I sat nervously in the front seat of Jack’s car as he pulled up to his parents’ house.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I mumbled. There was nothing I dreaded more than the thought of announcing my pregnancy to May. Hell no. She was going to rip me to shreds for ruining her brother’s life. But no, Joyce, the dear woman, had insisted that Jack bring his new girlfriend to dinner after he had told her over the phone that he had been seeing someone for a while but wanted to make sure the relationship would work before announcing it. The lie was small but necessary if I didn’t want to be judged by his over-protective family. And plus, it made me look like less of a whore if they thought we were dating beforehand.
“It will be just fine.” Jack laughed. He couldn’t get his head around how I could be scared of his family. Shit, I would be scared of any family I was brought home to. “Besides, once they realise it’s you, I’m pretty sure you’ll be attacked.” He jumped out of the car and I followed suit, grasping his hand as soon as I could and letting him lead me up the steps to the front door. Jack didn’t knock, instead he flung the door opened dramatically, pushed me inside and announced my arrival. “The girlfriends here!” I turned and glared at him and he gave me a cheeky smile before pointing to where Joyce had appeared.
“Fresh meat.” May laughed as she entered the hallway.
“Not exactly…” Jack mumbled as May walked closer to me. I stood frozen, like a deer in the headlights as the two women looked me up and down. “Mom, May, this is Jasey-Rae. My girlfriend I told you about.”
“I thought you looked familiar!” May squealed, wrapping me in a hug. “Jay! You found the boys after all.” Her enthusiasm thawed me out slightly and I responded to her hug, giving her a light squeeze. “Well, aren’t you a surprise.” I swear I heard Jack whisper that I wasn’t the only surprise she’d be getting today and I flicked my leg out behind me to kick him in the shin.
“Ouch.” He growled in my ear as he tangled out fingers together and led me into the kitchen where Joe and Bassam were drinking beer and cooking. “Damn, everyone showed up.” Jack chuckled as he gave his dad and brother a hug.
“I came out specially.” Joe nudged his brother. “I was curious when mom told me. And looks like I wasn’t disappointed. How’re you JayJay?” I smiled at Joe but remained leaning against the door frame.
“I’m great, thanks.” I would have been more comfortable in a room of complete strangers and Jack picked up on that.
“Come on, Jay.” He took my hand and placed a kiss on my hair before leading me out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his old bedroom. “What’s the matter with you?” He asked gently, pulling me down onto the bed with him. “You’re being so quiet.” I buried my head into his shoulder and sighed.
“I don’t know how they’re going to react.” I mumbled against the covers of Jack’s bed. “First you bring home me, announcing I’m your girlfriend, and then on the same day we’re telling them we’re pregnant. It’s a bit much.” I flipped over so I could cuddle against his chest.
“You know they’ll be fine with it.” Jack sighed, running his fingers through my increasingly long, dark hair. “You’re just freaking yourself out. Just breathe, it’ll be fine.” At that moment May’s voice carried up the stairs announcing dinner was ready. Jack lifted me off the bed and set me on my feet, kissing my nose and guiding me back downstairs and into the kitchen, his hands holding my hips.
“I hope you still like mushroom ravioli, Jasey.” Joyce smiled as she placed the steaming pot of pasta on the table. I beamed at her and took my seat next to Jack, his hand finding its way to my knee under the table. “So, what have you been doing all these years?” Joyce mused as she dished up the meal.
“I’ve been living in California.” I explained as Joe tossed me a beer. I caught in in one hand before smacking on the edge of the table to pop the cap off. Joe laughed and high-fived me as he walked past to his seat.
“The girls still got it.” He exclaimed, proud of his teaching.
“The girl was forced to open all your beers until she got it perfect.” Bassam laughed as he tucked into his food.
“What were you doing in California?” May asked as I took a sip of beer.
“I’ve been working with Pierce The Veil.” I smiled, putting my bottle back on the table. “I worked with Rise as a promotions agent initially on an internship and I became really close friends with Vic and Mike. They’re like big brothers to me now. After I finished my internship I kept working with them. Management, merch design, tech, everything really.” I shrugged and popped a piece of pasta into my mouth.
“I remember you saying you wanted to work with music.” May smiled. “I’m glad you actually found a way to do it.” I thanked her and complimented Joyce on the food. I had always loved her cooking. “How did you find Jack again?” Jack groaned but Bassam clipped him over the ears.
