Queen For A Day

We drove almost half of the next day, eventually coming back into familiar territory. Most of the people on the bus had hangovers, so they spent the day in bed, which made for a quiet trip. Vic and I were the only ones awake for a lot of the time, so we claimed the front lounge - after cleaning it, that is.
“Here’s my road!” Vic exclaimed tiredly as he glanced out the window.
“Finally, as much as I love touring, I honestly can’t wait to sleep in an actual bed again.” I sighed contentedly.
“Hey! How do you think we feel? You almost got a proper bed, we were stuck in bunks!” Vic protested with a grin.
I snorted in return, “you can’t speak, you slept in my bed several times, so you have it better than the others too!”
“Ugh, whatever,” Vic stood up and stretched as the bus pulled to a stop. He walked to the door and threw it open. “Home sweet home!”
“It’s my home too now,” I chuckled. He turned and smiled, walking back to me and kissing me passionately.
“I love you Cali.”
“I love you too. Now, let’s get out of this cursed bus.”
Vic helped me down the stairs for one final time and walked me to the front door of his house. We were followed by a few of the guys who were slowly making their way out of the bus.
“We’re a bit ahead of schedule, but I thought there’d be someone here already.” Vic commented as he unlocked the door. I glanced back to the road, half expecting to see Fay or someone drive up as he said it. But it was empty. Vic held the door open for me and then gave me a brief tour of his house. The others were all filling in and slumping down on couches.
“C’mon guys, we have a whole lot of shit to get out of that bus, don’t get comfy down there.” Vic called, receiving a whole lot of groans. “Cali, how about you order a few pizzas or something, just for me and you and your family, assuming they’re still coming. Us men will get everything from the bus. Also, I am not letting you climb those steps again.”
I rolled my eyes, “Whatever.”

