The Wild Ride

It had been about a week or so since Peyton and the girls had ran into Gena, and it was the day before Val’s baby shower. Peyton, Michelle, and Lacey were busy shopping and making sure everything was perfect before they decided to go out for Margaritas to unwind while Zack and Johnny watched Lincoln. When Lacey and Peyton got to the Baker home at around 9 that evening, they found their husbands out on the patio with a beer in their hands and a bottle of Jack sitting on the table, the baby monitor sitting right next to it. “Rough night?” Peyton asked, leaning down to kiss her husband. “That kid is a little shit.” Johnny chuckled. “We couldn’t keep him out of the pool.” “Or off the swing set. He went back and forth all evening. He only stopped to eat a piece of pizza and he was back at it. He knocked out as soon as his head hit the pillow.” Zach said before lighting a cigarette. “Aw, he’s an angel.” Lacey said with a smile. “Yeah. You want him for a night?” Zack asked with a chuckle. Peyton swatted her husband’s chest playfully. “I’m gonna go check on him before I grab a drink. Lace, do you want one?” The blonde nodded and got out of her chair. “I’ll make drinks while you go check on the boy.” Peyton laughed and followed her friend into the kitchen before going upstairs to check on Lincoln. Once she got to his room her mouth dropped. “Ho-ly shit.” She said. The little boy was jumping on his bed, with a bottle of baby powder in his hand. There was powder everywhere- on the bed, the floor, his toys, even the ceiling. Lincoln was covered in powder, and when his mother spoke he immediately stopped and his head jerked in her direction. “Uh oh, mama!” He said. “Made a mess!” “Lincoln Lewis.” She said in a stern voice. “You sure did make a mess. Is your monitor not on?” She asked, walking further into the room and noticed that the monitor was in fact on. “Stay right here. I’m going to get daddy.” Lincoln’s face dropped and he immediately sat on his bed and cried. Peyton held in her laughter until she was downstairs, and then she burst into laughter. “Pey? What is so funny?” Lacey asked. “Go upstairs. Look at Lincoln.” The brunette said in between breaths. As Lacey was headed upstairs, Peyton walked to the back door, opening it as she hear her toddler shout Lacey’s name. “So, who put Linc down for bed?” She asked, leaning against the door frame with her hands across her chest. “Oh shit Zack. You’re in trouble.” Johnny said, taking a shot of his Jack. “What happened?” Zack asked, standing up and heading inside. Peyton stayed silent until she heard her husband’s voice say “Linc what happened in here?” “So, your super cute nephew got into the baby powder while you and daddy were sitting here relaxing. Is that baby monitor even on?” She asked as Johnny picked it up and looked at it for a second before rolling his eyes and pushing a button. “Lincoln your mom is gonna kill me man.” They heard Zack’s voice come through the speaker. “Yeah she is!” Lacey laughed. “Come on Seward, lets go help him clean up.” Peyton said, pulling her best friend out of his chair. “Why do I have to help clean up?” Johnny whined as he followed her into the house and up the stairs. “Because I named my son after you, that’s why.” Peyton stated with a shrug. “I knew we shouldn’t have named our kid after Johnny’s bad ass.” Zack joked. “Hey! That’s offensive.” The bassist said.

Forty five minutes and a bath later, Lincoln’s room was clean and he was in bed watching a movie. “Linc, stay in here and watch Buzz and Woody. Don’t get up and play with toys, okay baby?” Peyton said as she tucked her son’s blankets around him. “Okay Mama.” The blue eyed boy said with a yawn. After he got hugs and kisses from both parents and his aunt and uncle, the adults made their way downstairs. “What a night.” Peyton chuckled as she poured herself a Jack and Coke. “Someone make sure the monitor is on this time.” Lacey laughed as she sat down in one of the patio chairs, “It’s definitely on. I can hear Sheriff Woody talking.” “I’ll show you Sheriff Woody.” Johnny said, wiggling his eyebrows. “You ready to take me home?” Lacey asked her husband with a smile. “You bet. Let’s go lady.” The man said, standing up and throwing his empty beer bottle away. “You two be good.” “Bye Johnny. See you tomorrow, Lace!” Peyton said with a wave. Once the couple left, Peyton turned to look at Zack. “So, how about that new baby?” “You want to have another baby after tonight?” Zack asked in disbelief. “Your son is out of control.” “He is not.” Peyton laughed, “He’s a two year old little boy. Besides, from what your mother said you weren’t the most well-behaved kid in the world. Don’t forget I’ve known you since you were 14.” Zack laughed loudly. “And his mother is no saint either.” Peyton smirked and walked over to her husband, straddling his lap. “Exactly, which is why it’s time for another one. A mini Peyton this time though.” She could see the lust burning in his eyes and his hands made their way up the back of her thighs. “I would love that. Big blue eyes and a smile that will take your breath away.” He whispered as he leaned up to kiss her. His kiss was a mixture of hungry and needy, and soon Peyton broke apart and stood up, pulling her husband with him. “Where are we going?” He asked, following her into the house. “Well, I thought it would be best if I didn’t wake the neighbors.” She said before kissing him again. This time they didn’t stop, and started pulling clothes off one another as soon as Zack shut the back door behind them.

