The Friday they all leave.

“Taylor! Turn the TV off please and get your shoes! We have to go!” I called into the depths of my apartment.

The van will be here any minute to pick us up and I am feeling far from ready. I have been puking all morning, and even now as I run from room to room turning things off at the wall and unplugging the iron, I feel like I’m forgetting something.

What? Like the fact you have to tell one of your best friends he’s the father of the baby you’re currently pregnant with?

“I only has flip flops left.” Taylor told me and came into the front hall with them thankfully on her feet.

“That’s okay baby, they’re only until we get on the plane.” I told her and blew my bangs out of my face. “Did you turn the TV off for mommy?” I asked her, she tends to forget if I don’t tell her more than once, and quite frankly, that’s a power bill I don’t want to have to deal with.

“Oops!”

“Go. Otherwise I’ll call up Uncle B and say we can’t come.” I threatened and pointed in the direction of the lounge.

“Nooooo!” She whined and scurried off.

She hasn’t been so terrible the last couple of days thank god. Either she’s sensed that I’m dealing with other things, or she knows I’ll send her home if she acts up. She enjoys it more than I do sometimes. I sighed loudly and then burped against another wave of nausea. I really hope I'm not sick on the plane. I can probably pass it off as food poisoning for a little while, but eventually someone other than Brian will pick up on it.

"It's off." Taylor told me as she came back into the front entrance, little brunette pigtails bouncing as she did. "Momma, you green." She said when she noticed and crinkled her nose at me.

"That's coz mommy's a monster." I told her and she giggled. Then the doorbell rang and I praised the gods internally. Whoever this is can get Taylor and our crap in the car while I go and vomit again.

I took a deep breath to settle my stomach briefly and opened the door. There stood Brian complete with dorky grin and sunglasses and I breathed a sigh of relief. I won't have to bullshit with him.

"Heeeey. You ready to go?" He cooed and I smiled weakly. He then peered at me over his sunglasses and thankfully I didn't have to explain anything. "Princess, come with me and we'll put your stuff in the car ok?" He said and stepped forward to take our suitcases and Taylor giggled and almost skipped after him.

I waited until they were almost at the car, before I turned and bolted. I crashed into my bedroom and then in turn to my bathroom and almost didn't make it to the toilet, before I crumpled to my knees and threw up quite violently.

"Ugh. Why noooow?!" I groaned as the onslaught continued.

"Oh sweetie. Are you ok?" I heard Brian say behind me, and I was gonna answer, but had to throw up again. I heard him fill a glass with water and then he was tugging the hair tie off my wrist and scraping my hair into a messy ponytail for me.

"Thank you." I croaked when I was sure I could talk without puking mid sentence.

"Morning sickness?"

"Mhmm. From the delightfully glorious hour of three this morning no less." I said sarcastically and he chuckled at me.

"Are you gonna be ok?" He asked me and I nodded weakly.

"I should be. I have some pills I'm gonna take and if they stay down, I'll have some crackers and some Gatorade on the plane or something." I told him and reached up to flush the toilet. "What did you tell the others?"

"I just told them you weren't feeling well and looked like you had to go and vomit." He said and I groaned. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just now I'm gonna get questions from eeeeeveryone."

"No offence sweetie, but you look like an extra from the Thriller video right now. They're gonna ask questions." He said and I smacked him.

"Shut up and help me." I groaned and reached out to him. He hauled me to my feet and I swayed slightly on the spot. "I'm good." I promised him when my stomach didn't react to the movement.

"Take a minute and I'll meet you out there ok?" He said and I nodded then he left.

I took the cup of water from the sink and took a few sips to rinse my mouth out. I then splashed some water on my face and took a quick look at my hair. He actually didn't do to bad a job of the ponytail so I decided to leave it. I'm only going to be on a plane for hours after this, so I don't need to be pretty. I took a deep breath to centre myself then turned and trudged to the van outside.

"Hi mommy! You feel better?" Taylor asked me from her perch on Johnny's lap.

"Much better thank you baby." I told her and took my seat in between Matt and Brian.

"Figured it might be a good idea to face you forward." Brian muttered in my ear. I smacked him in the thigh and glared at him.

"Hey! I pay your bills!...kind of." He cried and Taylor giggled.

We travelled in semi silence for a while before I noticed Matt peering at me.

“Yeeessssss?” I drawled, dragging the word out as long as I possibly could and got a grin from Matt and giggles from Taylor and Johnny.

“You’re looking a little green there. You sure you’re okay?” he asked and I nodded.

“I have some pills I’ll take before we get on the plane, and I’ll get some food into me. I’ll be fine.” I promised and even managed a smile to reassure him.

