Trevor #2
Trevor gives him a nod of acknowledgement.
Sometimes he thinks the label means more to Noah than it does to him.
And it means a hell of a lot to him. Of course, it’s also possible that Noah might be using all his work for the label as a means of avoiding the rest of his life.
All year long, Trevor’s felt like something is off with him.
But he can’t dwell on that right now, because he realizes he’s the only one left to say something.
And he still hasn’t quite found the right words to express everything he’s grateful for.
He’s grateful to be married to Skyler, obviously.
But he’s also grateful for all the other love and support that being with Skyler brought into his life.
He’s grateful to Theresa for being there for him like a mother would ever since he lost his own mother.
He’s grateful to have Ben and Layla too.
And even Mike and Hal, who have become friends.
And the other guys from the band, of course.
He’s so grateful for the strong bond the five of them have, but he almost lost that.
If he and Skyler hadn’t gotten back together, Trevor doubts he would’ve gotten Noah and Jermaine back in his life either.
Who knows how long he would have kept himself isolated?
Standing, he locks eyes with Skyler and doesn’t look away.
“I am so beyond grateful that Skyler James decided to sit down next to me that day at auditions all those years ago. Because I don’t want to imagine what my life would look like now if he hadn’t, but it certainly wouldn’t be filled with this much love. ”
Skyler’s eyes look a bit teary as he reaches across the table over all the food for Trevor’s hand. He squeezes it, and Trevor squeezes back before he sits down.
Hopefully, that encompassed everything.
Even though Skyler was determined not to let his parents help clean up, his mom pulled rank and told him to go hang out with his dad while she took care of the kitchen.
Noah and Jasper didn’t stay too long after dessert, so as soon as they were gone, Skyler and Ben started a game of Scrabble, and Trevor jumped in to help Theresa.
He didn’t mind taking care of the dishes after Skyler did all that work cooking. And luckily, Skyler had already gotten a few pans soaking and started one load in the dishwasher before they ate.
Spending time alone with Theresa is something Trevor relishes anyway, so this is nice. They talk on the phone all the time, but seeing her in person is better. Receiving her warm smiles and getting to hug her whenever he wants.
She’s been like a mom to him all these years, especially after he lost his own mom. But he’s never thought of her as a replacement. She’s her own person, and he appreciates her for who she is. And nobody could replace his mom.
“What’s wrong, hon?”
Trevor glances up to find Theresa watching him, her brow crinkled in concern, and realizes he zoned out. His intention was to scrub down the pan in the sink, but he’s not sure how long he’s just been standing here clutching the sponge in his fist.
“Just thinking about my mom,” he confesses.
“Aw, hon.” Theresa comes closer and pulls him in sideways, kissing his temple.
Trevor offers her a sad smile. “But I was also thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life.”
“Trevor.”
The gentle way she says his name makes him drop the sponge into the sink. After drying his hands on a dish towel, he turns to her fully.
Sighing softly, she says, “When Sky had us sharing what we’re grateful for, I made a joke out of mine.
But I could have said something else. I could have said how grateful I am that my son has a wonderful husband who loves him and does anything to make him happy.
I could have said how I’m grateful that the man I’ve always considered a son has now officially become my son. ”
There’s suddenly a lump lodged in Trevor’s throat. He clears it, but he still can’t find the words to say how that makes him feel. When Theresa reaches out, her fingers grazing the back of his hand, he has to swallow again and will himself not to get teary. Finally, he manages a lame, “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It’s the truth.”
He engulfs her petite body in a hug, humming in contentment when she wraps her arms around his waist. They stay like that probably a few seconds longer than necessary, then she rubs her hand up and down his back before letting go.
As they step apart, Trevor feels like he should say something else.
He’s supposed to be good with words. If he could sit down and try to write this into a song, he might have a better shot at conveying his emotions.
But he’s pretty sure any attempt at saying more to her right now will only get him choked up again.
Thankfully, Theresa spares him by silently returning to the cleaning.
As they’re finishing up, she suggests they make some tea.
So Trevor fills the electric kettle and grabs the fancy little wooden box Skyler uses to hold the tea bags.
After the water heats, they each fix their own teas.