“Boy, you brought her here. This is the story we want to hear. Go on, Jasey.” I poked my tongue out at Jack who frowned and chowed down on his pasta.
“Well, I finally agreed to go on tour with Pierce, I had been avoiding All Time Low pretty much my entire time in Cali, silly young grudge I couldn’t let go of. And when I found out the other act was All Time Low, I couldn’t really pull out and I thought it was about time to put them through misery for leaving me in Towson, so I went to the final tour meeting with their starbucks orders from senior year and pizza and laughed as their jaws hit the floor.” May nodded approvingly and Jack couldn’t help but laugh.
“And how exactly did history end up repeating itself on the Jack and Jasey front, eh?” Joyce was practically glowing she was so happy to see me back. I had always had a great relationship with Jacks mother, none of really knew why.
“He was the only one who looked genuinely sorry when I yelled at all of them.” I laughed, remembering my total over-reaction at Rian’s. “Jack was my instant favourite.”
“She was originally chasing Alex though.” I whacked Jack under the table. He wasn’t meant to tell them that. He smiled cheekily and added the gossip in. “She was with Mike Fuentes when we saw her again at that meeting. Those two were adorable. And then Alex decided he was totally in love with her again and managed to convince Jasey that he was her one true love.” I dove into my pasta, feeling the eyes of the entire Barakat family on my back. It took half of the tour, but she eventually remembered me again.” Jack squeezed my shoulder and I scowled at him, sitting back in my seat.
“You are an asshole.” I scolded him, causing his family to laugh.
“You love me.” He whispered, kissing my forehead. I smiled up at him and nodded before gasping and staring at my beer. Oops. I nudged Jacks leg with my knee and looked pointedly at the half drunk beer. Jack let out a snort before asking if I was going to drink it.
“I forgot I promised you I’d drive home.” I lied. “You drink it.” Jack skulled the rest of the bottle and I squeezed his knee in was of thanks. I had completely forgotten I was pregnant. I looked up to see May smiling cheekily and raising her eyebrows. I cocked my head to the side and she shifted her eyes between Jack and I before looking down towards my stomach and raising an eyebrow in question. I felt myself blush and May took that as a yes and let out a muffled squeal from the other side of the table. I gave her a ‘shut up, not yet’ look and she quickly composed herself.
“How long have you been back together then?” Joe asked, helping Joyce clear the dishes from the table.
“About a month and a half.” Jack covered and I nodded, going along with it.
“I’m taking no one really knows?” May asked as she got up from the table. “Cause the rumours are about Alex and Jasey.” I stood up as well and May quickly appeared at my side, grabbing my hand, ready to bolt.
“No, we’ve kept it under wraps. Only you, Mike and Vic know.” The family nodded, taking Jacks words as a silence vow. May pulled me from the room and whipped me into the living room, smiling like a kid in a candy store.
“How far?” She squealed and I sighed at how easy it was to fall back into my easy-going relationship with her.
“One month.” I smiled and she looked at Jack who was entering the room.
“You knocked her up and then got her back?” May scolded, slapping his shoulder. “I know all that in there was bullshit. You two have been back together a week tops. I go on the internet.” She laughed, looking between us. “You can’t hide shit from me. You of all people should know that Jack Barakat.” I though back to high school and how May would somehow find out everything Jack and I had ever done. She was the sole person who knew about our weird, on-off, not really together but head over heels in love with our best friend relationship. Nothing was safe from her. If May didn’t find out from others, she could read you like a book. “You better marry her. Dad won’t have you knocking up your girlfriend, who, I might add, two of your band mates are still in love with, and not marrying her.” I looked at Jack as he smiled.
“Yes, May.” He pulled me down onto the love seat beside him and wrapped an arm around me, resting his hand on my stomach. “Marry the woman, I get it.” May out her arms up in a surrender.
“It’s not me, its dad.” She laughed and I couldn’t help but agree. Bassam would not be totally impressed by this.
“What’s dad?” Joyce sang as she entered a room and May and I stared at each other. We were screwed. Secret… gone.

Notes

I decided to leave Leeyh out of this because not enough is really known about them and stuff. ANYWAY
Meet the in-laws! I hope you guys like it. x