*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

“What the-?!” I exclaimed as Jimmy pushed past me carrying a case of beer into the kitchen.

“Oh! Hello Jimmy!” I heard Chloe laugh as I turned around to see he had set the beer down and picked her up spinning her in a circle.

“Hey buddy… how you feeling?” Matt said walking in as he brushed Jayden’s hair from his eyes to talk to him on my shoulder.

“Hi Uncle Matt. I’m sick.” Jayden responded before sitting up and asking me, “Zacky I want to watch Monsters…”

“Alright we will little man.” I told him as Johnny and lastly Brian walked into the house both carrying another case of beer each.

“Hey don’t you look like a D-A-D-D-Y? Never thought I’d see the day…” Brian said as I stared at him incredulously.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” I asked trying not to yell with Jayden in my arms.

“Zacky that’s a bad word.” Jayden pointed at me.

“I know, I’m sorry Jay. Why don’t you go see what everyone is doing in the living room? Maybe Uncle Johnny can put the movie on for you if you ask him nicely?” I told him.

“No. I don’t want to.” He said laying his head back onto my shoulder.

I sighed heavily as I shut the front door and turned to the guys who were all in the kitchen with Chloe, helping her finish cleaning up. I rubbed Jayden’s back in circles as I walked into the kitchen to see what was going on.

“You made dinner Zee? I mean Brian told me but I didn’t believe it!” Matt exaggerated as he wiped the table with a rag.

“What are you guys doing here? I told Brian I’m not coming out because Jay is sick.”

“Yeah, that’s why we’re here! You aren’t coming out so we came to you! It’s like old times, all of us hanging out and drinking at the house…” Jimmy cheered drying a dish Chloe handed him.

“Jayden’s sick guys…” I said catching the glance Chloe threw me from the sink over her shoulder.

“Val and Michelle are coming soon. They have some presents for Jay. I promise we just want to hang out with you guys and we won’t cause any trouble. We just miss you.” Brian smiled.

I shook my head, “You need to ask Chloe. This is her house.”

“Chloe?” Brian asked and she turned around to be greeted by 3 other pairs of pleading eyes.

“As long as you all behave and don’t get Jayden too riled up. He’s sick and he needs to chill out.” Chloe answered smiling as all the guys practically jumped on her, hugging her.

Jimmy came over to me, grabbing Jayden from me before I could even react, causing him to scream and cry in shock of being ripped out of my arms. Jimmy spun him around before giving him a kiss on his temple and then back to me, Jayden’s arms latching around my neck tightly as he scrambled back into my arms.

“Jayden, too tight.” I said swallowing hard as the little boy relaxed a little.

“Awww… I’m sorry I scared you Jay.” Jimmy leaned down and said to him.

“Hrrm…” Jayden made a noise before burying his face into the side of my neck and mumbling, “Zacky I want to watch Monsters.”

“Ok, come on… let’s put it on.” I said carrying him into the living room and finding the movie.

*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

Watching the reaction Jayden had when Jimmy grabbed him made my heart skip a beat. Jayden was already deeply attached to Zacky and he didn’t even know he was his father yet. If Zacky changed his mind now, Jayden would be crushed whether I told him Zacky was his father or not.

“I’m sorry Chloe. I didn’t think he’d do that.” Jimmy said sadly.

I hugged him, “It’s alright Jimmy. He’s a cranky little guy when he doesn’t feel good. Don’t take it personal.”

“He wasn’t kidding…” Brian said as he popped the cap off a beer and taking a long drink from the bottle.

“About what?” I asked him as we watched Zacky put the movie on with Jayden clinging to his chest.

“About Jayden. Zack told me that he couldn’t come out if he wanted to because Jayden wouldn’t let him put him down. I didn’t think he meant literally.” Brian answered.

“You missed dinner… that was fun.” I said sarcastically.

“He’s really attached to Zacky. Is this how he usually is when he’s sick?” Matt asked.

