Bekah

Zack was in a particular good mood today. Maybe it was because he’s finally sleeping through the night or maybe it was because I woke him up this morning giving him a blowjob; I wasn’t sure but I was thankful. Matt and Val have been wanting to have dinner with us but Zack hadn’t felt up to it so I was constantly making up lame excuses as to why we couldn’t. But no longer! Zack needed his friends, and despite what he thought I knew being around those who loved him would help him heal emotionally and mentally. I wasn’t sure why he was so ashamed of the wheelchair. He was alive, couldn’t he see that was all anyone cared about?

Zack and I went and spoke to Jimmy a few days ago. I sat in the car while he insisted on rolling himself towards Jimmy’s grave and just watched him talk. Zack knew he could tell me anything, Zack knew he could tell any of the guys anything but I think it’s easier for Zack to talk – to confess - what he’s feeling deep down to someone who can’t tell him how stupid he’s being. Of course, Jimmy talks back in his own way – in our hearts and into the depth of our souls. He’s still here, he will always be here and that’s why I thought visiting him would do some good and I was pleasantly surprised when Zack agreed. Things have been better since, so I’m glad Jimmy told Zack what he wanted to hear. I silently thanked him every chance I got.

I was icing a cake to take to dinner tonight when Zack rolled himself into the kitchen. His ribs were almost healed which was great! He was able to maneuver around the house much better and at the next doctor’s appointment we are going to ask about getting him on crutches or some other alternative.

“You baked a cake? Are you trying to get me real fucking fat?” He grinned and then added, “Totally worth it! Can I…”

I shook my head, silencing him. “This is for tonight.”

“Tonight? What’s tonight?” He asked.

I finish the cake and then turn to him. “We’re having dinner with Val and Matt.”

Zack gives me a tired look. “Beks, I was hoping we could just stay in tonight, alone. Maybe watch a movie.”

I smiled softly at Zack. I knew this was coming and I prepared for it. Being with friends would be good for him. I knew he was feeling a little depressed and he needed this even if he didn’t know it. “Baby, all we ever do anymore is sit on the couch and watch a movie. Come on, don’t you miss your friends?”

Zack sighed. “Of course I do. You know that isn’t the reason.”

“Then what’s the reason?” I asked.

Zack stared at me. His eyes searched mine and my eyes followed his until he looked down but a moment later he looked back up and my eyes caught his again. “Will it make you happy?”

I smile. “Yes.” And more importantly, it will make him happy.

Zack returned my smile. “Okay, let’s do it.”

---

We weren’t due to be at Matt and Val’s for a few hours so Zack and I just hung out and watched television. I loved alone time with Zack, I craved it even, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss our friends or going out. I all but counted down the seconds until it was time to leave. I was excited when I put the cake I baked into Zack’s hands and we were on our way next door.

“Bekah, Zack!” Val greeted with a smile. “I feel like it’s been months, come in!”

“Yeah, it’s been a rough few weeks, hasn’t it?” I smile back. Val nods and takes the cake from Zack’s lap.

“I’m going to go put this in the kitchen. Matt’s in the living room playing Call of Duty.

“Awesome,” Zack commented.

“I’ll help you,” I insisted. I don’t think I could spend another second staring at another television screen. I gave Zack a quick peck on his lips before he rolled himself into the living room and I followed Val into the kitchen.

“It smells great in here,” I compliment as the aroma of Val’s cooking hit me.

“Thanks,” she smiled as she put the cake on the counter. Then she turns to me with her fists on her hips. “Okay, so spill.”

“Spill what?” I laugh, even though I know exactly what she wanted to know and that was how I finally got Zack to show up.

“You’ve told me every time I’ve invited you over here that you couldn’t, so what’s up?” She asked.

I shrugged. For whatever reason, Zack didn’t want Val or Matt or any of the others to know how rough of a time he was having and I was going to respect that. “You said it was important so I figured I could put pants on for few hours.”

Val laughed. “It is important, so thanks for that!” Her face lights up at the idea of her news but I can tell by her fidgeting that she’s nervous.

“What is it?” I asked her. Curiosity gripped me and I couldn’t wait to know.

Val wanted to tell me, I could tell but she hesitated, glanced at the kitchen door and then said with a sigh, “Matt and I have decided to do it together at dinner.”

“Are you pregnant again?” I asked. It was the first thing that came to mind.

She burst out laughing. “Oh, no way! I can’t imagine getting pregnant again right now. Jackson is already a handful!”

I groaned, I really wanted to know! “Then what?”

Val’s smile deepened. “You’ll just have to wait! I just hope it is as good news to you and Zack as it is to me and Matthew.”

I forced a smile, suddenly feeling incredibly nervous. Was the band going to leave again as soon as Zack was healed? Did the label know of some sort of international tour and clued Matt in on it? I wasn’t ready for Zack to leave again.

“Baby, come here.” Matt and Zack called in unison. Val and I exchanged confused expressions before joining the guys in the living room.

