Title: Long Live...
Characters: Pete Townshend, Cady Townshend, and family
Word Count: 3853
Rating: PG-13 [innuendo, language]
Warnings/Spoilers/Summary: Pete, Cady, and the family head to Miami for the Super Bowl. February 2010. Canon. Lots of spoilers.


Dutifully packing Pete’s luggage as well as her own, Cady clicked the locks on the suitcases. She pulled both down the hallway, leaving them at the top of the stairs before returning to the bedroom. Cady returned the extraneous clothing to their closets and bureaus and quickly checked over their bathroom supplies once more. Satisfied that all was packed, as it should be, she changed into her travelling clothes and pulled her snowy white hair back into a low ponytail. She left the bedroom and headed down to Pete’s studio. Checking her watch, she nodded before reaching for the door handle.

Slipping into the studio, Cady leaned against the wall for a long moment. She watched as Pete strummed furiously on one of his guitars. From the erratic pace, Cady was certain he was struggling with whatever he was writing. It had already been a long process; he spending days in seclusion writing the story behind his latest rock opera. He seemed to have hit another block. While it concerned her, she knew he could break through it, as he had so many times before. She had every confidence in him.

However, they needed to be leaving for the airport. Therefore, she pushed away from the wall and slowly approached him. Her finger reached out and pushed down the button that cut off all sound to his headphones. His hand instantly froze on his guitar, his attention going to the soundtable first. Seeing his wife’s dainty hand, he removed his headphones first before turning to look at her.

Cady leaned forward and kissed him softly, “We need to go, Pete.”

He sighed, “All right.”

She kissed him, “Do not worry, love. The music will come when it is supposed to. It always does.”

“I… know. I had just hoped to have more by now,” he declared, moving to put away his guitar and turn all of his electronics off.

“It will come,” she declared, holding out her hand.

Slipping his hand into hers, Pete’s other hand went to her waist. He gently kissed his loving wife, still amazed every day that she loved him. He had to be the luckiest geezer in all of the United Kingdom, perhaps even the world. She allowed the kiss to deepen ever so slightly before pulling back and briefly kissing his nose. Smirking, he pulled her out of the studio, flicking out the light on the way.

They parted briefly; Pete heading upstairs to retrieve the suitcases, Cady going to check if the cab had arrived yet. Pulling the suitcases out the front door, he stole a kiss from his wife before she turned to lock the door and set the alarm. They quickly settled in the cab and headed towards the airport.

Still feeling Pete’s nerves, knowing they were likely coupled with the beginning of performance anxiety, Cady shifted over in the back of the car. Her right hand reached for his left. Weaving her fingers with his, her thumb spun the titanium ring he recently began wearing. Pete’s eyes dropped to her hand and he smiled slightly. Her simple actions spoke far more than any words could in the moment; he knew she knew that as well. Married for nearly forty-two years, she could read him like no other. However, that certainly was nothing new. Moreover, he was ever grateful for her.

“Cady,” he breathed and lifted her hand to his mouth, “thank you.”

She smiled slightly and squeezed his hand, “You are remarkable, Pete. In every way imaginable.”

“I… Cady, how am I going to do this? Why do I even think that–”

“You’re a very talented man, Pete. You will write the music in your head. You always do. And this Super Bowl thing? Sure, you and Roger decided to do it before you were ready, but it will be good for you too. Every time you get blocked like this, the best solution has always been getting you off doing something else, somewhere else,” Cady interrupted. “You know that, Pete. Everything will be just fine once you focus on something else.”

“But–”

“After Miami, we’re going to spend some time in New York,” she stated.

“Why? What if I’m suddenly able to write ag–”

“Then you’ll write in the studio there like you have before,” Cady answered. “And because we haven’t been to the New York house for awhile. That and Zooey has a performance at the end of March.”

“We’re staying until March?” he frowned.

“Oh stop,” she nudged his shoulder with her own. “And I think we should go see Eric and Roger too.”

“Woman, you will be the death of me.”

Cady grinned, “I haven’t yet. You’ve got at least twenty more years with me before I let that happen.”

Pete’s eyes went to hers, “You really think we’ve got twenty more years?”

She snorted, glancing up and noticing they had reached the airport, “I think we’ve got thirty. You’re not dying on me until you’re at least ninety-five.”

“My father died when he was–”

“You’re not your father, Pete. And your mother is still alive,” she interrupted. “Don’t you dare start planning your death on me now.”

“Stastically speaking, women outlive–”

“Ugh,” she pushed open the cab door. “If you keep this up, Pete, you will drive me to an early grave. Now come along. You know security is going to be a bitch.”



