The warmth of the sheets that were covering me hugged me tightly. Getting out of bed seemed like a terrible idea for this Monday. The alarm went off and I heard a soft groan coming from beside me. There was a smack from Vic's hand as he hit the alarm clock and stopped the noise from blaring any louder. I looked at the time on my phone, it reading 6:45. I decided that I would get up since Vic had came to bed around 4 AM from his studio.

"Babe, I'll get up. Get some rest." I said sleepily, sitting up slowly.

"Are you sure? I can go take Jo to school." He insisted, his eyes still completely shut.

"Vic, get some sleep." I ordered, standing up and brushing my teeth. After I did my restroom business, I went to Jonah's room to wake him up. He groaned just like Vic had and then got up, using his hands to rub his eyes open.

I walked to the kitchen and made myself a small cup of coffee as I took Yoda out to use the restroom and grab the morning's newspaper. I heard Jonah brushing his teeth, then running back to his room to get ready for school. He always liked to look good when he was going places; I think he got that from his dad and Mike. After about 20 minutes, he walked into the kitchen and asked if he can have a bowl of cereal. I nodded and got his favorite box of cereal, and a bowl from the top cabinet.

"Mom," He said, his mouth full of milk and Cocoa Puffs. "When is the baby gonna be here?"

I smiled softly, "I have an appointment tomorrow for an exact date. I'm betting before Christmas."

He nodded his head of wavy hair up and down, "I think I'm gonna have a sister."

My eyes grew wide, but I was still smiling. "Your dad thinks so, too."

"When do you know?"

"Um, in about six weeks Jo. Are you excited?"

He nodded, wiping his mouth of the milk that sat on his upper lip with a napkin that was beside him. "All my friends at school know." He gave me a smug smile then continued to chomp on his cereal. When he was done, he grabbed his backpack that was hanging on the kitchen chair and then waited for me to grab my keys.

We got into the car and made our way to the school. Jonah was in the back seat looking out of his window as the city of San Diego passed him by. I kept wondering how our relationship would change once the baby came along. He and Vic had gotten closer than ever over the last couple of years, and I can only imagine how close now that by this winter, all my focus will be on the new baby. I didn't want to make Jonah feel left out. After all, his entire life it was just him. And most of the year, it was just him and I. I figured that I would talk to Vic about maybe taking a trip somewhere or going to Disneyland so we could spend more time with Jonah.

I slowed down as we entered the school zone and pulled closer to the school. "Alright Jo, we're here. Have fun today, okay?" He nodded and kissed me on the cheek before he got out of the car and shut the door. I made sure he walked into the school before I drove back on to the house.

I parked into the driveway and then back into the house. Yoda jumped on my leg for attention and I smiled, picking him up and carrying him back into the bedroom. Vic was turned on his side, the blanket covering his bottom half of his body. His wild and wavy tresses were everywhere and his hand was covering the right side of his face. I climbed into the bed with Yoda in my arms and he went and cuddled up to Vic's legs.

I laid down, looking at the back of Vic's head. I kept wondering how I even landed someone like him. Even if he was my best friend first. The fact that I got him a second time around is a little nuts. I remembered how nerdy him and I were in high school, how naive we were. Then a year after we graduated, we got married. It sounds crazy and it was. And, it not like our parents let us live with them the second we got married. I think that's why we got closer than ever because we struggled together. I thought back for a moment, at what felt like the toughest moment of our lives.

Vic looked over to me, the frustration apparent all over his olive colored skin. I sat beside him, the white envelopes that held the bills that we could barely afford were sitting in front of us; all opened and spread out. I felt like I was drowning, and Vic was being dragged down into the water by a heavy anchor with me.

“How are we supposed to do this?” He asked weakly; the weakest that I've heard his voice get.

I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. I hoped that this was all a nightmare, that this isn’t what is happening. “What we always do. Work.”

Vic looked at me and let out a deep breath. It felt like we had already worked ourselves to the bone, but it almost seemed like we deserved this for getting married so early. We’d been married a year and now we kind of wished that we waited to have our lives together.

“I know that this is hard, but I’m happy that I get to go through this with you, Livvy.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found it hard to fall back asleep so I ended up going to the living room to watch some tv. I kept getting hungry and all I wanted was some donuts but I didn't want to go to Krispy Kreme without Vic. That was his favorite place. I looked at my phone and saw that it was almost noon. I continued to be comfy under a light blanket on the couch and watching reality shows one after another.

