For the first couple of months hiding was considered fun and exhilarating. Stolen kisses here, lingering touches there, quick and quiet rendezvous when they thought they were away from prying eyes and ears. Johnny was the first to find out since he caught them in one of the dressing rooms at a venue in Virginia. After Johnny found out the cat couldn’t be kept in the bag any longer. They received well wishes from everyone, including Brian, though not as sincere.
They would sit together while she thought of lyrics and he would strum his guitar. She would lean against him while she read a book and he either watched something on the computer or took a nap. They would sleep in the same bunk, seeing as small quarters were fine for them. And overall, Diana felt and looked healthier than she had in months. She was sleeping more and without the medicine and the more natural sleep she got the more energy she had, which means she could pick up jogging again and a clearer mind to write.

However today was considered a free day since they didn’t have a show that night and they were already in the city they would perform in next. Valarie sat at the table with papers everywhere and Matt sitting bored out of his mind as she forced him to help in the last of the wedding details. The plan was for the week after the tour ended for them to get married but Valarie was considering pushing the date back with fears everything wouldn’t be ready. After announcing their joining of forces, Michelle and Brian hit the town for Michelle to shop. With some much needed time apart Johnny dragged Zacky out into the city for bar hopping and tattoos. Diana and Jimmy however stayed together for some sibling bonding time.

Jimmy and Diana drew a lot of inspiration off one another and easily helped each other with new music. Jimmy had the keyboard while Diana flipped through a collection of recent papers Jimmy had written full of songs that could possibly go on the next album.

“That song you wrote on the last tour I think I want on this album.”

“The one Zacky called a nightmare?”

“Yeah. We should actually call it nightmare.”

“We can since I haven’t actually finished the whole thing. I got distracted with other songs.”

Diana set a few of the papers to the side then set the rest back in the folder.

“These need to go on the album, Danger Line, Victim, Save Me, and Fiction for sure.”

Diana looked at Jimmy while he looked the selected papers over again.

“Good idea I like those.”

“Jimmy, you know how you told me that if there’s something wrong with me I can come to you no matter what?”

“Yeah is something wrong?”

Diana shook her head. “No but these songs are really concerning Jimmy. You write like I do, from the heart and from your problems. Is there something wrong?”

“I’m fine Diana. They’re just songs nothing to be concerned about.”
Diana furrowed her brow at him and gave him the Sullivan look of you aren’t fooling me. Jimmy sighed and went back to playing the piano. After a couple of minutes Jimmy whipped around to Matt and called him over, handing him a paper.

“Read this out when I start playing.”

Jimmy started the music hinting at a strong fast paced melody.
“I'll try and help you with the things that can't be justified; I need to warn you that there is no way to rationalize, so have you figured it out now? So have you figured it out? You can't win this fight.”

“Welcome to our god damned fucked up family.” Jimmy laughed.

“Is that the title?”

“Of course not! I was thinking Welcome to the Family.” Jimmy laughed.

“Well it’s fitting this is a fucked up family.”

“Hey no naming new songs without me!” Johnny stumbled through the door of the bus with a snickering Zacky behind him.

“Well that’s your fault!” Jimmy jumped up and tackled Johnny.

“Take it outside boys!” Valarie screamed at them knocking a few papers to the floor. Deciding to break from Valarie completely, Matt also joined them out the door. Zacky however crookedly walked over to Diana and attempted to sit next to her landing on the floor.

“I think I’m drunk.”

“You think love?”

Diana kissed the top of his head and helped him into the seat with her.

“Any new tattoo I should be worried about?”

Zacky shook his head and started laughing.
“I didn’t but Johnny did! He got this weird looking cowboy head thing on his neck it’s so funny.”

“Well after that tramp stamp you got last time I couldn’t imagine you getting another bad tattoo anytime soon.”

“So when am I getting you inked?”
Diana shrugged.

“Oh come on you can’t stay pure forever.” He started kissing her neck.

“I think that whole ‘pure’ concept is already out the door.” Diana chuckled and started kissing him.

“Oh come on guys not right here.” Valarie sounded like she was going to transform back into mom mode with them making out at the table and the other three screaming and beating each other up outside. Diana laughed and climbed over Zacky to get out of the tables bench and over to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and giving it to Zacky. Diana then sat down in front of Valarie and smiled.

“If you don’t put this mess away right now I’m going to throw it to the wolves out front.”
Valarie laughed and rubbed her face.

“Fine I’ll take a break.”

“Good since they are going to get us kicked out if you don’t break them apart out there.”
She sighed and managed to drag herself out the seat and hadn’t even made it out the door before she started yelling at them to separate. Diana laughed and went back to Zacky and leaned against the table.

“So we have a hotel tonight.”

“Sure do.”

“And we have our own room.”

“Of course we do.”

“And we checked in half an hour ago.”

“Okay what does this- OH.”

Zacky slid off of the bench and grinned.

“Took you long enough.” Diana covered her mouth and laughed as he took her hand and they snuck by the bickering group of oversized children wrestling outside the door.

Notes