Time Bomb

I looked up at the man who didn’t approve of my baby with agitated eyes, he smiled at me as he moved closer to me.
“What do you want?” I asked
“Mack said you went on tour with Alex so I came here to talk to you.” I said
“Did you come all of the way to Ohio to tell me that I’m making a mistake? Because if that’s the case you can save the words because I don’t care.” I snapped
“Ry what’s going on?” Alex’s voice came.
I looked back at him and he looked at my dad.
“What are you doing here?” He asked in honest confusion.
“I came to talk to my daughter, to tell her that I’m sorry.” He said
“Dad look, I don’t want to heart it. I’m not over it yet. Maybe in four months when this tour is over come back and see how I feel because right now I am still beyond pissed at you.” I explained.
“Okay kiddo, I’ll be at the last venue of the tough waiting to meet you. I love you Ryan and I am sorry.” He said
“I love you too.” I said
He turned on his heel and walked away from the bus, I looked over at Alex and he shrugged. I nodded and climbed the steps into the bus, I walked straight back and climbed into our bunk shoving my face into my pillow.
I was along for only about ten minutes before the bunk curtain opened, I turned my head so I could see who it was and it was Alex. He looked at me with those brown eyes that got me every time.
“You okay baby?” He asked
“No, who does he think he is!” I shouted.
“Your dad. He’s your dad Ry.” He said
“I know but that doesn’t excuse his behavior.” I said
“It’s been months.” He said
“It’s only been two months.” I said
“I know, but maybe he’s thought it through and is genuinely sorry for the way he reacted to the news.” He said
I rubbed my hands over my face and sighed.
“I’m not ready yet.” I said
“I understand that.” He said
I nodded and he leaned into the bunk to kiss my nose.
“Vic’s going to start dinner, he’s making one of his moms recipes. Do you want to come out and join us now or do you want me to come get you when it’s ready?” He asked
“I’ll come out now. Help me down.” I said
He reached up and scooped me out of the bunk, he didn’t put me down he just carried me out to the living area.
“Lady Gaskarth arrives!” Rian shouted as he took me from Alex.
He spun in circles and then passed me off to Zack.
“Guysss.” I whined.
Zack laughed and kissed my cheek as he passed me off to Jack.
“What’s happening?” I asked
Jack laughed and shook me around as he danced with me in his arms.
“I feel like I’m surrounded by man children. Jacky put me down.” I said
He nodded and my feet landed softly on the ground.
“Okay what’s going on?” I smiled.
“I dunno, we thought maybe that would cheer you up and get you to smile.” Rian said
I smiled at all of them.
“I love you guys, that helped it really did. Confusing but helpful.” I laughed
“That’s what we’re here for.” Zack said
I nodded and tan arms wrapped around my shoulders, I looked up and it was Tony.
“Hi Tone.” I said
“Hi pretty mama. You doing okay?” He asked
“I’m good, he just really stressed me out that day.” I said
“I know, I know.” He said rubbing my arm.
“Well if my opinion counts for anything I think I was a really shitting thing for your dad to do.” Mike pipped up
I smiled at him, he and I were a lot better now than we were when we met.
“Thank you Mikey.” I said
“Any day.” He laughed.
I smiled and took a seat on the couch next to Alex and Jack, I grabbed my hubby’s hand and he gave mine a squeeze.
“You going to be okay?” He whispered low enough that only I could hear him.
I nodded at him and he leaned over and kissed my jaw.
“I love you.” He whispered.
“You better.” I smiled
He reached over and placed his hand on my belly.
“And I love you.” He said to the baby.
I placed my hand over his and sighed, this was my happy place.
“Hey Ry.” Jaime said
“Hey.” I said
“How far along are you again?” He asked
“A little over four months. Why?” I asked
“I was just wondering, mathing.” He said
“Mathing?” I asked
“You’re going to be huge by the end of this tour.” He said
“I know, I’m trying not to think about it.” I said
Alex laughed.
“I don’t think you’re going to make it.” Tony said
“Why?” I asked.
“I bet you’re going to bow out and go home next month.” He said
I rolled my eyes at him.
“I bet she makes it two.” Zack said
“Is this happening?” I asked
Everyone nodded.
