I stared at the empty rooms laid out before me. For two months all Matt and I had done was pack up all our things and slowly began to take it to the new house. Now, just over two months later, I held the last box in my arms, looking out over the wood floors and empty carpet. I'm still trying to process that it has been four years since Matt and I moved into the small apartment.

And now we were moving out.

I couldn't stop the large grin that covered my face as I pressed a hand to my abdomen, feeling the thick, rounded bump that was trying to make itself known through my shirt.

"Vi, what did I say?" I turn my eyes from the empty rooms and to Matt, who's huffing slightly while he stocks over to me, ready to take the box from my hands. "No heavy-lifting-"

"It's just a box of towels, babe," I tell him with a laugh, but he still takes the box from me. He gives me a weary look before wrapping and arm around my shoulders, bringing me closer to kiss my temple.

"Still, I can worry. Doc said no heavy-lifting, so no lifting."

"Not even a box of towels?" I say with an amused expression, and he flashes me a grin. Those dimples get me every time.

"Not even a box of towels." I laugh quietly to myself and nod, before wrapping my arm around his waist and taking one last look at the apartment that had seen so many things. It had been our honeymoon hotel room for a good week, before we were forced to go out the door to get groceries. It had been our first date, where Matt tried to make us a steak dinner, but had completely forgotten about the dinner rolls in the oven and made them burn to a black crisp. It had been our home, and it would forever be our home.

"You think the price is going to go up here because the famous 'M. Shadows' lived here?" I joke, letting my husband lead me from the empty room and out the front door.

"The price better fucking go up," he jokes in return, before turning and looking through the doorway one more time. "You want to say a few words?" He says, and I almost take him serious until I see his smirking face. I roll my eyes and give him my strong left hook in the stomach.

"Ouch! Vi, what was that for!" He whines, rubbing at the spot. I grin and brush off my knuckles.

"Just reminding you of who wears the pants in this relationship."

Matt's grin, that I don't see, spreads over his face before his arm around my shoulders falls. I look up just in time to see a flash of something wicked in those hazel orbs before I feel a very painful slap on my ass.

"Matt!" I squeal, jumping forward to grab at my now stinging bottom. His laughter is what meets my annoyed, pursed lips. He covers his laugh with his hand, but I can still hear, and see, the chuckles going though his chest. "That was not funny."

"Just reminding you of who wears the pants in this relationship," he says, mocking me before sticking his tongue out. My anger dissipates almost immediately, and I can't help but laugh at him.

"You sure you're thirty? You act like you're thirteen."

"Thirteen going on thirty, baby. That's how it's done nowadays." He flashes me a grin and a wink. I roll my eyes, but can't help my own grin.

"C'mon then, Mattie, let me hold your hand while we cross the parking lot," I say to him in my soft, 'baby' voice, and he throws his head back in laughter. Our hands link, fingers intertwine, and I can't help but run my thumb across the wedding band he wears on his left hand.

Matt puts the last box in the trunk of my car and pushes down the lid. The backseat and trunk is completely filled to the brim with boxes and things packed away in bags. Matt pulls my keys from my front pocket and unlocks the passenger side door for me. I look up at him with a raised brow, but he simply grins and motions for me to sit down. I do so, the door is closed after I sit down, and Matt takes the driver side. After positioning the chair to wear his knees aren't pressing against the steering wheel, Matt tries to subtly take a look down at his phone. I watch him, however, and see the quiet curse that passes past his lips.

"Something wrong, Matt?" I asked, resting my hand on his knee. His hand takes mine and brings it up to his lips, smiling an shaking his head.

"Nah, everything's okay."

I don't take the lie, but let him do whatever he has planned. We pull out of the apartment complex, dropping out keys off at the front office with one final goodbye to the kind owner who we had gotten to know very well over the last four years, and pull onto the road. However, to my confusion, Matt goes in the opposite direction. I frown.

"Uh, babe?" I say, grabbing his attention. He looks over at me as if nothing is wrong. My frown pulls at my lips more. "You're going the wrong way," I say, pointing to the road sign.

"No I'm not," he says, puffing out his chest and giving me a slight smile. "I'm just taking the scenic route."

I'm not sure of what to say, or, really, retort, to that, so I simply nod and let my hand hold his while we take the 'scenic route' to our new house.

Home, I think happily, and my hand subconsciously squeezes Matt's at the thought of the beautiful family home that would soon be having a new member. Matt pulls my hand up to his lips, and I look over, coming back from my little dream land of baby booties and the thousands of diapers I will change.

"Love you, Vi," he tells me, pressing my hand to his lips to hide the smirk I know he's wearing. I can't help but smile, and relax back into the car seat.

"Love you too, Mattie."

The 'scenic route' to our new house took at least another half hour before we finally pulled into the drive way. Our car was the only one that I could see. I frown.

"Where is everybody? Didn't they say they were gonna help unpack everything?" I ask, looking up to Matt. He simply grins and gets out of the car. I follow him while he pops open the trunk and pulls the box of towels I had in my arms just barely an hour ago. I grab two of the sofa pillows and follow him through the front door. I can make out the many boxes that were stacked in the front hall, but that's all. I flick on the lights.