Around 12:15, Vic stumbled into the living room, his hair a mess but a smile on his face nonetheless. "I mean, good afternoon darling!" I exclaimed, making him laugh as he walked over to me.

"Hey Liv. How long have you been up?" He sat down with my legs on his lap, rubbing them softly.

"Since I woke up to take Jo to school. I've been super bored." I smirked at him.

"Sorry baby. Thank you for letting me sleep. I owe you a sleep-in day." He leaned over and kissed my lips as he held my chin lightly.

"You always let me sleep-in, babydoll. You worked late last night. Or this morning I should say." I raised my eyebrow but soon softening my facial expression and running my hand through his hair.

"You're a beaut, Olivia Rose." He looked into my eyes deeply with a small smile, and I could almost feel his eyes in mine.

"I'm also hungry and craving donuts." I grinned innocently.

He chuckled,"Mmm. Krispy Kreme?"

I nodded, "Only your favorite place in the entire world." I smiled.

"Let's go. I want donuts, now." He sat up, grabbing a hold of my hand. We both got dressed then got in the car to get some of the most delicious tasting donuts of all.

While we were making our way to Krispy Kreme, Vic was focused on the road. I changed the song that was playing on the speakers from my phone shuffling through until I found a song I felt like hearing. An old Silverstein song played aloud and Vic turned to me with a grin, "Leave it there!" I listened to him and left it there, seeing him tap the steering wheel to the beat of the song titled, "Discovering The Waterfront".

He began to sing along with the lead singer in perfect harmony, eventually me joining along. I remember when this song came out in 2005 and Vic and I were dying to see Silverstein, so as soon as they came to San Diego, we bought tickets and headed over to what became one of our favorite shows that we attended. We were both 22 and we'd been married for three years. I had found out I was pregnant a month or two later.

"Remember when we saw them? We were so excited." Vic gleamed as he had lowered the volume so I could hear him speak.

"I was just thinking about that. God, that was so fun. I miss actually going to shows with you. What was even the last show we went to together?"

"I wanna say Third Eye Blind a few years after that. That was like five years ago."

"That was so fun. Do you think Jo will ask us if he can go to shows with his friends?"

Vic nodded, a slight throaty chuckle coming from him. "Maybe in a couple of years. I went to my first show when I was like 10 or 11."

"I did, too. Blink 182 was my first show ever. I was addicted to going to shows after that."

He was silent for a moment, as we were getting closer and closer to the famed donut shop. As the song was finishing up in the background we cleared his throat. "Can I ask you something, Liv?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'm kinda scared for this baby, especially because you're gonna be very, very pregnant when I'll most likely be touring for this album. I feel like someone should stay with you, especially since Jo is gonna be there causing havoc like he usually does." The worry in his voice was apparent. I was thinking about this since the second I found out I was pregnant.

I looked over to him, hoping I could let him see a relaxed face. But the more I thought about it, the more it freaked me out. We're looking for a new house, and I would be prepping this house for the baby, all alone, Jonah would be going nuts like a 7 almost 8 year old would, and I would in fact be very, very pregnant. I didn't like to bother people, I always liked to do things on my own. What if I go into an early labor and Vic isn't here?

"What are you thinking about, babe?" He asked, looking over to me as we pulled into the parking lot of Krispy Kreme.

"I don't know. I was thinking about that. I've been thinking about that. I don't want to but I have to get things figured out because the album release date is nearing."

"Maybe Alex can stay with you? I know she has her own life but she's your best friend. Or eve none of the girls. Like Erin or Jess. Maybe even Alysha." Vic said with a smug smile on his face.

I looked over to him and furrowed my eyebrows, "I'd rather jump off of a cliff than have Alysha staying with me."

He laughed, "I know. But, you have to keep her an option. What if she's the only one available if you're in need?"

"Whatever." I crossed my arms. "I just want my donuts."

"Drive-thru?" He questioned and I nodded. I kept thinking about what he said and I sent a text to Alex, Jessica and Erin, asking when the boys leave, if they were willing to help me out mainly with getting the new house, when we decide on one, baby ready and whatnot. They all agreed happily, but I was still nervous. In six weeks, I was finding out if this baby is going to be a girl or boy and then after that time flies, it seems.

