Forever Young

Something was wrong.

Even though these first few days of Warped have been going smoothly, nothing really going wrong, I was adjusting well to the heat. Every day I felt like I was getting sicker and sicker from it, but I managed to pull through. I could do this, everyone else seemed to be fine, it has to just be me. I was always tired and today I was feeling nauseous. We haven't even left the bus yet. Thankfully, today the show was before the signing which meant we might get done early enough for me to just sit on the bus for a few hours without it moving.

“Ember, why aren't you eating?” Jack asked, pointing at my half empty cereal bowl. I just shrugged.
“Too hot.” I shoved it away.
“Are you feeling okay?” He asked, concern lacing his words. “You always look tired.”
“I'll be fine.” I smiled, though it was a little forced. Jack looked ready to say something else, but just let it go.


Later, it was show time, and I was checking the equipment on our stage before the boys played when I felt an overwhelming since of nausea and had to pause for a second. I heard Matt yell at me to hurry up, since it was only ten minutes till show time, but I couldn't move without thinking I was going to puke then and there.

“Ember what are-” Matt was next to me now. “Whoa, are you okay?”
“Fine, just. Give me a second.”
“Em, you look green.” He said, putting his hand on my forehead. “And you're burning up.”
“I'm okay.” I insisted. “It's just the heat.”
“Right, go back to the bus and get some rest.”
“But-”
“I can handle things here, don't worry.” He smiled, patting my shoulder. “If you feel better later, you can work at the signing.”

I sighed and nodded, Matt walked with me off the stage towards the buses. The guys all looked at us strangely, and when Matt said I wasn't feeling well, Jack wanted to come with me. Of course he couldn't, they played in five minutes. I told him I'll see him after the show.

Once I was on the bus, I turned up the A/C and grabbed a cold bottle of water before laying down on the front lounge sofa. Taking small sips once in awhile, I started to feel a little better. It had to be the heat, it was just messing with me. Sighing, I rolled over and slipped into sleep.

“Ember?” I felt a nudging on my shoulder. Blinking, I looked up to find Jack, face red and breathing heavy. “Hey baby.”
“Hey,” I mumbled, sitting up. “Show's done?”
“Yeah,” He sat down next to me, immediately pressing a palm to my head. “You don't feel warm.”
“I actually feel a lot better.” I yawned. “I honestly think it's just the heat.”
“Are you sure? You've been off this whole time.”
“Yeah,” I leaned over and kissed him. “Where is everyone?”
“I kinda rushed over immediately after the show.” He smiled sheepishly. “I was worried.”
“I'm okay, I promise.”
“Good.”

Everyone else soon walked on the bus and checked on me. I eventually swatted them away, getting sick of being fussed over. We all chilled on the bus for awhile. The guys took quick baby wipe showers, and changed their clothes before we went to their signing. As we were walking over to the tent, I felt the inkling feeling of sickness settle in my stomach again, but manged to push it back. It wasn't as bad as before, so I made it through the whole signing.

As the week ended, and we were heading towards San Diego, a three day break between everything, is when it really hit me. A day before we were set to arrive, I had woke up and puked my guts out. Jack got up with me and rubbed my back, and making sure my hair was out of the way.

“Maybe we should go to a doctor when we get to town.” Jack suggested as I dry heaved. Once it passed, I swallowed a little before speaking.
“Maybe. I feel like I'm dying.” I croaked out before another wave of nausea went through me, and my face was back into the porcelain bowl.
“I'll tell Matt okay? I'll be back with some water.” He assured, and I just nodded.

As Jack walked out of the bathroom, I flushed the contents of my stomach out of my sight. This was starting to get scary. I was always tired or sick now, and food was just...not appetizing. We walked by a hot dog stand once and I nearly lost my breakfast then and there. These things were pointing towards something I did not want to think about right now, and I was wondering if Jack was recognizing the signs too. I sat against the wall, and tried to think about this all logically.

