything he wanted to say to her, now was the time. “Lil..? I uh, I just want you to know that..” He wasn’t good at this sort of thing. “I know I haven’t been the most..gracious person about you and my fans and the media have been even worse but..anything I’ve said, I don’t think I truly meant it too far down. I don’t think you’re a whore or that you did it to trap me and..like I said, I’m damn lucky that you’re the mother of my child over the idea of how worse off a child of mine could have been with someone else. And..I’m sorry for it. For the way you’re treated, the way I’ve treated you and for..for ruining your career basically. You’re..you’re real beautiful, Lil. I really robbed the world of something exquisite.”

“So what you’re actually telling me is that it’s a good thing you weren’t around for disgusting diaper changes and spit up because I would have been cleaning up double the mess?” Lily teased, laughing. She herself didn’t necessarily have a weak stomach, but needles of any sort were absolutely disgusting and she couldn’t handle them. Lily didn’t think much of the fact that Trent had referred to her as my love - she noticed it, yes, but she was also fairly certain it was something he’d also said to her when they first met and she knew it didn’t mean much of anything when he said it. Not when it was to her, at least. Even so, she felt extremely comfortable with Trent at the moment, and continued to rest her head on his shoulder, listening carefully to him as he spoke. It wasn’t what she had expected to hear from him, not ever and certainly not today, and she couldn’t help the fact that tears welled in her eyes even though she tried to rub them away as quickly as they came. “If I’d wanted to trap you, I would have tried harder to have you around,” she said with a small laugh, knowing very well how stupid the media and Trent’s fans could be. She sat up a bit so that she could look at him properly, rubbing at her eye with the the heel of her hand. “Thank you, though. I really appreciate you saying that. Maybe you didn’t really make matters any better by trying to actually stop any of the shit that people said a bout me, but you never outright made it any worse. Your fans and the media will never like anyone you’re involved with, I’m just the one that had your baby and gets most of the shit.” Even so, she had Tessa and that made it all worth it, honestly. “You didn’t ruin my career, I could have kept going if I’d wanted to, if I’d wanted to force myself to work off any remaining baby weight in under a month. But I didn’t want to, I wanted to be a mom, even if it meant being treated like shit by a lot of people,” Lily said, wiping at her eyes again.

Baby Blues ||

“A hospital bed is cramped enough without someone using you for a human pillow, I’d probably be forced to jab you with my IV needles until you move.” A low laugh tumbled past his lips and Trent shot a guilty look towards Tessa before his face grew somber. He wasn’t allowed a laugh, a good time, while she was laying in a hospital sick and miserable. “Yes, yes you are. At least 63.92 percent that horrible. It’s on a slow decline lately.” A hand started to rub down one of Lily’s arms soothingly, Trenton not really even noticing the gesture. “I’m only calm because she needs me to be.” He admitted, nodding towards the bed. He had seen his fair share of the inside of hospitals but that didn’t mean he had to like them in the least bit. “We’ll probably be able to take her home as soon as her fever breaks and they observe her a bit to make sure it stays broken. You got her here soon enough that I don’t think we’re looking at a long stay. We’ll be home soon enough.” There was a pause at the end of his sentence, Trent realizing that while referring to first himself and Lily as a we and then the three of them as a solid unit had felt odd, it had felt incredibly good at the same time. For now, they were a family. There wasn’t Lily and Tessa or Trenton and Tessa; just Tessa and her parents. He also realized he was scared to get used to it.

