Title: Alternate Realities: Chapter Nineteen, Embodiment of Happiness
Rating: R/NC-17 [violence, language, sexual nudity]

Summary: Adam and Kylia spend some time with his mother.






It was rather weird to wake up alone, almost like waking in a cave, an abyss. He could not believe how empty he felt without her next to him. Clearly this was infatuation; no... no, it certainly felt much stronger than that. He knew it was bigger than mere infatuation, than a mere crush. He never should have taken her home, should have made her stay overnight, instead of agreeing to pick her up on the way to his mother’s in the morning. He wanted her next to him all the time. It was rather scary.

Rolling over in bed, kicking Frankie in the head and making her groan, Adam glanced at the brilliant numerical display. Rubbing his eyes to clear the image, he mimicked the dog’s earlier groan. Deciding the fact that his mind was racing, despite the fact it was three in the morning, would hinder him from further sleep. Stripping back the single heavy coverlet, he pivoted in bed, his toes stretching for the plush white throw rug. For a moment he sat there, toes wiggling in the nap of the rug. A brief image of his woman sprawled naked upon the — no, he was not going to think such things of his innocent girlfriend.

But now that he was awake, he might as well make use of his time. A song seemed to be teasing the edge of his mind and he could use any moment of inspiration he could grab. Not even bothering to pull anything over his tank top and boxer shorts, Adam headed out of the bedroom. Frankie perked up, quickly jumping off the bed to trail after him. He waited for her at the entry of his home studio before closing the door to keep the music from waking Gene.

“So, girl,” he sat in the deluxe leather chair in front of the mixing board, “what do you think of her?”

The dog stared up at him, wagging her tail.

“Me too,” he patted the lab’s head. “Me too.”



Patting her face with a fluffy white towel, Kylia sighed contentedly. The date out with Adam the previous night, though not as perfect as he would have liked, has been splendid. She could not remember being on such a wonderful date before. Her body still tingled with the very thought of it. Nothing spectacular had happened and yet everything could be considered that. Even her dates with Jayden could not compare. What was it about Adam that lit her soul like a firecracker?

Whatever it was, she needed to suppress it or how else would she make it through brunch with his mother? Maybe nerves should have been chasing away her excited butterflies, but they were not. For whatever reason she was not the least bit nervous about spending time his mother. It was not like she was aware of his bond with her, Kylia just did not feel any apprehension on being with her. Would it be the same when meeting his father?

Folding the towel neatly she returned it to the silver loop. Her eyes went to her reflection and for once she smiled. Even that brief glance she noted a change in herself. There was an ease of happiness in her facial and corporal language. Even her own eyes could not deny the image of true happiness reflected back at her. Really she had little reason to be happy. She was out of a job because she caught her boyfriend in a very inappropriate position. Who knew how much worse that situation could get and nevermind the students she left behind? Booger seemed to be coming down with something too, as he had been sneezing all morning. Yet despite all of the attempts to bring her down, Kylia still genuinely happy. That clearly had everything to do with Adam.

Turning away from the mirror, her face unadorned with cosmetics, Kylia headed to her closet to change her mind of her closet to change her mind on her clothing once more. While she already laid out a pair of nice designer jeans and a pretty blouse Kylia had the sudden desire to wear something a bit more time with the mother appropriate. Staring into the open closet, Kylia sighed. Nothing quite seemed iconic enough to suit the magical moment. The jeans and blouse would do.

Her feet had barely slipped into her sandals when a knock sounded at the door. With a grin she picked up her modest purse and headed to greet her man, stepping over a lazy cat who barely regarded her at all. Throwing the door open, her happy grin instantly disappeared, her eyes narrowing.

“Jayden, what are you—”

His hands went to her shoulders, pushing her backwards into to the apartment, “So, whore, what do you—”

“Get off of me,” her fingers went to his chest, pushing him away from her. “And get out of here, Jayden.”

“But, baby, surely you’re putting out for that rock sta—”

She reached for the door, hoping to block him, “I’m not your baby and you’re not the least bit welcome here.”

“But, baby, I love you,” he reached for her again.

Before his fingers even touched her Jayden flew backwards, Kylia did not need to look to know it was Adam who pulled the teacher out. Without even a thought she slammed the door close, leaning against it, her eyes squeezed close. She did not want to know what was happening in the hall, did not want to hear it, see it. She wanted to forget it even happened.