“He’s usually pretty clingy but not like this. He will usually hang on to me all day long but I can do stuff and put him down still. He slept in my bed last night and then this morning he wandered into Zacky’s room, woke him up, climbed in bed with him and fell back asleep attached to him like that. I left earlier this afternoon and he wouldn’t let Zack go. When I got back, Jayden had just fallen asleep and Zacky tried to put him down for a nap but he woke right back up. I feel bad for Zacky…”

“Why? He’s fine.” Johnny said.

“Because this is all so new for him…” I replied.

“And so how’s he doing?” Matt asked leaning on the counter next to me.

“He’s doing great.” I said.

“Why don’t you sound so sure about that?” Matt inquired, unconvinced.

“I’m sure, it’s just I’m still scared he’s going to change his mind.” I sighed, “I mean look at Jayden. He’s attached to Zacky. It will crush him if Zack changes his mind about this.”

“You’re too busy looking at the way Jayden is attaching himself with Zacky…” Brian said.

I looked at him confused, “What do you mean?”

“You’re so busy looking at Jayden that you’re missing the way Zacky is already attached to his son. Chloe, he’s not going anywhere. Zacky isn’t going to leave that boy.” Brian answered before taking another drink of his beer and walking out to the living room.

“He’s right Chloe. Zacky is smitten by his mini-me. You know he’s always wanted a family… especially with you. Don’t worry about him.” Jimmy said following Brian out into the living room.

Johnny put an arm around my shoulders, “I mean come on Chloe, he turned down drinking to stay in with you and Jay. Drinking Chloe. I don’t know if you know how much that man loves alcohol but for him to turn down a night out is a lot.”

I chuckled a little, “Thanks for putting it in perspective for me Johnny.”

“No problem.” He smiled before heading into the other room.

“Chloe, don’t doubt Zacky. He’s still the same guy…” Matt said hugging me to his side.

“Is he Matt? I heard about his tour antics and I’m not thrilled about them…” I said softly.

“Can you blame him? He was single and broken hearted Chlo. Your breakup practically killed him. I’m sure if he knew about the baby, he wouldn’t have done any of that shit.” Matt told me.

“That’s the thing, I knew he would come to me and leave the band. I didn’t want to hold him back.” I said quickly looking up at him.

“But you’re going to blame him for what he did because you didn’t hold him back? That doesn’t sound fair Chloe. He thought you were gone from his life forever. He’d run into Jake and that would just spark another whole week or two of depression, drinking himself stupid, and sleeping with as many girls as he could to forget about you. He’ll never admit that was why but I know it is. He came to me the day you two ended it and for weeks afterwards. I know what it did to him. You can’t hold it against him for what he did on tour Chloe. He didn’t know and it’s not fair.” Matt explained.

I nodded in agreement as there was another knock on the door before Johnny opened it for Val and Michelle. I hugged Matt, thanking him before coming out into the living room to greet Val and Michelle who had their arms full of bags from the toy store.

“Val! Michelle! Are you kidding me?!” I exclaimed looking at the two of them as they set bags down on the floor.

“What?! Matt and Brian said to take the credit card for our littlest Avenged family member because he doesn’t feel good today…” Val said as she went over to where Jayden was lying on Zacky’s chest on the floor.

Jayden turned over and nuzzled into Zacky’s neck again, this time Zacky pulling him up and turning him over on his lap.

“Jayden be polite. Say hi to your aunties. Look they brought you presents.” Zacky scolded.

“Hi aunty.” Jayden said shyly before squirming to hide again.

“Awww Jayden, you don’t feel good sweetie? Well Aunty Val and I got you some toys to help you feel better. Come and look.” Michelle said trying to coax Jayden to come with her.

Zacky sat up and set Jayden on his lap again as Michelle and Val brought the bags closer and began pulling out toys for Jayden. Zacky reached out and grabbed a big green dinosaur making it walk on the ground in front of them and up Jayden’s little leg.

“I like this one… what about you little man?” Zacky said trying to get Jayden to open up and not be so cranky.

“He’s green. I like green.” Jayden said as Zacky handed him the dinosaur and he started to play with it on the floor.

“What about this one Jay? He’s got cool horns.” Jimmy said lying on his stomach and grabbing the triceratops from the bag.