Matt then leaned into my ear and whispered something so I only I could hear. "Turn that way if you need to puke." He said and poked his finger in Brian's direction, who is thankfully not paying attention and is staring out the window.

"Oh, I plan to." I giggled and somehow managed to dodge a little balled up note that had been thrown at my head. "You know, the children need to sit up the front of the van." I said loudly and bent over to pick the paper up. I un-crumpled it and saw nothing but the word "HI!" written in quite large bubble letters. "Right. Who gave the overgrown toddler a pen?" I asked and turned to face the back of the van with grin.

Jimmy pointed at Jason, Jason pointed at his twin, Matt pointed at the bass tech Nathan, and Nathan pointed at both Jason and Matt.

"Hi sweetie." I smiled at Jimmy , trying to ignore the fact that my stomach is doing backflips.

"How do you always know it's me?!" He protested, but leaned forward to kiss my cheek.

"A mother always knows honey. It's kinda in my job description." I giggled and faced forwards again.

"Just fyi...that overgrown toddler, is the father of your child." Brian muttered to me and thank god no one else was paying attention.

"I know he is." I groaned. "I know..." I added and leaned my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes and hoping that I could maybe take a little nap before we got to the airport.

I must have ended up taking a pretty decent nap, because when I woke up, the van was empty, and someone was tapping me on my leg.

"Wake up sleeping beauty." They cooed and I almost had a heart attack when I opened my eyes, and realised the person was Jimmy. “I’m not that scary am I?!” He chuckled after I’d jumped about a mile in the air.

“No. Sorry. You startled me.” I croaked.

I’m gonna kill Brian for not waking me up!

“Are we at the airport?” I asked with a yawn and peered out the window. Duh. Of course we’re at the airport.

“Nah. Thought we’d start the tour on the moon.” Jimmy grinned and I swatted at him as I leaned down to grab my bag.

He chuckled at me as I pushed past him and kinda stumbled onto the sidewalk outside. I blinked against the sun and squinted at everyone around me. The driver is still busy unpacking our crap and Nathan and Zacky are helping him, while everyone else is just kinda standing around, with the exception of Johnny, who is sitting on the ground with Taylor and they’re playing some game….or playing with bugs. I dug in my bag for my sunglasses and slid them on my face before heading over to Brian and smacking him in the chest.

“Ow! What was that for?! You got me right in my nipple with that fucking ring of yours!” he cried and I glared at him.

“Your nipple will live fuck face. And you know exactly why!” I said and nudged my head in Jimmy’s direction. He’s joined Johnny and Taylor on the ground and they’re all giggling at something.

“Hey! That was like the perfect opportunity to tell him.”

“B. Seriously? I’m not gonna tell him he’s the father of my unborn child in the back of a van outside Huntington Airport.” I told him with a raised eyebrow. “I will tell him in my own time and on my terms with no interference from you.” I told him pointedly.

“You, are no fun.” he frowned and I grinned at him.

“Love you too.” I giggled.

A few minutes later we were all unpacked and we headed inside to check in and get on our way. We’re headed to Europe first…the UK to be specific…I think. Ugh. Whatever. Once we’d all made it to the boarding lounge and Johnny still had Taylor entertained, I dug in my bag to find my anti nausea pills. I took a couple and prayed that they’ll stay down and help me feel at least mostly ok on this long ass flight. 10 plus hours in a confined space with Taylor and the others when I’m feeling sick will not be fun. I considered getting something to eat, but decided it might be better to wait and see if my pills stay down first. I slid down in my seat and rested my head on the back of it, just staring at the ceiling for a bit until I was interrupted.

“Momma, save meeeeeeeeeee!” Taylor squealed and I sat up in enough time for her to run at me and scramble into my lap.

“Save you from what baby?” I asked and looked to where she was pointing.

At first I could see nothing, but a few seconds later, Jimmy rounded the corner on his hands and knees, roaring like a tiger.

“Ok…from who?” I added with a giggle as Taylor tried to hide herself in the lapels of my cardigan, giggling all the while.

Jimmy kept prowling closer and closer with a giant smirk on his face and when he reached my knees, he did this rawr crossed with a growl and lunged at Taylor to tickle her, while my eyes went wide and I imagined all the other things he could do while he’s down there.

Jesus Roxy. Keep it in your pants.

I managed to snap myself out of it and smiled as Taylor squirmed and Jimmy continued tickling her and growling. Eventually he grabbed her off my knees and ‘tackled’ her to the floor. I looked away from them and caught Brian’s eye over the other side of the room. He’s smirking at me like a cat that got the mouse and I frowned and flicked him off. He is so getting a butt kicking on the plane.

“Guys. Time to board.” Matt announced and we all kinda stopped what we were doing all at once.

“Momma hold my bag please.” Taylor told me as she came over in Jimmy’s arms and handed me her Monsters Inc backpack.