“I give her another week.” Jack said
My jaw fell opened as I looked at him.
“I believe in her.” Alex said
I smiled over at him and kissed his hands.
“So let’s fifty bucks?” Mike said
Everyone nodded and Vic just laughed from the kitchen
“Alright children, everyone who’s betting put your fifty in this jar. Whoever wins gets the pot.” Vic said coming in with an empty mason jar.
“I’m so glad someone is going to make money off of me.” I laughed.
Everyone laughed as Vic took the jar and placed it on the kitchen counter.
“Dinner is done. Mamas first.” He said
I smiled and got up to get myself and Alex a plate, I walked back and handed him the plate with a fork.
“You’re the best. Promoting my laziness.” He said
I smiled and we all sat down and watched a movie as we ate.
I helped clean up and Vic thanked me by giving me his last fudge bar out of the freezer, the guys just stared at me as I ate it with a big smile. Sometimes it pays off to be the only female on the bus, being pregnant was a bonus. Vic and I talked about how much he missed Kellin and Copeland at home, I couldn’t imagine how he felt but I’m pretty sure that’s how Mack was feeling right about now. Back home all alone, going through a divorce…. Fuck I’m the worst person ever.
“I’m going to go to bed.” I said
“I’ll join you, night guys.” Alex said
He got up and took my hand, we walked back and grabbed clothes and went into the bathroom.
“I think a shower before bed will help me sleep.” I said
“May I join you?” He asked
I nodded with a smile.
“No funny business.” I said jutting my finger out at him.
He rolled his eyes and grabbed the hem of my shirt, he lifted it up and pulled it over my head. I looked at myself in the mirror and twitched, my belly was getting a little round.
“Stop looking at yourself like that Ry, you’re so beautiful and this belly right here.” He said grabbing either side of my bump. “This belly right here is the home for our next chapter, our baby is in there and I can’t imagine anyone other than you housing her.” He said
I reached up and wiped tears from my face.
“Alex this little girl is going to have a great life.” I said
We found out the gender early because we had a NIPT test ran to see if she was on the track to have any chromosomal conditions, not that we would care if she did we just wanted to be ready for it. She does not but the test also informed us that she was in fact a she.
“This is the second best gift you could ever give me.” He said as he pulled my pants down my legs.
“What’s the first?” I asked
“You.” He smiled.
“Stop you’re going to make me cry and my hormones are all over the place.” I said
He laughed and kissed up my thigh, up my belly, over my chest and when his lips finally met my mouth I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Maybe some funny business.” I squealed as he picked me up.
I wrapped my legs around him and he kissed me harder, when he was done kissing me he set me down and turned on the shower. I wiggled out of my undies and unclipped my bra, he looked me up and down and threw off all of his clothes.
We got into the shower and his mouth came crashing down onto mine, I wrapped myself up around him kissing him roughly. I jumped wrapping my legs around him.
“Wait I won’t hurt her right?” He asked
I cocked my head to the side.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” I laughed.
“I was just wondering.” He said
“She’ll be fine.” I said
He nodded and I gasped as he hit.
When we were close he stopped all movement.
“What?” I asked
“Should I pull out?” He asked
“No? What are you going to do get me pregnant again?” I asked
“I’m dumb.” He laughed.
I shook my head at my husband.
When we finished he set me down gently onto the floor, we showered and got dressed in some comfy jammies. We climbed into our bunk tired from our activities. I laid my head down on his chest and sighed.
“Come to one more show before you go home.” He whispered.
“How’d you know?” I asked
“When you and Vic were talking about Cope and Kells, I knew you were thinking about Mack. I want you to go be with her, but I want you to come to one more show with me… I want you to sing with me.” He said
“I want Jack to win the bet so I’ll stay another week.” I said
“For real?” He asked
I smiled up at him and nodded.
“It has been so long since I’ve been on stage with you, singing for that fact.” I said
“I know but I called in a favor and asked to borrow a song.” He said
“What song?” I asked
“You’ll find out tomorrow night in Indiana.” He said
I laughed and he kissed the top of my head.
“Sleep now.” He said
I nodded and lazily kissed his chest.

Notes