“He’s cool too. They can fight.” Jayden said smiling as he and Jimmy started to play.

“You guys… He doesn’t need all this stuff. Please return some of it.” I said as Val pulled out some NERF guns.

“Oh come on Chlo! None of us have any kids, we gotta spoil him!” Michelle said as she took one of the guns from Val.

I sighed as I rolled my eyes and took a seat on the couch close to where Zacky and Jayden were on the floor. As Jimmy and Jayden played, Jayden would scoot further and further forward out of Zacky’s lap until he was finally in the middle of the floor. Brian and Matt were busy catching Zacky up on what they had been working on musically while he was here with us as Johnny told me a little more about himself, since I didn’t really know him that well. Jayden’s coughing broke our conversation as I leaned forward to go to feel his head, Zacky reaching out first before I had the chance.

“You alright little man?” Zacky asked Jayden as he rubbed his back softly.

“Yeah Zacky. Can I have juice please?” He asked.

“Sure but only if you take some more medicine.” Zacky said.

“I don’t want to.” Jayden replied.

“You gotta otherwise no juice… Come on take some more… for me?” Zacky negotiated.

“Ok. If I have to…” Jayden said before going back to play dinosaurs with Jimmy.

Zacky went to stand up before I put my hand on his shoulder, “I’ll get it. Your friends miss you.”

“Hey! We miss you too Chloe! You were gone for 4 years!” Brian called out from the living room as I went upstairs to get Jayden’s medicine.

When I came back down, Jayden was sitting on Jimmy’s back as he crawled on his hands and knees around the living room making what some would call crazy noises, but we all knew it to just be Jimmy making Jimmy noises. Jayden was laughing and I saw the way Zacky had turned his body towards Matt and Brian but still kept an eye on Jayden high atop Jimmy’s back. I went into the kitchen making Jayden’s juice and grabbing Zacky a beer from the fridge that was now full of more beer than food.

“Someone would think I was feeding my child only beer if they looked in my fridge…” I joked as I handed Zacky a beer and gave Jayden his medicine and juice.

“Someone call CPS! This lady is feeding her kid booze!” Matt exclaimed laughing.

Kapunk!

“Ow! What the hell?” Matt said holding the back of his head.

“Uncle Matt you said a bad word!” Jayden said holding onto Jimmy’s shirt as he rode his back.

“Sorry Jay… Something hit me in th-” Matt started.

Kapunk! Kapunk!

“Ow!” Brian exclaimed this time as he looked around behind him.

Kapunk! Kapunk! Kapunk! Kapunk!

“Ahhhh! They’re shooting us!” Jayden screamed as NERF darts came flying thru the room, Val and Michelle in the hallway shooting everyone.

Everyone dove for the remaining guns on the floor as Jayden ran to me and we ducked in front of the couch. I wasn’t fortunate to have grabbed a gun, all the guys much closer and quicker than me.

Val came up to me, holding the gun on me executioner style, “You have two choices Chloe. Join us or die!”

Jayden hid behind me as I tried not to laugh at the seriousness on Val’s face, “Val I have to join you. But what about my son? Will you take him too?”

“We can’t. He’s a boy. This is the girl team.” Val said.

“Mommy? What about me?” Jayden said tears forming in his big green eyes.

“Awww… well, I guess we coul-” Val started as she looked at how sad Jayden was.

“We’ll take him as our own!” Matt said jumping over the couch and swooping Jayden up with one giant tattooed arm and carrying him back to the kitchen, where they were hiding.

I could hear Jayden laughing in the kitchen with the guys, “Uncle Matt I don’t have a gun.”

“That’s okay. We’ll get you one.” Matt said as their voices got hushed and they began plotting.

Val pulled me to my feet and ushered me upstairs into my bedroom where Michelle was waiting. As soon as she closed the door, she locked it and smirked at me before sitting on the bed.

“Ok, so spill it.” Val said.

“What?” I said confused.

“The guy. Tell us about Jake’s friend. We know you went out with him today. We saw you and him at the coffee shop.” Michelle admitted.

“What?! You were spying on me?!” I exclaimed slightly annoyed.

