Always Watching You

@ Bam.Bam

Nova fell asleep as she leaned against the window. Emmett looked at Brian as he spoke, taking his dog from him. Turning his head to look at his mama, Emmett glanced back over at Brian. He recognized him from a few pictures his mama had around and she had told Emmett a little about Brian. Emmett smiled a little, “Hi daddy.”

---

Seeing Joelle open the door and just as quickly try to shut it, Zacky kicked it open before walking into her apartment. “You’re not supposed to be here either, you’re supposed to be in California,” Zacky stated. He glanced around her apartment before shaking his head, “I don’t understand why you would rather live here.” His eyes landed on some toys laying around and some other kid stuff, before he could question it there was a noise from the bedroom, “What was that?” Zacky asked as he turned to look at her.

@ foREVerYours.

'Shit' Joelle mentally cursed when she heard Aaron cry. She hoped that he would go back to sleep, because she didn't want Zacky to know that they have a child together let alone let him be in his life. "The moment i found out that you were arrested for murder was the day that California was no longer my home." Joelle spatted. "You need to leave now or else me or someone in this apartment complex will call the police!" She threatened. Joelle heard Aaron cry again but this time it was non-stop. She saw Zacky heading in the direction of his bedroom, she got up and ran in front of him going into her son's room. "Dont touch him." She said as she, now going into protective mom mode as she tried to block Zacky from seeing Aaron, while trying to calm him down.

---

Brian smiled softly hearing his son calling him Daddy, but it killed him on the inside that he wasn't there for Nova and Emmett when they needed him the most. "Its nice to meet you kiddo. I'm sorry that I have been gone. I had to take care of some things." He said.

@ Bam.Bam

Emmett listened as Brian talked, “S’okay.” Nova slowly opened her eyes when she heard Brian talking to Emmett. She rubbed her eyes for a moment as they adjusted to the lack of light. Emmett looked at Nova, “Mama, I’m hungry...” Nova nodded as she dug into the bag she had with her, pulling out a peanut butter sandwich and handing it to him. “I figured he’d need a snack here and there,” Nova said as she looked at Brian.

---

Zacky rolled his eyes when she mentioned the police, “They can go ahead and call, I’m not here alone.” When he heard the sound of crying, Zacky walked down the hall. Zacky stopped in his tracks when he saw the little boy, his heart was racing. Even with just a glimpse, Zacky could see himself in the little boy, “Joelle, i-is he mine?” It was a stupid question, he looked like Zacky’s mini-me. He looked at Joelle, “What’s his name?”

@ foREVerYours.

Joelle ignored his questions, not wanting to give Zacky any detail about their son. "It's okay, baby. Mommy's here. Shh, shh." She cooed, while rocking her one and a half year old, trying to get him to calm down. After spending a couple minutes of getting Aaron to calm down and go back to sleep, she placed him in his crib, tucking him in before placing his favorite dinosaur plush toy. Joelle looked at Zacky and had him follow her out of the bedroom and back into the living room. Joelle heard him ask what was their son's name again, but she ignored him for the second time before facing him. "Why the fuck are you here Zacky? If you think I'm going to get back with you and move back to California, you are sadly mistaken." She told him in a matter of fact tone. "The moment that I found out that you were arrested for murder of not just one person but two, our relationship ended. I cannot be with someone who had hidden his criminal lifestyle from me but is also a murderer. I don't need that type of influence in my life and especially in MY son's life." She said, putting emphasis on 'my'. "You need to leave, now."

---

Brian nodded and watched Emmett eat his sandwich happily before giving his attention to Brian. "I know you may not believe me, but I am really sorry for how things went down between us. I will never forgive myself for leaving you to take care of yourself and Emmett without security." He paused, reaching to gently grab her chin, the pads of his thumbs caressing her skin gently. "I promise things will be different between us and that I will be a better man for you and step up to be the father that our son needs." Brian was being sincere. He needed to hold himself accountable and he would do anything to prove that. "I want to get to know my son, but I need your help. I want know how you came up with his names, what he likes, what he dislikes, when's his birthday and more."

@ Bam.Bam

Nova listened as Brian spoke to her, “I know you’re sorry, but that was a side of you that I didn’t even know existed.” She looked over at him, “When I was looking at names, I kept coming across Emmett and every time it came up with a different meaning. The most common ones being truth and strength. His middle name is Brian, I did tell him little bits about you. He’ll be three on June twenty-eighth.”