“I would literally throw up on you,” Lily grimaced, having an extreme dislike for needles. Taking Tessa for any shots she ever needed, Lily was generally far more likely to start crying than Tessa was at any given moment. Still, they were important and she just had to try to put on a brave fave any time vaccines were needed, because Lily wasn’t the type to forego them. “Wow, rude,” she frowned, but Trent was technically speaking the truth. Lily wasn’t always the best person, especially when it came to Trent, but at least a slow decline was better than no decline at all, right? They had to act like adults here, and like decent parents for Tessa, so she had to get her attitude together, that was for sure. And even she could see that now. “I think you’re right,” she agreed, hoping he was at least. Tessa was already doing so much better than she had been that morning, so it couldn’t be too much longer until they let her go home, right? God, she couldn’t wait for the three of them to get out of there - and Lily hadn’t even noticed that in all of this, Trent was being lumped in with them like he rightfully should have been, because maybe this was where he had belonged all along.

Baby Blues ||

“Yeah..” Trent’s voice was low, his mind flashing on the long list of possible hell-hounds that were probably lurking as close to him as they could get, trying to figure out why he was there. Hopefully the hospital not only kept them out but also had employees with enough integrity not to leak any information (that was a laugh. things always leaked, didn’t they?). He would open his mouth to say what he wouldn’t give just to be a normal guy right now but if normal was what he had stayed, he never would have met and definitely would have never had a chance, with Lily Ashford. Which meant there would be no Tessa. And nothing was worth that trade off. “I would switch places with her if I could but then you wouldn’t have such a comfy pillow.” He teased in an attempt to lighten up her mood a bit. “You and Tess would be at home where you would rejoice upon hearing I’m stuck in a hospital bed, wondering who I pissed off now and how long karma will be kicking my ass for you.”

“You don’t know that, I could still use you as a pillow in a hospital bed,” Lily teased him. She felt the same way, though, that she would switch spots with Tessa in a heartbeat if it meant not having her so sick, or even if it meant trying to get Trent to come and take care of Tessa for however long she’d be in the hospital for. But instead, it was their poor, innocent little princess stuck with it all. “Hey, I’m not that horrible,” she laughed. Okay, maybe it might have crossed her mind in the past, but she honestly felt differently now. Trent wasn’t all that terrible of a person, and she probably wouldn’t want to rip either her own or his hair out if he was going to be staying with them for a bit until Tessa is doing much better. “Hopefully they’ll let us take her home before too much longer,” she said. “But I’m honestly happy you’re here. I’m not good with hospitals, and having you here is actually... relatively calming, honestly.” Lily admitted.

Baby Blues ||

“I shouldn’t have come here.” Voice gruff, he shook his head. “Tessa’s in here sick, it’s stressful enough without me bringing along a damn big tent circus.” Trent had no ill feelings towards his career or his lifestyle - it had all been his choice after all - but he did hate the limits and restrictions it seemed to pile down on top of Tessa and the time he got to spend with her. His life had one unwavering promise. He would never again know what privacy was and because of that, neither would his daughter by default. Sure, some of the attention could stem from Lily’s own career in her pre-Tessa days but he wasn’t even going to pretend that the bulk of it was all thanks to him. The weight of Lily’s head on his shoulder was comforting, it kept him from feeling too down and out as his gaze stayed glued to their daughter’s small frame on the big hospital bed. “So do I.” Voice still gruff, he swallowed heavily over a lump in his throat. “I’d trade places with her in a heartbeat if I could. She’s so…fragile.” And she looked it. IV lines sticking from her skin, her color paled, hair matted to her hairline with sweat, eyes closed as her tiny chest rose and fell with her raspy breaths as she slept, the pajama’s they had changed her into away from the hospital gown contrasting against the bright white of the bed’s stock linen. “I’d give anything to take it all away.”

Lifting her head to look Trent directly in the eyes, Lily shook her head. “Don’t say that. Tessa needs you here. I - would be even more of a mess than I am if I was here on my own. I’m glad you came,” Lily admitted, nearly also admitting that even she needed him here to be able to do this. That was something she hadn’t thought she’d ever say, or even think. “If it gets to be too much, we can ask for a security guard. Just to make sure that nobody actually manages to get near the room, you know?” she suggested, sighing as she rested her head back on Trent’s shoulder again. It honestly was nice, having him there with her when she was so used to dealing with these sorts of things on her own. She had comfort for once, and it was so relieving. “I know, I would too,” Lily agreed. It broke her heart to see Tessa looking so sick and down, such a contrast to her usual, happy, bubbly self. “How long do you think you’ll be able to stay for?” she asked him, knowing it wasn’t so much how long he wanted to stay, but how long his manager and the band would let him go before they started nagging for him to come back. “Tess will love having you, and making you watch Frozen until your eyes fall out,” she teased.

