Tattoos on the Heart.

Zacky relaxed a little as he made small talk with Louisa’s mother and sister. They were really great people and he enjoyed talking with them. He honestly didn’t even mind all of the questions her mother asked him about himself, especially about his career. She seemed genuinely interested and it made him really excited. Before long though they came to a stop, which meant they were at the house. Zacky glanced over at Louisa before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. He got out of the car and went around to the trunk to grab all of their bags, or at least as much as he could, before following them all inside. When Louisa whispered to him to set the bags over in the corner, he listened and did what he was told, before going and standing back beside her. He shoved his hands in husband pockets at the slightly uncomfortable feeling he got with three sets of eyes on them. If he didn’t know better, he’d say they were all triplets or something with how much they look alike. It was like her dad chewed them up and spit them back out. Zacky wasn’t sure who to go with first so he went with Louisa’s dad to get it over with, since that was the one he was most terrified and concerned for. He held out his hand towards the man, smiling from ear to ear as he greeted him. “It’s really great to meet you finally, sir. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, biting his lower lip as her dad just sort of stared at his hand for a minute. Zacky thought for sure he wasn’t going to grab it and shake it, but he sighed in relief when he finally did, smiling back at him.

---

Jenna jumped a little when she heard Matt, rolling her eyes playfully as she plucked the key from his fingers. “Flashing money around this weekend, are we?” She said as she wiggled her brows at him. She had to admit, that was one of the things she admired about Matt. Even though he did have a hell of a lot of money being a rockstar, he didn’t flash it around like most. Jenna went to the elevator with him, leaning against the side and sighing as she are her cookies. She jumped when Matt asked her what was wrong, staring at him with wide eyes as she slowly chewed her cookie. “Oh... well you see, I was standing there thinking and the funniest thought occurred to me. I can’t remeber the last time I had my period,” she told him with a laugh, stepping off the elevator and looking for their room. Nothing like starting off a college weekend than a good pregnancy scare. Jenna pulled out her phone and searched for the nearest drugstore, surprised that there was actually one right across the street. Jenna’s periods had always been really irregular, so she didn’t think that she was pregnant. But with how much sex her and Matt have been having lately, and a lot of it had been unprotected with how spontaneous it was, she just wasn’t sure.

Louisa knew that her dad and brothers would like Zacky but there was still a small little fear in the back of her mind that they would reject him. She knew their scrutiny came from a place of love; last time she'd brought a guy home like this, it had been Jay and she'd ended up with her heart broken. And she knew her family would do everything in their power to make sure it didn't happen again. But Zacky was so different from Jay and Louisa knew deep down in her heart that Zacky would never hurt her the way that Jay had. Louisa let out a sigh she hadn't realized she'd been holding in when her dad finally shook Zacky's hand. So far, so good. Once Carson and Justin had gotten their introductions out of the way as well, Louisa reached forward to grab Zacky by the elbow. "Sorry to break up your little boys' meeting, but I'm going to take Zacky upstairs to show him the room. We're a little jetlagged, so we're going to change and relax before dinner. You know, so you guys can interrogate him."

---

Of all the things Matt expected Jenna to say, that wasn't one of them. "You...what...what," Matt stammered after her as she exited the elevator. No periods meant babies and babies meant...shit. "You uh, you're sure?" he asked, hovering behind her. He glanced over her shoulder and saw she was looking for the nearest drugstore and felt his stomach drop to his knees. So this might really be happening. Jesus Christ, how could they have been so fucking stupid? Matt knew better than to have unprotected sex like that but they did it, anyway. "We should go now," Matt said. "To the drugstore. Well, after we put our shit in the room. But we should go right after that." Now that he knew there was even a slight chance that Jenna might be pregnant, Matt wouldn't rest until he knew for sure. God, what if she was pregnant? He couldn't handle a baby right now. He didn't want a baby right now. Did Jenna? They hadn't ever talked about this.

Zacky was so relieved that the introductions went well. Hell, they went way better than he had expected. He was about to start making jokes with Louisa’s brother’s when he felt her grab his elbow and steer him upstairs. He grabbed their luggage and took it up to the room with them, setting it inside before shutting the door. “Well, I think that went great,” he said once they entered the room, flopping down onto the bed and burying his face in the pillow. “I was so nervous I thought I was going to have a heart attack and die, holy shit,” he said, his voice muffled from the pillow. Zacky sat up, stretching and yawning. “Do you think they like me?” He asked, his eyes wide. That was one of his main concerns. He wanted her family to like him so badly. He didn’t want to mess this up. Louisa was someone he really cared about. Hell, he was pretty sure was head over heels in love with this girl. Making a great first impression on her family was everything to him. Especially with her father and her brothers.

