The Wild Ride

On Thursday, the guys had a meeting with their record label in LA, and Zack had warned her that it would probably be a late night. Peyton and Lincoln decided to go have dinner with Peyton’s parents, and in the middle of dinner she decided to share the news of her pregnancy. “Well, it looks like Linc is going to be a big brother.” She said calmly, waiting for her parents’ reactions. “Wait, what?” Her mom asked, thinking she misheard her daughter. “You heard me.” Peyton grinned, watching her mother’s face light up. “When did you find out?” Her dad asked with a smile on his face. “Monday morning. I didn’t tell Zack until yesterday, I surprised him with a big brother t-shirt for Linc. He is over the moon.” Their daughter explained. “I’m so happy for you, honey!” Becky said excitedly, “I hope this one is a girl.” “I can only image the kind of things you would buy for a granddaughter after all the shit you buy Lincoln.” Daniel Smith joked, placing his arm on the back of his wife’s chair. “Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m sure Linc is going to be an awesome big brother.” Peyton laughed and nodded, “Oh, I’m sure he’s gonna teach the kid everything he knows, which is pretty much everything Uncle Brian and Uncle Johnny taught him that he shouldn’t know.” She joked, taking a bite of her food. “I’m going to the doctor at the end of next week, so I’ll let you guys know what they say. I’m thinking baby will be born around March or April.” “That’s close to Linc’s birthday.” Becky observed. “Yeah, I know. Apparently that’s when Zack is most potent.” Peyton joked, watching her dad cringe. “Come on, Peanut. I don’t need to hear that shit.” The family continued talking through dinner and dessert, before Lincoln started getting fussy and Peyton decided it was time to take him home.

A few hours after Peyton had put her son to bed, he woke up crying with his hand over his right ear. It was almost midnight, and Peyton was expecting her husband home any time. Peyton went into Lincoln’s room to see what was going on with him, and noticed he was burning up. “What is going on with you, buddy?” She said, taking his temperature. The thermometer beeped rapidly, signaling that the little boy was running a fever. “Okay, babe. Let’s get you some medicine and I’ll snuggle with you.” She said absentmindedly, carrying her son into the kitchen where they kept their medications. She gave him a dose of Tylenol and took him back into his room, where she turned off the lights except for his star projector, and sat in his rocking chair with him. “Mama, sing.” The little boy said quietly, snuggling deeper into his mother’s lap. Peyton smiled softly at her son and covered him with a blanket before she began rocking him, singing whatever song had popped into her head. Forty-five minutes later, Lincoln was still awake, and she was still singing. Which is how Zack found them when he came home. He walked quietly up the stairs and went to check on Lincoln, stopping in the doorway when he heard his wife’s voice. “The wind of life and air from above smells of death. Angels sing of the end. Nothing you say and nothing you try can change time. Human race prepares to die.” “Are you really singing To End The Rapture to our two year old?” Zack chuckled, making his wife jump. “You scared the shit out of me.” She laughed, “And yes, I am. I’m running out of songs in my head to sing to him.” Zack walked into the room, bending down to kiss his wife. “What’s going on? Why isn’t he in bed?” “Well, he was in bed. He woke up around midnight screaming and holding his ear. I checked him and he’s got a fever. I figure it’s an ear infection, so I’m going to call the pediatrician in the morning and see if they can see him.” The brunette explained, looking down at the sleepy boy in her arms. “He’s almost asleep, I’ll be in bed in a little bit.” “Here, let me have him. You go ahead and go to bed. You’ve had him all day, it’s my turn. I missed the little rugrat.” Zack said, picking Lincoln up. “Daddy, you home?” Linc asked sleepily. “Yeah buddy, I’m home. Let’s get you to sleep, okay?” He replied, snuggling his son close to him. “Go ahead and go to bed, mama. I know you’re tired.” “Okay, fine. But if you need me come get me.” Peyton said, kissing her husband softly, then kissing Lincoln’s cheek. “I love you two.” “We love you, babe.” As Peyton left the room, Zack laid Lincoln down in his bed and laid down beside him. “Love you daddy.” The little boy said sleepily as his eyes fluttered shut. “I love you too, bud.” Zack whispered, kissing his son’s head. Zack laid there for a few more minutes to make sure he was asleep before getting up and going into his own bedroom.