Baby Blues ||

k-ingofrock:

The hand on his cheek and the weight of her forehead pressing against his kept him in place when he instinctively went to lean in to trail after her lips. Eyes opening slowly, it took Trent a moment to process her words before blinking and breaking their eye contact to slide his gaze to the side where it landed on sleeping Tessa. Not looking back at her right away despite their closeness, he worked to get his breathing back normal and his thoughts pieced back together. What the hell had he been thinking? This wasn’t them and despite his lifestyle choices this wasn’t him. He knew how things were and would probably always be between him and Lily thanks to their past hostile nature towards one another so why had he gone for it? Why had he let himself show face like that? Tessa being sick. The atmosphere of the hospital.That had to be it. “R-right. I’m uh- I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.” His hands were on her waist holding her there but loosened a bit in case she wanted to get away from him. Even if he could still feel the way her mouth had more than willingly complied with his, he couldn’t let himself believe she had wanted it just as much as he. That was too dangerous to believe.

Lily couldn’t help the flurry of butterflies in her stomach when Trent attempted to go in for a second kiss. There was no way that this could possibly be real - not after they’d spent years at each other’s throats, absolutely loathing one another. It just didn’t feel possible - but deep down, Lily could kind of tell that this wasn’t just her exhaustion or stress making her think this was happening, nor was it what made it happen in the first place. Maybe this was proof that they really could work things out with one another, at least enough that they could really get along. “No, don’t be. That was... definitely my doing. I mean, you mentioned it, but I went ahead and just did it.” she rambled. “And it’s not that the action was inappropriate, just... maybe not the right place for it to happen. I mean, besides Tessa being sick right there, but there’s probably people lurking around for you, you know? Definitely wouldn’t be the best if that showed up on TMZ or Perez, not considering the situations...” Lily continued, finally resting her head on his shoulder while looking on at Tessa. “I just want to be able to take her home. I hate seeing her on that bed with the IVs hooked to her.” Lily sighed.

Baby Blues ||

k-ingofrock:

Lily being the one to close the gap between their lips took Trenton completely by surprise. Not only had he figured he be earning himself a stinging cheek thanks to his bold declaration but he’d never have pegged the Lily he’d gotten to know as the type to make such a forward move. However, just like Trent knew she didn’t know the real him he conceded that he most likely wasn’t fully acquainted with the true Lily. The hand that had previously rested gently against her cheek now cupped her face a bit firmer as his mouth answered hers. The hand supporting her on his lap tightened at her waist as Trent crowded in closer to Lily, deepening the kiss with a brush of his tongue against the seam of her mouth. He had only meant to go in for a gentle touch of their lips but as the moments passed and his breath began running thin, he couldn’t find it within himself to pull away. To break the contact between soulslips.

Lily hadn’t meant for the kiss to last for nearly as long as it had been - or for her to not want it to end. It was what she’d always dreamed of when she was younger and fangirled over Trent, and something she’d never entirely expected to experience with him. One of her hands rested on either side of his face, her thumb on his cheek as she went ahead and deepened the kiss, accepting Trent’s tongue against her lips with her own. It wasn’t until she remembered that they were in the hospital with their sleeping, sick baby girl in the bed that she reluctantly pulled away from Trent, her hand still on his cheek and her forehead resting against his. “We’re, uh - the hospital, and Tessa’s right here...” she stammered out, hoping he’d understand.