---

Jenna frowned a little, trying her best to stay together. She wasn’t sure why she told him. Maybe she should’ve just went to the drugstore by herself and took the test without telling him. Jenna didn’t give much thought to the consequences of this. What if he realized that he never actually wanted kids with her or a future. What if he only saw her for the sex and now that they fucked up, it was over? They haven’t even told one another “I love you”, so what made her think that this was going to be okay? Jenna swallowed the lump in her throat as she unlocked the suite. If she hadn’t been so worried over her possible pregnancy, she would be blown away by how beautiful it was. “Let’s go,” she murmured once Matt sat the stuff inside the room. “There’s a drugstore in walking distance.” Jenna waited for Matt before taking the elevator again and walking towards the drugstore. She was thankful that there was one so close by. She bought two Arizona ice teas, a bag of pork rinds, and five pregnancy tests. Jenna raised a brow at the look the guy at the counter gave her, rolling her eyes. “You can never be too sure, y’know?” She told him, resisting the urge to slap him. She opened her can of tea on their walk back from the store, chugging almost the whole thing. She already kind of had to pee and tea practically went right through her. When they got back to the room, Aubree definitely had to pee by then, so she grabbed two tests and went into the bathroom. She peed on both of them, setting them on the counter and setting a timer. “Maybe we should talk while we wait,” she told him softly as she excited the bathroom, sitting on the bed and crossing her arms over her chest as she stared at her lap. “About us.”

For a short second, Louisa thought that her brothers or her dad might argue with her announcement but luckily they didn't. She waited for Zacky to grab their bags before she led him upstairs to the guest room. Watching as he flopped down onto the bed, Louisa chuckled. She knew he'd been nervous about meeting her family but she thought it went well. "Yes, I think they like you," Louisa answered. She crawled up next to Zacky on the bed, slipping her arm over his waist. "And once they get to know you a little better, I know they'll love you as much as I do." Louisa realized what she'd said as soon as the words left her mouth. She'd been contemplating saying it for quite a while but she hadn't really intended on just blurting it out like that.

---

Matt only nodded when Jenna told him there was a drugstore within walking distance. He was glad they didn't have to call another Uber to go and buy a pregnancy test. A fucking pregnancy test. Matt was still in shock. But he didn't want to end up making Jenna anxious, so he kept his mouth shut as they made their way across the street to the drugstore. He wanted to ask her why she was buying five tests but he supposed it was better to be safe and than sorry. While Jenna went into the bathroom to take the tests, Matt perched himself at the edge of the bed. It was only a minute or so before she emerged but Matt knew she didn't have the results yet. "Talk," he repeated. "About us. What about us? Jenna, I...I love you but...I don't know if I'm ready for a baby just yet."

Zacky sighed in relief as he stared up at the ceiling. He was so glad that things were going so well. All he wanted was for Louisa’s parents and siblings to approve of him and like him. When Louisa laid down beside him, he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. What she said next completely caught him off guard, but a smirk made its way onto his face. “Oh? You love me, huh?” He teased playfully, moving so he was hovering over her. Zacky couldn’t begin to describe how happy he was to hear that. Of course she didn’t say it out right, but he knew what she was trying to say. “That’s good, because I just so happen to love you too,” he told her softly before capturing her lips with his in a deep, passionate kiss. So far this trip was turning out to be a dream come true and he honestly couldn’t wait for the rest of it. He knew it was going to be amazing.

---

Jenna frowned and sighed heavily as she stared down at her hands in her lap. She wasn’t ready for kids yet either. Her eyes widened as she lifted her head, not sure if she heard him right. He loves her? It really took him until now to say it? Jenna bit down hard on her bottom lip from smiling, since this was a serious moment. She didn’t really say anything else as she waited for the timer to go off, jumping up and sprinting to the bathroom. Jenna walked over slowly to the counter, biting her lower lip hard as she stared at the test. Disappointment flooded through her as she saw that she wasn’t pregnant and she wasn’t even sure why. She knew neither one of them were ready for a baby. Jenna walked out of the bathroom with the test in her hands, sitting back down beside Matt and showing him. “I love you too,” she murmured, leaning up and kissing his cheek.