I’d just hung up the phone after ordering the pizza when a car pulled up in the driveway. I wondered out, assuming I’d know who it was, and was greeted with a yell.
“Carl!” Fay ran up and hugged me tightly. I laughed and hugged her back.
“Hi Fay, how are you going?”
“I’m so great, and you’re so pregnant!” she pointed out, pulling away from me. She looked the same as ever, with her wiry bleached blonde hair going in weird directions.
“8 months and two days,” I grinned.
“I can’t wait to meet my little niece or nephew.” She threw her arm around my shoulder and took me to her car. Mariah was sitting in the passenger seat, watching us with a smile on her face. Why was she still in the car though?
“Um why-”
Fay cut me off, “we may have had an accident..”
Mariah swung her door open and held it awkwardly, not making any move to leave the car.
“Hi Cali,”
I walked around to her side too see a huge cast on her left leg.
“What the hell?! What did you do Mariah?!” I exclaimed.
She looked at me sheepishly, “You know how we had that party at your place a few weeks ago? Well some things went wrong and I broke my leg in three places.”
“How did it happen?!” I knew they shouldn’t have been at my place. Everything goes wrong when I’m not there.
“Let’s just say we had to replace two of the chairs in your dining room.” Fay cut in with an awkward laugh, “anyways, Mariah I’ll help you out.”
I decided to leave it, I didn’t even want to know what they got up to in MY apartment. I was going to have to move out of it now anyways.
Mariah was still in the process of getting out of the car when my Mum’s jaguar pulled up across the road. I waved to the car of people, quite apprehensive of seeing them. Mum and I weren’t on the best terms when we ended our last phone call. She’s probably still hung up about Cooper and me breaking up. And me lying about my baby’s dad.
I crossed the road to meet them as they got out of the car.
“Hey sis,” Saxon got out of the passenger seat and hugged me.
“Sax, congrats on the baby!” I let him go and hugged Poppy who’d just gotten out of the back seat.
“So great to see you Cali! Here, meet your niece,” Poppy reached into the car and unbuckled her tiny baby. Grace was incredibly small, but had the same big grey eyes as her Dad, and a little bit of brown hair on the top of her head.
“She’s gorgeous guys!” I cooed, taking the baby as my sister-in-law passed her to me. I held her gently, making sure to support her head. “hey little Grace, aren’t you beautiful.” I felt like crying. In only a months’ time I’d be able to hold my own baby.
“Cali,” I turned to face Mum, who’d gotten out of the car and come around.
“Hi Mum, how are you?” I gave a weak smile and tried to focus all my attention on my niece.
“I’m fine thank you, but I do believe I need an explanation for some things.” She replied curtly.
I nodded, “Come in, I’ve just ordered pizzas for us. There’s a few people I’d like you to meet.”
I carried Grace across the road and into the house, followed closely by my friends and family members. All the guys were still bringing cases and bags into the house, dumping them all on the living room floor to be sorted out.
Vic was just coming out of the kitchen as I entered, and he smiled at me. “You look good with a baby,” he commented, walking to me and stroking Grace’s head gently.
“Thanks,” I gave a laugh then leaned in to whisper to him, “Look, we really need to talk to my Mum about everything,”
He gave an understanding nod. “Ok, the guys will all be gone soon.”
One by one the families and friends of the crew and band members came and piled bags and belongings into cars, eventually leaving. After a quick warning from me, Cooper left our place as quietly as he could, somehow managing to leave without being seen by my Mum. Soon it was just Vic, Mike and I with my friends and family.
“I bet it’s good to finally be home,” Poppy smiled at Vic as he dropped down heavily on his couch.
“It really is, touring is wearing.” He replied.
“So was it really a good idea to send a heavily pregnant woman along?” My Mum said tightly, her eyes darting around the room at everyone. We’d all found ourselves sat on the couches in Vic’s living room, with a mix of pizzas in front of us.
“It was fine Mother.” I rolled my eyes and reached for a piece of the delicious food.
“Hmph,” she huffed.
“Does anyone want drinks?” Mike stood up and gave a little cough. The tension in the room was thick, I don’t blame him for wanting to get out.
“I think water’s fine for everyone,” I answered, catching his eye. He nodded and walked to the kitchen.
“So, how’s Cooper?” Mum asked curtly. I almost choked on the mouthful I had.
“Uh, he’s fine. We’re still good friends, it was probably for the best that we broke up.”
Vic shifted awkwardly next to me.
“Also, Cooper isn’t the baby’s dad.” I stared at my feet.
“So I’ve heard.” Mum spat, “Why did you lie to me Cali? I simply can’t believe you’d do such a thing!”
Her tone of voice was scaring me. As were the gazes of everyone in the room. As far as I knew, Mum and Saxon were the only ones who didn’t know Vic was the father, which made me feel even worse. I was able to tell my friends and sister-in-law but not my own mother and brother? I’m a horrible person.
“I’m sorry ok! At the time it seemed like the best option!” I put my piece of pizza down, suddenly not feeling so hungry.
“How could lying be the best option?!”
Grace whimpered from Poppy’s arms, obviously not liking the raised voices.
“I just didn’t want you to be disappointed in me.”
“Why would I be disappointed? Is he not a good person?” She frowned at me.
Vic sat forward rigidly.
“No, but.. ugh.” How should I phrase it?!
“Can I meet him sometime? He obviously meant something to you if you were willing to sleep with him.”
Actually no Mum, at the time we barely knew each other.
Vic cleared his throat, and looked at me, ready to say something. I gave him a look which stopped whatever he was about to say.
“Mum, I-”
“Is this him here?” Mum glared at Vic, “Are you the father of Cali’s child?”
He nodded slowly, “yes, I’m sorry we had to tell you like this Ms Hill, things have just been very complicated.”
She frowned, “well. I don’t know why it could’ve been so complicated. If Cali had simply told me you two were dating back then it wouldn’t have been like this. But no, she never tells me anything.”
“Mum!” I was finally fed up with her, “Vic and I weren’t dating at the time. We were drunk and it was a one night stand!” my voice seemed to echo as everyone became completely silent for several seconds.
Mum was taken aback, her mouth was gaping, and she looked like she had a million thoughts going through her head. Mariah and Fay were looking at the ground, both appeared to be very uncomfortable. Saxon was staring at me with a tired look on his face, he didn’t look angry though thankfully. I was partially scared he’d try beat Vic up for knocking up his little sister. Poppy was fiddling with Grace’s hair, a blank stare on her face. It was all very uncomfortable.
Vic moved a little closer to me and stroked my back, gently playing with the ends of my hair.
“C-Cali Abigail Hill.” All eyes turned to my mother. “I thought I raised a smarter daughter. I feel as if I barely know you right now.” Her voice was weak and she seemed to be struggling with what to say.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you wouldn’t like this, so when Cooper asked me on a date, and you showed up at my apartment I decided to just go along with that, and Cooper was fine with it. But Vic’s always known it was his, although he had a girlfriend for a while. But eventually they broke up and I realised that I wanted to be with both Cooper and Vic, and Cooper figured that out so we broke things off. Anyways, long story short Vic and I are now together, and we’re going to raise the baby together. I’m going to move in here, as soon as I possibly can.” I finished with a sigh. At least I’d finally revealed the entire truth.
“I don’t really know what to think.” Mum admitted. “To be honest, although I am disappointed, I think that this is a better idea than being with someone who isn’t the biological father. I must say, I really liked Cooper though.”
I exchanged a glance with Vic, “Well hopefully you’ll like Vic more. I do.”
Mum looked to Vic and spoke again, “You better look after my daughter and grandchild. You have quite a bit to prove to me, given the circumstances.”
“Don’t worry Ms Hill, I love your daughter, that’s why I wanted her to move in, so I could take care of her for this last part of her pregnancy. And it makes more sense for both the baby’s parents to live in the same house.
She nodded her approval, a small smile growing on her face. “Ok, that’s good to know.”
Mike walked back into the room carrying some glasses and a jug of water. He’d obviously been hiding in there for that entire conversation.
“So, when are were you planning on moving in here?” Mike looked down at me.
I shrugged, “this week, I’ll probably sleep here tonight.” My eyes flicked to Vic and he gave an encouraging nod.
“Do you want us to start moving your things today?” Saxon spoke up for the first time.
“That’d be great.” Vic stood agreed, “The sooner the better.”