#FINALLY i replied #bb

Baby Blues ||

“Mmm…” In response to her claiming herself as a bitchy mama bear, the edges of his lips turned upwards just more. “But a bitchy mama bear is better than a bitchy baby mama.” He was quick on his feet to point out, hoping in a way it would help her to realize how much he appreciated her despite how little he had ever shown in. The nagging I can do without but you’re a woman so….“ The grin transforming his face into another look of mischief, Trent found himself playing with a flyaway strand of Lily’s hair as he spoke. Soothing it back into place, his hand slid to cup her cheek, thumb lightly rubbing. "I might come and go more than you’d like me too but with a guy like me, you have to live in the now and not the tomorrow.” Feeling himself lean in a little more, he half gave in to the urge he’d been poorly fighting since taking her up in his arms. “And right now, I’d like to kiss you right now, Lily Ashford.” Asking instead of just taking what he wanted, Trent left his lips a breath away from hers with his whispered confession.

Lily had to think through Trent’s mama bear/baby mama statement for a moment, no doubt thanks to the fact that she’d woken up so early and hardly slept peacefully once Tessa had gotten back to sleep a bit, but laughed once she got it. “I guess that’s true,” she said, realizing that it also meant that Trent saw her as more than just his baby mama, which was honestly very relieving to hear. “I’m always going to nag you no matter how well we get along, it’s just in my nature,” she teased, gently nudging him. It was probably true though, honestly.

Honestly, Lily was surprised to feel herself practically melting in to Trent’s touches. She never for a second thought that she’d ever feel this way about him again, but his hand on her cheek and fixing her hair was just... sweet. “I know, and that’s okay. As long as you’re around more often than you have been and come and see Tess whenever you can...” she said, her words beginning to falter a bit as he leaned closer to her. “I think that can be done,” she said quietly before breaking the distance between them, pressing her lips to his.

Baby Blues ||

Everything Lily said swirled around in Trenton head, no immediate response being offered. Staying with Lily and their daughter probably would be his best bet at first at least until he found a place of his own within reasonable distance. But were the two of them stable enough for that? Sure, things had been improving and a friendship no longer seemed like the most least likely event to occur but could they count on the hostility between the two to remain under the bridge and not rear it’s ugly head once more? The last thing Trenton wanted to do was ever risk his chances at being around Tessa as much as he could and while he didn’t want to say Lily would take action to bar him from doing so, one could never be too safe.

Partially surprised when she accepted the seat on him, Trent once again gave no forethought and wrapped an arm around her side to secure her position. A gentle curve of his lips met her words in greeting before he chuckled softly and shook his head. “Maybe if I wasn’t such a c-o-c-k-s-u-c-k-i-n-g guitar playing egotistical d-o-u-c-h-ecanoe a-s-s, or at least I think that’s what you called me once, you wouldn’t have to be such a…” Casting a look to their sleeping daughter, Trenton leaned in close, his mouth and eyes both revealing a devious nature before he whispered, “Bitch.” in a soft tone like a child letting out their first curse word. “Which….you aren’t.” Words still soft, face still close, Trenton studied her with a gentle gaze. “You’re a mean cranky Mama Bear but you have every right to hate me.” He admitted, eyes sweeping over her face again. “But you don’t, do you? Hate me?”

“I believe that’s exactly what I said, actually. More or less, at least,” Lily said with a quiet laugh, surprised that Trent could remember so well what she’d said to him. Of course, it wasn’t as though there was only one time that a similar string of insults had been hurled towards him though, and he was probably pretty used to her words by now. She’d try not to let it remain a regular thing, at least unless he really deserved it. However, Lily really meant it when she said she’d make things easier and work with Trent - because both of their lives would probably be a lot more enjoyable that way.