"Surprise!"

I jump in shock, and stare at the many grinning, happy faces. There's a banner hanging across the ceiling.

It's a boy!

"Guys..." I say softly, and reach up to wipe away the tears that fall. Matt puts down the box of towels and grabs the pillows from my arms before hugging me close to him. I hug him back, and before I know it, the whole crew is in on our hug. I laugh once someone comments about someone smelling, and we break apart there.

"You asshole," I say to Matt, continuing to wipe at the tears. "How'd you keep this from me?"

Matt laughs and kisses me sweetly before answering. "The same way you kept him from me," he tells me in a low voice, his hand resting on the round of my belly. "I didn't tell you."

I can't help but laugh in return. Soon, a lemonade is shoved into my hand and we're walking around, talking to everyone.

"Hey, Arin. It's nice to see you again," I say, smiling at the younger boy. He grins, ruffling the back of his head before pulling me into a hug.

"Thanks, Violet. It's always great to see you. And congrats on the little guy."

I smile and nod, giving him another quick hug before going on to the rest of the group. Some how, a barbecue starts in the backyard, and the guys are pulling out packets upon packets of fresh steak and beer. I stick with my lemonade. After almost an hour of grilling, everyone finds a spot in the kitchen or leaning against a wall and eats. Matt demanded that someone found a bar stool for me to sit on, and after a quick five minute search, they found one underneath all the boxes of kitchen plates and glasses.

I've always been a slow eater, and since I'm too distracted by all the jokes and talk, I didn't get to finish my steak before a large wrapped box was put in my lap. I look up at the one that handed it over. I smile at Arin.

"You didn't have to, Arin," I say. "But thank you." The younger man shrugs and gives me a smile before the group circles around to watch me open it.

I slowly tear at the paper, and carefully pull it off the box. I grin at the large box filled with blankets and crib sheets.

"Thank you," I tell him again, putting the box to the side and hugging him close. He's part of the family, and he needs to start acting like it.

Zacky hands over a smaller box, much thinner but longer in shape. I rip at the type and take off the lid. I can't help but laugh. It's a set of Vengeance University baby-onesies and beanies. There's even a little bowtie to clip onto the collar of the onesie as a pacifier-holder.

I give him a thank you and a hug also. Brian disappears before dragging in a very large box of baby diapers. I laugh, almost falling off the stool. Brian comes back, out of breath.

"That shit is heavy." The group laughs, and the presents keep coming.

The girls are next, and they simply hand me an envelope. I give them a look, not sure if I want to know what it is, but open the envelope and pull out the Polariod pictures that are resting inside. My breath catches.

"Guys..." I say softly, and wipe at my eyes for the second time that day. The girls and I share a long group hug between ourselves, and I can't stop staring at what my nursery now looks like.

There's a black crib against one of the blue walls, away from the sun coming in through the one window in the room. Printed on the wall is a large deathbat, but with Zacky and Cam's artistic eye, there's a pacifier in its mouth. The walls are decorated with picture frame upon picture frame, each one holding a memory that our group shares. The one of Jimmy as he stands next to his idol after the Metallic concert, and the infamous photo of Johnny, Jimmy, and Brian hugging - the Sullivantattooed across his back stands out to us all - makes me tear up again.

Once the presents are done, and I've worked out where I'm going to put everything that was given, I stand and their eyes fall on me.

"Thank you all for the gifts, guys. You really didn't have to do any of that, but it still means so much to me that you would." I take a deep breath, before clasping my hands in front of me. "Because of all these wonderful gifts from you all, I'm going to give one back." Matt goes to say something, but I grab his hand and he doesn't speak.

"I've finally decided on a name for Baby Sevenfold."

The entire world seems to go completely silent. There are no laughs, or clinking cups, or traffic sounds from the roads. It's just... silent. Matt squeezes my hand, and I can see him trying to figure out how my mind is working. This is another secret I've kept from him, but I'm certain he'll like it.

"I've decided that this little guy's name," my hands hold the sides of my bump, the fabric pulling back to show off just how much I've grown since everyone found out. "Will be Owen James Sanders."

I can hear all the guys choking up at my words, and suddenly, Matt has pulled me tightly in his arms, with no thoughts of ever letting go. He presses his face against my hair, hiding the tears that I know he tried to hold back. More arms surround us, and we're back in another group hug. This one last longer, and instead of the usual sadness that comes from the mention of the Rev, I can hear laughs and see grins.

"It's beautiful," Matt whispers to me, and I nod my head, resting it on his shoulder. When everyone has finally pulled away, and I've coaxed Matt to finally let me go, I pull the nostalgic mood into a funny one.

"Well, I have to go pee now. You know, baby sitting on my bladder and all."

The house is filled with laughter, and as I walk up the stairs to the nearest bathroom, I can't help but peak into the newly arranged nursery. There's a flutter in my stomach, and whether its the need to empty my bladder or a kick from the baby, I'm not sure, but I'm still happy.

What could possibly ruin this happiness?

Notes

I lied, I'm continuing it! But it's only going to be three chapters long, so next one is the definite last.
happy new years!

ps. yes, the last line was foreshadowing.