---

Zacky followed her, “I’m here because you’re coming back to California where you belong, even if you don’t want to.” Listening the way Joelle emphasized my, Zacky looked at her, “You can avoid saying it, I know he’s my son. You’re both coming back home, go get what you need. The guys are downstairs waiting with Nova.”

@ foREVerYours.

"I don't care how long they wait. Aaron and I are not going to California." Joelle said, not moving an inch. "I'm not taking him away from the only place I can keep him safe. You're toxic and not good for his or my environment." She moved closer to him, trying to feel tough. Joelle was not going to let Zacky tell her what to do or take control of their family when he hasn't been a part of. "I'm going to tell you one more time, Zacky. Leave!" Joelle demanded as she pointed to the front door.

---

"There were reasons why I held that part of my life from you. I didn't want to lose you, because you are it for me and because I was trying to protect you. If any of my enemies knew about you or our relationship, you would be their target." Brian explained, but then he focused on Nova describing their son. He smiled when he found out that Emmett's middle name was his name. He was surprised but was happy that Nova named their son after him, but also talked about him to Emmett.

@ Bam.Bam

“There was just so much shock, from you getting arrested and then finding out that you murdered two people,” Nova told him, she really didn’t want to talk about everything she had tried to forget. Once Emmett finished his sandwich, Nova pulled out a water bottle and let him have a drink. “I guess the rest of this is just going to have to be figured out once we get to California,” Nova said, glancing back out the window.

---

Zacky took a step toward her, looking down at her, “Joelle, go pack your shit. I will drag you back to California kicking and screaming if I have to. He’s young enough, it won’t make a difference where he lives.” Zacky heard the crying again and before Joelle could stop him, he went to the bedroom and picked the little boy up. He held him and rubbed his back gently, slowly soothing him back to sleep. Zacky walked out of the room and looked at her, “I mean it, get your shit and let’s go.”

"I dont know who you think you are, but you are not going to tell me what to do and you are most certainly not going have me and MY song move to California to ne with you. I don't care that you share DNA with Aaron, you lost all rights to be his father when your ass got sent to jail for murdering two people. So again, I'm not leaving my home to go with you. So you either need to leave or I'm sure that the police would be happy to take your ass back to prison, which is where you need to be." She threatened him before pushing him back away from her. Joelle was trying to stand her ground and not let Zacky boss her around. Besides, she didn't need his criminal lifestyle be a part of her and Aaron's lives.

---

"That night had gone completely wrong. It wasnt supposed to end the way it did. Three of the people that Zacky and I killed were our enemies that initiated the shoot out. The other person was an innocent that just happened to get caught in the crossfire, you know wrong place, wrong time kind of deal. We are never this careless, but I admit that I fucked up by shooting and killing that teenager." Brian sighed and ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Too this day it still haunts me. Not only that it reminds me that it could have been you that could've been in his position." Sighing once more, Brian looked between his son and Nova. He knew this time around he has to be more cautious and strategic, so that no one can harm his family but also not make the same mistake again. "I promise things will be different and I make damn sure that you and Emmett are protected."

@ foREVerYours.

@ Bam.Bam

“If you’re going to be in Emmett’s life, you’re going to have to be more careful,” Nova said as she looked down at Emmett who had fallen back asleep. She turned her attention to Brian, “You know just because I’m not putting up a fight about going back, doesn’t mean I’m not angry. I’m not going to put Emmett in a position where he sees us fighting, but we are not just going back to normal.” Nova knew that Brian genuinely felt bad, but it didn’t change the fact that he committed a horrible crime.

---

“Do you realize that the other three men started shooting? It was either shoot back or it could have been me or Brian that ended up dead and that didn’t seem like an option at the time,” Zacky told her. He ran a hand through his hair, “Either way I would have ended up on the news, either for murder or being the victim.” When she mentioned the police again, Zacky rolled his eyes, “I’m not giving you an option, pack up your stuff and get down to the truck or I’ll carry you down there and have Matt come up and collect your stuff.”

@ foREVerYours.