By the time Saturday rolled around, Lincoln’s fever was gone and he was in a much better mood. Peyton’s suspicions were confirmed at the pediatrician’s office Friday morning, and the little boy was sent home with antibiotics. While he was taking his afternoon nap, Peyton was getting ready for family dinner at Brian and Michelle’s house. She was currently standing in her closet, trying to figure out what to wear. “What are you doing in here, baby?” Zack questioned, coming in to grab some clothes for himself. “I can’t decide what I want to wear. Do I want to go ahead and put my bathing suit on or do I just want to throw it in a bag?” She questioned, looking at the stack of bikinis she had on a shelf. “And which one do I even want to wear.” Zack chuckled before walking over to the shelf and picking out his favorite bikini – a black twist-front bandeau top with leopard print bottoms. “Here, wear this one.” Peyton laughed and grabbed it out of his hand, “I knew you’d pick that one.” “I can’t help it, you look so damn good in it.” He replied, pulling her into his arms. “Now, why are you stressing out? It’s just dinner at Chell and Brian’s.” “I don’t know.” She sighed. “I guess it’s the whole baby thing. What if they’re not as excited as we are?” “Baby, I can guarantee that’s not going to happen, and if it does, then fuck them. It’s not their baby, it’s ours. And I couldn’t be happier that we’re having another one.” The guitarist said, kissing his wife’s forehead. “Now, go get that bikini on and stop worrying so much. It’s gonna be a good day.” “Alright, alright. You got me. But Linc is going to be the one to tell them. He’s wearing his new t-shirt.” She said, walking out of the closet and toward the bathroom. Zack smiled and shook his head before pulling his clothes off and putting on his swim trunks and cut off t-shirt.

Once Lincoln woke up, his mother dressed him in a pair of black Hawaiian print swim trunks and his “big brothers rock” t-shirt and they all piled in the car to head over to Brian and Michelle’s house. Peyton was bouncing her knee nervously the entire time. “Babe, calm down.” Zack chuckled, placing a hand on her knee. “I told you everything is going to be fine.” Peyton rolled her eyes playfully, “I know, now I’m just excited.” She said as her husband was pulling into the Haners’ driveway. “Well come on then, let’s go share the good news with everyone.” Her husband said as he put the car in park. Once Zack got Lincoln out of the car, the trio headed through the house and into the back yard, where the toddler took off in a sprint toward his uncles, who were all in the pool. “LINC!” Johnny shouted, holding his arms out to the boy. “Hang on! He needs a swim diaper.” Zack said with a laugh as Peyton was digging through their pool bag for said diaper. “Hey buddy, show your uncles your new shirt.” Lincoln stopped running around the patio and stood still and held out the bottom of his shirt. “See!” He said excitedly. “Wait a second..” Brian trailed off, looking at his pseudo-sister. “Linc, turn around baby, let me and Aunt Val see!” Michelle said, wondering what her husband was trying to process. As soon as the little boy turned around and she read the words, Michelle was off the couch and running toward Zack and Peyton. “Oh my god congratulations you guys!” She squealed, pulling them into a hug. “Wait, what did I miss?” Johnny asked confused. “Peyton’s got another baby Baker baking!” Brian shouted, racing up the stairs on the pool and pulling his sister into a hug. “I get another nephew!” “Or a niece!” Peyton said with a laugh as she was pulled into Brian’s soaking wet arms. “Ew, get off me, you’re wet!” “That’s what Zack should have said.” Johnny said with a laugh while everyone else scoffed and rolled their eyes. “Johnny you’re a moron.” Matt said, slapping the back of his head. “Congrats guys, now we have something to celebrate!” “When are you due? Do you know yet?” Val asked from her spot in the shade. “Not yet, I go to the doctor at the end of next week, but I’m thinking March or April.” “This is awesome. More Avenged babies!” Lacey said. Peyton sighed in relief as she looked around the Haners’ backyard, her best friends were just as excited as they were about welcoming a new baby, and she couldn’t be more excited to meet her new bundle of joy.

Notes