“Wha…” Val starts but the television catches our attention. Call of Duty no longer played on the screen but instead it’s the news. The headline read, “Semi found abandoned after being involved in hit and run.”

“Authorities believe they have found the semi that was used to run the California metal band Avenged Sevenfold’s tour bus off the road four weeks ago. A source tells me the owner of the semi reported it to be stolen a couple of hours before the first call about the wreck. No witnesses have come forward with a suspect and at this time there is no way to tell if the hit and run was intentional or not. Avenged Sevenfold was headlining their US tour to promote their newest album Nightmare but were forced to cancel the remaining concert dates due to the death of their bus driver and injuries to the band members.”

Matt turns the television off and he and Zack turn to us. “They said they’re doing tests on the paint scraped onto the semi to make sure it’s the same truck but they’re pretty fucking sure.” Zack says.

Matt nodded. “It was found in a field not even ten miles from the crash site.”

“And it took them four weeks to find it?” I asked. “That’s ridiculous.”

“At least they found it,” Matt replied. He was right but at the same time they weren’t any closer to finding the criminal than we were ten minutes ago. They still had no idea who the driver was.

Val cleared her throat. “Dinner is ready,” she announces and heads into the kitchen. Matt, Zack and I follow her through the kitchen and into the dining room.

Zack gets out of his wheelchair and he gives me a peck on the lips before taking his seat next to me. “Thanks for tonight,” he whispers as Matt and Val get settled into their seats. I smile at him and give a little nod. I would save the I told you so’s for later.

“How long until you’re out of the cast?” Matt asks once everyone has a plate full of food in front of them.

“I have my four week check up tomorrow so we will see how good it’s healed. And they’re supposed to take this cast off me and put me in one a little more comfortable.” Zack shrugs.

“Is there any such thing as a comfortable cast?” Val asks with a smile.

Zack laughed. “I guess we will find out but you’re probably right.”

“How are your ribs, Matt?” I asked.

Matt nodded as he finished chewing. “They’re healing well. The doctor really wants me to do the breathing exercises now that the pain is nonexistent.”

“The breathing exercises suck, dude.” Zack commented.

“He was doing them when he wasn’t supposed to be. Before he was healed.” Val rolls her eyes.

“How come he doesn’t get in trouble for rushing his healing process?” Zack asks me.

“Because he’s not my boyfriend.” I tell him but then kick Matt under the table. “Don’t rush your healing process.” I glare.

“Ow!” Matt laughs. “It’s too late now, I’ve gotten permission from the doctor.”

“Don’t worry, Bekah. I’ve been on his ass about it,” Val smiles.

“Yeah, yeah.” Matt laughs.

Suddenly I remember the news that Matt and Val wanted to share with Zack and I. “So, what did you guys want to tell us? What’s the big news?”

Matt and Val exchange looks which makes me more nervous. They’re smiling and join hands above the table when they bring their attention back to me and Zack. “We’ve been thinking about it…” Matt starts but Val interrupts him.

“Actually the decision was made a long, long time ago.”

“But we wanted to wait to bring it up to you after the shooting and stuff.” Matt continued.

Zack glances at me briefly and then lightly squeezes my thigh under the table. The thoughts are swirling and I find Zack’s hand with mine and lace my fingers with his. He gives me another squeeze reassuringly. I didn’t know what was going on but I was nervous.

“We want the both of you to be the godparents to Jackson,” Val announces with a huge grin.

I don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to do. Godparents? Me and Zack? I feel Zack squeeze my hand again. “You guys…maybe,” Zack started. I could feel his gaze on me but he didn’t continue.

I hadn’t thought about Zack and I being parents – any kind of parents – since after I had found out that I had lost our baby but here was Val and Matt asking me to be a godparent and they had made the decision that they wanted me a long time ago.

“We know it’s a lot to ask,” Matt continues nervously. “But after the wreck, Val and I just realized how short life is an we want Jackson to go to someone we love and trust if something happens to us.”

Val piped up, “If you don’t want to we completely understand. We don’t want you to feel obligated or forced. We just think you and Zack are the best two people for that part in our son’s life.”

“You both have been through so much together. We think even if something were to happen in the future and you guys were to break up, you would still be able to co-parent successfully together.” Matt agreed.

He’s right. I think Zack and I would still remain best friends no matter what. Zack is still staring at me. “Maybe we should think ab…”

“No,” I blurt once I realized I still hadn’t said anything. “I mean, if you want to, Zack, I would love to.”

Zack’s face lights up and he smiles at me largely. “Of course, baby.” I kiss him and then turn my attention back to Matt and Val who are staring at us with dopey grins on their faces.

“I’m so happy!” Val exclaims. I was too. Zack and I were godparents. Someone thought we were most capable of taking care of their child in their passing. For the first time in a long time it felt like everything was going to be okay.

Notes

Thank you so much for reading! As always, feedback is much appreciated! I've started to write another story called My Sweet Medusa which is a Matt/ OC story, so if you would like to read that you can find it here.

Title credit: From First to Last "Regrets and Romance"