Later that evening most of my belongings had been moved to Vic’s house. We hadn’t spoken much about it, but I was going to keep my apartment and leave most of the furniture in it, just in case I ever needed to move back. Hopefully that wouldn’t happen though..
“We’re going to need a new dresser to fit all your clothes in. But for now do you want to put them in the cupboard in the spare room?” Vic walked up to me with the last bag from his car. The sun had just disappeared over the horizon, marking the end of a very busy day.
“That’s fine, we’ll bring the dresser from mine tomorrow.” I was opening a few boxes, trying to figure out where everything was. I hadn’t realised how much shit I owned until now. I pulled one box towards myself and opened the top.
“Oh, look at these!”
Vic knelt down beside the box and peered inside. I saw his face light up.
I pulled out a tiny jumpsuit from the box, admiring the size of it.
“It’s so small!” Vic gasped.
“This is the average newborn size, our baby is only a bit smaller than this right now.” I handed the yellow jumpsuit to him.
“That’s incredible. I still can’t believe we’re going to be parents so soon.” He put the outfit back and got up to sit next to me on the couch.
“Neither can I.” I paused, “what if we’re not ready?”
“We’ll be ready, I know you’ve been reading books, and I’ve been reading online. And apparently there’s just some instincts you have when it’s your own kid.” He put his arm around me and pulled me to his chest.
“You’re gonna be a good Dad, Vic.” I snuggled into him.
“And you’ll be a good Mum.” He kissed the top of my head. “How about, after this baby’s born and we’ve figured ourselves out I take you on a date?”
I laughed, “Wow, we’ve never even been on a date have we?”
“Nope,” Vic chuckled, before looking at me expectantly.
“Of course I will Vic, I am your girlfriend after all.” I rolled my eyes.
Instead of replying Vic leaned down and kissed me, holding my face in his hand gently.
“How about we get an early night?” he whispered as we pulled away.
I nodded, letting out a yawn. It had been a big two months.

Notes

I'm back!!!

Here's the chapter i've been promising for almost a month now.
If you all don't mind, i'm going to upload the rest of this story tonight - only like two chapters after this.

Thanks for reading
Beth xx