Then they end up leaning over opposite sides of the island, cradling warm mugs and chatting about little things.
Like the new book club Theresa started at the library, and a true crime docuseries they both watched.
“So I promise I’m not rushing you,” Theresa says slowly, after a brief lull in the conversation, “but have you and Sky discussed any more plans for having kids? You guys told me you talked about it, and that you both decided it’s something you want. But have you thought it through any further?”
Trevor runs his thumb along the rim of his mug, recalling the not-quite-an-argument he and Skyler had and how they temporarily resolved it.
The topic has come up a couple other times since then.
Skyler promised he’s okay with waiting at least a few more years.
But Trevor’s sure he’d be overjoyed to start filling this house with children right now if they could figure out a way to make it work with their current schedules.
Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to. Not yet.
“I don’t think we’ll be in the position to start seriously considering it any time soon.”
“Why not?” Theresa asks, frowning slightly.
“We’re both just too busy,” Trevor tells her. “And neither of us is willing to give up our careers yet, or even slow them down.”
Skyler has had a fairly low-key year, but Trevor knows he’ll be itching to tour again soon. That man can’t stay away from the stage for too long.
“That’s understandable,” Theresa says as she neatly arranges the two cartoon turkey figurines Skyler put out as holiday decorations. “Though it’s not like you can’t afford childcare.”
“It’s not about the money. More that it doesn’t seem right to bring children into our lives only to let some random nanny raise them.”
She doesn’t respond to that right away. So for a few moments, they both sip their tea in silence. But her face suggests she’s working through something, and then—“What if it wasn’t a stranger?”
Trevor cocks his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“Well...” Theresa brings her tea with her as she comes around to his side of the counter.
Then she sets the mug down and leans her hip against the edge.
He turns sideways to face her, bracing himself with one forearm on the countertop.
“I haven’t mentioned this to Sky yet, but Ben and I have been considering some changes in our lives.
Thanks to all the help Skyler’s given us, we think we can afford to retire early. Or at least I can.”
“Wow, that’s great.” Trevor’s happy for her. He and Skyler wouldn’t hesitate to pay all of Theresa and Ben’s expenses, but they’d never accept that. At least Skyler paying off their house and buying them each new cars years ago has helped them get ahead.
Theresa smiles and sets her hand on his arm, giving it a squeeze. “I really enjoy being a librarian, so it’s not as if I’m desperate to quit my job. But what I would love more than anything is to be closer to my three children.”
It takes Trevor a second to understand that she’s including him when she says three children, and this time there’s no stopping him from getting choked up.
Not even a glance at the silly turkeys helps.
“We’d love to see you more often,” he says, voice wavering as he tries to hold back the tears from spilling. “That would be great.”
“Now obviously, with you two and Layla on opposite sides of the country, we know we can’t be close to all of you at the same time.
” Theresa pauses, giving his arm one more squeeze before letting it go.
“But if I retired and Ben and I moved out here, he could likely find a teaching position at a college nearby. Then we’d be able to go stay in New York with Layla during the summer and winter breaks if we wanted to. ”
Trevor nods. “Absolutely. And you know you’re always welcome to stay in our apartment there to give Layla more space.”
“Thank you, hon,” Theresa says. She takes a sip of her tea, then smiles at him. “But the point I’m trying to make is... if you and Sky decided you wanted to grow your family sooner rather than later...”
As she trails off, Trevor puts together the pieces of what she’s saying. “You want to help us?”
“I would love to help you,” she tells him. “You don’t even need to consider it me helping you. I’d be delighted to have some grandchildren to take care of.”
“Wow.” Trevor’s pretty sure he already said that a minute ago, but this calls for a repeat of the sentiment. Because yeah. What she’s offering really might be the key to him and Skyler getting to have everything they want all at once.
Theresa cups his chin in her hand and leans in to give him a motherly kiss on the forehead.
“It’s just something for you two to think about.
Nothing has to happen right away. But like I said, Ben and I have already been considering a move.
So we could probably make this happen fairly quickly if you needed us to. ”
“Thank you.” He doesn’t know what else to say. “Seriously. We would never ask you to give up your house and your lives in Ohio for us, but if it’s something you want, then this sounds amazing. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, hon. That’s what family is for.”