The next morning, Peyton woke up alone in bed. Groaning, she stretched before getting up and brushing her teeth. Once she pulled on a pair of panties and threw one of Zack’s old t-shirts over her head, she went downstairs in search of her two favorite boys, finding them in the kitchen. “There you two are. I was beginning to think you left me.” She said with a smile, kissing her son on top of his head and walking over to kiss Zack, who was making breakfast. “Linc was hungry and you were knocked out, so I got him up and started breakfast.” Zack said with a shrug. “Well, I was probably tired. I got a lot of exercise last night.” Peyton laughed, sitting down on the bar stool closest to Lincoln’s high chair. “Yeah you did. Once in the kitchen. Twice in the living room, then once again in the middle of the night.” He said, looking at her with a smirk. “What can I say? My man is good at what he does.” She smiled. “What’s on your agenda for today?” “I think we’re going to meet up with Arin and get in a few hours of studio time today. We’re almost done with the record. Is it baby shower day?” Zack asked, placing a plate of eggs and bacon in front of his wife, who nodded. “Yep. Linc and I have a busy day of spoiling Aunt Val.” “I see Bal?” The toddler asked his mother excitedly. “Yep. As soon as Mama gets ready we’re going to see Aunt Val. And Aunt Chell and Lace too.” Peyton told him. “Yay! I see Bi?” He asked, referring to his favorite uncle. “Not today buddy. Maybe we can talk Uncle Bri into coming to visit you later though okay?” “Okay.” Lincoln said quietly before going back to eating. Peyton and Zack made small talk through breakfast, and as soon as she finish she went upstairs to get ready. She decided to leave her hair in its natural waves and do some natural looking makeup with red lipstick, and dressed in a black high-waisted maxi skirt with a flowy white crop top. After dressing Lincoln in a pair of gray shorts with a gray and white plaid short sleeved shirt, she put is red converse on his feet and they were ready to head to Michelle and Brian’s house for Val’s baby shower.

The shower went well, and baby River got a lot of gifts. Michelle, Lacey, and Peyton were all organizing Val’s things so that when the guys got back they could load it all into Matt’s vehicle and take it home. Lincoln was currently napping in Michelle and Brian’s bed while the girls were talking. “So, isn’t it time for Lincoln to be a big brother?” Lacey asked as she was folding clothes to stick in one of the gift bags. “Hang on now. You two haven’t even had babies yet. It’s time for you to catch up!” Peyton defended with a smile. “I don’t think we’re ready just yet. There’s still a lot we want to do.” Michelle explained, placing the last of the baby gifts in the pile before sitting beside her sister on the couch. “We want kids, but we aren’t in a rush at all.” Lacey nodded in agreement. “Same here. Plus I’m married to Johnny and we all know he’s basically a man child.” She joked. “Zack and I are trying again. We’ll just have to see what happens I guess. It could be next month, it could be in five months. Who knows.” Peyton shrugged, “I’m not super worried about it. It will happen when it’s supposed to happen. But until then I’ve got Linc to keep me busy. Hopefully the next pregnancy will go by without any drama.” “Speaking of drama, has anyone heard from Gena?” Val asked cautiously. “Matt and I got a wedding invitation in the mail. He laughed before he threw it in the trash.” She said, making the other women chuckle. “We surprisingly haven’t gotten one yet. That bitch is crazy if she thinks I’m going to her wedding. She tried to kill me! She might try to kidnap my kid or something because she looks like Zack.” Peyton huffed. “Maybe she’s past all that and really does want to make amends.” Michelle said. “It’s possible. I mean I know a simple I’m sorry doesn’t make up for the fact that she almost killed you and Lincoln. But maybe she’s actually being sincere.” “Maybe. But I don’t trust her. And I sure as hell don’t want her around my kid.” Peyton said sternly. “Yeah, Johnny has already said he isn’t going to her wedding. His exact words were and I quote, ‘That bitch is crazy. There’s no chance in fucking hell I would be anywhere near her. She would probably spike the punch to kill us all like a cult or something.’” Lacey said with an eye roll. “But I’m with you Pey. I don’t trust her.” “Don’t trust who?” Brian asked as the group of men walked into the house. “Gena. Matt and Val got a wedding invitation in the mail.” Michelle explained. Johnny started laughing. “Yeah. No fucking thanks.” He said. “Where’s my little dude?” Zack asked, realizing his son wasn’t in the room. “He’s asleep in Mich’s room. Poor kid was knocked out.” Peyton explained. “But is he actually asleep? That’s the real question.” Johnny chuckled. “Yeah. I’m gonna go check on him.” Brian said nervously before heading up the stairs. “I guess he doesn’t want Linc to find his dildo collection.” Matt stated before picking up a few gift bags. “Come on fuckers, let’s get this shit loaded up.”

Once the guys loaded up Matt’s car, everyone went to their respective homes to get ready for a week full of studio time. The band only had a few more finishing touches and the new record would be finished. “Let’s hope Val goes into labor before we’re done.” Zack chuckled while drinking a beer that evening. Peyton nodded silently and laid her head on his shoulder. “You ready to go to bed? I’m exhausted.” Zack looked down at his wife, who could barely hold her eyes open. “Go to bed baby. I’m gonna finish this movie then I’ll be up.” Peyton sighed and slowly got off the couch. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.” She said sleepily. “Hang on a second.” Zack said as he got off the couch and walked over to her. He placed his hands on both sides of her face and kissed her softly. “I love you, Peyton Elizabeth.” He whispered. “I love you too, Zee.” She smiled before giving him one more kiss goodnight. “Don’t be too long. The bed is too big when it’s empty.” Zack smiled and watched his wife walk up the stairs before sitting back down on the sofa. He turned the tv on to the movie he was supposed to be watching, but didn’t pay any attention to it. All he could think about was how great his life was at that moment. He was married to the girl of his dreams and they had an amazing son. Hopefully soon they would have a beautiful little girl and their family would be complete. Sighing, Zack turned off the tv before throwing the empty bottle in the trash. He was going to bed with his wife.

Notes