Sometimes, Trent could be downright adorable, though Lily didn’t admit that often - or ever, if she was being honest. It made her realize some of why she’d been such a huge fan of his when she was younger, other than his overall attractiveness and god-like voice - sometime’s he’d have this goofy grin or something like that. “I’m a mean, cranky, bitchy, Mama Bear,” she said with a grin, mimicking Trent’s town as she said the word. “I mean, I suppose I don’t hate you,” Lily smirked, looking at Trent innocently. “Not now, at least,” she added. “No, really, I don’t hate you. Even though I seem like I do most of the time. I just hate your job and how you walk in and out, I guess...” she admitted. At least he was far better than her own father ever had been, so he did have that going for him.

Baby Blues ||

The goofy looking grin on her face set his stomach a flutter this time around instead of aggravating him, a semi contrast to how once upon a time a seductively innocent and seemingly genuinely happy to be in his presence smile had set his lions a flutter. Resulting in the sleeping bundle between them, of course. Where once Trenton had increased his already being spread on thick charm, he only returned the look with a small smile of his own before moving his gaze back to the movie. “Are those singing rock trolls?” His voice so deadpan and seriously confused yet intrigued, one eyebrow arched as he watched. “A bit of a fixer upper.” He mumbled along to the song at one point, a concession to the fact that he himself was more than a bit of a fixer upper.

He heard Lily but he didn’t offer a response at first, instead concentrating on how it felt to simultaneously hear and feel Tessa’s even breathing next to him. “With way too much complicated but probably worth it effort, I suppose.” He muttered, his gaze having transfixed on the resting toddler. “Some are terrible dads–like yours truly here–and see their kids when it seems convenient to their schedules or whatever. But the others really try. Fly out to shows, travel alone instead of with us sometimes just so they have a few more days with their kids. Wives, whatever.” A good portion of the band wasn’t married but the few who were made a decent effort–even the ones Trent knew to be not exactly faithful.

Sighing easily as to not disturb Tess, Trent carefully slid from the bed and returned to the chair, scooting it a bit from the bed. “Come, sit here with me so we can talk. I don’t want to wake her but I do want to weigh my options. About uh….being closer?” Last part coming out as a question, Trenton patted his leg.

Lily allowed her eyes to remain on Trent for a few moments after he had looked back at the movie. This looked like how things should have been, him curled up with Tessa watching her favorite movie. She could very easily do without it being in a hospital bed, however. It was just so sweet to see, and if the circumstances were a bit better she’d absolutely be snapping a picture and maybe posting it on social media for everyone to see. Maybe there’d be time for that, if things worked out and he could come around a bit more. She couldn’t help but laugh a bit - quietly, of course, to not wake up Tessa - at the fact that Trent was actually singing along a bit to the movie. “Oh Tess would love to hear that,” Lily smiled, but she knew there’d be plenty of times that she’d rope Trent in to watching the movie with her while he stayed for a bit.

“If you wanted to do that ever, stay out for a few days and fly to wherever you need to be on your own, you could stay with us,” Lily offered, determined now to figure something out for the three of them. It was clear to her now how much Tessa needed her dad, and how much Trent wanted to be there for her - and would clearly drop anything if he knew that she needed him, like he’d done today. And if they could figure out how to make sleeping arrangements work this time around, it would make things simple next time.

Careful not to disturb Tessa, Lily sat up on the bed after giving her a kiss on the head. She was sure it wouldn’t be long before they’d join her again, and it wasn’t like they were leaving the room - just going a few feet away. And Trent was right, they didn’t want to risk waking her up. “Being closer,” Lily repeated, knowing that he of course meant being closer with and to Tessa. Of course. With there being only one seat in the room, Lily’s only choices were to stand, or to accept the implied invitation to sit on Trent’s lap to speak - and she surprisingly went with the latter, sitting ‘sidesaddle’ on him so that she could look at him as they spoke. “I’m honestly willing to work with you however we need to, to make sure you can see Tessa. And be less of a b-i-t-c-h, too,” she said, still spelling out the word even though Tess was fast asleep.