“No! God girl, we have lives too… we went to go get coffee and we saw you. We wanted to say hi but then we remembered Jake’s friend wanted to take you for coffee so we didn’t want to interrupt. Now tell us about him before the guys get up here. Why the hell else would we have made this game?” Val answered.

“Because your boyfriend loves video games?” I asked.

“No. Now hurry up. What’s his name? What does he do? What’s he like?” Val pressed.

“His name’s Corey. He works with Jake as an editor part time and also at the coffee shop. He’s nice.”

“He’s nice? Really Chloe?” Michelle mocked.

“Yeah. I had a nice conversation with him…” I said as I looked down at my feet.

“And??? That’s not everything Chloe… We’re your best friends, you can’t leave stuff out with us missy.” Val said.

“He asked me out for lunch next week.” I said quickly feeling my face flush.

The girls squealed in excitement before calming down and Michelle asked, “So what did Zacky say?”

“I didn’t tell him.”

“What?! You didn’t tell him?! What did you tell him?!” Val said shocked.

“I was meeting a friend for coffee… that’s all I did. It’s nothing serious guys.” I replied.

“And what if it does become serious? You have to tell him Chlo.” Michelle said.

“I will. It was just coffee like you told me before…”

“Well now it’s a second date.” Val said.

“It’s not a date. It’s lunch. I go to lunch with you guys.” I reasoned.

“And we call it a lunch date.” Michelle replied.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“Hurry up. We’re ready to kick your asses!” Brian yelled as they pounded on the door.

“Uncle Brian, you said a bad word.” Jayden’s tiny voice said.

“Sorry buddy.” Brian apologized.

“Give us 5 more minutes!” Michelle called out.

“Ugh! Fine! Hurry up!” Johnny yelled.

We waited until we heard their heavy footsteps go back down the stairs before Val continued, “The longer you wait the more mad he’s going to be.”

“I don’t think he’ll be mad. We had a talk earlier… he just wants to meet any guy I date before I bring him around Jay, which is reasonable. I wouldn’t want him to bring another woman around my son without meeting her first. We have an understanding.” I said.

“You believe that?” Michelle asked.

“Should I not?”

“It just seems a little too good to be true sister… I mean Zacky cares about you so much. Like SO much. I don’t see him letting you go so easy. Not this time.” Michelle said.

“Well if he really loves her than he would want her to be happy right?” Val asked.

“I guess so but don’t they all say that until it happens…” Michelle replied.

“Zacky and I have an understanding. I’m not even dating anyone, so honestly it doesn’t matter.” I stated.

“Not yet anyways.” Val said.

“Come on. I’m over talking about this… can we get back to the game? Do I get a gun?” I asked exhausted from the side game of 20 questions.

“Here, we snagged an extra for ya…” Michelle said tossing me the bright orange gun.

Val yanked the door open as we bolted down the hall to find all the guys in the downstairs hallway. The assault of Nerf darts flying, screaming, laughter, and the thuds of bodies rolling onto the floors easily distracted me from thinking of the ‘what ifs’ of earlier. Jayden came running out from behind his father, green gun in hand as he came up to me and I dropped down to my knees dramatically with my hands in the air.

“I’m out of bullets.” I said.

He held the gun at me with his father’s little pout as he aimed with one eye closed, focusing hard.

“Shoot her Jay!” Jimmy yelled out from the ground where he was ‘dead’.

“Get her Jayden! Avenge us all!” Matt called.

“Sevenfold!” Brian laughed.

“Just do it Jayden!” I said closing one eye in mock fear and drama.

He stared me down for another moment before he broke into a big smile and jumped into my outstretched arms, hugging me tightly, “I could never shoot you mommy.”

“That’s my boy.” I said as I hugged him back smiling at all of the guys sprawled ‘dead’ on the floors of the hall.

Notes

Sorry gang! I meant to post this chapter earlier when I posted it on Wattpad. I forget because I usually post on Wattpad from my phone and it's a nightmare to try to do that on here. Anyways, I will put up Chapter 14 too today because I posted it last night. Much love and aloha <3 <3 <3 XoXo