Louisa had almost been hoping that Zacky wouldn't head her little admission so she could actually say it to him instead of just blurting it out. But as soon as she saw the smirk on his face she knew he'd heard. "Of course I love you," Louisa said softly. "How could I not?" She eagerly returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. She was absolutely over the moon right now. After Jay, Louisa had honestly felt like she wouldn't ever find someone who would love her but Zacky had proven all of those fears to be unfounded and she felt so lucky to have him in her life. "I can't believe how lucky I am to have you," she said, pulling him in for another kiss. She couldn't believe this was all because Matt had dragged Zacky in with him when he got his tattoo. Maybe she should send the man a fruit basket or something.

"Ahem, am I...interrupting something?" Louisa pushed Zacky back and saw her sister standing in the doorway, a smirk on her face. "If you two can manage to break it up, dinner is ready."

---

Matt realized as Jenna went into the bathroom to check the test what he'd said. It would've been nice to actually say it but he guessed this way, it sort of showed how much he really meant it. Matt looked up as Jenna emerged from the bathroom, his heart beating hard in his chest. He couldn't tell the results from the look on her face so he eagerly took the test from her when she offered it to him. Seeing that it was negative, Matt couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. He definitely wasn't ready for a baby right now. Maybe in the future, but not now. "I'm glad you feel the same way, otherwise I'd look pretty stupid right about now," Matt said, chuckling softly. He turned his head to peck Jenna on the lips. "Should we get going soon? If we're heading to Louisa's parents' house for dinner. I'm sure it's about time for them to eat. And Zacky will be happy to have us there for moral support. Poor dude is probably going to be torn apart. Meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time is tough shit."

Zacky felt like he was on cloud nine right now. Knowing that Louisa loved him was the best thing ever. This just made him want to ask her to move in with him now instead of waiting until they got home. Although it was probably for the best to just wait. He chuckled and kissed her softly, grunting as Louisa quickly pushed him away, pouting a bit. Zacky saw Courtney in the doorway and he gave her a sheepish smile, chuckling a bit and rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s great to hear, I’m starving,” he said as he stood up, holding his hand out for Louisa to take. They followed Courtney downstairs, Zacky trailing behind Louisa like a lost puppy. He had no idea what to do or where to start or where to sit. He hated being somewhere for the first time and just not knowing how thinks worked. He knew though that it definitely wouldn’t be long before he warmed up and got comfortable. “Have you talked to Jenna? I thought they’d be here by now,” he said to Louisa, furrowing his brow.

---

Jenna sighed softly, running a hand through her hair and making a face at all the tangles she somehow managed to get during the flight. She looked back at Matt, smiling and kissing him as deep as she could. She was so happy that they finally reached the point where they could tell one another “I love you”, because holy hell it was so hard not to just blurt it out sometimes. “Yeah, let me just brush through my hair real quick and change clothes,” she said once she pulled away from the kiss, standing up and going over to her bags. Jenna wasn’t sure if she was going to tell Louisa about her scare or not, since she already had so much going on at the moment with Zacky and her family. The more Jenna thought about it though, the more she realized how badly she wanted a family. Not just with anyone though, but with Matt. She couldn’t see anyone else to be the father of her children and the one she spent the rest of her life with. Of course, they don’t want any children now and rightly so, both of their careers were just taking off and a baby just wasn’t what they needed. Jenna sighed and pulled out some new clothes, quickly changing before washing her face and brushing her teeth. At least it made her feel a little better, but she honesrly just neeeded a shower. “Alright, lets go,” she said to Matt as she walked out of the bathroom, throwing her hair up into a messy bun before sliding on her Gucci flip flops that everyone always made fun of her for having.

@ zacky vee;
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Louisa just rolled her eyes playfully at her sister as she climbed out of the bed. She smiled as she took Zacky's hand, leading him downstairs. As they approached the kitchen she could smell her mother's meatloaf and she was hit with a strange rush of nostalgia. Moving to California had been an exciting and important step in her life and she wouldn't change it for the world but sometimes she missed home. "Yeah, I'll send her a text to find out where they are," Louisa said, pulling out her phone. "Probably getting in a quickie at the hotel," she added with a smirk. She pulled up her message thread with Jenna, sending her a quick text. Hey, where are you guys? We're about to sit down for dinner. Mom made meatloaf.