"Maybe we should stop by Mike's place before we head home? I think I should talk to him about Alysha."

Vic nodded, smiling. "I think so, too. It's better to be safe then sorry." I agreed with him, after all. I know I didn't like her much but I felt like I should have them all behind me just in case something happens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We drove up to Mike's driveway and I had a grip on the donut box. Mike's car was in the driveway and I got out, holding onto my precious donuts. We walked up to the front door, ringing the doorbell. A moment later, Mike came up and answered the door with a smile on his face.

"Put the blunts away, Mike." I grinned, walking inside of his house.

"Hey guys. What brings you two here?" He lead us into the kitchen and Vic and I sat on one of the bar stools at the long counter.

"Well, Vic and I were talking about the new baby and something came up. Kind of an issue."

"What issue?" He asked, confused at all of this.

"Me being in my last trimester and being very pregnant, and with Jonah being wild, and the new house that we plan on getting, and getting it prepped for the baby and labor emergencies all while you guys are touring."

"When are you due again?"

"I never told you. December 17th." Vic mentioned to his younger brother.

"No way! That's fucking sick. Anyway, that's a lot on your plate Liv."

I nodded, "Yeah. But, I was wondering if you plan on still being with Alysha the last half of the year?"

He chuckled, "Hopefully. Why?"

"Because I think it's a good idea to have some people ready to be there for me in case of an emergency. I already talked to Alex, Jess, and Erin. It was Vic's idea to include Alysha." I rolled my eyes making Mike laugh. Mike knew I didn't like her very much, but he also knew that I've known him since he was a teenager, so I was very protective over him when it came to things like that, especially girls.

"I think that's a good idea, too. I can give her your number and then tell her about it. I'm sure she'd be happy just to know that you considered her."

"I'm sure." I said sarcastically.

"Have you guys found a house, yet?"

"We saw a couple that we liked. And we saw that one that's like a block away from here. That one was okay." Vic said. "I'm gonna go to the restroom real quick." He walked to the restroom and shut the door.

I opened up the donut box and grabbed an original glazed donut and a napkin, taking a big bite. "Are you worried about being alone?" Mike asked, taking a donut and following my actions.

"Yeah. I kept it to myself. Vic brought it up today, though. I don't want to worry and stress about it, but I know myself well enough to know that I'm gonna have a meltdown about it down the road."

"I'll help all that I can while I'm still here. I'll help you with the new place, and packing, and unpacking. Even setting up the room. I'll do what I can because I don't want you to stress out. It really is a good idea to have some help, even though to hate asking for it, Olivia."

"I know. I just hate bothering people about anything. That's not me and you know that."

He gave me a look as if he already knows. "Uh, duh! You say that like I don't know you at all."

"I just like doing and figuring things out on my own. I hate depending on people."

He grabbed another donut, stuffing it into his mouth. "Well, start! You're pregnant with your second child and you have another one that's gonna be eight this summer. You can melt down and ask for help. It's okay to not be Super Woman all the time. You have us Fuentes' and your family and all of our friends. We'll all be willing to help. I'll even tell Jaime and Tony to be ready to help, too. So you won't have that much on your plate by the time we leave. You can just kick up your feet and relax."

I smiled at Mike. I always thought about how much of a best friend he's always been to me. Even after Vic and I have divorced and he had started dating Amy. He was determined to make sure that I never forgot him or the relationship that we had based on being super protective of each other. It was good to know that I had at least both Fuentes brothers willing to have my back no matter the situation. "Thank you. That sounds brilliant." I shot him a toothy grin.

Vic came out of the restroom and joined us in our donut eating fest. We decided to watch a movie and talk about upcoming plans with the new house and how Mike was going to tag along to help us make a decision since he knew us both so well.

Even though I hated to admit it, having help honestly was taking so much off of my shoulders. Maybe Mike was right. Maybe I did need to ask for help if I needed it instead of trying to figure it out myself.

Notes

I FINALLY UPDATED! I had about half of it written but I had trouble trying to figure out the rest of it. This chapter is really a filler on a new issue that is getting closer and closer to Liv and Vic. They are faced with this new obstacle that will happen later on in the chapter.

What are your thoughts on her considering Alysha for emergencies if she needed it? What about Mike's advice and his offerings to help out whenever her and Vic needed it?

Leave your thoughts and comments, and I would love to know what you think :)

Love you forever,
Amber