Jonah was zooming in and out of the living room; running as fast as she could, using his voice to shout at extreme volumes. I just sat on the couch, rubbing my belly and watching him. I didn't have the energy to get after him at this point. He'd been over the top and extremely loud lately. I was now dreading that school was out for the summer.

Vic walked into the living room and gave Jonah a stern gaze. "Jo, stop. You have a room to go nuts in, go in there. Let your mom rest!"

Jonah looked at Vic angrily then went up the steps to his room and shut the door. Vic walked to the couch I was sitting on and plopped down. He leaned towards me and rested his head on my chest. I played with his soft brown, wavy hair, causing him to relax. I knew that he'd been stressed out, too. They had officially finished recording the album and now it was getting mixed. Which meant that he'd be leaving me soon for tours that the band's booking agent, Dave, had booked.

"He's been driving me crazy, lately." He admitted softly as he exhaled.

"I'm with you on that one, babydoll."

"I feel awful that I have to leave you with the wild boy in a few weeks." His guilt coursed through his body, I could almost feel it.

"Vic, it's fine and you know it. Our parents have many activities set for him this summer, so he can let his energy out somehow. Like today, for example. He's going to his friends house to play. They'll play for a few hours and then he'll come home, eat, and then crash out."

"Good. I'll talk to him before I leave. I'll tell him he's got to look out for you and his sister." Vic smiled softly as he looked up at me. "Speaking of his sister, the guys are still coming to paint the nursery right?"

I nodded, "Yes sir. And their ladies are coming to help out as well." I was quiet for a moment, as was Vic. "You know, we're pretty lucky to have our friends in our lives."

"We are. Is Alex coming?" He asked of my best friend who I rarely see nowadays.

I shook my head, "No. Some family emergency came up so she called me this morning to cancel."

He didn't say much after that but just nodded. He knew not to get into it. I wish I could say that Alex still feels like my best friend, but it's tough to say that without feeling like a liar. We'd grown apart, sadly. But, we were always there for one another and I knew that.

Vic and I laid there for a while before calling Jonah down for lunch so he could eat before he left with his friend. He sat there eating quietly and I felt a little guilty for Vic getting after him. Jo was an only child for going on eight years, that's kind of a big deal to suddenly be thrown into the idea of having a sibling. Vic and Mike were a year apart, and I was an only child; I could sense how Jonah was feeling mainly because I can read it on his face.

We had to ease it on him, the role of being a big brother. I felt sad as I was watching him, and I didn't want to overreact and cry about it. I figured I could at least talk to Vic about it when Jonah leaves. We ate then Jonah went upstairs and I heard the door to his room slam shut, making me jump. Vic looked at me and shook his head lightly. "I'm gonna go talk to him." I said softly as I went up the steps and lightly knocked on his bedroom door. "Jo, I'm coming in." I opened the door and he was sitting on the floor playing with some toys. I sat on his racecar bed and looked at him and sighed softly.

His big brown eyes resembled Vic's so much. When Vic and I weren't together, Jonah's eyes ruined me on some days and made me miss Vic when I didn't want to. I cleared my throat, "What's been going on Jo?"

He shook his head, those waves shaking with him and staying silent.

I smiled, knowing he was lying. "I feel like this has to do with your dad leaving soon, and the new baby getting a lot of attention already and she isn't even here yet."

His cheeks turned pink and he looked down, continuing to roll his toy Hot Wheels around on the carpet.

"Baby, I know what it feels like to be an only child. I don't have brothers or sisters. And I can only imagine how annoying your dad gets about getting ready for the new baby. But that's because he knows what it's like to be a big brother."

"Dad is being mean to me." He pouted, finally speaking for the first time since earlier.

"Daddy isn't being mean, Jo. He's just trying to help me out," I rubbed his head with my hand. "Because when I was pregnant with you, I wasn't doing a good job at taking care of myself. So your daddy is making sure I don't worry about a lot of things this time around." I stopped talking for a moment and Jonah just sat there on the floor looking at me. "Are you going to miss dad when he leaves? Is that another thing?"

