One of Those Nights

The sound of Mike, Vic and Tony's voices filled the apartment that evening in a banter of raucous laughter, indicating that they were home from their last practice before embarking on tour. It was now Thursday night, and tomorrow they would be leaving San Diego and driving the two hours north to Pomona, Mila included.

Although Tony now called Newport Beach home, he had spent the past week in San Diego living with Vic, Mike and Mila whilst rehearsing with the rest of the band for tour. Mila didn't mind though, it gave her the opportunity to get to know Tony better before she set off on tour with them.

In fact, the past week was filled to the brim with people getting to know one another, including The Kerr's and The Fuentes' over a pre-tour dinner. In addition, Mila had gotten to know Jaime, Casey, Casey's girlfriend, Adam - who occasionally toured with the band taking photographs, and Pierce The Veil's tour manager, Kevin.

It had been quite a busy week of friendly barbecues and group outings and it was safe to say that both Mila and Mike's new life as a couple was slowly starting to piece together.

"Michael!" Mila half yelled, half groaned from their bedroom as she laid out their clothes for tour.

Her voice must of travelled out of the bedroom and down the hallway because within moments, Mike entered the bedroom, Corona in hand.

"Jesus, woman. Wanna yell any louder?"

"You're late," she stated.

Mike took a swig of his refreshingly cool beverage. "Don't get huffy with me. Last night of rehearsal, darlin'," he shrugged as he moved closer the bed, sitting on its edge.

"You know, packing your shit, washing your clothes, cooking your dinner, cleaning up after you and having sex with you, constantly, isn't exactly what I signed up for when I decided to move in with you, Michael. I am not your wife."

"...Yet," he muttered.

Mike knew that her use of the name, 'Michael' in replacement of 'Mike' meant that she was less than impressed with him.

"I'm sorry," he admitted. "We brought take out tonight."

"Well, that's lovely but I haven't eaten take out for the past three months since I've been pregnant," she glared as she folded one of his shirts and almost threw it into his suitcase.

Deep down she knew her attitude towards Mike was just a case of the hormonal pregnancy blues, and maybe the fact that she was starting to out grow all of her favourite articles of clothing, but she wasn't going to be the first one to admit that now, was she?

"Yes, I know," acknowledged Mike. "That's why I made a detour to Whole Foods. Fancy a..." Mike scrunched up his nose whilst recalling what he had brought her. "Mediterranean quinoa salad?"

Mila couldn't help but smile.

"Really?"

Mike nodded. "Do I get a kiss and maybe a sorry?"

Mila moved so she stood in front of him and bent down to kiss his forehead. And just like that, she was fine again.

"Sorry," she admitted. "I'm grumpy because all my favourite jeans no longer fit me and I have nothing cute to wear on tour," she pouted as she looked down at him and rested her hands behind his neck.

Mike frowned up at her and wrapped his free arm around her bottom half. "You're still the cutest girl I've ever seen."

She let out a small chuckle as she playfully pushed him away. "I'd like to hear you say that in six months time when I'm laying on a hospital bed, screaming bloody murder."

"Oh, I can't wait."

"Come on, sweet talker, packing can wait. This soon to be mama and her bubs are hangry."

Mike immediately stood up and followed her as she vacated the room, switching off the light in her trails.

"Hangry?" He questioned, cocking an eyebrow.

She looked back at him but only for a quick second as they stalked down the hallway, a cheeky smile pursing her lips.

"So hungry we're angry."

Mike shook his head and held his free hand up in defense. "Don't wanna mess with hangry, pregnant, Mila."

"Who's hangry?" Questioned Vic from his takeaway container of oriental food.

Mila held her hand up as she poked her nose into the brown paper Whole Foods bag on the kitchen counter.

"Hangry and pregnant, apparently," added Mike as he too rummaged around for his food. "If you didn't already notice from her loud bellowing down the hallway."

A smug look adorned Mila's face.

"Pregnant women, eh?" Said Tony. "How are we ever gonna survive two weeks on the road with one?"

Mila glared at Tony and leaned over the kitchen bar from where she was standing, punching his shoulder.

"The same way you're going to survive on the road when you don't have an arm to play with," she replied.

All three boys laughed momentarily at her comment and watched as she approached the fridge, salad in hand, and fetched herself a bottle of water.

At least she was humorous.

-

When Pierce The Veil left for national tours, they all met at their practice space downtown, packed up the bus with their gear, and made their way to the first show.

Much to Cara's dismay, Mila had asked her to drop Mike, Vic, Tony and herself off early that morning. At 7 AM to be exact. And for some reason, she agreed.

"Be good," Cara warned, pointing at her best friend sternly.

"Yes, mom," Mila muttered.

"If you need anything, just call me."

Mila graciously smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Car."

Mila tried convincing Mike to let her join the tour tomorrow, when they'd be back in San Diego, but he refused.

"I know," she sighed before continuing. "And Fuentes," Cara continued as she averted her attention to an impatiently waiting Mike. "If anything happens to her I'll kill you, yeah?"

Mike grinned and shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. Hurry up, will ya? We've got a show to play."

Cara rolled her eyes at Mike and then focused her attention back to Mila before embracing her into a warm hug.

"I'll see you soon, Car," assured Mila as they pulled away from one another. "And thank you again for dropping us off."

Cara smiled back at her before giving her a small wave.

"Come on, Mils," Mike urged. " Your goodbye is taking longer than Jaime and Jessica's and I'm freezing my balls off."

"Good. It's not like you need them," muttered Cara.

Mike flipped Cara off as Mila approached him, shaking her head at their childish behaviour before herself and Mike made their way onto the bus, Mila looking back occasionally to wave goodbye to her best friend.

"She'll always be a bitch," seethed Mike as they occupied the bus.

"Mike," said Mila sternly.

Mike muttered something under his breath but Mila didn't bother listening. Instead he pulled her closer to him as they occupied the main entrance of the bus.

"Welcome home," he announced. "Well, for the next two weeks."

Mila studied her surroundings, watching grown ups fight over bunk beds in the distance, with words of profanities and playful wrestles.

What had she gotten herself into?