A soft knock sounded near her head. She knew Jayden would never knock that softly but she still had no desire to open it. Even if the embodiment of happiness was on the other side of the door, Kylia could not open it. Not now. Not ever.

“Kylia, sweetie,” Adam’s muffled voice vibrated against the door, “open the door.”

“No,” she responded.

“Baby, it’s okay. He’s gone. I promise. Open the door.”

Tenatively her fingers went to the lock and then the doorknob. She cracked the door open and glanced out the tiny crack. Her eyes found Adam’s briefly before she stepped back, allowing the door to fall open. Without delay her arms slipped around his neck.

“Everything’s okay. He won’t be bothering you again, baby,” Adam declared, his breath muffled in her curls.

“Adam, he...”

“I know, Kylia. But he won’t bother you again,” he claimed.

“I can’t... I can’t stay here...”

Adam instantly replied, “You can stay with me.”

“The cats?”

“We’ll bring them too.”

“Adam, I don’t know,” she pulled away from him.

He quickly kissed her, “Think about it. We’ll get away from here and go eat with my mom and you can think about it. Okay?”

Kylia nodded slowly, “Okay.”



Sitting in the car, Kylia looked at Patsy’s house. It was small by Hollywood standards, likely five bedrooms and fairly plain-looking. White stucco, lush native Californian greenery, and plenty of parking space in front of the large three car garage set the early stage, Kylie expected similar inside. And suddenly she had absolutely no desire to get out of the vehicle, to enter the house. It wasn’t really sudden appearance of nerves but rather the fact she was still shaken up from Jayden’s visit thirty minutes before and it apparently chose to surface then.

“Adam,” she spoke softly, “I can’t... I can’t...”

He reached across the console, clasping her hand, “My mom isn’t going to bite, Kylia. I promise.”

“I know, but after what happened...”

“He’s not coming after you again.”

“But—”

“He doesn’t know who my mother is, much less where she lives.”

She nodded slightly, pulling her hand free, “Let’s do this then.”

The pair headed up to the front door, passing various cacti nestled in blue gravel. Tucked in an obscure patio, a small fountain gurgled in front of a stone bench, fragrant baskets of flowers lightly scenting the air. Kylia’s eyes were completely transfixed by the fountain for some reason, enough that she jumped when the door opened.

“It’s about time you arrived,” a short matron declared. “I thought—”

“We had an unexpected visit before leaving her apartment,” Adam interrupted, leading Kylia into the house. “Ma, you didn’t bake five loaves of bread, did you?”

She waved him off, snatching the younger woman’s hand from his,” I didn’t know if you were like Adam and drink that horribly awful coffee, but I have a whole pot. And scones. And now that you’re here, I can put the quiche in the oven. And—”

“Thank you, Patsy,” Kylia interrupted. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No no. Not at all. You’re a guest in my house. You just sit your pretty self down and relax,” she patted Kylia’s hand lovingly before releasing it. “Adam, on the other hand, get your ass in the kitchen.”



Sitting in the backyard, sipping iced tea, Kylia admired Patsy’s view. Had she not watched their interactions carefully all early afternoon, the fact he purchased this lovely home for his mother sang of his connection to her. It didn’t even occur to her that seemingly all rockstars bought homes for their mothers. It certainly seemed right for Adam to do so. And to find a small house with a view of the not too distant ocean perfectly fit. The way a man treated his mother was certainly emblematic of how he treated a girlfriend.

Approaching her, Adam snuck a kiss before sitting beside her, “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”

“Just thinking about you and your mother and what it means for me,” she responded, smiling slightly.

“I do not covet my mother. There is no oedipal complex here,” he remarked.

She chuckled, “Hadn’t even crossed my mind.”

“Good. That would be hard to explain to Ma.”

“Explain what to me?” Patsy appeared with a fresh pitcher of tea, instantly filling Kylia’s glass.

“Nevermind,” Adam answered. “Don’t you have something to ask of Kylia?”

She set down the pitcher and flicked his ear, “Don’t let me warm up to the subject, Adam.”

He shrugged.

“What do you want to ask me, Patsy?” Kylia ignored him.

“Adam told me what happened before you came over. Why don’t you bring the cats over and stay here for a few days?” she suggested.

“Oh, Patsy, I’m touched but...”

“If you’re not comfortable, I understand. I just thought it would be easier to plan the wedding with you here.”

“Mom!” Adam exclaimed.

Kylia blushed and smiled, “I’m honored, really, Patsy. And I’ll accept on one condition.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t push the marriage issue again.”