---

"Alright, I'll just wait here," Matt said, patting the bed. He thought he looked presentable enough at the moment. It wasn't like he was meeting Jenna's parents or anything. It would probably be a long time before he saw Louisa's parents again, if he ever did at all, so he didn't really need to impress them too much. It was only a few minutes before Jenna reemerged from the bathroom and Matt smiled at her as he rose to his feet. He made sure he had the hotel and rental car keys before he followed Jenna out of the room, shutting the door behind them. As they got settled in the car, he heard Jenna's phone vibrate and he laughed. "I bet that's Louisa, isn't it?" he asked her. "Probably wondering where we are. Tell her we'll be there in...twenty minutes? That's what the GPS is saying, anyway."

Zacky nibbles on his bottom lip as he watched Louisa text Jenna. He really hoped they’d be here soon so that he could have a couple more familiar faces around. He sat down next to Louisa once he saw where she was sitting, picking up his glass and taking a sip of his water.

“So, you’re in a band?” Louisa’s brother asked, looking Zacky up and down. Zacky grinned and nodded, shifting in his seat. “I am, actually. I play guitar for Avenged Sevenfold,” he explained, blinking when Courtney choked on her drink.

“Holy cow! I thought you looked familiar, I couldn’t place it. Louisa! Why didn’t you tell me? Wait, or did you?” Courtney furrowed her brow, clearly in deep tonight. He assumed she didn’t think her sister would hold out on such valuable information like that.

Zacky chuckled a bit, rubbing the back of his neck.

---

Jenna pulled out her phone as it it went off, nodding at Matt. “It is indeed Louisa,” she said as she began texting her friend back. We’re on our way, be there in 20ish. We may or may not be late because I had to run to the drug store and get a few pregnancy tests. Jenna figured she’d sort of tell Louisa through text about her pregnancy scare instead of in person, just to give her time to process and maybe cool off if the other girl felt the need to lecture. The ride to louisa’s Parents was a bit quiet, but it was comfortable. Her and Matt were both obviously jet lagged and a bit mentally spent from stressing over being pregnant for a half hour. Jenna took a deep breath and let it out before getting out of the car, taking Matt’s hand and walking up the sidewalk to the front door. She didn’t bother knocking, since she knew they were all probably sitting down eating and it wasn’t like she wasn’t pretty close with them anyways. Ever since she met Louisa this was where she’d been coming for the holidays and almost every other time Louisa came to visit. They were the family she never had. As soon as Jenna stepped in the house, she smelled the meatloaf and her mouth instantly began to water. “It smells so good!” She said, walking into the dining room. “Hello, everyone! I have come to grace you amazing people with my presence one again,” she said as she plopped down in one of the seats that were clearly left for her and Matt. Matt got to sit next to Zacky and Jenna was between Matt and Louisa’s brother.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it was important!" Louisa explained. In all honesty, that bit of information had slipped her mind. She thought that telling them that Zacky was in a band was enough and she hadn't even thought to tell them which band he was in. "But yes, he's in Avenged Sevenfold, now you know," Louisa added, looking down at her phone as it vibrated. She read over Jenna's message, her eyes widening as she got to the end. A few pregnancy tests? Was Jenna pregnant? Louisa knew her friend had been sleeping with Matt a lot but she'd just assumed they were being safe. But that wasn't exactly something she could ask about over the phone and she definitely didn't want to talk about it in front of her family. True to her friend's word, about twenty minutes later Louisa heard the front door open and Jenna and Matt walked into the dining room.

"It's about time you guys got here," Louisa said. "We were about to eat dinner without you. By the way, everybody this is Jenna's boyfriend, Matt. He and Zacky are in Avenged Sevenfold together."

---

When they reached Louisa's parents' house, Matt walked with Jenna to the front door, pausing on the front step. He'd been expecting her to knock, like most people did at a house that wasn't their own, so when she just burst inside, he was a little caught off guard. "Hey, wait for me," he called after her, following her inside. In the dining room, everyone was already sitting at the table and Matt couldn't help but feel a little bad that they'd all been waiting on him and Jenna. "Uh yeah, like Louisa said, I'm Matt," he said. "It's nice to meet everyone. And everything looks and smells great, Mrs..."

"Blakely," Louisa's mother finished.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Matt apologized, dropping into the empty seat next to Zacky. "It's been a long day of traveling, I'm still a little jetlagged." That, and he was still a little stressed from the half-hour of thinking he was going to be a father.