The benefit of Pete sequestering himself in his studio to write meant he was fairly unaware of much of what was going on in the rest of the world. He hardly even read the paper during his writing days and Cady preferred to keep it just that way. The local paper had not noticed the silly American hoopla before they departed for the States, or at least she had not seen it, but she knew once The Who set foot on American soil, someone was going to bring it up. It was part of the reason she and Roger decided to travel separately. And it was certainly the reason she asked all three kids to meet them at the airport in Miami.

As soon as their plane landed in Miami, Cady powered on her cell phone and texted all three kids. Pete glanced at her and shook his head. Though he understood her reasoning of it being a way to keep in touch with their tech savvy children, something she blamed on him as Pete always seemed to like technological advances, he still chided her about how most people their age did not have cell phones, much less plans so expansive for text messaging. As it was never meant as a serious argument, Cady always took it lightly, usually pointing out that his first synth did the job just fine and he had not needed to fill an entire room with another one or five. As she replied to the responses, he stood and retrieved their carryon bag from the overhead compartment. Cady tucked her phone away and accepted his hand, departing the plane with her husband.

They couple headed down the covered ramp and Cady slowed as they neared the entrance. She knew that the press would not be right at the gate, but that they were in fact camped out at the airport regardless. The children had all arrived earlier that day and remained in the terminal proper to meet their parents at the gate properly. Cady knew exactly the face they were going to present to the American public.

“Pete,” she stopped, “I have a surprise for you.”

“Right now?” his eyes went to hers.

Cady nodded, “Well almost. There’s someone special waiting for us. Actually three someones.”

Not entirely sure what she meant, he turned and slowly continued. His eyes brightened as they stepped out of the gate and their three grown children waved at them. Grinning he released Cady’s hand and embraced each one, kissing the girls softly. He inquired about their health and happiness before allowing them to greet their mother. Finding Cady’s hand again and looping his other arm around their eldest daughter, Audrey, Pete headed towards baggage claim. The family of five chatted happily, catching up on the various things going on in their lives.

Stopping Pete just inside the last security gate, Cady kissed him, very aware the photographing public had seen them, “Pete, there’s something you need to know.”

Concern instantly filled his eyes, “What?”

She sighed, kissed him quickly again, “Some groups proclaiming to be protecting children here in the States apparently decided you were a threat to the Miami families and tried to raise hell about you being here.”

His eyes instantly darkened, “What?”

“I handled it for the most part. We did not issue any statements and everyone who requested an interview who mentioned it in their submitted questions was instantly denied. I just want you to know that when we step out there, the press will likely ask you about it. I don’t want you to be completely unaware but I also don’t think we should comment on it at all,” she explained steadily.

Pete held her gaze for a moment before glancing at his children. While he had known they were going to attend the Super Bowl with him from the very announcement of the performance, the fact all three met him and Cady at the gate suddenly made sense. He could not be upset with his wife for how she handled whatever was going on. She protected his creative process from the fuckery going on and clearly understood how to present themselves to the American public. Nodding once, he kissed his wife lovingly once more, before silently encouraging everyone forward.

Buffered from the paparazzi by his family, Pete’s mouth remained closed, his eyes refusing to look at anyone. Cady held his hand tightly, squeezing whenever it seemed like someone was going to push Pete into responding. At one point, one of the paparazzi said something that made all three of the children bristle, their son, Alec, nearly jumping forward to take a swing. But he did not step out of line, his younger sister, Zooey, stopping his actions by touching his hand. It was enough for the family to reach the awaiting car without incident.

However as soon as the car door was closed and in motion, Pete angrily began to rant. No one spoke, letting him get it all out as the car headed away from the airport. Only Cady ventured to touch him, her hand easily slipping into his once he stopped thrashing his about. His eyes dropped to the hand holding his and instantly his temper began to subside.

His eyes slowly went to hers and he leaned over to kiss her, “How did I get so lucky to have you love me?”

“Mmmm. I’m not sure,” Cady responded before he kissed her. “But you certainly are a lucky man.”

“Um, it’s great that you guys still love each other and all but, um, can’t you wait until you get to the hotel room?” Alec spoke up.

Audrey shoved his shoulder, “It’s not like he was shoving his tongue down her throat like someone did to a certain Scarlet not two days ago.”

“Can it, you nit,” he responded though he was grinning.

Pete’s attention went to his son, “Scarlet? Do you have a new girlfriend?”

“You could say that.”

Pete glanced at his wife, “What’s he going on about?”

“Don’t worry about it, love,” she responded, patting his knee before returning to her conversation with Zooey.