"I don't give a damn who started the shooting. It's still the fact that you killed two people regardless and that you hid your gang lifestyle from me. I don't want that kind of life for me and my son." Joelle was getting very frustrated, because it was like Zacky didn't give a damn about her feelings or hers and Aaron's well being, and he definitely didn't see things from her point of view. She still didn't move when he told her to pack up her stuff, even with the threat that followed afterwards. However, he gave her this look that scared Joelle enough to finally have to give in to him. She grumbled some profanity under her breath before she quickly threw some clothes and all her necessities before doing the same with Aaron's belonging. Throwing the duffle bags Zacky, hoping that they would hit him, Joelle grabbed Aaron's baby bag before picking him up from the crib. He started to whimper, but Joelle was able to get him to go back to sleep by softly talking to him in her baby voice. "It's okay little man. Mommy's here and mommy loves you to the moon and back." She cooed before walking back to the living room. Joelle grabbed her house keys and opened the door, waiting for Zacky to go out before closing it. She heard the snide comment he muttered under her breath and wanted to lash out on him, but decided not to and just ignored him. When they got to the truck, she saw the shocked looks on everyone's faces when they saw her carrying Aaron in her arms when she climbed into the truck. "Just because I'm going back to California with you, doesn't mean that things are going back to normal again and it definitely does not mean that you and I are together." She told Zacky when he finally got into the truck after putting their stuff away.

---

Brian nodded, "I know. I'm not going to put you or Emmett in any danger. But just know that you won't be able to go out and do things freely, at for now until things are settled." He warned her. Brian knew that she wasn't going to like being cooped up in the house or him already telling her how things are going to be, but he knew he had to let her know. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed after hearing her last statement. "I know it's going to take some time for you to trust me again, but we need to work this out between us sooner, because I'm going to make damn sure that you don't run off on me when things go wrong, especially now that we have a child in our lives."

@ Bam.Bam

“You’re joking, right? You expect me to sit home all day with Emmett?” Nova questioned him. She didn’t know how to react other than trying to argue with Brian over it. It was taking most of Nova’s self control not to lash out each time Brian made a comment. “I’m not putting up a fight about going back, and obviously if I’m opening up about Emmett to you I’m not just going to take off and disappear,” Nova told him. “We can talk and figure this out when he’s not around, he doesn’t need to be involved,” She said as she kissed the top of Emmett’s head.

---

Zacky was thankful when Joelle finally stopped fighting and gathered their stuff. He rolled his eyes as she started throwing the bags at him, “Will you feel better if you hit me?” He asked as he picked the bags up and walked out, waiting for Joelle to follow. Once they got to the truck, Zacky put all of the bags in the back before going and getting in next to Joelle and Aaron. “I understand that, trust me, you’ve made it pretty clear that the last thing you want to do is come back and be anywhere near me, but with me being out now, I don’t trust that our enemies wouldn’t try and go after you, if Matt and Johnny could find you, so could our enemies,” Zacky told her as he glanced out the window as Matt started driving.

@ foREVerYours.

"Well guess who's fault is that for putting me and my son in danger." Joelle griped back before turning away from him as she tried to make herself comfortable as best as she could in the truck. "Don't talk to me for the rest of the ride." She said once more. She rested her head against the window while looking down at her 1 year old son who was now awake and chewing on his dinosaur plush toy, while using making his usual baby noises. Two hours into the drive, Joelle and Aaron fell asleep. Matt briefly looked at Zacky from the rear view mirror. "Did you know that she was pregnant with your kid, man? Because when we tracked her down, she wasn't pregnant. Or at least she didn't." Matt asked before removing his eyes from the mirror and back to the road.

---

"It won't be like that permanently, just until we get things handled. Besides, you'll be able to go out, but not without me or one of the guys." Brian said, but then sighed. "I know and yes we'll talk about this later, but this is important because I'm trying to keep you two safe, while things are still hot." He ran his hand down his face, not trying to get worked up. "Look I love you and I love our son, and I will prove that to you when we get back."

@ Bam.Bam

Nova sighed, “Alright.” She just didn’t feel like arguing with Brian, especially considering she was already on her way back to California with him. “I’m going to try and get some more sleep,” Nova told him, resting her head against the window and yawning before closing her eyes.

---

Zacky watched as Joelle tried to get some sleep, when he heard Matt speak. Turning his attention to Matt, he shook his head, “No, I didn’t know she was pregnant...” He sighed, “For all I know she could have found out after she moved out here, but he’s gotta be mine.” Zacky told Matt as he looked at Aaron, “He looks too much like me...”

