Luke
LUKE
Three years later
Surprise! Calla James-Pierson delivers twins with husband, Pierson.
The Pierson Twins have arrived.
James-Pierson gives a peek into private life with new picture of twins.
For once, I’m not mad at the tabloids. Calla posted a picture of the tops of our boys’ heads on her social media the other day, announcing her pregnancy and their births all at once. The town we live in has become very protective of Calla and her privacy, so it’s no surprise to me that no one let it slip that she was pregnant, even when we couldn't hide it anymore.
The boys, Jacob and Ryder, were born three weeks ago. After an extra two weeks in the hospital, we could finally bring them home. It’s been exhausting but exhilarating all at once.
Today, Cody and his wife flew in to spend a few days with us. I picked them up at the airport this morning, and now he’s sitting in my house holding my son. A day I truly never thought I’d have.
“I can’t believe you’re a dad, ,” Cody says with a smile on his face.
“I know.” I can’t believe it most days, either.
“And a fucking cowboy, too.” He chuckles as he nods at my cowboy hat. I’ve got a collection of them now. I’ve also acquired boots, chaps, and leather vests. All things I never imagined would be in my closet. But Calla wanted a ranch, so I gave her one. While she spends her days writing music or recording in our home studio, I spend my days with horses and chickens and goats. And now, two little boys.
“I’ll be honest, cowboy was never on my list of things I thought you’d do,” Cody tells me.
I chuckle. “It certainly wasn’t the plan, but I’m glad my plans changed.”
“It suits you.”
I smile at my best friend. He’s supported me every step of the way. He was here when Calla and I got married at Bud’s ranch, and he helped us stay under the radar for almost a year while we got settled in Montana. He checks in all the time to make sure we don’t need anything. And now he’s here to see my children.
He’s a better friend to me than I’ve ever been to him. All I did was help him lose his biggest client three years ago. Some friend I am. My therapist tells me that friends will love me no matter what, so I’m working on believing that.
Thankfully, I’m a better husband and partner than I am a friend. At least, that’s what Calla tells me, and I chose to believe it.
Calla walks into the living room, looking a little disheveled but more rested than she did before her nap. She’s up a lot throughout the night with the boys. I get up with her and bottle-feed one while she breastfeeds the other, but it’s still hard on her. Especially since she’s still recovering from a C-section.
“Hey, princess. Do you need anything?” I ask her as she takes Jacob from my arms.
“Some water would be nice.”
I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “Of course.”
I ask Cody and his wife, Marlee, if they want anything before I disappear into the kitchen. I get Calla her water but also a little snack plate because I know she’s going to be hungry soon.
When I bring it out to her, she smiles. “I swear you know me better than I know myself.”
“That’s my plan.”
It’s been just the two of us out here for years now. Calla still hasn’t talked to her parents again and she seems fine with that decision. She talks about it with her therapist, so I know she’s making the right decision for herself. I’m proud of her. She decided to live the life she wanted for a change.
Sure, it took her having a bit of a breakdown, but I think it turned out for the best. She released an album that she was proud of and won two Grammys for it that year. That ceremony was the last time we stepped foot in California.
Calla did a small tour to satisfy the contract with her label, but each show was one to two weeks apart, and she flew home after every show. Obviously, I went with her after I found someone I trusted to look after the animals while we were gone.
I’m just grateful that she’s letting me tag along for the ride. I want to be by her side for as long as she’ll have me. I’m hoping that’s forever.
I sit next to her on the couch. Everyone that I love is in one room together. It feels like I’ve “made it.” I’m excited for what each day brings and look forward to the small things the most: drinking my coffee while looking out to our land in the mornings, watching Calla ride her horse across the property with the wind blowing in her hair, the first snowfall each year. And now that we have Jacob and Ryder, I’m excited to watch them grow and see the people they become.
But I’m most excited to do it with Calla. She is everything I never knew I needed, but I’m so glad I found her.
“So,” Cody says, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Are you still mad that I teamed you up with America’s Sweetheart?”
I laugh, thinking about how much has changed. “Nah, I guess I can forgive you for that.”
Calla nudges me with her elbow but when I look at her, she’s smiling.
“It was probably the best thing you’ve ever done for me. Sorry it turned out so shitty for you.”
“The financial hit was worth it to see you like this, man. I’m proud of you.”
The best I can do is nod. I know if I try to say anything, there’s a chance I might cry, and I already cried once this month when the twins were born. If I do it again this soon, I’ll have to make an extra appointment with my therapist.
Calla lays her head on my shoulder, and I realize I’m proud of me, too. I’m proud that I broke my own rules and let myself have the best life I could. And I think my mom would be proud if she could see me now.
As if Calla can sense my impending breakdown, she says, “Why don’t you go check on the goats? They probably need feeding. Take Cody with you.”
I nod and kiss her quickly. She knows what I need, just like I know what she needs. Being out in nature grounds me. I stand from the couch and motion for Cody to follow me. He hands Jacob off to Marlee.
“Alright, let’s go feed some goats.”
The End