Not about to let it go, his eyes returned to his son, “Who is this girlfriend?”

“You know her, Dad,” Alec responded. “You’ve met her before. Just… not recently.”

“Stop being bloody evasive and tell me what you mean.”

“Don’t worry about it, Dad,” Audrey chimed in. “Really. Just focus on kicking ass tomorrow.”



Crawling into the king-sized hotel next to his wife, Pete sighed. Cady looked up from her book and pressed the bookmark into the spine. She pivoted and placed the book on the nightstand before turning her full attention to her husband. He shifted in the bed until he was mostly settled, his eyes only going to hers then. Without much thought, Pete reached over and tucked a long white curl behind her ear, smiling slightly. She kept her hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes watching his movements, waiting for Pete to speak what was on his mind.

When another silent minute passed, she asked, “What’s on your mind, love?”

“Who is Alec dating?” he asked.

She laughed, “Really? It’s bothering you that much?”

“Perhaps not the actual not knowing, but more of the fact I realize I have missed out on life again by locking myself up in the studio,” he answered.

Cady grasped the hand that touched her hair and kissed it, “You have not missed much. Zooey is working, putting the final touches on her latest album and attempting to decide on what film project to agree to next. Audrey is doing well at the publishing house and I believe might have some news for us soon about… well I won’t give up her surprise. And Alec has a couple of shows coming up in the next few months and he’s back with Scarlet.”

“Why don’t I remember this Scarlet?”

She leaned over and kissed Pete’s temple, “Scarlet Page.”

He froze, “Page? Did you say Page?”

Cady sighed, “Pete, let it go.”

“Let it go? Let it go? He has been after my life since–”

“Pete,” she warned. “This has gone on for forty-five years. Let it go.”

“How can you say that? He wanted my band, my wife, and now my son? What–”

“No,” Cady cut him off darkly, releasing his hand. “Alec and Scarlet have absolutely nothing to do with James. They are childhood sweethearts who have recently reconnected. It has nothing to do with James. In fact, he does not want them together any more than you do. Bury the fucking hatchet, Pete. These are our kids, our family. James is not taking anything from you.”

“But–”

“No. Drop it. Right now.”

“But–”

“If you don’t drop it, I will go and sleep on the couch in the other room.”

He stared at her for a long moment before his shoulders slumped, “Please don’t.”

“Promise me right now that you are going to be happy for Alec and not interfere.”

He continued to stare at her, hardly blinking.

“Say it, Pete. Or I’ll–”

“I promise to be happy for Alec and to not interfere with his relationship with Page.”

She sighed and threw back the blanket, pivoting out of the bed. His hand shot out, wrapping around her wrist. She glared at him and snapped her wrist free. Rubbing her skin, she stood and headed towards the living room space of the hotel. Pete quickly got out of bed and trailed after her. His arm snaked around her trim waist, pulling her back to his chest. His other arm curled around her as well, his hand reaching up to turn her face to the side. His lips touched the side of her mouth, feeling her resistance instantly disappear. She leaned back against his chest, her arms covering his.

“I will be happy for Alec and not interfere with his relationship… with Scarlet,” he vowed softly before kissing her again.

Cady sighed, “Thank you.”

“I just get so worked up… and it’s not fair to you or anyone else. I need to let it go. I know that. But…”

“I married you, had three children with you, and loved you for more than four decades. I chose you.”

“I know… I just… I just…”

“I chose you, Pete.”

He slowly loosened his embrace and turned her fully to him, “I do not know for a reason why you did, but thank you, Cady. And for standing by my side through all of the shit years. I do not know what I would be, where I would be, without you. Thank you for making the worst choice of your life and sticking with it.”

Cady rolled her eyes, “You are not the worst choice of my life. Not then, not now.”

Pete pulled her close again, kissing her softly, “Thank you, my true love. Thank you.”



While they did have seats in skybox, Cady spent not a moment up there. Instead, she remained with Pete, with the band. They ran through a few things, rehearsed, and slowly made their way to the stadium. Notorious for not being nervous before shows, to the point he often napped backstage, Cady was a bit surprised to feel nerves emanating from Pete. Her hand inched over and grasped his. He covered it with his other hand, patted, and smiled weakly at her.

She quickly leaned over and kissed him, “You’re going to be amazing, Pete.”

“I… thank you, love,” he stated softly. “It is not that which worries me.”

She switched hands in his lap, allowing her other hand to reach up and touch his face softly, “Do not worry about the other shit. It is not true and you, your family, all your friends, and I know it. Do not give them the satisfaction of working you up. They are cowards and very misguided. All the money they have spent on defaming your name could have gone towards actually saving and helping children who need such. You are an amazing and strong man. Put them out of your thoughts. Focus on this fantastic performance you are about to showcase.”