"I like hanging out with daddy. I don't like when he leaves." His eyes began to water and I grabbed a hold of him and wrapped him into my arms. He was crying onto my shoulder and I was rubbing his back. I couldn't help myself and I started crying, too. I comforted Jonah for a short while then went to my bedroom where Vic was standing by the closet and staring inside of it.

I sat on top of the bed and sighed enough times to get Vic to turn around and ask what was wrong. "Your son. I just talked to him about some stuff. And turns out, he thinks you're being mean to him about the new baby and..." I paused momentarily half for dramatic effect half because I needed to catch my breath. "...he doesn't like that you're leaving for tour soon."

Vic's facial expression fell and his eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not being mean. Am I?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so. I told him you weren't because you were just helping me out. I think you should talk to him though, babe. Man to man." I smiled softly as did he and he left the room to go into Jonah's room. I decided while he did that, that I would organize what was going to go into the nursery once the paint dries. Jessica and Alysha are refusing to let me paint the room even though I specifically chose toxin-free paint for the nursery.

I sat on the bed and was folding some of my baby girl's newly washed clothes and placing them into a hamper with some burping cloths and small hand towels. Fifteen minutes later, Vic strolled in with a grin. "Everything good?" I asked as I got up and put the hamper in the corner of our room.

He nodded, "Yeah. I feel kind of guilty for being a little strict on him. He's never been mad at me before."

"He's just down that you're leaving. He's just gotten used to you being around the house more, but he gets it, I think." I folded up a pink onesie and placed it in the hamper before going back to the bed and sitting on it.

Vic was quiet for some time as if he was taking in what I said and whatever he and Jonah spoke about. He was looking at his suitcase that was in our closet, empty, but soon enough it would be filled with his clothes and necessities for months at a time as he traveled across the world to share something that meant a whole lot to him. "Liv, are you sure you're gonna be okay by yourself? I just can't stop thinking about where I could be if you went into labor early or something happens."

I looked down at my growing belly, knowing there is a baby girl in there who is gonna learn everything she knows from Vic and I. She's gonna run to us and cry to us about getting a scrape on her knee, and one day, about a love who is gonna let her down. Those are little moments that mean a whole lot. My biggest fear is her being born and Vic being absent from that special moment.

On the inside, I still wasn't positive about this whole touring thing; especially now. It's like I got pregnant at the absolute worst time. Yet, any time is the worst time when you are in a relationship with a musician. "Vic," I chewed on my lip. "I'll be fine. Stop worrying about that please." I lied. I knew that he knew I lied too, but I can't have him freaking out on me. I need him calm. If Vic is calm, I am calm. I'm lying for the both of us.

He nodded slowly as he accepted my plead and didn't bring it up once more. Good, I thought, because I don't need him questioning me about that right now. I'm a procrastinator, so I''ll put this whole Me-Being-Very-Pregnant-And-Alone thing off until the time comes.

---

A few hours later, Jonah was at his friends house and all the guys were here with their ladies. We were about to get the nursery set up and the guys were getting the paint set up so they could start. I don't know why Jaime was wearing safety goggles, but he was and he had the paint roller in his hands. Mike and Vic had finished priming the walls yesterday, so today was the day we were actually getting the room painted then hopefully in the next few days we can start moving the crib and dressers in there.

Vic and I had chosen a light neutral color for the baby's room. With soft yellows and beiges and whites. We had chosen a room like the second one that I had shown the girls. (Nursery) It was elegant and comforting, and we figured that was the vibe we wanted to put out. I was shaken from my daze by Jessica shouting at Jaime about something and everyone laughing. I looked over at him, with his stupid goggles on, and he was about to start painting but had forgot to roll a bit of extra paint off of the roller.

Jaime was shouting back, laughing hard, as he began to roll the paint onto the wall. He was doing on side and Vic was doing the other. Mike stood in the middle of the room watching them with his hands on his hips, and Tony was making sure the plastic cover was fully covering the carpet because if not he was gonna freak out. I was outside of the room, peeking my head in as I watched my friends help out. Alysha and I had set up the small bench and Jessica helped us with the changing station / small dresser. Erin was downstairs making snacks for all of us.