I'm tired, sick, and sometimes feverish. Smells of food make me gag. Jack and I had sex the night before we left, and the night right before the first day of Warped. But I mean, I always take morning after pills when we don't....

Fuck. I forgot to the day of Warped. We were so busy with everything and, shit.

“I'm back.” Jack walked in, and handed me the water. I took it gratefully, and chugged it down. “Matt said we should be there in the next ten hours. We'll go straight to a hospital, okay?”
“Jack, it's not that bad.”
“Ember, you never get this sick.” He sighed, helping me up and off the floor. “Do you have any idea what you might have caught?”

I bit my lip, and just shook my head. I didn't want to say anything until I was sure. Everyone was up when we walked out. Alex got off the couch, and let me have his spot.

“Thanks, Lex.”
“No problem, hun.” He said. “Think you can digest anything in a few hours?”
“I don't know.” I shrugged, and looked over at Jack talking with Matt. I'm sure their both trying to figure out what to do if I am sick. After a bit, Jack walked over and joined me on the couch.

“Okay, so, Matt said if you're sick with something contagious, you have to go home.” He pouted, and I gave a small smile.
“If it's that, I'm sure I can come back as soon as it's gone.” He wrapped an arm around me, and I curled up into his side. I was feeling tired again.

Apparently, I was really tired. Once I fell asleep, I stayed asleep the next almost ten hours of driving. Jack had to coax me awake, and get up. I eventually did, and went to change my clothes. I went with simple night shorts and one of Jack's shirts. He waited and took me outside the bus where apparently a taxi was waiting to take us to the nearest hospital. Everyone wished us luck, and off we went. We got in pretty easily, it was late in the evening.

“So, Mrs. Barakat-” The doctor started.
“Call me Ember.” I corrected the doctor, though smiling. I love that name so much now.
“Ember, can you repeat to me how you've been feeling?”
“I've been sick to my stomach a lot, and tired all the time.” I said. “I only puke this morning, but something when we go to get food I just feel the need to lose my stomach from the smell of anything. I also was feverish one day.”
“Hm, mind if we take some blood tests?”
“Nope.” I said and he got to work to do that.

I waited in the room for awhile once he had taken my blood, and left. I felt bad that Jack was left in the waiting room, probably worrying his head off about me. I sighed, and fiddled around with my fingers, getting nervous. If my theory is correct, I have no idea how I'm going to tell Jack. When the door opened again, I nearly jumped out of the chair I was in. The doctor came in, holding some papers.

“Well, it's just as I thought.” He smiled. “Congratulations, you're pregnant.”
“I am?”
“Yes, ma'am.” He started digging through his drawer. “You should stop feeling so sick in a week or so. The only thing I'm worried about, is that you might be an at risk pregnancy.”
“At risk?”
“You have a history of anxiety right?”
“Umm...yeah.”
“As does your husband's family.” He finally took out some pamphlets. “Here's some things about how to keep your stress low, and what to expect. The best advice I can give you is to make sure you're constantly hydrated properly and to take a breather when you're body is telling you it needs it. Would you like me to go get Mr. Barakat?”
“Um, mind if I go out and tell him myself?” I asked, and the doctor nodded.
“Of course.”

I hopped to my feet, and left the room to head back. Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I tried to think of how Jack might react. Will he be mad? Will he be okay with it? What if he's not? I started getting really scared and by the time I was in the waiting room, my heart was going out of control. So much for keeping stress down.

“Ember?” Jack hopped up immediately to walk to me. “How'd it go? Are you okay?”
“Um... you might wanna sit back down.” I said, and Jack tilted his head.
“Why, I'm sure it's not that ba-”
“I'm pregnant.” I blurted out, before he could say anymore and I could chicken out.
“W-what?”

Notes

Yeah, I don't wanna play the whole is she isn't she thing for a long ass time. Might as well get t over with since this whole story is about it xD.