His eyes searched hers for a brief moment, “How do you always know what to say?”

“Hmmm… years of knowing you,” she responded with a smile. “And the whole being in love with you thing.”

“Oh yes. Such a trifle thing.”

Cady nodded and kissed him quickly, “Come, love. It’s time to show these pesky Americans what rock and roll really is.”

As had become their tradition many decades before when she traveled with him, Cady accepted his red Strat from his guitar tech. She slipped the black strap over his head and softly kissed his mouth. Pete’s hands surrounded her face, holding her in the kiss a bit longer than normal. While there certainly was press around and the image of the couple would likely circle about the internet, she could feel that Pete’s kiss was not about his image, but rather his need for validation and support. Her lips parted slightly, allowing him to deepen the kiss briefly. Cady pulled out of the kiss and softly kissed his forehead. He smiled at her, his blue eyes sparkling.

“I love you,” she muttered, before stepping back to allow him to hurry onto the temporary stage.

On stage, Pete was a man possessed. Cady knew that, always had. She never expected him to look at her or smile or make any indication at all that he knew she was near. Yet oddly during a shift he looked directly in her direction and locked eyes with her briefly. Cady’s heart fluttered in a way it had not in a very long time. She grinned, placing her hand over her heart. Pete turned away and continued with the short show.

Triumphantly leaving the stage much too soon after jumping onto it, Pete quickly made his way to his wife. Even with his guitar still slung about his shoulders, though now across his back, he embraced her quickly. Her fingers pulled the guitar free as soon as he released her from the embrace, handing it over to his guitar tech. Pete slipped his arm around her waist, leading her to meet the children so they could leave the stadium. None of them cared about the game at all, only in attendance to support their father.

“That was fantastic, Dad,” Zooey chirped as they made it through the small crowd from the skybox elevator.

“Thanks,” he smiled.

“I did notice…” Audrey spoke up “…that you locked eyes with someone.”

“Did you now?” he responded with a sparkle in his eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.”

Cady grinned, “He hasn’t done it in many years.”

“Am I missing something here?” Alec asked.

“You usually are,” Zooey declared.

“Now children, that’s enough of that,” Cady interjected. “Let’s go have dinner with Roger and his family. Peacefully.”



Walking out of the bathroom, toweling himself off, Pete opened his mouth to say something to Cady about the night. His eyes went to his wife, already in the hotel bed, and he froze. He could tell, even with only the single lamp on the bedside illuminated, that his wife was completely nude under the crisp white sheet. Her long white hair curled about her shoulders and over the edge of the sheet. If he did not know better, he would think the woman in his bed, looking at him with heavy bedroom eyes was half her age.

He dropped the towel and hurried over to the bed. Lying on top of the sheet and half on her, Pete kissed her passionately. Her arms curled around him briefly, before pushing him away slightly. Their eyes met and he instantly knew what she was asking without words passing her lips. His fingers reached for the lamp and clicked it off. A moment later, he slid under the sheet and pulled her into his arms.

“I love you more now than I did forty years ago,” Pete commented softly before kissing her once more.

Cady smiled, “I love you more every day, Pete. More every day.”



Sitting across from Cady at breakfast, Alec wondered aloud, “Where’s Dad?”

“Still in bed,” she commented casually before sipping her tea.

“Did the performance really take that much out of him? Roger’s been up for awhile now,” he motioned to the singer across the room.

“Not the performance,” she responded.

“What?”

Audrey immediately began to laugh, “Really, Mum?”

Cady glanced at her eldest child and nodded once before turning her attention back to reading the brief review of Pete’s Super Bowl performance.

“What?” Alec repeated, glancing at his sister.

“Wow,” Zooey spoke up. “Sometimes you really are dense, Alec. You sure you weren’t dropped when you were little?”

“He wasn’t,” Cady interjected, but did not look up from the paper.

“What am I missing?” he asked, looking around the table of four. “Really.”

Before Audrey could answer, Pete appeared in the dining hall and headed directly to their table. Cady looked up from her reading and smiled at him. Without pause he leaned down and kissed her deeply. Sitting beside her, Pete continued to smile as he poured his breakfast tea. Watching Pete’s movements, his son slowly figured out why his father, normally an early riser, was the last to join everyone for breakfast. A bright red filled his cheeks and he instantly looked down, causing both of his sisters to break out laughing.

“What are you laughing about?” Pete asked.

Cady leaned over and kissed his cheek, “Nothing for you to be concerned about… lover.”