Eventually, Alysha went downstairs to help Erin and Mike had walked over to me. I was sitting on the cushioned bench that I had just set up and Mike sat beside me. "You okay?" He asked softly as I kept my gaze on Jaime, Vic, and Tony painting away and making sure it was organized.

I nodded, "Yeah. I'm just a little tired. And, I'm a little sad because you all are leaving in a couple of weeks. For months."

He looked at me and nodded his head, "Yeah, I hear you. If it makes you feel better, we'll be back by Jonah's birthday, then off for a week or two before we even have to leave again."

"I know, but after that. You'll be gone for four months. I'm just sad because what am I supposed to do without you guys? Y'all are my best friends in the entire world." I could feel my emotions welling over me and I was getting mad my my hormones internally for making me this way.

He just fixed his gaze on me for a moment, then looked away smiling. "And you are our best friend in the entire world. The real question is, what are we gonna do without you?"

I smiled softly and leaned my head on his shoulder, "Thanks for helping out, Mike. It's really relieving stresses that I had about doing all of this by myself."

"You're welcome. I can't wait to meet my niece. I can't wait to spoil the shit out of her."

"Like you did to Jo?" I laughed, thinking of all the toys and clothes that Mike has bought Jonah since the second he found out I was pregnant.

"Yeah. Your kids are gonna put me in debt." He joked, chuckling loudly.

Neither of us said anything after that, we just watched Jaime and Vic paint the room. Tony taking over for Jaime at one point because he had to pee. The goggles were kept on though, for some reason. Once Erin had made us our snacks, we had ate them then went back to work. The girls and I were discussing what curtains I should buy for the windows in the nursery and other small add-ons like that.

Later on, Jaime and Vic went to go pick up Jonah from his friend's house and pick up pizzas for everyone here since we were all hungry. "Ugh, where are they? I'm so hungry!" I exclaimed making everyone laugh. I didn't know what was so funny about me being hungry, but apparently it was.

"Our we gonna have our usual BBQ before you guys leave?" Jess questioned as she sipped on a bottle of beer.

Mike nodded and gulped his beer. "Yeah, Vic and I were talking about it the other day. I figured at my place again. All parents are invited like usual. I'm kinda feeling a bouncy house. Ya know, for the kids." He informed us.

"You mean for Jo and Jaime?" Jess commented making everyone laugh. I sat there looking down at my nails that I felt desperately needed to be painted and not paying much attention to this BBQ talk.

"Yeah, for real." Mike said chuckling.

Soon enough, the door swung open and in walked the three boys. Jonah was carrying his backpack and Vic and Jaime had two boxes of pizza each in their hands. "Food's here!" Jaime shouted and everyone ran over to the kitchen where they were placing them.

Jonah came over to me and gave me a hug. "Hey babe, did you have fun today?" I asked him as I pushed some of his hair aside.

His eyes grew and a smile grew along with him. "Yeah! We went swimming 'cause he has a pool at his house and then we played video games and then ate pizza!"

"Ooh, that sounds so fun! So you aren't hungry?"

He shook his head, "Nope. I'm full." He smiled widely then ran up the stairs to put his bag away.

I used the couch to help me get up and Vic was behind me, waiting for me before he ate also.

"You hungry, Livvy?" He asked and I nodded. "Alright, let's get you and this little baby fed." He said gently touching my stomach. He had a priceless smile on his face and I smiled back at him.

I unexpectedly gave him a kiss on his lips, "I love you, Vic."

Notes

FINALLY AN UPDATE. All apologies for the lack of updates, and lack of updates on anything, really. I really appreciate the patience.

So, the baby room is halfway set up and talks about tour are coming up more frequently. How do you think Olivia is gonna handle her pregnancy this time around along with making sure Jonah is getting taken care of? Especially after how he's been acting lately.

I'd love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave your questions, comments, and concerns :)

Thank you for reading.

XOXO,
Amber