“What did your last slave die of munchkin?” I giggled yet took the backpack anyway.

“He didn’t. She’s currently in his arms.” Matt chuckled as we lined up to get our tickets scanned and our passports checked.

“Ha! Touche Shadows.” I smirked and waved at Taylor where she is at the back of our little line, still in Jimmy’s arms.

Ten minutes later we were headed onto the plane and Taylor was getting more and more excited. She loves plane rides almost as much as she loves going on tour with her uncles. We always make sure it’s only us in first class, so if Tay has a bad flight, the only people she’s annoying, are people she’s annoyed before. She always insists to sit next to the window and I’m usually more than happy to let her do so. You’d think I’d be used to flying being the guys tech and touring with them all the time, but I’m really not. I’m not terrified of flying, but it’s definitely not my favourite thing in the world.
“Maybe I can have a wine?” I thought as I tried to get Taylor settled into her seat. She wants nothing more than to look out the window right now, so I’ll probably have to bribe her to get her to sit still until we’re in the air.

“Oh. Can I have a glass of wine please?” I asked the hostess as she passed.

“Certainly ma’am. Red or white?”

“Red please.” I told her and she continued on her way.

“S’that the best idea?” Brian asked from behind me and it took me a second to realise what he was getting at. Oh duh genius. Can’t have wine when you’re pregnant can you?

“Shit!” I muttered turning away from Taylor for a second. “Ugh. I hate you.” I groaned. “Johnny?” I called and waited for him to appear from behind one of the seats.

“Hello?” He replied and popped up a few feet away.

“You want wine?”

“I always want wine! Red or white?”

“I ordered red.” I told him and waved the hostess in his direction as she came back with a slightly puzzled face as she handed the glass to Johnny instead of me.

“Knew there was a reason I liked you girly.” he chuckled and took a happy sip.

I sighed loudly and watched him longingly. Looks like I’m gonna have to find something else to calm me down. It also appears that B is gonna be my conscience until I tell Jimmy. Fuckin’ ugh!

“Sweetie, stop squirming.” I told Taylor as I turned back to her and my seat. She won’t sit still, and is trying desperately to undo her seatbelt. She just grumbled at me and started making whimper-y noises like she’s gonna cry. “Taylor don’t start. You can look out the window when we’re in the air ok?” I tried to placate and I’m about 90% sure she’s gonna throw a tantrum and start screaming any second.

“Princess, you gotta be nice to mommy remember? She doesn’t feel well.” Matt said, appearing out of who knows where, but at the exact right moment.

“Y’all need bells around your necks. Holy hell.” I said and Matt grinned at me.

“Can you do that for me princess? Can you be good and stay in your seat until mommy says it’s ok you can get up?” he continued and she’s still not happy but Taylor nodded. "Thank you munchkin." He cooed at her and I just gaped.

"Seriously...babysitting duty...like, forever ." I told him with a giggle and finally put my carry on luggage in the over head locker and stuffed Taylor's back pack and my purse out of the way under our seats.

"Momma...momma window." Taylor whined and looked up at me with great big puppy dog eyes.

"Baby, I know. Just a little bit longer." I cooed and smoothed her hair.

"Promise?..." She mumbled and I had to fight an aww.

"Yes baby I promise." I nodded and settled in my seat, ready for the safety demonstration.

Ten minutes later that was over and we started on our way. The plane began revving it's engines and slowly moving along the tarmac. I took a quick glance at Taylor and she's still squirming a little bit, but she's smiling. We got faster and faster and then suddenly there was that little kick back in your seat when you leave the ground. Taylor began giggling at that and I could hear one of the guys chuckling at her. About another ten minutes and we slowly started levelling out and I sighed in relief. The part I dislike the most is over and in another few minutes the seatbelt sign will go off and I'll be able to move around.

Ding! Came a few minutes later and Taylor cheered.

"Yay! Momma, window." She said and I grinned at her and leaned over to undo her seatbelt and then mine in turn. "Yay, yay, yay!" She chanted and stood up in her seat to peer out the window happily.

"Careful you don't fall off munchkin." I warned and stood up. It's probably not gonna help my stomach much, but it'll help my racing mind...maybe.

"Hey! Whatcha doing?" Someone said to me and suddenly I was being grabbed and tugged onto someone's lap. Sadly for me that person was Jimmy.

"Honey careful. My stomachs still funny." I told him.

"Does it do dad jokes?" He asked and tightened his arms around my middle.

I smacked him in the chest for that. He just laughed at me and grinned that stupid adorable smile of his.

"Seriously Jimmy. My nausea pills haven't kicked in properly yet. Do you wanna be covered in puke?" I warned, but he still didn't let go of me. "Can I go now? I gotta pee." I tried and still he didn't let go.