Two and a half days later, they were back in Huntington Beach, California. Brian, Cora, and Emmett, had been dropped off first before Joelle, Aaron, and Zacky were. Right now, Joelle was sitting on the couch, holding Aaron, who was cooing away while playing with his favorite dinosaur plush toy. She watched the movers that Zacky had hired to move her belongings that were in her apartment in Buffalo to wherever Zacky demanded. She were sure that these movers were part of his stupid gang because somehow, they were able to get her stuff moved out of her apartment and not pay any of the fees for breaking her least plus she got all of her security deposit back. Joelle glared at Zacky who was now sitting next to her before getting up and going to the guest room, still holding her son. She was doing exactly what she promised, which was staying away from Zacky and not interracting with him.

---

Brian was directing the movers where to put Nova and Emmett's belongings in the house. After a long two, two and a half days trips to New York and back to California, Brian was exhausted, but he was determined to make sure that he had gotten everything taken care of regarding to Nova's apartment in Rochester. Right now, his son and his girl were sleeping in the guestroom. He was honestly pissed that she didnt bother going to the room that they once shared, to sleep. However, he knew that couldn't argue with her about it with their son present. Brian knew he was going to have to work extremely hard to get her to trust him again, but he was not going to let Nova have power over him.

@ foREVerYours.

@ Bam.Bam

Nova had just carried Emmett upstairs for his afternoon nap. She put him in his bed and covered him up before handing him his stuffed dog and kissing his forehead. Nova shut the light off before walking out and making sure the baby gate was in place so if Emmett got up, he couldn’t try getting into anything or going down the stairs. Nova grabbed the baby monitor and walked downstairs. “He’s napping now,” Nova told Brian as she sat down on the couch.

---

Zacky was really starting to get tired of Joelle’s attitude and her not letting him have any time with Aaron. He rolled his eyes as he watched her take Aaron to the guest bedroom. Rubbing his face, Zacky relaxed into the couch and looked at the ceiling, wondering just how long Joelle would keep this up. He knew eventually she would have to get over her issues and at least talk to him.

@ foREVerYours.

Seeing that Aaron had fallen Sleep, Joelle put him in the play pen that Zacky bought when they arrived for California. She turned on the baby monitor before leaving the room to go to the kitchen. Joelle ignored Zacky when he called her over, while she was in the fridge to get the stuff to make herself lunch.

Grabbing the items she needed to make herself a sandwich, she stood back up only to be pinned against the counter by Zacky. "Fucking let me go, Zacky." She gritted, trying to push him off.

---

Brian nodded and watched Cora sit down next to him from the corner of and eye. He turned off the tv and faced her. "Are you ready to talk now?" He asked her. Although the look he have her pretty much didn't leave room for her to argue. "I know you dont really want to be couped inside this house, but it's for your safety. I dont want you leaving the house unless you are with me, or one of the guys. Maybe you can go out if Joelle is with you, but it depends if Zacky is okay with it and if it's safe enough." He explained to her.

@ foREVerYours.

@ Bam.Bam

Nova listened to Brian as he spoke, she wanted to argue that she could handle herself and take care of Emmett. The look on Brian’s face told her there was little room for negotiation when it came down to it. “I understand that you’re worried about us getting hurt, but I hope you guys handle whatever it is you need to because we can’t live like this forever,” Nova told him.

---

Seeing Joelle ignore him and go into the kitchen, Zacky got up and followed her. Once she stood up, Zacky pinned her to the counter, “You aren’t going to ignore me forever.” He looked down at her, not giving her a chance to move away. “You’ll thank me eventually,” Zacky told her before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. Joelle could be mad at him all she wanted, but Zacky still loved her and he wasn’t going to give up.

@ foREVerYours.

Joelle was taken by surprise when Zacky kissed her. She hated they she still loved the way his lips feel against hers and the kiss in general. Joelle wanted to hate him and show that she wasnt attracted to him. It didn't help that he looked even sexier than before. He gained more muscles and body mass, thr good kind, and the beard he had made her wonder what it would feel like against her face when they kiss and in between her legs.

Coming back to her senses, Joelle removed her hands from his grip and shoved him off of her. Hearing him laugh, she glared at him. "I can and will ignore you until you die off." She snapped back at him, but that only caused him to laugh more.

---

Brian sighed, "We are trying, but the guys and I have to be smart this time around. The last time we walked into the situation, we went in blindly and that's how Zacky and I got in trouble." He explained, rubbing his face with his hand. Calming himself down, he let out a sigh. "I promise that this hiding situation will end so, but I need you to be patient and do everything I say. Got it?" He asked, waiting for her to nod.

Once she nodded, Brian smirked. "Good now kiss me." He demanded with a low growl. He reached an arm behind her head and tangled his fingers into her hair before gripping it as he directed the kiss