Stay

“When I see your smile tears run down my face. I can’t replace, and now that I’m strong I have figured out how this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul and I know I’ll find deep inside me I can be the one. I will never let you fall I’ll stand up with you forever. I’ll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven. It’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok. Seasons are changing and waves are crashing and stars are falling all for us. Days grow longer and nights grow shorter. I can show you I’ll be the one. I will never let you fall I’ll stand up with you forever. I’ll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven.” – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

It had been a week and Nick had been ignoring all calls from his family. Melody had tried on many occasions to get him to talk to them; she didn’t want their baby to born with everyone fighting. Nick was too stubborn to give in and talk to them. He couldn’t understand why they didn’t want to support him. His tour was still set to start at the end of the month and going on until the final month of Melody’s pregnancy. With everything that was going on with Nick’s family Melody didn’t want him to leave her at home for the next five months alone.

It was the one day Nick had to pack everything he would need before tour. It mad Melody sad to help Nick pack all of his bags with all of his clothes and other necessities. For days he had been in out of rehearsals for the tour. He was in a constant good mood when he would get home from playing his music. He would always been in a horrible mood before going to rehearsals, mostly because he had so much to do with the tour that it was making him go crazy. Melody didn’t say much to him when he was in his bad moods, trying to avoid a fight, and just let him be, knowing that as soon as he went to rehearsals he would be in a better mood.

“Babe, do you need this?” Melody asked bringing out box of shoes that she didn’t know Nick had sitting in the back of his closet.

“Yes!” Nick exclaimed setting the shirts he had been trying to organize in his suitcase down to look at the box. “I was looking for this earlier. It’s all of my shoes I like to wear on tour.”

He kissed Melody quickly on the cheek before taking the box over to where there were other items piled next to their bed. It taken hours to go through Nick’s closet and find everything he would need. They had pretty much taken everything out littering the room with random objects. As organized as Nick tried to be he had been a little lacking with that in his closet; since he had to put a lot more in there then he had before to give Melody the other closet in the room.

“What else do you think you’ll need to get from the store?” Melody asked as they finally had Nick’s closet put back together and organized with the little bit he would be leaving behind.

“Not much. We can go tomorrow before I have to rehearse.” Nick replied with a shrug. “Let’s just lie down and watch movie for the rest of the night.”

Melody liked that suggestion and quickly changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed. She settled into the pillows relaxing into the soft mattress. Nick was slower about taking off his own clothes and put on his shorts and pick out a movie. By the time Nick was ready to climb into bed Melody was starting to fall asleep.

“Should we just skip the movie?” Nick asked quietly.

“No, I’m awake!” Melody said opening her eyes and sitting up to better see the TV at the end of their bed.

Nick just laughed and started the movie. It didn’t take long for Melody to fall asleep with her head on Nick’s chest. Her arm stretched out on his stomach. Nick had a hand resting on her pregnant belly softly rubbing the exposed skin there. He finished the movie before turning the TV off and moving to lay in a more comfortable position on the bed with Melody.

They slept soundly that night, the first night in many nights that Nick was home before Melody was asleep. It had been hectic with all of the tour preparations and the family drama. The two barely had time to themselves anymore, and now that the time for the tour was drawing nearer Nick and Melody didn’t know when the next time they would have any time to each other would be before the baby was born.

Nick woke up before Melody and began making her breakfast. Melody woke up to the smell of bacon, a very welcoming smell to her slightly sensitive nose. She walked slowly into the kitchen where Nick was standing in front of the stove.

“Good morning.” Melody said as she walked completely into the room. She kissed Nick on the cheek before settling into a chair at the table.

“Morning, Love.” Nick said back sending a smile towards Melody. “How did you sleep?”

“Perfect.” Melody answered smiling wide. “I always sleep the best when you’re with me.”

“I know, babe, I’m going to miss waking up to you.”

Nick had set all of the food he had made onto plates and set one in front of Melody. She looked hungrily at the full plate in front of her. She had been trying to watch what she ate for the baby’s sake but sometimes it was so hard to keep from eating everything in sight.

“How are you feeling today?” Nick asked. “Has the morning sickness come back at all?”

“I feel great.” Melody answered with a smile. “I haven’t gotten sick in at least a week.”

“That’s good.”

“Remember my appointment is at ten.” Melody said before taking another big bite of food.

“I’ll remember. I only have one meeting this morning and it shouldn’t take that long.” Nick said smiling. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

**
Melody waited nervously on one of the uncomfortable hospital waiting room chairs. Her hand lay upon her swollen stomach protectively as she surveyed the room. There were other expectant mothers there with their significant others, and some alone, she noticed the looks of pity and disapproval the women on their own received from the married women. Glancing at the clock on the wall Melody sighed – Nick was late. The second were passing to when she would need to when she would be called for her turn to see her doctor. One of the most important appointments of their lives and he was nowhere to be seen.

“Melody?” A nurse called looking around the room.

Melody quickly stood and walked towards the nurse a nervous smile on her face. The nurse made polite small talk as she walked Melody to the exam room. Melody didn’t say much, her mind was on where Nick could be the nurse didn’t seem to care. Melody when through the first part of the check up with the nurse before she had to wait for her doctor to do the rest of the required tests to make sure the baby was healthy.

Melody looked up sharply when the door opened and a flustered looking Nick strode in. He immediately sat down next to Melody and took her hand in his.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” He began quietly. “I tried to get here as fast as I could. Did I miss anything?”

“No. It was just my vitals.” Melody answered. “Where were you?”

“At a last minute meeting.” Nick said avoiding Melody’s gaze. “About my public image.”

Nick didn’t get to say anything else as the doctor arrived. He was quick to do his routine check up on Melody.

“Everything looks great.” He said a smile on his friendly face. “Now do you want to see your baby?”

Melody quickly answered yes sending Nick a happy smile. An ultrasound was brought into the room and set up next to Melody who was lying down on the exam table with Nick at her side clutching her hand tightly. They were both nervous to see their baby for the first time. Melody hardy noticed the cold that had settled across her stomach from the gel the doctor had put there. Her eyes were set on the blank screen next to her. Her heart was racing as she waited for the first glimpse of the baby growing inside of her.

“Here is your baby.”

Melody couldn’t believe what she was seeing; it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Nick felt the same as he starred at the screen where he could faintly make out the shape of the baby. The doctor pointed out different parts of the body to the speechless couple.

“And this is the heart beat.”

Melody felt tears come to her eyes as she heard the perfect sound. She looked at Nick and saw that he had tears of his own threatening to fall.

“Did you want to find out the sex?” The doctor asked.

“Yes.” Melody said excitement rolling off her body in waves.

“Well I’m happy to tell you that you are the parents of a healthy baby girl.”