Jeez. If he's willing to deal with puke and pee, he might end up being good at this dad thing...

I groaned unconsciously at that thought and then he loosened his grip.

"Oh sure. You're willing to deal with it when I'm kidding, but when there's a real threat, you wuss out." I half giggled and basically fell off his lap in an attempt to stand up.

"We got an interview not long after we land. Don't wanna smell like vomit." He chuckled and winked at me.

"Sure, sure." I smirked and continued on my little walk.

"Well you handled that well didn't you?" Brian said, appearing out of nowhere and scaring the absolute shit out of me.

"Don't fucking do that!" I cried and smacked him several times. "This poor kid. It's gonna be stressed before it even gets here." I muttered and held a hand to my belly briefly peering around the wall to make sure no one was paying attention.

“Are you gonna tell him?” he asked me and I groaned again.

“Brian, what did I tell you at the airport?” I whined at him. I knows he means well, but holy fuck!

“That you would tell him in your time and on your terms with no interference from me.” he told me, complete with ‘duh’ face and half a frown.

“Exactly! Telling him on a plane at a million feet in the air is not the time!” I cried.

“Rox, think about it. The longer you wait, the harder it’s gonna get. Plus, he can’t hide on a plane.” he told me then left.

Asdjkghaskdghkasgd!

He may have a point, but I’m sure as hell not gonna let him think that. Telling Jimmy now really would be convenient. As much as he might want to, he wouldn’t be able to hide, and even if he did, there’s only so much plane to hide on. I really don’t think I’m ready to tell him though. Hell, I’m still struggling to come to terms with it myself. I unconsciously started pacing in the small area in front of the toilet as I continued weighing up my options. I could tell him now and he might be excited by it all. I mean, he’s awesome with Taylor, what difference is a baby gonna make? On the other hand, I could tell him and he’ll totally freak out and not talk to me or anything, or worse, he won’t want anything to do with me or the baby. I groaned. Thinking about all this really isn’t helping me feel less nauseous.

“Hey. You ok?” someone asked and I nearly crumpled on the floor when I looked up and saw it’s Jimmy…again.

“Will you believe me if I say yes?” I mumbled and continued pacing.

“Probably not. You’re pacing up and down like a mad woman. Clearly something’s wrong. Can I help?” he asked and looks genuinely concerned for me.

Of course he does! It’s Jimmy for fucks sake! He’s always making sure everyone else is ok.

I looked up at him and contemplated my answer.

Do I do it? Do I tell him?

“Flying’s never been my thing right? Plus me feeling sick isn’t helping the fact either.” I told him, chickening out at the last second.
“Still? That’s not good hun. Maybe you should get some ginger ale or something?” He suggested and rubbed my back.

“Yeah. I think I will. Thanks.” I sighed and scrubbed my hands over my face.

He stepped past me and headed on to the bathroom and I found a hostess and ordered some ginger ale like Jimmy suggested. I headed back to my seat to wait for my drink and found Taylor pretty much where I left her, staring out the window, even though the scene has probably been the same since the seatbelt sign went off. I grinned at her and sat back down in my seat, taking out my laptop and booting it up to catch up on some of the TV shows I’ve missed over the last few days. At some point Taylor passed me, but I didn’t pay too much attention, because I know she’ll be with, and likely annoying one of the others. I’d just finished the last episode of Criminal Minds I needed to catch up on when I noticed Taylor tugging on my jeans.

“Yeah baby?” I asked her and took my headphones off.

“Momma, I hungry.” she informed me and I looked at my watch. We’ll probably be getting our meals any minute.

“The food will coming really soon sweetie. How bout you come up here and watch Mikey for a bit, and maybe after we eat you can have a nap?” I suggested and hefted her back into her seat. I then quickly got Monster’s Inc started on my laptop and put it on her tray table to keep her occupied until the meals came.

We won’t be arriving at Heathrow for ages, so if she has a sleep now, it might avoid her being crabby later on. Once she seemed occupied by the movie I stood up and stretched myself out hearing my back crack in a couple of places. My phone then buzzed, and I peered down to it on my tray table. It’s a text from Brian.

did u tell him? xo B

Ugh. I’ll kill him.

I headed off to the bathroom and smacked Syn over the back of the head on the way. He protested loudly and I kept walking. If he’s gonna keep interfering, I’m not gonna tell Jimmy at all! I did my business and when I came back out, I saw that they’re just starting to hand out our meals. My stomach growled loudly then and I realised exactly how hungry I am. Stupid pregnancy hormones. Either making me nauseous as hell, or able to eat enough for a small village.

Notes

Another kinda long chapter...

The next few will be shorter as they are in one of the guys POV, but, enjoy